summertime….

finally. it’s been so rainy and gloomy so far this summer, and when it has been warm and sunny, we’ve been too busy to enjoy it. so yesterday, we finally spent a day by the pool. it was such a relaxed, easygoing day. even with lots of little (and bigger) people…it just felt great to all be hanging out and enjoying the day together. and hopefully all the dads felt honored. my dad, tom, josh, ryan, and kirby are the best dads i know. seriously, the best. sometimes i might take it for granted a little. but when i give it even a little thought, it’s so obvious that they are amazing dads. i love how my husband loves the kids and grandkids. to see him interact especially with our grandkids makes me love him even more. i find that sooooo attractive in him.  it’s been so hard for him since he injured his shoulder, not to be able to pick them up and hold them, or to rough house with them. we’re hoping with physical therapy/exercises it will heal quickly. doc is exhausting all alternatives before opting for surgery. i like that. tom and i are not big fans of invasive medical care, unless there is no other option. that’s a whole other topic.

it was another crazy busy weekend, but it was all good. we went to the big once a year flea market in walnut on friday with donna and jamie…it’s our favorite! we took 2 vehicles (long story) and our trailer, just in case. for the first time in quite a few years, neither of us found anything big. we picked up some cute smaller things-swim baskets (i already have a ton, but needed a few more), a canvas (total score at just $10), a vintage corsage-

i can’t resist a sweet vintage corsage! i did break one of my rules and didn’t buy this incredible vintage hat covered in velvet flowers…and when i went back to pick it up, it was gone. so dumb of me. i know better! donna picked up a few little things too, and even surprised me with a sweet sheer vintage apron with pink rickrack (that i forgot to photograph! but i will) it was a good day, in spite of not finding as much as we normally do. we got together later in the evening and sat and relaxed on the patio…which may have been almost as enjoyable as the flea.

when we got home from walnut, i took a little time and changed a few vignettes around the house.

i bought the hydrangea at whole foods last week and by the time i got it home, it looked dead. i set it in the sink and gave it a big drink and it came back to life. it was droopy again yesterday and tom thought it was dead. i watered it and it came back beautifully. so, just in case you buy one and think you’ve killed it, try watering it and giving it a few hours to “come back”. i’ve enjoyed it so much. i may try planting it in the backyard in a week or two. does anyone know if that will work? it seems like i tried it once before with no luck?

as i typed whole foods, it reminded me of this: do not forget to buy your organic peanut butter while you’re at whole foods. the brand that i picked up at the grocery store, is NOTHING like the whole foods brand. it’s totally sugary. yuck. also, while tom was out of town a week or so ago, for some reason, i went to the sort of junky grocery store in town (that i normally don’t go to) and on a whim, i picked up a pint of haagen-dazs fat-free mango sorbet. it is heavenly. why did i not know about this sooner? if you have never listened or acted on a tip from me before, you MUST try this. it is absolutely the best. it’s fat-free, but loaded with sugar, so it’s not all that healthy, but so incredibly yummy. that is one reason, i like to switch up where i pick up my groceries. we are so fortunate to have such variety available. if anyone is bored with food choices, try picking up your groceries at a completely different store.

so, on saturday, we shot a wedding. i don’t even know where to start. it was a gorgeous, gorgeous event. some of the most unique (to the couple) details. donna and i were both in tears several times throughout the day. more on that later in the week. can’t wait to share!

a week ago, i took engagement photos of one of jared’s high school buddies (who he still sees and hangs out with), matt and his fiance betsy. i always enjoyed being around matt when the boys were in high school, but hadn’t seen him much in the past few years. it’s the second time this summer that i’ve gotten to photograph a friend of j’s from high school and to see how much these guys really have changed and grown up. i had a great time taking these pics!

i love this last shot so much! although there are things i don’t enjoy about getting older, one thing that i do see as a huge blessing, is to see my children grow up and become extraordinary adults….and also their friends. it’s one of life’s greatest rewards, i think.

i hope you have a wonderful day!

God bless you!