beauty that moves

design dilemma

Do you remember my dining room in the winter? Sunlight streams in the south facing windows from October through April, May through September is a different story all together. Just outside those windows lives two huge, gorgeous maple trees. They are my air conditioners. Also, they are responsible for the shroud of darkness that takes over this room during these summer months.

I'm so over the darkness.

This room was painted about four years ago. I knew as soon as it was finished that we would have this problem (okay, in the grand scheme of things it's not really a problem...). For a few summers we just dealt with it. No longer. It is time to redo. My dilemma is that I have no idea what color to paint it! I'm kind of tired of color, wanting to wash every wall in my home with shades of white and grey lately. But with all of that dark woodwork, I'm not so sure about the stark contrast that will take place if I go with a light color. If I went with a color, I've been thinking maybe a warm, teal blue/grey but haven't come close to finding the right shade yet. I really want to lighten this room up.

So I turn to you. Have you any ideas? If this were your room, which direction would you go in? Have you seen anything on flickr or a blog (perhaps your own blog!) that could work in here? Please leave me the link if you have!

Next week this room is being painted and I could really use some direction/suggestion. It's not simply choosing a color that has me stumped, it's choosing one that will work well with the oodles of dark woodwork in the room. Know what I mean? Don't be afraid to give opinions, I'm all ears.

graduate

:: Snacks for the car ride back to their school after Emily and a friend visited a school they will attend next year. They will wear uniforms with pleated skirts and my girl is over the moon about that. A far cry from the slippers or stocking feet they've worn each day since pre-school. That is more my style. But she is the girl who makes her bed every single morning without being asked. I think the pleats will suit her fine.

We borrowed our neighbor's wrap around Victorian porch for pictures.

:: A dress for her graduation ceremony last Wednesday. The only school we've ever known lies behind us now. Nothing but new adventures are on the horizon, and we will meet them together, as we always do.

I can hardly believe the next time we slice into her birthday cake, it will hold thirteen candles. We are so proud of her, she is a remarkable young lady and a best friend to both of us.

finding our summer groove

It'll take a few days to settle into our rhythm, but I felt like a quick hello.

Early last week I was out in the garden and noticed the lavender was in full bloom - it seems so early! I love baking with lavender and plan on a bit of that this week. I'd also like to make some lavender jam/jelly. Years ago I worked on an herb farm where we made the most delicious rose geranium jelly (scented geraniums are tasty to bake with too). I'm thinking lavender jelly would be wonderful. A simple syrup infused with lavender sounds nice as well. I could keep it in the fridge and add to iced tea made with white tea or chamomile tea.

A Monday morning spent daydreaming about lavender... feels like a good start.

I should probably run now... it's 9:30 and my girl is still in bed. Not sleeping, not vertical either. It seems my seventh grader (!!!!!) has found her summer groove just fine. Up until midnight watching the season premier of Design Star, then reading. Slow to greet the day in the morning. Ah, to be twelve...

our first csa! (sort of)

Look at all that gorgeous green! Saturday, we picked up our first bundle of goods from a friendly farmer couple, Bruce and Abbie of Birdsong Farm in Hampton, CT (for you locals, email or call them if you would like more information!).  I've written before about the lack of CSA's in my area (though this year there seems to finally be a small explosion of them according to Local Harvest - yay!). In the past, it wasn't much of a concern for us considering I set up shop so often at the Coventry Farmers Market. We also have an amazing neighborhood natural foods co-op that is always filled to the brim with local fruits, veggies and cheese.

This year I will not be vending at the market (I've been meaning to tell you, many have been asking), and while we will of course still visit as much as we can, it is more of an outing (albeit a wonderful one) and I think on a regular, weekly basis, a quick one stop in and out approach might be more realistic. So I sent an email to my former market 'neighbor' asking what they were up to this year. I remember him telling me last year that they had their own version of a CSA, not even calling it a true CSA actually, but a type of service that worked (and still works!) for them.

Here's how it goes: on Tuesday of each week Bruce and Abbie send an email to everyone who would like to be on their mailing list, they include a list of what's being harvested that week on the farm with  prices/sizes/weights of each item. Customers email them back by midnight on Thursday with their order, listing what they would like and how much of each. Beautiful! Pick-up is on Saturday at the farm, and all of the veggies are harvested just a few hours before you arrive. I cannot tell you how awesome this is. Their prices are incredible and nothing beats the chance we will now have each Saturday morning to head out of our little city... just fifteen minutes away, to visit our farmers, and to thank them in person.

We are so happy to finally be part of the CSA club... sort of.

20% off sale on cash budget pouches

For the next two days all Cash Budget Pouches will be 20% off in my shop... just because! I hope that is great news for anyone who's had their eye them.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! 

Money will be promptly refunded via paypal after order is placed, or you can convo me and I'll set up a reserved listing with adjusted price, your choice.