weekend

We spent a lot of time outside soaking in the beautiful weather.

We enjoyed a nice visit with my nieces and nephew who stayed with us for a couple days. My youngest niece made a happy face with her breakfast. I love the imagination of kids. SO fun!

I started a new project and we finished the weekend quiet and lazy in hopes of gearing ourselves up for the busy week ahead.

Happy Monday!

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.


Happy Weekend!

To see more moments or play along check out soulemama

Hello Summer

Today is the longest day and the first day of summer, officially that is. I love the long, slow and warm days that this season brings.

To me Summer is...

::fresh juicy delicious berries
::flip flops
::sunscreen
::family dinners out back
::feeling the sand between my toes
::bon fires and roasting marshmallow
::a nap under an umbrella
::picnic in the park with friends
::a chilled carprese salad
::homemade ice cream
::swimming in the lake
::fresh summer veggies ~ tomato, zucchini, basil ~ yum.yum.yum.

What does summer mean to you?
Happy Summer Solstice!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Here's wishing you a lovely weekend!

To play along and see more moments check out Soulemama

a game nerds gift

My sons girlfriend is graduating high school Thursday. She's a "total game nerd" as my son calls her affectionately. She has already been accepted to a nearby university where she will be studying graphic design. I wanted to make something special that she could use on her new journey. At the same time something that I thought represented her in the way we have come to know her over the last several months.



The game nerd is really good at video games and rivals the boys without much effort. She is also a girly girl, who's giving, kind and a very talented artist. I wanted to sew her a paint brush holder that she could throw in her bag for school. I used some fun fabric that I already had on hand and a cotton kitchen towel for the inside lining. I am really thrilled with how it turned out and made a matching moleskin covered journal to accompany it. This was really fun to make.

Congrats to the game nerd and best wishes for a bright and beautiful future!
xo Jen

today in my kitchen

The kitchen is without a doubt the heart of our home. My family and I enjoy our time gathered around a meal as much as we enjoy the preparation part of a meal. There is a lot of silliness and seriousness that comes out of our kitchen on any given day. Homework questions::schedules::future plans::dreaming and an occasional song and even a dance. Many of our meals are attached with a new memory or a old tradition.

Today after working I made a batch of my families favorite homemade granola and after waiting 80 days I was able to bottle another batch of Limoncello. It is already in the freezer and I am looking forward to tomorrow and our Pasta Sunday where we will be sampling it. I am off to enjoy a nice long walk with the brown dog before heading back to the kitchen to prepare tonights dinner.
Happy Saturday. I hope your days is filled with things that bring you much joy!

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

With so many "moments" this last week it was impossible for me to pick only one. This mosaic is a glimpse into the day we spent in San Francisco's Little Italy where the food, wine and people were amazing.

Here's wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with the things that bring you joy!

To play along and see more moments check out Soulemama

knit for babies

Last month my MIL asked if I would be interested in knitting up a couple baby cardi sets as her sister is expecting two more grandbaby girls. Of couse I said yes, baby knits are so fun and quick to do. Here is the first beanie that I knit up on while traveling last weekend.
On another note I am making good progress on my summer quilt top and hope to share some pics soon.
I would love to hear what crafty fun stuff you are working on these days.
Happy Thursday to you!

this last weekend

the musical handyman and I flew into San Francisco and

rented a car to drive to Napa to attend our friends wedding. What a gorgeous drive it was! There was nothing but rolling hills for miles with a new season full of growing grapevines.

The wedding was in a California Mission built in 1912 and their reception was in the barrel room of a winery. It was beautiful and just like something you would see in a movie. We had such a great time.

Today before heading back to the airport we stopped back by the San Francisco Fisherman's wharf for a snack and a visit with the sea lions at Pier 39. As fun as it is to get away for a few days it's always great to get back home and be with family.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

To play along and see more moments check out Soulmama

finished

I made this vest for the musical handyman last winter using wool yarn and he liked it. Well... long story short it ended up in my laundry and yep, felted. I wanted to make him another one using cotton thinking it would be great for summer evenings in So Cal and of course alleviating any more felting accidents. Even though it took me a while to finish, it really is a quick and easy knit. I have to say I am a bit disappointed though. This yarn was really soft and a dream to work with, but oh my gosh is it super droopy and stretches like crazy. Have you ever knit something up and found the yarn is totally wrong for the project? Well I am not sure but maybe once washed a few times it will grow on him?

On another note I got started my summer quilt today and am really loving the colors. The top is coming together quickly and I cant wait to see it completed.

Happy Tuesday I hope you have a great week!