sometimes blessings come in two's

Take for instance these little beauties. 

The beautiful little darlings that belong to my good friend and her husband. 

Little angels who have blessed our worlds with their presence and make our hearts dance with joy. Not only because they are pretty much the sweetest little babies you ever did see, but because they are proof that God does indeed answer prayers. In a big way. 

So glad I finally got to meet these girls. 

So glad they are here and part of our lives. 

So glad to be able to watch my dear friend so consumed by the love of her daughters light up when she holds them in her arms. 

So glad for my friends who deserve this beautiful family. 

So glad for tiny miracles. 

And so glad for another reason to scrapbook.

:-) 

...and the house hunt continues.

I'm here. Really I am.

School has been let out for the summer and I have a couple of weeks off before summer camp begins. I was hoping to spend some time working on my summer list, but alas...a whole week has passed by and the only thing I have done is thoroughly enjoyed lemon mint water (seriously refreshing on a very humid day!). So then what has been taking up my time?

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We are still, yes still trying to find a home we want to purchase. I have quite literally spent a whole week perusing the internet, touring homes and going to open houses. There is one gorgeous antique colonial we have our eye on, but there are some things that are holding us back. However, whenever we go see a house (and we saw over 20 in a 4 day period!)  we are always comparing it to the home I previously mentioned...so maybe we just need to take a risk. Ugh, this is hard! 

In (somewhat) related news I found out through some detective work that our realtor has a weakness for red velvet cupcakes. I would like to bake her some to thank her for all of her hard work so I am wondering if any of you out there have a good recipe or tips I would greatly appreciate it if you'd share with me :-) 

creativity boot camp-day 12

SMOOTH

mani/pedi ingredients

creativity boot camp-day 11

HUSH

There is always music amongst the trees in the garden, 

but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.  

~Minnie Aumonier

creativity boot camp-day 10

FULL BODIED

one very large, very fuzzy, very cuddly sweet cat. 

creativity boot camp-day 9

 DRIZZLE

creativity boot camp-days 7 & 8

FLY

Little notes left behind, waiting for me to find them. Makes my heart feel likes its flying. 

ORNAMENT

Sentimental pieces that flood my mind with wonderful memories.

creativity boot camp-day 6

FLUID

peaceful, restoring and gratitude inducing.

creativity boot camp-day 5

GROW

They started out as just little ones hesitant to come to school, to leave their families sides. 

And now, they have grown in more ways than can be measured.

The school year is over and they are all ready for first grade. 

They've grown as learners and we've grown as teachers. 

What an amazing profession.

creativity boot camp-day 4

HEAVY METAL 

Strong enough to carry the futures of our world.

creativity boot camp-day 3

MULTILAYERED 

When I think of multilayered, I think of me. 

And you. 

And my students. 

And my family. 

And probably your family. 

And the stranger on the street.

And that woman I heard about in the news story. 

And the little boy who had a tantrum in the store.

You see, we are all more than meets the eye. 

We all have different experiences and emotions that make us tick.  We all have feelings that might not be apparent, and different upbringings and circumstances. We all have different schemas. We all react to things differently. 

We all live in the same world, but have built layers upon layers of love and tears and joy and sorrow. Not one of us is the same.

We are all multilayered. 

And that fascinates me.

creativity boot camp-day 2

PICNIC

 

To the love of my life: 

When I think about picnics I think about you.  

I think about picnics and how last Christmas you gave me a picnic basket just because you know how much I love to head to a quiet, beautiful place where I can read, or get lost in my thoughts or a good conversation with you. And what I love even beyond the fact that you gave that gift to me, is that you just know me that well.

I think about how we take the girls on picnics to Gore and you are so patient and so kind with them. And you laugh and you have fun and you help little one climb trees. And when I see how you are with them it makes my heart warm and I just know that some day you will be an amazing father (even if you claim we will not be having any little girls). I see how they admire you and it makes me so proud to call you mine. With the simple hoist of an eight-year-old into a tree branch just out of her reach I see your patience and your strength and everything that makes you the remarkable man I think you are.

When I think about picnics I think about made-up stories about searching the ends of the earth, to the moon and back, and apples. And I think about the feeling of cool grass between by toes and the smell of fresh dirt and the feeling of love that fills me every time you look at me; all of which renew me and fill me with contentment. I think about hope, and the beauty of the world that God made for us and the undeniable grace of it all. 

I think about perseverance and loyalty and how we've helped each other through some of the most difficult times of our lives, both separately and together.

And I think about that picnic basket you gave me. 

And I think about all the picnics to come. 

And then I think about how very lucky we are. 

When I think about picnics, I think about you, love. 

I certainly think about you.

creativity boot camp -day 1

IVORY

simple, graceful flowers still fresh from the storm.

sweet, sweet summer

Do you have a favorite season?
I can honestly say that I don't. There is something that I love about each of them and with the lazy, hazy days of summer approaching I have been thinking about some things I would like to do for the brief period they stay here in New England.

Now, I do not want this to serve as a to-do list, because I wast the summer to be as relaxing as possible, but these are things that I would like to get to while the season is abloom. There will be no check off list, no anxiousness that time is running out and I haven't gotten to everything.
But if I do, hooray!
One way or another, I am determined to enjoy this season to the fullest and try not to let it pass to quickly.

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1. visit the lavender farm on Cape Cod

2. plant an herb garden

3. master my grandmother's ravioli recipe

4. sew a dress

5. run a 10k 

6. not use the computer for one entire day

7. try a juice cleanse to reboot my health, maybe this one

8. try lemon mint water

9. organize all of my teaching books

10. have a wine and cheese picnic

11. play with sparklers

12. make a time capsule

13. make sun tea & enjoy it while reading a good book

14. make homemade gelato

15. explore the markets in the north end

16. go see a movie at the drive in

17. make an amazing women album
18. plan a summer book swap party
19. renovate an old piece of furniture
20. stargaze
21. make a new driving cd for trips to the Cape
21. go to Tanglewood
22. see the sun rise at Gore
23. take a dance class

I am sure ideas will be added as summer creeps on, but I think this is a good starting point.

How about you, any plans for the summer?

creativity boot camp

What are you doing this Sunday? 

Well technically this Sunday, June 6 though Friday June 18? 

If you're looking to see your craft through fresh new eyes, join me and many others in the free (yes, free!) online course that promises to get your creativity revved up!

Creativity Boot Camp is being offered by the ever so talented Madeline Bea, and in her words:

I have designed this e-course for people who wish to take the next step in their creative lives. Whether you need a creative boost, need the motivation to begin that large creative project, or simply wish to lead a more creative life, the exercises provided in this course will help to pave the way for maximum creativity in your life.

Doesn't that sound amazing? It sure does to me. 

Scrapbookers, photographers, painters....new crafters and old crafters alike. This is an opportunity for everyone who wishes to live a more creative life.

One thing that Madeline does ask is to pick one artistic medium and stick with it for the duration of the course. I had to think it over a bit, but I have decided to go with photography as my instrument of choice, with keeping the option of scrapbooking my photos after boot camp is over.

So. What do you think? Are you in?

egads!

Has it really been so long since I have posted? The wonderful spring air has me out and about and I haven't had much time to get crafty or cooking (in fact, mmb has been doing most of the cooking as of late!) 

As soon as I am finished with a big project I am working on for school I plan on completing my Week in the Life album. Very exciting! 

In the meantime, enjoy a little glimpse of Cape Cod (heaven on earth, if you ask me) We had a wonderful Memorial Day celebration here over the weekend and I cannot wait to get back! 

Sigh...is it summer vacation yet??