Reminiscing....

I don't have a lot of words today.

I've been feeling sad about a few things and today, I felt happy looking back through little photo collections on my computer. This one made me smile. It was from Mother's Day this year.

That was a really good day.

Another Picture of the Hollyhocks

Hey, look! It's another picture of the hollyhocks. Usually when these beauties are gone, the temperatures start to drop. I can hardly believe my kids will all be back in school soon.

I have been so immersed in wedding planning details that I have hardly really taken notice of the world around me. Except when I was at the local discount department store, I noticed a gal changing out an end-cap of candles. I inquired about my favorite scent Mulled Cider. I usually burn one votive candle for every year of my age on my birthday and I LOVED to use those candles. The friends associate checked her plans and discovered that Mulled Cider was not on the list. I was so disappointed. Looks like I will have to decide on a new favorite, perhaps?

Ahhhh, Summer!

I really love summer. I love to run around barefoot, with capris and sleeveless tops. I love the smell of sunscreen and how the world smells after a good rain shower.

This summer has been a really good year for my hollyhocks. They're just really big and fluffy and perfectly pink and beautiful. I did not even try to grow vegetables this summer. I knew I would be too distracted. I did not even want to try! I bought a few annuals and really focused on my perennials.

Tonight, I got home and sat on my garden swing until the mosquitoes found me. Let me tell you: That was not long at all! I saw a few hummingbirds at the feeders which prompted me to run inside to get my long lens. I got back and sat patiently for about ten minutes hoping one would come by....but I was not so lucky. It was as if thy were playing coy I was pretty disappointed, actually. as the light was gorgeous. I will just have to try again.

Fluffy Goodness

I wish you could smell its perfume.

Dear 72 degrees Fahrenheit:

I think I love you.

Love,

Me

Attitude of Gratitude

Today, I find myself grateful for so many things....here are a few:

• fresh flowers on my table
• skype ... it keeps me connected to my man
• intelligent fruit being delivered to my desktop soon
• a celebratory dinner menu for this evening to include a heart-shaped calzone
• a lovely covering of snow to create more cozy indoors

Touchy Feely

I'd just finished my "Just Enough Ruffles" scarf by Laura Chau ... and no sooner laid it down, when Jack hopped upon it to snuggle into it. I can't say that I blame him one single bit. The yarn is Brown Sheep Company's Lanaloft and is surprisingly soft and of course it is warm. :) The pattern was a relatively quick knit and I absolutely LOVE the finished product. More photos of the scarf to follow.....

Many thanks to Jason who fixed my computer and helped me get back online....I was suffering withdrawals. I'm glad to be back!

xoxo

Ms. Java

Kinda Feels Like Monday

Do you ever have one of those days when you wake up that you feel like you could should slip back into bed for about 45 minutes, take a little snooze, wake up and start over? Today was one of those days for me. Let's blame it on Monday, shall we?

From the moment my feet touched the cold, hard floor this morning, I knew things were off kilter, yet I trudged on forward. I really tried to make the most of the day. I got a bit more organizing done around here and got a little bit of knitting done. Alas, despite my efforts, I still feel flustered.

I've finally placed myself in a timeout in my bedroom. The calming pink walls and soft light are helping immensely...and having my connection to the outside world, (my computer) helps a lot, too. I can hear the kids out in the living room talking and laughing. Things will get better! I'm taking deep breaths and....tomorrow is FRIDAY!

Tickled Pink!

I think I may have already used this title once...but is anyone really checking?

I love this image. If feels very soft. It feels very feminine. I am posting from my laptop right now and I have not been able to follow my regular routine of posting...it feels itchy, uncomfortable, just plain out of sorts.

This has been a very event-filled week for me. My kids have all returned to school and survived their first week, I'm planning a trip, our Wal-Mart finally opened I'm getting caught up on a lot of things I let go of over the summer break, I made a crocheted rag rug...and I'm still knitting like a fool!! We are settling into our school-year routines rather nicely. I have taken so many pictures of my little life and have just been so busy trying to put it all together, I just have not even had a chance to look at most of the pictures. I keep thinking I still had other photos I owed you from a few weeks ago and I still haven't even posted them. I promise...I'll get caught up. I miss my wonderful visits to the blogosphere.

I just want to get EVERYTHING caught up....will it happen? A girl can hope, can't she?

Despite all the craziness, here are some things I am completely loving right this moment:

*the quiet at the end of the day
*handwritten notes from my daughter
*text messaging
*beautiful, red roses delivered today from my Sweetie
*a coffee date planned with my lovely neighbor, Susan, in the morning
*my birthday is coming up...that means CAKE!
*knitting and the progression of a project
*all three of the cats are peacefully asleep right now...which means they aren't breaking anything or making messes...I swear! They are worse than kids!
*thrifting and wonderful thrift store scores!
*helping my daughter with her creative writing homework and realizing that she does listen to me...that my words to her do have an impact on her. What a good feeling THAT is.

It's all good....

Afternoon Light

They called out to me as I watered this evening...I just had to capture some of the beauty.

I know my garden may not ever grace the covers of a magazine, but I love to spend time there. I love to share time there with my kids. I love to photograph the beauty there. I love the peacefulness that comes from just sitting there...in the warm, amber light, the choir of birdsongs...and the scent of the jasmine.

A Rose By Any Other Name...

I haven't felt very verbose lately. I often sit and think of many things I'd like to tell you about here on my blog, but when I sit down to write, the words elude me. Today, I would like to just share a couple of pictures of a rose that was part of my Mother's Day bouquet.

In the Pink!

If the cozy fits...knit one in EVERY color!

I really like this cozy! It's also a supersaver yarn by Red Heart. It's acrylic which also means it is washable. I think that is an important feature for a handknit with its intended use being in food (or in this case: Beverage) service! I love the color combination in this one! It's very cheerful.

I Heart PINK!

My sweetie sent me some sweets!!!!! Thanks Russell!

I finally opened the pouch of pink M&M's!

Pretty in Pink!

Ahhhh! I got to snuggle this little tiny baby girl today. It just made my day to hold her and snuggle her. Of course, no baby comes in here without getting a few portraits made.