Late Summer

The last, lingering days of summer. Here in Arizona, our summer is very long. In fact, Mrs. Summer sometimes makes us wonder if she will ever leave! We love her though, with her long, carefree days, shooting-star nights, and all the sweet summer fruits and flowers.

Isn't this a sweet bonnet? Elsa wore it all over the antique store, and how could I resist? The vintage blouse is seeing lots of summer action. It's made of the lightest batiste, hand embroidered with colorful summer flowers...

Paired with linen pants it's the perfect late summer outfit.

Our beautiful peach trees surprised us with a bountiful harvest this year. Late summer peaches aren't actually ideal here in the desert, but these are really thriving. When we first moved in to our house we considered taking them out and replacing them with early peaches. The trees were very small then, and when the peaches ripened, well, there were just enough for the birds and bugs, and none for us! We didn't do it though, and now are so glad...

For several weeks we harvested this many peaches every few days! Most we ate fresh, warm and juicy... some went in the freezer, lots went in to peach cobbler and cake. And there were still plenty for birds and bugs and chickens and goats...

The peach tree is so big now, that she can shelter little ones in an impromptu hammock...

Gently swaying, cradled in the warmth of a late summer day.

Thumbelina

She is just so sweet and cute, I couldn't resist posting her picture. This little baby was born last Monday. She is about 1/3 the size of her twin brother - I think she weighs barely a pound! She's lively and vivacious though, so no worries. I do so love the little babies. New life is always such a miracle.

Mushrooms, Cupcakes, and Vintage Sweetness

A little peek at some sweetness I've been working on.

Vanilla Cupcakes filled with Lemon Curd.

Wee chairs and vintage hankies.

A bit of lace and a peek of a hem...

A sleeve...

...maybe it will go with this!

It's looking like it will be a perfect outfit!



Last week I visited some antique shops and found some very sweet vintage finds. The most exciting was the little embroidered blouse, shown above, which fits my little elsa perfectly! Not only that, but matches just perfectly with the linen pants I am sewing her inspired by the book "Carefree Clothes for Girls". Do you see the little friend peeking out of the pocket? She's a tiny German dollhouse dolly that Elsa's sharp little eyes spied at the antique shop!

Seven Candles On My Cake

Birthday gifts presented by a rosy little fairy.

Wearing her Birthday Crown and holding her favorite gift.

Making a wish and blowing out seven candles.

Smelling the zinnias (do they smell good?) at our favorite local restaurant.

Best friends and cousins, exactly one month apart in age, in coordinating unicorn dresses, beloved rainbow unicorn still in hand!

Our little Elsa turned seven a couple of weeks ago! We celebrated with presents and birthday breakfast cake and strawberries in the morning, a visit to an indoor play place in the afternoon, and dinner at Joe's Farm Grill, our favorite local restaurant. Joe's has it's own garden and Elsa loves to wander through and see the flowers and try to guess what she ate that was picked fresh! She had a magical day, full of beauty and sweetness. Happy birthday little princess!

...And Summer Nights

The magic of glow-stick art on a warm summer night...

Summer Days

I know, I have been absent for a long time. But the days have been so full of summer fun that it's been hard to sit down at the computer. Here's a little glimpse of what we have been up to....

...our days have been busy with new pets, birthday celebrations, midsummer festival, some crafting, some acting (Elsa was in two plays! She was adorable as Cinderella's stepmother and the Magic Mirror in Snow White.) and even some sewing inspired by the ripe strawberries growing in the garden.

Hopefully your summer days are just as full and fun. I will try to post a little more frequently, especially with all the exciting activities going on this month!

Milestones

.: A few images from Jill's graduation day ~ a day filled with family and friends, laughter and tears, hope for the future and nostalgia for the past...


.:Jill was beautiful wearing a dress that has become a family heirloom. Made by my Oma for my own high school graduation, it was modeled after the dress my great-grandmother Mattie Ethel White wore for her graduation in 1913.

.:Jill's cake was a traditional Norwegian spongecake with strawberries and raspberries and whipped cream in the center, and a marzipan topping.

I have been struggling to find words to express my feelings as my eldest daughter/eldest child graduates from high school, turns 18, and enrolls in college. She is an amazing girl, and I have complete confidence in her, but I still feel just that twinge that all mamas feel at this stage~ of hope that I have done everything I could to prepare her for her future, worry that I could have done more...But looking at her sweet, radiant face, so full of joy and love with only the slightest hint of bewilderment (natural for this stage in life), I think we'll be all right.