Bits of Happy

Earlier this week the boys and I zipped up the road to visit my parents {otherwise known as Bunny and Pop}. After slightly less than twenty-four hours of fun we zipped back down the road toward home.

While we were away the professor invested a significant amount of time into reclaiming our house from the uproarious mess that I call renovation sprawl. Oh that man of mine, he knows how to revive my weary spirit! No, the kitchen isn't finished, but we're slowly starting to put things back together. That's a good sign... very good.


When the car was unpacked the boys pushed chairs into the kitchen and planted themselves on either side of me as we fired up the new stove while stirring together a batch of homemade play dough. The delightful, green substance has kept Tukes busy ever since.

Simply Set

Tadpolin'

Forget the playground, these days the tadpoles are the main attraction at the park.


Boo catches them with his bare hands...


While Tukes prefers a shovel.

Of course, the tadpoles {in their buckets} come home with us...
Where the professor trips over them while painting the kitchen...
Which drives us to let them go at the "bullfrog hole" in our creek.

Feeling Tuke'ish

Facing the world {and camera-happy mom} after a nap can be tough.

Casualties of Renovation

Number of dishes broken since the bathtub became my dishwashing station... nine.

Number of dishes broken today... four.

Non-budgeted kitchen renovation expense... new tableware.

Please take note...

Do not ask me to hand wash your dishes in the bathtub.

Unless, of course, you're looking for an excuse to buy new china.

God of Refreshment

You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.

Psalm 68:9

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."

Jeremiah 31:25

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,

that times of refreshing may come from the Lord...

Acts 3:19

Summer White

I peaked over my neighbor's fence. The crape myrtles are peaking too.

Last Weekend

Morning Blue

A summer rain shower over the gulf.

Still

A summer beach view.

After the Rain

Morning sunlight breaks through over the gulf.

It's been ten years since we finished college.

We keep finding a way to gather at the beach, one weekend each summer.

No husbands, no kids, no jobs. Just the girls.

We laugh and laugh and remember and love. It's tonic for the heart, a blessing.

And then, we say, "Goodbye, see you next year," and return to life recharged and full.

Some years we have a little one in tow. This year it was Henry.

He is ten months and happy all the time.

He loves to brush his teeth and doesn't fuss when plopped in a bowl for a photo op.

His little toes are enough to give me baby fever.

And, oh, those big brown eyes... What a darling.

Current Kitchen Status

Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 7:55 a.m.

And somehow I'm still managing to cook dinner!

Simplify

Next month Modobject at Home will be two years old. Already?! Blogging has enriched my life in many ways, and, at times, it has distracted me. I've recently realized that the distraction is starting to outweigh the enrichment... I'm sensing a need to simplify.

I considered, in fact, decided to close down this little place, but possessing a platform for sharing my photos is important to me and this one is well established. So, for an indefinite season I'm choosing to simplify my posts, as well as close comments.

Please know that I have always greatly appreciated and treasured the kind, encouraging comments that so many of you have written... this change in the comment policy is for me as I seek, with God's help, to keep my priorities in their proper order. Of course, you may email me through my profile at any time.

Life is a balancing act, isn't it? Thank you, dear friends, for visiting often, for encouraging me, and for understanding.

God, Our Shield

But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
Psalm 3:3

Sunset in Tukes' Room

Georgia's Crocheted Placemat Bib

The last time that I was at my parents' house my mom and I dug through a chest full of vintage table linens, most of which belonged to my grandmother and great aunt. Among the treasure trove of white cotton, linen, and lace was a set of placemats that were crocheted by Grandma Cooky, my great-grandmother. Sadly, they were shrunken, misshapen, and would no longer lay flat after the hot water washing and machine drying that they received somewhere along the way. Last month my mother suggested that I repurpose them...


And so, I present a crocheted placemat turned into baby bib, made for little miss Georgia, my friend Joy's newest little blessing.


Once I figured out what I was doing the bib was really quite easy to make. I used one of our old bibs as a pattern for cutting the neck hole and then lined it with a soft lavender knit that beautifully enhances the texture and vintage charm of the crocheted handwork.


Oh, and it's reversible for double the duty... teething can be a messy endeavor!

Clean Teeth

I was expecting dramatics akin to what was displayed on the first day of swimming lessons. Sometimes I underestimate my children; Tukes did great on his first visit to the dentist! The hygienist did honor his request not to recline in "da big chair", because the first appointment is, as she called it, a happy visit.

Big brother took everything in stride. He's an old pro at dentist appointments... these days he has a few less teeth to be cleaned at each one.

A Garden Gate

The professor was busy with a dinner meeting so the boys and I ate a light supper and enjoyed a long bike ride. At the back of the neighborhood, near a quiet cove, we happened upon a little brown rabbit who was enjoying the mild evening. Much to our delight he was accepting of our audience as he hopped across a grassy lawn taking time to nibble this and that. He came to a latched gate, which he inspected carefully for quite some time. As we watched, Tukes, who was still strapped in his little seat on the back of my bike, wondered aloud, "Is dere no woom for a fat, wittle wabbit to squeeze under da gate?"

No room, indeed...

"After a time he began to wander about, going lippity-lippity -- not very fast, and looking all around. He found a door in a wall; but it was locked, and there was no room for a fat little rabbit to squeeze underneath." from The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Thank you, Ms. Potter, for creating an imaginary world so delightful that it is capable of becoming real on a midsummer's evening.

A Flower on My Shoulder

I've been in a sewing frenzy lately. I'm pretty sure it's my coping mechanism. A major kitchen renovation can do that to a girl.

The kitchen sink may not be functional, and sure, I'm washing dishes in the bathroom, but at least I've got a flower on my shoulder to brighten my day!

This world wide web of ours is overflowing with inspiration... occasionally I stumble upon an idea so special that it sparks love at first sight. I was smitten the I first time met the corsage tee and knew in an instant that I would create one {or two, or three} for myself.

Did you know J. Crew sells a similar shirt for $29.50? On sale it's marked down to $19.99, but I was able to make mine for free using a stack of neglected v-neck tees that were languishing in the chest of drawers. Overlooked wardrobe staples transformed into summery color and flair at no cost... I love it!

Look at me {minus part of my head} feeling cute and a little sassy with just a dash of pink flamingo Florida kitsch stirred in for good measure. Yes, a flower on my shoulder makes me happy... Demolished kitchen, you haven't beaten me yet!

Mighty One

The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth

from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.

Psalm 50:1

For the Mighty One has done great things for me;

Holy is His name.

Luke 1:49

Morning Fresh

First thing this morning I stripped the beds. Friday is wash the sheets day. While I worked I made a mental note to replace my withered gardenia with a fresh one from the yard. The gardenias, unlike the blueberries, have been prolific this summer.

Have you ever placed a gardenia at your bedside? Oh, you should! A single bloom will fill your bedroom with the intoxicating fragrance of summer. As you sleep you will breathe its delicious perfume giving you the sweetest of dreams... I know this is true because last night I dreamed that I was making a big, beautiful pound cake.

Sweet dreams to each of you...

Crawdad Hole

You get line, I'll get pole, honey

You get a line, I'll get pole, babe

You get line, I'll get pole

We'll go down to the crawdad hole

Honey, baby mine

The Listening Hour

The last time we visited my parents I spent some time sifting through their collection of records, choosing some of my old favorites to share with the boys. When the afternoon heat and bugs drive us indoors they enjoy listening to the pop and crackle of the hi-fi as it spins out the tunes of my early childhood.

I delight in sharing bits of my girlhood days with them... we always listen together. While the music and stories are new to them, I return to yesterdays when I reclined in the big blue chair, my "record chair", while listening to Peter and the Wolf.

Jars of Jam

When I came home toting a case of empty jelly jars on the eve of our first round of kitchen renovations the professor shook his head and rolled his eyes. Truth be told, when it comes to starting a project in the midst of another project let's just say that I've learned from the master... my husband.

Garnering inspiration, encouragement, and a battery of helpful tips from Kelly, Anna, and Betsy I set my clueless self to "putting up" some local peaches and strawberries. Oh my goodness, it has been fun... and easy! I think I'm addicted to making jam.

There is no denying it, homemade peach jam with a hint of cinnamon is the perfect companion to morning tea and toast. Yes ma'm, it is a very good thing indeed.

The Old Ball Game

Over the weekend we dug out of the kitchen long enough to take the boys to their first minor league baseball game. They thoroughly enjoyed the outing and all it had to offer... hot dogs, fizzy drinks, music, air slides, cousins, fly balls, and, oh yeah, don't forget the game!

Seeing the stadium was a treat as well. It is partially constructed from the city's old train station creating a unique and beautiful facility on the banks of the river.

Most High

How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth!
Psalm 47:2

The Kitchen, Deconstructed

This is what my kitchen looked like right after lunch today.

At four o'clock this afternoon the floor was covered with water and... 

My father-in-law and the professor were frantically bailing. 

Sometimes home renovations take a downward spiral. 

Tonight we went out to dinner.

After dinner we went appliance shopping, which leads me to these questions. 

Does anyone have a convection oven? If so...

Do you like it?

How does it affect baking times?

Have a fun and happy holiday my friends.

We'll be staying close to home this weekend... all in the name of kitchen progress.

Sadly, I doubt that I'll be preparing festive picnic food tomorrow. 

Perhaps we'll just eat pound cake.

Truly Scrumptious

{Mimi's Pound Cake}

It's definitely worth the trouble...

...is a nice way to welcome guests...

...and perfect for inducing a summer evening sugar coma after a day of swimming and sun.

Fresh Today

There is no denying it, our blackberry winter finished off the local blueberries before they had a chance to delight us on hot, summer days. Sigh... they are not ripe on the bush as I suspected and pickings are slim, oh so slim. Today's blueberry hunt yielded more mosquito bites than my handful of tiny, under-ripe berries. Pitiful.

So, I marched myself down to the local produce stand and bought juicy peaches to go over pound cake, and some for making jam. The blood red tomatoes are perfect for cucumber sandwiches, and for slicing. Every southern girl knows that a plate of sliced tomatoes, seasoned with salt and pepper, counts as a summertime side dish with practically any meal no matter how casual or fancy. 

Yes, the peaches and tomatoes will do quite nicely for making me smile, thank you very much. I'll keep checking the blueberries but my hope for them is swiftly drifting away.