Happenings Lately (and a 40 Day Fast)

July has been a whirlwind! I did a 40 day water fast (I'll tell you more about that in an upcoming post).

My parents put on their annual "Cousin Camp". (Mine are the three blondes on the left)

Not to be outdone; my brother, sister and I had "Sibling Camp". 

Then my youngest got his tonsils out. He's been a great sport.

So I'd say that I'm ready for August, but I'm NOT. August is always much worse. My husband gets crazy busy (he works at a university) this time of year and the start of school always brings tons of activity with our kids. But I'll just soak up the quiet right now while I fix soup and ice cream for my little patient and pretend August is far, far away. 

What have you been up to lately?

Pepper Surprise

Our neighbors were moving and gifted us with pepper plants and a tomato one. I am so excited! I never have any luck growing things but I'm hopeful these will survive this go-around, since they're already in containers and flourishing. (Oh please grow, little ones) 

I rearranged the plants on my bench so they would be easier to water, and I could see them from my studio window. 

But when my husband got home, he told me that he'd set them out from mild to hot. Ooops! Didn't know that. I didn't line them up in the same order and I don't remember how they were.

Now the running joke is that we won't be able to tell which is which and I hate super spicy food, so the joke's on me. 

Sooo, if any of you are pepper savvy and might know the difference, a little help please? Or will I just have to wait and see?

Slanted Trees

On a Colorado hike, I loved how these trees just slanted to be upright. It was stunning.

This was my trusty walking stick.

My kids thought this looked like a fish, a literal "fish stick".

The coolest find was this stone theater hidden in the woods. My son gave quite a performance.

Fairy Sighting: Pine Pixie

She swings along on the scent of the pine and rests at the base of her beloved tree. Here she can overlook Colorado mountains, aged rocks and the silence of the forest. She thrills at the green signalling the world is waking again. The sun's blaze is softened through treetops and she loves the play of shadows it casts. Deeply inhaling the perfume of the woods, she knows she is home.

{In case you missed it, here is the previous fairy sighting.}

Colorado Fun

We had such a great time in Colorado. I think we laughed the whole way through white water river rafting. The water was so cold that day, it had been snowing on the instructors that morning. They tried to talk us out of going, but we knew we wouldn't be back for awhile so we chanced it. It had warmed up a little by the time we got in and it was beautiful. My eldest daughter and husband got the brunt of the freezing water, but we were in wet suits, wool sweaters, parkas and water-proof booties, so it wasn't too bad. We went hiking through the mountains one day and my kids were goofing off (don't worry, she wasn't in danger of falling off). We visited a tearoom that's like a piece of the orient smack dab in the middle of Boulder. It was great to get away for a week with the family just to be outdoors and have fun. Have you been to Colorado?

Bloggy Friends

I've been away on a family vacation to Colorado. On our way, I had the privilege of meeting a sweet bloggy friend, Lisa Graham from Lisa Graham Art. (I also got to meet up with Sadee Schilling but forgot to take pictures. *sniff*)

We had so much fun talking in person! (I love meeting blogging friends, wish I could meet all of you!)

I got to see Lisa's art exhibit which was just a gorgeous as I imagined.

Then we had some incredible donuts to go along with it. One donut was maple bacon and it was DEEElicious. I'll share more about our vacation in an upcoming post.

Fairy Sightings: Child of the Cacti

Here among the cacti thorns she sits cradled in her mother's arms. Safety is here. No one who knows her mother's power to use the bristles would dare to threaten her child. The sun bathes them in warmth and the child grows strong with nectar from neighboring flowers. Soon the she will be as familiar with the ways of the cacti as her mother, the Queen of them.

{In case you're curious, here is the previous fairy sighting}

Lego Battles

I love watching my son create his Lego battles. He's quite a strategic little guy. It cracks me up the mixture of mini-figures, from The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars and everything in between.

Because really, what summer would be complete without Lego Battles? ;)

Pieces of Home

EVOO with lots of seasonings is perfect for sauteing summer vegetables.

Birthday party candy bagged for treat time.

Apple-cinnamon water even in the summer. Yum!

Sunflower seeds for snack time.

What are your current favorite pieces of home?

Summertime Art

Being outside lately in the sunshine and soft breezes has been heavenly. One of my daughters and her friend have loved using chalk to make art in the front yard and I love seeing their work.

A Little One Cheers my Soul

A few weeks ago, I had a little visitor come to play for the day. I know there's no such thing as a perfect child, but this little sweetheart comes close!

Her striped socks matched my Raggedy Ann doll. She and I were both a little mesmerized by it.

We walked to a park nearby where she loved getting pushed in the swing. Wish you could hear her giggle!

Doesn't she leave behind the cutest little shadow?

When my *baby* girl came home, this little one was completely taken. They blew bubbles forever!

There is something so powerful about children and their ability to bring happiness into the world.

Fairy Sightings: Guardian of Souls

She keeps watch over tombs of souls gone by. The gardens are watered with tears; the air is thick with prayers. She hovers over small ones with tenderness. She gives older ones their due respect. She listens to the silence of lives once lived and memories once happily made. Peace resides here, a deep, quiet solitude.

{In case you're curious, here is the previous fairy sighting}