Summer Sunday

We have returned {sadly} from our relaxing reprieve to Nantucket. It was everything I had hoped for and more! I'll share a few of our pictures this week. I'm getting our home into "school mode" as we go back next week. I'm returning this year with bitter sweet emotions. I should quickly state that I'm excited to see the students and hear all about their summers. This is more of a personal note. It was such a short summer here in Connecticut. It never seemed to stop raining and we didn't get warm weather until the middle of July. As a result, our beach days were numbered, summer traditions were put on hold, our yard and gardens have taken a huge hit and I'm left feeling cheated. Oh, not to mention my husband was at sea for the better part of spring and summer : (

This afternoon my husband and I are sneaking in one last "summer hurrah" trip to a fairly new vineyard in the area. To add to the fun, we are going to dinner with our good friends. The guys both attended the Naval Academy together {many, many years ago}, we have children the same age and best of all, we all just "click." It doesn't matter what we do or where we go, we always have a great time together. Believe me, there have been a few times when our outing was less than what we expected and some how, we always end up laughing and making the most of a bad situation.

I can't wait to wear my new dress from Skirtin Around. It was one of the many sweet boutiques I found on Nantucket. I'm borrowing the photo from their website so it's a little hard to see but the dress is a lovely green with white chain pattern off set with black. The sleeves are adorable. They are ruffled at the cuff and really make the dress. This dress honestly looks much cuter in person.

{the arms look oddly long}

Hope you're enjoying your last Summer Sunday in August!

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Nantucket

We are having a wonderful time on the island. I'm so enjoying having my husband all to myself! The weather is amazing, the shops adorable and the beaches are beautiful! We have met some very nice people and even ran into friends of friends.

After a long day of relaxing, we go to a restaurant of choice for dinner ~ that's the best part of vacation for me!

I may never return home :)

Currently I'm trying to decide if If *need* one of these fabulous Nantucket lightship baskets. They have a very interesting history behind them and the craftsmanship is amazing. I love all the options of decoration you can choose from {you can even have your monogram placed on them in scrimshaw!} and make them your own.

Decisions, decisions

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Hot and Steamy

Gotcha with the title didn't I!

It was insanely hot and humid at the game. At one point I thought I was going to have to make a run for the nearest air conditioned restaurant and wait it out.

To give you an idea of our wilting, this is my husband after only a half an hour of our arrival. We were waiting for some friends and found a place (not packed like sardines) with a minimal flow of air.

There are no photos of me. I'm the one behind the camera. I did however decide on bermuda shorts and a pink Lacoste with my tried and true Eliza B's! I was as comfortable as I could be given the weather.

Once the game began, it really wasn't all that bad. There was a slight breeze every now and then.

I was a tad worried when they told me the game would last a minimum of 4 hours. Yea, that detail was left out when my husband asked me to join him. No need to worry, I had plenty of people watching to do! My attention was held the entire time.

Can you tell from the pictures which team my husband supports?

The friends we went with are HUGE Sox fans. They weren't exactly thrilled with the outcome of the game.

My husbands favorite player. Hmmm, I wonder if he plans on getting a poster for his ME wall in the Man room (you understand this one Melissa!)

I love that Fenway stills has a guy doing the score board. Can you see him? He is peaking out between the words Ball and Strike. There is just something so Americana about it.

My husband commented that I was a good sport {translated: I didn't whine} about the whole evening and the heat.

What I'm willing to do for love!

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Ballgame

This is what I'll be doing this evening. My husband is home just in time to enjoy a little summer fun. A guy in his office gave him tickets for tonight's game and he picked me to go with him.

I'm touched and always look forward to spending time with him.

It is 90 degrees outside and the humidity is at 150% {according to me}. I'm not a huge fan of being hot. It's one thing when you're exercising but not when you're out for the evening.

Now for the big dilemma ~ what to wear? I hate being hot and having my clothes stick to me. I'm very tactile so I'm not a big fan of shorts bunching up at my waist and riding up. I'm assuming that going naked is not an option so I've scanned my closet many times and nothing is jumping out at me. It's not really a Lilly event and I don't own any baseball team attire. Can you wear a sundress to a ball game? I have a lovely JCrew cotton dress ~ it's navy so I think that would cover both teams since I'm not really a huge supporting fan of either team. Any suggestions? We are leaving in 2 hours.

{have you picked up on my level of excitement?}

On a positive note, I've been promised I can have as much popcorn as I want!

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Maintenance

In our home we feel it's important to maintenance, maintain and fix items so that they are always in working order to the best of their abilities and when they break, replace them.

So far this year we have ...

Updated our kitchen appliances with more energy efficient replacements

Put new tires on my Denali so that our family is safe on the highways

Continued with regular oil changes and maintenance programs for all of our vehicles

Replaced our water tank {the big blue thing in the basement}

Had the septic thing cleaned ~ made sure I wasn't around for that one!

The chimney cleaned

{you get the picture}

In the spirit of keeping things running and in order this summer I've focused on myself as well. Each morning {rain or shine} I've walked/jogged in Mystic. I've found the perfect area that offers a variety of terrain. It also offers beautiful scenery along the way. Even on the worst of days, there is always something that catches my attention.

Once school starts my goal is to pack my gear, change at school, walk/jog, then come home to my family. Other than my allergies, I've felt really good this summer. I've lost some weight and toned up!

The array of sailboats are from the sailing lessons that take place each morning. The homes are summer homes that will very shortly be closed up for the season. I just love the shade of blue on the door ~ so relaxing.

In keeping with my "maintenance plan", I'm going to the spa next week and signing up for a yoga class!

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Ugh!

This is how I have felt the past 4 days {and quite possibly even look}.

I have no idea what is up with my allergies but I wake up each morning feeling like I haven't slept at all. My eyes are red, itchy and swollen. My face feels like someone has punched me right between the eyes and my deposition ... well, less than chipper! My family will vouch for me on this one ~ just ask them!

My allergy med don't seem to even take the edge off whatever is floating in sky.

I'm actually contemplating lying down next to Bozley and taking a nap with him ~ please note it's not even 9 am yet!

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The Winner is ...

Thank you for all your sweet comments on my tassels, it is greatly appreciated!

I think I've stated before that I'm rather ummm *challenged* in the area of technology. With that being said, trying to figure out how to do that cool thing where the computer generates the winner based on entries was well WAY out of my league. I resorted to the tried and true, drawing a name written on a slip of paper.

The winner of my first {won't be my last} giveaway ...

Congratulations Half Gaelic Half Garlic .

I hope Sarah enjoys her new tassel in her room now that she is spending so much more time in there : )

{email me your address and I'll pop your tassel in the mail}

I've meet some lovely blogs as a bonus of my first giveaway!

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Summer's bounty

One of my favorite treats during the summer months is going to the local farmer's markets in our area. We are fortunate enough to have several near by.

I love the beautiful colors of the garden goodies. There is just something so relaxing and enjoyable about meandering through the booths and picking out what your family enjoys. If I'm lucky enough to be accompanied by my husband, we often stop for coffee or breakfast along the way. It's so much nicer than running through the local market or commissary. The fresh flowers are amazing as well. I love to buy several bunches and place them throughout our home.

Our weekly menu is centered around the fresh veggies and fruits that are available in abundance during this season. Not only do they taste delicious, they are healthy {always a plus when you have children} and low in calories!Tonight we are having the ever famous tomato, basil and mozzarella {caprese} salad, summer squash, zucchini, and fingerling potato gratin, and grilled salmon.

If I'm really good today, I may even treat myself to some fresh fruit over frozen yogurt this evening!
* My tassel giveaway ends tonight, you don't want to miss out!*

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Mystic Art Festival

* Don't forget to enter my giveaway {scroll down} it ends Wednesday*

It was a gorgeous day in Mystic ~
the sun was shinning, there was a sweet cool breeze and everyone seemed to be in a good mood!

I met some fabulous people during the course of the day.
I befriended an adorable little girl by the name of Ashely who went to sleep last night with a pink tassel that she picked out for her pink bedroom ~ the smile on her face was priceless and made my day!

A shop owner in Mystic wants to feature my tassels in her shop and has asked me to do a display for the fall festival ~ what fun!

I sold many of my little friends ~ a little hard to see them go after spending so much time with them! :) ~ and met my goal.

I have no idea where this adventure is heading but so far, I'm enjoying the ride!

~ I tried to get a couple of quick photos to give you a quick idea of my display. There are more but you'll just have to come to my next show to see for yourself! ~

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Mystic

I'm off the to the Mystic Art Festival

This is my first time there as a vendor and not as a shopper!

I'm looking forward to selling these little guys that I've been working on all summer ~ wish me luck!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

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Giveaway!

~ Tassel Giveaway ~

As promised, I am featuring my very first giveaway!

The guidelines are very simple

{would hate to confuse myself and that is oh so easy to do!}

Each of the following constitutes 1 entry

1. Tell me which tassel you like and where you would place it in your home.

2. Become a follower {you wouldn't want to miss any additions to my Etsy shop}

3. Blog about this giveaway on your Blog

*click on the picture to enlarge*

The top left is a cute pink finial with light pinks and pink and yellow ribbon

The top right is a bright red adirondack chair done in reds and whites

The bottom left is a beautiful shell in gold and soft blue

The nest on the right is in off whites.

Good luck ~ the giveaway ends next Wednesday, August 12th!

Jo

*I'm listing new tassels in my Etsy shop this week so take peek.

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