On Westerly Wind

Pathway

Songs of Experience

Friday?

Is it really Friday?

This week has been a blur. I am not sure where the time has gone, but I am happy for the weekend! Matt and I are going to a wedding in Kalamazoo; I hope we can walk around.

What is your favorite thing to do in Kzoo?

My Sunday in Photos

Photos originally uploaded to my Instagram.

Bead Night Out

Yesterday Suzanne invited me to make a necklace at Beads to Live By. I couldn't say no to playing with beads!

I am really happy with how the necklace turned out.  I'm going to give it to my mom for her birthday. Purple is her favorite color, and the purples, grays, and shimmery pinks make it very feminine. 

Cassandra, the owner of Beads to Live By is a great teacher. I learned some new techniques, and I am excited to take more of her classes to learn new beading skills.

Purple Coneflower

Cherry Picking

The bounty of summer keeps giving. Several years ago my mom planted Nanking Bush Cherries. Unfortunately the birds ate all of the cherries last year. This year she had an overabundance of fruit.

Nanking cherries are smaller and tarter than the sweet varieties sold at the grocery store.

My mom and I agreed to a barter: I helped her pick the fruit and she would give me cherry jam!

You cannot get any more local than your own (or your family's) backyard.

Queen Anne's Lace

Sweet Lavender Dreams

A few weeks ago I harvested a basketful of lavender. My mom dried it for me in her dehydrator. Now, I am picking the fragrant blossoms off of the stalk. It's slow work, but rewarding. My fingers smell of lavender and sweet dreams.

It's a peaceful meditation.

Girl's Night at Beads to Live By

My friend Suzanne invited me to make a necklace at a Girl's Night at Beads to Live By a few weeks ago. Although I did not know most of the women well, it was a fun, intimate night filled with laughter.

The necklace we made was a long, single strand that can be doubled. We were given different glass jars of bead soup to search for our treasures. I choose neutral shades of bronze, brown, and topaz.

Transformation by Sandhill Crane Vineyards

We shared pizza, veggies, brownies, and wine while we worked on our projects. I usually drink white wine, but I enjoyed Transformation by local vineyard Sandhill Crane Vineyards. It was sweeter and less dry than other reds I've tried.

Cassandra, the owner of Beads to Live By, was patient with our frustrations. She gave us design tips and encouraged us to have fun with our bead choices.

With a history of crimp bead failure (and beads flying everywhere) I usually avoid them. Cassandra explained cheaper crimp beads don't work as well, and I couldn't resist buying a few with a couple strands of new beads.

All of our necklaces were unique. I love how mine turned out. I am going to make a purple necklace for my mom's birthday at the end of the month.

July Fourth Weekend

Vacation has been a wonderful combination of relaxation and fun. Matt and I spent four days in Ludington with my family. We saw fireworks on the beach, ate grilled food, rode bikes, and enjoyed the sun on the beach and in a pool.

 Here are a few vacation photos I uploaded to my Instagram:

Home away from home.

Morning birdsong.

 

 

Waiting for dusk.

Sargent Sands.

Clear waters.

And a couple from my sister Jeannine's Instagram:

Champagne on the beach!

I have a knack for not looking at the camera.

The best part is I don't return to work until Thursday so I have a few more days to relax.

How was your July Fourth?

Kiwi Flower

Infinite

A Day in Saugatuck

Angie (of Strawbrry Passion) and I were going to go strawberry picking yesterday, but when we saw that Sunday's forecast was 90 degrees (and in Michigan, you can bet it will be humid as well) we decided to go to the beach weather instead. So Saugatuck became our destination instead.

I got up EARLY (6 am) on Sunday morning so that I could meet Angie in Okemos by 8 am. We stopped by Biggby Coffee before we went to a 9:15 church service. By 11:00 am we were on the road to Saugatuck!

We were hungry when made it to Saugatuck so we stopped at Phil's. Afterward we wandered through the various shops.

We made it to the Lake around 4 pm. The beach was packed, but we found the perfect spot not too far down the beach.

The water was warmer than I thought it would be (when I went to Ludington over the Memorial day weekend it was freezing!). We spent some time looking for interesting stones, beach glass, and driftwood. The driftwood I collected is curing for beach-themed crafts.

The wind was the perfect temperature to blow the heat off our bodies. Angie fell asleep when we finally laid in the sun. It was after 7 pm when we left the beach!

We were reluctant to leave Saugatuck. We went back to the town for Kilwin's ice cream. Angie bought some sun-changing nail polish from Del Sol.

On our way back to my car we saw the Supermoon (a Strawberry Moon as well!). I didn't get home until 11:30 pm.

It was a wonderful summer's day, and I feel relaxed as I get ready to start my week.

What did you do this weekend?

Summer Bucket List

Summer is my favorite time of the year. I love the long, lazy days and warm nights. Because today is the summer solstice it feels like summer has finally arrived. The whole season stretches ahead of us. 
  
This summer I plan to :

1.   Do summer crafts: Friendship bracelets and tie-dyed tees.

2.   Pick berries: Berries mean crisp, crumbles, pies, and freezer jam! Angie (of StrawbrryPassion) and I are going strawberry picking on Sunday. I hope to go pick blueberries as well the blackberries and raspberries in our backyard!

3.   Take a road trip: My goal is to visit family in Ludington once a month over the summer. My next trip coincides with July 4th!

4.   Visit the BEACH: Ludington and Saugatuck for certain.

4.   Buy food at the farmer's market: There's nothing like fresh food!

5.   See a movie at the drive-in: Capri Drive-in Theatre in Coldwater.

Other summer festivities to enjoy: Sandals. Gardening. Storms. Fireworks. Barbeques. Sundresses. Fireflies. Garage sales. Cutoff Jeans. Swinging in a hammock. Sun tea. Ice cream. Bonfires.

The season holds endless possibilities.  

What are you looking forward to this summer?

To the Lighthouse

Current

listening // to Spotify. It's only taken me two-and-a-half years to set it up.

watching // We're watching Game of Thrones (after sundown).
reading // I just finished Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell.
wanting // I want to not feel sick.
working // On taking action.
thinking // Creative is always on my mind.

Discarded

Tributary