July

The hydrangeas are in bloom. It's been so humid that beads of moisture sit on your skin, almost as if you have been walking through clouds. We've been enjoying walks with Thorn. I've been trying to get back into making something, anything. 

It's hard to believe it's July already. In a couple days it will be my birthday. While I have to work on my actual birthday I'm hoping the days leading up to it, we can go strawberry picking,  have a picnic in the park, and maybe another day at the beach. These would be real presents. 

Welcome Summer

We welcomed summer with arms wide open this weekend. It started with adding a new family member. Thorn, the lab hound rescue pup. He was part of a litter that was rescued from a TX kill shelter and after spying those big velvety ears, who could say no. While adding a pup has come with sleepless nights and a kit cat that is just not too pleased with us, he's all worth it. 

School is out, beach days have begun, strawberry shortcake made, and roadside flowers picked. Yesterday we found a beach that allowed dogs and decided it would be a beach day. There were not 1 but 2 scary bridges to drive over. The beach was perfect. We saw crabs in the water, got lots of sand on ourselves + the beach blanket, and enjoyed the sun. 

It's just the beginning of summer and we are already in love with it.

The Weekend

We filled this weekend up with laughter and fun. First we took the kids to glow in the dark bowling. It was the first time any of them really bowled. Damien was trying to figure out how dear hubby could hit the pins so hard. He would watch the ball slowly roll down the lane every time - and ended up with the only strike of the game. Aries had her stance. She was would get in this thinking position, fling the ball with all her might, and even made "ugh" noises. She impressed us with her skills. Odyn took awhile to warm up to this sport but once he did every time he threw the ball he would laugh. It was a little evil chuckle. 

The next day we spent outside digging in the dirt, planting our herb garden. Mint, sage, pesto basil, lavender, rosemary, lemon verbena, and thyme just to name a few. We even picked up some pretty foxgloves. As the plants fill out I'll slowly add more flowers and herbs. That side of the yard is already feeling 100% improved.

I also started cutting fabric squares for a quilt, a new book, and my new photography course! This weekend - I don't think it could have been better. 

The Weekend

There was a very belated birthday party for Odyn. He picked out the cake himself. A lovely marble with chocolate frosting in the middle and cream cheese on top. I let him lick the beaters and scrap the bowl. That after all is one of the best parts of mom making your cake.

The next day we had parent teacher conferences. Aries and Damien are both doing above grade level and are loved by their teachers. So we decided we would take them to the Connecticut Humane Society adoption center to see if there were any perfect black kitties. We visited with a couple cats but none were all black. To my whole families surprise, and my own, there was one little kit cat that seemed perfect for the family. Mostly he stretched out his fur ball body and rolled over for his belly to be rubbed - he even tolerated Odyn's excitement. 

So with a yes from me, we adopted him into our home. On the ride home we named him Onyx Thyme. He is still exploring the house, prefers the stairs, and is feeling like a member of the family already.