hello summer

ahhh summer.  cicadas sing their summer tunes.  flip flops in all colors.  the lake is always crowded.  ice cream and lemonade.  and heat waves.  you know, the ones that you see radiating off your car as you burn your fingers on the door.  the ones that melt a smoothie cup after sitting in your car for two hours.  the ones that have our thermometers announcing 108 degrees outside.  let's go back to the summer breeze.  relaxing in a hammock.  and sipping on ice cold summer brewed tea.  this year, i'm celebrating summer polo style - below is a sneak peak into new polaroid series i've been working on and plan to showcase next month at cherrywood coffeehouse - i'll have details soon - enjoy and stay cool!

this, that, peaches & a movie

yesterday we celebrated our ninth anniversary  - as my husband so lovingly calls it, "the longest day of the year" - because of the summer solstice... that's the only reason.  hehe  we are pretty low key when it comes to celebrating our own events - he doesn't prefer gifts - and although i adore giving gifts, i oblige and just buy myself a gift!  we decided to go to a little restaurant nearby that was recommended by friends and we had such a lovely time.  you bring your own wine, which we brought one of our pinots from anderson valley in california, purchased on one of our trips about four years ago or so.  the restaurant, Texas French Bread, values the farm to table concept and supports as many local farmers as possible and also gives them credit on their always changing menu.  we enjoyed everything, from the frites w/ aioli to the fig, prosciutto, arugula & parmesan salad to the hanger steak with grilled green tomato, arugula and purple hull peas and of course the super indulgent key lime pie with coconut flakes adorning the top.  my mouth is watering just thinking about it all again.  drinks from Vino Vino finished off the perfect, relaxing evening.

i believe though, i started at the happy ending of the story.  the beginning is not nearly as fantastic - actually it started as a horror story.  i was walking down the dark hall way of our home - it was midnight, and i was groggy with sleep - i flicked on the light to my bathroom (insert screeching horror music here) and there was a huge roach, happily feasting on our toothbrushes and toothpaste.  ugh.  i squirm just to think of the mental image again.  i stood there for what seemed like forever trying to devise a plan on how to kill the wretched creature but nothing came to mind - the problem was i would have to shut the door to actually get a good swat at the thing and well, there is no way i was going to be trapped in a tiny bathroom if the roach decided to fly my way when i began my death blows.  SO i sat on the edge of our bed and just sighed - loudly - purposely loud enough to wake josh up - and thankfully he did wake up rather quickly - and came to my rescue.  he bravely trapped himself in the bathroom with the beast, i heard lots of noise, a few choice curse words, but he came out victorious.  he got back in bed and as i congratulated and thanked him on his victory, he mumbled, "happy anniversary."


that was the beginning of the day... i proceeded to then get "hit on" by a utility man while walking noah - he literally was driving down the block, slowed down, rolled his window down and asked me if i was married...

THEN while still on the walk, i stop to sit on a tree stump to send a text to a friend explaining my crazy morning already when noah decides that is the PERFECT tree stump to PEE on - thank goodness i saw it coming and i came out dry...

ohhh and has anyone seen the preview for "seeking a friend for the end of the world" ?  it looks cute and i plan to see it this weekend.

well if you've stuck with me this long, thank you - hopefully you got some humor out of the ordeal.  i leave you with some sunshine and peaches.  i love the way the sun streams in through the kitchen window.  happy weekend!!

in that moment - i'll smile

there are moments.  a glance up into the sky.  the way a certain person walks.  a memory.  just driving.  these moments just happen.  and the tears.  they fall.  all i can really say is i get it now.  i've never dealt with loss this close before.  and i understand.  life definitely goes on.  and you carry a part of those you've lost with you every day.  whether you realize it at that moment or not.  they are forever with you.  and right now it is all still so new.  so fresh.  raw.  when i have those moments my heart still aches.  my tears still fall.  but i've noticed.  that i will also smile sometimes too.  because although i miss my papa and my aunt more than my words will ever be able to express.  they make me smile.  even though i can't hold their hand or give them a hug.  i can give them a smile - and i know they are smiling too.

More smiles from some of my favorite friends.    The little rain cloud says "crap" underneath it.

softly, slowly

my eyes are still puffy with sleep.  early morning light is filtering in.  and the bed keeps calling my name.

Some days, really - is it so bad to want to just lounge here and watch the day go by?

a cup of tea

listening to the whir of a nearby leaf blower, do those things ever really do much besides send your clippings into the neighbor's yard?  debating on a walk - almost 8:30 AM & the air is thick with humidity - a/c just kicked on, again.  haven't had breakfast yet...  my inner "chef" has been hiding lately, as well as my inner "domestic diva."  that feeling of just wanting to curl up in a ball & sleep still sounds so appealing.  i'm not sure where this post is going today, gone with my mind i guess...  i practiced with different exposure settings in low light conditions with my polaroid.  the subject:  a cup of tea.  i like the saying on yogi tea bags, each one always has a little blurb, this particular one says, "sing from your heart."  of course you can only see it in the photo with the darkest exposure...  well, time to brave that sweaty, i mean, sparkly, walk.

Darkest exposure - the angle works the best in this one for me.

I love the tones in this one the best, but you can't read the little tea quote.

I turned on the kitchen light, but it was too harsh - too yellow for my tastes.

This is what happens when you don't mean to take a photo - oops.

rosy outlook

"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death." ~ Leonardo da Vinci

Looking up at a rose from Papa's garden.

hello half weekend

a "half weekend" is a weekend that consists of one day off work and one day working.  in this case, i'll be working sunday - plans are a whirlwind of a trip to houston beginning this evening and ending sunday morning. half weekends are not necessarily desired because they normally result in a feeling of being rushed, but i'm going to give it my best shot of just enjoying each delightful moment.  on a different note, passed my fourth real estate exam - just three more to go and three weeks left!  it took every ounce of concentration i had to finish the exam last night - after a long workday & long week in general, i'm super proud i even took the exam.  normally i'll reward myself with stretchy work out gear when i pass an exam, but this time i may buy more polaroid film...  happy whole weekend to those so fortunate!!  i leave you with two polos of "local wildlife" in my grandma's backyard.  i can't decide which i like better.  i love how you can see the cat and his eyes in the close up, but i almost like the mood better in the one taken from further away.  if you feel so inclined, i'd love to hear which one you fancy.

hushed tears

it is so hard to catch my breath these days.  life keeps speeding by and i keep grasping at moments.  a long work day today & another trip tomorrow to another funeral has me spinning.  focus and breath.  i've just started reading "this i know:  notes on unraveling the heart" and it has helped me realize it is ok to feel not ok.  to not be "over it" - because i'm not.  i'm hurting right now.  and those little hushed moments are the only thing helping me breathe.  focus.  breathe. and for now, still cry.

at least i look good

my peach cupcakes magically morphed into cornbread muffins.  not sure where I went wrong, but the brown sugar frosting waiting to adorn soft, fluffy peach cupcakes is going to have to find another suitor.  the only redeeming quality of these muffins (because they are NOT cupcakes) is the photo factor.  because really, i think it is impossible to not enjoy a cupcake photo - they always look like they taste fabulous.  so let's just pretend they do when you see them.  

sunday before sunrise

we visited town lake before the sun came up this morning.  i love how quiet it is when you are out so early.  just watching the morning clouds burn off and feeling the damp breezes over the lake.  i've been so out of sorts lately - these moments of calm are a welcome retreat.  afterward, i made my grandma's special pancakes accompanied with breakfast sausage, then we both took a quick morning siesta.  sigh.  now this is what sundays should be all about.

Town Lake before Sunrise - SX-70 Polaroid