Lantern Fest

"Are you going to Lanternfest?" said friends while I was at work.
"Remind me when it is? I couldn't go last year, but want to." 
"Tonight."
"Yikes."

6pm I waltzed through the door from work, hollered for everyone to put their shoes on, for I had a surprise.

My husband had questions for me.
"Where is it?"
"I'll show you."
"What is this all about?"
"I don't know."
"What is there to do?"
"I don't know."
"Why are you grabbing a blanket?"
"Because I see other people walking to the site with blankets, figured we'd grab ours."
"Where are you taking us?"
"Just trust me."

Good thing he trusts me, as it was a marvelous evening.
Beautiful scenery. A band.  Good food. Tents set up with many things for kids to do. Only do you see the woods way beyond the band?

 Because that's where they wanted to be.

 Far from the people.

 Barefoot.

Climbing.

 

 Exploring.

 

 Until the evening mosquitos came out in full force, this is where we spent our time.

 Alas, we did return.

 For the band,

 to watch the lantern parade,

 And the fireworks. (Which Audra hollered how much she hated fireworks through the show and then talked the entire ride home about how she's going to like them next time.)

 It was a magical evening. I loved the laid back feel, the sense of community seeing so many friends and the celebration everyone planned so well for.


I'm thankful for family time, for time to follow their lead, opportunity to help them over and around obstacles, time to collect the best sticks and a chance to answer every burning question they have.

 

 All in all, a great summer evening.

 

Itch to Stitch: Mama Made Dress #8

Keeping my goal going of a dress a month....

Dress one: Here.
Dress two: Here.
Dress three: Here
Dress four: Here.
Dress five: Here.
Dress six: Here.

Dress seven: Here.

So, this dress.....this adorable little dress. It wasn't my idea, I didn't start it. I sort of feel like I'm cheating this month, as a friend gave it to me. Her daughter out grew it before she finished it.  Even though I didn't start it, I spent a bunch of time finishing it (neckline, finishing the embroidery, buttons, etc.). In fact, it likely took me just as long to finish it than it would have taken if I started from scratch.

Here it is on the model:

 

I tried to get more of just her and the dress, but they wanted to be together.

Who am I to argue with that?!

He's wearing a mama made shirt, find that here.

And then the two just hung with the dog.  I love taking pictures of them interacting with Kammie.  Kammie is the sweetest, most helpful, loving, gentle and kind dog around. We just love her.

Anyway, dress 8/12 completed for 2014.


I planned on doing a dress photoshoot, they planed on a totally different photo shoot, which is okay with me. Thankful for them.  And onto dress 9...

Blueberry Crisp

Oodles of blueberries and no time (that day) to make a pie crust? Crisp.  If your family is like mine, it's gone in 24 hours.

Blueberry Crisp (Jackie Original)

Enough blueberries to fill a pie plate 3/4 full.
1/4 cup juice or water

1 stick butter melted
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 T flax seed meal (optional)
3/4 cup oats
1 tsp cinn.
pinch nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt


Place blueberries in pan. Add 1/4 cup of mild juice (I used apple) or water. Set aside.

In different bowl, combine melted butter and sugar.  Add flour, flax, oats, cinnamon nutmeg and salt.  Mix until combined.  Sprinkle over blueberries.

Bake 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Saturdays.

 

Perfect days for strolls in the field.

 Dog included.

 Switching from one mama made shirt to another, playing in the secret garden and bringing such brush to the goats. It's what good farmers do, you know.  Happy weekend.

Modeling the July Dress.

 

I finished this dress just in time last month, but never got pictures of my little model.
Here she is in her newest mama made:

 

Looking so sweet and precious.

Capture the cleanliness while I can, she's sure to be filthy momentarily.

It's fine. The clothing I make is made for wearing.

For no other reason than because she was still wearing the mama made dress, I'll just keep posting pictures. I brought them to a polka concert.

They loved it. Danced, talked it up with the band.

To which a random goat attended.  They asked if they could bring theirs. Ummm...no.

 

And what a beautiful moon over the harbor. Lucky to live here.

Thrifted. And randoms.

Thrifteds.

 A lot of felt. Some fab books.  A yard of tan linen fabric, a yard of vintage watermelon fabric.  A polish pottery spoon rest. A transferware cup. Grand total? $5.50.  Goodness, what a deal!

 This lot of sports equipment. Most not even used. Two nets, two volleyballs, four badminton birdies (which totally had to look up the spelling for badminton, never knew!). With a carry case. All for $6.50.  (Who wants to come try it out with us?)

A wooden spool holder, rainbow yard, vintage little women, more Richard Scarry, I Spy board game and a 'farmer shirt". $4.50

Random happiness:

Smiling dogs.

Haircuts.

(Barely there) ponytails.

And evening fun that I would never predict, but sometimes their imagination is just the perfect thing to do.