To celebrate the end of summer camps, the parks and rec department threw a carnival this afternoon.

Axel was truly ready to celebrate the end of sports sampler/bane of his existence, until this week when reading camp arrived.

Since I was checked out for the beginning of the week at Sundara Spa (sorry no pics because cameras weren't allowed), Jahred was sending rave reviews of Axel's fourth attempt at camp.

Returning to civilization just in time for the "Three Little Pigs," put on by the avid readers, I was thrilled that he truly enjoyed being with other kids for perhaps the first time in his pre-school life.

Axel and I savored the carnival, and I caught the first glimpse of him being excited about school.

Hooray!

If there's anything harder than traveling 70 miles in a combination of swim, bike and run, it's being three years old, and waiting five hours for one photo finish.

Tyler, the athletic abdomen of the family finished his first half-Ironman today, in preparation for a full Ironman in just over a month.

Axel patiently awaited all three phases of the triathlon and when we went for the big "hand off and carry over the finish line move," Tyler was unprepared.  Axel was so revved up about going with Ty that he jumped down and ran behind him right through the finish.  He knew exactly what to do.  This wasn't his first rodeo/tri.

In other news, I'm headed out of town tomorrow for some r&r with a dear friend.  Cannot wait to see what Sundara Spa has to offer...or rather what they don't offer...noise.  Hooray!  A bit of spoiling before settling back into triathlons, weddings and a bit more waiting, for my favorite season...fall.

While the below photo may be my mothers blog debut, it is the first picture I think she would approve of...absolutely darling.  Please refrain from comments about her looking young enough to be my sister, we get that enough in malls and salons.

So I stitched up these darling bears for a custom Etsy order.  They are headed for two brand new babies and were made to match their nursery linens.

I always love how these guys turn out, and just had to snap a quick pic.

While headed to separate homes, I can't help but think that they make a darling couple.  She is more reserved, subtle and shy.  He is very bold, not afraid to show his colors and is ever-so-geeky with matching Curios George pocket square and bow.

Since there isn't much else to do on these 100+ degree days, you can see that humor comes easily.  Axel and I had a bit of fun before giving these guys kisses and sending them off to Illinois.

Ciao! 

So my new living room is shaping up nicely.  Only one hole remains, as I have yet to procure the round coffee table of my dreams.  With my gallery hanging system, I'm sure to be changing art like the tide, and rearranging furniture to increase the "funk-shui." 

The beige chair (seem partially on the left of the photo) is from my grandmother and I love it's antique and well-loved style.  The orange arm chair came to me from a yard sale where I discovered it with dark wooden legs.  I found that painting those legs white gave a "mad-hatter" hint to the piece, and I like it.  The two white end tables (hidden) came to me and became white in a similar fashion.  Perhaps you all remember the zebra sofa, upholstered by yours truly, two homes ago, for a webinar I taught through Etsy?  It is really the crown jewel of the arrangement.  The white bookshelf, right, was built for me by Jahred as a birthday present a few years ago.  I remain in love with that piece.

As for the art.  Center, a photo of Axel with a canine friend; snapped at a wedding in Pittsburgh this spring.  I liked it so much that I bought the rights from the photographer and blew it up massively.  On the right is a print I bought from an elderly art dealer.  The paper itself is a bit wrinkled, but I just LOVE the colors in this city scene, he only had one of these and I like to think it's OOAK (one of a kind).  On the left is a print, made by a student of mine from my teaching days.  Those days seem long gone, but I've always adored this amateur piece and like to think of "where is she now?!"

So there you have it.  I bit of what I've been working on.  It's taken a while for this house to tell me how he wishes to be decorated, but we're communicating quite nicely now and I suspect smooth sailing from here on out.

I received the most lovely surprise the other day in my inbox.  A customer, like many before her had purchased one of my sewing patterns.  Ok, not that unusual.  However, even though I always encourage people to send photos of the bags the make, I rarely receive any.  Most seamstresses simply leave lovely feedback about liking the pattern, and thats the end of it.  

It was so nice to hear from Diane, who had made one of my most difficult bags and sent pictures to prove it (see photo left).  She went out of her way to make my day and I completely appreciate it.  You all should visit her blog HERE.

Enough on that already.  My third column in the Sartell Newsleader can be read HERE.  I'm so happy they continue to publish me!  Hopefully positive comments are pouring in and I'll get a confirmed regular slot.  Right now I'm still fighting my way in!

Happy July to you all.  It's feast or famine weather here in Minnesota, hopefully wherever you are is a little more stable, the sunny days are steady, and the humidity non-existent!

I've been shamelessly enjoying the Minnesota summer this weekend and lapping up all the visual stimulation my eyes will take.

We started yesterday at a triathlon, trying to catch a glimpse of Tyler speeding by on his bike, and then witnessed the beauty of a private lake where the scenery is simply paused for you to take it's picture.

Jahred, Axel and I have forged through crowds, brush and mosquitoes to cheer triumphantly at the finish line and to wade in the lily pads.

Simply wonderful.

Here's to hoping you all enjoyed the July sunshine.

"No, Axel, you cannot go in the lake with your clothes on."
"It's o.k Mom, I just had to get this lily pad."

One happy kid watched his piano being brought into the house today.

Thanks to one always reliable delivery crew and one newly hired "muscle crew," the piano is back with us, safe and sound.

While our last home offered the perfect antique ambiance, our new digs deliver a touch of the modern world to this 1919 beauty.

Not able to wait until the art was hung straight, my giddy little man was demanding his first role.

If there was a way to include sound bites in my blog you would all hear the rin-tin-tin sound of a truly unique "player piano."  For those new to "player pianos," yes, this lady plays and moves her keys all by herself.

Our first role, "Happy Birthday" which includes renditions of "The Gang's all Here," "Auld Lang Syne," and "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."  Role number two, a rousing German Polka.

We'll surely be dancing the night away, enticing any passers-by to welcome a new gal to the block!

While the "CLOSED" signs have angrily been applied to Minnesota rest stops and state parks alike, I wonder, what are the other 49 states supposed to think?  Really?  Do I live in the one state that says bah-humbug to the most important National Holiday, and our government cannot agree to the point of a shut down?  With all the passersby and the wanderlust travelers on the highways this weekend, I guess the message we're sending is, "don't stop here."  A bit sad.

On the brighter side of the road, it looks like I won't be stopping my columns either.  I was published for the second week in a row!  You can read my article in the Sartell Newsleader by clicking here!

So it looks like this week there's no rest for the weary travelers and writers alike.  We'll all just keep up the good fight, plan our fuel-ups accordingly and celebrate the 4th of July wherever we land.

Happy Independence Day!