Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashes

Last Friday, I skipped a beat.  With the arrival of my mom, grandma, and aunts from Michigan, I didn't have much time for a Favorite Things Friday post.  If I had shared a few of my favorite things, they would have been...

My brother's shiny new website for Matt Simon Designs.

Food photos that make me want to get back to scanning.

This interesting needle and thread reconstruction.

Measuring Up

Recently, we had a coldish, 4-day rainy spell, but I think that we've rounded the bend toward summer weather.  With all the sunshine and heat, it seems that particular plants are growing 6-inches while I'm away at work.  Well... I'm tracking it.

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Hiatus

Excuse my absence over the last few days, I've been quite preoccupied with the splendid company of friends and family.

With the event of our marriage and the subsequent visitors, I decided that it was high time for a guest book.  It's been years since I've visited my friend Sara's family cabin (a.k.a. The Cabin), but I distinctly remember how pleasurable it was to read through years of guests' musings.  I've been meaning to start a guest book for our house but didn't know what type of book to get.  Finally, in lieu of something official, I made one and it works perfectly.

Good Enough

string lights*

*As previously noted, in order to allow for maximum get-#@$%-taken-care-of time, I'm going to keep my posts pretty basic this month and simply highlight items from my ta-da list.

"Tomorrow, Tomorrow"

clean upstairs bathroom*

*As previously noted, in order to allow for maximum get-#@$%-taken-care-of time, I'm going to keep my posts pretty basic this month and simply highlight items from my ta-da list.

Pretend Tuesday

replant the area near the potatoes*

so it won't need to be planted a third time... keep area watered*

figure out a place for the dill and plant*

*As previously noted, in order to allow for maximum get-#@$%-taken-care-of time, I'm going to keep my posts pretty basic this month and simply highlight items from my ta-da list.

"It's the Final Countdown"

clean off patio*

put up shade tent*

*As previously noted, in order to allow for maximum get-#@$%-taken-care-of time, I'm going to keep my posts pretty basic this month and simply highlight items from my ta-da list.

Wild Geese That Fly with the Moon on Their Wings

This is the last weekend before the celebratory event.  Ideally, I'll get the house and yard/garden whipped into shape so that I can spend the last few days adding finishing touches.  We'll see how that goes.  Usually what happens is that I work, work, work down to the wire and then I proclaim that "good enough is perfect."  If you're looking for a delightful distraction, these are a few that I've come across this week.

The geometry of frequency vibrations.

Katie Shelly's graphic recipes for those of us who prefer reading pictures.

Skateboard waste turned fancy-pants iPhone case.

Flower Power

prepare/level the dirt between the house and the sidewalk*

decide what to plant there*

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Greener Grass

to prevent the digging up and eating of seeds I've planted...

to give the wimpy grass area a shot at survival...

put up better fences*

*As previously noted, in order to allow for maximum get-#@$%-taken-care-of time, I'm going to keep my posts pretty basic this month and simply highlight items from my ta-da list.

Jack, Jack, Jack

plant beans*

watch them grow*

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Taking Care of Business

in the recently demoed room:

remove remaining fabric/nails from the walls/ceiling*

pull all staples from the floor*

*As previously noted, in order to allow for maximum get-#@$%-taken-care-of time, I'm going to keep my posts pretty basic this month and simply highlight items from my ta-da list.

Schnitzel with Noodles

Only two weeks until our summer solstice shindig.  For that matter, only thirteen days until the much anticipated arrival of four out-of-state guests.  In addition to all the recent productivity around here, I have managed to find a few interweb gems.

As usual, Geninne's delightful desktop.

Interactive charts... because what have I always said is the most important thing?

Penelope and Pancho pug fabric designs.

Sassy vegan cooking with a mission I can get behind.

Grounded

plant borage*

divide and plant thyme*

*As previously noted, in order to allow for maximum get-#@$%-taken-care-of time, I'm going to keep my posts pretty basic this month and simply highlight items from my ta-da list.

Adding Up

stack the rest of the wood (that's been piled up since March)*

*As previously noted, in order to allow for maximum get-#@$%-taken-care-of time, I'm going to keep my posts pretty basic this month and simply highlight items from my ta-da list.

Hang On

finish installing hooks & hang the baskets beside the front door*

*As previously noted, in order to allow for maximum get-#@$%-taken-care-of time, I'm going to keep my posts pretty basic this month and simply highlight items from my ta-da list.

Three, Two, One...

tighten the twine on the climbing roses so they're not so saggy*

To celebrate our recent marriage, J. and I are hosting festivities in three parts (Summer, Autumn, and Winter).  The Summer ado is less than three weeks away.  It should be a small affair, with a few out-of-state and out-of-town guests along with some local pals.

In addition to the final pieces of Spring planting, there's a lot to accomplish around the house in preparation for our little event.  I'm a list maker, which can be helpful in times like these, but I've found that to-do lists often make me feel worse than better.  I look at all that needs to be done and my stress level increases dramatically. For this reason, I've developed an alternative to the traditional to-do list.  I like making ta-da lists instead to show what I've already finished.

*In order to allow for maximum get-#@$%-taken-care-of time, I'm going to keep my posts pretty simple this month (or at least for the next three weeks) by focusing on what's done.