A Saturday Song...

This weekend, my summer officially begins. I have been looking forward to the days I can get up a little later...move a little slower...sit a little longer...listen to music a little louder...and laugh a whole lot more. Where sun and water are my constant companions and it seems as if everyone is walking to their own personal soundtracks.  I don't know about you...but every step I take today will be to the accompaniment of Mungo Jerry : )

Here's to Summer and here's a song for your Saturday- 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

The Friday Five...

{ These "kids" refused to leave my kid alone! I couldn't stop laughing
hearing the negotiating that was being done at this moment : )  }

{ Jason and I stumbled upon my new favorite burger joint, Nom Nom Burger...
it was soooooo goood. All the burgers are Asian inspired. }

{ Sunset on the water never gets old }

{ I would pay anything to know what these two were thinking }

{ The whole family waiting out a torrential downpour in the car...
sometimes you don't have to go anywhere to find adventure

What are Your Five?

4th of July round-up...my favorite ideas and inspirations

via

I can't believe the 4th of July is right around the corner.  This summer is moving so quickly, and I feel very behind on the list of things I had planned to do.  I HAVE been collecting some inspiration for July 4th along the way though. It's all about classic Americana- red, white and blue and simple American traditions.  Can't go wrong with that :)

{ Parchment cones of fresh blueberries and strawberries via Better Homes & Gardens }

{ Stamped napkin ties via Better Homes & Gardens }

{ A breakfast of American flag toast via be different act normal }

{ Patriotic Bow Tie for your pooch via Martha Stewart }

{ Printable matchbox labels via lia griffith }

{ What could be cuter than individual cherry pies via }

{ I love these single serving pie boxes tied with baker's twine via Kara's party ideas }

{ Patriotic pack of "poppers" via Pick Your Plum }

{ Classic summer fun photo via LIFE }

{ Kraft paper snack bags via Lia Griffith }

{ Firecracker ice pops via Martha Stewart }

{ Watermelon ice cubes via Catch My Party }

{ 4th of July Mason jar drink tops via Examiner }

Have you seen this?...Fighting cancer with HIV

Jason sent this video to me the other day and I was amazed.  The implications of such research and the subsequent results can be life-changing and life-saving for hundreds of thousands of people around the world.  It's truly amazing!  I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Artist Spotlight: Berndnaut Smilde

Ever since I was a little girl, I have had a love affair with clouds.  When I felt sad or overwhelmed by what was going on around me...I would lie in the grass and stare up at the clouds.  The only thing that has been consistent through our lives.  The sky looks the same no matter how much the world around us changes. 

Well...Berndnaut Smilde is not only an artist...I believe he may also be a genius.  Through the perfect combination of humidity, temperature and light, he has been able to create clouds... indoors.  It is simply from my dreams.  Can you imagine walking into a room and seeing a cloud lingering in the air...looking as if it could disappear at any moment.  I know that if I were stumble upon one...I would be scared to look away...it would hold my attention and breath until it disappeared.  

TIME magazine has named this creation made through art and science as one of the "Best Inventions of the Year 2012".  I whole-heartedly agree.  LOVE is not big enough of a word : )

 (images from Berndnaut Smilde's webpage via Mashable)

Too cute...or too sad?

I came across this series of photos labeling this little guy as "the saddest dog in the world".  Even though he may have come by his sad expression honestly...I believe his fitted sweater may have brought him a little lower than usual.  Look at him...he probably just wants to be taken seriously...and he realizes that the possibility is already slim because he IS a pug...but now that he has been dressed in this very constrictive color-blocked sweater...there is no hope.  Poor pooch : (  I still think you look adorable. 

 (all photos via My Modern Met )

A Saturday Song...

Here I sit...staring at an empty white space that is patiently waiting for paint.  For the past week-and-a-half, I have been working on 8 paintings that are all due tomorrow. It is 6:00pm and I am just now starting the last and final one.  I know the relief I will feel when I am finished...but the thought of it does not make picking up my paintbrush any easier.  So, here I am typing...and looking to my go-to songs from college...the songs that I loved...the classics.  I would give myself one song to listen and feel my way through and then... I had to get started.  The first stroke has always been the hardest for me. Whenever I was stuck, I would look to one lady in particular...and one song in particular.  There's something about it...

Here is a song for your Saturday.  Hopefully you will be inspired to do whatever it is you need to be doing... and hopefully I will too : )

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

The Friday Five...

{ Cora, the newest member of the family, rockin' her Elton John glasses! }

{ Loved watching these brave souls flying high at sunset...
they are much braver than I am }

{ Jason got a little too comfortable with his temporary stache...
he started stroking it like Ron Burgandy : ) }

{ I think I have fallen in love with these Chinese chickens...especially their fluffy feet }

{ ...and Isabella's 5th birthday party is featured on Apartment Therapy today! You can see it here }

What are Your Five?

Father's Day Weekend...at a glance

{ On Saturday we went to the Brew Stash Bash...the laid back and adult part of the weekend }

{ Sun, water, beer and a comfy reclining chair made the day fly by }

{ Sunday was dedicated to our annual Father's Day road trip- new year...new destination } 

{ This year, we explored Greensboro. NC. We had some scary tour guides at the Natural Science Center }

{ After lunch and after replacing a 3rd pair of sunglasses, we took in a baseball game }

{ It started out pretty good... }

{ ...and then after saying "NO" to this guy AND to one very persistent 5 yr old about fifteen times... }

{ ...said 5 year old began to use her daddy's face as modeling clay : )  }

{ The seventh inning stretch was an interesting concept to explain... }

{ The baseball game may not have entertained them as well as I would have liked, but what is Father's Day if not about the fun and completely unexpected moments that these crazy kids bring to our lives : )  }

Hope your weekend was full of memory making moments : )