What Time Is It? SUMMERTIME!!

Today is the day.

The last day of school at the La Vida Academy.

Yesterday as the kids took their final exams I started to pick up my (teacher) desk and get curriculum put away.. it felt so good to close down the shop.

Tonight we have our last co-op class of the year. Then I will scoot out to the closing ceremonies for Girl Scouts.

This weekend is the piano recital and then the swim season begins on Monday.

My favorite time of year!

What plans do I have for the summer.

Well, I plan to spend a good chunk of time in my office/studio. My friend Becky and I are planning a Christmas in July June sale. I have a ton of stuff I have made, and placed on a shelf. Crochet, fabric, jewelry, painting...its all going up for sale. And Becky, an amazing crafter and sewer (who is a lot more humble than I, and doesn't brag about her craftiness) will also be pawning her wares.

We plan to make it Open House style...with coffee, tea and cupcakes.

More details to come!

I would also really like to finish the quilt I started, as well as the afghan. Both are for my room. Both are at the halfway mark. I have a feeling the afghan may be a fall project. It's a little too cozy to sit under all that yarn right now.

While I am talking about blankets, I think I may have an obsession. I found this chenille blanket at an antique shop a couple weeks ago.

It's amazing. Beautiful. Nearly perfect.

I have no idea what to do with it. 

Any ideas?

The Mister said it looks like an old-lady blanket... but I love it. I think....

Happy Wednesday!

What I Learned on Summer Vacation

There is always a point in the summer when I suddenly realize that I am ready.

Ready for routine, and order; A schedule and plan.

That moment happened yesterday when I came home from our last "hurrah!" with friends at the pool.

I'm ready for days at home, where we will be more than busy. But its a quiet busy; a peaceful busy.

This weekend is the last of our summer vacation and I feel ready for the coming year.

My house is clean, the school room is in order, the schedules have been set, the alarm clocks tested.

I've done all I know how to do for the coming year, I don't know how to be more ready.

Of course, life can will throw curve balls from time to time...there's nothing like best-laid-plans to mess a girl up.

My goal for the school year is to remember what I've learned this summer

I started it several months ago with this post, declaring my freedom from summer to-do lists and and filled up schedules.

Although the kids did several day-camps and both competed on a swim team I knew I wanted a few things accomplished this summer.

I decided I wanted company, cooking, and crafting...and that is exactly what transpired.

But you know what? I also got that closet cleaned that I had put off for many years.  I also finished several books and accomplished things that needed to be done, not because they just happened, but because I had time for them.

In not choosing "100 Things To Do This Summer"  I got to choose "5 or 6 Things That Really Matter" (to me and my family.)

And I actually finished them.

So now, although summer is nearly over with its sunshine and fun, I am ready. To take on the changes; in season, schedule, and school.

I'm also ready to use what I learned this summer, and carry it into fall.

Things like this:

And this:

(See how I sneaked these things in?)

And that is what I learned on my summer vacation.

Happy Friday peeps!

What Would You Do For A... Creamsicle?

I'm pretty sure that heaven will be a lot like North Carolina.

There will be beautiful tree's and the glory of seasons.

We'll be able to frolic in the mountains (without worry of bears).

We'll swim in the sea (without worry of sharks).

To say that I love this beautiful state would be an understatement.

There is one fatal flaw: (for the second summer in a row) I cannot find Creamsicles.

All right, fatal might be a tad dramatic, but I can't find them.

Anywhere.

Actually that's not entirely true.

I did find the slow-melt, sugar-free, mini-size Creamsicle bars, to which I say: what! and ever!.

Listen. Why do we have to go an mess up a perfectly good and delicious treat by trying to make it "good for us?" Its ice cream people!!

And I don't even want to know what they do to make it "slow-melt."

For heavens sake.

Absurdity.

Just give me the fully-loaded, high sugar, real cream, regular-melt deal. Its not gonna have time to melt anyway.

Wow. I should just tell you how I really feel, huh?

Anyway, like I said, North Carolina is God's country... but I'm pretty sure heaven will have Creamsicles.

Trip or Vacation?

Since the birth of my children vacations have sort of taken on a whole new meaning.

Gone are those days when I can travel with my bottle of water and a couple of magazines. Gone are those days when the “snack” thrown in my carry-on was a pack of Trident gum and a Powerbar.

Here is a short-list of what must be packed when going on a family trip: Goldfish crackers, the favored blankie, Cheerios, two thousand books, juice boxes, a couple of movies, Nilla Wafers, eight pairs of shoes, a cooler of drinks, clothes for warm weather, clothes for cool weather, extra blankets, wipes, paper toilet seat-cover things, and duct tape (cuz you just never know when you might need some duct tape).

And that’s just the stuff I pack for my husband.

Of course, after all has been packed and we pull out of the drive-way, there will be at least one opportunity to turn back around because someone has to tinkle (although she didn’t have to when you left the house); but it’s all-right, because The Planner and Packer (that would be me) has forgotten her toothbrush and she wasn’t about to admit it.

Honestly, we have enjoyed some amazing trips over the years.

A few of the most memorable have been:

When we went to Montana and stayed on a working cattle ranch.

We’ve been to Yellowstone Park, where we waited for almost an hour to see Old Faithful Geyser.

I'll never forget driving all morning to get a glimpse of consistent history. I wanted the kids to see what I had seen so many times as a kid. Of course, right as it spouted up in its faithful glory, a helicopter flew over and hovered nearby. The kids, would not taking thier eyes off that chopper. Why look at a water spout when a chunk of machinery is hovering above?

We have been to the Atlantic ocean on Christmas day.

And Washington D.C.

When we took the kids to Mt Rushmore (specifically) for a nighttime lighting ceremony, The Girl (who was three at the time) didn’t like the dark, so she cried in fear until I took her inside the museum...before the lighting began.

We took them to the Great Smoky Mountains in early spring 2006. When we got there it started to snow. The snow was falling so hard by 8pm that we hauled our pajama’d selves to the car and found a hotel down the mountain. The next morning we found the tent had collapsed with the weight of the snow.

That following summer we decided to try our luck again and went back to that same campground.

What we didn’t know is that August is yellow jacket season. We stirred up a nest while hiking. We all got stung, The Mister taking the brunt with 26 stings.

Good times. Family vacations.

Right about now you may be thinking me the most pessimistic mother in all BloggerLand, but that’s far from the truth.

In all these trips there lies one common theme: we came home tired, but we came home happy.

I had prepared and planned for a picture-perfect vacation, but what we really desire as a family are the trips.

We love the company. The conversation. The prolonged chunk of time in togetherness.

We love the quality that comes with quantity.

Sure, there were bees, snowstorms, messes, and lots of work (cause you can’t leave the title of “mom” back home), but there were also quiet moments of skipping rocks across the pond; roasting marshmallows over a fire; carrying a sleepy child to his sleeping bag at 6:30pm, cuz he’d run himself ragged.

I'll never regret those memories of reading fire-side with The Mister when our little campers went to bed, or the early morning coffee while watching the sunrise.

I'll forever be grateful for the truly good things that are born of the stings and storms in life.

It’s the hard parts of a trip that make the good parts a vacation.

As Erma Bombeck said,

“A vacation is like love - anticipated with pleasure, 
experienced with discomfort 
and remembered with nostalgia”

*this is a rewrite (with added pictures) of a guest post I did for DandelionDayz in July of 2008. 

Summertime

Its here.

My favorite time of year.

Summer.

I don't mind the heat. I don't mind the humidity (although it's murder on the hair.)

I love flip-flops and Popsicles. Watermelon, swimming pools, trips to the beach.

Fireflies, eating outside, staying up late.

Hanging out with friends, reading good books, enjoying the moment (as it will pass all too quick...)

I love it all...

I received an email last week entitled "100 Things To Do This Summer", but I dumped it in the trash bin.

Today begins the official day of summer here at the La Vida house and I plan to do three things this summer: spend (quantity) time with my friends and family, sew and craft until my hearts content, and remember my love for being in the kitchen.

I don't need 100 thing to do, I do them all year, but those three things listed above...well, I've missed those the most.

This morning I am raising my coffee mug in a toast:

To summer!

(clink!)

Sugar and Yarn

Hello!

Life here at the LaVida house is full, but good.

I thought I would just show you a little bit of what I have been doing in my office:

Working on an baby afghan for a friend.

Making some calorie-free cupcakes (pincushions):

And filling monogram orders (oops!, forgot to take pics of those!)

Today and tomorrow I will be working on a cake for a baby shower this weekend. It's a tea-themed shower and I'm excited to try a new cake design, and super excited to celebrate a new baby!

I am looking forward to spending a good chunk of time in my office this summer crafting and creating. There is so much to do, and so little time!

Oh and one more thing....many of you have asked about CowTales. I was introduced to CowTales last August when the Island Girls met on Whidbey Island.

If you haven't had one of these, and you are a caramel lover, go get some, they are de-lish.

Also, since I can't seem to stop typing this morning, head over to this blog that is all about candy.  I love to read his candy reviews. (Have aI ever mentioned here that I have a small sweet tooth? All right it's more like a large molar, but anyway...) After reading this post I have been trying to get my hands on these gourmet gum drops, but Whole Foods has been completely sold out.

My dentist is so sad.

All right, I have to run, but tell me: What is your favorite candy? No sweet tooth? What do you eat for a "treat"?

S.IESTA!: A Challenge

I've been thinking a lot about the concept of rest. 

I go round and round on this subject in my head.  I've written about it before.

I am not a good rester. 

Somewhere along the lines I equated "rest" with "unproductivity"... maybe even "laziness". 

Which isn't true. At all.

God created us to rest. He knew that our desire would be to overcome the things of this world, and that we would grow tired in the trying. 

I often find that I burn the candle by both ends of the wick. Somehow I am always surprised when I feel overworked and over tired. Suddenly, all those things I wasn't going to sacrifice have been thrown in the fire while I was too busy to keep watch.

The Mister and I were watching a news program a couple weeks ago regarding the study of geographical locations where people live longer than average lives. The Blue Zones were where people lived to ripe old ages, not just living but being engaged in life!

One of the Blue Zones was Sardinia, an Italian Mountaintop island. What struck me as so amazing was not what they ate (cuz the good Lord knows that the last thing we need is another diet plan!), but what they did, and didn't, do:

They worked hard, and they rested.  

The reporter spoke of the several hours after lunch when no market would be open, no farmer on the field. The village was on siesta.

This concept (although I heard it before) has been swirling in my head for weeks.

This world is full of awesome things that will willingly suck us dry if we let it. Rest has to be intentional. Especially for those of us who thrive on busyness. 

You know how I feel about being intentional...but somehow when it comes to rest I forget...I always think I will get to it, next week, next month. Often its illness or an emotional outburst that forces me to be still.

How I desire to rest before I need it! And judging from the comments and emails I received over my last post, you do to.  

So, I thought I would implement S.IESTA! time here at the La Vida house, and offer you the opportunity to join me.

Here is the gist of this summer challenge displayed in a lovely acrostic on the word Siesta, spanish for: a nap in early afternoon (especially in hot countries) .

Stop.

Intentionally

Establishing

Stillness

Takes 

Action!

I've decided to take my S.IESTA! between 2:00-3:00p every weekday. I have set an alarm on my cell phone, and the kids and I drop what we are doing, go to our rooms/nest, shut the door and read (or something that requires being quiet and still). For the La Vida house, there will be no TV, or computer, or telephone, because that's what we need right now. 

Other than choosing your S.IESTA! time, and committing to practice it, there is no agenda. If you decide to join the summer challenge you can choose what you need to do for rest in your life. 

For example, you could do what CPQ did yesterday, or you can take a cat nap, or read an article you've been wanting to read. You could pray, or write. Whatever. As long as you remember that to rest you must Stop. (and acknowledge that) Intentionally Establishing Stillness Takes Action. 

You might not have the luxury of an hour, so your S.IESTA! might be only 20-30 minutes, while you're on break at work. 

Or it might be in the morning, or evening, or in that bathtub you keep meaning to get into...

(As a side note, this is different than the 20 or so minutes of  devotional time I usually do in the early morning.)

Honestly, the kids and I have done this for just three days, but let me tell you what I have observed thus far:

I have gotten more accomplished. At first I was afraid that once I sat down, I wouldn't ever want to get up again, but the opposite has been true. I have worked more diligently during the day knowing I get to S.IESTA! in the afternoon. And when my hour is up, I am able to go right back to my work with a new spring in my step! 

So, think about it. And then come back and let me know if your up to the challenge. Will you S.IESTA! with me this summer? And from time to time write about it on your blog* so we can see how rest is changing our day to day lives?

Come on...you know you need it.

Lovingly,

La Vida CoffeeGal

*if you don't have a blog, but want to S.IESTA!, your invited to join too!

Living Life: 140 Character or Less

Do you Twitter? If you don't, I'll need to explain. 

Twitter is a fun social media platform that is kind of like blogging. Only you don't get an unlimited space to flesh out your thoughts. 

You get 140 characters. 

You'd be amazed at how much I can say in 140 characters. 

Or maybe you'd be surprised at how much nothing I can say...

This post isn't about blogging, or Tweeting. It isn't a slam on those who do. (Cuz i love my Tweeps, oh yes i do!)

It's about my heart and mind. So here i go...

I was reading yesterday, and realized that I am restless. 

I cannot think. 

I cannot write. 

Cannot speak for all the bits and pieces running through my head.

Trying to pray, I realized that my life has become completely fragmented.  

My life is a series of jumping thoughts and sporadic conversations. 

My days a chain of incomplete answers. Incomplete understanding. 

Its been half a conversation here, an undeveloped idea there.  

It's been forgetting what I am going to say while in the middle of a sentence. Not just in writing, but while I am actually speaking.

Its more than the unquenchable desire to say more. Its the hunger- the very need- to expand my thoughts to a greater space; To be able to finish a project, a book, a discussion. 

I don't want be blind when the light shines all around me.

It occurred to me that in the feelings and emotions of such a full year (which included job changes, cross-country moves, new schooling, etc.) I have attempted to to live a full and wonderful life...in 140 characters. 

There is no part of my life that isn't affected. 

This fast-paced, cram-it-all-in, mentality is invading my life in places where there is no room for emptiness.

There is depth, and breadth, and height to be filled. 

I must make the time to fill it. 

This summer I hope to gather perspective. 

To stop rushing to conversation just to hear myself speak. 

I want to be renewed.

A Disciple's Renewal

O My Saviour, 

Help me. 

I am so slow to learn,

so prone to forget,

so weak to climb;

I am in the foothills when I should be

on the heights;

I am pained by my graceless heart,

my prayerless days,

my poverty of love,

my sloth in the heavenly race,

my sullied conscience,

my wasted hours,

my unspent opportunities.

I am blind when light shines around me:

take the scales from my eyes,

grind to dust the evil heart of unbelief.

Make it my chiefest joy to study thee,

meditate on thee,

gaze on thee,

sit like Mary at they feet,

lean like John on thy breast,

appeal like Peter to thy love,

count like Paul all things dung.

Give me increase and progress in grace

so that there may be

more decision in my character,

more vigour in my life,

more fervour in my zeal.

As I have a position in the world, 

keep me from making the world my position;

May I never seek in the creature

what can only be found in the Creator; 

Let not faith cease from seeking thee

until it vanishes into sight.

Ride forth in me, thou King of kings

and Lord of lords,

that I may live victoriously,

and in victory attain my end.

(Valley of Vision: 

Puritan Prayers and Devotions)

Not Just for Hot Days

I don't know about you, but summer-time snacks are some of my favorites.  I love eating watermelon, and popsicles, and grilling all sorts of meat. I guess that last one isn't really a snack. 

I also enjoy some ice cream. Actually, in the list of Many "Things" That Make My Life Good, ice cream is in the top five.

My favorite flavor, all year round, is Mint Chocolate Chip. I like the kind that is green and has little flakes. Not big chunks.

Yesterday I tried a new recipe for Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream that I wanted to share because it was easy, required minimal cooking without eggs, and tasted DELICIOUS! 

1 cup milk

1 cup Heavy Cream

6 Tablespoons Sugar

1/2 Cup chocolate (grated) 

Several Drops Peppermint extract (depends on how minty you like it!)

1 tsp Vanilla

(opt.) Green food coloring 

Place milk and sugar in a sauce pan on low heat and cook until sugar is dissolved. Do NOT boil!

Place milk and sugar in a glass or metal bowl and then place it in a larger bowl with ice.  Cool mixture. Add heavy cream, vanilla and peppermint (and green color, if you like). Stir over ice bath until chilly.

Add to ice cream maker and start machine. Add chocolate as ice cream begins to thicken. (I chopped 1/2 cup of chocolate chips in my food processor)

You can eat it like a soft serve ice cream, right out of the maker. But I like to put it in a container and let it harden just a bit.

MMmmmmm......

I may have already done a Random Poll for June, but I like to live on the wild side, so let's do another!

What is your all time favorite ice cream?  And if you don't eat ice cream, what is you favorite summer time snack? And if you aren't a snacker, then you need to leave a comment anyway, cause I need to pray for you.  ;)

Linky Loo

Oh Y'all!  The summer has started, and it is glorious.

The only down side to summer is getting acclimated to the new (and ever changing) schedule.

It was a great weekend, and the week is coming along nicely. So far, today we have already been to swim practice, the tortilla factory (what is summer without a tortilla snack?), and to the library.

Now, I must get that sweet Boy and Girl some lunch, find some time to shower, and then head out to the first Swim Meet of the season.

Uh, what was my last post about?

No really, the quiet of summer is coming. It just won't be today!

In the meantime I didn't want to leave all four of you devoted readers without some La Vida Love. 

I have a written a post for Chic Critique that I would love for you to read. If you like it, come back and let me know. If you don't, then...lie to me. 

Also, Lillian has received my apron. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing someone in a different part of the country wearing something you have created. Lillian is beautiful and it was fun to see this post this morning.

Last but not least, have I ever told you that I have a huge fondness for watermelon? Well, I do. And this is my season baby!

Did you know watermelons have their very own promotion board? Oh, yes! They do!

And last but not least on this wackiest of wacky-random posts, every summer: when I buy a watermelon and I carry it to the checkout to pay, I ALWAYS remember this scene in the movie Dirty Dancing  (warning - this may not be suitable for little eyes, after all it IS a "dirty" dancing scene!) and I say to myself, "I carried a watermelon?"

Ah, the summer memories!