summer better to stay

I've rekindled my love affair with wine.   A time ago, I broke up with wine to pursue a more serious relationship with dreams of child bearing, family life and so forth.  But it's time I start seeing wine again, casually of course.  I'll keep it cool and not reclaim 'wineaux' status- for I do so love the endless study of wine creation and the complexities of such a holy beverage that lives and breathes and tells the story of its land.  That passion, I am aware, is to be saved for another time.  But oh, how wonderful it was today to sit and enjoy a nice glass of lovely white in the thick heat of an Arkansas summer day. And with good company.  I'll take more of that any day...

"there she is"

a reliable label sipped with a lovely view of our fair town...

Another love affair has only just begun...  How have I lived a near whole thirty years and only just become aware of my desire for fun footwear?!

FUN MAIL arrived today!!!  hooray for comfy mommy heels

Dare I also admit how very uplifting rainbow toes are (or any pedicure a mama can pull off for that matter)

My Amanda and I pulled off rainbow toes with a cooperative of our polish stashes, and about thirty minutes of miracle "all three babies asleep at once" time

And ohhh me::: it's time to swim!

happy poppy print

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We are finding there are simple things that bring great satisfaction, indeed::

::Spending time with little Loukas hands, exploring our wild Ozark yard... Going outside just seems to make everything better.  

The "money plant" that our nice neighbor Doris schooled us on during a friendly across the street visit.
I am learning to embrace my chigger bites, viewing them as trophies for time well spent at play in the sunshine.  Okay, no.  I still really hate those damn chiggers that are so a part of this natural state, but acceptance seems to calm the itch. 

::Discovering the "Finch" nest to be a Wren nest after all

Then hearing the sweet chirps of those speckled egg hatchlings, lifting the camera phone to and catching a couple shots of teeny beaks begging for grub...

::Juice::

::Gorgeous Juice::

 ::High Powered Blenders, and therefore, homemade nut milk (Y-U-M)

::Breakfast outdoors before the heat of summer days...

::A new favorite restaurant...

::Organic beers with silly farmer paintings that taste real nice...

::Sweet baby laughter at his mommy-made-mobile...

::First hair cuts!!!  

It was time for a trim... after 2 1/2 years of growth...

My first time to give a cut!  Not half-bad

 ::THIS face::

He "crawls" now, btw!  (it's kind of more like 'creeps') Left to his own, he'll drag himself across the room toward a toy he likes or even better, a pair of shoes to chew.  It started a couple weeks ago when we'd leave the room and return to find him feet away from where he'd been.  He's pretty efficient and it's kind of killing us (and pretty much unbelievable) that he's on the move so young- nearly 5 months and inch worming about!  

::and THIS face::

The animation is happening. This kid's facial expression is pretty comical.  Along with improvisational songs about all kinds fun stuff, we are overwhelmed with toddler charm.  I am getting pretty good at free-styling ditties about whatever character he throws my way.  His favorites:: Dorothy (from wizard of oz, which he hasn't seen but a few scenes of but loves "that girl dorothy"), Kai Lan, Rintoo, Jessie (toy story),just to name a few.  The best part is over hearing his own versions of these anthems about his favorite toon pals... (must capture on video)

 ::Awesome Garage Sale Finds...

::Vintage Toys!!!

Happy that my little boy has such wonderful taste and
adores these little items as much as I could ever hope he would.  

king kong mad a fun center piece for dinner with friends last night

::Vintage letter blocks are spelling out themes of our life:::

  oh! and look at what a craftsman JG is!!!  (more on this dream board later)

(background) portrait credit: meredith mashburn photography

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Jerrmy had but one lowly day off from work the entire month of June, so we are starting July off with a stay-cay... three days of rest and home time for our hard working Daddio.  We've got some living to do.  And some fun to to be had...