Ramona & Beezus

Have you seen it yet?I grew up with Ramona and have really enjoyed sharing Beverly Cleary's books with my girls.So, on a perfectly beautiful summer day, I took my girls to see the Ramona & Beezus movie. It exceeded my expectations - sweet, charming, funny, with many "teachable" moments thrown in for good measure. Happy Thursday, dear frien...

Nothing says 'cottage' like......

......dutch doors!happy monday friends! i am recovering from yet another busy summer weekend spent on our lake enjoying the sunshine and lots of soccer.....yes, it is the sport whose season never ends!this morning i had a photo shoot with the magazine that interviewed me on my definition of cottage style......i had to smile at NOTHING for at least 300 shots.....she kept telling me to 'relax', obviously...

V is for Victory!

Shopping home decor stores is seriously one of my favorite hobbies....like some people like to run long distances, or decoupage...On the rare occasions I find myself with a few hours all to myself, my mind instantly begins thinking about where I can go to check out some great home accessories (when really I should be folding laundry, but who wants to do THAT in their free time?).Like our favorite...

{a peek of the peak}

This is the time of year that all us midwest gardeners get rewarded for all the patient and diligent work in our gardens...our gardens are at their peak!I always have mixed emotions. On one hand, my yard is at it's best. The neighbors ooh and ahh over my hosta lined front walkway, the enormous hydrangea blooms on my mature Annabelle's and my friends love to receive bouquets freshly cut from the gardens.But...

these are a few of my favorite things....

it's summer and all...and i am not like lots of you over-achieving gals who get lots pillows sewn, furniture painted, rooms re-decorated (for like $13.99) and thus have lots of fresh blog material to impress the masses with....i do however, still do a bit of shopping...cause i do have my priorities...when kasey was in town, we did manage to visit one favorite shop in my hometown....i saw these french...

friendship.......

As I have gotten older, friendships with fabulous women are really, really, really important to me. And I have been blessed to have so many come and go in my life. And if I were being perfectly honest with you all, I would tell you that having women friends has not come with out it's difficulties, disappointments, hurt and heartache. I think lots of it has do with my lack of self-confidence and fear...

Guess Who?

I have been catching up on laundry...dusting the cobwebs...fluffing pillows....planning meals.....(and perhaps cocktails too)...to welcome a friend (and her infamous daughter) for a visit....i am pretty sure you all know her, she's a world traveler....and one stylish blogger who always has a way with her words....Can you guess who is coming to visit my cottage?Come back on Monday to find o...

we interrupt our regularly scheduled....

Just what a busy mom needs during the summer months. I gave myself a time-out yesterday and stole some time wandering a favorite Minneapolis antiques store, Hunt & Gather on Xerxes Avenue.I highly recommend it.Nothing recharges my battery, so to speak, like wandering an antiques store. Guess what? I only spent $9.40!On what you ask?I bought some of the old sign letters pictured above for the...

Independence Day....in pictures

it was a great day....i am poopedfestivities began at 9:30....the neighborhood bike parade....except my children chose to ride a scooter and walk a dog.....they are non-conformistsi was a bit happy that i no longer had to run alongside a child trying to balance on a bike among 100 other kids and parents trying to run along and balance on a bike....but also sad that it was probably my big girls' last...

Ramblings about the 4th of July......

Can it be the fourth of July already?How can that be..... I admire all you mothers of school-aged children who look forward to your summers with your children full-time.....But I admit....I am not a member of your club.....and I am ok with that....Don't get me wrong, I love my girls and love spending oodles of time with them....I have been an at-home mom since my big girl was born (almost 12 years...