paris market

our family vacation this summer was to Tybee Island, GA. 
we had such a fantastic time.
i've been meaning all week to get photos out here of our vacation.
but have been having fun with the boys pretending that we're still on vacation!

i'll get them out here after i return from scout camp this weekend.
in the meantime if you ever venture to Savannah, GA you'll have to check out this cute shop:  paris market

 two stories of merchandise, i was drooling as soon as i walked in the door.

 it even has a cute little coffee shop in it. 

 i could have stayed her for an hour or so...
but someone started being silly. 

when you shop with the boys...it's on borrowed time. 

update later with beach photos and a post on the most adorable cottage ever that we rented for the week.

enjoy the weekend!



summer

sometimes.
a change of scenery is all you need.
cheers.
to summer!

photo shoot

a crazy busy week last week.
and on tuesday gloria gale and bill mathews were in my house shooting photographs!
gloria will write the article for a magazine called small room decorating.

  watching them work their magic was so fun.   you can't even imagine how great your house looks when you look at it through the lens of bills camera.



 it was a joy to have them in my home all day.  i was fascinated with the entire process.



i will post more once it gets published!
thank you gloria and bill....you have the best jobs! 

big cedar lodge

we spent some family time last weekend at big cedar lodge.
just past branson, mo. big cedar is only about 3.5 hours from kansas city.
the kids had a blast!
such a fun weekend of no schedules, doing a ton of fun things and just being a family.

 it was such a hot weekend, that the lazy river was a favorite for everyone.

a quick break for lunch.

the feel of this place is amazing.  i love the history of it, and all of these old original (circa 1921) buildings.

we played miniature golf after dinner every night.  also a favorite was ice cream out of an airstream trailer!

 the setting at big cedar is just so beautiful and relaxing.  paddling around in a canoe was so fun and a first experience for the boys.

if you're looking for a family getaway this summer, i suggest big cedar lodge!

i went to a garden party...

and took home made cilantro pesto as a hostess gift.

don't forget to use your garden to make

delicious hostess gifts this summer!



it's more fun to think outside the box

who says?

i always say that to myself when i am out junking.

rules?  hate to follow them.

be different?  absolutely with a capital A!

who says:

that this huge iron pot rack has to be in a kitchen?

remove the chains and the hooks and it's a beautiful planter on my patio table.

who says:

that andirons have to be next to a fireplace?

i love to use them to mark my garden paths.

i encourage you to think outside the box this summer...it's fun!