We had a birthday to attend to this weekend, for a 4 year old. I’ve quietly promised to use things I have on hand. I found a aqua with yellow dot coverlet while thrifting and a scrap of this red dot and thought they’d work well together (and you know about my aqua and red thing of late…) and I had the All For One Bag pattern from Besty Ross Patterns, just waiting to be stitched up…

I initially thought I’d line it, but instead did a little French Seam Action on the inside, and I am super pleased. I’ve got a few more presents to make and I’m going to stick with this pattern. I think I’ll make the handles 2 inches longer, it was a little tight going over my shoulder (but not a 4 year olds…and she LOVED it!).  And in case your were wondering the pattern was fantastic, the directions were a breeze and it was a really fast sew.  It’s a great shape that’s super versatile.  I’m making a wool one next. (stay tuned for pictures)

The party was fun. It’s the first time we actually got in the car and Iz said, “Mom! I had a lot of fun!”. She pretty much always has fun, but it’s the first time she’s said it without me prompting.

Lui led the drumming. Iz was pretty pleased to see her. (she always is)

We spent time jumping off the bench, sliding tummy side down, head first down the slide. Oh the outdoors.

The day before, it was sweltering. It was so hot, none of us could get comfortable. We spent the morning in Northampton picking up the last of the LuckyStitches furniture at the kung fu studio, then dropping it off at the new location. It was hot. We left Haydenville, on our way to Ashfield for the Fall Festival. The drive on 112 is pretty breathtaking. I think the drive anywhere in New England is pretty amazing. The leaves are changing colors, looks like the trees are catching on fire, but not fully inflamed.

This year was different, Iz is more independent, wants to do so many things on her own. There is no casual strolling, but more following, running and insisting on hand holding when the crowds get to thick or the walk gets too close to the road.

Our little kitty had fun, she got to ring the bell, act like a kitty and see tons of her friends (that’s a funny thing about living where we do, we get to see our friends every where we go, not like the subway, where you barely recognize people from day to day).

We had to leave, it was too hot and too close to nap time. After a bowl of mac & cheese, we headed for the car. But it never goes as smooth as that. The power of distraction is key to happiness sometimes, and Iz was thrown into the air with every step, Rob got a great upper body workout, and she happily got into the car, where after we got going, she fell asleep.

It was a really great and productive weekend. The roof is almost finished. I made a lovely bag, and Iz got to spend both days outside playing and playing. And she got to hold Annabelle.

Now it’s 1:30AM and the rain is coming down harder and faster than we’ve seen in a long time.  It’s flash flood weather.  Rob (who is sleeping in the buff, it’s still really hot and humid), jumps out of the bed and runs outside (naked).  It’s pouring so hard it almost hurts and the rain is cold.  The tarp is gathering water at the peak of the roof and sinking in.  It has to be emptied.  Rob is now on the roof (naked), emptying and securing the tarps.  Rob moves inside (still naked).  There are buckets of water pouring into our basement from the open areas of doing the roof (it’s a crazy house, the basement is at the back of the house where it’s built into the hill, so it’s not under the house – or part of it anyway).  He’s moving my sewing machines up high, boxes and other things that can’t get wet that we’ve got stored in there.  He moves tarps and plywood around (naked in the pouring rain), and as he finishes the rain stops.  He positions the fans so they can start drying up the pools of water and make sure nothing is sitting in a puddle.

He can’t go back to sleep.  I’m in bed with Iz, we didn’t hear a thing.

We are hoping it clears up a bit so Rob can finish up and get the roof sealed.  It is supposed to rain this afternoon, so it just might be a break day.  whew.

Oh – and Rob is dressed now.  Sitting on the couch with Iz reading a book, anxious to get the roof finished.  More pictures later (but none of Rob naked, sorry).

On the Plane, originally uploaded by zannestar.

We had a great time. The flight was good (but rather long, I suggest direct flights…), the family and friends were great, and as usual we enjoyed Seattle.

There was bonding over breakfast:

Bathtime:

and jumping on the bed:

We visited with cousins:

and more cousins:

Packed Boxes:

Drove the Moving Truck:

Rode the Ferry:

With Tourists

Visited School:

This was a GIANT slip’n’slide. Tons of fun on the last day of school. Even I needed a nap after this day.

Jammed with friends:

Dabbled in Tide Pools and experienced water life at the Seattle Aquarium:


The Jellies were amazing.


My Lil’ Octo:

Hung out at the Playground:

Visited the animals at the Woodland Park Zoo:

It was fun visiting all our friends. We wish we could have stayed longer and spent more time! Our visits were short.  The best part I think was being able to pick up with friends where we left off.  You wouldn’t know that we haven’t seen each other in years, it was as if a few days had passed, nothing more.   Can’t wait to see you all again!  xxoo!

After an ultra-long flight, we came home to a house under contruction. It’s quite overwhelming, the changes, the dirt, the piles. It’s quite exciting too. Lots of decisions to make and TONS of work to do. Pictures here.

Greetings. This is the new view from my back door. I love red, so thankfully, this HUGE ASS dumpster is red. I just wish it weren’t so close to the back door.

Our house needs a new roof. Here is some proof:

There are about 7 layers (hello – can you say ILLEGAL in housing code terms. WHAT were the previous owners thinking? Or maybe the roof is so old, they didn’t have codes back then… Rob actually tore up this edge to take a peak at all the layers.

The roof is completely covered in moss. The picture doesn’t show it, but the roof buckles too. And, we have a few water stains in our ceiling upstairs. Loverly. It really needs to go. It might not make it through another winter.

And….

Our stone wall in the front is no longer a wall, but a pile of large and very heavy stones.

The stone wall extends from our foundation. The house is built into a side of a hill. The house was built in 1797. As our neighbor said to us this spring, as a river was running through our house (the well overflowed into the house, helping to wash away part of our foundation , “You have to love antique houses. They are still standing, and you have no idea why.”