Lucky for you, it has been a bit more crazy than normal, but I have still done a fair number of projects. I'm going to try to reminisce in order, so we shall see how I do.
The first project: The outside garden walking path. I know this dates back to June 5th, so this was before it became wickedly hot here and was after I had work done on my house to fix a drainage issue and wet basement. That project tore up the wrap around sidewalk from around the house so I had to replace it...and what better use of the space than a garden. Sadly this garden isn't completed yet (July and August were just too darn hot, and the ground was too hard so, it being the end of September, you would think I would have some sort of reason for it still not being done. I do- I was extra busy at work and I got lazy. There. I said it ;)
I don't know if I have a before picture and frankly it wasn't very picturesque in our backyard anyway. Here is what it looks like now (since I don't want to wait to show you the various steps...got a lot of projects to cover here).
First, we got some some sandstone pavers and I layed out this path (wide enough for the mower) and we put in brick pavers on the front half of the fence. This path as a weedguard underneath and pea gravel in the cracks to prevent having to pull stray plants out of it. (that black thing is the composter).We also laid some stones around the front to make a border (but we haven't finished the far side yet). Then we planted a bunch of plants. Still some work to do on that one I guess. On to the next.
I tried my hand at making fresh baked whole wheat bread. It ended up delicious, but for whatever reason when I tried to eat more than one slice I would end up with hearburn (no idea why), so it really didn't work as the sandwich bread replacement for us. The major problem with it though was there is no way to turn down fresh baked bread...so that first loaf, lasted one meal (and these were sandwich bread sized...so it will be a while before we try that again).
Next up, I repaired for a friend a poor bear who had a run-in with their dog. This was a childhood toy that had unfortunately been left on a bed with a dog that thought all stuffed animals where theirs to play with, so after a lot of effort (and some new material to give the bear a second chance, the little guy was brought back to life. I think he feels much happier too.
Also for the wedding, I had to make some wedding gifts. (The first quilt was finally finishing up one started for a friend's wedding present back in December (they live in Boston as well so personally delivering it made me feel better for not having it done for the actual wedding and being over 6 months late (sigh...). The second was made for the newly weds and I am proud to say that I didn't repeat a colored fabric even once! that's right, there were 55 different fabrics in this quilt (counting the white one). I really like how they turned out (though they originally were a bit smaller, but I didn't want anyone to think I was giving a baby blanket as a wedding gift!
Prior to heading out on my daughter's first plane ride though, we had the first of my daughter's first birthday parties (yes she got two). I made delicious chocolate zucchini whole wheat cupcakes (they also had a hint of mint because I used mint chocolate chips- they were really fantastic). The first party took place at a city music festival where my daughter's favorite band was playing. Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three were the act (my little girl adores the beat of their song La La Blues and she dances up a storm) so we invited all our best buds and family to join us at the show for cupcakes. We had a blast.
The next day we flew off to bean town and spent my little one's b-day exploring the city (it really is a great city to visit if you get the chance). And we have a lovely stroll on her actual birthday down by the water.After a lovely trip, we were a bit on the tired side, but August is notoriously busy in our family so next up was Great Grandma's birthday party where I finally got the picture I've been aiming for. Four generations!
After all that business it was time to prepare for my daughter's at home birthday party- the one where she would get to do all the fun birthday stuff. Elliot and I decided on an "old Fashioned Country picnic" theme so we grilled hotdogs and all the guests brought sides to share. I had prepared pies in a jar (homemade Cherry, Apple, Peach and a Strawberry Rhubarb crisp) in place of the cake. and then made cute little boxes with red and white striped twine wrapped around them as the favors (inside was old fashioned candies. They turned out cute.
In addition, I also had made some ball jar lanterns to hang from the tree out front with some streamers to welcome guests.
So after that madness was over you would think I would be content with putting my feet up and relaxing until slightly after Thanksgiving, but I'm not wired that way I guess.
However, before I launch into September projects I just have to say this last year with my daughter, working from home and taking care of her full-time (in addition to working full-time) has been the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life. She is such an amazing little girl! She amazes me everyday with all she knows and all she can do (which I would guess is similar to all mother's feeling about their young), so to think that it has been a full year having her in my life has been remarkable- it feels like she has been her forever, but also that it can't possibly have been that long. Time, it is a flying!
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