Around Here

Making pesto. Or attempting anyway. I tried on Saturday and I think the pine nuts I used were old - something just tasted off so I'll be trying again. The basil is growing great in my raised beds and I want to master this one.

Vacationing. I spent last week on Martha's Vineyard with a special group of friends (my first time there and I loved it). We switched up our annual get together and headed to the other coast this time (vs. Oregon) and it was a true vacation. I love these people and the absolute joy they bring to my life - especially through laughter. Man I haven't laughed that much in years.

Cuddling with the kids after being apart last week. They spent the week with Chris vacationing in the San Juan islands.

Planning. A camping adventure. Layouts. Fall schedules. Work-related stuff.

Cultivating relationships. With friends, kids, Chris, family and with someone kinda special.

Savoring the beginning.

Listening. To music really loud. And checking out new-to-me music and making playlists and feeling it through my whole body.

Repeating. Finding myself saying the same things over and over again such as "please go get in your bed" and "that behavior is not okay" and "take your plate to the kitchen" and "are you calm?" and "take a deep breath." I'm in one of those places where I hear what I'm saying and wonder if it's the right thing or should I be phrasing it differently, wondering how to get across what I really want to communicate to my kids.

Pruning and puttering out in the yard. My happy place. Cutting flowers and bringing them inside. Waiting on the bigger tomatoes.

Living the length and width. That's what it's all about.