{this moment}

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual started by Amanda Blake Soule. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Have a lovely weekend!

Old Fashioned Iced Tea

Today it was in the high 90s with a heat index into the 100s and a bucket full of humidity to go with it. I attempted to take the kids out at 4pm, when it cooled off just a bit, to go in our baby pools. Neither of them wanted to go out. Both immediately went back towards the door informing me it was just "too hot".  Even my chickens wanted to stay in the coop. And that's saying something! 


So instead of outside, we had free play in the living room. I laid out a quilt, put on classical music, pulled out some old- new to them-toys and the kids went to town! Deirdre and Jonas usually do not play in the living room. I have a nice playroom set up for them which they tend to stay in. So the novelty of the quilt- which became an ocean and amusement park- in the living room entertained them endlessly. 

I know, I know, its a lot of sprinkles. Deirdre got a little carried away with shaking part! 

In the meantime I made a nice pork loin, salad, cookies, frozen banana pops, and iced tea for dinner. Both of the kids at different points helped me. Jonas is quite proud of himself now that he can stand on the stool next to his big sister. Plus with the temperature outside being ridiculous, iced tea was in order! 

So here is my recipe for Old Fashioned Iced Tea (really it is my version of what my Grandmother's tea tasted like with a few modifications)! Enjoy and stay cool. I am still working on the baby doll quilt tutorial. I will get it up this weekend after the poultry swap, I promise! 

Ingredients: 

• 5 tablespoons of honey
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of white Granulated Sugar
• 4 tea Bags of your favorite teas- I chose 2 bags of Twingings Black Pomegranate Tea and 2 bags of Twingings Green Tea to give it a fruity twist.
• 4 cups of boiling water

Directions:

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a whistling boil in a kettle.
2. Add 5 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of white sugar, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to a heat-safe bowl or glass measuring cup 
3. Pour the boiling water into the measuring cup with the honey and sugar in it. Stir the connects until the sugar and honey are dissolved. 
4. Add the 4 tea bags to the cup and let them steep for 5 minutes. 
5. Have a pitcher ready and remove the teas bags, pouring the measuring cup's contents into the pitcher. 
6. Add cold water to the pitcher until it is full
7. Let the contents chill in the refrigerator about an hour before serving- or add ice. (If the tea is too strong- or too dull for you-just add more water or let the tea bags steep a little longer.)

Enjoy! 

Loving her 'juice' tea! 

Daily Verse or Quote: 

Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 

-Colossians 1:9 NIV

Summer's Flight

Nature's bounty from our garden today. Cherry tomatoes, an heirloom tomato, and raspberries! 

These past two days seem to have flown by. Summer seems to be flying by as well. And that is ok with me. I love summer but when time flies for us, it means that we are having fun. Yesterday we took a family trip to the Children's Museum of Virginia. After about 2 years of renovations, it finally re-opened. I took us about an hour to get there due to traffic, but the trip was worth it. They had exhibits for every age and interest. They even had a baby play room for Jonas. Jonas' favorite exhibit by far was the fire station. In it, they had fake fires that you had to put out and a life size firetruck cab to climb into. Even when we were in other exhibits close by, Jonas would BLOT back to the fireman's exhibit. Deirdre, well she loved everything. She was in heaven and was enamored about spending one on one time with her Daddy. Sweet bliss. 


Back to the subject of the summer flying by and Jonas. My baby is turning 15 months old on the 10th! He is walking, signing, and talking like a wild man. He really understands just about everything I say to him. I love seeing the little light bulb go off in his head. His personality is just blossoming and I feel like I can barely keep up. Its a new thing each day. Time just keeps flying by... 


With Deirdre its more subtle now. Her imagination, maturity, interests, complex thought processes are also blossoming. She is developing a sense of responsibly and also is learning how to fib (as all children do at this age). Fortunately Craig and I take all these changes with stride. Both our kids have such beautiful and strong spirits. Just like us! 


Right now, I am just feeling overwhelmed with joy. I am lavished with blessings from God through my husband and kids. I love being able to take a step back with this blog and just marvel at my life and what it has become. 


So dear summer, you have my permission to fly by. But please allow us sweet moments to savor and pause at while our babies are still babies. 

Daily Verse or Quote:

"Kiss your children now for soon they'll swim away" 

From a print hanging in my room by the artist Robert Kline

Crafty Goodness:

Tonight I finished a baby doll quilt for my daughter's doll "Vera" and knit doll booties. The quilt used scrap fabric from Deirdre's gnome quilt- so they will match! I will post a tutorial tomorrow for both. It was very very easy. 

Seashore Sundress

Ta-Da!

The front

The back

More of the front

So once again I am having a short blog, but for good reason. I spent all my free time today sewing with Mom K (and then we and the kids picnicked on the beach for dinner). She helped me tackle the oliver and s seashore sun dress pattern that I just got for my daughter. It was my first time using and O&S pattern, and let me just say I am in love. The photos do not do the dress justice. It has side and back ruffles with two little pockets. Deirdre even picked out the fabric herself on our first trip to the fabric store together. The fabric is a 1930s reproduction fabric with lille Danish girls in clogs, sailboats, and windmills on it. I cannot wait to show it to her tomorrow. Now all I have left to do is get the buttons on- they're coming in the mail and are super cute! Until then I bid you Adieu! 

Funny Fruit Embroidery- not related to the dress!

Daily Verse:

Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

— Psalm 28:9 (NIV)