Dear Summer,

~thank you for your heaps of SUNSHINE~for there were days when I was raining inside, but your glory could not be ignored. Your sunbeams are infectious like the belly-laugh of a child. You can brighten any day~

~thank you for the GROWTH which you've inspired through the richness of your soil and the beauty in your moments; for time continues to tumble and my soul reaps in abundance~

~thank you for SUMMER LOVE~the rekindling of a romance that has felt both the earth tremble and the warmth of your golden rays. Your glory reminds that yours is a season just like the next, and so it is between us~

~this is the beauty~

~thank you for the LONG-LASTING DAYS~the sort that seem to last for an eternity; for the adventure and fun has drenched and consumed; now I settle into your next motion~

until next time,

Farewell Sweet Summer

photo via flickr

Because I love the fall...

I can hardly wait to read all the ideas for The Inspired Room's upcoming Fall Nesting Week. Bloggers from all over can participate and submit their housewarming ideas for the fall. Lots of decorating and baking ideas! I can't think of a better way to transition into the next season. Ahhh....I'm already daydreaming in pumpkin spice and harvest colors.

Aren't these gorgeous?

I found these beautiful water colored leaves on flickr, idea taken from
mayamade designs. If you'd like to make some, follow this link to the tutorial. And I must say, move over Martha! This crafter is serious. You can find tutorials on how to make pillowcase dresses to confetti eggs for the New Year. It is all quite creative, fun, and a lot of it is child oriented!

I also found this cute fall banner on Mayamade that I thought Brooklynn would love to help make. And I know she'd love to see it on the mantle everyday. :) Now that I think of it...a watercolored leaf banner would be beautiful!

I hope your summer is coming to a pleasant end! Enjoy!

"When summer gathers up her robes of glory, and like a dream of beauty glides away."- Sarah Helen Power Whitman

~C

A few favorite moments from this week

Brooklynn said to me the other day,

"Mommy? Do you know what's simple?"
"What?" I asked.
"I love you," she said.

Image via boubouteatime

Tuesday morning while reading through my morning blogroll and email, I came across a much unexpected email from an author I quoted in a May blog of mine. Timothy Perrin, who wrote Ray Bradbury's Children, published in the Writer's Digest and later in Just Open a Vein, sent me some kind words of advice, encouragement, and inspiration for this writing life. As I was reading, all I could say out loud was "Shut up!" "Shut up!" or it may have been "No way!" "No way!" I can't remember. I was awe-struck and in inspirational heaven. More on this later...

An afternoon at the Camas farmers market, a huge bouquet of jewel-toned flowers, shopping at Pier 1, and an exchange with a favorite blogger of mine. Of course! I would love to be pen pals!

And how about you?

What's your favorite moment(s) of this week so far?

xoxo, C

Summer Took Over

I've been hustling about for the last few weeks taking part in all sorts of events and gatherings. Here's what the husband, the kiddos, and I have been up to...

Alyssa came in town a couple of weeks ago.
She's my best friend from the second grade.

And friends, she's still got moves...

She came in town for our friend, Jen's wedding.

Congrats Jen & Brian!

After a short re-coup session on Sunday, Nate and I packed the kiddos up bright and early Monday morning and drove a long 14 hours to Alpine, UT, just south of SLC, to visit a couple of my siblings and my parents, who recently moved there from Vancouver, Washington, after 24 years. Tuesday, we started the trip out right and headed to Seven Peaks the water slide park and enjoyed an afternoon of family, water, & sun rays. All of my siblings, except my dear brother-in-law, were able to make the trip, and it was such a treat since it is not very often that you'll find us all in one location!

Wednesday us girls spent the afternoon making fabric necklaces and catching up with some relatives that we don't see too often at a family BBQ.

the process

Tams, my Mama, me & Jeannie. The picture is missing Brittany, who came up with the craft idea, and Amber.

Myself

My sis, Tams

Thank you Brittany for the pictures!

Thursday we headed to Heber City, UT, not far from Park City for the 2009 Baldridge Family Reunion. It was an enjoyable time where we got to catch up with family and get to know the new-additions. Brooklynn and Asher had a blast with their cousins and second cousins. Everything went wonderfully thanks to my Mom, who organized the details of the event. There was good food and a good time had by all!

Friday night at the reunion was the best part by far. There was a TALENT SHOW! I could hardly get enough of the sweet kiddie talent, the melodrama by Grandma, skits by my cousins and aunt & uncle, and the Johnny Cash-style number by Grandpa. There was seated-scavenger hunts & a fun-fact game about all the adults, too. Mounds of fun. I think I had a smile on my face for two straight hours.

Before going on the trip I mentioned the talent show to Brooklynn and she was more than excited. She talked about it practically every day, so when we got there we signed her up, and she did not disappoint! When it was her turn I took her to the stage and handed her the microphone. She recited the nursery rhyme Diddle Diddle Dumping and sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I was so proud of her and the confidence she has. I love that little voice of her's, too.

So there you have it--a couple weeks worth of outings that have kept us busy and me away from this computer. Breaks are always nice, and healthy, too, but I sure missed blogosphere.

Thanks for sharing in this thing that I love!

Blessings,

Cassie

5 things to do before summer is over

I am loving the new blogs that I've come across in the last few days. One of them is an inspirational blog called Oh, Mishka. Today, she features another blogger's post on 5 things to do before summer is over. Here's what I came up with:

1. Do some major berry picking and make my first batch of jam.

2. Get my hair done!--It has been far too long! A little more light or should I revamp with an all-over brilliant-brown for the upcoming Fall? Did I mention that I am secretly excited for the Fall?

3. Make a trip to the beach. It's only an hour and a half or so away, and the kiddos still have yet to dig their toes in the sand this year...

4. Complete the books on my nightstand. I am obsessed with books, so often, I find myself wanting to hoard new ones and crack them open before I've finished the other three.

5. Enjoy a patio/sunset dinner with Husband. I know BEACHES knows how to do this right with the river, sailboats, and boardwalk-sunset-views. AND they make a heavenly Key Lime Pie.

What about you? What's on your list of must-do's?

photo courtesy of veer.com

Have a LoVeLY Weekend!

1. Image via cupcakes and diamonds. 2. Photo by swwetymott 3. & 4.photos by jew-lee-uhh

Where has all the Lavender gone?

In June or so, I so awe-fully admired a Camasonian's beautiful, lush, lavender plants that danced up their winding sidewalk to the front door. After a few drive-bys, I returned to find that the lavender had disappeared, and all that remained were dried up remnants of what once made my heart skip. I realize that plants and flowers have their seasons, and granted, I didn't watch the daily changes in the life of the lavender take place, but I was so bothered by this extreme and nasty metamorphosis that I even mentioned it to my husband. Where had they gone? And so quickly? He mentioned the seasons, but the skeptic in me fathomed the possibility of a hostile neighbor situation which possessed a jealous neighbor to take seasonal matters into their own hands and kill them off...early..!!??? I guess I'll never know for sure.

What I do know, is that Sonoma, California is the place to be right now. Purple highways, $1 bundles, and sun-soaked, fragrant, purple stalks ALL OVER THE PLACE! The article alone leaves me day-dreaming in purple and in fragrances of lavender.

images taken from the article

A Muse of Mine

Now, this one can sing...

amazingly flawless.

Piercing. Perfect. Pitch.

Her range is like that of ten or so instruments

perfectly orchestrated to create

the most beautiful melodies.

vulnerable, bare, acoustic

accompanying heavenly sounds.

Really, what more can I say...

I'd wanted to see Jewel for almost ten years, until I finally got to see her at the Zoo in Portland, last Friday night. Nate and I enjoyed front row seats and one amazing evening. We brought our camera, but no camera card; however, I refused to let this tarnish my night...