Ali Edwards's Blog, page 64
July 16, 2022
Black + White Scrapbook Kit IG Hop | Ali's Project
Black and white storytelling products for the win!
Today I'm joining some of our Brand Ambassadors on Instagram sharing projects created with the Black + White Scrapbook Kit. Click here to check out my IG post and click the links to other participants. If you don't have Instagram, no worries! Lisa will be compiling the images and bringing them together into a blog post next week.
PS: Don't forget that the Scrapbook Kit subscription includes the digital kit.
Here's a look at my project:
I'm a huge fan of the "directed storytelling" papers (essentially papers where all you have to do is add your words or photos and call it good) we've been including in our kits recently. I love how easy they make it to hold pieces of our stories.
The story I'm telling with this project are some simple memories + moments with our new dog Betty (a 12 week old white lab). Go Betty! She's a wonderful handful.
Here's a video overview of how this came together:
A few detail images:
For this project I created a layered template using the shapes on the pattern paper and masked my photos inside the shapes. I saved the template in case you'd like to use it for one of your own projects (it's a PSD layered template file for Photoshop).
Download the Photoshop Layered Template here.
After printing out my photo page I hand-cut out each of the oval shapes and left a white border around each one and used foam adhesive to adhere them to one of the pattern papers from the kit.
On top of each photo I added one of the chipboard stars and a thin puffy number that corresponds to the numbers on the journal spots on the second page.
For the title I paired a custom Silhouette cut of her name with the "now" plastic piece from the kit.
I ended up cutting out the oval journal spots after handwriting my journaling. It would have been totally fine to keep it on the same background I just decided I wanted it on a more active pattern. I also added both white and gold chipboard stars from the kit to the top of the ovals and added a date along the bottom.
Black + White Scrapbook Kit
Silhouette Cameo
Thin Gold Puffy Stickers
6 Hole Punch
Rolling Date Stamp
Tiny Attacher
Fiskars Scissors
July 15, 2022
In Case You Missed It | July 15
Happy Friday, friends! Welcome to the latest
In Case You Missed It. Just a reminder that this is a quick post that will happen every Friday afternoon with all the updates and links that have happened throughout the week. So, let's get to it:
NEW STORY KIT THEME
Earlier this week, we revealed our July Story Kit™ theme: GOOD. Sometimes it’s nice to simply focus on the things that are good in your life: not the best or most awesome but simply good. This month you are invited to tell stories about good fun and good moments and good things from your life. Take a look at Ali’s blog post, complete with video walkthrough and product photos here.THE NOSTALGIA COLLECTION IS LIVE
Touching on incredibly fun themes from TV and movies that are near and dear to our hearts, our newest collection was designed to spark nostalgia. As always, we will be offering digitals for this collection. They will be available in the shop on August 5th. Shop the entire collection here.GOOD STORY CHAT
Join Krystal and three guests to chat about story sparks related to our newest theme: GOOD. She’ll be live on our Instagram account on Monday, July 18th at 9:30AM ET. The conversation will be recorded and available on our Instagram videos and in our Story Classroom.BLACK + WHITE SCRAPBOOK KIT INSTAGRAM HOP
Ali and some of our Brand Ambassadors will be participating in an IG Hop this Saturday, sharing projects using our newest scrapbook kit. We will be compiling those into a blog post on Monday for those of you not active on Instagram.
As always, we’re so grateful to have you all as members of this community! Thanks for joining me today and have a great weekend!
July 13, 2022
Good Story Kit + August 2022 Stories By The Month + Nostalgia Collection
Today's the 13th of the month and that means a new
Story Kit, Story Stamp, and Stories By The Month kit. This month we also have a fun new collection available that subscribers can add to their subscription shipment (non-subscribers can also purchase this collection from the shop + regular shipping rates will apply).
This month we are focusing on stories related to the theme of
Good.
Sometimes it’s nice to simply focus on the things that are good in your life: not the best or most awesome but simply good. This month you are invited to tell stories about good fun and good moments and good things from your life.
Initial story ideas for this theme include:
Make a list of all the things that are good in your life right now. There is always something.
Tell the story of a time you recognized that something was good enough. Think of a story that shows that good things take time. Document the details. STORY KIT
The
Story Kit™ includes:
Here's a video overview of the
Story Kit™ and Add-On options this month:
STORY STAMP™
The
Stamp Set:
Here's a video overview of the Story Stamp:
And here's a peek at
Laura's project in the classroom this month:
DIGITAL STORY KIT™ (Included with the STORY CLASS)
Here's a look at what's included in the Digital Story Kit™:
Your digital kit and the classroom and any Add-Ons purchased will be available to you on the 15th once your card has been charged for the month.
This kit is also available to all subscribers as an Add On each month.
Here are a few sneak peeks at projects you'll find in the classroom this month from our team:
Again, thanks so much for subscribing and/or considering our
Story Subscription program! If you have any questions about this program please let us know below in the comments.
Stories By The Month™ kits include 4x6 chipboard, 3x4 and 4x6 cards, a 3x4 stamp, a sticker sheet, and an embellishment.
Here is a full look at the kit:
And a video overview:
This subscription is a great option for those who are looking to tell more calendar/everyday life sorts of stories.
This kit will be offered for only $9.99 as an ongoing month-to-month commitment.
Our month-to-month subscription option allows you to cancel at any point prior to the 10th of the following month without penalty or a cancellation fee.
CURRENT SUBSCRIBER BONUS: Stories By The Month™ physical kit, Story Kit™, Story Stamp™ and Story Class™ subscribers will be able to add the new Stories By The Month™ Digital Kit as an add on to their order for only $5 during the add on period each month.
Subscriber Add On options this month include a pleather flowers, puffy food icons, a 4x6 food icon pattern stamp (this is one stamp), and a fun set of vellum shapes (I didn't have these in time to add them to the video). We will also be adding more products from the shop that can be added to your box to ship with your subscription. Make sure you check out what's all available via your My Subscriptions page.
Add On options are available to all Story Kit™, Story Stamp™, and Stories By The Month™ subscribers (this excludes Digital Story Kit/Story Class subscribers since you don't have any part of your subscription shipped already). Current and new subscribers can select + purchase Add-On's via your new drop-down menu access under your user name in the top right corner of the site: you need to do this before the 15th of the month in order for them to ship with your kit.
Depending on product availability subscribers may be able to purchase the Add-On's after the Add-On period has ended and regular shop shipping rates will apply because they will ship separately from the kit.
Say hello to a fun mid-summer collection in partnership with Laura Wonsik: Nostalgia Collection TV + Movies.
This month we are trying something new + offering a brand new collection to subscribers to add to their order this month in order to take advantage of our subscription shipping rates. Non-subscibers can purchase this collection as well from the shop + regular shipping rates will apply.
Here's a look at the embellishments which are available as a bundle or individually (there are also 4 new 4x6 stamps and 3, 6x8 stamp sets and a sticker booklet as you'll see below):
Here's a video overview of this collection:
Here's a closer look at the inside of the sticker book:
Here's a closer look at the stamp sets:
July 8, 2022
In Case You Missed It | July 8
Happy Friday, friends! Welcome to the latest
In Case You Missed It. Just a reminder that this is a quick post that will happen every Friday afternoon with all the updates and links that have happened throughout the week. So, let's get to it:
NEW TRAVEL MINI-CLASS BUNDLE AVAILABLE
This week we launched four new travel-themed mini classes. These self-paced classes are now available for registration and class content is available immediately after purchase. Grab all four for a great discount here.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS | NOSTALGIA COLLECTION
The Nostalgia Collection is the result of another amazing collaboration with Laura Wonsik and will include stickers, stamps, pleather badges, and more! Mark your calendars for next Wednesday, July 13th. And for the first time ever, we’re offering this new collection in the shop AND as an add-on for subscribers.2022 WEEK IN THE LIFE
Ali is sharing her album progress over on the blog. Find it here.NEW CRAFTING LIVE WITH KRYSTAL
Earlier this week, Krystal was live, here in the Craft the Story Facebook Group for Crafting Live with Krystal. Head to the videos tab to check out the recording if you missed it.
As always, we’re so grateful to have you all as members of this community! Thanks for joining me today and have a great weekend!
July 7, 2022
Week In The Life™ 2022 | Ali's Album Progress Report
I'm knee deep in Week In The Life™ album creation over here and decided to share a progress report with you today.
I've got my intro page, reason why page, and all my Monday photos + journaling printed. I'll be adding more embellishments onto my photos but wanted to get this post up so you could see where I'm heading with my album in case you are looking for some ideas for working in your album.
Here's a look at where my album is at right now via photos:
I'm starting my album with a full page photo (sized to the outside of the page protector). On top of the photo I added a Dave Matthews Band lyric in Photoshop before printing and also included raw chipboard letters with the dates for this project repeat stamped on top. I also added the "week in the life" wood veneer piece from the Main Kit.
On the back of my intro page I added another full page photo of some of the roses from my yard. On top of the photo I added a cut-up 3x4 pocket (cut from a page protector), a "reason why" journal card with stamping using wood block stamps and the plastic word "story" from the Mini Kit. On the outside of the pocket I adhered the quote which was cut from a 3x4 journal card in the Main Kit.
The plastic pocket was adhered to the photo using red line tape.
This is the formula you'll see at the start of each day. I added a stitched heart + a chipboard circle + chipboard outline circle (from the Main Kit) to the transparency.
On the back side I'm added a repeat-date-stamped gold outline heart + a plastic phrase from the Main Kit.
My content for Monday begins with a 10x8 photo. On top I added a gold die cut word from the recent Senses Story Kit and a word phrase sticker from the Unexpected Story Kit. I'm having fun diving into my stash for additional embellishments to add to my photos.
My plan is to simply add embellishments when it feels good.
Behind the full page photo I added a photo collage of 2 inch x 4 inch photos (brought together in Photoshop). On top of the collage I added a wood veneer circle from the Main Kit and I added a circle stamp using StazOn ink on top.
In the coming days I'll adapt this page depending on the number of photos I have for the day. Monday's are almost always the day with the most photos.
For my journaling this year (copied and pasted from my blog posts Turin gate documenting week) I'm adding them to 6 inch x 8 inch pages which means I'm adding a page protector to my album. I set up my text in Illustrator and wrapped the text around a box (measured the pleather embellishment first and left space for that). I had three pages of journaling for Monday. I'll likely add an Avery Index Tab along the outside edge.
On the back of the 6x8 journaling page is more journaling.
During the documenting week this year I used an app called Today's Front Pages to collect the front page of the New York Times each day. I added those images to a 3x8 template that's included in the Digital Variety Pack. Between the top part of the design and the paper image I used the wood block stamp set to add the date (I followed this same formula for each day).
On the back of the In The News page I'm adding a photo. On top of this photo I added a fabric circle embellishment from my stash.
My journaling continued onto a third page and instead of having it just be white I picked one of my photos from the day and added my text on top.
I love that I can added in page protectors when I need more. On the back of the photo I added another photo from my day and will add embellishments later in the process.
On the next page you can see where I've placed the vellum word for today card, the Monday frame from the Mini Kit, and I added some handwritten words to the facts + feelings card.
I used the wood block stamp set again for my daily word.
On the next page I added 1.75 square photos to the Monday card and used one of the circle stamps on top of the printed card. I love how this turned out with just adding some basics from my day.
Because I had so many photos I wanted to include for Monday I decided to add in a 6x8 page protector with 4, 3x4 pockets. I'll add embellishments later.
I love how the 10 inch x 4 inch photos look in this album. Such a fun variation.
On the bottom card I decided to add photos instead of words but might adjust that in the coming days that have fewer photos.
On the back of that page I did another photo collage comprised of 2 inch x 4 inch photos and another full page 10 inch x 4 inch photo of my parents.
My current plan is to now go in and add embellishments to complete Monday and then move on to Tuesday. I loved getting some of the main things completed that are repeated within the album (as you'll see in the video above) such as the stitched hearts, the stamped hearts, and the "in the news" pages.
I still love this project so much and looking back at my photos from Monday makes me so, so happy that I took the time to document.
I'll share another progress report as I keep working in my album coming soon.
SUPPLIESWeek In The Life 10x8 Striped AlbumWeek In The Life Main KitWeek In The LIfe Mini KitWeek In The Life 10x8 TransparenciesWeek In The Life Stitched Heart PocketsWeek In The Life Weekly Journal CardsWeek In The Life 4x6 Circle Days Stamp SetWeek IN The Life 4x4 Vellum Journal CardsWeek In The Life Digital Template Variety Pack (includes “in the news”)Wood Block Stamp SetStaz On Ink3x8 Page Protector6x8 Page Protector (with 3x4 pockets)Senses Story Kit (gold words)June 2022 Stories By The MonthWrite Story StampWord Phrase Stickers from stashScrapbook.com Rolling AdhesiveAvery Index TabsEpson PictureMate PM400Epson XP15000
July 1, 2022
In Case You Missed It | July 1
Happy Friday, friends! Welcome to the latest
In Case You Missed It. Just a reminder that this is a quick post that will happen every Friday afternoon with all the updates and links that have happened throughout the week. So, let's get to it:
This week we launched four new travel-themed mini classes. These self-paced classes are now available for registration and class content is available immediately after purchase. Grab all four for a great discount here.
LOVE IS LOVE
This month people all over the world have been celebrating love in all its shapes and forms. In honor of Pride Month, we’re offering $5 off our 6x8 Love is Love Stamp Set by Ali Edwards + Laura Wonsik using code LOVE5. Terms: One per customer. Offer valid on purchase of our Love is Love 6x8 Stamp Set by Ali Edwards and Laura Wonsik. Must enter code at checkout. Cannot be combined with other offers. Not responsible for missed or forgotten codes. Offer subject to change. Code expires 7/6/22 at 11:59pm ET. Shop the stamp here.NEW GUEST STORYTELLERS
It's the first of July which means we have two new lessons in the UNEXPECTED classroom. This month we are delighted to welcome @wilderstories and @adawson816 as Guest Storytellers. You will not want to miss their beautiful and inspiring projects. This bonus content is just one of the benefits of being a subscriber. Learn more about the UNEXPECTED Story Class subscription and become part of our vibrant, supportive community of memory keepers here.NEW DIGITALS
It’s the first Friday of the month and that means we have a new digital release. This month our One Little Word Mini Kit #3 is available. Find it here.As always, we’re so grateful to have you all as members of this community! Thanks for joining me today and have a great weekend!
June 27, 2022
Week In The Life™ 2022 | Ali's Sunday
Ah, Sunday.
We made it my friends! Another week of Week In The Life™ documenting is complete. It always feels strange on Monday morning after a full week of consciously taking photos and writing notes and observing my life as I'm living it. I almost always take fewer photos on Sunday. I think that's often simply fatigue with the project mixed with the fact that our weekends are often spent simply hanging out around the house.
Here's a look at my Sunday:
Up early with Betty. Still wearing the same clothes as I had on yesterday in order to simply roll out of bed and head outside with her. Thankful for my easy to slip on Birkenstocks. Birks + tennis shoes are the main shoes I wear most regularly these days. Honestly no need for anything else in this season of my life.
Shadow photos forever. Betty loves going out in our front yard as much as going out in the backyard. She's definitely interested in what the cats are doing as they often hang out in the large lavender bushes we have in the front.
It was a sprinkler morning. I'm here for this light and the freshness and the sounds of the morning. I've really been doing a lot of listening when Betty and I go out in the morning. We have a lot of doves that hang out in our tree and they make a sound like an owl.
Right before I got back in bed for a much needed extra long nap (thankfully Betty was ready for one too).
I am tired. I am thankful for my people. I am frustrated with things happening in our country. I am finding a rhythm with Betty. I am encouraging Simon. I am listening to Aaron. I am embracing the mess in this season. I am questioning lots of things and making a plan for advocacy. I am ordering groceries. I am checking email. I am loving bringing my photos to life via video this past week. I am listening to podcasts. I am letting some things go. I am looking forward to my sister visiting soon. I am excited for the girls to go to camp soon. I am so happy about the warm weather.
Sam hanging out in my closet.
Playing a lego video game with Simon. I set my phone on his shelves and set it to the .5 setting again to get a super wide shot. I love that it shows Betty's crate and captures a variety of things in his room. He's teaching me to play the game and has been so patient. It's hard to remember what all the buttons are on the x-box controller so he printed out a cheat sheet for me to review and learn from.
Elliott loving on Betty before he headed over to his girlfriends house.
Simon getting ready to head out to the ballpark for his Sunday shift.
Conversation and laughter before heading out.
Today was the first day in quite awhile that Aaron and I had the house to ourselves for the afternoon and most of the evening.
It was so hot today (upper 90's). Betty would head outside for a few minutes and then want to come back inside to the air conditioning - often running right towards the vents and then laying right on top of them (smart girl). She also took a long nap under the ottoman in the living room. She's a fan on being under things (it won't be long until she's too big to fit in these spots).
Waiting for Aaron to come back after dropping Elliott off. Read a couple pages before nodding off to sleep.
It's pretty normal for me to not leave the house on Sunday.
I stubbed my pinkie toe again today (the one I injured yesterday). Stubbing it started the bleeding all over again.
Processing the strawberries we picked up at the Farmer's Market earlier in the week. I froze half of them for smoothies and cut the rest for snacking.
Making our bed together. Using the .5 option on my iPhone again. I think these shots are so fun - even with the distortion. I love seeing a different perspective of our regular spaces.
Betty did a lot of laying and drinking today as it was so hot again.
She found a vent under the laundry cart and hung out there for awhile.
We ate freezer pizzas from Costco again. We started watching the first episode of the new season of Westworld (one of our favorite shows) but I was so tired I feel asleep.
This is my life right now. Seven days in this particular season.
+++++
Here's to the next phase of this project! I'll be taking a break for a bit before diving in to start bringing my words + photos into my album. I hope to start at the end of this week/beginning of next week and will share here once I get started.
Week In The Life™ 2022 | Ali's Saturday
I'm a fan of weekends with no plans and lots of time to just putter around the house and let my day simply evolve based on what I feel like doing.
For today's journaling I'm thinking about what the weekend means to me and what are the things that are "normal" weekend activities around here.
As I start looking back at my words + photos from this past week I can't underestimate how much some of my/our previous routines have changed since Betty joining us just over a week and a half ago. It's been pretty cool to have captured us right at the beginning of the start of new rhythms + routines. So much is the same and so much is different. Again, it's what is real for us right now.
Today I let myself get what I get without any pressure to capture more.
Here's a look at my Saturday:
Right now my weekend mornings are very similar to my weekday mornings. Up early with Betty often followed by a little nap for both of us. I want to remember how she sits and listens and watches and sniffs when she sits on the back porch. Sleeping in is over for awhile and I'm okay with that.
On some Saturday's I do a little work in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up (whether the kids are here or it's just Aaron). Today I worked on my words + photos blog post and continued to work on some kit designs for next year. Betty's been taking a two hour nap in the morning (after our little mini couch snooze) which is giving me a good chunk of time to get a few things done.
Most Saturday's I try to stay out of my office, it just depends on deadlines and what's happening around here.
I'm pretty sure I took this same photo each day this week and I love that she's in different positions each time. This time she's got her little nose tucked under her stuffed fox (the fox stays in this crate).
Sam's very interested in Betty when she's in her crate. Betty's still way too wiggly with too much puppy energy for them to get to know each other beyond monitored interactions. Sam is super tolerant and knows where to go to avoid her.
On Saturday I cut my pinkie toe and nail on the bottom of a door. It hurt. Expletives were spoken. Not a fan. The entire nail and some of the skin on the top of my toe ended up coming off.
Simon's working at the local baseball stadium this summer and has been working for a number of days in a row and he's really tired. He's also really wanting to play his Star Wars roll playing game again with Aaron and I so we are figuring out a time to make that happen this week.
On Saturday's, especially at the end of a week when we've had a full house, I often do some bigger clean up. With Betty here we've been vacuuming a lot more daily with all the in + out into the backyard.
Four teenagers and a twenty-year-old use a lot of towels. And these are just the ones that actually get hung up in the bathroom. On Saturday's like this I collect all the towels and take them down to the laundry room.
Today we took Betty for a drive in our camper van over to visit her Mama + brother. We are excited to take her in some overnights in the camper later this summer. I also want to get her a lifejacket so I can take her out on my paddle board.
Betty loved getting to hang out for about an hour with her Mama + brother while we chatted with Kim (my friend from college + the person who introduced Aaron and I just about ten years ago). They jumped and wrestled and played and played and played.
Betty was seriously tuckered out when we got back home.
During Betty's big afternoon nap after all that serious play I got to have some chill time with my book.
I'm currently reading a book called Aurora by David Koepp (recommended recently by Stephanie Howell). On a pre-Betty Saturday I probably would have finished the book (it's good so far). Right now reading has taken a bit of a back seat as we settle into new routines.
The weather this week has been amazing and HOT. We got our sprinklers turned on (this is probably the latest I can remember turning them on for the summer) but I still love going out and hand watering and lingering in the yard. The dahlias are all growing like crazy and I can't wait for the blooms to begin.
I took a few photos using the .5 option on my iPhone for a super wide angle. I think these will be fun to add into those 10 inch x 4 inch pockets in my album. When I start putting everything together I might need to take a few more shots like this if I feel like I'm missing some aspects of my story.
Simon and Isaac have both been staying here more lately (for lots of reasons) - it's another change to our "regular" routines that we are all adapting to especially knowing that they will both be moving out in the fall. Savoring this time.
Before work today Simon rewatched some episodes of the Loki series with Kramer watching over him.
Simon's highlight today was getting to serve food to two of his favorite teachers from elementary school. These two women made a tremendous impact on Simon's education - one as the coordinator of the autism program at Simon's elementary school and the other as his Kindergarten teacher. They were two of his biggest cheerleaders and advocates in those early years.
In the evening Aaron and I ate dinner in bed and watched the new Chernobyl documentary on HBO: Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes. It was super interesting and fascinating storytelling.
Betty starts her evening in bed with us and then goes into her crate when we go to sleep and that routine has been working well so far.
June 25, 2022
Week In The Life™ 2022 | Ali's Friday
Historically Friday's tend to be a day in this project when I have fewer photos.
It's normal to feel some fatigue (or a lot) with the documenting and whatever you do end up recording will still tell pieces of your story whether you have one photo, no photos + some words, or lots of photos.
For Friday I'm choosing to wait to write out my story. I have notes in my Notes app to refer to when I start constructing my project and I'd like to give myself a little time + space to bring a bit more perspective into my storytelling for today.
There are two documenting days left and my personal attitude right now is simply to keep picking up my camera and keep paying attention to what's real in my own life right now.
Here's a look at pieces of my Friday:
June 24, 2022
Week In The Life™ 2022 | Ali's Thursday
There is a beautiful sameness to my days right now - even in the chaos of the comings + goings + puppy life.
Wake up, take Betty outside, feed Betty, play with Betty, take Betty outside + walk around the yard and look at my plants, wash dishes, head to my desk and put her in her crate in order for her to nap and for me to get some work done, take Betty outside + walk around the yard and look at my plants, feed Betty lunch, interact with any kids that might be around (check in about plans and rides and food), wash dishes, head to my desk and put her in her crate in order for her to nap and for me to get some work done, take Betty outside + walk around the yard and look at my plants, feed Betty, play with Betty, take Betty outside, make dinner or talk about dinner plans with Aaron, wash dishes, hang out with Betty on my bed, take Betty outside, maybe watch a show, go to sleep, wake up around 2am to take Betty outside and then start it all over again about 5:30am.
Of course there's other things in the mix: giving kids rides, picking up the mail, chatting with friends on the phone, taking deep breaths, marveling at the magic of puppyhood while also feeling exhausted by the paying attention, snuggling, etc.
I'm also thinking about how so many things around my home hold stories that combine a past season with this season.
It's been a week. It's been my week. In this moment, in this season.
Here's a look at my Thursday:
I am so happy that Betty is a snuggly dog. There's lots of nipping and training and also wonderful moments that give me a glimpse of her future temperament.
Clean + dirty + clean + dirty.
Last night Aaron and I had one of those passing by each other conversations about how we are both running on adrenaline this week. The girls leave for their other homes today and the boys are staying. Summer schedules are often a more casual mix compared to fairly structured week on/week off during the school year.
My front porch jasmine is thriving and about ready to explode with fragrance.
This jasmine moved into this house with me 12 years ago and it started living it's best life a few years ago now. It's been with me through so many seasons of my life.
Light, flowers, being outside, shape, form, scent, family history. So many things I love right here in this photo.
She's already my sidekick out in the yard which is all I could have hoped for in a companion.
The grinding of beans each morning is a very happy sound.
Light and shadow and lines and reflection and curves and me.
My big cozy robe that's been keeping me warm for my early wake-ups has gained a few new holes from puppy bites this week. I'm rolling with it. I also cleaned the stove last night.
Last year I planted three astilbe and I love them, especially on these gentle breeze days where they sway in the wind.
Me + Betty. I've been carrying her up and down our stairs this week when I bring her up to her crate in my office or my room. I know I will miss this someday.
Aaron + Sam. Sam's been sleeping in our bed as usual when Betty is in her crate. He's very curious about her.
At my desk doing some work and filling out forms for the girls to go to camp in the next few weeks.
Anna + Ady chilling in one of my personal favorite spots and having some lemonade.
They picked up some cinnamon rolls when they were at WinCo yesterday and cooked them this morning. Simon grabbed one on his way out the door to work.
The lavender is blooming and it's one of my favorite things in my front yard. It's huge + so fragrant.
Spent a few minutes while Betty was sniffing around pruning a couple things.
Elliott chipping in + washing out his cup and straw.
Girls getting ready for the day.
Breakfast/lunch for me today at my desk (gluten free bagel and dairy free cream cheese and raspberries from the Farmer's Market).
I'm trying to capture the variety of her sleeping positions in her crate.
Here for all these roses blooming. I'm considering pulling out a few things in order to plant more varieties.
Audrey had friends over today for a sleepover. We are really low key with sleepovers here - pretty sure we had additional kids here every night this week. I love it.
Aaron checking out the NBA draft + cheering on the Blazer's pick.
Light and shadow and water and growth.
On days when I just feel done by early evening I've been enjoying watching Iron Chef again.
This is the photo I really wanted this week. I need to do a project that collects all the shots I've taken of Simon like this over the years.
And Aaron took this one of my when he came up to bed. I've got my leg out (I get hot) and I've got a hand on Betty's paw. She hangs out with me on the bed and then Aaron takes her out one more time and then puts her in the crate.
