Saturday This List: Feeling Creative and Living Outside

Summer has officially set in here in the DM household and we are doing everything possible to savor the days that are perfect and long. They’re fleeting in Pittsburgh so we have learned to make the most of the minutes! Every item we’ve ticked off the “summer list” so far has been of the mundane and normal but deeply satisfying varity- bare feet in the grass, signing up for summer reading club at the library, ice cream cones for breakfast (yes, we did). All those little things we remember so well from childhood that we try to repeat and make special for our kids. They’re all worth it even through the skinned knees and tears and sore backs from carrying children and tantrums and late nights into early mornings. I’m up to my eyeballs in watercolor stained girls clothes and crocs that are covered in mud. I think Sally’s feet are literally stained black from being uncovered so often and I’m surprised to report that the lady bugs and stink bugs and occasional fly, spider, nat, wasp, bee or whatever we find in the house these days doesn’t even bother me anymore. It’s peaceful here. There will be summer days for excitement and extraordinary adventure but even the days that are highly the same and completely normal are felt at a different pace than any other time of the year.

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SO, what am I into this week?

This camera lens. I talked about it a bit more in this post and I’m still trying to figure out what it’s capable of helping me achieve in my photography. So fun to mess around with!

This easel is a godsend for the girls. It’s huge, easy to take apart, hose off and set up. LOVE this thing.

Everything white. Seriously. Why do I find everything white so amazing when I mother nine creatures that are SO DIRTY. I want to pull off this dress so badly but not sure yet if its me.

Hanging flower baskets like the first pin on this board. Someone come help me grow a green thumb.

Meals that are fresh and light like this one. It’s on my recipe list for the upcoming week and I’m pumped to give it a try. Maybe with a nice piece of broiled salmon.

This glass pitcher. I keep it full of lemon water on the counter so I remember to drink all day long. I’m so into pitchers lately. Is that weird? They seem so inviting, like “here honey, have a glass of lemonade” says the perfect host, iced tea always at the ready! This one looks like it’d be perfect in our farmhouse style kitchen. Very antique mason jar esque. I don’t think I can justify putting that much money into a pitcher… but still. It’s gorg.

My beautiful trifle dish, this one, that I shattered this week after bringing it to a BBQ. So sad. ‘Twas a wedding present. Womp. Really want to make this in it as soon as it gets replaced!

This whole series of books. We found them at the library and I can’t get enough. The artist is a traditional wood block printer and the main character’s name is SALLY. Nuff said. And Huneck (the author) sold commissioned pieces to Sandra Bullock and Dr. Phil. So that’s cool. I’m an artist nerd, what can I say.

Eyeballing this baby carrier for Disney! Our old one is on it’s last leg and I think we need an upgrade. It’s weight limit easily covers Grace which is key since she gets tired SO quickly.

I’m making a million of these hexies right now.

Can’t stop, won’t stop. If you want to try your own, this is how I learned. Aren’t they just so cute?! I made an amazing pillow cover with the first few I made but I’m not sure what this batch will become. Probably another pillow cover if I’m being perfectly honest, but maybe a zippy pouch? Embellishment on a blanket… but it’s summer… and we are the last household that needs another blanket. Ha! So yeah, they’re probably headed to pillow town.

Hope you can squeeze in a little me time this weekend to make something you love! Even if it’s just a nice ((strong)) drink!