Congrats to the Graduates

Every year in the middle of June, parents and friends put out these banners of congratulations in my town. There's something so sweet and endearing about them and I wanted to share. We did this for our son when he graduated and seeing these each year is a wonderful reminder of the support the local kids get!

We have seen some professionally made signs, but the handmade signs are the best as far as I am concerned. You might think the kids would be embarrassed, but I have never heard that they are anything but pleased with this acknowledgment!

Thanks to my son for taking these photos for me.

Here's a card from 100 years ago for a school class day.
It probably honored the graduates too!

Summer Camp

It's summer.
Time for campfires, arts & crafts and swim lessons.

I'm off to deliver my daughter to summer camp.
It has been a yearly destination since she was 6 and her big brother was 9.

Now she's the waterfront director and this is her view most of the day!

She and the head lifeguard met at this camp when they were 9. They attended high school together. Her friend's not going to camp this summer. It's going to be different this year!


While my girl is administering swim tests. I'm gonna stay in the area and antique. For the past 3 years, she's gotten herself to camp, so I haven't driven down. But this summer I'm looking forward to seeing some favorite shops and finding new ones. It's an adventure. And I do so love a road trip!

A Mother's Year

As much as I want the shop to be open tomorrow, it just won't happen! I spent all day today pricing and cleaning. There's still so much more to do, but I am not letting it discourage me! On the plus side I have discovered some wonderful treasures, which I will share this week.

This wonderful book, published in 1905, was lurking in a dark spot. It is now dusted and priced and placed in a section with all things vintage childhood.


Each month has a slightly different chapter illustration and for each day there is a quotation.

June Ninth

But never, in her varied sphere
Is woman to the heart more dear
Than when her homely task she plies,
With cheerful duty in her eyes;
And, every lowly path well trod,
Looks meekly upward to her God.
~ Caroline Gilman.

For all the hard working moms out there!
Enjoy your evening.

Obsessions

I have never thought of myself as obsessive. Tho if you were to ask my best friends or my husband, I imagine you would get a different answer. My husband would say it in such a sweet and gentle way, as tho being obsessive was the most endearing quality I have. He's nice that way!

Baby Pillows

I claimed to have no cravings while pregnant. My husband suggested, in the kindest way possible that perhaps, just maybe, eating an entire jar of Vlasic Kosher Dill pickles - at one sitting - possibly, might constitute a craving. As I said, he's nice that way. But I digress.


I have just moved boxes and tubs of linens out of the shop. They need to be cleaned and/or ironed and are in the way. Sadly, the ones in the shop are only about a tenth of the whole!



It was this moving experience which prompted me to muse on the topic of obsessions. Because, no matter how you look at it, the number of linens I have amassed over the last 10 years constitutes an obsession! I can no longer just make the comment, "I like linens." Yes, I do like linens, but I think it has gone beyond just liking them! Today I considered the obsessive element to my collecting!




Luckily this obsession does not include hoarding! I am happily anticipating selling every one. Not so happily anticipating washing, line drying, ironing and pricing them all. But then I think I might just be a bit lazy! And it's a really big job!

"It was 20 years ago today" +5

Today is our son's 25th birthday.

25 years ago I was a college librarian with faculty status.

The day before he was born, my husband and I participated in graduation, we saw a movie, looked at changing tables, and . . .

The next day I was a mom!
It has been the best "job" I ever had!


Little hands and fingers loved grabbing my long hair, so
within 6 months my hair was as short as it's ever been!


We have a long family tradition of miniature golf.
Here is my husband with our son, age 3 months. As I remember, the baby did not constitute a handicap!

When our son said he'd like to play mini-golf on his birthday, here's where we went.

Feeding the koi at the 18th hole.

Commemorating the day with mom & dad.
Since he's holding the camera out at arm's length and can't see the view finder, I think he's wondering if we are even in the shot.

I'm really glad we got to spend time together today!

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit

It's the first of June and my front garden is running riotous. Right now all the colors are green and purple and white. Nice, as these are favorite colors of individuals in our family. And just to blow all sterotypes, it's the guys who like purple!

Happy June!

June is the month of almost all celebrations in our family.
Our wedding anniversary is tomorrow.
The next day is our son's birthday.
Later in the month is our daughter's birthday.
And less than a week past that is my husband's birthday.

I really love the month of June. I feel like it is our own special month. Everyone in the family gets to celebrate something wonderful.

Whatever you celebrate this month, have a very Happy June!