sad news

As you probably know, I would much rather keep things happy and beautiful here, but every now and then the horrible parts of the real world work their way in. I had a miscarriage today, three days after telling the world that I was pregnant. I'll be back soon, hopefully with happier things to share.

good morning

I found this great little bucket thing last week. The possibilities are endless (carrying utensils outside to eat, holding crayons and chalk, clothespins, flowers...) but right now it's on the dining room table with a tealight in each bucket. I think it will be very pretty on our soon-to-arrive picnic table in the evening, with the flickering tealights burning away. And our lilac tree has revived! Last year, we may have had two or three blooms. We pruned several dead branches, and also pruned a lot from a neighbouring snowball tree which was blocking the light from the lilac. This year, it's covered in blooms again. I wish you could smell them! Like most flowers, artificial versions are dreadful, but the actual scent is fantastic.

It has been a long and busy week, and I am thrilled that it's Friday. I have plans for a bit of a soapmaking marathon this weekend, since I have very little soap on hand, and I'm finally feeling like making some! I hope that you have a great weekend!

the birthday boy

Phillip has some snazzy new birthday duds. This pair of PJ's was made especially for him by a mama we know, with fabric from (you can't get any better than this!) a men's shirt from Frenchy's. Thank you so much! He loves them, and keeps rubbing his belly.
And what do you need along with a pair of PJ's? Why, an apron, of course! Ingrid made this fantastic apron just for P. As you can see, it's a hit. Sorry for the terrible pics; he's quite the mover.

And here's our present for P - a new red tricycle. Here he is, showing you his favourite thing about it.

presents, antiques and other lovelies

Firstly, I owe some thank yous! First up: blogless Annie, who is no longer blogless, has moved to the land of the free and the home of the brave. I haven't mentioned it because I was secretly hoping that she would have returned by now and that it would turn out to be a sad dream. Alas, she is in New York. Right now I don't feel so terrible, because of the great goodies she sent my way. (That's only partly true.) Those are wool buttons. Wool buttons. Brilliant, and painfully cute. I have no idea what I'm going to use them for, but it has to be the perfect project. Any suggestions? (And no, I haven't gotten around to any of my other crafty projects. I've been super busy with work lately and haven't made the time. Soon enough!)
Annie also sent this fantastic print (I LOVE it!) by Etsy seller (and street vendor, apparently) Kristiana Parn.
And some fabric! Any store that has a glass jar on their card is my kind of store. Now I must visit you, Annie!

The other thank you goes to F.G. in SJ, for the sweet hankies! (I think that's what they are, although they would make great cloths for cleaning glasses...) They're so beautifully made that I've just been enjoying looking at them.
Graff Brothers Salvage in Weymouth is a fantastic place, with everything you could possibly imagine. Unfortunately, every time I've tried to stop in so far this year, they've been closed. For future reference, they're only open on weekends. I'm hoping to be driving by on the weekend sometime soon, just to see what there is to see.
Also in Weymouth is Grandma's Collectibles, where I picked up this crock. It's right on the main highway (the 101) through the village, and she has a great assortment of old stuff - furniture, dishes, tools, pictures, and on and on. It's where I found that cute marmalade jar, remember?
I just couldn't resist another picture of the yard, this time in the fog. Ahh, June!