red, white & blue

Are you having a party on the fourth of July?

We're having a combination birthday, graduation, family reunion picnic.

Have you been to Martha's site for patriotic crafts and inspiration?

My head is spinning like a pinwheel.

So much perfection.

We have a few of them in the works.

Will they turn out?

Stay tuned...

Could these cupcakes be any cuter?

Love the vintage windowpane plaid linen tablecloth.

Clothespin pinwheels? The girls will be all over it.

Below, patriotic wrapped juice cans are on the 'can-do' list too..

via Martha Stewart

three

Guess who's three today?

Our little Frances Rose, that's who.

Here is a picture of her new little roadster.

It's by PlanToys and we found it at the Land of Nod outlet.

We have a picnic planned, and the weather looks just beautiful today.

First, I have to get Maggie through a big doctor's appointment downtown this morning. Wish us luck!

vintage wicker totes

I have a thing for vintage wicker totes/purses. I've always loved them.

Especially, if they have a pretty floral motif.

Summertime, they seem to say.

These are a few of my favorites...

A wicker bag with pansies...

A rose patterned reversible slipcover for a wicker purse?

Push a few of my buttons, why don't you?

This is one of my all time favorites.

A vintage Kate Spade woven beach tote.

Have you seen the one below at Yvestown?

I would love to find one in that colourway.

Have the loveliest of weekends!

rifle paper company

Anna Bond's Rifle Paper Company Botanical Flower notecards are Lucky Magazine's deal of the day. Today only, if you visit their site, you will find a code for 50% off your order.

Aren't they sweet?

a bed for rosie

We're off today to the Land of Nod Outlet to find a 'big girl bed' for Rosie. Her third birthday is this weekend. It's time to put away the crib. I'm going to miss having a 'baby' in the house. I love, love, love the baby/toddler age. Well, any age actually.

She's somewhat excited about the transition. But whenever I talk to her about the move, she always tells me she'll "talk about that tomorrow". I think it's her way of telling me, if she ignores it, it might go away. Similarly, at dinner if she thinks her big sisters are disagreeing/arguing about something she closes her eyes and covers them with her hands. It's her way of leaving the room. They stop what they are doing and launch into the whole "where did Rosie go? peek-a-boo Rosie..." routine.

I might have to try that some time.

happy first day of summer

Love the fresh green and white table inspiration from Chelsea at {frolic!}

One of my favorite color combinations, and the gingham napkins are just right.

And she included San Pellegrino Limonata. How perfect is that? It always tastes like summer to me. What's your favorite summer drink?

We had planned to go to either the beach or the pool today, but the weather isn't cooperating. Maybe tomorrow...

a day for dad

The happiest of days to the best father of four girls in the world!

Love,

Maggie, Mary Kate, Gracie and Frances Rose

(and lots of love to both Grandfathers, too!)

wee flower fairies

The little flower fairies were busy today. They cavorted all over the garden. The girls had fun taking their pictures of them in their natural habitat.

 They have a little treehouse they like to lounge around in, next to their pond.

Sweet fairy friends, maybe even sisters?

Eventually they fly off to explore the garden. This one really likes roses.

While this one, is digging her little river birch perch.

This little miss has decided to swing on the vintage Adirondack

baby swing with a little geranium.

This little one has a thing for euphorbia, bacopa, and ruffled double headed petunias.

Now they're back at their little treehouse with their little woodland friends. Hedgehog, squirrel, turtle, and yes...a skunk.

Or as Rosie would say, "Snunk".

Do you believe in fairies?

the rabbit novels

It's supposed to rain for the next five days, so I told the girls, today is the day. The sky is a brilliant blue with just a few puffy white clouds. It's a perfect pool day. Unfortunately, our pool picked this year to close the baby pool. Apparently, it has some issues and doesn't comply with the newest legislation in pool safety. Which means, that I have to get in the 'big pool' with my little one...it was brisk!

Eventually, I was able to pry Rosie out of the big pool and take her home for a nice bath and a nap. Her little hands and feet were beyond the prune stage. The big girls elected to stay with their girlfriends. I picked up The Rabbit Novels by John Updike and brought it to the pool (wishful thinking). Luckily, with my little friend napping, I should have a stretch of time to 'dive into' the book.

What are you reading?

janie & jack

It's raining here today, quite dismal actually.

As a result, the girls and I hit the shops. They have birthday money burning a hole in their pockets.

It's funny how careful they are spending their 'own money'.

If you have a Janie and Jack near you, go.

The whole store is on sale. I found this sweet sun hat, swimsuit, and...

these red wellies for Rosie.

Even though they're a little big,

at less than $10.00, how could I say no?

Maggie pooled all of her gift money from her Confirmation, birthday, graduation and baby sitting. She really thought about how she wanted to spend it.

With a little help from us, she came home with an Apple MacBook Pro.

Lucky duck.

She gave the free IPod Touch that came with the purchase to Gracie for her birthday (which is in July). She wanted her to start enjoying it now. Which I thought was pretty sweet.

And, Mary Kate picked up some new summer clothes.

the graduate

 Our Margaret Mary graduated from eighth grade on Friday night.

She wore a pretty white a-line eyelet dress, a pale turquoise sweater,

and silver sandals all from J Crew.

More importantly, she made the honor roll all nine trimesters.

Quite the feat, considering how ill she's been this year.

Congratulations sweet Maggie.

We love you.

peony in love

Have you read Peony in Love by Lisa See? It's good.

My mom and I were lucky enough to meet the author at an "author luncheon" hosted by our local book store owner. It's so interesting to hear an author talk about what inspires her, and her 'writing process'.

Based on a true story, Peony in Love uses the richness and magic of the Chinese afterlife to transcend death and explore the many aspects of love. Primarily, it’s about universal themes: the bonds of female friendship, the power of words, the desire all women have to be heard, and finally those emotions that are so strong that they transcend time, place, and even death.

A profusion of pink peonies bending ragged in the rain speaks to me of all gentleness and its enduring.

~The Collected Later Poems of William Carlos Williams

paint

Anyone who has ever painted the exterior of their house knows how hard it is...

That's why I so appreciate that my painter, John, is out there working away. He thinks it will take him a few days. John is staining the cedar shingles and trim with an opaque white oil-base stain. So glad it's not me!

We have Maggie's graduation from eighth grade tomorrow night. Next year, I'll have one in high school, middle school, elementary school and one in preschool.

book it

I've read a few books this week.

The Postmistress is beautifully written and thought provoking. Loved the time and setting (pre WWII Cape Cod and parts of Europe). Most of the novel was very enjoyable. A few plot developments felt forced. A good solid summer read, especially if you like historical fiction (but not as good as The Gurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society)

Love Anna Quindlen. Her book, Every Last One, is well written but SAD with capital letters. A happy family (realistically portrayed) deals with a tremendous tragedy.

Elizabeth Berg always delivers. The Last Time I Saw You, is an absorbing tale of a varied cast of characters heading home for their fortieth highschool reunion. I really enjoyed their memories, personalities, and thoughts filtered through their shared experiences.

I'm planning on reading The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry, Island Beneath the Sea by Isabelle Allende, Claude & Camille by Stephanie Cowell, The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen, and The Stormchasers by Jenna Blum. I forgot to add Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin (I hear it's a good beach read).

I'd really love to know what you're reading.

What's in your stack?