Ipad Love

We bought an Ipad in the Spring and I just wanted to spend a second gushing about its fabulousness. Hopefully this photo will demonstrate my love adequately... sigh....I really could go on and on.

Studio Stuff

Thought I would share with you some of my designs that will be making their debut in the very near future. Some of these are for Tickle Bellies and some are for a stationery house in Miami that I do exclusive work for. Their 'back to school' catalog will hit thousands of homes next month and will feature my pirate theme along with an ice cream and dinosaur theme I did.

I am starting to explore the idea of licensing some of my designs to corporations. I certainly have a fat enough portfolio by now so there is lots to choose from. The next step will be to contact a licensing agent to see what they think. Stay tuned...

5 things...

Saw this on a blog the other day and thought I would do one too. 5 random facts about me.

Happy Friday

Such a beautiful morning. It was the first time in a week that the temperature was cool enough to enjoy breakfast on the screened-in porch. I love lazy mornings like that where you can linger and just give thanks for the moment and be content. No problems, no schedules just sheer gratitude and appreciation for where you are right at that moment.

Hot Day for a Cool Treat

Look how hot it is out there. Can't you see it? OK, well I guess it's kind of hard to tell from this photo but trust me it is way toasty out there. We are staying cool by remaining inside for the most part. I do have to run out every few hours to put ice water in the bird bath and water all the container plants because by noontime they are sucked dry from their 8am watering. They really don't look like they have been sitting in 102 degree weather for a week though so it is worth hauling the watering can around for 20 minutes. Also, my feathered friends are very happy with my bird bath water replenishing service. They need fresh cool water on days like today. I think a Mourning Dove smiled at me this afternoon when I put some ice cubes in his bath.

We decided to make rice krispie treats while we were looking for something fun to do while keeping cool. I have never made them (I know - what a shocker) but there are only 3 ingredients and I am all about simple when it comes to projects in the kitchen. They didn't quite taste like the store bought ones - mine didn't seem to be as compact but they were still yummy. Of course my assistant Ellie did what she does best and assisted me.

American classic...yum!

Marshmellows and melted butter

Ellie stirs it all up

Add in the cereal and put it in the pan to cool.

Add frosting and sprinkles and enjoy!

Random Photo Tuesday

I am getting back into the groove, the routine, the schedule, the flow... Ellie started summer school today at 8am and I am grateful that I have to be up and dressed by 7:45 to bring her to school. If I didn't have to be somewhere I may linger a tad bit longer in my PJs and get a later start to my day so thank you summer school for getting me up and going!

I have lots of work to do today so I am going to share some random photos from the past few days. If you're on the east coast - stay cool! It's a schorcher out there.

Purple Coneflower- one of my favorite summer perennials. I wish I had more sun back there.

The bumble bees love coneflower.

Tucker! Where's your ball?

I love being able to cut flowers from my garden to bring inside.

I picked up this little lamb in Connecticut. It's a watering can and I just adore it.

Back from Paradise

We have returned from our week in Hilton Head, South Carolina. It was our first time going there and I so loved it...we ALL loved it! It was really perfect and so very beautiful. The resort we stayed in was great with several pools and activities and grounds for walking and ping pong and ice cream and little lizards and palm trees and frozen drinks and Jimmy Buffett music and sunsets and sunrises and pelicans and ocean breezes and great food and koi ponds and facials and pedicures and boogie boards and belly dancing and maid service and big fountains and room service and s'mores and bean bag tosses and soft sand and daydreaming and laughing and more cocktails and going under water while holding your nose and relaxing and happiness - and memories that will forever be etched into my brain.

I have uploaded all of the photos from our trip on flickr (over 100) so take a look at them to see how pretty this little spot in the world really is. I am now headed out to light up sparklers with the girls and to watch the fireworks (if we can see them from here). I will show you my five seven favorite photos from our trip below. It's tough to narrow them down but I will try - I will also try my darnedest not to cry because we are no longer in paradise. I want to go back. I am in Hilton Head withdrawal.

This is one of my all time favorite in the history of my life favorites. I just love it!

Emma is just growing up so much. She is really beautiful here.

This reminds me of the relaxed and easy goingness of Hilton Head. The colors and the breeze capture the attitude for me

I am doing everything in my power to hold onto these days. They will be gone before I know it. I cannot tell you how much I love this little girl

Another all time favorite for me. When I look at this I realize how blessed I am.

Hilton Head is gorgeous around every corner. This was taken from our boat ride. Love how green and alive everything is.

Ellie so enjoyed our boat ride, especially when we were cruising at top speed. I love this photo because Steve just beams around his little girl.