At last! So happy to have this book in my hot little hands. It feels like I've been on the library waiting list all summer for this book. It just came out in hardcover. I read a few reviews that highly recommended this debut novel. Once I learned it takes place in New York City, 1938 I knew I'd like it. I love the cover art. I am only a few chapters in but so far I like it.

Rules of Civility By Amor Towles

When Angus Attacks

I finished another scarf. I was trying to get some pictures of the completed scarf. When our dog Angus decided he wanted to join. How could I deny him?

I was there...REALLY!

Here is the last of our vacation pictures. Typical Mom fashion...Go on vacation and there are no pictures of Mom. Worst than that, not a single picture of me and my handsome Hubby. It really was a fun trip. I recommend visiting Catalina island. I hope we get to go again.

USC Wrigley Institute

Picking out their grear.

Stevie the Swell Shark

Lobster head found on the beach

The boys got to look at lots of underwater animals at the USC Wrigley Institute touch tank. Little D was fine letting his big Bro handle the sea life. F.W. thought it was really cool.

Snorkel

D's favorite part of the trip.

Waiting for F.W. to come back.

The Catalina Adventure continues...

Tree Swing

We went for a nice morning walk to the other side of the island

Walking Stick

Beachy Keen

Here are some beach pictures. F.W. was bummed at 1st that we were staying on the side of the island that doesn't have waves. Once he got to use a kayak he forgot all about big waves

My favorite pastime Rock Hunting

Our wonderful host and hostess

Catalina Island

Leaving Long Beach

To a child it is a cave of adventure...to a grown up it is a cave of questionable smells.
Cold Chillin on the beach

We had a weekend getaway to Catalina Island. Its 132 sq. miles off the coast of Long Beach, CA. Brendan has some wonderful high school friends who work and live on the island. The boys had never been so it was really fun for them. The harbor we stayed at has a general store and one restaurant. I loved the peace and quite. It is all dirt roads very laid back. I took a bunch of pictures can't wait to share them.

Brrrr...Part 2

This issue of Everyday Food is packed with Yummies! I got this because I want to find a good potato salad recipe or good picnic/bbq side. The 1st thing I've tried making so far are the Black-bottom cookie bars on page 86.
It has been darn right chilly in my neck of the woods. I am not complaining! I love the chill it's perfect for baking.

Doesn't look like Martha's but it tastes delicious! You'd want a glass of milk with these cookie bars. It's pretty rich. Next time I make them I would add the chocolate chips to the Vanilla (top) part of the dough. Then it would be like a chocolate chip cookie on the top and a brownie on the bottom. It is a simple straight forward recipe.

Brrr...Part 1

Museum of Photography
At the Natural History Museum

2 Penguins sliding down a snowy ice cap.

F.W. discovering the North Pole and D jumping ship

We went to the museums at Balboa Park the other day. We went to the Natural History museum, San Diego History museum and Photography museum. It is nice that they mixed in hands on stuff for the kids.

Treasures

I started to notice what booths F.W was drawn to...the ones with candy!
*See the bowl of starburst*
My shopping body testing out the merchandise.

Here are my goodies. I showed great restraint!

Had a wonderful time today at the Queen Bee Summer Market. I took my oldest with me. He had fun taking pictures. We shopped for a little while then walked around downtown San Diego. Beautiful day hope everyone was able to get outside and enjoy it!

Qeen Bee Market this weekend!

Queen Bee Summer Market is a fun place where local crafty folk sell their goods. I can't wait. If you are in the San Diego area you should check it out.

Fabric Store

Maisonnette Oceanside

F.W's favorite fabric
What will I make with this??

F.W. and I did a little fabric shopping this week. He wasn't to thrilled about going...I tried to make it fun for him by letting him take pictures with my camera. He took all 3 pictures. I know I have written about Maisonnette before but it really is my favorite place to get fabric. It's a cool old house off Pacific Coast Highway. For a newbie like me I've found the staff is so helpful and friendly. They always want to know what project you are working on. Every bolt in this place is wonderful! You can find organic and really unique textiles. They also carry some art and jewelry.

Yesterday was a good day...

Just finished the scooter cozy on the left. The cozy on the right is my favorite everyday cozy. I used one of my Grandmother's old buttons.

Monday was great. I felt so wonderfully productive. Last week I went to the fabric store and the new fabric I got is inspiring me. It made me want to sew. However my productiveness could also be from my heavy rotation of my girls Lily Allen and Florence and the Machine After I got some sewing done I took the boys to the public pool to cool off. It has a fun diving board. I even dove in. It was so strange being able to see under water. It made me so happy to be in the shallow end of the pool with D and being able to see F.W. dive in the deep end. It's the little things right?