End of Summer Chaos!

I don't know where to begin.  This summer has flown by, as it usually does every year, but this year has been busier than ever.  I haven't had as much time at my Happy Place :(  So that is my major bummer, I crave the peace and serenity.... The kids have actual schedules now.  Seriously, my oldest had babysitting jobs to get to, Cheerleading practice throughout the summer, Dentist appointments, what on earth???  Mom's taxi was busy this summer, and not in the way I wanted, geez!  The dentist appointments were my mistake, and I won't schedule such things during future summer vacation time, but having my iphone alert go off that something is scheduled on a day, just is not my idea of summer vacation.  I am a teeny, tiny bit eager for the kids to return to school now.  My son is very excited to return, the girls, well.... a little quieter in the excitement department...

I look forward to my creative juices being allowed to flow and craft ahead.  My 'studio' area is a complete disaster.  I have been stashing things in there throughout the summer, with anticipation that I will return and do something with it all.  That time is soon upon me, and I can't wait.  I have so many ideas in my head, and I have made many notes and sketches.  Pinterest is quite an addiction for me now, I started off slowly and now I waste  so much time dream about so many many things.  One thing I pinned many months ago was a rock collecting piece, that you make into feet.  Ok, I explained that poorly so let me show you what I/we, as in my family, collected and created;

The rocks were collected from Lake Superior on a couple of our boating excursions, so they are, for the most part smooth, the wood board is from an old pallet that was behind our shed.  It's one of the good ones with heavy oak boards.  Perfect for such a craft.  I sanded the board down, and with construction grade adhesive, glued the stones to the board.  One foot for each of us.  Just a cute memory from this summer.  I still haven't made or created very much this summer.  We have had some good times at camp, the lake is cooling off, but with our sauna fired up it makes it bearable, our pet chipmunk at camp is becoming even more friendly and not shy at all, he follows me around, hoping for a hand out of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or peanuts.  Apple slices or dog food will do as well.  T-Bone was having a snooze when the chipper lounged out in his food dish.  Poor T just wants to play and chipper wants nothing to do with him, lol, I know one day he will be on my heels as I go into the sauna too....And, summer just wouldn't be complete without an injured child in my house.  Honestly, my oldest just has some bad luck.  She is very active and I guess that's the problem.  When she tries something new she repeats it and repeats it until she gets it.  She can now do a back walk over, but, not for a little while, as her right arm is in a cast due to a broken wrist.  (opposite hand in which she broke her thumb 3 times) She is already planning, once healed of course, that she wants to learn to do back hand springs.  Geez, heal first child, before planning your next injury, please..... Good times, good times.

Family arrived from out West so we have this week to do some catching up, dinners, laughs, and reminising.  We all gathered today to lay to rest, the ashes of my hubby's 2 brothers that passed away last fall and this spring.  Seven siblings became five in such a short period of time, truly sad, but they are not forgotten, memories last a long time. 

I tested my baking skills this evening and surprise, I still remember how, muffins are made and the cookie jar is full.  Ok, yes, I have baked this summer, actually made some pretty yummy treats, but the cookie and muffin thing is a must during the school year, so it was a warm up of how the school year must continue.  The dreaded lunch making starts next week, my kids start school on the 5th, so I have those three days to ease myself back into things.  The real chaos actually begins the following week.  Sports will start, practices, birthday parties, homework, sign here, sign this, I need this, we forgot to buy me that, fundraisers, alarm clocks, running to the bus on time...blaaahh!  Fun times, fun times.  I will return soon with an update on the chaos of my family and hopefully some progress in the my craft, DIY, baking, sewing, painting obsessions.  Only three more appointments this week, two dinners, and camp day with our good friends.  Happy end of August to everyone, hope the fall starts off well for you all.

 

Cool winds are blowing...

I sit here in my cozies, with my Sherpa blanket and a warm cuppa decaf, the window open just a touch as a cool breeze blows in.  I am in denial that the end of August is fast approaching and the first day of school will be upon our family once again.  We have had some fun times at camp, swimming and fishing, laughs with family and friends, memories were made, and now, trying to fit in as much as we can during the last couple of weeks of the month.  I am finding it tough to fit in a family trip for our annual back to school shopping.  It may have to be in September with coordinating the kids schedules and appointments and fitting in a couple of more nights at camp.  The kids all figure that is just wrong and what's the point........*sigh* oh the joys.  Is it really so wrong to do back to school shopping once the kids are already back to school?  I think we may just squeak in a short over night (or two) adventure and purchase a few things, it always works out somehow.......

I 'm going to open up and tell you that this summer has not all been good, fun times.  To be honest, life has shot us some lemons this year and thank goodness lemonade is one of my favourite summer drinks.  (I even bought a couple of glasses from a couple of young entrepreneurs set up along the roadside on a warm summer day.)  I think we were given enough lemons to make lemon tarts, pie, lemon curd, lemon loaf and even lemon bars.  Yeesh........ we have survived and I thought maybe a few humorous pics would about cover my thoughts;

 

As my hubby and I celebrate 15 years married today, and we reminisce about all we have done together, and how much stronger our relationship has become, I realize that the lemons we have been handed really aren't as plentiful as I originally thought.  Life will always have it's ups and downs, and continue to challenge us.  We will survive :)

OK, that's enough, on to smiles and happier thoughts.  I really don't wish for summer to end, but I gotta tell you that Fall is my favourite season.  I noticed a few days ago that the leaves on the maple trees at camp are beginning to change already due to our cool temperatures at night.  That got me thinking.....  I love to wear cardigans cover ups, sweaters and hoodies.  I love comfy cozy clothes and warm blankets, tea or coffee in the evening.  Making homemade soups and biscuits, cooking and baking.  Decorating for fall as the leaves begin to change colours, the smell of apples and cinnamon, pumpkins and basically, all things fall.  I have had too much time away from all things crafty and homemade.  I have collected some furniture treasures that need my attention, and a list of projects that need to be tackled.  So, that being said, once school starts in September I will have more time to myself and more time to get things completed.  Maybe I really do want summer to be over, shhhh, did I really say that?  Oh the fall breeze blowing the leaves and the sunsets at an earlier time, a crackling fire to stay warm with a hot cup of apple cider, mmmmm.  Apple cider, Apple pies, Apple crisp, Apple sauce, and Crab apple jelly.  That's a whole other post.

Stay warm and cozy my friends,