Last week we had oppressive humidity, the kind that the Midwest is notorious for in late summer, when you walk outside and it feels like you're being suffocated by a blanket of hot, wet air. This week – sweet relief – it broke, and last night I found myself with an hour before dinner to sit in my hammock and enjoy a beer. It was cool and breezy and just about the most perfect weather you could possibly ask for. I felt so tired, on the verge of tears, and content, all at the same time.

 

 On the home front, it's been a tough summer for our family; I wrote more about that and shared some of our Canada vacation photos in the latest edition of Friday Faves on my blog. At the same time, we launched two pattern updates in our new size range - Ruby and Cleo, and I'm really proud of that accomplishment in the midst of what felt like so many personal hurdles. For the first time Elli and I managed those launches largely without Jess, who has been working less now that she has a full-time therapy practice!! 

 

I'm turning 45 at the end of this month, and I think that big number is bringing up a lot of big feelings for me. With my birthday and the New (school) Year just a few short weeks away, I'm taking a bit of time right now to regroup a little bit, reflect, and hopefully rest before I jump into new projects I have in mind for this fall.

 

A few more updates and glimpses of life around here…
 

decorating: I ordered the “Wildwoods” wall hanging from Heather Ross’ studio sale; it’s a photograph of a vintage applique quilt (original maker unknown) that Heather had printed on Belgian linen. Home decor is 100% not my strong suit so I hope it will help tie my living room and its many plants together.

 

reading: July was blessedly full of books that I can highly recommend: Lauren Groff’s Matrix (so good!), Jaqueline Woodsen’s Red at the Bone (so good!), and Jeanette Wells’ memoir The Glass Castle (similar themes to Tara Westover’s Educated…also so good!). My favorite fiction book so far this year though has been Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley.

 

crocheting: I helped Clementine learn how to crochet this tiny unicorn with Twinkie Chan’s Crochet Unicorn class from Creativebug and it’s SO CUTE. She is delighted with it and can't wait to crochet more things.

 

sewing: Making more progress on my quilted coat. I’m getting so excited - it’s almost finished!

 

 

Perhaps another reason I'm feeling big feelings is that Elliot (my baby!!! but also…15) started driver's training this week. Yesterday I took him to an empty parking lot and taught him how to start the car and where the pedals were. I felt 100% not equipped for that moment. 

 

How's your summer been so far? Feel free to hit reply; I always love hearing from you.

 

xo,

Rae

 

PS. The pic at the top of this email is my favorite photo from our trip to Canada: Hugo, splashing around in Lake Ontario at dusk. That photo feels so quintessentially summer to me. Here's another favorite of mine from our trip, of Niagra Falls at moonrise: