First name / friend, it finally feels like things are moving again after a looooooong stretch of everything feeling stagnant.  And that counts for a lot when it comes to my perspectives on the world at large. 

 

Part of that was also owning up to the way things will probably be this summer for those of us in the West (dangerously dry, stupidly hot and very smoky), and making the call to drastically cut-back what we had planned for the garden this year.  Not fully nothing (I need my Pesto, Chimichurri & Salsa), but a LOT less.  

 

And that simple decision let my shoulders drop. I didn’t realize how much I had been stressing out about it all until it was no longer an issue. Funnily enough, it’s also what I want for you with your exterior projects, too.  Less stress, more fun, a better plan. For your shoulders to drop (at least about this…LOL). 

 

So if you need me, I’ll be here, figuring out how to make your experience less stressful and more fun, wondering how I’ll fill my time this summer without 4hrs of hard labor every day, and continuing to search out a few…

And lastly, because helping brings joy, too, the Worlds End School could use a hand.

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Here are the other Seven Things that are helping me keep my chin up these days.  I hope they help you, too, wherever and however you may be.

 Just what I want to see in a MET gown! Thoughtful, interesting, a little weird, and ON THEME without feeling costume.  LOVING the colors here!

 

What do we want? FLAVOR! How do we want it! QUICK & CHEAP!  Pinch of Yum has be doing it for us these past few weeks.  All hits, no misses. 

 

Started listening to the human-curated radio feed at KCRW again, as the algos were getting a bit repetitive.  Love hearing new things & old faves.

 

I’m between books right now, but I re-read this extraordinary piece this week as it just won the Pulitzer for Feature Writing. It’s stuck with me deeply since I read it last year days after the flood.  Just heartbreakingly gorgeous writing - so deserving of awards.
TW: climate distress, children, heart wrenching familial bonds. You’ll cry.

 

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the Red Sox have been GOING THROUGH IT.  We’ve been there right along with them, for better or worse.

 

Instead of backbreaking weeding, I'm making other plans - starting with some simple tops from my block print fabric stash with this simple pattern.

 

I had the pleasure of designing an exterior option for this house that restored some of the mid-century ranch detailing using the original blueprints, which was so fun!  Not what they felt was right for them in the end, but it was a gas to explore it.

 

First name / Friend, I'm so glad you're here!

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