Well, here we are already with summer in full-swing! I hope you've been enjoying yours so far. The weather's been lovely here but I seem to be getting a bit of a late start on the laid-back summer-celebrationy vibe myself, busy with work and other indoor distractions. This doesn't really make sense, if you believe this page of my little sketchbook from January.
True story.
But then, one of those distractions has been a new family member. Meet Ted, everyone. Ted is a shy, mature gentleman who will come out for scritches
but for now, is mostly content in his hidey-hole in the corner of my studio.
He's had a bit of an unstable life in the last couple years and had been at the shelter for several months, but we're hoping he starts feeling more at home here soon. We've grown awfully fond of him in a very short time.
Outside the little studio, my funny little garden is in full-swing.
I'm gorging on raspberries right off the bushes daily.
They rarely, if ever, make it all the way into the house to be used in a recipe, or even washed, or shared for that matter.
We've been enjoying fresh salads
although the real stars, as far as I'm concerned, are yet to come.
I've enjoyed sitting in the back yard in the evenings, soaking in those moments between the sun disappearing over the trees on one side and the first stars coming into view on the other, watching our neighborhood bats quietly and gracefully working on pest-control (batspotting is a favorite summer-evening activity, and I'm a nerd about keeping track of what time and how long they flutter about nightly).
Everything around me is bursting with summertime goodness but for some reason, I have not yet been to the beach.
I know.
Even if I haven't yet had a chance to get out to our cabin at the coast (just 3 short hours away!) seaplanes fly low over my house every day reminding me how close all the wonderful local inland beaches are.
It's a little pathetic that I've been landlocked like this here in my studio. I know, I know. So I thought maybe it's time for a motivatingly beachy-themed giveaway:
I'll be giving away 3 of these neato greeting card assortments from Leanin' Tree.
It's filled with 20 beachy-themed cards for whatever occasion might pop up this summer: birthday, friendship, thank you, anniversary, encouragement, even get well, for those seasonally-unfair ailments (isn't it the biggest rip-off ever to get a cold or flu on a beautiful summer day?).
Along with my fun "Birthday-Schmirthday" girls
there are summerlicious designs by Andrea Tachiera, Drew Brophy, Paul Brent, Postmark Press, and many more awesome Leanin' Tree artists. 20 cards I'm telling you! 20!
What a bunch of great designs. These cards are all super colorful inside and out.
How much more summery can you get than this?!
Just leave a comment on this post telling me something that makes you happy about summer, this year or any, and you'll be entered to win a set for yourself. I'll draw 3 names from a hat 1 week from today, on Sunday the 14th, and announce the 3 winners.
And while we're getting into the summery celebrationy beachy barbequey fun-in-the-sun spirit, there's a party going on all this week over at the Henry Glass blog!
We're all celebrating their summer releases with goodies and giveaways, head over to join the fun! Did someone say free fabric?! You know you want it! These folks know how to throw a summer party - it's going to be great!
And happy summer, everyone!
Though very much a "grown-up," I still love an ice cream cone on a warm summer day and keeping up with all the drips with diligent licks!
Posted by: Judy Cole | July 07, 2013 at 05:40 PM
Sometimes you sniff a scent that instantly takes you somewhere special in your memory. But for me, every summer, there comes a day when I HEAR a fly buzz lazily by while I'm hanging clothes on the line in 100+ Arizona heat. Instantly, my imagination takes me to a little cabin on a sapphire lake in the cool pine forest of B.C., and I count down the days until I get there for real and cheerily swat at those Canadian flies.
Posted by: Leslie Morrison | July 07, 2013 at 06:07 PM
Beth, what a breezy, fun post. I loved looking at all your details in the photos.
Something I love about summer... That's so easy! CHERRY PIE! No, strawberry pie. Wait! Rhubarb! Or maybe I should say fresh raspberry pie since there is still one slice waiting in the fridge (true confession: hiding from the rest of the family!) Summer pies in all their glory, no matter what the flavor. That is what I love most about summer. For today anyway.
You need to venture a little north for a visit. Let me know and I'll bake you... a PIE!
Posted by: Sharyn Sowell | July 07, 2013 at 08:38 PM
I love the sounds and smells of summer. Walking with my dog Heidi, and smelling the Alberta roses on the soft summer breeze and then sit on a park bench and listen to the leaves clap in the wind. Close your eyes and the birds sing, oh and another beautiful scent comes to me on the summer wind...the Russian Olive Tree in full bloom. The beautiful perfume fills the neighborhood each July, the flowers on the tree so small you might miss them if not for their scent...
Posted by: Beth McGale | July 07, 2013 at 09:12 PM
Sunset walks on the beach and summer rain showers are a couple of my favorite things.
Posted by: Ginger | July 08, 2013 at 04:02 AM
When I was little we didn't have Air Conditioning and my Dad used to plant Night Blooming Jasmine outside our windows. I can still remember those hot summer nights when a breeze would finally come we could smell the Jasmine in our room. When I smell it now, I always think of my Dad and how planted those plants for us.
Posted by: Tina KC | July 08, 2013 at 06:56 PM
I hope you make it to the beach soon! thank you for the lovely giveaway. And btw I am in love with your new line w/ HG! Love the birch trees.... summer love for me - walking the beaches of Michigan!
Posted by: Lee | July 10, 2013 at 04:11 AM
My garden is wilting in the heatwave but the tomatoes and raspberries are coming and the strawberries are delicious!
Thank you for a lovely giveaway!
Posted by: Gill | July 10, 2013 at 07:35 AM