the chrysanthemum

You know fall is coming when the mums start blooming.

When I was in high school, I worked at a flower shop in town. Every fall, we'd have to water rows and rows of potted mums, and by the time November rolled around I was sick of even looking at another yellow or orange or red flower.

I think I've finally moved past that, though. My mom came home the other day with a gigantic potted chrysanthemum and it's adorned our back deck, waiting to bloom. I'm getting excited for the weather to cool down (heat wave, anyone?) and the flowers to burst open, allowing for sweaters and leaves and pumpkins and apples.

I'll try not to post about my excitement for autumn every day. But I just might not be able to help it!

blanche and the ladybug

Last night, Blanche climbed up onto the side table next to the couch (like she does every night, sticking her head beneath the lampshade and hunting for bugs flying around under there), found herself a ladybug to play with, and chased it around the one-square-foot area until it played dead, and she stalked off, bored.

The ladybug popped right back up after she left and went on its way.

Despite the heatwave and my terrible cold and the lack of any decent television on at 10:30pm, I had a good giggle.

summer round up

So, it's September 1st.

End of August. End of The August Break. End of summer.

Beginning of fall. Beginning of a new year. Beginning of the rest.


I feel like August was one big breath, one big inhale that opened my lungs and was followed by an exhaustive sigh that pushed all the bad air out and made room in my chest for fresh air to enter.

So now I have space. I'm ready for September to be full of fresh air. Lots and lots of fresh air. And October and November, too.



A round up of summer, so as not to forget:


I traveled up and down the East Coast.

{In Washington, DC, swimming in Rachel's rooftop pool}


{In North Carolina, relaxing on the beach}


{In Vermont, alongside rivers}


{In Connecticut, camping in the hills}

{In Maine, enjoying the coast}

I watched the many fields of corn grow:




I reveled in visits from faraway cousins:




I got reacquainted with my yoga mat:



I snapped up photos of the afternoon sun in a rare moment of solitude:



I participated in the great summer happening of getting Mary's ears pierced:




I saw a fantastic concert:




I hung out by a lake and swam with fishies:




I broke out my sewing machine and made some new projects:




I read lots of good books and drank lots of good wine:




I (feel like I) spent a whole lot of time driving around in my car:




I picked raspberries (and tomatoes and green beans and lots of other produce, too):




I was visited by sisters at graduation parties:




I celebrated birthdays:




And, apparently, I discovered an obsession for taking pictures of my food:

Ah, summer. I was never such a fan of your heat and bathing suits and bugs. But I'll miss you.


What does your summer round up look like?

31st of august, break

Have you ever noticed

that when you turn out a light

and are pitched into darkness in its absence

you become much more conscious of sounds?

30th of august, break

Mary's first day of fifth grade, this morning, with the neighbors.

Wasn't she just going into fourth grade?