Soundtrack. . .
(This video. So very awful. . . I have never been an ABBA fan.)
My sister and I are off on another adventure!
To Sweden. . . and Finland. . .
and Russia. . .
Estonia and Denmark!
I'll tell you ALL about it . . . in 10 days!
Ciao! (Or the Scandinavian equivalent!)
Soundtrack. . .
I thought this one might do me in.
Rip outs.
Do-overs.
Thinking I had it all figured out. When I didn't.
But in the end. . .
Na na na na na na na nana. . .
Gettin jiggy wit it!
Ravelry details here.
Things are really hoppin' round here. Visits. Celebrations. Work deadlines. Getting ready for a long trip.
I don't have time to knit. I don't have time to keep up with my blog friends. I don't even have time to muster the energy to think about the Ravelry/International Olympic Committee standoff over the Ravelympics (. . . knitters "denigrating the athletes" my patootie. . . ), let alone the many responses to the insult!
And now, the dishwasher is on the fritz.
What's a gal to do?
Why, grab her best gardening pal and head to . . .
Because . . . when the going gets tough
the tough get going!
Why not? Fill a cart for $40 a pop. All you can plant!
Oh, yeah. . .
now I need to plant it. . .
No Father's Day would be complete without our annual, traditional Family Croquet Extravaganza!
This year, for the first time in Croquet Extravaganza history, we had more players than mallets and balls! This year, we had the boys. . .
and the girls . . .
but we don't play teams in our back yard! Oh, no! It's cut-throat, everyone-out-for-themselves style croquet!
This year's match featured . . .
Reigning Champion, Bust-a-Ball Brian
Out-for-Blood Erin (Hey! Who put me in the trees?)
Killer-Keith (Who, as a newcomer to the Extravaganza, was somewhat baffled by our odd take on "rules.")
The Bionic Woman (who seemed to have extra power in her swing this year; must be the hardware in her ankle)
Hammer-Head Tom
Jolly-John
and, of course, Jenny-the-Obstacle!
As usual, there was strategy. . .
laughter. . .
trash talk . . .
disbelief. . .
and fun!
This year, we even had a little EXTRA excitement. Yeah. Umm. . . we had a bit of a fire. . .
Tom: Maybe the citronella torches are too close to the house, Kym.
Kym: I don't think so. I'm more worried about the patio umbrella.
Keith: Maybe you should put the umbrella down?
Kym: No. I'll just tilt the umbrella away from the torches!
Oops. For the record. . . Keith was right. I totally should have put the umbrella down!
As for this year's Croquet Extravaganza winner?
(That would be Tom.)
Nothing says "party" to me like a bunch of balloons . . .
So last weekend, I picked up one of those do-it-yourself helium balloon kits at the party store.
It came with everything we needed -- balloons, ribbon, small helium tank -- to create bunches and bunches of festive balloon bouquets.
It was easy (and fun) to use.
Brian had WAY too much fun with the helium tank.
And all the balloons just brought a nice touch of frivolity to our weekend.
Keith had a grand idea. What if . . . we tie a balloon to Jenny's collar?
She retrieved it!
Up, up, and away!
True confession.
I love Martha Stewart. And Ina Garten. And all the other "mavens" of gracious entertaining and yummy recipes (well-presented, of course!).
When this magazine arrived at my house. . .
I just knew the cover dessert (one of Martha's own "favorite berry recipes") would be perfect for the big Wild Rumpus celebration!
And so, I baked it. (There are 7 egg yolks in the cake, with 9 egg whites whipped into a thick, thick froth and folded in. The cake is heavenly, I tell you!)
But.
As Tom is demonstrating, actual results may differ!
Yes. It's clear that . . . Martha Stewart doesn't live here!
Still.
The cake was a big hit!
Just goes to show you. . . looks aren't everything!
Sometimes. . .
there are so very many reasons to celebrate . . .
that one simple party just isn't enough!
Sometimes the celebration needs to last for days!
How else to contain. . . Father's Day, Birthdays, Master's Degrees, another NED (No Evidence of Disease) checkup (yay!), Promotions, Healing, Home Brew, and almost (so close) the end of Calc 2?
And so, in the famous words of Max . . . "Let the wild rumpus start!"
Erin. . .
It's been a delight.
Watching you grow.
Seeing you change.
Becoming yourself.
Unfolding . . . before my eyes!
One thing for sure. You're never dull!
Happy Birthday, Erin!
It's Thursday. Time for a 3-fer!
1. Having your adult kids at home for a visit is GREAT. But, wow! There never seem to be any clean glasses available. . . And there are shoes and books and keys and empty snack bags EVERYwhere! (Feels like old times.)
2. Two weeks from today, I'll be in Sweden with my sister! Between work and home and garden, I have a million things to wrap up before I leave. (Biggest concern on my mind. . . what to pack???)
3. I have my 6-month check-up appointment with my oncologist this afternoon. The amazing thing. . . is that I FORGOT about the appointment until I got a reminder call from her office yesterday! (I never thought that would be the case.)
Have a great Thursday!