With Brian and Bea being gone I've had even more time that usual to do some making. First up I made… er, grew this flower. It's the first morning glory of the summer. I've wanted to make a simple top with slits at the sides – our recent warm weather made me get to it.…

From the Chicago Botanic Garden: And some photos from my garden – starting with a crazy daisy bouquet. I love this time of year because I can make a bouquet almost everyday. You're cute but stop eating my favorite plants! First time I've ever grown Love-in-a-Mist and I love them.  It's green bean season! This…

Bea has one week off between her German language course sessions. Brian went over to Europe to spend the week with her. They have been visiting Oslo and Stockholm. Here are some photos. Meanwhile Jennifer and Jenna stopped on their way up to Jenna's student orientation at the University of Wisconsin. We're so excited for…

Here's the garden update – I don't want to go in it. I don't want to go in it because of the those annoying cicadas. They're in my flower beds and my vegetable garden they're hanging out in the driveway (dead and alive), they cling to the car tires and to my lawn chairs and…

I've been feeding the fish… Because Bea flew to Freiburg, Germany over a week ago. Brian went over with her to get her settled – she's taking German classes for seven weeks. She seems to be doing great and loving Freiburg. She's meeting people from around the world and also some from the US. I…

Claire is an eighth grade graduate and ready to begin high school. Our school district makes a big deal of 8th grade graduation. The kids are done with the Wilmette public schools and they move to a new multi-suburb school system. This year graduation was held in her future high school gym. A new space…

May is such a beautiful month. It's the time when the garden looks fresh and neat instead of overgrown and tired like it does in August. So here are a few May appreciation photos.  I'm a member of the nasturtium appreciation club. And this year I discovered how easy it is to grow them from…

I've been participating in something called Me Made May. I've seen others doing it over the years and I thought it was time I tried it. Here's a blurb about Me Made May from it's founder: MMM is a wardrobe challenge that helps you improve your relationship with your handmade items. It can also teach…

I've been enjoying my garden and I feel like my veggie plot is setting up to have a really good year. I put all my herbs in pots this year to make more room for extra tomato plants. The peas are growing so fast on their new taller trellis. I've been picking more rhubarb and…