When I'm gone, I've never gone too far

Tonight was really lovely.

Such a good family date. My brother and cousin recently went to mexico on a missions trip. So some sisters, me, and the boys all got together to share photos, stories, and just be together. For some reason we all had the sillys, and Javas was playing the most random, awesome Pandora station, that much of the evening turned into a giant sing along and dance party. I believe it was Joy who stated, "yes tonight we are that table" But none of us cared:)

I brought my camera but with this crew I rarely end up with it, and am always excited when I get home to see what I have acquired for many peoples different views.

These happy capturings are a compiling of Ky, Joy, and myself.

kinky reggae

aw, ri is so cute.

bringing my crafts everywhere.

seany!

yup, my family

seany lookin like a little kid:)

JOYFUL!

I like this even though its blurry.

we have similar souls<3

ky your such a pain.

sisters, duh.

looking like the baby brother he is:)

family

baby brother, love him.

Just a happy night. I am so thankful for these people. I'm am lucky to have people who can make time for one another and love and build each other up. I am thankful that even if this cant happen everyday or even every week, the love does not fade. We are strong, because we are One Body and we are not made to do this life alone.

loveyous.

so sleeeepy,

xoj

The sunrise is just over that hill, The worst is over..

I've been sick. Being sick (in the summer especially) is not my favorite.

My last few days have been filled with...

1. trying to start all my craftings

2. tea, lots of tea

3. sitting on the porch with brian and chatting, feeling the breeze, guitar playing, and knits

4. this pretty, good chats, and good God-loving places and people she lets me enjoy with her

.

5. picking up dearly missed friends from the airport

6. and hating photoshop because I cant use it well yet and editing 5 photos takes roughly 5 million hours, ha!

I'll have a better update tonight I hope. Today was warm but the wind felt so cool, I can feel fall on the brink. Iron and Wine accompanied me all day in my travels. It was lovely. Tonight I'm going on family coffee date with some of my favorites to catch up.

happy monday,

xogreen bird.

Miss Jessie can you cut off my crusts?

Today was one of the best days ever.

Every summer-fall season I nanny two of my favorite littles ever. They are amazing. This family stole my heart about four years ago when Emily (now 8) was in my preschool class. Lucky enough for me 2 years later I would have her brother Nathan (4) in my class two years in a row. I have been there for every birthday, art show, soccer game, museum date, and all the in between since.

I couldn't even handle the weather outside. Warm sunny blue skies, slight breeze, literally a crime to be inside today. So I got to the house, fed the kids breakfast, brushed hair, brushed teeth, packed the picnic basket, loaded blue bug, and off we went.

First stop was the bookstore.

Emmie seriously has the biggest heart ever. She brought a twenty dollar bill to by herself a new chapter book. And couldn't bare to be getting something new without Naynay. She got him a new book in the series he loves. He also picked out a giant marble, and Emmie says "oh why dont you just get this bag of marbles it has a big one and little ones" I quietly informed her it those marbles were about double the cost. She says oh its fine, and asks me if I want to get anything and checks out with their goodies. I swear my kids teach me things everyday.

Dropped off the books at the car and grabbed the bread.

We crossed over the canal, and went to feed the ducks.

me and bear!

my babbiesss

Back to the car, off to the park for playing and picnic.

my job requires playing on slides. its okay to be jealous.

miss jessies vintage picnic basket of yummies.

Danny was about to catch a plane, so the kids and I stopped at his house to give goodbye hugs and loves.

Then we decided it was just getting too hot, so we went back to the house to swim.

Whew! needless to say I am so sleepy and cant wait to share all our adventures with you all throughout the fall season, we so much love our time together.

Hope your enjoying your summer!

xomissjessie

Yes, crafting has a process.

So my best friend is in town visiting from Portland, OR.
It is making me very, very happy. We spent the all of last night together catching up, seeing friends, and driving endlessly exchanging bands and dancing it out in my blue bug. Just like the old days.
LoveyouDanny

(some oldies of us in portland)

I told you I would share the wedding gift I created for Mike and Linds. It was quite the creative process because I wasn't in my craft space, with all my goodies, and my close by craft stores to run to if I was in desperate need. I packed everything into my travel craft bag I *thought* I may need two weeks prior to actually making it and hoped everything I needed would be in there.

Everything I had planned changed once I was there. First it was visiting their apartment, the homey, natural feel of alot of the elements in Mike and Lindsey's place. Idea one had come.. wood. A few evenings later Greg and I were driving and for some reason I thought while the sun was setting this chicken wire fence was just so beautiful, and out loud shouted "That's it!"

I took an unfinished wooden crate like this..

Painted it, Sanded it for an aged look, and then painted it again for texture and character.

While that was drying I went outside and collect all my nature, picking flowers and running though fields like a little girl.

And off to work.

I LOVED the outcome.

(click photo to enlarge)

I'll ask Lindsey to take better pictures and close-ups when shes back from the honeymoon (<3)

I just snapped this one quick at the wedding.

Hmm, I need some tea with honey.

enjoy your night.

xj

Home is wherever you find joy.

Its 2:30 in the afternoon and I am still in my gym shorts.

Win.

I am recovering from two weeks of life in another place, and a five hour drive home.

I got home yesterday evening, you think I could just sit still but no, an hour home then off to have tea and catch up with my beautiful friend Joy.

I cant even explain to you how needed this tea date was. I am pumped up on inspiration, passion and hope. I am excited for the fall, I am excited to keep growing.

I have about a million things to post from my trip away. But a definite, definite, highlight was the wedding of our dear friends Mike and Lindsey Finelli.

It was perfect.

And I say that with such seriousness, from the bottom of my heart.

Simple. Country. 83˚ with a breeze.

I'm not sure If I have been to a wedding in a long time that so amazingly reflected the two getting married. They were comfortable and happy.

I could explain every detail it was just so cute. I have some pictures to share:)

Everything was outdoorsy. The gifts were simply placed on bales of hay. Mason jars filled with sticks and lemons lined the center of the table.

Drinks were self serve pink and yellow lemonade..with straws!

Guest book.. Mike painted a picture of a tree on canvas and each person left their fingerprint and signed their name. so cute.

Boyfriend and I left these..

Wedding cake was so not them.. they had blueberry cobbler instead.

Because its quite messy, Linds had called Monday and asked if I would sew them cute bibs to wear. I said, OF COURSE hehe.

I wore a 70s vintage floral gown. That I had bought a few months ago and have been saving for the wedding!

And of course friends:)

My loves Linds and Presley.

Silly kids drinking out of mason jars, oh yeah.

Pen pals<3

and my loveeee.

Isn't she the cutest bride. I swear from the minute the doors opened and she walked down the aisle to the second we said goodbye after the sun had set she did not stop smiling.

ps. her dress totally had pockets!! :)

My poor little car is filled to the top with vintage treasures and sewing materials still to be unpacked. I know I haven't posted any of my craftings in awhile but I'll be back tomorrow with the wedding gift I made. ALSO, I will be crafting crazy in the next few weeks preparing for my first indie craft fair, so I will be posting updates on what I'm working on.

phew, thats all for now.

xobird