Summer Legs

Many years back, when my boys were still little, there was a children's book called Summer Legs, written by Anita Hakkinen and adorably illustrated by Abby Carter. It was such a sweet story illustrating all the ways that our "summer legs" are unique: tanned and covered in scratches, band aids, and mosquito bites from all of the summertime adventures.

My legs have gotten pretty tan this summer, which must be a sign that I'm spending more time outdoors. Gardening, dog walking, biking, enjoying the sunshine and soaking up the Vitamin D.

In years past, I have slathered on the self tanner, and then followed up with a slathering of sunscreen. This year, I am forgoing the fake tan in place of the real one, and skipping the sunscreen altogether. And here's why.

I have a niece that works in cancer and research. Many researchers are starting to wonder if the big surge in skin cancers has less to do with exposure to the sun, and more to do with the harmful products we spread all over our bodies. After all, our skin is the largest organ we have. What we put on it really does matter.

I really do feel the benefits of the sun every time I go outdoors. It makes me happy and centered and thankful for God's creation. I marvel at the flowers in the garden and appreciate the tenacity of the deer and bunnies who continue to eat them. I love the day songs of the birds and the night songs of the crickets and locusts.

This is big progress for me. Many of my summers of the past decade were spent sick and indoors, suffering with the effects of Lyme disease. I had developed a fear and distrust of nature because it had really done a number on me. But living fearfully of the next bite is no way to live.

These legs will only see the sunshine for a few more precious weeks, but I plan to soak up the rays and remember these summer days long after they are gone.

Inspired by Cherries

It's fruit season here in Michigan. Peaches, blueberries, early apples, and cherries!

Traverse City is quite the foodie town, and every year they celebrate the Cherry Festival in early July.

Sam and I stopped in to Cherry Republic, where I had a delicious salad featuring Michigan apples and dried cherries!

We also stopped in to American Spoon, where I bought a LOT of amazing jams, compotes, maple syrups,butters, and sauces, all locally sourced.

Hey Michigan friends! Temperance made the map, but not Lambertville! LOL! Saline is there, too, right near Ann Arbor!

This week, I've been making homemade granola using the cherries and maple syrup I found on our trip up north!

This recipe comes from the blog On Sutton Place, and you can find Ann's recipe for Olive Oil Granola here:

https://www.onsuttonplace.com/homemade-olive-oil-granola-recipe/

I made this for my sons, I made this for my mom, and I made this for the house. Such a nice gift to give to family and friends!

I'm feeling a little fruity this time of year, so today's card reflects that!

{Today's Brew: Fruit Fusion Cherries (PTI), Garden Variety (PTI), PTI inks/card stock/papers, PTI button, baker's twine, MFT cross stitched frame die, border die}

Thanks for visiting the cafe today! Blessings on your weekend!

Inspiring Landscape

Sometimes, a change of scenery can really inspire me to get out my watercolors and try to capture the moment.

I'm so glad I brought my watercolors with me on our trip up north.

I did a little rough sketching with pencil and Sharpie.

Then, I got to work mixing colors.

Layer after layer, until the scene starts to take shape.

And knowing when to say "That's it. Done!"

Sometimes, it helps to capture the moment in a photograph and use it as my guide.

I've had a lot of fun dabbling in watercolor this year. It has been on my "New Years Resolution" list for many a consecutive year now. Sometimes, they best way to start a thing is to just do it. Don't wait for the class. Don't wait for the perfect moment. Just jump in with both feet and give it a try.

We watched a sunset on Lake Michigan last week. And when I walked up the path behind me, I encountered this gentleman. Can you see him over my shoulder? He had set up his easel and was painting the beach scene " En Plein Air". It was a beautiful scene done in oils with such lovely shades of blue and lavender. Impressive...and inspiring.

Hope you find lots of inspiration this week! Blessings!

Up North

Up North.

In Michigan, "Up North" is more than just a direction. It is a state of mind.

This week, we rented a log cabin-style cottage "Up North" and had a little adventure with the boys.

Kayaks and campfires. Adirondack chairs and quiet moments gazing at the stars.

S'mores and sunsets. Shooting stars and the vast expanse of the Milky Way.

It was a great time to relax and reconnect.

Hope you had time to refresh this week, too!

Blessings, cafe friends!

Card Sending: Why Card Makers Do What We Do

I am a pretty good card maker. I consistently make cards on a weekly and monthly basis.

I'm a good card maker. But I'm not always a good card sender.

Why do I let that happen?

I will often make a card with an individual in mind, but then I will forget to put it in the mail box. And before I know it, I have thirty cards piled up in a shoe box that are starting to feel as if they are past their "Best If Sent By" date.

Please, tell me I'm not the only one!

My mom is really good at sending. She will make fifty cards on a stamp crafting weekend (fifty to my twelve! LOL!), and before you know it she has mailed them all out and needs to make more.

Last week, I decided enough was enough. I put a dozen cards in the mail. Get well cards. Retirement cards. Birthday cards. Thank you cards. Cards of encouragement. It felt really good to get those handmade cards out of the shoe box and into the mail box.

So many people got cards from me this week. And so many people sent calls and texts to thank me. They stopped me in church to thank me. They told me that their cards are now propped on window sills or fireplace mantels or refrigerators. A reminder that I cared enough to send a little piece of my heart.

And that, my friends, is why I'm still a card maker. It's not because I need the "You Go Girl" pats on the back. It's because I want people to know that I'm thinking of them and lifting them up in prayer.

Simple acts of love with big impact.

Maybe you are a really good letter writer. Maybe you crochet dish scrubbers. Maybe you make quilts. Maybe you cook casseroles. Whatever it is you do, I'm hear to tell you to keep at it. Serve your neighbor, love on your friends, honor your family. Be an encourager to someone today.

Blessings, cafe friends!

{Today's Brew: Graceful Greetings sentiment (PTI), Year of Psalms (PTI), Birch background (PTI), PTI ink and card stock, Mix and Mat Plaid die (PTI), Wee Folk bird dies (PTI), watercolor paper}

Clean Eating, Again

Women. Our bodies are amazing things, aren't they? We are fearfully and wonderfully made. And with each new season in life, there seems to be a new change, a shifting in our lifestyle. Modifications need to be made along the way to stay in optimal health.

In your thirties, you think "Maybe I should go to the gym more, and lay off the Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies."

And then your forties arrive, and you think "I cannot eat the diet of my children. Burgers and fries and pizza...it has to go!"

And then fifties usher in a new era. "Don't even look at that piece of bread!"

Ah, the joys of womanhood!

Ever since my long bout with Lyme disease, my body reacts in ways similar to other autoimmune disorders. Joint pain, fatigue, bloating and stomach issues.

I had been backsliding since December. Bread, pastries, wine, sugar, cheese. All things in moderation, of course. But even in moderation, I paid the price.

This week, I am getting back on track.

I've been researching anti-inflammatory diets and auto-immune protocols. It seems that dairy and wheat are big no-nos, along with sugar and alcohol (which really, is sugar, too). Processed foods are out. Organic lean meats, eggs, fruits and veggies are in.

Clean eating.

It involves a lot of thought and planning and cooking, but in the end, I can't argue with results.

Day three, and my bloating is gone, with minimal stomach cramping. Down a half a pound, too.

There really is no excuse not to eat clean this time of year, when farmer's markets are in full steam. Fresh produce everywhere, including our own garden this year!

Small changes. Modifications. I can't say that I will be able to follow a plan one hundred percent, but I can try my best to be kind to my body, this temple.

Blessings, cafe friends!

MFT Summer School Day 5: Symmetry

Welcome, cafe friends! This is the last day for this session of summer school. Day 5 assignment: symmetry!

I puzzled and puzzled until my puzzler was sore, and then I had an idea. Soda Pop!

The red and white stripe gives this card the feel of an old fashioned soda shop. This one is going to my father-in-law for his birthday next week!

Would you look at how cute those Coke bottles are? When you die cut them, it also embosses the detail. Sweet!

{Today's Brew: Soda Pop stamps and dies (MFT), Cross Stitch oval frame die (MFT), banner die from MFT Blueprints, PTIpaper/card stock, Versamark and white embossing powder}

It's official. I have now completed summer school! woo hoo!

Thanks for visiting the cafe today!

MFT Summer School Day 4: Complementary Colors

Welcome to another installment of Summer School! Today's lesson: Complementary Colors, those colors that are opposite on the color wheel...like blue and orange, or red and green, or hot pink and chartreuse green, as I chose today!

When MFT had their retirement sale last month, I was able to snag Scribbled Roses and dies before they sold out. Yay! I've always loved the simplicity of this set.

I paired it with a sentiment from Cheerful Blessings, and gave it a little black gingham ribbon to tie those flowers into a bundle.

{Today's Brew: Scribbled Roses and dies (MFT), Cheerful Blessings (MFT), MFT Blueprints die, PTI ink and card stock, gingham ribbon}

Blessings on your Monday, cafe friends!