sewing

so, my older sister gave me inspiring ideas for a baby that is being born soon to a dear friend. i loved the way the onesies turned out. . . particularly after i had gone shopping and seen what kind of clothes are out there for a baby. :(

so, i thought i would share what i made. the blanket is just a throw. . . and she got a baby sling too. i hope it works. :)

the harvest is in

stimulatin' the economy

so, i guess i am a patriot after all . . . i have hemmed and hawed my way through the car-buying process. "Is it smart? Is it foolish? Is this the best moment? Will another time be better? Is this the right deal? Used? New? . . . maybe, i shouldn't buy any car. . . " thus, the cognitive circle continued. 2 years ago, i thought i should purchase a car. . . but, i didn't want to in baltimore. . . (i thought it was likely to be ruined. . . )

so, i waited. and then, on friday, the moment came. . .

i went to carlisle with the greatest of negotiators and drove home with her. . . the new car. she is so clean inside that i NOTICE leaf-bits(and pick them out). she has speakers that work and all-wheel drive. . . and AIR-BAGS. . . and that new-car smell. (probably toxic but wonderful anyway)

I do have a moment of slight-panic once/day . . ."can i really afford this?" "was this wise, when so many people are losing their jobs?" "what if you lose your job?" "what if you can never travel or eat-out again because of this vehicle?"

and then i think. . . "what if you were in an accident on the turnpike in your old car. . . you would never eat-out again or travel either, because you would be dead . . . at least this way, you have a CHANCE."

and thus, the pessimist in me wins and brings consolation.

it's a little scary. . . but i can't stop smiling every time i drive her this week.

this morning, i waved at a co-worker way-too-enthusiastically-to-be-normal when driving by.

i hope you all get a chance to ride in her. :)

summer in the city

so, it has been a good summer here. months ago, a strong looking "weed" appeared in the front of the house and we determined not to yank it out. it grew bigger and bigger. . . people hypothesized, "is it a tree?" . . . and then, just a week ago, it revealed itself. . . not a tree, but an amazing sunflower.

and while this may look meager. . . it is only the beginning. i have had more cucumber salads in the last month, than is probably advisable. the tomato is an anna russian from my dad. . . sweet and delicious. i have since made tomato salads and salsas using them . . .they are coming in full force already (sorry to those of you in blight territory) . . . and the carrots are amazing. . .tender and sweet. I would make changes next year. . .not so many tomato plants. . . maybe not so many cucumber plants to choke out the beans. but the cilantro will stay. and the arugula. . . it is like never-ending peppery pleasure. :)