Some random unraveling and happy things this week:
Dash found a pal.
Little boys playing with little-bit-bigger boys makes me very happy.
Dash also found his sister’s stash of Secret Things Purposely Hidden From Little Brother.
I let him at ’em because he was gentle and sweet and put them all back when he was done sniffing them out.
Modern Dance with Curtain Prop.
“Hello? Do you sell baby gates? My mom is inquiring.”
Found…
...this scene in my bedroom two minutes past when we were supposed to leave for school.
Hard to get all panicky and “We’re going to be tardy” when you land on this.
Totally worth the 12 bobby pins.
Friday Phone Dump this week…
If you stop pushing this car for–God forbid–half a second, he will voice his disappointment.
Second grade is my favorite.
I read an essay…
…in Real Simple last week–this home run feel-good piece by Jenny Rosenstrach about not being able to fix her daughters’ middle school drama and broken heart problems. She recalls her mother’s advice of sitting out the drama and letting her daughters figure it out on their own: “Mom did give me one tangible way to help,” she explained, “You just make sure that when those girls walk in that door every day…they never doubt that home is the most comforting place for them to be. That is what you can do.”
I’m so glad I read that piece because it led me to Jenny and her writing, and a few days later Sister sent me her books. So here I am in my kitchen tonight with her just released book, Dinner: the Playbook, and it’s full of inspiration, not intimidation. Homey stuff. Personality. A friend in the kitchen. Tonight, I made her braised adobo pork with polenta, and it was amazing.
After 15 years since seeing it…
…I dug up Anne of Green Gables on DVD and introduced it to my girls with curlers and milkshakes and couch forts because that’s how it’s done. They have yet to appreciate the Lady of Shalott and bosom friends and the standard Matthew Cuthbert sets for all mankind. But they will. I’ll make sure of it.
Also, L.M. Montgomery #nailedit with this: “There’s such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I’m such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn’t be half so interesting.” GET OUT OF MY HEAD, ANNE SHIRLEY.
Her spirit.
I use an aromatizer with a mess of essential oils for calm and serenity and clarity in our home. And then sometimes, I just turn the damn thing off and snuggle up next to this one instead.
Beach Night.
It was raining out in the gulf. There were storms north of us. But we found a sand bar and watched the sun cut through the clouds, and it was a glorious scene. I cannot define God, but I arrive closest to it in peace during pain, in watching children, in selfless acts of love and in nature when–like this moment–things are just too beautiful to make sense outside of some bigger explanation.
Two more days until September.
I never said I didn’t like a nice pair of tights–particularly aubergine. I will bust out a boot with a fall plaid like nobody’s business before it’s fashionably legal in Florida. My nails are already painted a deep merlot, I’d be lying if I said I haven’t scouted this year’s Christmas long johns already, and I will not pretend the debut of Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte didn’t make my heart dance a jig the other day. But we can have both–ride the line between grateful present and grateful-for-fun-to-come. That said, the white pants will live on past Labor Day for me–if not simply to give Obama a break for his tan suit. There’s surely another summer bucket list item to cross off, another sparkler to light, another impromptu barbecue waiting for us to ignite its fun. We’ll have pool parties at night and follow them with hot chocolate and cinnamon sticks. Mint green AND mustard yellow. Popsicles AND football chili. Don’t make me pick.
Happy Labor Day Weekend, Friends!
********
This week, on eHow, I’m sharing:
What I Hope My Kids Say About Me
“I don’t want my children to ever feel pressure that my happiness is dependent on their choices or that my fulfillment hinges on their successes. “She supported us and cheered us on,” I hope they say, “but she also invested in her own continued pursuit of learning opportunities.”
Read more by clicking below.
…and…
How to Feel Positive in Our Efforts of Raising Our Kids
“When I feel myself wondering if maybe I’m doing it wrong, or when I feel like I’m not the best version of the parent I want to be, I remind myself of this: self-loathing parenting shame is the most unproductive place to be as a parent.”
Read more by clicking below.
Life with Kaishon says
I need to read the middle school post from Real Simple immediately. We are 4 days in and I have messed up a million times already. I was actually just sitting here in the dark crying and worrying about it all right before I read this post.
I’m really thankful for all that you share.
Have a happy weekend.
Heather Davis says
Wow. Your quote about defining God? I’ll be using that for years to come. Just so you know. 🙂 Thank you for inspiring me today and always.
Jessica says
I crocheted a kid hat for fall with the air conditioner blazing here in California, then sat out by the pool planning my next hat. Yep, fall is on the brain, if not in the air!
allsquaredup.blogspot.com
Life in the 40's says
Love Anne of Green Gables. A wonderful series for the younger of age is Road to Avonlea.
Val says
It is always so inspiring and comforting to read you, Kelle! So much of what you write echoes in my soul and mind.I absolutely love the way you make the most of all you have. True, you have a lot. But true, few know how to make the most of what they have like you do! I also love the mix and match of many of your posts, moving from manifestation of God to nail polish and TV nights. That’s how life rocks, at least that’s how I envision the beauty and richness of Life too!
Lou says
Hi there Kelle – I had to comment – oh Anne of Green Gables. I too introduced that to my kids on a rainy afternoon. It is essential viewing. Every challenge in life can be remedied with an Anne of Green Gables comparison.
Lovely to see the sand bar beach picture – we went to Naples this summer and even went to the Isle of Capri and hung a dollar bill all coloured in! It felt kinda strange coming all the way from England and, when we were in Naples seeing places I have seen on your blog and being there for real. Naples really is the most beautiful place; I decided I wanted to live in a pistachio coloured house on 8th Avenue 😉
Lou x
leah says
I’ve been subjecting my kids to Anne of Green Gables this week too! The Continuing Story is sitting on top of my DVD player waiting for me to watch it this weekend and I am beyond excited. 🙂
M McCarthy says
Kelle, when your girls are older you MUST take them to Prince Edward Island. The place is every bit as lovely as L.M. Montgomery describes it. Anne’s house is there. You can walk through the enchanted wood, and you can feel the magic. The whole island is lovely, quiet and quaint. It’s a long way from FL but well worth the trip!
Alicia Hutchinson says
Love your heart, Kelle. Love your love for the seasons. Love your choice in good literature. Love your fun photoshoppy pics. Just pretty much full of a whole lotta love. Thanks for spreading joy.
Averyl Minori says
I have to laugh when you write things like, “Get outta my head!” For the reason, that so often, you are writing what is in mine!! 🙂
Carrie B. says
I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your blog and all that you share. I have an Uncle with special challenges that I love fiercely and have always felt so blessed he’s in my life. He brings his own magic when he comes for visits every year and I love watching how my children observe what makes him special as well and have grown up with a sensitivity to those considered different.
But then when you bring up your love of Anne of Green Gables too…well I just couldn’t love you more now!
Enjoy your holiday weekend.
PS: My daughters name is Anne 🙂
melissa says
Ooooo… love this post! Someone’s got her groove on with this writing; Did you have your Friday night beer to go along with it? 😉 Thanks for sharing your “winding-down or unraveling” in such a cute way.
Beautiful photos, moments, & words…kinda sassy & spot-on for me.
Thinking of you & high-five’n you from Tejas,
Melissa
Btw, send some storm clouds with just a few downpours and nothing more over this way – we could use it:)
Lindsey says
I LOVE Jenny’s writing, and Dinner a Love Story and Dinner: A Playbook are among the cookbooks I love most. Making two things from the latter tonight! I have a tween and the drama is the most difficult thing. I love the idea of at least being able to make HOME a safe place. I guess that, I can do. It’s still heartbreaking though. xox
Jeanie says
What a great post!
blissmamaof3 says
Oh so much to say!! This was a really great post 🙂 I love the M22 sign, M31 is our family favorite! Must get. Jenny’s new book is sitting right next to me. We start her plan on Monday. I have loved her other two books since publication, saves me nightly in the kitchen. I also read her piece regarding middle school and oy! We are two weeks in and it’s going to be a very long year. Leaning heavily on on my photos take Up North earlier this month, my family dinne ritual and many deep breaths. Oh, had my first psl of the season this morning and I couldn’t be happier! Let the fall freak flag fly 🙂
Angela says
Kelle- so much good stuff here. Hope you’re having a great weekend! I always leave feeling inspired by your posts.
Sarah Gatling says
So I don’t usually comment, but since you linked to a post about people leaving negative comments (rude!), I’ve decided I’m going to comment EVERY TIME! To show you how grateful I am for the optimism and love and beautiful pictures. So thanks again for my Sunday morning burst of happiness. And I love aubergine tights.
someone who knows says
“You just make sure that when those girls walk in that door every day…they never doubt that home is the most comforting place for them to be. That is what you can do.”
Absolutely the best advice-if I could do it all over again – that’s what I would do.
Middle school mean girls and heartaches are the worst — well, next to elementary school mean girls and high school mean girls and let’s face it – ADULT mean girls. But, if we each had a comforting place to come home??? That would be perfect.
sheriz123 says
Love your writing and never miss a new post! Have to ask….the beads I see on Dash all the time, are they just stylish or is there a story/purpose to them?
annielnb says
Kelle,
I have 5 girls, and have introduced all of them to what’s affectionately known in our house as the “Anne books” & movies.
My name is Anne (with an “e”:-), and I absolutely hated my name when I was a little girl. Everyone in my class was a Lisa, Amy, Jennifer or Kimberly, and I could not understand for the life of me WHY my parents would name me something that my friends’ parents had only relegated to a last name. Well, my wonderful Mum worked for Washington University at the time, and one evening she’d been shopping in the campus bookstore. She brought home a boxed set of the “Anne books”. I read them all, and Anne and I are kindred spirits. From that point on I not only embraced my name, but my own uniqueness. It was good that I wasn’t like everyone else. That was not only not a bad thing it was cool! Thank you for this post and the reminder…. 🙂
Gwen Papp says
I love Jenny Rosenstrach? I’ve been reading her blog for years now. The slow cooked Pork Ragu from the first book is my go-to for company. Or for just eating by myself…sometimes just with a fork because it’s too good to get to the pasta. You should try it! 🙂
Amanda says
Oh, Anne, yes…she got me through so many things with her Anne ways.
This was wonderful.