A visit

We've got family visiting us at the moment. It's nice for g. to see her cousin and for the rest of us to be together.

Here are some scenes from our day. A view from the hotel, a boat tour on Lake Michigan, a splash at Millennium Park and a great picture of cousins. c.

Babs

Looking good even when your hair is not is why you either love or hate Barbie. c.

Notes from Haiti

I just read the Notes from Haiti over on the Mama to Mama site about the caps we sent in November. Thinking about one of the caps I made helping to save the life of a newborn baby is warming my heart beyond belief right now.

Some other ways to help in Haiti. c.

Relaxing

We are taking it easy in between the time that work and tasks take up. I think we are caught in a perpetual state of home improvements.

How is the summer where you live? In our world it has been cooler and rainier than it should. I worry that come October we will feel it never properly arrived. c.

Lions and tigers and bears

Oh my little lion sitting there second from the left. It takes a lot of courage to perform for the first time. c.

You know you want them

Thinking of ways to get your hot little hands on a set of these cream cheese carrot cupcakes goddesses? I bet you are. I was going for a red, white and blue theme obviously, or was until the raspberries that were meant to adorn the fluffy little peaks like glistening red gems of patriotic spirit went all mushy while I wasn't looking. How dare them!

These little lovelies were picked up at our local bakery, but I have tried with much success when I'm feeling a lot less lazy this wonderful recipe.

Everyone got their own personal stash of highly explosive and incredibly dangerous fireworks handy? Now all I need is a 10 foot match, that'll make things safer. To this day I am still amazed that all 3 of my guy cousins emerged with 30 fingers between them, evenly distributed.

Actually the 4th of July tradition in this house is a lot less exciting. Our dog thinks that fireworks signal the end of life as we know it. By sundown on July 4th you will find us all on the floor of the closet with a dog that is in cardiac arrest munching on cupcakes. Happy 4th of July weekend to all of us here in the States. c.