4th of July crafts

 Raise your hand, if you are like me

 and still working on last minute 4th of July crafts.

(All these photos were taken at the Brewster General Store on the Cape)

I'm lazy and not taking photos of what I've made so far (just a wreath and some flower plantings for the front porch - nothing fancy)

But will get on that soon. 

If you are being crafty for the holiday, please share your ideas!

Book Swap

The sweet and lovely Claire hosted a book swap and I couldn't resist joining in on the fun! The wonderful Nicole was assigned my partner (don't you just love finding new friends on blogsphere!). We were told we were a good match due to our love of strong independent female leads. 

Here is what Nicole sent. 

I haven't buried my nose in them yet, but I plan to start this weekend!!! 

I am just so excited.

This summer is the first summer in YEARS that I have read so many books unrelated to psychology and art therapy. While I'm sure I will never stop reading psychology and art therapy books, it is so nice to take a break from them! SERIOUSLY. So excited. You have no idea.

I digress.

Nicole said these both really made her think and question.

Spot on, Nicole; I love books that leave me thinking about them for a life time after reading them. 

(And do you notice the book on the right? Advance Reading Copy? Nicole worked at a publishing company and so this is a book that was ready for the final editing. I find that so exciting! Not only do I get to read a fabulous book, but I can go on a scavenger hunt for errors too. Honestly, adds to the fun!)

What I sent Nicole:

Not very descriptive, huh?

Inside was the White Queen and the Red Queen by Philippa Gregory.

I have just fallen in love with Gregory and read three of her books in the three weeks! 

I can't put them down.

She discusses the Queens of the Tutor era (and slightly before) by describing them in a mix of history and fiction. There is some romance thrown in to keep the pages turning quickly. All in all she just does a great job of recreating history while keeping her reader captivated.

Besides I just adore the Tutor court.  

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Playing along with Ashley for Scavenger Hunt Sunday.

1. Windows/Doors

Truro lighthouse in Truro, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

2. Eyelashes

3. Paint

4. Leaf Veins

5. Faceless Portrait

Cape Cod memories

We were  only in Maine for the first two days of our trip. It was misty the whole time, but we really enjoyed ourselves. 

 As we left main we drove through Bike Week (thankfully it wasn't too crowded yet) and stopped at our hosts' favorite diner. Such good food and the waitresses knew them. It was fresh service indeed with lots of friendly banter. And the eggs benedict over crab cake.... divine! yum!

Then it was on to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
First things first, we visited Hubby's grandmother's beach on the Cape Cod bay in Brewster. The tide was just going out and we walked the flats. For those of you unfamiliar with the Cape, it has amazing tides that go out for over a mile. Pretty phenomenal.

I just loved how the remaining water reflected the grey sky so that it gleamed silver.

And see that piece of land in the distance. That is the coast of the Cape, and you can see all the way to Provincetown from here. 

Source

Green Maine

I forgot how much I missed the lush green of the East Coast.

It makes the mosquitoes worth battling.

It rained the whole time we were in Maine.

But nice misty rain, not down pouring.

We loved it. 

Can you tell?

This photo of my hubbasaurous cracks me up.

He looks so happy.

He also looks like a serious fisherman.

He just needs a pipe.

Misty Maine

How I love my Boston teams!

Whoooo Bruins!!!

 via

Winning the Stanley while visiting Massachusetts is WICKED awesome.

And this man, Tim Thomas... Is a sexy beast. a stud on ice. and an amazing goalie!

via

Three years ago today

 I slipped on a white dress.

I put on some fancy accessories

and prepared to walk down the aisle

following my college roommates as my maids of honor

my eldest niece and goddaughter as my bridesmaid

two of my silly nephews as my ring bearers

and the second to youngest niece (of one sibling's family. The baby niece was too little to walk on her own) as my flower girl

to say my vows to and kiss this wonderful man.

 The two of us met in a civil war town in Virginia, where he lived and I went to school. We both were from military families that had traveled to different states and countries. Both of our families were done with the military traveling by the time we hit elementary school. Somehow we both grew up in Virginia - just two hours away from each other. Even bigger coincidence: we both grew up with family on Cape Cod in Massachusetts where we would spend summers and vacations in towns only ten minutes apart from each other. My older cousin grew up to live on the same street as his aunt and uncle. Not only did we have family and childhood memories on the Cape, but both sets of our parents married on the Cape. With a fate like that, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to follow in their example. We married in the same tiny chapel his parent's married in, which is in the very lovely Chatham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod.

 It was a very small wedding, but overflowing with love and laughter.

 Two of my siblings couldn't make it, so just one sister came with her five kids. Had all my siblings been able to come I would have had to find ways to incorporate at more kids into the ceremony. I have 11 nieces and nephews total! I wanted them all to feel like they were important and a special part of my big day. Because they were. Those kids have a huge chunk of my heart.

. 

 Then it was off to a relaxed picnic reception

 With the most wonderful cake.

 A month later we had a larger wedding reception in Virginia that all our friends and family were able to make it to. Which meant a second yummy cake!

 And our first dance. Where all 11 nieces and nephews danced around us with ribbon wands. It was magic.

(excuse all the photos. before I left I couldn't find the edited ones, so these are all SOOC and raw)

It all seems like it took place just yesterday.

Today, three years later, the hubby and I are back in Chatham to celebrate! I can't wait to share pictures of the Cape when I return to home.