A Place Like This......

The Best Friends in Life are Sofas

I know I've been a bit quiet on the blog and visiting blogging friends. We are in between two groups of visiting friends. The midsummer group left yesterday and today our aunt Claire is coming to visit. The weekend was so much fun. We had family and friends of all ages visiting and celebrating the longest days of the year. I promise to share some of these photos later this week.

I hope to go blog reading tonight.

Until then have a very relaxing day. And remember, the best friends in life are the ones who become your sofa.

  

{This Moment} A Swedish Midsummer

Glad Midsommar to everyone. Today Swedes everywhere are celebrating midsummer. Please come see exactly how it's done over at Rhythm of the Home.

{This Moment} A friday tradition. A single moment you want to hold onto forever. A photo without words.

  

The Most Incredible Giveaway

When I read about this giveaway I knew I had to share it. I've never heard of a giveaway this big but here it is. What would you think about winning a one week stay in a castle in Scotland for 13 people?

I thought you might feel the same way I did with a resounding YES! Here's how it works. Hey maybe if one of us wins we could have a "blogfest" or something. Just an idea.

  You and 12 other people have a chance to stay at the beautiful Balbegno.  

This giveaway is offered by the very generous Charlie and Caroline's Blog. If you are from Great Britain you might be familiar with a store called Pedlars. They own it. It's a fantastic place. A not to be missed sort of place.

 

All you need to do is.....

 Leave a comment AND become a follower
here on their blog
 

The winner will be drawn on Christmas Day 25th December

How exciting is that?

For an extra chance at winning be sure and add them as a friend on facebook.

Good Luck Everyone.

A Pirate Midsummer

I know!......that's a weird title but I couldn't sum it up any other way. This morning is glorious. The sky is a bright, bright blue. The birds are singing. The flowers are in full bloom and I'm just a little giddy with all of this summer happening around me. Today is truly the first day of summer and it was my mom's birthday. We will celebrate Midsummer on Friday and throughout the whole weekend. The Swede's celebrate Midsummer the first friday after the 21st. So this gives me all week to cook my brains out, make flowers wreaths and poles, and clean the treehouse for this fine event.

Today, little O goes to camp for the very first time. We spent most of yesterday writing his name on everything. He's a little nervous. Isn't quite sure if we'll survive without him but he can hardly wait to get up there and start communing with the smoky Mountains.

Ok ...so where does the pirates come into this midsummer celebration? My whole little family is so excited about the Treasure Island book adventure over at Jump Into A Book. Each day will uncover an new part of the adventure. Today we are dressing, talking, and naming ourselves like pirates. Tuesday is arts and crafts day better known as pirate doings, Wednesday has us eating pirate food, Thursday we'll be playing the best games ever and it includes a treasure hunt, Friday will have us swabbing the deck as we sing our favorite pirate tunes, learn a little more about the author, sharing our own adventures during circle chat and at the very end, a list of resources to help you find everything you need to make a pirate's life of your very own.

On July 6th is Treasure Island day where you get to blog about your own pirate adventures. Everyone will link over at Jump Into A Book for a day filled with pirates and such.

It is never to late to join us. If you would like to go on the blogroll leave a comment here or over at Jump into a book or send me an email at [email protected] .  You do not have to enroll to enjoy the activities. Just come over and have fun.

A huge thank you to my family, our friends and neighbors who have come out of the woodwork to help make Treasure Island come to life.

{This Moment} Egypt

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Photo sent in by Zaina Budayr.

I'm also over at Imene's today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wash Wednesday: May the Line Unite Us

It was 1 A.M., on the phone was Zuzu. With the giddiest voice she said,"Mom, I just wanted you to know that I made it to Cairo ok. Mom? Egypt is awesome."

She mentioned all of this as if she had arrived at the movie theater safely with friends and was just doing the "check-in" call.

When I woke up in the morning, this was on my phone with the message "wish you were here, love you zuz."

This is so much better than a post card. I love the fact that today's technology can capture my children experiencing life in their world and sharing it with their mother.

This got me thinking. Though hangin wash on the line is a newly re-established event in my life, I've been experiencing it all over the world. May the wash line unite us.

  Norway

France

 
Vietnam

 

Italy

 

Iceland/Greenland
 

Damascus

Lebanon

Puerto Rico

Wash Wednesday is hosted by the lovely Nicole of Gardenmama.

We are the champions, my friends

Why is the hotel congratulating Mimi?

Why is her mother singing this old Queen song?

Because Mimi placed second in the Tennessee State Music Teachers Association Competition, piano concerto division, playing the Dminor Bach piano concerto. Good friend Hao, placed first playing Rach 2.

Mimi pictured here with friends Hao and Melissa who placed first in both solo piano and violin with their teacher Rachel Acuff. Hao studies with David Northington.

It is always an amazing thing to watch the progression of a student from learning the basics, inner fighting with the practicing issue, and then evolving into a full blown inspired musician. Year after year we go to this competition and see old friends and meet new faces, only to watch this journey unfold. Within a range between 5 adn 10 years we wait to hear each students progress, to congratulate their parents and teacher. This lovely woman above is my friend Rachel who so lovingly has instilled a passion for music in my sweet girl Mimi. There is a chinese saying which says, " A teacher for a day , is a parent for a lifetime." There is no greater friendship than with a student who has succeeded. I send heartfelt congratulations to you, Rachel Acuff , for walking this road with my daughter. We are so very thankful and love you so very much.
   

In Search of Summer: Nicosia Cyprus

It was a very conscious thought, that we wanted our children to be global citizens. Throughout the years, we have logged a lot of miles with our kids showing them the beauty and diversity of the people, places, and nature on this planet. To know and experience a myriad of cultures,beliefs,food, and traditions.

I guess I always knew that one day I would have to let go and I would be one of those people on the receiving end of the beautiful postcards sent from faraway places.

Is what I couldn't guess, is that in this modern day that I would have a look at the world through my child's eyes via a blog. Her photos, words, and interpretations of the world she is meeting now on her own terms has left me in awe. Somewhere between here and there, the world has risen to meet her and she has  happily embraced it. Such elegant writing and exquisite photography.

Zaina is spending a few weeks making a documentary film and doing some travel article writing with her University. Her home base is in Nicosia Cyprus.

To have a look at her first days there and to learn about a very interesting place divided by a green line, visit her blog here. Be sure to tell her you're a friend of her mother, who she lovingly refers to as Majah.

Today's photos are taken by Zaina Budayr. Enjoy Cyprus.

 
 
I think after meeting and caring for a friend like this, it will be very hard to come home.

For those of us who love fabric, here is some serious eye candy.

  
   

 

In Search of Summer: Gelato

It was hot. It was sticky. It was 89 degrees in the almost deep south city of Chattanooga. With time on our hands, all we could think about was finding some ice cream and maybe some water too.

 As we were rambling through the streets of this old city we noticed a bookstore with a sign in the window which said,"Gelato".

Could it get anymore perfect? Gelato, real gelato, books and ice water.

 
  

This search ended successfully. Our friend Mary, from The Yellow Door Paperie, has been hosting "In Search of Summer." It ends soon but I got so behind in my blogging that I owe her a couple of days. We will be continuing on for a bit to share all of our summer fun. Have a great day and we'll be back tomorrow.

Searching Summer at the Stuga