where has snails been?

Don't call this a comeback.

So, it's been about 5 months since I blogged. I really love blogging but I hate it too. It's kind of like working out. Ok, no, I just really hate that. I love blogging because I get to document my life and read responses and encouragement from others. But I hate it because I have to organize my thoughts first, and it takes a lot of time. Especially for a snail.

I will try to be better about blogging more often. I had a nice hiatus. I've had some time to think about my little blog. I've realized that I don't want my blog to just be about one thing. At first I thought this would just be a sewing/craft blog, but I want to write about more- my family, my friends, my husband, my cats, cooking, food, music, and.... well, anything. So I'm not going to limit myself. Ok? Capece? I'm glad we got that all straightened out.

So, how was your summer??? How is your fall??? Here's what I've been up to:

1. Our garden was very successful this summer. Oh how I will miss fresh salsa. We tried to can a lot of it.



2. We went to the Outer Banks with Josh's side of the family in July.

3. We went to Hilton Head with my family in August.

We did a family photo shoot complete with matching outfits. It was awesome. And by awesome I mean a little embarrassing.





4. More recently, Josh and I went to the Philly orchestra to see Joshua Bell. We had the cheapest seats but I think it's the best view.

5. We went on a fall weekend getaway with our best friends.




We played hard.



I love fall.


6. The cats are doing great. Snuggly as ever.

7. Josh got a full-time job working at an alternative school. It's been an adjustment for us, but he loves it so far.

8. I took a new job babysitting one little boy before he goes to school each morning. And of course I am still teaching all of my little punk violin students.

....and now you are all up to date! I did miss blogging.

Campfires, kayaking, and roaches

Well, I made it back safe and sound from my outdoor adventure weekend. It was a lot of fun and we had many good laughs with our friends Ben and Lindsey. Please share in our memories below:

Josh and Ben swimming in the river.

Here is a funny video of them being babies because it was cold (Ok, Lindsey and I are even bigger babies because we wouldn't go near the water!):

Ben caught this disgusting beetle/roach thing. When people talk about staying alive in the wild by eating bugs, I think they mean these kinds of small animals. I mean... it's so huge, it really could keep you going for a few days.

Lindsey and I at the fire:

I even went kayaking for the first time! It was a lot of fun and very relaxing. I SO WISH I had my camera with me. You see, there were only two kayaks (we borrowed from a neighbor), and Josh and Ben being the gentlemen that they are, let Lindsey and I use them. What did Josh and Ben use, you ask? Oh. An inner tube and a boogie board. Yep! We "towed" them on the back of our kayaks for a while so they could keep up. It looked so funny.

Before we left for kayaking:

Josh sat in the back and held the kayaks in the car:

He got a bit dusty from the drive on the dirt road. Who would have thought??

Oh, and I have to add:
One of the best parts was that I got to capture this fond memory on our way home:

I mean, how often does someone capture THAT MOMENT of sheer bliss on camera?? Only a true blogger would, folks. Yes, that is me.

It was a great weekend!