Fourth of July

Yesterday we went to someones house for a barbecue and to watch the fireworks. We had a fun evening. It was so funny and cute when Christa decided she wanted to sit with Andrew and I the whole evening. It was so funny to listen to her talk about Andrew and I getting married. Christa and her sister Gracie are two of my flower girls, they will make such cute ones.


Miss Christa enjoying her seat between us.


Two soon to be flowers girls. I think they are excited,they have been practicing how to act.


Fireworks!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

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For Today July 1st 2008...

Outside My Window... It is going to be another hot day. Andrew and Jonathan are out front tearing down an old shed.

I am thinking... how amazing it is that I am getting married in September, how glad I am that Andrew is back, how excited I am to go visit his family and see his place in a few weeks.

I am thankful for... the garden growing well, for projects getting done, and all of God's many blessings.

From the kitchen... pasta salad for lunch.

I am wearing... Bare feet, hair back in a braid, a denim skirt and purple shirt.

I am creating... a wedding gown. I worked on it for hours yesterday and accomplished a lot. I am so happy with the way it is turning out. Yesterday I finished it to the point of being able to try it on, it fits so well. Now there is mostly just hemming and some finish work to do.

I am going... to enjoy staying home and getting projects done then this evening I can relax and sit with Andrew.

I am reading... the book of Matthew, I am in chapter nine.

I am hoping... to have time this summer for some extra projects like canning tomatoes, making pickles and more sewing.

I am hearing... the rub of the iron against fabric and the sound of hammering outside.

Around the house... sewing machines and an ironing board for the sewing projects, several pairs of flip flops by the door ready for quick outdoor projects.

One of my favorite things... having time to sit and read a good book uninterrupted. It has been awhile since I have done that.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: finishing the dress and assembling the invitations.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...seaweed floating near the pier. I took this last time we went to the beach.

The Day's Work

Today was a busy day. It started off early with watering the whole garden well. I knew it was going to be a hot day today so I wanted to make sure to soak everything. Then I went over and milked the neighbors goats and did other chores while they are away.
Most of the rest of the day I spent working on my dress. I feel like I have made good progress. Most of the complicated work on the bodice is finished. That is exciting! I haven't taken any pictures of the work in progress. I really should though, to show how messy I am when I sew. I do have some more pictures of the garden though.


The tomato rows are just starting to fill in nicely.


One of the watermelon plants growing well in the hot weather.


A transplanted volunteer tomatillo.


The sunset this evening was beautiful after a hot, busy day.

Washington

The other day Andrew sent me some photos of his place in Washington. So I thought I would post a few here. This is where we are planning on living after we are married. Isn't it pretty there?

Tomato Plants

My tomato row is finally starting to look more filled in. All the plants that died have been replaced. My little seedlings are getting bigger. There were a whole bunch of volunteer tomatoes and tomatillos in the corn row, so I transplanted some of those into the last empty spaces.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today June 16th 2008...

Outside My Window... The sky is blue and the sun is shining brightly. It is quite hot outside today. That should help the garden grow.

I am thinking... that there are many things I should be doing right now rather that blogging. There is a whole list on my dresser.

I am thankful for... my family, especially my dad right now. Also that there is only one week left until Andrew comes back!

From the kitchen... my sister is making cornbread.

I am wearing... one of my denim skirts and a purple shirt, My feet are bare and not particularly clean after being in the garden. I have my hair back in a ponytail.

I am creating... bridesmaid dresses. On Saturday Sharon, Melissa and, I nearly completed Sharon's. Now I just need to hem it and finish the lining.

I am going... to someones house this evening to look over embroidery patterns, and then to a coffee shop to meet a friend who is a florist to discuss wedding flowers.

I am reading... well, still Cranford a little, I'm only a few chapters into it.

I am hoping... that the seeds and flowers I planted will bloom in September.

I am hearing... a few birds outside, somebody in the kitchen, overall it is pretty quite.

Around the house... some cute new fabric waiting to be ironed, a messy room needing straightening, seeds to plant, lettuce from the garden to wash, and lists to check off.

One of my favorite things... is chocolate cupcakes. We had some last night and there are some left over, maybe I can have one for after lunch.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: planting, ironing, sewing, cleaning, writing, reading, planning, and so much more!

Here is picture thought I am sharing... nectarines ripening on the tree.

Sweet Bouquet

This morning I made this little nosegay from flowers in the garden. I was experimenting to get ideas for my wedding flowers. I really like these flowers and colors. I am hoping to be able to get something similar.

Blue

My wedding colors are green and blue. We have been getting ideas for decorating and flowers. We have been finding pretty blue glass vases and jars at thrift stores. I am also hoping to use blue delphinium in the bouquets. Here are some of our blue finds.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today June 9th 2008...

Outside My Window... is the back yard, pink roses are blooming in the corner. Beyond the yard is the garden, orchard, and animal pens.

I am thinking... about wedding planning and all the things I need to be doing.

I am thankful for... this beautiful day, that the garden is growing, for talking to Andrew last night

From the kitchen... fresh coconut, pecan, and chocolate chip scones.

I am wearing... a pink and blue, floral and denim tiered skirt and a pink shirt.

I am creating... a mock up bodice for my wedding dress. I finished one, it wasn't quite right so I'm starting another.

I am going... out to the garden to water later.

I am reading... Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. I read part of it a while ago, but I want to read it again because we watched the first half of the movie last week.

I am hoping... to get a lot done on my dress today, and also find an embroidery pattern I like for it.

I am hearing... some of Jonathan's gypsy jazz music playing in the background.

Around the house... a sewing machine is set up and also the ironing board. There is fabric lying around and paper for making patterns.

One of my favorite things... is wearing flowers in my hair. I don't think of it very often but it seems romantic and old fashioned.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: sew, sew, sew. Fertilize and weed the garden. Go to a friends graduation, and see another friend who has been in Oregon.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... garden sweet peas.


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More Dress Fabric

On Saturday we took a trip to Solvang. It is quite a drive from here. Solvang is a cute Danish town with lots of little gift shops. The main reason we went was to look for bridesmaid dress fabric because there is a place with dollar a yard fabric there. We ended up not finding what we wanted but did get some flower girl dress fabric. We also went to some thrift shops and to the bakery to get pastries. On the way home we stopped in San Luis and found the bridesmaid fabric. Overall it was a fun and productive day.


Oriana and Melissa on the drive down


Bridesmaid and flower girl dress fabric