back-breaking

I've worked a lot lately. A lot. And I could have worked this weekend also. I did, but just not at the hospital. I needed a real break. No matter how I debated with myself that 40 hr workweek was just a random number and that if I didn't pick up the shifts, someone else had to and everyone at work is stretched to the max as it is...

 So I ordered a pile of mulch to be dumped on the driveway on Saturday morning, and my love and I put some muscle (and our backs) into spreading the stuff around the front yard. I made two different kinds of ice cream (lemon and lime-coconut sorbet) and bread and pain-au-noix. I did a lot of laundry but no ironing...yet.

I spend time with varying family and friends. There are tons more things that I would like to do, but this was a really nice start of taking a bit more time for other things and people (!) than work (no matter how much I love my job, and my team).

our driveway

 I suspect part of it is that I am not used to working odd hours anymore. One thing is for sure, I am also not used to spreading mulch. I thought I was doing fine, then during shopping I bend down and my back let me know in a painful way that I may have over-extended myself that way too. Hopefully I can get out of bed tomorrow morning, because my break is over by then.

 Preparations are underway for the move of all three of our 'kids'. Kevin, Jake, and Vera are working on this beautiful old door to turn it into a table. Emma got her housing assignment and is thrilled that she will be living in an apartment style dorm with a shared kitchen. Thijs has been gathering kitchen items for a while now.
I am excited for them. And for myself? Will let you know in a couple months.

waiting

...for the fireflies to arrive

from the internet, long exposure

Meanwhile, my girls have graduated and we are starting a very busy summer. Will post about that sometime soon. Greetings!

original

It has arrived, some days ago! My very own one-of-a-kind stitched art by Stephanie from http://theknittygrittyhomestead.blogspot.com/ !

It still needs framing, and I haven't gotten to that yet (a trip to a somewhat far away big store may have to happen) but I didn't want to keep it to myself any longer.

apologies, not a very good picture

She calls it 'nine lives' and has based these cute portraits on cats she has known.

I love it, and I am plotting and planning to find it the perfect place for when that just-right frame completes this treasure.

arts and crafts

My girls brought home all the artwork that was still at school, except the pieces that are traveling right now. When I drive into the garage, I encounter two pieces right away, one by Vera, one by Emma (not pictured here).

abandoned shed by Vera

 The other works are scattered around the house, lining the walls and the flat surfaces. It is a bit overwhelming. But great.

Gus photo-bombing the picture of Emma's horsehair raku vase

Emma maintains her pottery is meant for daily use, so I took some bowls off display and added them to the stoneware in my kitchen cabinet.

trying to find something worth serving in these beauties by Emma

Admittedly, we could change out some of the posters we have hanging with an original VB.

by Vera

Meanwhile, Thijs and my love have taken to crafting- they are going to replace the stairs. Mila has already crept into the hole made by taking away the risers. She likes to vacuum dark places and emerge with a head full of cobwebs.

inside of one of my favorite bowls by Emma

by Emma

The stairs used to be carpeted (with the original carpet is my guess) and once uncovered, we discovered why ...in any case, the new treads are lounging to acclimate in the family room and Thijs will have a job for a couple days.

male Ophelia by Vera

So I ended up laughing at myself when I was trying to bring some order to this chaos. School's out for summer and what am I expecting? It is still not that different from when they were younger, and I am not exactly a neat person myself (also, I work more than full-time the coming month).

I'll find my inner sanctum by enjoying what surrounds me, my cats, my kids, my love, the results of arts and crafts.

art by Vera, based on a picture she took of Emma in a brook
I think it simply magical