Turn up the volume

I've realized that this summer has had a common theme- big, large, and voluminous. Our kitchen remodel has been done- no small feat. I have adjusted to life in a heat index of 105 degrees plus as a pregnant woman. It feels kind of like finding yourself as a beached walrus forced to walk amongst the shoppers at Kroger - all the while hoping your 2 year olds chocolate chip cookie will hold out to the frozen food aisle. Our house is larger and it seems that so far we've just enjoyed a bigger place to spread the mess. (I've heard that furniture helps, but see the aforementioned kitchen).

This weekend I enjoyed a weekend away to my favorite place on earth; my family's cabin in NC. I drug a good friend along with the promise of a fabric shopping adventure- convienently forgetting to mention the plethora of spiders awaiting us on the porch. I desperately wanted a time away before the baby came and I have to tell you the weather cooperated beautifully for us. It was rainy and mild, quite unheard of for the end of July. Thanks be to God! My great uncle never factored in air-conditioning when building it back in the 60's. I guess global warming hadn't been coined back then.

So to finish out the big theme- I came away with this fabric:

13 yards to cover five windows, curtain-style, for our breakfast nook. The best part? $4.50 a yard. As my friend said, it is youthful thanks to the kelly green botanicals. I wasn't so sure even when I walked out of the store with it, but since placing the bolt in my kitchen, it has proved itself endearing and just the right fit. Our backyard gives a modicum of privacy in the summer, but once the trees have lost their leaves, it feels very exposed. I knew I wanted to keep the curtains closed more in the winter; and this bright botanical fits the bill perfectly.

To go along with it, I bought grosgrain ribbon to cover the busted chandelier shades. 91 yards. I hope it's enough. I just had to take an educated guess off of some decorating shows I saw 6 years ago. If it doesn't work, tune in to Project Runway, I'm going to submit a challenge of grosgrain ribbon shift dresses.

On the way home we stopped at the farmer's market. I've been wanting to make my own red sauce with Roma tomatoes ever since I saw the family on "Cake Boss" make theirs up. Of course, I find a 25lb box of Romas for $8. I couldn't resist. I've put them up, but sort of made up the recipe as I went along- batch by batch.

I also bought a basket of peaches- put those up for pancake preserve topping and for instant winter cobblers. Oh, yum.... salivating even now. Also, the smallest purchase of just a gallon of blueberries. I love picking blueberries but this summer was just not the time to do it. I don't mind doing the work of picking if the putting up is easy, and blueberries don't require any effort. Just spread them out and make sure they're dry (do not wash!!!) and throw them in a freezer bag. Our goal is to stretch them out for our traditional blueberry pancake dinner on Christmas Eve. Served on china of course.

Now, I'm off to finish off my gargantuan task list. Not crossing it off, just adding to it. Remember, the theme is big.

Ah, the South

....with it's unrelenting heat, indexes in the 3 digits, and a pregnancy in it's last trimester.

This combination has brought me nothing but grief this summer, but today, I am reminded again of why I love living in the South. I went to early vote and arrived about 20 minutes after the polls opened. The parking lot was bereft of any shade and as I approached the door, I saw a rather large line forming. This line was just past the sign that said "Why wait, Early vote" HA!

I assumed my place in the back of the line with two year old in tow. I was feeling hot, huge, and not so cute. All of my warm weather clothes were dirty, so the best I could pull together was a pair of black leggings and T-shirt. I must have looked as pitiful as I felt, because as soon as I assessed how long the line was, a poll worker came out, pointed at me and ushered me directly inside. At first, I thought it was just to escape the heat, but she got me started immediately in the voting process. I started thanking her profusely whilst pulling out my registration card. I have no idea if there was anything snide said as I was whisked inside, but I am grateful for that sweet woman who knew that that is just what you do in the South.

- Frances, count another one down for Haslam!

Workin' at the car wash....

Train 'em early, I say....(too bad I missed my opportunity to train on the color choices- Jeff looks like a preschool referee and Mad could be on the fairy soccer team)





(you all knew this was coming)

Good aim!

Does anyone else feel like the theme from Jaws should be playing???