On Saturday I took that little solo, three hour road trip I was telling you about (I rarely drive anywhere alone these days, it was blissful). I met up with Toni and her family, Vicki and her daughter Grace, and Alicia (I got to see you twice this summer, A!). Its hard to describe the feeling I get when I meet a fellow blogger face to face for the first time. I mean...I know them...but I don't know them. No computer to talk through, they are right there in front of you. I'm usually speechless, yet have tons to say, all at the exact same time. All spews love, really! I love that thrill! Anyway... we had a lovely lunch at Toni's parent's beautiful place (and I mean beautiful). Lots of laughing and chatting. And, of course, gifts were exchanged. Bloggers are the absolute best gift givers, hands down. (Although I'm wondering Vicki, should my kids be pilgrims for Halloween, or Thanksgiving??) And the dessert!!! The Pie! Alicia, after you so graciously left us the remainder (sorry Andy), I later spotted an empty plate with little crumblets where it had previously lived. Incredibly good.
The Japanese lifestyle book and the gorgeous bag in the photo above are both from Vicki (just a tiny bit of what she showered us with). I so love that the book is called Happy House. That was the energy radiating from Toni's family...happy. Her kids are absolutely delightful, and I must have told her a million times, but they were so super kind and lovely to me. And yep... delightful. And, like Alicia, I wanted to put that Hannah in my pocket and take her home. And little Noah, well, let's just say as cute as he is on her blog, he oozes with more in real life. I spent the night there, Toni and I stayed up as late as we weary moms possibly could to talk "shop", how fun to talk about handmade Japanese house slippers, leather purse straps, important things like that. By the time I left the next morning Toni and I had barely scratched the surface of all we wanted to talk about. Toni, Mark, Nathan, Seth, Vanessa, Hannah, and Noah, you guys couldn't not have been better hosts, I can honestly say I wasn't ready to leave. Big hugs all around to you guys. And thanks to dear Vicki and Grace for making the drive. And to Alicia, thanks for sharing that infectious laugh of yours.
With school back in full swing we are finding our rhythm again. Sewing machine, its been much too long. This week, my friend, its you and me. And...completely off the subject, but I went out shopping browsing today, trying to find something for Fall. When did everything go and get all Flashdance out there?? I am feeling strongly that this is not my look, or at least I'm struggling with what my interpretation would be. I don't layer all those T-shirts for a one very practical reason...too much laundry. Looks like yet another season of me in my basic sweater and jeans (hope they make some sweater colors in I don't yet have).
