here, i am learning the art of flower arranging after reading a how-to article that made it seem both logical + learnable in a magazine at my grandparents’ house.

this is an excellent way to practice imperfection. my bouquets never look the way i envision them and i am usually less than satisfied. this is partly because i am using wildflowers; the wildflowers that grow in profusion are tiny and ideally i’d have a few large blooms for contrast.

here, my adventures in wildcrafting continue. last month, i made red clover lemonade and red clover tea.

the red clover tea was good. the red clover lemonade was ok. at least, that was my verdict on the lemonade until i realized i hadn’t made lemonade at all. somehow, i forgot to add the lemon and only realized it when the lemonade iced tea was almost gone.

here, the strawberries are ripening. i am hoping to gather enough wild strawberries for a shortcake. or at least for my breakfast.

here, the fourth of july weekend was full of small-town celebration. there were fireworks, a bbq, art at first friday, ice cream cones, the milkman’s jamboree, blueberry pie, and family, including adult time with a childhood cousin and her husband.

there was also a swim in the lake – my first for the year. i didn’t duck – i just couldn’t get my head underwater – but i certainly swam. after much balking + squealing while standing waist-deep in the water, i paddled around for a bit and then shivered my way to shore.

when i reflect on my days, they seem so simple, and yet they feel so full + rich.

here, i am counting my (simple + beautiful) blessings.