summer postcards #12

Summer Postcards: a July series capturing snapshots of my favorite month
Special guests: my nieces who traveled six thousands miles to be here this month
Location: in and around HOME and BARN
Format: Instagram (follow username mayamade for sneak peeks)




July's whirlwind is coming to a close. Yesterday we hugged and kissed those lovely Hawaiian cousins good bye and began the process of settling back into our little family's rhythm. We're a quiet foursome, and as much as we've enjoyed all of the excitement, August has whispered some sweet promises to me:
more reading
more walks in the woods
more lakeside languishing
more sways in the hammock
and more grandma time (when she returns from escorting the girls to the next leg of their trip)


This month of "postcards" was more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined, and your feedback was tremendous and so encouraging. Instagram re-inspired me to capture those perfect little moments the way I used to at the beginning of my blogging days... to see everything with a fresh (and camera-ready) eye. While it definitely added a little zip and ease to my blogging,  I see this app as so much more. It's a melding of flickr and twitter, with a small, fresh and inviting community to tap into. How cool is that? Between photo friends and filter play, it fed a part of me that I didn't even know was hungry. Although I've already begun the return to my ol' steady (canon), I plan  to keep going with some more postcards. After all, summer is a far cry from over! You'll find them scattered throughout the next month. Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you in...

AUGUST!!!

summer postcards #11 mornings

Summer Postcards: a July series capturing snapshots of my favorite month
Special guests: my nieces who traveled six thousands miles to be here this month
Location: in and around HOME and BARN
Format: Instagram (follow username mayamade for sneak peeks)





The soft, gentle light of summer mornings fills my soul.

tea cooler

There's nothing like an icy drink a on a sweltering day. During last week's heat wave I discovered a secret weapon to quench my constant thirst and give me super powers (thank you caffeine!). I made it quite quickly to serve to a friend.  I was just trying to stretch out the lemonade that we had left in the fridge and remembered this beverage I had recently tasted, Tea It Up.  Making it myself meant that I had control of the sweetness factor. It's so easy that I hadn't planned on blogging about it, but upon the first sip we knew I had stumbled upon a winner. In fact, that said friend made sure I took the above photo before we gulped it down.
Make:

• Steep 3 black tea bags in 4 cups of hot water. 
• Remove tea bags after 5 -10 minutes. You want it strong, but not bitter. 
• Chill.
• Pour tea over ice and add lemonade. Ratio of tea to lemonade~ 3:1

Tea and lemonade... so obvious, right? Turns out I've been drinking a version of it for years on my aunt's front porch...  just never knew what her iced tea's secret ingredients were. So simple! She also adds fresh mint leaves, which I'm definitely trying next.
Do you have any favorite (and easy) summer coolers that you whip up when the temps rise?

crafternoon blog party/tour

I'm so excited to be a stop on the blog tour for Kids'Crafternoon Papercraft and Sewing! A big congratulations to Kathreen Ricketson, of Whipup.net, who has just finished these first two in her fantastic craft series created specifically for the 7-12 year olds. Kathreen has shown us how well she understands the abilities and crafty needs of this age group with her wonderful e-zine, Action Pack. She invited some very talented makers from all over the world to contribute to both books and the result is a selection of projects that are diverse and enticing.

They both got big thumbs up from my summer crafting crew. Out of the 25 projects in each book, there were bunches that we all wanted to make...  it's safe to say that the inspiration isn't limited to the under 12 bracket. I'm loving these little paper mache owls...

 And the toadstool brooches would be a great little gift topper that we'd all like to try.


I was impressed by the photography and styling, something that is often lacking in kids' craft books. Each book contains an envelope filled with templates that are ready to go and easy to use by children. The format and directions are straightforward with hand drawn pictures (by Kathreen's husband, no less!) to illustrate any tricky parts. Younger children will need some assistance, but a seasoned crafty child should be able to work on many projects independently. The publisher, Hardie Grant, sent my review copies all the way from Australia, and they arrived a couple of days before my niece's birthday. As she poured through each page, she kept coming back to these little monster pinatas. I took note.

A quick, non-papermache pinata had definite appeal and do-ability.We even had everything needed to make one, but I ran out for a some treats to put inside. Ours was a bright rainbow ruffled concoction, and if I tell you how long it took, you'll laugh. 15 minutes. Tops. My happy paper shredder scissors have never been so appreciated. The hot sun dried the glue instantly. Thank you sun!

This mini pinata turned out to be one of the highlights of the party night, and the birthday girl has big plans to make some decorative ones to hang in her room. Thanks Kathreen, my entire family is grateful for the energy you put into creative experiences for older children. If you'd like more sneak peeks, giveaways and reviews hop on the tour right here:

1. 22 July Poppytalk
2. 23 July Picklebums
3. 24 July Little Eco Footprints
4. 25 July Beaspoke quilts
5. 26 July Maya Made
6. 27 July Checkout girl
7. 28 July The red thread
8. 29 July We Wilsons
9. 30 July Maggie Makes
10. 31 July Mmm Crafts
11. 1 August Domesticali
12. 2 August Floating Ink
13. 3 August Elizabeth Abernathy
14. 4 August Mommy Coddle
15. 5 August The Long Thread
16. 6 August Hannah Fletcher
17. 7 August Between the lines
18. 8 August Go Make Me

vintage hats

 Good morning and happy Monday. As promised- my nieces in grandma's vintage hats. My mom's collection is quite extensive, but these are the girls' favorites for dress up. As you've probably noticed, they take photo shoots quite seriously...



but it only lasts for a moment before

their giggles and smiles can't be contained... and who doesn't love the toothless grin of a 10 year old?  This little sister lost one swimming last week. It popped into her hand before disappearing forever. Phew! That was a close one. Grateful for happy endings and sweet girls wearing old fashioned hats.

vintage summer dreams

And here's a little romantic fairy tale to send you on your way this weekend...



To read more about my sweet nieces and dressing up in grandma's clothes, see yesterday's post. Let's do hats on Monday! For those of you in the northeast: please keep cool in this wild heat!

summer postcards #10 (the vintage dress edition)

 Summer Postcards: a July series capturing snapshots of my favorite month
Special guests: my nieces who traveled six thousands miles to be here this month
Location: in and around HOME and BARN
Format: Instagram (follow username mayamade for sneak peeks)

What child doesn't find enchantment exploring grandma's attic? Dressing up in clothes from another era stirs imaginations and transports the wearer back in time. A few days ago my nieces discovered my mother's collection of vintage dresses and hats. Those tree-climbing tomboys (who only brought one skirt between the two of them for an entire month) were smitten.  The silky floral prints and pretty little details of these clothes and accessories felt completely removed from their everyday world on a farm in Hawaii. For several days the dresses kept coming out to be worn around the barn. One evening a photo shoot unfolded that was pure delight. I know my little sister will be so happy to see her beautiful girls returning to a field of Queen Ann's lace at dusk. She's missing them so. This photo shoot was really for her, but I think you'll find it enchanting too. So with their permission, here's a sneak peek.

 I'll share the photos I took with my real camera tomorrow. Yes, I still bring it out now and then during this Instagram month. Her two beauties always inspire me to create paintings with my lens.

birth day

Hello! How are you? I bet you've been busy... eating up life, working hard, finding moments for play, wondering where the time goes. Me too. Each day turned to night in the blink of an eye since we last visited together. On Friday, I lovingly handed over the very last of the projects of my upcoming book (April 2012). The surreal feeling of having completed this chunk of such a huge endeavor has not left me since I pushed the send button. It only intensified as we (my family and photographer) wrapped up the very final photo shoot on Sunday and Monday. I know the details have been so vague, but one day soon I'll be able to share it all with you, and in preparation for that moment I've documented the back story quite thoroughly. The amount of time, energy and love that is going into this project has often overwhelmed me. And there's still more.  I will be writing and editing during the rest of the summer, but yesterday I stood still!  I breathed. I slowed. I looked at my family deeply. I indulged in decadent food. I said yes to pampering with a massage and facial.  I went to sleep early and even slept in (a tiny bit!). Yesterday I turned 42. Reflection is a natural part of every birthday, but in the midst of so much business, this sudden halt caused me to peer even deeper. When I look back on the chapters of my life leading up to now, they read like a worn and familiar book. Some pages are ripped and tattered, others dog eared to return to frequently for laughter, inspiration or a reminder to not repeat that cycle again.

Our stories shape us as much as we shape them. Stepping into this new year, I feel a strength I've never known before. Wise women, who have walked this path before me, have whispered of the power that comes only with years. They've spoken of the permission to step into yourself fully and not waste a single minute on trying to be any. one. else. An invitation is offered... to give birth to one's self.

The calendar already has some pretty phenomenal dates penciled in for this new year. Oh yes! I intend to greet them with the very best of me, and look forward to sharing them with all of you! Here's to a new year. A new chapter!

all photos courtesy of my iphone, yet again!

summer postcards #9

Summer Postcards: a July series capturing snapshots of my favorite month
Special guests: my nieces who traveled six thousands miles to be here this month
Location: in and around HOME and BARN
Format: Instagram (follow username mayamade for sneak peeks)



I hope your weekend is filled with glorious seasonal food, gorgeous fresh flowers, and a stolen moment or two for cloud gazing.

summer postcards #8

Summer Postcards: a July series capturing snapshots of my favorite month
Special guests: my nieces who traveled six thousands miles to be here this month
Location: in and around HOME and BARN
Format: Instagram (follow username mayamade for sneak peeks)

stacked on the coffee table at the barn... not every moment is high adventure around here..

down time and quiet mornings keeps the balance

In fact, Grandma's doing a library run with the girls today! I'm sure she'd welcome any summer reading suggestions for the beginning chapter book reader and up. Thanks!

summer postcards #7 (13th birthday edition)

Summer Postcards: a July series capturing snapshots of my favorite month
Special guests: my nieces who traveled six thousands miles to be here this month
Location: in and around HOME and BARN
Format: Instagram (follow username mayamade for sneak peeks)

opening gifts in the meadow... black parasol and all

a quick mini cake topper bunting (which briefly caught fire in the candles for added excitement)

handmade decorations, but of course

tried and true birthday games (those spotted arms? markers and tattoos)

including the fastest little rainbow piñata ever whipped up (more details at a later date)

and the day wouldn't have been complete for this tree-climbing birthday TEEN without...
a tree!

summer postcards #6

Summer Postcards: a July series capturing snapshots of my favorite month
Special guests: my nieces who traveled six thousands miles to be here this month
Location: in and around HOME and BARN
Format: Instagram (follow username mayamade for sneak peeks)

hosted by Grandma this week!

the days continue to unfold with adventures

and celebrations... as one sweet girl leaves childhood behind for a happy 13th birthday!

And here's the question:
Childhood- do we really have to leave it all behind when we grow up? As I try to make sure my children have the endless summer memories I cherished, aren't I keeping that bit of magic alive and well in myself? We all know know that answer!

summer postcards #5

 Summer Postcards: a July series capturing snapshots of my favorite month
Special guests: my nieces who traveled six thousands miles to be here this month
Location: in and around HOME and BARN
Format: Instagram (follow username mayamade for sneak peeks)

a few of my favorite things...

our outdoor lounge always waiting and ready... and covered in shade

endless dirt roads covered in dappled light

relics being reclaimed

pretty drinks

peas for breakfast brought in by small, proud hands

a barefoot boy giving his mama some "peace" and growing like a weed