summer postcards #16

We arrived when the lights were just clicking on.

Such a contrast to our usual days. And nights.

Wouldn't be summer without a trip to the fair!

summer postcards #15 birthday wishes

Today my sister turns one year older...  she's such a wonderful mother, loving woman and as gorgeous inside as out. She is also... STILL... my first baby girl! Happy Birthday!

If you were here, we would greet you with banners and laughter...

bouquets of just picked flowers...

and bowl upon bowl of fresh summer goodness! Missing you so much... especially today! So grateful for this virtual world that can bridge oceans miles instantly!

fruitful (with a few postcards, too!)

 Peaches. Blueberries. Filling buckets of them with my favorite people in the world at my side... now THAT was a good weekend!

We followed the radar and picked fruit in between storms for a perfect balance of fruit and puddle dancing!

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I did Instagram our process, so here are a few fruity postcards too...




Our counters, freezer and fridge are loaded! It feels so good to start the week off in abundance. May you have a full and wonderful week, as well. If your kitchen (and family) are calling our for fruit adventures, I encourage you to explore the U-pick farms in your area. Check here for lists of pick your own farms all OVER THE WORLD!

summer postcards #14 wild flowers

I love watching the changes along our country road as the wildflowers sense the gentle shifting of  August's light. Each variety only has a few weeks to shine. They stand tall and proud amidst the chorus of cicadas... serenading all day long. If you happen to get out to the country this weekend, don't forget to admire the wildflowers... sometimes the journey is as lovely as the destination.

summer postcards #13 discovery

Two of my favorite ways to learn:

through nature

and

the worlds within books
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Hope your week is filled with new discoveries!

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.

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.

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