As Summer Comes To A Close

August sunset by Tom York Images.

Many of you have children going back to school this week. Sweaters and book bags are filling the stores, and Halloween decor is already on sale at the hobby shops. But, hey! Summer isn't over yet, not until September 23rd. So, although Fall just may be the best time of year according to some (me included), let's not wish our lives away, but practice a little presence, and enjoy summer until it is gone; for surely then we will miss it as winter creeps in.


At six months pregnant in August, my life has consisted of staying inside of my extremely air conditioned house organizing every closet and drawer. To say my seasonal activities are off kilter would be an understatement. I can't remember the last time I spent this much time cooped up inside during the summer months, but my body just can't tolerate the heat right now so I must make the best of it. While I'm stuck inside I've decided to come up with a list of End Of Summer activities. This is my last summer before I become a mother after all, so I plan to take advantage of my solitude and flexible schedule. Below are the things I plan to do as summer dwindles away.

Swimming. Oh, to have my own personal swimming pool! I know what you're thinking...and yes, I live on a river; but swimming in river water in 100 degree heat isn't as appealing as a nice cool indoor pool when you're as big as a house. Besides, not everyone lives by a body of water so my suggestion is to seek out a local public pool. Here in Ozark, we have The OC. Adults swim for 7 dollars, kids for 5. Not exactly cheap for non-members, but it's the end of summer, and a few sessions at the pool won't break the bank. If you enjoy swimming and think you'd be interested in visiting The OC frequently, consider a membership and take advantage of the classes and equipment offered. 

Seasonal Foods. The bounty of summer is such a gift! Take the time to enjoy the foods that are in season before we enter the time of apples and winter squash. This year the only food I grew other than herbs are my tomatoes. The yield hasn't been as plentiful as last year, but still way more than Mark and I can eat between the two of us. Fortunately, a gopher has been helping us eat them--when he ate my hostas though, well that wasn't very helpful! Having a small garden this year hasn't stopped me from enjoying summer's tasty treats. I've enjoyed plenty of peaches, watermelon, cherries, etc. from the market and I encourage you to do the same while you still can! 

Ozark Downtown Farmers Market

Speaking of the market. The Farmers Market will be operating for a few more months still, but as we near autumn, the stands will be fewer and the choices far less. Now is the time to get out and stretch your legs, get some fresh air, enjoy the live music and buy some of those seasonal foods. The Ozark Downtown Farmers Market is located on the square on Wednesday nights from 4-7pm. 

Naps. I am not a napper. I love to nap, it's just that when I do, it usually messes my internal clock up and I know I will be up all night. During my pregnancy I have had insomnia. A night owl at heart, the past six months have been all about late nights in a bath reading, journaling, and movies. My sleep schedule is wack anyway; it is hot as Hades outside and for that I see no reason not to indulge in naps. Sneak one in where you can. Drop the kids off at school, have a big breakfast, watch a guilty pleasure tv show and then nap. Gotta go to work? Nap on the weekends. If you just don't have the time, I get it. I've been there too. Sometimes a nap just isn't going to be a part of your reality. Maybe you'll get to grab an afternoon snooze on Labor Day?

Labor Day Party. For many, Labor Day is the last celebration of summer. Here in the Midwest it means gathering friends and family for BBQ and beer. I'm not entirely sure I'll be up for throwing a big party this year, but I know I'd like to spend the day with some close family and friends, no matter how small or informal. This is a last chance to throw on a sun dress, take in the summer night air,  let the kids stay up late, and enjoy the sound of cicadas and crickets in the air with a cold lemonade in hand and good company at your side. 

Decorate. I'm far from a Martha Stewart for sure! But one of my favorite things to do is decorate for the season. After Labor Day anything patriotic comes down, the big flag on the pole out front, the red white and blue pinwheels in the planters by the stoop and anything else that screams high summer. Now is the time I slowly begin to transition the ambiance toward late summer and fall. Sunflowers are perfect for this time of year. They are cheerful and sunny, yet a fall flower too. They help start to bring in the yellow and golden tones that will be part of the fall color palate starting mid September through Thanksgiving. Now is the time I really enjoy my summer decorations before packing them away for next year. 

Have a beautiful rest of your summer! 

~ Love & Light ~

It's Starting To Look Like A Nursery

I thought about waiting until the room was complete before I shared any photos, but since this is the most exciting thing happening here at Chigger Chalet during July, I'm going to do a progress update.

The tiny room that is now the nursery was originally our guest room. It is the smallest room in the house and should be just enough room for the smallest person in the family.

After painting the walls, the first step was to apply the wall decals. We ordered them from an artist in Limerick, Ireland and after waiting for them to cross the Atlantic to arrive at our door, we had to practice more patience. The instructions warned that new paint should be allowed to dry for at least three weeks before the decals are applied. So, we waited for two more weeks...then finally!

Mark cutting the decals.

The first tree is up!

..

The process wasn't hard but very time consuming!

..

After several hours, we finish! 

I love the forest decals! They look even better in person than the photos show. Mark did the hard work while I enjoyed putting leaves, flowers, and birds on the lower branches. 

Next in line was furniture. Once again, Mark did all the work while I sat back and directed where I would like things placed in the room. 

He assembled the crib first and I draped the quilt we bought months ago over the side. The quilt is the inspiration for the entire room.

The crib.

The quilt. 

Woodland birds.

Then he put together the changing station...

Dirty bum station.

And finally the dresser...

A wee dresser.

I still have artwork, wall shelves, a glider rocker, crib bedding, etc. that will need to go in, but with the walls complete and the furniture up, it really feels like a nursery now! I find myself in this room multiple times a day, imagining the precious moments that will take place here very soon. 

~ Love & Light ~

Hop Over To Spellbound Nymphs!

Hey you! Where is the time going? I haven't had much of it to sit down and blog! I did get a post up at Spellbound Nymphs today...that's the blog I am a co-contributor at! Why not hop on over and check it out? SPELLBOUND NYMPHS.

We are making some progress in the nursery and soon I will have photos galore to share. Until then, a quick update:

1. We had an ultrasound yesterday. Baby boy is right on target at 13 ounces and moving around like a trapeze artist!

2. Apparently Missouri is experiencing a monsoon season this summer. The rain and humidity and flooding have been crazy! Gardening is going slow but some things are flourishing. I'll surely update once it dries up some.


3. Mark and I watched the movie SPY with Melissa McCarthy the other night, and I seriously haven't laughed so hard at a movie since Get Smart with Steve Carell. Serious funny. You should see it.

I'll be back soon-ish! 

~ Love & Light ~

Nesting Part 3 (And A Few Other Things)

The last time I posted I believe we had 4 eggs in the bucket nest on the back deck. I think it was the day after that post that I was out there looking at the river when I noticed she had added a 5th egg to the tribe.

Five mini eggs in a bucket.

Today my youngest sister, Dallis, and I went out to see the eggs and three of them had hatched! One is larger than the other two and they look like they are only a day or two old. If I sang and whistled at them they opened their tiny beaks ready for food! They are so new that they are still having a time lifting their heads up on their tiny necks, but I assure you they are alive. Maybe by the weekend the other two will have hatched? 

Brand new baby birdies.

I'm still nesting too! We have had a busy week but Mark did get started painting the nursery and plans to finish it tonight. This is exciting for me because then I can get the artwork up and start shopping for furniture. 

Doing the trim. 

I chose an HGTV shade called Steely Gray.

Dallis is staying with us while our mom is in Europe, and today we went thrift shopping. It was a lucky day at the Goodwill and we found a handful of treasures.

Me and Dallis (pregnancy insomnia is real folks! Excuse my tired eyes.)

Below is a shot of the goodies we came away with. I loved that metal globe (it spins!) and thought it would be perfect for Mark's office (6 dollars). The candles are Gap and smell super yummy. I'll save them to bring out during the holiday season (2 dollars each). The oil burner is for Dallis. It is soapstone from India and after I cleaned the spilled wax from it, it is good as new (1 dollar)! My favorite has to be the wooden spoons. I'm a sucker for wooden kitchen utensils and these are unique with the wood burned detailing in the handles (1 dollar each).

Treasures from the Goodwill thrift store.

I feel like I have been so lucky with this pregnancy. Very few symptoms and I just feel great! This heat on the other hand makes it hard for me to get out and work in the yard. I am hoping for an unusually cool day so I can get out and pull the weeds from my herb and flower beds. They are getting pretty scraggly looking. The tomato plants are producing their first green fruits and soon we will be awash in tomato! At least we planted something this year! 

I'll leave you with a belly picture. Nineteen weeks tomorrow. I really need to start having Mark take these pics because the mirror I use is possessed by a ghost and super cloudy. Next time. For sure. 

Nineteen weeks.

~ Love & Light ~

Nesting Part 2

Yesterday I went on the back deck to clear away the dozens of spider webs clinging to the patio furniture, the wind chimes, and strewn from beam to beam. This is a daily task. If I don't keep up with it (which I haven't been good about this year), the deck turns into a giant creepy web cocoon.

After de-webbing the area, I went for a peek in the birdie bucket that is sitting on a stool near the picture windows. I was so delighted to see that little yellow bird had laid three eggs!

Speckled eggs.

In the next photo I put my hand in for perspective. Look how tiny they are! 

Wee little eggs.

...

Too cute!

Today I went out on the deck to toss a peach that was over ripe into the water (fish love old peaches. It's true!) I decided to check in on the nest while I was there and guess what?

Now we have four eggs!

She laid a fourth egg! Super! Yay! So cool! I'm really glad she is liking her bucket house even with us humans nosing around and checking on her progress everyday. I just think it's the sweetest. The only thing I can't figure out is how the tiny birdies are going to get OUT of the bucket when it's time. 

~ Love & Light ~

Nesting

Looks like I'm not the only one nesting here at the Chalet! I have noticed a most beautiful little yellowish-orange bird hanging around on the back deck lately. She isn't the yellow of a finch, but a more orange color. She is tiny like a finch though. Well, a few days ago I noticed her jump into a small bucket (the size of a small plant pot) and then she tossed some dry grass from inside it. After she took off again I went outside to see what she was up to and to my surprise she had built a nest inside the bucket! I haven't been able to get a photo of the bird yet; every time I approach the window she flies off, but I am going to keep an eye on the nest to see if she lays eggs.

The Bucket.

The little nest.

Little yellow bird isn't the only one making a nest around here! I have been cleaning out closets, drawers, and last week we got the guest room all cleared out so we can begin its transformation into the nursery. 

Future nursery. 

This is pretty much all I've been doing lately. Cleaning and rearranging. It doesn't leave a lot to write about! I'm excited to post updates as the room progresses. We plan to paint the walls this weekend. I'll also post a list of the baby/birth books I've been reading over the last 4 months, so stay tuned for that! Until then...

~ Love & Light ~

Beach Baby

We went to Florida a few weekends back. Our plan was to spend one day at Disney World and one day at Universal Orlando. Well, after a long day at Disney, my feet were aching, my lower back was sore and I was starting to rethink spending the next day at Universal. I blamed my exhaustion on being pregnant, but honestly I think that park would have kicked my ass even if I wasn't toting a tiny human around in my body. Don't get me wrong, we had fun, but by the next morning we were thinking the beach sounded mighty nice!

I sprayed myself from head to toe in sunblock, squeezed into my now extremely tight swimsuit and we hit the road. Our drive was a little over an hour, but we were going to a top secret beach that we knew wouldn't be crowded with people. It was worth it too...so beautiful.

Mark and I stayed on the Atlantic Ocean while we were in Ireland, but it was February and far too cold to swim. That made this trip to Florida the first time either of us had swam in the Atlantic. We had gotten a late start and stopped for lunch on the way, so by the time we got there the tide was getting high. I had never been in the ocean when the waves were so intense and I was honestly a little intimidated. Mark was completely comfortable and kept reassuring me that we would be fine. It took me a good long while, but I slowly inched my way in deeper and deeper until we were riding the BIG waves! I mean, yeah, I got smacked a few times until I got the hang of floating on them, but once I had it, I HAD IT! It felt absolutely fantastic to surrender to the power of the ocean and knowing my baby was with me made it a truly magical experience. It was the most fun I have had in a long time! Sorry Disney, but you just can't compete with Mother Nature!

~ Love & Light ~