Hey there bloggy friends, it’s been a bit of a long break around here!  It wasn’t totally intentional, but once August came around, summer hit me fast and hard and I suddenly found a lot of other things to do besides blogging.  I missed you, but I hope you found a few other things on the internet to entertain you…

* do you have a coffee station yet? *

How to Decorate a Summer Mantel with Nothing New

I’m just loving this summer, I hope you are too!  We’re at that point where we sometimes forget what week it is, what day it is, what time it is…  and that’s okay with me.  We’ve had a couple of trips, visits and weekends away, but right now everyone’s home.  And school still seems far enough away.  Perfect.

* summer mantel *

How to Pickle Beans to Keep in the Refrigerator

Quick dilly pickled beans to keep in the refrigerator.

Looking back on my post titles it would seem that I’ve become a food blogger, but that’s not really true.  It’s just that the summer time offers so much gorgeous fresh produce, and a little less structured schedule, so that there’s opportunity to experiment in the kitchen, don’t you agree?

* you can do this! *

How to Make Homemade Strawberry Syrup

Around here we love strawberry season.  A trip to the strawberry patch marks the beginning of school holidays and the long hot days of summer.  And baskets of strawberries on the counter mean jam-making and treat-baking and fresh-strawberry-eating for daaaays.  And also this beautiful stuff which I’ll share with you today…

* pin me *

Instagram Fun: Half a Year of #photoaday

Hey everyone!  Can you even believe that half a year has gone by?  … yikes!  How’s your year going so far?  It was one of my New Year’s resolutions to take and post a #photoaday on Instagram for all of 2015.  My goal was to try to keep up my creativity and learn something about my own strengths and weaknesses as a photographer.  I figured the halfway point is a good place to review and see how it’s going… and here we are, halfway.

My Dairy Free Smoothie Creamsicles with 3 Ingredients

Hey everyone!  Happy first week of official summer.  If you’re like me then you’re looking for more cold and refreshing snacks lately.  And also spend less time in the kitchen and more outside.  Let’s break out the popsicle moulds and make these smoothie creamsicles.

* pin me *

Pottery Barn Inspired Rope Hurricane

There’s always a place for some coastal or beach-y decor during the summer, don’t you think?  Either at home or cottage or cabin, or for your summer special events.  These are inspired by a Pottery Barn hurricane, but you can make them for a fraction of the cost.  Come and see how.

* pin me *