A is for Apron

Here's the latest from my sewing machine. I enlisted the help of my dear friend Joni to do our own mini-photo shoot. Lessons we learned:

#1. It's imperative to mark the local town cute gazebo as your territory before the skateboarding kids come along.
#2. Keep snapping away and eventually you capture what you are hoping for (especially if you're NOT a photographer).
#3. And I am horrible at so-called "serious" photos. Just can't do it.

The green half-apron is the first one I've made for myself--it's a pattern by Amy Butler. I really do love it so much I want to just wear it out and about with my jeans and T. Think I can get away with it? The fabric flower is also a new addition to my standard apron.

Next apron project? Some bright, fun aprons for me and my co-worker Amanda to wear as our summer camp uniforms for the art camp we are teaching next week at the museum for 4-5 year olds. We're going to be matchy-matchy! Can't wait.

Nightmares on MacArthur Street

I had one of my stress nightmares last night. Not the standing in front of the masses in nothing but my birthday suit . . . or the being chased by a menacing, terrifying but unseen something sort of dreams. No, my stress nightmares almost always involve

SCHOOL.

I'm sure that reveals something extremely deep about me. Like the fact that I'm exceptionally thoughtful and diligent and scholarly. Or that I'm so Type A, my worst fears involve not following the rules. Hmmm...

Anyway, this time it was a variation on the usual theme. I was merrily jumping into a car to go to Mount Vernon with a group of friends (yes even in my dreams I like to visit historic places). We were almost there when all of a sudden it hit me--"I am a teacher!! It is a school day. I am NOT ALLOWED to just go have fun on a school day. I have no substitute. My kids are probably climbing up the walls. If anything happens to them, it will be MY FAULT!" The rest of the dream involved my fruitless attempts to get back to school before anyone realized I wasn't there. Woke up before I ever managed to get there.

Sigh! I don't often remember my dreams anyway, but when I do, it's never a dream that helps me solve a problem or gives me deep insights into life. Nope...it's about school. What are you dreamin' about?

Best. 4th. Ever.

4th of July. Boston. Fireworks. My second most favorite holiday. All adds up to one of the best weekends ever! I planned months ago to take some time off and go back to Boston for the 4th of July and it was more perfect than I could have dreamed of.

The fun began as soon as I got off the plane at Logan--Blair popped out of the car and totally surprised me. Then the next morning when we were lazing around, the doorbell rings and surprise! It's Kristy Gralene. There was a widespread conspiracy involving Facebook cover-ups, blatant lies, and clever misdirection to surprise me--and it worked. (And who doesn't feel super special when others go to so much effort just to surprise you?) Boston for the 4th is pretty unbeatable, but with your best girl friends...doesn't get much better than that.

Hanging out at the Hatch Shell for the Boston Pops concert featuring none other than NEIL DIAMOND! I mean really, singing "Forever in Blue Jeans," "America" and "Sweet Caroline" in Boston with Neil in his shiny shirt was incredible.


Fireworks over the Charles. Breathtaking, unbelievable, pure magic. I think I'm spoiled for good...I don't know that any other fireworks can ever compare. Oh and by the way, that fantastic flag photo was taken by the oh so talented Jenny Faith.

It's not just the bursts of lights that I love or the patriotic sing-alongs--I love that our country was founded by men and women who believed they had a responsibility to live according to their conscience and fight for freedom. And Boston honors them like no where else.