What Ana Does

This summer, like we did last summer, I signed the girls up for a week of 2-hour soccer clinics in the middle of the morning. And despite the complete upheaval to our schedules, driving them from one camp to the other -- not to mention gathering and packing up all they supplies they'd need for the day each morning, it was such a fun week. For them, it's a week of playing soccer with some fun coaches and friends. For me, it's sitting on the sidelines, watching and reveling in being outside on a weekday. This week, as usual, I had to do my share of conference calls -- some from the field, others I ran home to take. But totally worth it. Water Break!  Soccer Sisters! CCHEEESSEE!

I was so excited to start our CSA fruit share this month from a local farm, not too far away. So far, it's been nothing but strawberries -- it's been too cool for any other fruit to decide to ripen. But, picking up my share takes me to the garden each week and gives me the opportunity to buy other farm-fresh veggies.  My CSA Strawberries, With Veg. The Asparagus is Especially Yummy!

Our backyard is a riot of color right now. I guess all our cool nights and the weeks of rain has some advantages. Asiatic Lilies Are GORGEOUS. And They Aren't Around Long Sweet Little Pansies Coreopsis That Comes Back, No Matter How Much I Abuse It My Newest Addition to the Yard - Hydrangea! 

It's booked! We're off to Seattle and Portland in August!! So excited! We had been talking about going to New Jersey, possibly Rhode Island for the 4th, or a road trip to Michigan or even Nashville this summer. All great trips that we'd like to do at some point. But with Dave's work event taking place in Seattle in August -- thereby providing a paid-for ticket for one of us and hotel costs for the event -- we decided we couldn't pass up the opportunity. We've never been to this part of the country. When we lived in San Fran, we talked about a roadtrip north, but never got it together. And friends recently moved to Portland and have been loving it. They've invited us to stay with them while we're in town. I can't wait to check out Seattle -- the fish market, the rock museum, the Space Needle. Take the kids to the children's museum. During the road trip down to Portland, we'll see some lovely scenery. And Portland is supposed to be smal...

The hubby has been trying to talk me into buying a new bike for years. Ever since we lived in California, where I bought and sold my last bike within a span of 2 years. I rode it a total of 6 times. Anyway, I knew what I wanted in a new bike; a super-comfortable seat, no gears or anything fancy. Nothing that looks like I should be wearing spandex and a grimace. With a basket, of course. This baby is a called a "cruiser" and used for rec time, short trails and heading to the beach. It's lime green and when I ride it around the neighborhood, I feel like I'm 12-years-old again. Me and My Sweet Ride! Too rad! Next, I want to get a little trailer for the back of the bike so Alice can ride along with me. And maybe a bell.

Three coats of white semigloss paint and four hooks later, the mythic Board and Batten Project is now complete. The crowd goes wild! AFTER: With Hooks!  Now begins the positioning of random pieces of furniture until I hit on the right ones. This might lead to a trip to the flea market for a super cool, long, rustic bench.  AFTER: With Stuff! Related posts: All the Entryway posts

I am, by no meaning of the term, a Sports Junkie. I have a hard time sitting still through any sporting event. And I don't have the patience to follow stats or players or long seasons of whatever the sport is at any time of the year. But, every four years, for the World Cup, I get as close to a Sports Junkie as I will ever get. I love watching soccer at this level. I get so jazzed about the country vs. country competition. I love cheering for the Spanish national team (my birthplace). Over the last eight years, I've gotten to know the players and the style of play and it's all the more exciting. Also, the nice thing about national teams, is the players don't move around to other teams, like they do in club leagues. Every four years, if they're healthy and haven't retired, they'll be playing. So it's easy to keep track of good players from the different countries. And recall their last matchups. And it's every four years, so I can really binge o...