independence day

  • D.C.

    ByHeather Bailey

    USCapitol_HeatherBailey470

    We did it. We really did it. We took a much needed break and had two
    wonderful weeks touring Washington D.C., Williamsburg, and New York City with the
    kids and visiting east-coast family—Isaac's sisters, Evie and Laura
    both live near D.C. with their families and his brother Ross lives near
    N.Y.C. It was a trip like none other we've had to date. I came home
    home this week refreshed and inspired.

    In D.C. alone, we saw: The Natural History Museum, The Library of Congress (incredible!), The National Portrait Gallery (I'm finally ready to try my hand at portraiture), The Lincoln Memorial, several war memorials (speechless), The American History Museum, The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum (my baby's heaven), and a had a private tour of The U.S. Capitol Building (my office manager, Karen's son works for our AZ congressman). I posted highlights from the trip on Instagram as we went along. There is so much more that wasn't posted.

    Grid_DC_470

    This collage shows some highlights from the DC portion of our trip. My iPhone
    alone has 1000+ photos from the trip, so choosing was tough. Some of you have asked for our itinerary to help plan
    future vacations to the area. I'll type that up and post it for you this week.

    Can I just say that D.C. was so much more magnificent and visually
    powerful than I expected. I was proud to see such beautiful architecture
    and art on display. I was especially taken by The Library of Congress and The National Portrait Gallery. I wasn't so sure about the massiveness of some of the government institutions. That was shocking. But, all in all, wow.

  • Patriotic Pear Peculiar

    ByHeather Bailey

    PatrioticPearPincushion_HeatherBailey

    A rambling hello and a Happy 4th of July to you.

    I love me a holiday. I don't always take the day off, but knowing that I could is a relief on its own.

    PatrioticCowboyT2 Today, my day is a mix. So far, I've flitted between shopping with Charlotte for sillybands, managing a play date with cousins, washing the laundry, photographing a pattern cover, sketching aprons and prepping to-do lists for the week. In another hour we head to Granny's house for a swim party and food, then out for fireworks.

    A simple celebration works for me — especially in this heat, with this belly. These days I get winded just walking up the stairs. I tell myself it's a heat/pregnancy/blood-volume thing. It couldn't possibly be my fitness level. I plan to sit. And sip. And sit. It is HOT out there.

    * * * * *

    If you haven't heard, there's a patriotic pack of Trash Ties™ posted in our shop till Labor Day — with a FREEBIE offer good till July 15th (see latest newsletter). And long Trash Ties are BACK! And on super sale. Just sayin.