THIRTEEN! + The Country Living Blue Ribbon Blogger Awards

Summer is ripping along. Things are busy, busy, busy here - as I assume things are at each of your homes. Why is summer so short? One thing is for sure, the fleeting of the season makes me appreciate every beautiful warm and sunny day. It won't be long til the woodstove will be going and we will be making all kinds of efforts to keep warm. 

Julia is done with summer school and we are trying to pack in all our summer activities into one month. Because of her hydrocephalus and the complications that have come with it, she is fortunate to continue working with the many fine educators in our school system through part of the summer. (If you want to learn more about "Julia's Story" you can read this post.) This year she will be moving up to the middle school. She's going from a very small public elementary school (only 55 children) to a regional school of over 500 students. Should be an interesting transition year for all of us.

A couple weeks ago, Julia turned thirteen. It's hard to believe that so many years have passed in such a flash. As each of her birthdays rolls around in July, I can't help but think back to the rocky start we all had. We feel so fortunate that she is doing so well. Julia's birth issues forced me to re-assess the path of my professional life. 

When people ask me for advice on designing knitwear, writing books, starting a small business, going out on their own, I always tell them just to go for it. Some career moves aren't planned, they just happen. Sometimes they work out for the best, sometimes they don't. I never know where each day will lead, nor each project. I think the most important thing in to try to stay somewhat focused with an end goal in mind. If the end goal morphs into something else, that's okay. Life is an organic experience and I try to remain open to its quirks, changes and opportunities. 

My veggie and flower garden is starting to overflow with late summer produce and color. It's a bountiful time of year with so much to tend to in the garden. I get torn between leaving my garden when the harvest is just about to be crazy and visiting relatives and friends in August. Because of Julia's shortened summer schedule, we try to pack as much into four weeks as we can. I hope I have many more summers to be around for the harvest. I know I do not have many more summers to spend hours with Julia. Time with her wins out over making sure the garden is plucked free of fruits and veggies.

Lastly, Country Living Magazine is sponsoring a "Blue Ribbon Blogger Awards" Contest. If you like what you read here and want to nominate "Getting Stitched on the Farm" to be looked at by the panel of judges, go to this link. Deadline for nominations is August 15th. As always, I appreciate you taking the time to read my words, look at my photos, taking time out from your busy days. Good weekend everyone! We'll be at the Amherst Farmer's Market on Saturday and I hope to see some of you there.