Like…summer days in the sun.

Summer is so restorative, and full of simple pleasures.

Summer to me is iced tea, watermelon, fresh veggies, grilling, bug bites, pool days, wearing eau de sunscreen, cute sundresses and sandals.

What’s your favorite thing about summer?

Link up with Little Things Thursday::

• Post your Little Things Thursdays on your blog. Link will go live at midnight on Thursdays for linking up.
• Please include my Little Things Thursdays button in your post. You can grab it on the sidebar!
• Submit the URL/permalink for your post, not your home address, please. Flickr entries welcome!
• Visit other blogs and leave some encouragement! We all love feedback! Please visit as many others as you can.
• Please do not submit giveaways, inappropriate content, or link more than one post per week, thank you!

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I must confess that I usually make strawberry shortcakes based on the Bisquick recipe, because it is quick.  This year, I really wanted to make something a little more special.  I turned to Martha.  I didn’t think I could go wrong making Martha’s Shortcake.

Her shortcakes did not disappoint.  They were so buttery, and I love the rustic texture.  These make a great addition to any summer gathering.  Add a blueberry on top and you have a dessert for your upcoming patriotic days!

Linking up with Gina and Sarah.

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We need to remember what is most important, to cast off the trivial.  While berry picking may appear insignificant, the people I shared that outing with are my most treasured “possessions”.  I really know that I’m just borrowing them from God.  They are His.  My heart aches for those who lost their children today.

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A miracle happened this weekend though.  We hit the clothing jackpot!  Gracyn was in dire need of dresses and we found OPTIONS.  Not just a dress, but actual options.

This little number was hidden among the racks, a solitary dress, in just her size.

You may remember this girl’s love for birds.  We had to get this dress.

We were so thankful to find feminine, classic style dresses for the summer.  I just love the vintage look of her sparrow dress.

And delving off topic… the winner’s of the Darlybird grab bags are:

Bag 1::  Melissa

Bag 2:: Tamar

Bag 3:: Buckeroo Mama

Congratulations ladies! I will be sending you an email soon!

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Sometimes contemplation looks and feels a lot like a wrestling match.  The internal back and forth unsettled feeling can feel both exciting and terrifying.  Should I? Shouldn’t I? The real question being is this God’s will for me?  I’m doing a lot of praying, seeking wisdom, and direction.

I apologize for vague blog posts.  I really don’t endorse the covert, so I ask forgiveness.  I’m just still deciding and coveting prayers of the Body. Sisters, would you pray? And brothers?  I will say that none of this has to do with blogging or photography.  It’s not that kind of opportunity.  It is something that is totally me, and yet out of my comfort zone.  A return to roots, and yet completely new.

I promise to share as soon as I feel a little more affirmation to move forward. Meanwhile I contemplate, which really just means pray.  I know the answer does not truly rest in me.

Linking with the sweet Melissa.

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Here is what is up for “grabs”.

Prize One::

I’m so jealous of whoever gets the banner!  It is adorable, and I’m thinking photo prop!

Prize Two::

This truly is a smorgasbord of good things.

Prize Three::

Lots of jewelry in this bag!

I’m going to make the entry easy.  Leave a comment for the mandatory entry, and then you will have two optional entries.  I will select 3 winners via Rafflecopter and announce this coming Monday. Contest is open to all locations. Contest not sponsored by Facebook. Prizes provided by Little by Little.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Let’s see your lovely links!

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Traditional Simple Syrup is 1:1 sugar to water.  Simmer one cup of each in a small saucepan until the sugar melts and cool thoroughly. Keep cooled leftovers in your fridge.

Turbinado Simple Syrup is 1:1/2 sugar to water. Simmer one cup of turbinado and a half cup of water in a small saucepan until the sugar melts and cool thoroughly. Refrigerate cooled leftovers.

Watermelon shakes (Thaengmo Bun) are so hydrating! This shake is probably my favorite.

In your blender add 1 cup of cut seedless watermelon, 8 oz of crushed ice, and 3 Tablespoons of simple syrup.  You can add more or less syrup according to your taste.  Blend this until you have a slushy consistency, and serve.  I should add that a real Thai shake adds a bit of salt.  I actually love a bit of salt in this shake, but not others.  So, the salt is up to you. Add a pinch or two if you like.

Lime Shakes (Manao Bun) are the favorite of most people who visit Thailand.  It’s just like a frozen limeade.

In your blender add the juice of 2-3 freshly squeezed limes, 8 oz of crushed ice, 4 oz of water,  and 3 Tablespoons of simple syrup.  This shake can stand a bit more simple syrup to cut the sour, so sample to get the right amount.  Salt is optional.  Blend until slushy, and serve.

Pineapple shakes (sapparot bun) are popular with travelers, but you won’t have to go far to enjoy.

In your blender add 1 cup of fresh pineapple, 8 oz of crushed ice, and 3 Tablespoons of simple syrup.  Blend until slushy and serve.

As you can see once you get the basic framework, you can try other fruits.  I recommend mango. You can also try mixing fruits for fun combinations.

I hope you find these as “aroi dee” (delicious) as I do!

Linking up with Gina, Sarah, and Nancy.  Be sure to visit tomorrow to enter my giveaway!

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Using the tablet is super easy, and essentially this system works much like your computer mouse.  Learning to write and draw was awkward at first.  There is an adjustment in getting the hang of the pen.  The first thing I discovered was that I needed a handwriting intervention. It was pretty rough looking, and I do not have the best handwriting anyway.  After a day, I felt the results were on par with my real writing.  It is beginning to feel more natural each time I use the tablet.

I love that this tablet is just $80.  The price seems very reasonable for what you get. The best part for me is the amount of precision the pen provides in my regular Photoshop editing.  A mouse can feel slightly unwieldy and inaccurate sometimes, so I’m loving the pen for work on skin edits.  A definite work-flow boost!

I’m still experimenting with ways to use a Wacom Bamboo Connect Pen Tablet.

It’s fun to think in terms of creative blogging.  I like the idea of combining a font with personal handwriting.

The possibilities go as far as your imagination.   Use your Photoshop brushes to draw.  Adjust opacity and size for varying effects.  I’ve found fast favorites while trying out all the brushes.   My Bamboo tablet is simply fun to use.   The program comes with some “app” type games that help you gain practice and control of the pen.  It won’t take long to feel like an old hat.

Linking with Tuesdays Around the World via Mamahood, Among Other Things…

***My Wacom Bamboo Connect Pen Tablet was purchased, not sponsored.  Link is an Amazon Affiliate link.  I receive a small commission on purchases made through the link.***

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Time to savor a cup of coffee was appreciated.

This past week was busy! Like crazy busy.  There was a traveling hubby and his airport drop off and pick up.  That meant me holding down the fort to finish school.  But…we did have Thai curry, and Fregola Sarda! We. shall. eat. well! We fit a library trip in to load the kids up with nighttime reading.  They are all about the Ramona books currently.

We had a sad week on the bird watch.  Cupcake, the sparrow, seemed to be ready to leave the nest within days.  We found that she died a day after the top image.  We grieved for the mama bird who had no survivors this time around.  Still, we had to press on to finish the last days of school.  We got her done!

Our kids love watching I Love Lucy.  Who wouldn’t?  Gracyn worked for 2 hours to embroider Lucille Ball one evening.  She has since added a Ricky Ricardo.  My kids crack me up doing excerpts of Vitameatavegamin or singing Babaloo.  Not to mention impressions of Ricky.

I’m over the moon that school is finished for the year.  I do love homeschooling, but I also love breaks.  Leisurely coffee in the morning is going to be sweet!  And hey…Happy Mofers Day to all of you wonderful ladies once more…whether you be a Mama, Grand, Awesome Auntie or friend.

P.S. I have a giveaway this week because you are awesome!

Linking up with Tamar and Gina for P52.

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6 years of blogging right here.

In recap of these last 6 years, this blog has changed names 3 times. There was Mommy’s Circus, and then Kimmy’s Kids for like 5 minutes…blech.   I finally landed on Little by Little as a testament to the baby steps I was taking on several fronts.  I didn’t know what I was doing, at. all.   I just knew that it felt good to have a place to put my thoughts out “there”.  It was a kind of therapy that no one read, save a handful of people.  My blog was helping me through some tough transitions in life.

We won’t mention how many designs have come and gone.

Most of my vintage posts are cringe worthy. Hello big blocks of text and embarrassingly hideous images! To name a few.  I was winging this blogging thing.  I didn’t know that blogging really was a thing with certain proprieties.  But…I’m glad I have those years archived.  Memories documented are their own treasure, poorly formatted or not.   They serve a purpose.  At the very least they are a sort of , “you’ve come a long way, baby”.  There was a time when I truly thought I’d never be happy again as we turned our lives upside down and left Thailand.   I survived with a few skinned knees and bruises, and started learning how to accept the new road in front of me. Maybe I even began to thrive.

I guess you could say this place has been a bit of an Ebenezer stone.

Over the years I have come to want step off the curb and explore.  Ask a few, “what ifs”.  I think that is natural.  My original reasons for blogging still stand, but it has been fun to leave the safety of my own front yard.  It’s been a blessing forming friendships.  I have received more encouragement here than I ever expected.   I simply love that there is a community that understands this gig.  I cherish each and every relationship that has formed over the last year.

I’m not fluent in blog.  There are days when  I still don’t know what I’m doing.  There are days when I can’t keep up with trends, and feel that I have nothing to offer.  I have days of insecurity, if I’m being honest.  I just choose not to let that hold me back.

I’m pressing on. I have loved every part of the journey.  I’m not ready for my Swan Song.

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