Reading up... on Extra Yarn

I found a link to this sweet little book recently.  It's called Extra Yarn.  It's about a knitter named Annabelle,  and her magical box of yarn.  

 
I think it's a really cute storyline and the illustrations are very unique.  What a colorful, warm little story to spotlight as we all try to make it through these cold brown and grey winter days, isn't it?

You can take a look inside this book HERE.

Wonderful and Dazzling!

What a happy birthday it was.  Good food and fun times with my family.

My sister must be the best gift-wrapper ever.  Her wrapping methods are always so crafty and unique.  I love the simplicity of the brown craft paper paired with that soft turquoise yarn.  I am always able to keep the little decorative elements and re-use them.  I plan on finding a special place for the little butterflies and bird.  

Would you like to know what beauties were tucked inside that wonderful wrapping paper?

Dazzling!  

I tried not to squeal too loud in the restaurant.

I can't wait to find places to stick all of these!

I might be 29 years old now, but I am still bedazzled by any sparkly, rainbow-colored, iridescent item that reminds me of when we were little.  Especially if it involves a unicorn, a dolphin, anything from the 80s, or home-made bouncy balls!  And yes, I still color in coloring books.  I don't know if I will ever be too old for that.  My sister knows this about me and she is not afraid to provide these glowing, show-stopping sundries in abundance for every holiday and birthday.  Oh just wait until we have kids... I think she's going to be the best "cool aunt" ever.

We had the best lunch at our favorite restaurant, Asian Wind.  Hidden so strategically in a crowded strip mall among such mundane venues as a Q-doba, a Rite-Aid, and a bank, one must diligently hunt for this place like a 1st generation Beany Baby at a crowded thrift store.  The location is deceptively ordinary.  It does not give any hint of the amazing food to be found inside.

I ordered the won-ton soup and the sesame chicken.  They have an amazing faux chicken there too for vegetarians who miss those sweet and saucy chicken dishes.  I'm not sure how better to describe to you the wonder that is Asian Wind without using the word "ecstasy."  We find ourselves in a hushed silence when the food comes to the table.  All you will hear is the muted crunching and short sighs of happiness for some time.  Everything is so wonderful-tasting!  My sister even ordered a to-go dish for her partner who couldn't be there.  After our recent move, we have to trek approximately an hour and 20 minutes to this bit of heaven, but it is so worth it!

What a happy day.  Despite a heat index of 104, we had a lot of fun.
The rain cooled things down some while we went to the used book store.  Take a look at these lovelies!

I've already started reading the Amy Tan.  She's one of my favorite authors.  What are some of your favorites this summer?  

The Library in Summertime, Fresh Fruit Salad, and some Garden Shots

A trip to the library, making fruit salad, and checking out the garden inspired these shots yesterday.  Hope everyone is having a happy, relaxing summer.  Gilbert (our dog) sure is.

There's something so magical about an empty college library in the summer.  It's like we have all the books to ourselves.

These shiny, wet grapes remind me of glass marbles.  I remember a contest at my elementary school in the summer where we fished marbles out of a big galvanized tub of water with our toes.  Being from Michigan, I remember that water being so cold that it hurt your feet.  So the object turned out to be plucking out as many marbles as you could before your feet went numb.

I lucked out and got a really sweet bunch of red grapes and watermelon to put in the fruit salad for a family reunion today.

Our cat, Jane, loves taking walks with us out to the garden in the mornings.  I believe she's loving this country living more than her old city life.

Here is our first tomato. I think it's going to be a big one.