When Good Scholars Burn Out and Other Oddities

How do you know when you are burned out on being a graduate student? 

You finish off a day of studying and work with a ride on the see-saw with a good buddy.

(Look at the disgruntled child waiting for his turn.)

Elation after the dads finally give the kids a turn.

The baby to the left is five months old. Kristiana is 10 1/2 months.

Anna-Kate's a little big for her age, Kristiana is a lot small for her age.

What can I say?  We're hobbits.

Krisitiana found a little treasure at the park.

I received this table cloth for a wedding present.

I always thought it clashed with everything and was way too loud. 

But, with fall harvest gourds a top this table cloth has suddenly become festive.

A Creative Homemaker

I received two homemade aprons from my friend in the mail yesterday. It was a great surprise. So here is a big. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I have always wanted a beautiful apron. The only one I have is made of denim.

I checked out a book out at the library today called The Self-sufficient Life and How to Live it: The Complete Back-to-Basics Guide, by John Seymore. As I began to read it today, I was struck by the following passage. It reminded me of my new aprons, the wonderful woman who made them, and what I aspire to be someday (I am kind of only half this right now).

"A true home should be the container for reviving real hospitality, true culture and conviviality, real fun, solid comfort, and above all, real civilization. And the most creative thing that anybody can do in this world is to make a real home. Indeed, the homemaker is as important as the house, and being a 'housewife' is the most creative, most important job on Earth."

Apron 1: The back of this apron is as cute as the front.
A detail of Apron 1: Teapots and Teacups! (tres jolie)
Apron 2: No detail photo, but is has birds all over it. Very Cute.