Hi friends!
During the bridge from June to July I kept having the weirdest feeling that summer was already over, and that I needed to prepare for September. Then I’d realize we were still just starting July and I had plenty of time to enjoy the season. Now, suddenly, it’s the final day of August? The final hour of August?? My hope for all of you is that you’re managing to live in the present moment, unlike myself. Below are a few highlights from my spring-to-summer.
Cosplaying Motherhood
My cousin Aziel—the actual mother—will likely roll her eyes at this title. (I love a good poke! An old fashioned prod, if you will!) I didn’t actually cosplay motherhood, but together with my cousin Jesse, did timeshare a baby: we looked after our then 10-month-old nephew for eight days while his parents took a well-deserved vacation to Japan.
It was terrible! Here’s where you expect me to say “haha” or “I’m just kidding” or “it opened my eyes to the wonders of parenthood”, but I won’t be saying any of those things. Rocking a 20 pound baby at three in the morning for two hours while he screams in your face…only the knowledge that it was a finite experience pulled us through. And love, I guess.
Okay, there was definitely love. And even though it was terrible I would do it again, maybe. (Don’t tell his mom.) I love that sweaty baby so much. It’s a good thing he’s cute!
Thankfully I won’t be doing it again though. His parents eventually came back, so 1) the final will & testament that they left on the TV stand did not go into effect, and 2) I got to have a full night's sleep.
Girls Trip
In June I went to Nashville for a week with a few of my besties and bought cowboy boots for the first time!
As seen above, it’s true that my friend Corinne, who is a real Country Girl™, noted with slight disapproval that the boots were not riding-appropriate. But I have never ridden a horse in my life and have no opportunities to do so for the foreseeable future. Boots that are embroidered, blue, and impractical in every way are perfect for the kind of life I want to live: sitting still while looking pretty.
Inspired by our visit to the Johnny Cash museum, our other friend Thanh led us all into an in-room, early-night viewing of Walk the Line (2005), renting the movie with enthusiasm, but no commitment.
It was such a lovely and refreshing trip!
A Family Wedding
My brother… got married? Younger siblings shouldn’t be allowed to get married. They’re supposed to be babies forever. It’s also interesting how a little brother—suddenly no longer little—moves through life’s milestones, and for some reason you find yourself crying :’) ,,,who could have anticipated it!
Aside from the emotions I had a lot of fun designing the save-the-dates and wedding invites for the bride and groom. I don’t do this kind of thing often, but when I do it’s for people I love very much, which makes it extra special. 1
Group Camping
Very cute times were had. There were fifteen of us, and two at a time were responsible for a different meal, which was such a nice set up. I ate so good. Way better than when I’m at home left to my own devices! Speaking of devices, there was no internet, and no service… meaning no notifications! It was very peaceful.
(What’s the opposite of a highlight? Because that’s what mosquitoes are.)
General Mosey-ing
A few of my favourite summer activities: lazing around; reading on a blanket at the park; holding my legs at awkward angles so as to minimize sweating; wearing a light & breezy linen; carrying around a little iced coffee wherever I go; sketching at the beach; retreating to the cool of an air-conditioned movie theatre. Definitely not packing up five years worth of personal inventory and moving house!
But yes, I moved, and it was exhausting, but also I’m glad I moved!
I trust you are all as beautiful as I remember you being when we last met. I will be clinging to shorts and sandals as late into the season as I can, until I can pull them out again in February as soon as I am able to.
Warmly yours for as long as September allows,
A
I feel the need to note that I don’t know how this invite will show up on your screen. It was originally created in CMYK ok! I have done my best but the colour still looks weird on my laptop. And maybe you’ll tell me “April, a footnote really isn’t necessary for this kind of thing,” but that’s where I’ll tell you you’re wrong—footnotes should be added to everything, all the time. I’d like to hear back from you when you realize you agree with me! XO.