enJOY it by Elise Blaha Cripe

in the garden : june 29.

And as a reminder, this is what the garden looked like towards the beginning of June :

June 8

I am SO obsessed with this hobby, you guys. Like nutty.

Maybe it's because it's a TRUE hobby, not a potential money maker for me. I am never going to sell veggies but I am for sure going to eat them. I am doing it purely for the good energy and the fun and the "OH MAN, DID YOU SEE HOW THAT GREW OVERNIGHT?!" excitement.

I love that I can try something new everyday. And that there is so much trial and error without much serious consequence. I am making notes for next year (don't plant the pumpkin in the center of the bed). And oh, how I am learning as I go.

Changes I have made these past few weeks : I added some salvia plants because the blue color should be better at attracting pollinators (so my flowers actually result in fruit). We covered the dirt with mulch to help keep the water from evaporating so quickly. I started composting some dried leaves and kitchen scraps.

Changes in the plants themselves : I have baby butternut squash and at least one baby pumpkin! My tomato plants almost all have at least one tomato. It looks like there may be baby bell peppers. I have a few cucumbers growing and finally (finally) what appears to be a healthy zucchini. It's nothing like the gorgeous gardens I stalk (and screenshot to show Paul) on instagram (check out @nataliecreates, @soulemama, @benjaminhole) but it's getting more healthy as the summer rolls on and it is GROWING daily.

I'm in love.

project life 2014 : june.

As mentioned at the end of 2013, I am no longer completing my Project Life album on a weekly basis. I did that for two years. I enjoyed the process and I love my albums. This year I am taking a much more relaxed approach and playing more with this project. I don't have much of a plan other than to complete at least one (and sometimes many more) spread a month.

The big win is that I can never be "behind" on this album. I also like that I don't have to worry about having seven horizontal 4x6 photos each week and can group photos by subject instead of date. I love that I will be under no "weekly deadlines" and will be blogging just once a month about my album.

click to enlarge.

And guys, it finally happened. I created JUST ONE spread this month and it isn't even from June.

Nope. It's from the last weekend of May when Paul and I headed to Palm Springs.

When I got my Studio Calico kit for July the colors were PERFECT for our desert photos. I couldn't have planned it better if I tried. And I'm obsessed with those fun patterns and the HERE letterpressed card.

I didn't even print extra photos (takes too long!), and just used some of the film photos that I recently had developed and cropped them down to 3x4.

Here's the deal: I'm busy. Not in the "let's glorify busy!" way, but in the real life "this is all happening at once and I'm just going to roll with it" way. My "documenting" life is taking a major backseat to my "living" life this year. And that's OKAY. I'm happy and I've got an Instagram feed of memories. So one layout in 30 days? Feels like a massive accomplishment. ;)

Thank you so much for following along. See my title page for this album here and 2014 album progress here.

product sources: Studio Calico Penny Arcade kit, Design A pocket page, black sharpie.

all photos were from my film camera.

weekend links / 25.

As part of my word WHOLE this year, I want celebrate the work of others by sharing links to my friends, possible friends and complete strangers who are doing great things on the Internet. This is some of the rad stuff I recently saw online...

a great letter from a mama to a daughter.

David Sedaris has even more to say about the fitbit than I do.

totally obsessed with the work of Nike Schroeder.

10 simple ways to make healthier food choices.

might throw Ellerie a flamingo party for her second birthday!

this video parody has already made the rounds, but it's pretty great.

loved this post about new blogging ideas and was flattered to be included.

a quick interview where I talk a bit about the realities of being a work-at-home mama.

this is what life looks like on Friday, June 27.

E was up at 5:30 which means she's cat-napping at 7:15. Which means I'm drinking coffee and getting my bearings on the day.

Fun stuff on the agenda...

We have so much family in town! (Some who haven't yet met Ellerie!)

I am getting your flamingos out the door! (thank you so much for your orders! I've been getting reports that they are indeed better in real life.)

I have a press check for July's MAKE29 edition this afternoon! (It's rad!)

I am hoping I can convince my dad to help me add mulch to the garden! (Rumor has it this will help keep my plants watered and healthy!)

Paul's working shorter days this month and we all feel like we won the lottery!

One more thing : Did you happen to catch this week's podcast with Kal Barteski? It's one of my favorites. And be sure to check out YOU ARE AWESOME, her rad passion+personality project.

Let's roll, weekend.

E and e in june.

I loved this photo series comparing Elsie and Emma's favorites on A Beautiful Mess. I thought it would be a fun project to document Ellerie's second year and compare some mama and baby favorites each month.

This is what Elise and Ellerie are doing in June 2014.

READING : The Coocoo's Calling | PANTONE colors

PLAYING : FitBit | the cow puzzle piece (affectionately known as "Moo")

EATING :  Magnolia avocado ice cream | cheerios!

WEARING : Seychelles sandals | no shoes yet

LISTENING : Vance Joy's Riptide | Pharrel's Happy