Island summer

I couldn't help thinking of my cousin on another island far, far away when we visited a relative on Whidbey Island a few weeks ago.  This island in Washington reminded me so much of the amazing pictures Lara has been sharing!

Climbing up into the ferry...

A perfect little beach town on the island.

Uncle's amazing backyard...

My favorite tree, the madrone, was in abundance there.

Ilmassa

The last moments of summer vacation were in the air.

Besides good times, for me vacation also means an increased workload and something of an overdose of togetherness. Though there is a melancholy feeling in sending your husband off to work and your child off to school again, this time of year returns to me the luxury of voluntary loneliness - still not very much of it, but at least during nap time.

Uke time

Our construction zone is getting to be one of my favorite places to play my ukulele.  The future site of the landing in the stairwell is perfect - someplace quiet with lots of natural light and no distractions. 

Meren äärellä

Seaside life is an essential part of our summer. Last year we lived here for almost a month, this year's seven nights just doesn't seem like enough. Amy once asked what we do out there. Here's the core of it:

- Spend most of the day parenting, doing all kinds of maintenance work, and cooking for a family of four. Heat some water and wash dishes by hand, outside.

- Try to go for a swim each morning, even if it's cold.
(Feel very good afterwards.)

- Do the evening sauna ritual on most days. Sometimes go to sauna alone after children's bedtime. Always go back and forth between the heat and the cool sea.

- Pick blueberries. Bake pie, preferably in the wood-heated oven.

- Go fishing with nets. Smoke the fish.

- Run after the toddler on the high rocks and all the other dangerous places.

- Be conscious of the view. Observe the nuances of the weather. Watch a breathtaking lightning show, if possible.

- One of my all-time favorites in life: transport a ridiculous amount of sewing supplies from home, set up the sewing machine outside, definitely outside, and let it sing.

With children, all of this is often not very relaxing, but even so, we can't live without it.