Clover Lane

Same here with the water, Sarah! I try and try...but just can't do it! Enjoy the rest of your summer... : )

Oh my goodness! I am with you on the school supplies--love em, but not ready for them! And I love sunflowers as well! In just a week or 2, the sunflower patches in our city will be in full bloom, which equals, our annual sunflower photo opp, which equals, Mommy bliss! :)

And the squishiness is just plain adorable!!!

We finally broke down and got a Vitamix too. Love it!! Love the rainy days and legos! Janey is just precious. So hard to believe she is almost a year old already.

Oh school supplies....love them. But this year they take on new meaning as I actually have a little one starting school! So exciting yet scary at the same time to begin this new chapter. I was wondering if you have any pearls of wisdom or rituals on how you get your family or yourself prepared/organized to go back to school? This will be my first of three! Thanks!

I've been following your blog for some time now and just want to say "thank you!" I'm a young, Catholic mother and I so enjoy what you share from the personal to the practical (you got me started on the Picasa scrapbook pages!). Your mention of authenticity struck home with me because I also mention authenticity in my "about me" section on my own blog (www.nativetohappiness.blogspot.com). Your courage paves the way for others, including myself, to feel comfortable being authentic. So again, thank you!

Sarah, you are the the blogger that I "get" the most. I love how I feel when I read your blog because it helps my clarify my priorities. I love how authentic you are--it is so needed in this world!

I understand completely. I always, always enjoy your posts...but no matter what summer hits that bump in the road and we have to kind of pull back. I researched for months on which blender to get. I always thought I wanted the Vitamix, but I wound up with the Blendtec. I couldn't be happier. They are both excellent blenders, can't go wrong with either one. And I'm here to tell you we use that thing every.single.day! I have a juicer too, but the blender is getting a workout! :) Thanks for always being so real. Blessings!

Welcome back! I miss you, but understand the much needed breaks. Did I see you had a massage scheduled? Good for you! Is there a story behind this or a much needed spa day?

Your blog is always a sweet little break in my day that gives me perspective. Thank you!

I always use to say (when I was a young mum) if mum is happy and healthy so is all the family. Take time to re-charge.

School supplies?! Say it isn't so. I'm not ready for that either. Baby Janey is cuter by the day. Thank God for your parents--what a gift they must be to your busy family.

Vitamax - best kitchen purchase ever! :) I have the same one. I throw kale in my son's smoothies all the time with bananas and blueberries - he gobbles them up like crazy! If you get popsicle molds, you can use the smoothie mix to make popsicles too - a great summer treat.

You're right - going "home" is really the best relaxation there is! :)

I love my Vitamix. Best blender EVER! My favorite smoothie recipe: 1 cup water, one low carb yogurt, 2 frozen oranges (sectioned), frozen lemon wedge (peel and all), handful of fresh spinach, handful of frozen berries if I have them. Soooooo good!

I'm so glad this post popped up. I missed 'hearing' from you

I can't bring myself to buy school supplies yet either....Not ready for the summer to be over and back in the school routine. It's been a fun summer with my kids ...they are 3 and 8...much different than last year. Enjoy the rest of your summer !

Hi Sarah! I had the same title to my blog post last week. But I subtitled it "or What is a Weekend with Teens?". Summer is speeding along and we are fulfilling all our obligations but I would love to retreat to "home." I'm so glad you can find respite there. We just returned from our family reunion at CP and I couldn't wait to have dinner together - just the six of us - which didn't happen during our trip! I have the awful feeling right now that summer is slipping away and I haven't spent the kind of time I want to spend with my kids....a lament, I suppose. But they are off working or going out with friends. I don't know...maybe I just miss those baby days!

I have to say that your family brightens my day. I have three grown children, one entering her fourth year in college. I told my son last night that school supplies were out and I miss school supply shopping. He then informed me that he misses it too and if I want to take him to Staples or Target for school supplies, he is up for that. Now I guess we call them office supplies. Have a great day.

I live in Chandler Arizona and my kids went back to school yesterday, i know...crazy!

I just wanted to pop in and say...I don't comment often but I am SO thankful for you and your insight. You help remind me that in this techy world...I don't have to have the shiniest new organizer or whatever...just figure out a system that works for ME!!!!! I adore your simplicity Sarah and I thank you for reminding me through this lovely blog of yours!!!! And I'm with you on the water....I tease my friends that I will set up a rotation schedule of my dialysis needs because my kidneys will be shot because I don't drink enough water ;D I tease...but I am kind of worried about that ;( But that is living in the future....and because of your sweet quote...I"m going to choose to live in the present :D Thanks Sarah!!!!

I love our vitamix, too. Love seeing your kids and no, I'm not ready for school supplies yet, either. However, I know that my holiday stuff will be on the back shelves of Target before I know it. They tend to put a few boxes of lights out in Sept. I keep track of important stuff like this.

Once again, I read your blog and it makes me take a deep breath and relax. I've never read another blog that makes me do that.

Thank you for the perspective, and for the Janey pictures. Her smile is infectious!

How much tv (if any) do you let your kiddos watch? Would love to hear your wise words about screen time or how your family handles it!

Sarah...do you think this blender is better than Kitchen Aid? I own a Kitchen aid and have had it for years!!! Thinking of giving it to my daughter who starts college this fall, and buying this one you have. Let me know!

I love the quotes, and I'm so glad I read those today. We might be moving out of state (again), and I want to continue living in the now with peace instead of feeling anxious and desperate to move. This really helped so thank you!

I'm with you on the mid-summer issue. I find myself spending a lot of time with my younger kids, and focusing on them more than blogging, spending time on the internet, tv, or any social media. Maybe that's the "old school" girl in us! Need to catch up on my reading too!

I love your blog, and always happy when you do post. Have an amazing day!

I remember having to make myself drink a tall glass of water BEFORE I nursed the baby, just to make sure the milk would let down. Even if the baby was screaming. I usually stopped nursing at 10 months. Good Luck!

Sarah, would you make your fabulous quote printable for me and others who like it?
Thanks. Happy summer!!!
Saludos desde Chile!!!