{ on my mind + menu }

1. Summer is turning out good, but it's a little more stressful than I imagined (and hoped). It always is. Races, kids out of school, trips, packing for trips, WORK, not a whole lot of time to lay in the hammock (although I did PUT IT UP this year, which is progress people). Note to self: Go lay in it soon.
2. These muffins. Yum.
3. It's time to pull together Media Kits for Holiday Gift Guide pitches. When it's 88 degrees outside. Suffice to say I'm procrastinating on this to do item big time.
4. I'm digging these summer learning workbooks. So is Sam. We try to work on them for an hour a day.
5. Everyone keeps asking how I get work done in the summer with the kids at home....I've got 2 days a week this summer when the kids are in summer camp. So, what I'm doing...I make Lists! I am the queen of lists (as you know) – I have only two days to get everything done! I write a list of things that need to be done for the week (e.g. shipping, responding to emails and orders, admin), and then I basically divide up those two days into chunks of time and BUST A MOVE.
6. I { heart} Eclipse. Edward. Swoon. Enough said.
7. Everytime I keep saying I'm going to work less, more work comes in. Its like the anti-karma. I put out to the universe that I need some peace, some rest, and BOOM, orders come flying in. I put out to the world that I need orders to come in, and zilch. I'm a nice person. I don't get it. But I'm trying not to complain. Really.
8. I've had about 50 people email me and tell me they want me to get back to my "regular" blogging and they hate these lists. Sorry to disappoint people, but I can't put together ANY coherent posts about ANYTHING right now...or my head might explode. Want eloquent posts about deep topics, visit here. Want long posts about how to be better organized, go here. Want more reading, visit my lovely blogroll over to the right of this post. Happy reading. This is all I've got in me right now. ;)
9. Love Gwen's idea of a digital sabbatical. I might just join in for the rest of the month - minus the write a book part! ;)
10. Love this 4 week boot camp (online) Gabby is hosting. Starts July 6th. 3-4 day a week workouts & healthy meal plans - this would be perfect for those of you who need a little jumpstart...Whose in?
11. Been thinking a ton about this post...a must read....Life is short. I've been trying to hold on extra tight to the little ones lately and love on them all day long.
12. Been making everything with delicious POM wonderful juice (100% pomegranate juice, unlike others that claim that they are pomegranate juice but only 0.3% is).... The kids love it too - here's what we make with it.... Pomegranate juice topped snow cones - perfect for hot summer days; Pomegranate mojitos; Mixed Berry smoothies & popsicles (1 cup POM wonderful; 1 cup mixed forzen berries; 1 cup fresh spinach; 1/2 cup ice; 1 banana = yum; POM margaritas (1 cup POM wonderful pomegranate juice; 1/2 cup tequilla; 1/2 cup frozen apple juice; 1/2 cup frozen limeaid; ICE, blend until frothy = double yum.
13. This No Spend Month might be just what I need to kick start the mindful consumption phase again! But, I think its hard to do in the summer, no?
14. Happy 4th of July everyone! We've got our veggie dogs, flags, camping gear + sparklers ready to go!

ps - I love this picture of Samme when she was little running through the sprinklers at my parents house. One of my all time favorites. Perfectly captures the essence of summer...

And on that note, I leave you with this quote:

"I'd give all wealth that years have piled,
The slow result of Life's Decay,
To be once more a little child
For one bright summer-day." - Lewis Carroll