Cassie Tedder: Whew***Summer Flies!

Apologies are in order for not posting in quite some time. However, I might have established a tradition in doing so- -taking a break for the summer. My husband is a teacher and since he already has summer vacation built into his job (so lucky!), I think I may join him, allowing us to really enjoy it together. This is primarily based on just how crazy our summer was this year. It was easily the busiest summer we have ever had together....quite possibly the most busy I have ever been in a summer. I am not even sure there was any time to create, much less blog about it. We moved into our very first home in June and have since been unpacking and setting up, but mostly spending lots of time with family. It has been so incredibly rich and wonderful, regardless of its fast pace. When I really reflect on it, I don't know that I would have done anything different. It was like an intense blast of "differentness"...all very good, just very much not normal rhythm. Yet it is still somehow perfect in its own little way. As fall approaches however, I am ready for it. I am....refreshed! It is odd to me that so much busy-ness has translated to refreshment, but I feel a renewed vigor to get back into the normal groove of life...and especially to roll my sleeves up and create.

So, I don't have many creations to share from the past couple months, but I did take one of my favorite pictures this summer and captured some really wonderful moments.

I have always loved Queen Anne's Lace. Growing up in New Mexico, this flower (yes...it is considered a flower there) was rare and quite special. It became one of my absolute favorites....I even included it in my wedding bouquet. Well, apparently, I moved to the right place to have as much of it as I wanted. The only problem is that here in Tennessee, it is so prevalent that it is considered a weed. Such a shame. I argue that no weed could ever be worth of such a royal and lovely name as Queen Anne's Lace...but to little avail. So while locals laugh at me picking weeds along the side of the road, I will gather my lovely bouquet of flowers and smile every time I see it. Weed or not...I absolutely love it. I even have high hopes of it blooming in our yard next summer as long as I can convince our mower that it is part of our garden and not in need of removal. : )

Our sister graduated and it was so fun to capture that special moment for her, along with her great party...including some of the unique touches.

We got to spend a good deal of time with our sister and her son....our cute-as-can-be nephew! He is so incredibly precious and such a joy to our family!

The incredible Natchez Trace...my husband biked 210 miles on this and got to enjoy sites like these all along the way! I was so happy to "have" to pick him up or I would have never known what I was missing! Just breathtaking!

We took up fishing a bit more seriously this summer, as our new house is only minutes from a huge lake and multiple rivers. Here we caught a small blue gill...not big enough to keep, but fun non-the-less.

Most of my creativity has gone into the beginnings of decorating our new home, but I saved some for our taste buds. I love to cook, but something about having a new and larger kitchen space paired with summer cravings for fresh and vibrant foods gave me all the more drive to prepared some fun meals this summer. Just to name a few- plum and blueberry crepes, smoked salmon with cream cheese, cucumber, and fresh chives, and hopefully to be photographed soon- our best homemade ice cream yet- walnut cinnamon.