Summer at the Commune

I have a file of scattered unrelated pictures on my photostream that I want memorialized as part of our blog history.  Here we go.

Hanging out on the couch at the Commune.  Niya’s been staying with us for a few weeks as she transitions between apartments.  We call my house the Commune because people are coming and going and hanging out and playing music and swinging in the hammock most of the time.  There’s food and good company and I love my house.  Come on by!  You’re welcome!

Having your BFF around all the time is awesome because she supports my weird fashion choices and demands that I document them.  I love having people to dress up for who encourage rather than simply tolerate my outfit choices.  Fashion is fun.

Spreading the love of Shave Ice with my bud Anne.  We grew up in the same town, now she let’s me come to her fabulous community pool and makes the most delicious cookies. 

Makin’ projects.  I’ve been making punked-out vests for whomever wants them.  She’s crafty (she gets around!) she’s crafty! (she’s always down).  There’s your Beasties, NC. 

Another outfit shot.  Let me be clear here – this is not an attempt at vanity and I am not nor would ever would be a model because I am supremely uncomfortable in front of the camera.  I document my outfits because getting dressed every morning is like putting a piece of performance art together and it’s fun to remember how I paired things up because I never wear the same combination twice.  And I post them because I think you’ll be amused. 

   

‘Tis the season of Barbecues!  Since I’ve been in SLC we’ve had three or four barbecues.  I love having people around and feeding them.  I like being invited to things so I also like inviting people to my house to hang out.  I’ve gotten to know some amazing people already!  And sometimes there’s impromptu hippie dancing and it makes me so happy! Thanks to Hush, he mans the BBQ in the scorching heat.  He’s the party supporter and gets little acknowledgement for all the work he does, I appreciate it.

Mimi, Jude and Silas LOVE having barbecues with all of my adult friends.  Sometimes there are kids, but we always need more around.  Nonetheless I am always SO PROUD of how my kids interact with adults and what they’re learning from being included.  They are getting to know happy, interesting, not-too-cool-for-school people who play music, many of whom go to church, and all of whom are very kind to them.  They feel special.

The guys got the three kids going like spokes for a minute.

My parents entertained a lot when I was a child and it played a big part in my social development.  My mother is the hostess of all hostesses and I love carrying on that tradition.  We’re party people. 

 

Hiding in Hush’s hammock.  They look like Killroy to me in this.

Summer with garments (LDS/Mormon special underwear that covers shoulders all the way to knees) is always a fashion challenge.  It’s so damn hot.  How to be modest and reasonably cool?  I layer dresses with cut off t-shirts sometimes.  I’m still hot.

 

My kids love sushi and I love taking them.  Jude and Mimi in particular like Ikura – salmon roe. Jude orders it by the spoonful and he eats while I gag.

Tada!  I painted this.  It was a commission for a family of nurses.  So happy with the way it turned out and that they like it and understand it.

We’re an animal family.  Jude and Si have tiger pants, Mimi has zebra and I have cheetah.  Should I be embarrassed that we coordinate?  Because I’m not.  I like it.

 

I love that these kids are capable and interested in cleaning the floor.  They fight over the mop.

Some of the only welcome children at Savory Sunday.  Our friend Jory throws these events once a month and I’m special so my kids can come.  Also Niya’s sister Poeina was performing so it was a dance party.

Fireworks and more kids at another fun barbecue.

And finally, the day of the kitten.  I bribed the children to move to SLC by offering them a dog when we get there.  We went to the pound ostensibly to pick one out but the kids were (happily) too scared of all the barking.  Then they spotted the sweetest little kitten and asked to adopt it.  I struck while the iron was hot and now we are the proud owners of a sweet little kitten.