I miss blogging. Summer is slipping away faster than I expected, and I haven’t completed a single project at home yet. Still, I’ve been quietly thinking through plenty of ideas for when I finally get the chance to tackle something creative around the house.
Back in April I planted some very small container plants. I almost forgot about them during the hottest week of July, and I was sure they wouldn’t make it. To my surprise, they bounced back and now look lush and full. The change has been a pleasant reminder that a little patience (and some overdue watering) can do wonders for a small garden.
Even after a dry spell, the containers filled out and started blooming nicely. I learned something surprising: carnations, which I had never tried before, handle drought-like conditions better than I expected. They’ve proven to be an unexpectedly hardy choice for container gardening, so I’m likely to plant them again next season.
I hadn’t expected the pinks and reds to hold up so well, but they did. The flowers brightened the front porch and made the space feel more finished, even if I didn’t get around to painting or any of the other household projects I’ve been thinking about.
A small, emotional moment from this afternoon: I was standing in the ferry line, scrolling through Facebook on my husband’s phone, when I saw photos of my nephew’s newborn daughter. The pictures were beautiful, and I smiled as I looked through them. Then I read the caption and cried—right there in public with the windows open.
The name caught me off guard. The caption said the baby’s name, and the idea that they might have named her after my mom overwhelmed me. I don’t actually know whether they chose the name because of Mom or simply because they liked it, and I don’t want to assume anything. Still, the possibility was enough to make me tear up, and I remember feeling a little embarrassed as the man in the next car glanced over with concern. My husband gently nudged me and asked what was wrong, and I handed him the phone so he could read the caption too.
Whether it was an intentional tribute or not, the name felt like a tender connection to family and memory. I messaged them with congratulations and warm wishes—Tyrel and Kaity, if you’re reading this, I’m so happy for you both and for your little one.
On a lighter note, I finally have enough hair to put it up in a bun. For the first time in my life I can twist my hair into a topknot, and I’ve been experimenting with messy styles. Right now I’ve got a big bun perched on top of my head. I can’t decide whether it looks chic or slightly ridiculous, but I’m thrilled it’s even possible.
I’ve been learning techniques from hair tutorials on The Small Things blog—Kate’s step-by-step guides are clear and comforting when you’re figuring out a new look. One of my favorite tutorials shows a relaxed, slightly undone bun that looks effortless. Mine isn’t identical to the photos yet, but practice helps, and it’s fun to try new things with longer hair.
Even though I’m enjoying the length and the styling experiments, I’m already looking forward to my next appointment with my favorite hairdresser. She lives quite a distance away—Montana, in fact—so I appreciate our time together all the more. I’ll share more about that trip and the salon visit when it happens.
So that’s what’s been happening lately: potted plants that exceeded my expectations, a small but meaningful family moment that made me cry, and a newfound appreciation for long hair and simple hairstyles. I’m hoping the rest of the summer brings a chance to put a few of those home projects into motion, and I’ll be back here to share the progress when I do.