summertime.....the livins easy part2

For this mama of 3 summer time is all about having fun and learning something new!!!!

 Brady is learning to play tennis- I think he has a very tennis pro stance- dont you? Our local High School Coach and some of the kids from the high school tennis team have been doing a FREE(that's what I am talkin' bout) tennis clinic this summer!

 Our local park system has a FREE(there's that word I love) program for kids where they get to go right out into nature to learn! They even have a cute little pledge they say about vowing to take care of the earth for future generations! love it! As you can see HUGH wasnt quite so enthused to have mama taking yet ANOTHER picture... i cant help myself!

 YEE-HAW! vbs was a wild west round up! and my oldest- Sierra was a camp volunteer!

 Our favorite place to swim- Dogwood Pool in North Canton Ohio- has the best fun area for the wee ones! as you can see my sweet little Hugh is lovin every minute of it!!!!

 Another place I love! COSI science museum in Columbus Ohio- lots of fun for the family-

Last, but not least, nothing beats a fire on a cool summer night- except for a fire and S'mores! the messier the better! Mr. Jackson got a little carried away with the size of the fire...maybe he was thinking about blowing smoke signals?

I love these lazy, fun summer days and nights and cherish the extra time we have together- 

SHARE with me your summer adventures in the comments, i would love to hear about them!

Mimis' Suitcase hits the road!!!!

2 weeks ago Mimis Suitcase hit the road for our first ever flea market!!! check out some of our groovy wares that were for sale!!!

 I love the old thermos' they are fun to actually use...i am working on a collection for when i buy myself a glamper!!!!

 beautiful colors! i love these awesome summer colors!!!! the bowls to the right would be amazing for dips for this summers numerous cookouts!!!!!

 vintage state plates galore!!! super fun displayed as artwork! I have a collection of blue state plate on my bedroom wall!

 you can never go wrong with lovely linens....which are also great to make into other things like curtains, pillows, needlecases, purses and more!!!!

Amy and I looking sweet with our vintage aprons! <3 what a fun day we had! although we vowed to park our butts under the tent next time to avoid spending all of our profits! I got a to-die-for 1930s Mother Goose book to add to my collection that day for only $5!!!!

We were up and at 'em at 5:30 in the morning, a major miracle for this girl!I dont do mornings is an understatement! and we set up at the Hartville Flea Market in Hartville, Ohio- i love this place and never dreamed I would someday be a vendor! I am not sure when we will get back to sell there again but rest assured, we will!

For more of our fun finds, visit us at etsy! www.MimisSuitcase.etsy.com! I just put a few items on sale recently and added some fun finds that I didnt have at this sale!

Summertime....the livins' easy

I finally got berries!!!!!

and for whatever reason, it makes me immeasurably full of joy!There is just something about growing and making things for yourself.... its a feeling that doesn't come from purchasing items in a store....i felt like i was 12 again, only better because this time i was picking and cleaning the fruit with glee....i never understood why my mother wanted to garden until this very day. i would think things like....why cant we just buy our food at the store like everyone else? While I spent what seemed like hours weeding and picking while my friends were playing.....i not only helped feed my family, i learned things that you need to know in life....like a work ethic, like pride in a job done well, and the rewards of that hard work- like a beautiful cherry pie with a handmade crust, filled to the brim with sweet, beautiful yellow cherries or homemade fried zuchinni..... and now that love has come full circle as i  seek to gain that life i had for my own children...natural and homegrown and straight from my heart to theirs! I observe this joy on my childrens faces as they devour the raspberries(after i washed them) striaght from the bowl!

 my reward this morning, fresh organic berries to go on top of my organic vanilla yogurt

 and p.s. i am working from my "office" today! my worn wicker sofa is a perfect spot to work and enjoy these lovely summer days~ and its practical too, because the boys are playing in the yard and actually LETTING me work!!!!

 the beautiful banner- I bought from my friend Carol- check out her facebook page- vintage shack- which just happened to match the pillows I already had out here

i just had to share a few pics of my flowers blooming- i am so loving this summer

whats inspiring you this summer?