October Staycation

It occurred to me the other day that I haven't had a full week away from writing/posting since last Christmas. And though I do so love my job, a break every now and then is good for the soul.

So this next week I'll be "staycationing" at home. And I have a lot of plans for my time.

Like diving into these new yarns. Can you tell I'm on a bit of a blue and lavender kick?

I've already started a new sweater. Yes--those are bobbles that you see. It has bobbles. This is my first time with these adorable little balls, so I'm having a lot of fun. Bobble fun. You understand.

And I'm sure I'll be drinking a lot of this tea I discovered yesterday. I asked the barista for a breakfast tea, and ended up with a mug of this delightful brew.

It has chocolate in it. That's right, friends--chocolate. Why have I never thought of black tea and chocolate mingling together so nicely in my cup? It's brilliant! Thanks to Boulder's Tea Spot for their marvelous invention.

Since the weather has officially turned to fall (it got below freezing last night!), I decided that it was high time to get onto the tight craze. I haven't worn tights since I was a kid.

So you can bet that I'll be enjoying these new leggings throughout my staycation, and for the rest of the season.

Finally, what is a staycation without some sewing? I've loaded up on a few fall fabrics in lavender (again with the purple), brown and red houndstooth.

These stacks are destined to become my newest favorite dresses, perfect for layering with sweaters and scarves.

And of course tights.

That's all fine and well, you might be thinking, but what will happen to the blog while you're sewing and knitting and drinking tea?

So glad you asked! I've prepared a series of my favorite posts from the past year for you to read in my absence. I hope you enjoy reading them again (or for the first time if you're a new reader) as much as I enjoyed writing them!

I look forward to talking to you soon!
--steph

You Can Find me at the Show

It was by no accident that I decided to write this little mini-series on community staycations during this time of summer. Because I think that the Fourth of July is one of my favorite community holidays--and a perfect day to get out of the house and enjoy neighbors, sunshine and good food.

The best way to get the most out of the Fourth, in my opinion, is to spend it in the company of children. Their excitement and wonder reminds you that the day is kind of magical. I love to listen to them oohh and aaah at the fireworks, and to see their sticky, popsicle-smeared faces, and to hear the snap! snap! of them throwing down those little firecrackers and laughing as they hit the pavement.

Since my husband and I do not have children, and no nieces or nephews nearby, we do the next best thing: hit the community fireworks show and watch the kids and adults enjoy the evening. We find a grassy knoll, spread out a blanket, and smile at the sight of sparklers and the smell of bug repellant. Of course it helps that my hometown has a great show every year. I can't help but feel like a kid myself when the fireworks start. I'll admit that some ooohs and aaahs even escape my mouth from time to time--a fact that always solicits laughter from my husband.

Naturally there are other things I like about the Fourth too. The outdoor grilling, the strawberry shortcake for dessert, the sunny, warm day perfect for relaxing. The three day weekend.

But when the sun sets, you'll know where to find me. Just follow the sound of kids laughing.

Hope you all enjoy your Fourth!

Previous Community Staycation Posts:
Staycation on Foot
Doin' Nothing
Staycation Essential: Pools

Staycation Essential: Swimming Pools

When I was a kid, there was only one requirement I held for family vacations. I was quite a little dictator about it, actually. The whole vacation was ruined if this one simple thing wasn’t in place. What was it? A swimming pool, of course.

The hotel could have been a dive, the trip a total bore. But as long as there was a swimming pool (outdoors preferably), my siblings and I were happy as clams.

Still Scouting for Pools
Well, not much has changed since then. If I’m planning a trip in the summer, I need to know that there is going to be a pool involved. Even if the trip is just a staycation, and the pool is in my neighborhood.

Truthfully I’m not much for swimming. At least not in pools without diving boards or deep ends (my favorite water hang-outs since childhood). I’m more of the lay-by-the-pool-sipping-cold-drinks-and-reading-books type. And then, when I can’t possibly stand the heat one second longer, I jump into the water to cool off, and then hop back out to start the routine over again. Boring? Maybe. Simple summer leisure? Definitely!

In addition to my lounging routine, I also love meeting my neighbors, especially the pint-sized ones who are clearly loving the pool as much as I used to as a kid. I like to listen to them make up water games, or occasionally overhear the drama and angst of some nearby teens. It is simple community entertainment at its best.

Out of Excuses
Which is why I can’t believe that it is almost July 1st and I haven’t been to the pool yet! I’m not sure what is wrong with me. At first it was the cooler-than-normal weather. Then it was to avoid the early summer rush. And now...frankly...I’m out of excuses.

And since it is supposed to be 93 degrees today, I just might have to slap on some sunscreen and hit the poolside. Hopefully you’ll have a chance to do the same soon!

Previous Staycation Posts:
Reading for Gold Stars
Staycation on Foot
the Simplest Entertainment

Staycation On Foot

If I were your staycation travel agent, the first order of business I would tend to would be to schedule lots of foot time for you. Foot time? you ask. No, I don’t mean pedicures (although certainly they should be a staycation staple, too). I mean walking on foot through your town. Or biking, which I guess would be on pedal--but the same principle applies.

Why on foot? Because I’m convinced that experiencing your corner of the world at a slow, one-foot-(or pedal)-in-front-of-the-other-pace is the best way.

A Summer on Pedal
It was a few summers ago that I decided to give my car a rest and bike to and from work everyday. My office at the time was located on the opposite side of town from where I live, giving me a chance to wheel my way through miles of neighborhoods. It was officially that summer that I fell in love with Fort Collins, no doubt because of the bike.

There's Just Something...
There’s just something about getting outside of your car and wandering the streets. You notice things--like a cute boutique that you somehow missed, or an ice cream parlour that always has a line out the door. Furthermore, you get to smell the linden trees in full bloom in the summer, and the fresh scent of cut grass, and hear kids playing in the park as you walk or ride by.

And because you’re on foot, you find yourself slowing down and stopping at the cafe for a coffee instead of rushing to work. Or stopping to look at a beautiful garden with your kids. Or catching your foot in the spray of sprinkler on a hot afternoon. You know--all those ridiculously simple things that make you feel alive, and appreciative of nature and summer and grass and sun.

Grab Your Sneakers!
During the next week and a half, I’ll mention a few more specific activities that you can do on foot or bike in your community to soak up the summer, including garden tours and gallery walks. But for now, as your trusted staycation travel agent, I’ll simply say get your sneakers and head out on foot!

Previous Staycation posts:
My Community Staycation
Reading for Gold Stars

My Community Staycation

On the dawn of this new mini series devoted to community entertainment, I feel compelled to cite an oh-too-recently-popular phrase: staycation. All the rage for summer fun, recession-style, the staycation is of course the practice to vacationing at home to save money. And though I feel sheepish for using such a trendy term, I have to confess that the staycation concept is exactly what I had in mind when envisioning this short series on community leisure.

In Love
The simple truth is that I am in love with my town. And though I am sometimes tempted to wander outside of its bounds and experience the cultures, languages and foods of other places, I am equally drawn to just staying home and enjoying the pleasures from my own community backyard. Admittedly this makes me neither posh nor sophisticated. But it does make me appreciate home. And it saves me some cash along the way.

It Started with Bikes...
So for the next two weeks I’ll be sharing the brief story of how I fell in love with my town, starting with mundane practices like riding my bike and frequenting my library. And I’m sure I’ll talk up the virtues of garden tours and amphitheatres and grand daddy of all summer community events: the Fourth of July.

So please stick around and join me as I shamelessly conform with all the cool kids and attempt some staycationing myself--

Maybe being trendy isn’t such a bad thing.

Previous Retro Summer Posts:
Oogling Outdoor Spaces
A Poodle Skirt Summer
A Girl Can Dream