My Nest: Small Changes in the Entryway

When I last showed you my entryway it looked like this: 

 

Not a totally fair representation, since many of the items piled up were destine for donation. Before the Get-Rid-of-Crap-Spring-Cleanathon the entryway actually resembled this on most (winter) days:  

Functional, sure. Since it is the first thing we see when arriving home each day, and is the first impression guests get of our home I wanted to give this area some love.  As I have mentioned in previous My Nest posts, Ler and I wanted to live in our space with the stuff we already had and feel out how each space served its purpose. Some elements were already working super well for us, so we kept:

Scenes of Summer: Time to Decompress

This week I am out of town for a music education clinic and a dear friend's wedding (congrats Kim!). When I return to Mil-town it's time to get down to business revising the curriculum, reading articles and books, writing essays, designing lessons and projects, and planning concerts. The Lake Geneva Symphony summer series kicks off in July, studio lessons resume, and some family events are also in the mix. Whew!  Knowing that July will fly right by, I made sure to slow down, decompress and savor my week of vacation. Here are some of my favorite moments:

 

Mogget Monday: Sisters, Sisters...

Mogget Tip #4: Spend quality time with your sister, even if she is a pain in the ass.

Fancy That Friday: Sail Away

My dad grew up in Milwaukee, spending most of his childhood along the shores of Lake Michigan. He loved to sit and watch the sailboats tumble on the waves. He eventually learned how to sail, and helped some family friends maintain and build (!) sailboats.

Although my dad moved inland for a fantastic lady, he made sure his kids experienced the joys of his childhood. I have many fond memories of trips to the beach, hanging out at the McKinley Marina, and feeling the cool lake breeze on the deck of a sailboat. I'm quite certain this is why I really, really wanted to live near the lake- it has always felt like home. 

This weeks round-up is inspired by a relaxing Father's day along the marina.

McKinley Marina

A most wonderfully fluid work by Tobias Tovera

Simple Pleasure

A radiant, city sunset as viewed from my window.

Mogget Monday

Mogget Tip #3: This summer bask in the warm sun, listen to the birds sing, and let the breeze ruffle your fur.

Fancy That Friday: Summer Solstice

Next Friday is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year for those of us in the northern hemisphere. For some folks the solstice is just another day, while for others it cause for celebration and bears spiritual significance. During this astronomical event I cannot help but marvel at the awesomeness of our universe. For billions of years this rock that we call home has traveled along its celestial path, spinning and tilting the whole while. With each rotation we living creatures are granted a fresh beginning; each axial shift ushers in a new season. This week I fancy to celebrate the solstice with:

this view of Lake Michigan.

More after the jump!