all that's past is prologue...

So for some reason, fall always seems like time to make things to me. I have no idea why, it's not like I have any extra time or anything. But the craftiness comes out! The other day, I made a candle-holder I had had in my head for quit some time, with some old contact sheets and a square vase (I think I need a bigger candle though): Tonight I used up the last of the zucchini on some zucchini bread: Over the weekend, my friend Amy had a craft exchange and I picked up a big square of fleece that I made into a no-sew wrap. Lots of measuring! I think I might trim it a little more, but in general I am happy with it!

This week had us back at events — which also included remembering how to behave at them and getting used to wearing heels again (for me, not Patrick). I mean, we've done some outdoor events, and seen people, and gone to shows, but nothing like this. Thursday was Clockwork's 20th anniversary (what, guys, did you start it when you were 5?). We always feel very lucky to be included! Plus we discovered a new event space, talked to great people, had oysters, and listed to Annie Mack. Good all around! Saturday we attended our first Avant Garden at the Walker. Strangely, we did not know a lot of people there (and there are A LOT of people), and they had issues (not much food, they ran out of glassware, internet stopped for for Talib Kweli when he was DJ-ing — we're all out of event practice I guess), but it was a great night.  Plus a community meeting, historic open house,  craft supplies exchange, yoga x2, and seeing friends from out of town. Today, back to work travel.

As I mentioned the other day, it looks like this is the last year for Fish Sunflower Fields . Usually, they have several fields starting earlier in the summer, but this year there are only 3 — Gibbon, which has closed), Andover (open now), and Albert lea (coming). Andover is dedicated to "Our Furry Friends," so we bundled up Brutus and headed out on Sunday, taking advantage of Golden Hour and the Vikings game so it wasn't crowded. We ran into circus friends doing a photoshoot and had a great time! So what follows is really less of a post and more of a photo dump — enjoy!

We are officially moved back out of Summit and over at Ashland. School has started, and Beatrix was on a  trip with her Girl Scout Troop to Itasca this weekend, so Patrick and I had a wild and crazy weekend planned. It didn't start out too nuts. Friday night we went to a happy hour at friends, then picked up the kittens from being spayed/neutered. After 3 different tries at take-out (gee, I guess everything is back to "normal, huh?), we got Punch pizza and watched the Trial of the Chicago 7 before heading to bed early. Because we are just that wild. Saturday, though, we sold/removed Beatrix's old swingset and headed to Yoga and a Pint. Then over to Blocktoberfest at Dual Citizen, where I did not schmooze enough (see earlier note re: tired) but where we got to see some Playwright's center folks. I got to show Patrick FilmNorth's new building. And we worked on the garden at Winter Street some. Then dinner at Sonora Grill and headed to the "Glow" Festival.

We're back at Ashland, after a summer spent at Summit. Which means it's time for unpacking, and nesting, and small projects that make things cozy. None of these are too impressive on their own, but together in particular they make me happy. We're cleaning up the yard so social season can extend into the fall. Patrick replanted the hibiscus. And I got some braches free off the BST board and planted some mums, after a summer in which the usual plantings in the window boxes died off quickly. Last night I made some firestarters — they are tremendously ugly but very useful. Fall firepit season! We hung some new art, both at Summit before we left (the new one is the black-framed one, the other one is a sampler my grandmother did in the early 1900s). Also some new small pieces at Ashland (the bottom ruby slippers in honor of Beatrix and I seeing Wicked, and the starfish because I miss the beach). We also made some delicious cocktails from a kit. And cleaned out a ton of plastic po

Queen Elizabeth, Lance Mackey, and Anne Garrels walk into a bar... I was catching up on a few emails early this morning when the news about the Queen's health came over Twitter. Patrick and I have spent years fascinated with the Royals, and I knew from being familiar with "London Bridge is Down"  that the first news released was Not Good. I then went into a client and was in a meeting when "The Queen is dead, long live the King" came over my news feed, and we all had palpable chills. Clearly, I'm not British (lost the chance to even marry into that). But, like so many others, Queen Elizabeth was someone I admired, who was symbolic, who was a touchstone of my life. She ruled for 15 years longer than I have been alive. When I was young, I joked that I knew more about the British monarchy than I did American political history (that may still be true). I never saw her in person (though I did see the Queen Mum), but when I lived in London, her presence was discer