6.27.2011

Some Scenes From The Weekend...



sweet pencils, necklace and long "tutu" skirt from Minikin...she is obsessed with that skirt.






















Lots of outdoor fun this weekend...snowcones and splashing in fountains, loads of swimming, some yard work (or Bryan planting things while we floated around watching him...sweet husband) + two poolside dinners with family and friends.

But the best part of the weekend was a discovery we made on Sunday morning over breakfast... It started with a decision to make a proper family breakfast (blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs and fresh fruit). We set the table outside, under our big shady tree, with cloth napkins and ate our meal, leisurely, to the stylings of Milt Jackson. Mid-way through breakfast, Audrey looked up and said, "It feels like we're having friends over, only it's just us." In other words, it felt special.

We entertain a lot. One of my favorite things is having friends over for a meal...turning on music, figuring out what to cook (or order), lighting candles, setting out fresh flowers and a little bowl of mixed nuts and some drinks. I love it. I love to host. But I've found the more we have friends over, the more I tend to "phone it in" with our own family -- it's easy to skimp on effort when it's just me, Bryan and the girlies.

Audrey's comment reminded me of how important is it to make the times when it's just the four of us feel as relevant and valid and special as the times when we invite friends into our home. It might mean we entertain less so we can create more family "moments", but I think it's worth it, yes?

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes! :)

Loui♥ said...

absolutely!!!
family is the heart of the home..
without that loving core,
how can one "entertain" outsiders?
personally,our home /down time is even more special because we enjoy it being just us..
and the furbabies..
enjoy these special moments..
they fly away way to fast!!!
your girlies are watching and learning..
how to make every ordinary ..
into an extraordinary event!!
warmestt hugs..
Loui♥

Ana Degenaar said...

Perfect weekend. I can even bear the heat looking at these lovely photos.
xx

The littlest said...

oh joslyn, sounds like a perfect weekend. and i think her comment is a fantastic reminder to carry a little more intention towards family time. i can really relate to this!! thanks for sharing. xoxoxo

SmartBear said...

oh, this post makes my heart go boom. I love to entertain, but I also get a kick out of nurturing the budding foodie in my tot. Family breakfasts and dinners are the best...and there is always a playlist! ;)
And what a sweet little gal you have there...
Best,
Tina

Caitlin said...

Sounds like the four of you had a lovely weekend together - it's the small things in life that end up being the most memorable.

Have a wonderful week! xx

Chelsea said...

beautiful as always. i want to steal one of your weekends they are all so lovely:)

-Maria- said...

that fruit bowl in the 4th photo down is just amazing- it looks the perfect pottery bowl I dream of one day owning.

Anonymous said...

sounds like a beautiful breakfast:)
and that tutu and necklace outfit is perfection!

xx

stacy said...

yes, yes, and yes!

Unknown said...

Beautiful and interesting....love the lamp...smiles

torrie said...

Yes. We went through this same realization and change. We had to entertain less- in order to make room for creating special meals for *just us. It's made the times when people do come over more special, and it's got us excited to plan meals together... just as we used to do when we had company.

Tracey said...

Ahh. I love to host too. I like weekends for special family times. So easy to get up late and have a mammoth brunch outside. Never so easy when day to day life gets involved or when you are having a busy week/month! I'm sure your family still loves the hosting times too. :)

Kate said...

That sounds lovely!

Unknown said...

I'm inspired!! Looking forward to making next weekend's breakfast a little more special!

Christian said...

Such pretty images! I find that these "moments" happen for us the most when we are traveling. It takes some simple pre-planning to make them happen more at home, and also its tempting with small kids to just make the meal 'easier' to clean up - like if we used that pretty tablecloth, I'd have to wash it and then it might not be ready to use if company came by (the exact opposite of valuing family time over entertaining, but so true!)

Anna said...

That's so true!
And from that glimpse of pool, I can tell your backyard space is gorgeous.

Megan Taylor said...

Your girlies are so lucky to have such a thoughtful Mom...

Barbie // Fringe and Feathers said...

It really is all about those special little moments. So sweet of your little girl to recognize how special the experience was.

And your backyard is beautiful!

kreutzerinc said...

Where did you get that beautiful tablecloth and the brown/amber glass bowl? The combination gets me so excited for outdoor summer dining!