Welcome August

After spending the weekend working a conference and getting up at 4:30 each morning, Monday I decided to treat myself by going to my favorite coffee shop, getting a latte (splurge!) and a muffin. As I walked from my car to the office door, I was overwhelmed by the feeling that this is august. The thick air, sticky with the scent of freshly-mowed grass. The sound of birds and lawnmowers. The sight of trees heavy with leaves. I glanced down at the sidewalk and there was one perfect leaf streaked gold and auburn. The first autumnal leaf, so out of place on this decidedly summer day.
July creaked by, with oppressive heat and afternoon thunder storms but I feel (for the first time since Junior High) that I am really absorbing this summer:

California trees and skies and waves

Saturday mornings at the farmer's market, relishing the color.

Homemade salsa, using the above ingredients


Riding around with the pup



Going to Baseball games


I've found that the blogging world is relishing the palettes and palates of the summer as well.
A few of my favorites:
Sheri's farm shots
Anna Maria's palette cleanser
Alicia's Astoria
Toni's Vintage-ish shots
Blair's summer lunches
Jane's French vacation

The combination of the above has my head swirling with colors, both muted and bright, of the summer. This summer feels like a time of absorption with the vaguest hint of inspiration...