My day started in the thick darkness of 4:15 this morning. Jack was leaving for his 8th grade trip and everyone had to be there to board the bus at 5am. He was so excited and I just hope that we packed everything he's going to need. He's the kid that when it's time to leave for a week-long family vacation, he get's in the car with a his ipad, ipod, cell phone and A pair of shorts. no kidding. He can. not. stand. to pack. So much so, that he actually has found that he can pay his sister to do it for him. sigh..

In order to celebrate his big trip, Robert cooked us a big steak dinner last night.{he will probably try to live the next week on gummy bears and cheez-its} The weather was perfect so we sat out on the deck to eat. 

What Jack hates, maybe even more so than packing, is getting his picture taken. I desperately tried to capture him while he was eating. I can't recall that I have any photos from his 8th grade year. deeper sigh.

I tried... 

I also hope that he soaks up the beauty of our entire great state--all the tulips that are in bloom, the dogwood trees, the grass that is the richest shade of green due to the spring showers and gorgeous sunshine we have enjoyed. I feel like this great rug *feels* like what all these 8th graders are going to experience this week.

Isn't it beautiful? I think this rainbow of 23 different colors would be a fantastic pop of spring in an all-white living room, a stripey addition to a kids room, or to jazz up a laundry room.     

{via}

Do you have a treasured piece in your home that  gives you the 'feel' of a special place or represents a great memory? Do share!