Happy July everyone, sorry it's been awhile.  I have much to report.

Daybreak Shawl

I accomplished most of my knitting projects in June: a pair of socks, a hat, and two shawls.  I have most of my sweater vest complete, I just can't seem to get motivated to finish it.  For July, I am planning on at least two pair of socks and maybe a pair of fingerless mitts.  Maybe I'll get around to the vest, but I promise nothing.

Mairead Hat, in Another Crafty Girl Squishy Aran in Poppy

My notable June cooking endeavors included fried ravioli and a glazed lemon blueberry bread.  I also made two different peach cream pies.  In July I'm thinking a berry pie would be delicious (warm, with vanilla ice cream...yum).

Lemon Blueberry Bread, pre-glazing

My garden exploded this past month!  My lettuces are just about ready to harvested, my carrot tops are nice and bushy, the radishes are sprouting, and I have plenty of beans and peas growing.  My herbs are all doing well, except for the cilantro which has gone to flower.  I love having a little garden on my balcony, and knowing that the food I'm eating is home-grown and organic.  Once I've pulled the greens, I'll plant another round, and once those are done, I'll do root vegetables (parsnips, turnips, more carrots). 

And on a personal note, I'm burned out.  I'm burned out on work and hating people and hating myself and keeping up appearances and uncontrollable events.  July is my month of independence: I paid off my dental loan and my credit cards this month.  I should be excited, and I kind of am, but I'm also scared.  Now I'm going to have all this money available to me and the opportunity to get a new credit card and I don't want to mess it all up again.  I want to be responsible with my money now, but I'm scared of this freedom.  I've spent the past several years struggling financially and now that it's done, I'm exhausted.  If I can give advice to anyone, it would be: don't get sucked into the whole consumerism thing.  Yes, we all need to spend money to keep the economy going, but the lines society feeds us about needing the newest gizmo or car or clothes or makeup or whatever are all LIES.  In the end, trying to make yourself happy with objects will only make you more unhappy.  Don't base your worth on what you possess.  What matters in life are your character and your relationships, so put away your credit card and spend time with your loved ones.  I learned this the expensive way.  I was brought to my knees by silly spending, and when I was down there, none of the things that I HAD to have brought me any solace.  It was then that I finally realized my value as a daughter and a friend and a wife and a woman, not as a consumer.  Now I'm off my soapbox.