Signs of Spring (Ring-a-Ling)

I feel that I need to make a new quilt. I so dearly love the ones I had made for the girls at Christmas but now I am feeling left out of the goodness. I have so many beautiful fabrics that i can't bare to part with, and simply can't justify yet another apron or skirt. So I guess a quilt is the perfect solution, wouldn't you agree?
I think I will make it a summer throw, one to enjoy on a late evening while reading on the deck. I have a bit of time till that will happen as the nights are still chilly around here. I will keep you posted on the progress.



The days however are spectacular.
I can still feel the heat on my face from the day outside.
All the tell-tale signs of spring are here. The chickens are in full production, the weeds are taking over, the smell of cottonwood tree buds permiate the air with their most delicious honey aroma. All while I fret about the timing of my seeding, the lack of water already and the fact that I haven't cook a decent sit at the table dinner, or lunch for that matter, as we are outside more than we are in.
What a drastic and welcome change from our cold, bleek winter.

Things I love about the sunshine......sunhats, flip flops, dirty toes, and a cold glass of thirst quenching homemade iced teas.

Pretty shoes on pretty girls who wear pretty dresses on sunny days.

The skirts were a hit. I am so thrilled because I love to make them as much as I love to give them.

Happy Birthday Beautiful!!!!

I will now get myself ready to make 60 pink cupcakes for Sparks camp on the weekend.

Shearing Sheep...Add That to my Resume

When we got Ben and Opus almost a year ago, we were told that they were a cross breed that shed. This sounded to good to be true. Well Opus shed quite nicely and although it was messy, there was no work on my part. On the other hand, Benny boy wasn't what we bargained for and is a gnarly mess of matted wool.

So I looked up on YouTube how to shear sheep,(you really can find anything on there) and did a quick tutorial. Feeling confident I had K grab the camera and I got the clippers......

I felt I had a pretty good handle on the situation and was even able to flip him onto his hind with relative ease, to get a better shave. Then of course as my luck would have it, the clippers died.

So now we own a half shorn sheep. I hope he doesn't get a complex.

Aside from that today was nice all around. We headed to the beach for a picnic lunch after K finished school but got blown away. The wind was intense and made for a tough meal, but the walk on the beach was great. The girls found all sorts of treasures as the tide was quite low.

At the one time today I didn't have my camera on me, a hummingbird flew into the laundry room and after I caught it, we had a moment to examine it. I held it and she let us check her over pretty good. We have so many around the feeder right now it was a wonderful thing to let the kiddos see one so close. Then i just flicked up my hands and off it flew, only to come back to the feeder while we ate dinner. That made the girls so excited.

Now I'm off to bed with my "fresh from the line" sheets. One of the best things in life.

Sunshine on My Shoulders Makes Me Happy

Although I woke up to J's Blackberry blaring a techno alarm down in the kitchen at 5:15 this morning, I managed to happily stay up and lead an amazingly fruitful day.

The sun has created a new sense of calmness around here. We spend every moment outside and eat all our meals on the deck or at one of the picnic tables.

It is so wonderful after such a long and cold winter.

The wind has died off and now I can clean up all the pine cones as I enjoy the yard.

I had to water everything as it is already so dry. I feel that it may be an ominous sign for the summer ahead.

The ladies and I headed out to a park in the afternoon and played faeries, their favorite thing.

That gave me the opportunity to play with my new camera and I think I am in love. Dare I say that a material pocession is able to evoke so many emotions. I literally look through the lens at every chance I get, and I am thinking about what photos I would like to try to capture.

This is going to be a great tool/toy for summer.

I managed to finish a few sewing projects yesterday. I just adore this little skirt for the birthday babe.

I made my friend B an apron and dropped it by today. I hope she likes it as much as I do. I just about kept it. I made her a reading pillow as well but am saving that to give her another day. (Surprise B)

I had an idea floating around my imagination station (my idea bulletin board) for a way to spruce up some rubber cleaning gloves. Here is what they turned out like. Cleaning will be much more tolerable with these on......don't ya think?

Betchya wanna pair now!!!

To wind down the day we spent time in the garden and enjoyed a tea and strawberry snack on the deck.

Then after reading 3 chapters of the the Spidersick Chronicles the girls are nicely tucked in and peacfuly asleep, so I will retire and do some reading myself.

Lovely Days

I thought I would take a quick minute to share as J and the kids take some time from the day to read a chapter from the Spiderwick Chronicles.

J came home and it has been a fabulous weekend. The sun shone brightly but the wind was incredibly chilling.

There are definatly signs of spring everywhere. The garden and greenhouse are bursting with green buds. I can already taste the freshness to come.

We volunteered at the Earth Day festivities at Simms Park at the Our Big Earth craft booth and had a ton of fun. K was the ubber volunteer, I am so proud of her.

K had soccer in the afternoon. I love how she runs around the field in an excited prance, a wide smile telling the world her pure joy of playing.

Afterwards we spent the rest of the day in the yard and had a group of our friends and babes over for a BBQ and we experienced our first bonfire in the new firepit. Perfect summer times.

My most frivilous purchase was made this weekend and I actually had heartburn from my remorse. No mistaking it is an indulgance I will forever enjoy and it has been glued to my eyes all morning.

Yes a new camera. A nikon D90. I am thrilled.

My life looks so much better through the lense of a great camera.

Now i just need to learn how to use it properly. I must register for a class soon.

I plan to spend the rest of the afternoon sewing a few gifts for my friends and a gift for a friends baby's first birthday. I think a skirt is in order.

K is going to the matinee with Nana and the cousins and J and E are putting the finishing touches on the turkey house.

Perfect day.

Well, Here I am, and I am Excited

This is it, I am officially committing myself. I have been debating on doing a Blog for about a year, because ultimately does anyone really care what i do or have to say?
But then i realized recently that that is the fun of it all.
To share our daily struggles and enjoy the moments together. To look back at our adventures, sharing it all, no matter how minute or inconsequential, with you all, my amazing family, friends and friends to be.
Starting this new venture seems daunting as i have been collecting ideas and photos for a long time. I am not to sure on blogging etiquette, but i will figure this out as i go. Please all i ask is that you be patient with me.
Now I fear I will be constantly asking myself,"Is this "bloggable"?
I will be laying awake at night trying to form the right words to capture an idea.
All in all, I can only hope that it will be a fun experience and that you will enjoy it as well.

Welcome to our world, full of fun, chaos and lots of love.