crocuses & babies

My crocuses popped up this week to announce
that spring is right around the corner.
I can't wait!
We also spotted our first robin today!

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I am amazed over how many of my friends
have had babies this past year.
There are still a couple more bundles of joy
on the way that I am looking forward to holding.
One of my best friends is expecting a daughter in May.



This little baby will be surrounded with a lot of love!
She will have two big sisters
and three big brothers to snuggle with.
I can't wait!

pretty tulips

Today was one of those blah days.
The one where you wake up sick and
can’t will yourself to do anything productive.
On top of that, my husband was home sick too.
He had a bit more energy than me and took over the morning routine
with the boys and when he crashed in the afternoon
I brought out a pop-up tent and let the boys “camp” in the living room.

It rained all day, or most of it, I think.
I didn’t go outside so I can’t say for sure.
Anyway, these photos of my tulips do make me smile.
So if you are having a blah day too,
here are some pretty tulips to look at.

The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8

Oh, wait!
I did pull out a hook and some pretty yarn and
crocheted a bit…the day was not all lost!

s m i l e

Happy Friday!

a guest and a darling, fun craft

My seasonal affective disorder is starting to settle in already. Which led me to swap out the 60-watt light bulbs for the 100-watt ones. I know, I know, I am guilty of a bigger carbon footprint or whatever. But we recycle, upcycle, craiglist, garden, shop at second hand stores, at local markets and farms and volunteer a ton, etc. So I think somewhere it will all balance out. Grey days, which lead to mental and physical inertia, are my personal nemesis so I tend to gravitate to light, color and anything happy, peppy and positive during these cold, dark months.

One thing I tend to gravitate toward is my sister, Alice! She is pretty positive, spunky and creative. And with two little girls to keep her on her toes she is always churning out great ideas. I keep telling her I need to come over to her house and photograph her creative ideas, shortcuts and space savers as other mothers would absolutely love them. She is so smart and savvy with design, space and color I sometimes feel like I should be paying an entrance fee just to walk through her house and glean ideas. It really is beautiful.

Anyway, I’ve been pestering her for some time, as sisters do, to throw some stuff my way so I can share some of her creative juices with you all. So here is my sister’s first guest post!

Yeah!!!

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Floral Hair Accessory –
by Alice

This is a quick and easy craft project.


Your girls will enjoy picking their own flower for this project. It’s best to use a 'flat profile' flower so it will lay flat to your head.

You will also need 1/4" elastic, felt, and hot glue.

First, cut the felt into a 1 inch circle and your elastic into a 1 inch strip.

Second, fold your felt in half and cut two small slits a 1/2 inch apart then thread the elastic through these slits (see image).



Third, hot glue the felt circle to the back of the flower making sure the elastic ends are also glued and then trimmed.

After it is dry, use the elastic loop on back to slide onto a headband or barrette.

Have Fun!



****

I love it!

I can’t wait to make one myself!

Thanks, Alice! You Rock!

recent photos

We are preparing for Hurricane Irene, hope all of you stay safe.

Here are some recent photos!

our evening walks

a.k.a burn off the last itty bit of energy so the kids fall asleep quickly

Annie's flowers

a day out with my sweet niece at one of my favorite bead stores

My sister and I went out for some therapeutic
girl time/adult conversation/uninterrupted-already-made-dinner-that-we-don’t-have-to-clean-up/much needed uncontrolled giggling.
The night delivered!

zapped

We have had a busy week.

We tore down our old deck,

took a day trip to Washington D.C.,

enjoyed birthday celebrations for friends and family,

babysat for some friends,

wrapped up sewing projects,

had a planning session for my mother’s big, birthday bash,

dealt with the beginning of spring allergies,

and said goodbye to good friends who are moving away.

Hence the following picture…

I am zapped and need more energy!

Whew!

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Happy Easter



I hope you find yourself

amongst friends and family this Easter!

But for now...

Little vases are lined up on my counter again.

Little, muddy fingers bring in their colorful contents.

Little, beaming faces of love that one day.....their wife will enjoy.

But for now....they are mine to enjoy.

Little gifts of love from above!

Sprrrrring!

Hello Spring!

Top five reasons why...

We went to the pediatrician's office yesterday and today we got the call….. my middle elf has strep throat! Yuck!

Top 5 reasons why I do not like going to my pediatrician’s office:

1. The wait is very, very long.
2. We have to sit on germy chairs.
3. We have to sit next to germy people. (including mine, when they are sick)
4. I have to pack two bags of books to make it though the long wait.
5. I have to bring snacks, drinks and usually a lunch because we get so hungry from the long wait.

Top 5 reasons why I like going to my pediatrician’s office:

1. My pediatrician ROCKS!!
2. She has three boys too. She can sympathize, relate, advise, laugh and roll her eyes with me.
3. She makes hospital visits and will take my rare, direct, phone call in an emergency.
4. The staff ROCKS!! They are extremely busy, but extremely patient and kind. They always have a smile.
5. I have gone to her for 21 years. I trust her. She is so worth the wait!

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Since it has been a blah-kind-of-day here, I am going to post some pictures that make me smile!

I could look at peonies all day

I like him

I love gerbera daisies.

My oldest doing what he loves best

silly boys

red and white stripes

random things I find in my kitchen

no explanation needed

~~~

Have a great day.

Give someone a free smile today!

dear neighbor,

Dear Neighbor,

I apologize for the fruitful display of dandelions on your beautiful lawn this spring. You see, my boys and I have passed your yard at least a hundred times last year on our walks through the neighborhood. We enjoy walking past your yard and admiring the carefully manicured flower beds and perfectly edged sidewalks. Also, we have fun finding the letter “W” that hangs on your garage door. But even more than that, my boys love snapping up the irresistible, white, fuzzy dandelions on the ground near your yard and blowing them with all their might. They stand there in amazement as they watch the ‘tiny parachutes’ pull away and sail to other worlds. By the looks of your lawn, I don’t think they got very far. So I am apologizing for the over-abundant crop of dandelions this spring and have asked my boys to just kindly observe their beauty and restrain from reseeding your beautiful lawn.

In the meantime, I enclosed a recipe for Dandelion Blossom Pancakes!!!

Sincerely,
Inge and her very curious boys