frogs & suckers

I am in full party prep mode. Before I was a little nervous, but now I am getting very excited. There is still a TON to do before Isabelle's 6th Birthday - Tea Party (tomorrow), but I think somehow, I will get it pulled off! I might have to cut out some ideas...but that's o.k. hehe. The biggest possible damper to my plans would be the weather...so I am praying for a beautiful day so we can have a Garden Tea! Above pictured are some bean bag frogs (got the wonderful pattern from purlbee.com) that I am making for a TOSS the FROG in a Pail type game. The pot on the side is just suckers with paper flower punches adhered to them. I have many other plans/ideas in the works...but you will have to wait until after the party to see those. hehe. Now, only if I can stop my projects to get some much needed housework done! I don't think it will be a wonderful party with dog hair on the floor and over-flowing garbage cans! Talk to you soon, until then...Happy Thursday!

late july roundup

LAZY SUMMER DAY ICE CREAM EATERS
A WELCOMING & PEACEFUL TABLE SETTING AT MY FRIENDS HOUSE TODAY. WE HAD A WONDERFUL PLAYDATE & VISIT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL MORNING.

BEN HOLDING A GIFT (THIS GIFT IS FOR ELLEN MY STEP SISTER IN LAW, I WRAPPED IT REALLY SPECIAL IN LAYERS OF TIN FOIL, PLASTIC WRAP, NEWSPAPER, PAPERTOWEL, TAPE, STRING, ETC.) - HEHE

THE BEGINNINGS OF ISABELLE'S FRIEND PARTY INVITES

AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR FOUND IN THE HOUSE

This has not been an easy week by any means. We have had quite a few challenges come our way. I am thankful for all the well wishes and prayers and support from family and friends, especially regarding my mom's health. I am so happy to announce that she was released from the hospital tonight.

I feel August will be a true whrilwind with both of the kids birthdays and school starting. One step at a time, one day at a time. breathe. breathe. breathe.

Handmade Plushies & Journals

Here I am experimenting a little bit with my plushie making. The thing to the left is a little pocket monster. I have named him: Frick. He has issues. The thing on the right is a squareish bird with mental problems, his name is Real Mayo. I have let them hang out in the herb garden this morning...safe away from the children. (In the plushie / softie toy making world...you are supposed to name each creation and give them a story (if you so desire). So , here is Frick & Real Mayo....hanging out in the herb garden. Frick is thinking about shoving Real Mayo's face in the dirt because ....well, I don't know why....it's a private matter.

Recently Noah requested I make him a journal so he can record his thoughts. Here are two that I made for him. I am also working on a third one, using an old "Noah's Ark" golden book for the covers. This is a more complicated (coptic style) binding , so it will take longer.

This is a journal that I made for a friend of mine. She loves flip flops and she has just moved away and I am very sad. But, how wonderful that I got the chance to know this amazing woman. Lynn we will miss you guys so much! May the best be yours always! (and of course we must discuss the details of our mail exchange and I can't wait til your settled and online again! hehe)

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So, the kids are kind of driving me nuts this morning. Just fighting over toys. Mom, bens on top of my doll house!! Mom, ben wont get off my bed! momma, Isabelle took me blankie cow! So, yes I am ready for school to start. I am thinking about locking them in the basement. I have tons of cleaning ahead of me today. It amazes me how quickly that things just go aray. Seriously, I don't even know where to begin. I need to write some lists and calm down because I am starting to feel overwhelmed with things I need to do and events coming up.

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movies: we just watched Mama Mia again last night. Man do I love that movie. Yeah, honestly of course it is kind of crap,,,,but the music is sooooo grand and fun! I made noah watch it. He said it wasn't torture..but it wasnt good. Well onto another movie we watched last night: The Holiday with Cameron Diaz (i dont care for her) and Kate winslet (i love her). Also..jack black and jude law. Wonderful movie, I so enjoyed it and even cried a smidge.

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Well, I better go get my brain organized and I am getting a scrambled egg request from the troops. Happy Saturday!

Once upon a time...there was time.

Here is a Bunny Rabbit for your viewing pleasure.

Random Thoughts & happenings: This week Ben climbed to the top of the bookshelf and screamed: Me Spiderman! That is when I decided it was time to leave the library. Last Night for dinner, Noah made a No-NoOdle Zucchini Lasagna. It was excellent. By the way if anyone will be in need of Zucchini let me know or swing on by. Also if you have any great Zucchini recipes let me know. I want to do something different with it then we normally do. It's been kind of rainy and cold (so dreary one day that we even made chili for dinner! Chili in midjuly! crazy I tell ya) but we have had a very busy week. This summer is going fast that is for sure. I can't believe school is right around the corner. I have to make sure all my ducks are in a row for paperwork and requirements and such. So much to do , so little time. I read a sign in a friends kitchen this week that I thought was very cute: Once upon a time...there was time. Also right around the corner is both the kids birthdays. I am just starting to plan a little girl TEA Party for a few of Isabelle's friends. I hope that I can whip this together properly in time. That's what she wants, a tea party at home. She also wants her ears pierced. I don't know if I am ready for her to have that done yet. I don't think we will have family parties for the kids this year, maybe just some special little get togethers/meals. Lately my children have been talking like they are Robots. Kind of silly. Also all of a sudden Isabelle has freckles (she insists) and she said that she has them because she kept wishing to God for them and she wished really hard and he gave them to her. The kids favorite outside thing lately is picking mulberries and coming in with purple hands and mouths. There is a rumor that a tomato may turn red some day soon..that is if the sun ever comes out. I just started two books to read: Pride and Prejudice (I've never read this before!) and also Julie/Julia (the book the new movie about julia child is based on). Well, I better go tend to the children as they are up and functioning...me on the other hand, not so sure.

Let's go to the FAIR

The County Fair rolled into town in the usual fashion. I wasn't really planning on going this year. I can take it or leave it was my feeling. But, the kids got wind of this event...so we kind of had to make a stop. My parents were out for a visit and we truly had fun on this very COLD july day. Treats, Rides, Prizes,etc. Where else can you go to see a purple dog or witness your son almost squeezing a baby-chick to it's final breathing moments? The saddest part of the day was when Ben's balloon flew away...and his out reached arms tried desperately to get it back. The best treat (for me) was the roasted pecans. Isabelle's big dream came true: cotton candy. Other moments included a guy throwing up in a garbage can right in front of us, an instant headache I received from the tilt o whirl..greeting lots of friends, stroking the animals, looking at blue ribbons.... it was a super day...although, those carney folk sure do frighten me a bit.

Yes, they are RED.

To be quite honest, I am having a very crappy day. BIG Headache. I am being too lazy to hook my camera up to the computer to download any new photos..so I thought I would share my new washer and dryer with you. Yes, my lovely appliances deserve a better spot than this this yuky basement corner...but for now , this is their place. :) I must tell you that I feel quite joy when I do my laundry these days. You need to understand that I went for a long while with yuky and then non working-non existance appliances before we could replace them. Even for a few months there before we moved, I was going to the laundry mat. I am sorry - but I truly dreaded it each time...it was a nightmare for various reasons. So now, when I do my laundry, I truly feel so thankful to be able to do our loads & loads & loads of clothes and linens at home. :)

There is a fly buzzing around my head and I want to beat him to death with a stick (did I mention I am a little crabby right now?). I have a very busy weekend coming up. Good stuff, just busy stuff. Tonight I am making beef strognoff for the evening meal. I actually made real chocolate chip cookies like a real mom/housewife. I think I will take a little nap since I feel the kids have finally dosed off for a smidge. Please dog: don't bark while we are resting.

A Garden Walk To Remember

On Sunday afternoon I visited 10 beautiful gardens that were all participating in a united garden walk. I got so many great pics, it was hard to choose, so I shared some of my very favorites. Each garden was interesting and so special in it's own way. There was so much inspiration and some very creative ideas at each of the spots. I really enjoyed this experience. The Kiss of the Sun for Pardon, The Song of the Birds for Mirth, One is nearer God's Heart in a Garden, Than anywhere else on Earth. - Dorothy Frances Gurney

Morning Report

It's such a quiet calm morning here this Sunday. Paul & Celia (a.k.a. grandparents) took the kids last night for a movie & sleepover. So, Noah & I decided to go on a much overdue - "date". We went and had a wonderful dinner at a local italian restaurant (cannovas). I had one of the evenings specials that included: penne pasta, chicken, asparagus, shrimp, yellow peppers, sundried tomato & a creamy tomato basil sauce. Then we decided to get some movies and just relax at home. We watched The curious case of Benjamin Button. Truly enjoyable. We had such a fun evening with lots of laughs.

This morning I get up to the birds chirping, the sunshining...so I take my coffee outside and sit and breathe-in the beauty of this earth. Wow. God is good. I notice my childrens bikes left out on the lawn and my heart smiles. Although I miss their presence, I needed this little break.

Then I took a little stroll in our garden to check on the progress of things. The summer squash is doing great and we have also already eaten some green & hot peppers. The beans are not doing so well...The tomatoes are green and growing....

Do you think there is a Cabbage Patch Kid in there?

My amazing discovery of the morning. This tree has mulberries growing on it! Tons of them! Isabelle will be thrilled! We had black raspberries at the old house and I knew that was something we would miss. Yet here is a wonderful surprise. Yay!

Here are some grapes growing. not too sure what I will be doing with these. I don't know much about canning/preserving, etc. So, I will be looking toward some of my more skilled in this area friends for advice. Wine, Jam, both? hehe

Noah is still sleeping, I think he is also enjoying the quiet of this morning. I look forward to when he gets up because he is making homemade bisquits and gravy. Also today, I think I will be going on a garden walk in town with some very amazing women in my life. Something wonderful to look forward to. Happy Sunday dear friends & family.

This Morning

I thought I would a share a glimpse of our morning on this Stormy Friday. This 1st photo is my kitchen table. This is where I have my laptop most of the time durning the day. I lite a candle since it was dark and wet. I love the comfort of candles. This one is the scent of : apple pie

Here is Benjamin Luke scooping out his scrambled eggs. He is wearing spiderman underwear. He is directing Isabelle not to eat her eggs cuz they are too HOT. Most of the time more eggs wind up on the floor than in their tummies.

Here is a look at the living room on this rainy morning. It's so beautiful and peaceful. This room still needs to be finished (fireplace, bookshelf, touchup paint). I can't wait, I think this will be my favorite room of the house.

This is the look out of my kitchen window (the one above the sink) out onto our garden. It sure is getting plenty of water. good thing!

This is Isabelle Claire watching cartoons, holding an owl plush/softie toy that I just made. She fell in love with it so I gave it to her. She named it: Pinky and she has been taking it everywhere with her. Recently Isabelle informed me that she has to live with me forever. I asked her why and she said because then she will always know when her birthday is. Speaking of birthdays, both of these children have one in august and I am kind of feeling overwhelmed with what to plan. keep it simple, yet special is my motto. lots to think about. In other news: I can't believe school supplies is out and being advertized already. wow. I love school supplies. Always have and always will. I think the rain has finally stopped, maybe we will get out for a bit. Today I am wearing one of my favorite shirts...it is old and it has a clown on it and it says: Normal People Scare Me.

handmade journals

I absolutely love book-binding, making journals, etc. I am so addicted. This Rainy day was perfect to do a little crafting. I made these using mixed papers (note , copy, scrap) for the inside pages. I love the way they turned out and they are so fun!

The kids have been very content playing and actually getting along for the most part! Right now I am making some SleEpYtiMe tea for Isabelle and I to share over our banana bread. Ben is napping. It's so cold I have my slippers and sweatshirt on today (in july!). Ben has finally today for the first time: started pronouncing Isabelle's name correctly. So cute...but bittersweet...cuz my baby is growing up. That's all for now folks.

The Perfect Picnic Tree

Beautiful Summer Sky
Funny Little BOYCurious Little Girl

Lemonade, Tuna Fish, Pretzels, Cheese & Summer Squash.

The Perfect Picnic Tree.

(Ignore Ben's way too big pants that he decided that he had to wear).

We have this amazing tree in our yard that I absoutley love. It is perfect for sitting under. Just the right amount of shade & space. The tree is more than first a seed, then a stem, then a living trunk, and then dead timber. The tree is a slow, enduring force straining to win the sky. - Antoine de-Saint Exupery I don't know what it is in me when I decide , hey we can all share the same drink in a big bottle to save from misc. tipping cups etc. The kids fight the whole time for the right to hold and drink from the sacred single bottle. Everytime we do a picnic thing I warn them that there will be bugs. Everytime they see a bug, ant , etc...they scream BUG!!! get it out of here!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is when I tell myself, maybe we should have eaten inside. Also half way into the meal the kids start exploring nature. Climbing trees..walking about the woods.. I'm not complaining, it is always nice to picnic...these are just some of the facts. hehe. Recently, I rewatched: Finding Neverland. What a heart-touch movie. I do not fail to cry at the end. We still don't have tv service yet, so we have been watching lots of movies and opting for reading & computer instead. It really has been kind of nice. We plan on getting service by winter (if not before) because boredom is sure to strike. I really only watch one show that I have to see anyway and that is: The Office, which I can watch online. My family is still sleeping, so I am enjoying a few quiet moments. Ben keeps coming into our bed every night lately, he's totally taking over my spot. We are meeting more neighbors & making more friends on the street so that has been really nice. I can't tell you the joy in my heart that Isabelle can walk out back and play with a friend. She is such a social girl. When we lived in the country, it made for playdates and simple moments like that very hard and far between. I love hearing the church bells everday. I love being so close to everything (stores, school, friends, park, etc) and yet we still have quiet & privacy being on the end of a dead end street. Today Isabelle has ballet and then we are hopefully (it looks a little rainy at this point) off to the park for lunch and play with friends. Tonight I am looking forward to Summer bible study. dinner plans: not sure yet. Yesterday we made baked chicken, coleslaw and cold pasta salad. The day before that we had steak on the grill, sweet potatoes and green beans. The day before that I don't remember at the moment. Well I have probably rambled enough for one sitting (and my 2nd cup of coffee is ready). Good day.

Red, White & Blue

Ev'ry heart beats true

'neath the Red, White & Blue.

-George M. Cohan

Wish on a Fish

Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not the fish that they are after.

-Henry David Thoreau

"Shooh! Good thing I did not catch a shark!". -I.C.S.

Recently, Ben, Isabelle & I were invited to: Picnic & Fishing with Friends.

Some moments: sharing picnic goodies, throwing crab apples, swinging on the willow tree, walking around the lake, poles & bobbers in the water, fish out of water, photographs, many laughs and smiles, throwing rocks (and huge boulders) in the lake, sliding down dirt piles, wading in the sandy beach, slightly crisp yet pleasant air, picking wild flowers, pulling a wagon filled with fishing gear and a sweet baby girl, sharing thoughts & wonders with special friends.

..thank you T for a very beautiful afternoon.

Where's my toaster?

There are joys that long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away. - Henry Ward Beecher.

o.k., so I had a dream , a simple dream... to get this mini little cast iron frying pan from farm & fleet. It is the most adorable thing I have ever seen and now it is mine. Life is good.

This super hero often visits us. "He fwys and fights cwime."

Ben enjoying his treat at the ice cream Parlor.

WITHOUT ICE CREAM THERE WOULD BE DARKNESS & CHAOS. - Don Kardong

misc.

We got to eat yellow squash from the garden last night! excellent.

Isabelle takes showers now.

Ben has back tracked on his potty training last few days. joy.

I am afraid to go the library because I can't find a dvd movie we borrowed.

I am enjoying this cooler weather, reminds me of fall the best season on earth!

I had no car for a few days , but now it is all tuned up! whoah.

I am considering taking the kids on a teddy bear picnic today.

I wish I had HBO so I could watch True Blood.

I am excited to be slowly setting up my craft room.

We still have many things in storage.

Sometimes I wonder where my toaster is.