Master Chef Olivia

 Today we will be cooking with a very talented and creative young lady.  Please meet :  Master Chef Olivia.  She is so excited to be whipping up a very special dish for us today.

 Here we see Chef O as she is deeply thinking about what would be the best recipe to make.  She really wants to wow us with her creation.  She shares with me that her love of food began a long time ago when her 2 teeth came in.  Although she still only has the 2, she insists that her palette is seasoned and sharp.

 Once her recipe is decided, she inspects and gathers her fresh ingredients, utensils and kitchenwares.  The ideas start flowing and she gets to work.

 Chef Olivia works endlessly on this amazing dish.  She spoons and stirs and measures and tastes.  She tosses, flattens, smooshes and tastes some more.  The process seems complicated yet she makes it look so fun and easy.  Each step is important to get the proper product in the end.  Her methods are unusual, and she talks, giggles and screams alot during the process.  Step by step, she is getting it done while being hugely entertaining at the same time which is a wonderful quality in this profession.

...and finally, she whips off her hat:.. the dish is complete.  The Chef seems very happy with the results.  I still don't know what it is exactly that she has made for us today, but if she is happy, I am sure it is a 5 star meal!  Thank you for joining us today! ....now, I have to get the clean up crew in here...and the Chef needs some milk and a nap.

Red White and Boo

 Here we see the baby girl gearing up to be lots of trouble.  This kid is a nonstop whirlwind of distruction.  What is so neat about what she is wearing in this photo is that Isabelle had the same outfit when she was around the same age.  So I pulled out the scrapbooks this weekend to find the photos for comparision.  It was fun.  Then the kids and I went through some of the books and it was so fun to look back and remember our special moments and see how much the kids have grown.  It also gave me the giant urge, to get my stuff out and start trying to catch up a little bit.  I honestly have not done much since Olivia has been born.  She has a few pages that include her but that is it.  So, the guilt sets in.  I must keep this goal on the top of my list.  My scrapbooking brain even pulled sparkler boxes out of the garbage because they will look great on a page layout! 

 Here is the lovely trio all decked out in their red white and blue. 

 Here's Benny Boo running around like a firecracker before the fireworks.  Yes, he still needs a haircut.

 Beautiful Isabelle was thrilled that we saw a class friend before the firework activities.  They got to play for quite awhile together.  Olivia was not interested in the fireworks yet this year.  I had to keep her from empting out my whole purse into the darkness of the grass. 

One of the evenings recently, Noah made this coconut chicken on the grill.  It was very good.  So, the long holiday weekend is finally over and to be quite honest, sometimes 4 day weekends can get a little too long.  The heat doesnt really help the situation either.  This holiday I felt like Cinderella and not in a good way...in the way that she she has so many tasks to do that she never makes it to the ball.  Oh well.  That is my rant of whining and feeling sorry for myself, now I must move on to happy thoughts and lovely days. I'm excited about many wonderful projects and events on the horizon.  It looks beautiful outside, can't wait to start TODAY.

Peas and Pigtails

 Garden Peas.  There is just something super special about arriving in the garden early morn, feeling the faint breeze, seeing the rising sun, touching God's earth, hearing the birds a.m. lullaby...and tasting the delish of a fresh picked vegetable.  But, then...the kids see that you are in the garden and start yelling at you from the window in the house, you can hear them fighting, they are asking you questions (like: can I have breakfast?((and the thing about letting those little people eat, is that you have to clean it up - ugh)))...which is oh so great, and then the flies & bugs start nipping at your face and try to fly within you eyeball and up your nose, then your remember that you forgot to put on your junk shoes for the garden and the fresh mud squishes through your toes of your good shoes...and because of the kids royal rumpous, the dog begins to bark...and lets just say this is less the ideal, relaxing and magical garden experience that I knew only moments earlier, so I gather up my green goods in my shiny bowl and I make my way back to the funhouse.  Cleaning and shucking the millions and billions of peas is beyond tedious.  The many pods are empty and only one serving bowl is filled with these sweet delights when all is said and done.  Nothing like eating a fresh a garden pea.  They sure are swell.  But, maybe next time, I will just grab a bag out of the freezer...maybe.

 This is my first child with a raimbow on her head.  We went to a local festival this past weekend.  The kids enjoyed the parade the best (probably because they got lots of sugar thrown at them). 

 Here is the boy child, letting the first child "do his hair".  He needs a haircut.  It's always a challenge taking the children in, so I guess I have been avoiding it and hoping that Noah will bring Ben when he goes.  But, since barrettes and rubberbands are now making their way onto his head...I should probably take care of business for the lad.

 We recently visited friends who live in the country.  They have lots of chickens and kittens.  The baby girl especially liked the kittens.   Nothing sweeter then a baby with a kitty.....except when she tries to strangle it and pop it's head off.  That's not as lovely as one would think.  I'm pretty certain this kitten still has two eyes after we were through with it....but I am not positive.

I am LOVING that we can put Livy Monster's hair in little pig tails now.  Now shes not just cute, she is extra cute (in my mommy opinion).  Since Isabelle is not letting me do here hair much anymore, it's nice that I have a new defenseless victim to experiment on.  Here we also see how the baby just can't seem to concept the drinking from water cups that she steals off of nearby surfaces.  Some other news & thoughts & then I have to Scram:  But, I can't really think cuz it's really loud here at the moment.  So I think I will end things here and now.  Good Day to YOU.

try try again.

I thought I would try posting the pics that I tried yesterday and this time it worked.  This painting I am loving, but I am not exactly sure if I am quite done with it yet.  I think I might add some color or something where the butterfly is pulling the name up.  There is glitter on certain elements of the painting to make it magical, but the glittler is always hard to see in photographs.

Here is my happy baby.  Please ignore the whirl-wind of a Godzillaness rampage behind her.  She truly loves to be a terror...ripping books off the shelf one at a time.  This is challenging for me of course because I like a neat and orderly bookshelf...but it's not my bookshelf...its hers so I have no choice but to let go a smidge.  Here she sits in one of Ben's trucks.  She thinks it's the funniest thing ever.  She just giggles at herself.

Chocolate Milk

Greetings.  For some reason I can not load the images that I wanted to my post right now.  I was going to show you a cute baby and a new painting or two.  I was even gonna maybe show you 2 cats fighting (I took a pic cuz your really dont see that everyday).  So maybe next time I post it will be operating correctly.  Let the rambling begin:  Have I complained to you about my lavendar smelling kitchen garbage bags yet?  Well, let me just say that I have discovered that the instilled lavendar smell, smells worse than the garbage!  Makes me wanna puke everytime I come near them.  I think I have like 30 somthing bags left to use.  joy.  I let Isabelle have a sleepover with a friend last night.  The girls had so much fun and it brought back tons of memories for me...when I was young many moons ago.  I might get some time to myself (well not counting Olivia) coming up the next day and if that is the case, I think I will whip out the scrapbooking supplies.  I am sooooo far behind....and I have the creative urg.  Just want to make a least a couple simple layouts or a mini album.  I have guilt that Olivia is in like none of our scrapbooks....and I so enjoy it and miss it much...its just a lot to drag that stuff all out, but if I keep it simple, It should work...of course I must unbury my creative workshop desk (card tables in the basement) first.  I finally got the kids to the library to sign up for the summer reading program.  (I was avoiding paying/fighting an unjust fine, but I faced it and took care of it).  I also signed up and I got a free book from a red cart.  The book I choose is one currently in the stores as somewhat popular, it is titled:  Heaven is for Real.  It is about a little boy's account of visiting heaven while he was on an operating table.  I love when the grass is fresh cut and the floors are clean.  Yesterday was that day.  I switched funiture around in the living room which is always fun.  Ben helped me with the floor and told me he thinks he does a better job then me.  I made an eye dr. appt to get my eye irritation problem figured out.  I think there is something faulty with my contacts or somekind of something in my eye...I dont know.....when I told Ben they might give me a patch for my eye, I found him crying later on....he told me that he didnt want them to take my eye out or for me to wear a patch.  I told him that it probably wont happen and if so we could be pirates together. He was happy again. It's quite chilly out at the moment...long sleeve or jacket weather.  I don't mind.  I have pink paint on my wedding ring.  I do mind.   Lots of giant blue jays lately...must be the suet. I think that is all I feel like talking about right now.  Lots on my mind.  Lots on my heart.  Lots on my to-do list.  I'll probably write again soon.  I know I did not mention anything in regards to chocolate milk like my title may indicate, but I couldn't think of a title and C. milk is always a nice thought.  I wish you farewell until we meet again.

Tea Horse Rambling

 Surprise Tea Party waiting for Grandma to arrive.

Horse Riding.

How beautiful is this morning?  The sun, the slight breeze, the birds.  What gifts.  Simple, yet not.  Simple to appreciate if taken notice.  Easy to miss if not.  I have one vent this morning and then I will move on with positivities.  The vent is as follows:  I am so sick and tired of picking up other peoples (and when I say peoples, I don't mean just children, I mean adults as well) garbage (not even messes, but actual garbage including especially:  popsicle wrappers, chewed gum and the remainders of a seeded watermelon).  Disqusting.  O.k., so we move on.... I am trying to fight a slight saddness that seems to be seeping into my heart the last few days.  I am trying to focus not on numbers (ex: facebook friends, scale, bank account, etc), but on HeArt and love and goodness and sweetness, because GOD knows that I am blessed with so much of that amazing content in my life.  I must remember that in what may look like a hopeless situation, that there is hope.  I must not give up and must keep trying and showing kindness that maybe it will make a difference in someones life afterall and maybe that will matter in the big picture.  Right now I am praying for a little girl (not my little girl) who seems to have a very naughty nature and angry and at times mean heart.  This makes me so sad, and as frustrated as I get, I must remember she is a child and what my purpose, influence ...Heart...can possibly do if I don't give up on showing love.  I do find it extremily challenging and tiring, but I know I just need to take deep breaths and keep trying the best that I can. I need to try harder.  Today I focus on the beauty of the day.  I focus on the smiles and hugs that I constantly get from my children who are so filled with love and light.  I want to attempt to create some art today.  I can already feel the paint running through my veins.  I must remember to take steaks out of the freezer for the evening meal.  I found Olivia naked in her crib yesterday saying: hi , hi, hi.  She took off every stich of clothes including her diaper and threw them over the edge.  The children are getting too big too fast.  Summer is running away.  Time is slipping away.  Lightening bugs are out.  (not at the moment but last night).  I am having a problem with my eyes/contacts.  I need to get in to dr. soon and find out what is going on.  The newest issue of Life: Beautiful magazine arrived in the mail the other day (thanks to a beyond awesome friend!) and it is an excellent issue that I got much out of.  My goal today is to make the children feel extra special and loved today.  I will extend many smiles and try to say as many YES's as I can to requests.  I plan to do minimal cleaning just to get by today because honestly there is not time in the day for it all.  I hope the guy comes to cut the grass today...it looks like a jungle out there.  The garden is producing snap peas now which is super.  Ben only wants to wear sleeveless shirts these days so he can show his big muscles. We were blessed with garden fresh picked strawberries from our neighbor...so sweet.  I hear singing from the bedroom, they have risen for the day (they sleep later when I drug them with a fan).  May your Saturday be bright and peaceful.  Good Day to YOU.

Custom Name Paintings

 I made this painting for a wonderful family!

I am working on NaMe paintings for some very special little girls.

How fun!

Art Day in the (red) Hood

 Something I truly have a fond interest in is:  Fairy Tales.  These enchanting, mysterious stories leave so much to the imagination and create magical worlds of endless possibilities (kids are currently having sword fights with their cereal spoons around me, so I currently apologize for thoughts and words that may not connect, but honestly this is how my brain functions most of the time...well unless they are at school or sleeping).  So anyWho, I have been wanting to create a red riding hood painting for a while.  I gathered some different ideas and incorporated my own and wolah.  I really am happy with how this painting turned out.  There is some unknown as we look deep into the woods.  The wolf...is he howling at the moon?  Is he looking at the moon...is he looking at little red?  Where do his legs end and start...or are those trees?   What is hood thinking?  Is she frozen in fear?  Is she intrigued?  Has she made it to her grandmothers house or on her way home or has she just begun her journey?  What's in her basket? Does she know how to bake?   Does she have a scones recipe she can share with me?  What about that bird?  I made the bird all white at first...but it felt "right" to add some red.  Is it a simple of hope?  Is it a messenger?  A guardian angel?  Just a spectator?  Who knows what takes place in the woods...

 Below is a fairy or Gnome house rock that I have started to paint (not finished yet).  It's hard to paint on a rock.  (get it, hard? I know...).

 Below are my children, so excited that I announced it was once again:  ART DAY.   Once in awhile, I get brave and I plan a day for us to get creative and messy.  Yes, I had to wash paint off of the floor and wall...but for the most part it was a good productive project day.  The kids kept saying how much fun it was, so I think well worth it in the end.  (despite Olivia dipping her hands in a whole paint tray when noone was looking).

 Below:  We even incorporated Ice Cream Cones into this special day.  (well, really what choice did I have?  At the denist office, they got free coupons for being good patients...)

So, who knows what today will bring?  We slept very late.  Although everything is wet from the storms, it looks like the sun is peaking through.  I already saw a hummingbird this a.m. even though I have no food in the feeder.  It came anyway.  Isabelle has a playdate scheduled for today.  So Ben and I may do more art before I clean it up.  Laundry is piled to the ceiling and I don't care.  I think I will make vegetable pizza again today (made it the other day and it was a big hit).  I enjoyed the movie:  The Kings Speech.  I am liking the show:  Master Chef and I always enjoy Kitchen Nightmares.  When I can't sleep, I watch these shows.  Why is it when I really want to find a magazine, I am in a magazine mood, that I cannot find any?  Better get my broom out, Olivia is done with her breakfast.  Isabelle is listening to Taylor Swift and making friendship bracelets...Ben is looking for something else to paint.  I must get this circus act together.  Have a beautiful day!

Life in these here parts

crazy busy weekend.  the children are out and about and in and under, above and within, the children.  Have I ever shared what my most unfavorite part of the day is?  It is cleaning up dinner.  I dread this part of the evening.  I don't know why....but I do.  Everyone else leaves the premises and there I am alone with the mess.  They are off relaxing and having fun, I stand there with the leftovers...with the spills, with the crumbs and the stains, with dirt....and the dread.   I try to change my feelings...I truly know that it is not so bad....cleaning up the dinner mess.  I know I should be thankful that I have a wonderful family to clean up after...that we have good food to share and a roof to share it under.....but, I am just being honest....I can't stand this part of the day.  It makes me sad and tired.   Today I have turnips and beets and squash to clean up...among other things.   The dog is whining.  I put him in the bedroom because I can't stand him at my feet as I clean up.  Guess what?  I haven't really cleaned up yet.  I came here to the computer and I began typing.   So that task at hand taunts me in this evening hour.  I know it's there.  Unfinished and waiting for me.  I know it is not going anywhere.  But, I delay it for a few moments.  I'm hot and like I said the dog is whining.  Sometimes I want to put thedog in a burlap bag and drive him to the nearest lagoon, but honestly...I don't even have a burlap bag....so basically impossible.   Have you ever tried to take a decent picture of 3 children all looking at you and smiling?  Can I confirm to you that I find that challenge a bit impossible, challenging to say the least.  If I put the dog on the table, maybe he will eat all the leftovers and I wont have to clean it up...yet again he will probably break the dishes, throw up and leave the turnips anyway.  Not my best plan I must admit.  I do plan to incorporate paper plates more often though...and my dish soap....my dishsoap clearly states that it is the scent of:  New Zealand in spring.  How am I supposed to trust that this is true?  Earlier I stated something to Benjamin (the young lad in the family) and I told him "that's FYI" and he said, what's fyi and I said, Ive told you before and he said, oh yeah "FOR YOUR IMAGINATION".  Yes, Ben basically, you are correct...imagination, information - really truly what is the difference?  Well, I suppose I should venture into the kitchen area to confront the horrilbe that awaits.  There is no way around it.  I want to sit here and read magazines and drink wine....but that's not in the cards and I don't even play cards so that makes it even more unlikely.  Until we meet again....may you believe that your far off country smelling dish soap will lead you to a better land.  ;)

More - Whimsical Garden Mural

Although I am not finished yet, I could not resist posting more pics of how the mural is coming along.  I absoutley love it.

He's a butterfly & a pirate...oh my.

 Here we see my dearest Benjamin as he stands in front of the church during his preschool graduation.  Preschool graduation is a sweet and emotional event.  All the children are so precious and special as they take part in this rite of passage.  At the end of the day, I asked Ben what his favorite part of graduation was and he responded with:  Eating a cookie.  Well that just about sums it up for a little four year old doesnt it?  As for me, my favorite part?  Watching him walk down the isle so proud, yet nervous...with his butterfly wings on.  Getting ready to fly...

 Here is sweet Isabelle on her last day of school (I let them celebrate with a Happy Meal Lunch).  Isabelle was thrilled to the moon with the way her school year ended.  Her teacher presented her with an award for:  The kindest student in the class.  Well, let me tell you, Isabelle was so surprised....she said she knew she was kind but she didnt know that she was the kindest!  She said she was proud of herself.  She showed it to everyone we came across this day and it stately hangs in her room.  When she showed me her award, I got a little tear in my eye, as I know the kindness of her heart and was so filled with joy, that it was recognized in this special way.

 This is a gift that I made for my step sister in law, Ellen as she has graduated from college and will be moving on to grad school.  This painting is a recreation resemblance of a photo of her in one of her favorite places (the highlands of scotland) in which she got to study last semester.  Also on the canvas is a much loved quote from one of her favorite authors.  Ellen also loves fairy tales so that's kind of  the fashion of how I incorporated the quote.

 Here are some of the teacher gifts that I made for the end of the year.  Handmade writing journals and painted clipboards. 

Here is Captin Pirate Ben Sparrow.  This past weekend he got to go see Pirates of the Carribian and instantly he got his outfit together.  I had to make him a patch.  All he needs now is a parrot...

Man, am I tired this morning!  I really should make some coffee.   I am so grateful that school has ended and summer has arrived (not for the hot hot weather of course but for the lifestyle that summer brings on...the freedom, the release from routine, etc.).  We have a fun & beautiful Friday planned.  I am looking forward to lot of wonderful today.  Along with several other things ending at this time.  The Esther bible study that I was in for the spring has now ended.  I have decided to do a study on my own for the summer.  This one is:  Daniel (by Beth Moore).  I will be spending much time in the Lions Den learning about integretity and such.  The mosquitos are bad already.  The dog wants to go out but I am making him wait til I finish my post.  I hear the baby up.  I was gonna go downstairs to ride the exercize bike.  Guess, I wont be doing that now...should have done that first!  I was reading The Little Prince to Ben the other night and he fell alseep.  Probably cuz there are big words and minimual pictures.  I sure do love that story though.  I need to refill my birdfeeders.  Lots of lettuce and spinach in the garden already.  o.k., the day is waiting.  May the best be yours today...rejoicce and be glad in it!  (even if you are tired and even if you run out of peanutbutter or milk or stub your toe.  Listen to the birds, feel the breeze...look for the sun.).

Paint Me Silly

 I can't even begin to explain how amazing this mural painting experience has been for me for so many reasons.  Below is a sneak peak of one of the walls so far.  This mural is for my friend's daughter's room.  We decided to do all four walls with a whimsical garden theme. 

 I am so loving this!

 This painting was a gift for a special friend.  The story behind this painting is very meaningful to me.  At the end of a very emotional and powerful MOPS meeting inregards to miscarriages and infant loss....all the women gathered outside together for a balloon release.  All white balloons.  Every woman could write a message or a prayer on their balloon.  The words in this painting tie in with the message of the meeting.

Here is miss Olivia after I tried to get banana out of her hair.  These days have been filled to the brim.  Ben is graduating preschool tuesday and school will wrap up for the year.  LOve the movies:  Gnomeo & Juliet and Bridesmaids.  Isabelle wants to be a vegatarian (veternarian) when she grows up.  I found Ketchup on my curtains.  The other day, Ben woke up and told me, "mom, I found a cowboy dream!".  Got lots on my agenda today, must go before time runs away.  Feeling very blessed and so thankful these days.  Be good and well, until we meet again...

Radishes

 I give Ben his own dresser.  It only has 3 drawers.  He dedicates one drawer to socks, one to underwear and one to costumes.  I should have known.

 We really enjoyed the butterflies.  We let them go shortly after birth so they could live the life that they were intended. 

 Recntly the kids made these warm fuzzy's.  All of Bens had extra eyes on them.  Isabelle was so excited to give hers to some special friends.

 I think that Olivia confuses Little People with her bink.

Yesterday Ben caught a toad and he announced that he wasn't even gonna kill it!  But heres the thing, he wont let it go either....I tried to get him to do so last night and he cried.  He said he wants to keep him for a pet.  So anway, we have some challenging talking to do.  :)

Sorry to family and friends that I haven't been around much via phone/ computer.  I am having a very hard time find any peace or  quiet or calm these days.  I have seriously just been feeling overwhelmed by the chaos around me.  Little sleep & The kids are on full energy mode....there are so many messes, and tasks, and projects and events... with the end of the school year coming on....everything is coming to a wrap like a whirlwind.  A storm before the calm.  So, I hope to get my act together in the upcoming weeks so I can prepare for a low stress yet fun summer.  The most amazing news is that I have started a mural at my friend's house for her daughter's room....and I can't even explain how fun and exciting this project has been for me so far.  Today, I start the actual painting (she already let me draw on her walls, brave soul!).   The first thing has popped up from the garden:  Radishes and the baby is up (again) and I haven't even made any coffee yet.  Good day everyone.

Wishing Flowers

 What a cute little troublemaker.

 This stool I painted in distressed style.

 The hatching of the Butterflies.  So, we thought the one caterpillar did not survive, but it did!  5 butterflies joined us this weekend.  It was awesome.  We have been enjoying watching them.  A few more days and we will let them go into the wild blue yonder.

 This is what this kid does to me all day every day.  She climbs and destroys.  She is always up to something distructive, distmanteling...along those lines.  I tell her NO NO and she points her finger and yells at me and continues on with her agenda.

Not only do I get yellow dandelions, lilacs, strawberry plants, worms and whatever else Ben finds around the yard....Ben likes to bring me an occasional Wishing Flower.  He tells me it's so I can wish for something good.  Here is my current wish:  I wish I could sleep.  It is almost 4 a.m. and i have been up since about 2.  My mind is racing with a million and 4 things.  I cant settle down.  My eyes are burning the last couple days...Ive had to take my contacts out, I have no clue what is goign on//causing this.  They are red and irriated right now.  I am praying in the morning they will be better.  It's been a rainy weekend and thats been so fine with me cuz I am trying to get chores done.  I swear I cannot keep up with the daily things and it leaves little time for much else.  ugh.  Nothing like the smell of wet dog in the house.  fun stuff.   I overheard Isabelle and Ben playing earlier and Ben directs --> "Isabelle, pretend I am an Eagle in my nest and you need to try and kill me."  Speaking of Eagles, the other day when a bird I wasn't sure to identify came to the feeder, I said outloud, I wonder what that is and Ben asnwered very matter of factly, "oh, that is probably an Eagle Bluebird".    I love that when Ben is asked his favorite color he usually answers "Every color in the world".   Sometimes I wish I never discovered Planters Trail Mix - Alaskin Wilderness Blend.  These weeks coming up are to determined to be very busy.  I need to make lists and prioritize.  Theres so much to get done with the ending of things and beginning of others.  I guess that is all for now, I shall reattempt sleep.  Happy Sunday.

Orange

It's not every day that a Baltimore Oriole (or 2) arrive at my feeders.  These orange birds actually like to eat Oranges. So this is just a quick update as my mind is overwhelmed with tasks.  Ben insisted on making my bed this a.m.  Noah rode his bike to work.  Isabelle did her own hair in pony tails and Olivia managed to get into all the dvds and distribute them all over the living room.  Our first butterfly has emerged from it's cocoon.  The weather has been way too warm as of late.  Luckily there seems to be a breeze today.   I think I will make banana bread this morning.  Been thinking about painting alot.  Working on my website (link on the side).  Beautiful blooms are growing all around the house (lilacs, cherry blosooms, etc).  The seedlings from the garden are already budding through the ground. Major project for today:  continue The Great Closet Clean Out.  I should probably pay my (unjust) library fine, so I can get books again.   I need more painting Gesso and we are out of olive oil and I still have not replaced my broken toaster.  I have gotten so many Dandelions picked for me everyday...I am so blessed!  Have a beautiful day. :)