keep it simple

Three

2012-01-22T15:39:00.000-08:00

Just got through reading this trilogy. For Christmas, my son and his girlfriend bought this set for my daughter. Her younger brother has already read them all. She had only read the first one and was so excited to have them all. I didn't plan to read them but I did end up reading them. Maybe in less than a week. My kids think I'm a fast reader but I don't think so. I just get so caught up in a good book that I can't seem to put it down.

Reading on my way to and from work. I take the MAX so it gives me an hour each way. Standing on the train or sitting, I'm hooked and can't put them down. Haunted and unable to sleep, after I read in bed. Hard to imagine a life as described. They're just books but I did cry at the end of three. I'm glad I'm through though. I'm glad there's not four or five. Just read that there's a movie coming this March. The book is pretty graphic. I'm not sure of it as a movie.

Week end 4:

+cleaning and organizing. Two bags to Goodwill, one bag of trash and a pile to free table at work

+plastic storage bin back to church. I had it at least two years, waiting for me to take back

-plastic storage bin back to church. I had it at least TWO YEARS....good grief

-worried for the health of someone I love

+a birthday present, I made, well received. Loved. Really loved. Made me feel good she loved it

+made this for two birthday presents. An Oct 2011 birthday and a Jan 26, 2012 birthday

-so far behind on the October present

+second half of January birthday cards written and ready to mail

+snow

-soooo much rain

+first aqua egg laid by chicken. Mostly brown, one green and one aqua...daily

Week End 2

2012-01-14T20:27:00.001-08:00

+ 17 bags donated to Goodwill. 17 bags less stuff in our house

+ organizing and cleaning

+ off of work early one day

+ wrote a letter to a friend

- required all staff meeting downtown

+ speaker was far better than I could have hoped for

+ inspired by speaker to think about poverty

- stats on poverty

+ Sweetie oranges. One bag, one day, only three were left

+ rethinking way of eating

+forecast for snow

Peace.

Baking for the Bag

2012-01-11T19:01:00.000-08:00

We buy flour in the bulk section of our grocery store and never buy it packaged. I've been itching to buy it packaged though for the lovely flour bags that its packaged in. They always have the cutest materials. One day I mentioned to my husband that I wanted to run down the flour isle and right away he caught on as to why I wanted to.

Some young man stopped and openly listened to our conversation and my promises of cooking fresh tortillas everyday if I could buy that bag of flour. In the end when I was loading my precious bag, he was laughing and texting away on his phone. Probably something like..."dude, some old guy just totally lost the conversation to his wife and now is stuck buying this huge bag of flour just so she could have the material and probably won't even make the promised tortillas....old people....dude".

I'm half way down the bag and the bread keeps getting better. Luckily for me I saw this film then ran across this post that led me to a recipe I can do. I start it in the evening, do the second rising when I get home the next day and bake. The first two loaves were sad but yummy, the dutch oven (that my husband dumpster dived for because it was brand new) smoked like a third alarm fire during the first loaf but it was all worth it because the third loaf was a beauty. I love the smell of home baked bread.

Week End

2012-01-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

Mostly good:

+ 11 birthdays to remember in January

- 11 birthdays to remember in January

+ bits of sunshine

+ discovering a doable bread recipe and process

- smoking dutch oven from first time use

+ cleaning, organizing and purging

- migraine

+ crocheting unfinished project

+ good mail

Peace.

My Success

2012-01-03T20:00:00.001-08:00

A little re-arrange after the Christmas mess has been picked up. The tree is now gone. I took out three pieces of furniture and put in the table. It had been crammed in the small kitchen and we'd tend to eat in the living room because there was no room to sit and eat. It was okay when we first moved in because our daughter was in kindergarten and our son in preschool but they're middle school and sixth grade now. Adult sized kids. At 12 my son has passed me up and is now 5'5".

This is the first time I've ever liked the way this room has been arranged. I knew there was too much furniture in there but now I really know just how much was too much. The right side of this room didn't film well so one a day with better light, I'll try to get a picture.
You know me. I'm a simple pleasures type. Right? I finally mastered how to grow that little string of pearls plant. Sadly a few others have gone to the big garden in the sky as I figured it all out. I'm so happy now that I can focus on finding a cute planter. I was thinking of this one.

Care::

-dry out between watering

-don't get water on any of the green

-water from below, in a pot of water that's slightly wider than the pot

-the first bit of water will soak up fast then refill dish and let it sit about five more minutes

-bright light but no direct sunshine on the plant itself

-this is a South facing window but no sunlight hits the plant itself

Everyday

2012-01-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year: 2012

everyday i ::

-pray

-do a load of laundry

-feed cats

-vacuum and sweep

-love crawling into bed

-have a cup of coffee

-think of things i'd love to be making

-work on something i'm making

-read my Bible

-cook a meal

-think of decor ideas

-make a to-do list

-check our mailbox

-shower to tame my hair

-put lotion on from face to foot

-give my kids a hug

-give my husband a kiss

-know i am blessed by God

Wednesdays

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

When off on a Wednesday.....

-Be thankful for baking and holiday cooking

-Look forward to fresher and healthier ways of cooking

-Continue to watch cat make his recovery

-Christmas decorations coming down

-Well child check-up for 12 year old

-Coats to the cleaners

-Sew curtain for downstairs bathroom

-Sew veggie bags for grocery shopping

-Sort give away pile for Goodwill and free table at work

-Rescue cat from broom closet

-Laundry. Every day is laundry.

-Clean out chicken coop

-Pay bills

-Maybe a quick stop into the thrift shop

2011-12-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

Today I woke with a migraine. Lasted all day. Day was kind of fuzzy. Up a little, slept a lot.

-Cat not feeling good at all. Vet visit tomorrow.

-Day off tomorrow. Please God, no migraine.

-Christmas decor down tomorrow or wait for the weekend?

-Ready to rearrange the living room again. Need change and its an easy place to start.

-Making a list of New Year resolutions.

Its NOT a Collection

2011-08-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

When I was young, one day I decided I wanted to be a collector so I thought long and hard about what I wanted to collect. I decided to collect the first idea that popped into my head. Boxes.

I had grand ideas of how special my collection would be. Vast, unique, admired and I pictured how I'd display them. I had it all planned. I don't know how long that idea lasted but I eventually was over it and got rid of most of them.

As I was cleaning the other day, I happened to notice that I had gathered quite a few boxes. All these come from thrift shops and one from a garage sale. I buy them because I like something about them but I also buy them knowing that I'm going to use them. Pretty organization.

But I'm not "collecting" them. I just happen to have a few. The above one is my favorite. I keep all my recipes in it. Its busting at the seams and I need to re-write the recipe cards or transfer the recipe from an internet print out. Maybe this Winter when life slows down a bit.

I keep my poloroids in this box. Its more of a recipe box size but there's not enough room for my recipes. See above picture for reference.

I only have three tins but they're old and I really like them. They're pretty and I keep scissors and my crochet hook roll in the brown one. In the blue one I keep old tools.

My husband brought this one home from a garage sale a neighbor was having. It belonged to her mother who used it for her personal items when she traveled. It has simple brown paper inside and I like its simplicity. Made sturdy and made to be used.

I went through my drawers and found some boxes that I used to have in my "collection". When I used to be a collector....but I'm not a collector anymore.

Lazy Days~

2011-08-02T16:25:00.000-07:00

Summer is finally in full swing here and I couldn't be more pleased. Days lazy into each other and I love it. Watching the chickens grow and change before our eyes.

The relaxing task of hanging laundry and bringing it down. I never tire of this. When I was young, I never thought domesticity would bring me such pleasure.

Plants reaching their potential and bringing such pleasure with their beauty.

I had drying our herbs on my mind when I read this article. I just scored a couple of cool old jars at a garage sale and now I have a purpose for them. This is thyme. I'll be drying lemon balm, rosemary, pineapple sage and oregano too.

*note* I am so over this butterscotch color in my kitchen. I think the lightest shade of aqua, I can find, will be the new color.

Every day I come home and vacuum cat hair. Its what I do to unwind and its what one does if they have cats and don't like cat hair every where. The other day I noticed all the chicken feathers in our yard and started gathering them. Above are just a few that I picked up. So are chickens the new cat? Seems so as everyone has them nowadays.

The backyard is all shady from all our trees. The perfect place to relax and chat on hot Summer days. We sit back here and watch the chickens roam about and the neighborhood kids gather to play, even if our kids aren't here. These are three sisters from across the street. They are chatting with our son while he lies about on the hammock.
Summer is here with its lovely sunshine and warm air. I couldn't be more pleased to be in the moment and mindful of its presence.

One Chicken, Two Chicken, Six

2011-06-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

1. Maggie 2. Esmerelda 3. Willow 4. Betty 5. Alice 6. Sammy

This is Alice. She's a Buff Orpington.

They are loads of entertainment.

They love being outside but still too cold for them to be out too long.

We're all about chickens these days. Reading, feeding, watching, petting, holding, playing, reading, cleaning, building, reading, dreaming, naming, re-naming, talking about and reading some more.

Almonds~

2011-01-22T12:44:00.000-08:00

I really love almonds. I'm a huge fan of a handful for breakfast or a snack and worked into salads, entrees, cereal, yogurt, trail mix, granola, candy and I'm open to new ideas.

Oh and slided almonds in my ice cream is most excellent too. I don't opt to buy slivered almonds too much and I don't know why. I'm pretty much a whole and slided kind of almond eater.

I was never a fan of peanut butter but almond butter...is the bomb!!! (as my kids would say) We make our own at the grocery store. On a side note: I love our grocery store. So anyways, almond butter on toast is a staple breakfast for me. I think about how much I love almonds and I'm so glad no one in our family is allergic to any sort of nuts.

Those that know me know that I don't care for chocolate. In order for me to eat it, it has to be combined with lots of nuts, caramel, toffee or something chewy and crunchy. A little chocolate and lots of chewy and crunchy= okay I'll have some.

But there are these chocolate chips. You can't tell in the picture but these milk chocolate chocolate chips are pretty big. They're not the small Nestle type. I buy these at my beloved grocery store, in the bulk section. For about six months they switched to regular chocolate chips and I was soooo upset this wasn't cleared with me. Of course I never would have given them the okay and maybe that's why they chose not to tell me. But a few visits ago, I noticed they were back and stocked up the pantry.

So on occasion, there is this combination that's actually yummy. A few almonds and a chocolate chip is pretty tasty. More almonds than chocolate chips of course but the little bit of chocolate sweet can be yummy.

Then there's this. Nutella. My kids will sit and eat this out of the container if I don't watch them. I'm pretty sure they feel its part of the food pyramid and a daily necessity. I like it too and on occasion I'll have some. If there's any left.

I've been known to have this combination. Almond butter, nutella and five seed wheat toast makes my mouth happy. The end. Peace.

Cheap entertainment~

2011-01-19T20:22:00.000-08:00

Me and my husband were at the grocery store and I was in the bulk section. Some of the best entertainment happens in the bulk section. There was a dad with two small kids and he says to his 3ish year old son:
Dad- We're having ravioli for dinner.
Boy- No. Not ravioli. I don't like ravioli.
Dad- You don't like ravioli?
Boy- No I do not like ravioli.
Dad- What's wrong with ravioli?
Boy- It makes me sea sick.

Ha!

Random

2011-01-18T21:41:00.001-08:00

I love my new scarf made from bits of fabric and thrifted scraps. Colors are grey, turquoise, aquas, black and white. Denise Schmidt's idea that I've been wanting to make for a long time.

10 random facts about me:
1. I love almonds. Chopped, as almond butter, sliced, whole...I love almonds.
2. I don't care for chocolate. Really. There have to lots of nuts involved, chewy caramel or crunchy toffee and just a bit of chocolate in order for me to eat it. It has to be milk chocolate too and not dark.
3. I love Cold Play, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, WAR, Chicago, Santana, Sade, Eagles, Doobie Brothers and so much more.
4. I don't play any instruments. I love music but I don't play. Not an ounce of musical talent and mostly don't remember song names or artists. I have to listen to something a long time in order for it to stick.
5. I usually start something with no real commitment to it and excel at it but once I commit to an event or challenge in relation to it, or if I spend money on it in some way...I slack off or lose interest. Why is that? Part of me just wants to pretend I'm not really doing it just so I'll stick to it.
6. Every January I try to learn to knit and every January I stop because I can't master it. Maybe I'll wait til February this year and that will be the break the cycle.
7. The TV is usually on. Even if we're not watching it, I find a show that I like and just leave it on for back ground noise.
8. In the back of my mind, I relate our survival on our wood pile. Ever since we've lived in Oregon.
9. I love anything that has to do with water. Beach, pool, lake, river, boating, swimming, floating, diving and all things water.
10. I love cleaning rain gutters and other household chores. Stacking wood, raking leaves, sweeping sidewalks, weeding, mowing the lawn, planting, putting up Christmas lights, trimming hedges and anything else. These chores make me tired and make me completely happy.
The End. Peace.

Necessities~

2011-01-17T12:03:00.001-08:00

I love cloth handkerchiefs. My first love started at an estate sale when I was visiting my sister in Bend, OR. We did our usual round of garage sales and thrift stores and on one of the back roads we came across an estate sale. It was all laid out on the very long driveway and an old box caught my eye. Inside was a lot of cloth handkerchief's. I wanted one that had pansies on it but they would only sell the whole box. I didn't know what I would do with them all but I bought it all for .25. That was the best quarter I've ever spent.

Ever since, I've been buying handkerchiefs from garage sales and thrift stores. I've never bought them at antique stores but they sell them there too. I've included some of the hankies in swaps, gifts but I mostly use them. Never when I'm sick but great to have when there's cold whether out. I always have one in my pocket or in my purse. I do color coordinate them with what I'm wearing and on occasion, I make my clothes choice if I feel the particular pull to carry a hanky of a certain color and design. They have a way of calling me.

At Christmas time I went to a holiday bizarre with all the usual crochet, knit and homemade items for sale but there was a lady selling vintage potholders and handkerchiefs for a dollar each. My heart did a happy leap and I stood there for about 15 minutes going through her basket of wares. She had about a hundred to go through. Above are my latest acquisitions. Happy colors. Don't you just love the aquas? My most fav color and she had some beauties.

I love laundry day when I wash my hankies. That load makes me the happiest. Better than linens and I do love linens. I iron my hankies because I like to carry mine neatly folded in a little square. I usually stack them by size and not color because I want to be able to see each hankie all the way down the pile. Do my hanky habits show me as some sort of crazed woman? Maybe but it's a happy craze as far as I'm concerned.

Early November I started walking regularly and the winter walking is just the kind of whether that calls for a hanky. Little cold air sniffles require a hanky. Above are also the necessary items for a walk.

1. Fingerless gloves I crocheted. If my fingertips get a little chilly then I just curl them in and they get warmed up but I like to keep them free in case I need to answer a phone or reply to a text or change my song on my ipod.

2. Lip balm is another essential in the cold air. Heavy breathing dries my lips and I do not like dry lips.

3. Cellphone. In case of emergency, so my family can get hold of me or if some sort of unique thought comes to me and I need to share it through a text. Ha!

4. A handkerchief.

5. And my ipod. Christmas gift a few years ago from my son Tommy. I always ask for socks for Christmas because I love, love, love new socks BUT my family gets so tired of me asking for them. I don't understand why this is such a crime but they get so upset when that's my answer. So one year I told my second that I wanted an ipod shuffle. I was only saying it in jest because he was sp annoyed with my usual answer. Now I don't like to ask for more spendy items and back then they were about 90.00 but on Christmas morning, when I opened the little box that I had no clue as to what it could be.....I think I let out a little surprised gasp of happiness. I use this gift daily. Either at work M-F or on a walk. It is such a necessity.

I made up this pattern for these crocheted gloves. This particular pair is made from chocolate brown cotton and are much warmer than I thought they'd be. I am going to make more so I can have color choices but my second child had requested a pair for his girlfriend and those are first. Peace.

Final

2011-01-04T20:17:00.000-08:00

So I usually am creating and making to give as gifts or for swaps but I'm going to take some time to make some pretties for me that I've been admiring. I made these slippers but I didn't like the crochet part so I took it out and just kind of winged it. This is my final slipper and I like them so much better. Simpler, sturdier and more like me.

Colors of the Day~

2010-12-25T17:17:00.000-08:00

Weather is grey, sweater is grey, t-shirt grey, newly painted walls of grey and if you aren't sure...there are hairs of grey.

Day after Christmas and with a miserable head cold this morning but feeling better now. I wanted to make these slippers the minute I saw them and today is the perfect day to crochet.

Made from a thrifted sweater that I felted then cut up. They are super cozy and comfy.

Kitchen table scene day before Christmas. Music on the laptop keeping me company while I made tamales. We made sweet ones with pineapple & raisins and pork tamales. They both turned out very good. We only make them but every few years so I'm never certain.

One of our oldest boys took the two youngest for 24 hours. His idea and its never happened before so we enjoyed out time. Last minute grocery shopping, Christmas shopping and of course a stop in at Goodwill::::: Gravy boat with aqua flowers, 1 1/2 yards of soft wool fabric with this in mind, metal house that I've already spray painted an off white and plan to do this once its dried, 5 rolls of the lightest blue striped wallpaper that was made in England and a roll of vintage flowered wallpaper. Not sure what I'll do with the wallpaper but it was too good to pass up.

Peace in the New Year. A Peace that surpasses all understanding. Perfect Peace.

Season Happenings~

2010-12-21T20:07:00.000-08:00

My contribution for a handmade gift exchange party I go to every year at Christmas time. Sketched a little tree and embroidered with mostly french knots.
Neighbor girls Winter concert. They made sure I was going by coming over two days in a row. Who can say no to the earnest look of expectation. So off I went. (girl in the pink-middle)
Sweet girl in the green dress. She has the gentlest soul I know of. Loves life in a gentle way.
First time we have a fake tree. Just the right size for our small living room. I love ornaments.
Peace and Joy house ornaments. Peace and Joy to all of you in the New Year. God bless.

So Behind

2010-10-17T11:20:00.001-07:00

There is so much to do these days. 5 gallons of tomatoes dropped off at your house requires immediate attention. Lots of canning to do. When life gives you tomatoes, you get busy.

I was thinking about Autumn decorations but when I couldn't find them where I thought they'd be, it caused me to be a little obsessed with finding them. I couldn't think about anything until I could put my hands on them. Then the colors lured me in and I had to decorate. I have so much to do and I really don't have time for this but I'm weak and fun stuff is more important than cleaning or laundry or paying bills or going through stacks of paper that seem to multiply overnight.

Then of course there's the issue of staying on the Internet too long but again, I'm so weak and love to see what folks are doing or I'm lured in by the photo taking talent of so many. A good picture can make me so happy and motivate me to tackle projects. After seeing this post, I couldn't get the idea out of my mind. Too much of a distraction so I played again and made some items for my nieces baby shower in November. I have plenty of time to get ready but again its more fun to play.

My niece is having a boy and her nursery is all decorated in a woodland theme so it was easy to pick up on that and make cute onesies and a couple of bags. One was linen and the other is made out of flannel. I had this cute flannel with squirrels on it so it was a no brainer. Now I just need to get some diapers, wipes, a couple of fun items and put in a basket. I'm thinking a rectangular basket with a cloth lining and no handles for my gift. Now I need to get busy on the three birthday presents I am so late with and one more for my cousin who's having a birthday this month. I am so far behind. Peace.

Forward

2010-10-06T01:09:00.000-07:00

I was reading Phillipians 1 today in regards to pursuing peace. How it is a choice and its not just going to fall upon us without some effort. I do believe there are times when Gods grace does fall upon us, when we are in need, but for everyday life it is something to pursue. The version of the Bible I was reading was The Message. I love the simplicity of it.

"...I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues." I also liked this sentence because when I think about my future, I truly look forward to growing in my relationship with God and I do feel joy when I think about a future of trusting God. He has never let me down and I have a lifetime of experiences where I trusted him and he came through. Peace.

Wee Flags

2010-10-02T15:54:00.000-07:00

I made these wee cupcakes for a womens craft night we had at church last night. The night before I finished baking about 10:00 and was glad I had plenty of time to sleep since I didn't sleep too well the night before. Then I started imagining wee little flags for the cupcakes and decided they had to have them. I then stayed up another hour or two making flags out of wired ribbon and toothpicks. I was really tired the next morning but sometimes an idea is so worth it. Peace.

Glow

2010-09-29T18:25:00.000-07:00

The sunshine and heat returned this week and I cannot be more happy. More sun and heat means my tomatoes are ripening, my lemon cucumbers are too and my basil is lasting. My current obsession is tomato, basil, soft mozzarella cheese with Pampered Chef Italian dressing. Throw in a yummy cucumber and my mouth is one happy girl.

On this particular day, it was very warm outside. I was giving Jesse a break and making dinner. French onion soup. I love French onion soup but on this day, it was a little too warm to be making soup but I was on a mission. About this time I was simmering the soup to let all the flavors meld and the kitchen was hot. I had a fan going to try and cool down the kitchen since it gets southwest sun in the evening and can get quite warm. We ate our soup on the back porch where there was shade and a breeze.

Even though it was warm in the kitchen, the warm glow of the evening light on my "Fall" tulips (that's how they were advertised at Trader Joe's) made a beautiful sight. If I had "money", I'd have fresh flowers always and in all the rooms. Even the kids' room and the bathroom. They make every setting happy. Maybe I'll plant more cutting flowers next year.

First, I'll be painting the kitchen a light, light aqua and sewing some orange flowered curtains from material I bought at a garage sale this summer. I'm feeling very domestic so I have to get work done while the feeling is there. It's not always there. Peace.

Too much Down time

2010-09-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

I've been home sick the last couple of days and this gorgeous Saturday doesn't seem to be bringing any relief. In fact I now feel like I may be getting a sinus and ear infection. I've had lots of time to think. I've mopped floors, caught up on laundry, baked, cooked, surfed the internet and watched lots of movies on Netflix.

My chest is on fire, I'm working my way through a whole box of tissue, I've taken many hot showers to steam my sinuses and sneezed so much I'm sure I've cracked at least one tooth. I do believe I've done this cold proper and take comfort in knowing that I'm getting it out of my system and I'm sure I won't be sick again until next Fall. I'm certain! Both my kids had it before me and were kind enough to share. Not! But they too will now be fine the rest of the school year and we're set until next school year!

So I just wanted to share the I'm sick, I will not be sick again until next September and I am determined to feel better. Peace.

Thrifting Love

2010-09-23T13:45:00.001-07:00

One time I talked myself into buying an expensive set of sheets and pillow cases. I told myself that I wanted to embrace "a" style and express who I was. I went back to the store several times, making sure I reeaally liked them because I was going to be putting out a lot of money and it was money that I really didn't have.

It was a type of purchase I had no business making but I had talked myself into a frenzy and justified it by thinking that this set would be "the set", it would be with me forever and would be worth the "investment". Sadly, six months later the fibers on the bottom sheet had pilled up and I hated sleeping on it. I was sooo disappointed and learned a lesson or ten. I think I have one pillow case left from the original set. It's faded and sad.

Now I only buy sheets that are on sale and the less money I have to put out, the better. I also like white sheets from Ikea. So far they have lasted and wash nicely. My most favorite sheets have come from the thrift shop. Its one of the first sections I go to when I walk in. I first look for materials that catch my eye and then I give them the feel test. I looooooove old sheets and pillow cases. The materials can be so soft, thick and I love the old school patterns of the fabrics. I also look for pillow cases that have been embroidered on. I have six pillows on my bed and its mostly just so I can have as many pillow cases out as possible. They make me so happy to look at.

2010-09-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

It feels a lot like Autumn today.

End of the Day

2010-09-17T20:17:00.001-07:00

Today started out full of hope and promise. I baked a yummy quiche for a work place potluck. It was a veggie quiche full of nutritious goodness. I've been thinking, being and choosing healthy lately and I wanted to keep it going even in the midst of a feast. I prepared, I thought it out carefully and I had a plan. It was Friday and I was wearing 501's, chucks and even though it was raining I didn't need a jacket. I had my Adele CD for busting our my data entry work and I felt good.

Its the end of the day and plans are made to be broken. today was a hard phone day. I really don't talk to too many clients on the phone but some days...some days..some days are just brutal. I"m thankful I have a family that I get to come home to. We're all healthy, we like each other, we love each other, they like to bring friends home to our house rather than staying away very long, we're safe, we're provided for and we're hopeful in the God we believe in, serve and love.

Psalm 40:
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

Here's hoping you have daily hope and the knowledge you are loved. If you don't know that, please know I believe the one and only true God loves you as much as he loves me and you are never alone. Peace.

September

2010-09-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

Summer sunrises are over. Mostly gray in the morning now. I need to embrace and accept the color gray. Orange sunsets full or warm air and warm colors are over. I'd be really surprised if I caught a glimpse of one of these beauties again this year.No palm trees in Oregon but I'm so thankful to have had a little piece of it them this summer. But that's okay. All seasons must come to an end. I'll enjoy my Autumn colors as the leaves change color and look like a rain shower when it gets windy and they all start dropping together. I hope this year I can get a video of being caught in a leaf shower. That would be fun.

For a couple of hours this summer, while in CA, we stole away and hit some garage sales. I bought two brown bags of fabric straps. Old vintagey fabric with wonderful small prints. 1.00 each and only today did I really get a chance to pull them out. I am in vintage fabric heaven.

Alicia Paulsen

I am thinking of fun projects like Alicia's or maybe this. September is a good month to start thinking of crafts by the fire....full of fun fabrics and heavenly patterns. Peace.

Water

2010-09-15T19:08:00.000-07:00

We had dinner on the patio tonight. It rained. It wasn't cold and I liked eating to the sound of rain. Perfect weather for candles. We ate steaks from home grown beef that's a beautiful sight to behold in two freezers, basil and tomatoes from the garden with Italian dressing and soft mozzarella, quinoa using a recipe from Martha Stewart/Whole Living, butter squash and root beer floats. My taste buds are happy campers. Man my husband can grill up good grub!
It felt like Fall. It smelled like Fall. It sounded like Fall. Even the temperature said it was Fall.
On a side note:

Me: Ben I need you to go take a shower.
Ben: Why?
Me: Because you played all day at school, you played all evening when you got home and you're all sweaty so taking a shower is what you have to do.
Ben: Can I take one in the morning?
Me: No. I want you to take one now.
Ben: Do I have to wash or can I just get wet?
Me: Uh......you have to wash (said in my sing song voice)

I smelled his hair when he got out of the shower just to make sure. Boys.

10,000 Steps

2010-09-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

Here we are at the Tillamook Forestry Center, OR

My husband and I went to Target the other day to pick up some printer ink. Office Depot employees were locking up when we had pulled in there and didn't offer to open back up for us when we gave them the "oh man we missed it by that much" look.

So we took our chances that Target would have ink because the girl had a school paper that needed to be printed. We pulled into the Target parking lot and it was so full. Cars pulling in and driving around looking for the closest parking spot. I wasn't excited to be at Target on a Sunday afternoon because we all know its madness.

Me: Just park right here. We'll walk in. We need to get in our 10,000 steps anyways.

Jesse: What do you mean by 10,000 steps?

Me: We're supposed to get in at least 10,000 steps a day for good health. They say that if you can get in more, all the better. We're supposed to take the stairs instead of the elevator, we're supposed to park far out and walk in, take a daily walk and say even a short walk during a break can really add up the steps.

Jesse: ........(nothing- he was trapped in the wife vortex without an excuse to escape it)

So we go in, find an employee and ask him if they carry printer ink. The nice guy walks us right to it and they had everything we needed. We were out of there in record time. Walking back to the car...

Me: Where's our car? Did we park out this far?

Jesse: Yes.

Me: Are you suurrrre? (seriously I had totally forgotten where we had parked)

Jesse: Yes I'm sure. 10,000 steps suurrrre.

Me: I'm laughing out loud. The kind of bark laugh that makes people stop and look but I coudln't help it.

He got me. That guy makes me laugh.

Nesting

2010-09-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

Wow its been a long time since I've seen this space. Summer did not go as planned. It wasn't as long as I wanted it to be. It wasn't warm enough for much of a garden this year so now I'm looking forward to the hope of next years garden. Illness in the family meant a month out of state to help care for loved ones. Needless to say, I have to urge to nest now that I am home. Big time!

I'm reading a book called "Living in Style Without Losing Your Mind". I really am learning a lot from this author. Excerpts I really like so far are:
-"Gathering and Retreat". What works in areas where people tend to gather and we all need a place of retreat.
-"Passion rules". If you really love it, go for it. Only focus on what you are passionate about. I like lots of things but what am I passionate about? I'll have to think about this one.
-"Simple". "Part of simplicity has nothing to do with paring down, but with not doing too much". "Rather, it means have what you need in order to make your house a home. No less. And no more. He says if we keep adding stuff to our house, we've lost focus of our true identity. I have major work to do in this area. The effort will be worth it. This is the area I would really love to master.

I have a couple of pictures of inspiration on my wall. I have some thoughts written down of what I'd like. I recognize what my limits are but how can I make some ideas happen within my space? I've also been keeping my eyes open for what makes my heart beat faster. Here are some Internet inspirations making me scrutinize the space and what is it that I really like about it.
Fryd + Design via decor 8

A tiny bit of heaven via decor8

I'm drawn to the light. I'm drawn to the vintage bedding. I'm drawn to the colors. I feel it.

2010-07-31T20:53:00.000-07:00

Beautiful scenery of Detroit Lake, good friends, hot weather and a boat ....makes for a little sunburn, ideal water temperatures, no way to do much but relax and a great day!

Until we meet again. We'll be back~

Doing

2010-07-26T17:07:00.000-07:00

I can't stand it when I hear people talk about moving and doing it by themselves. They're not asking for help but just stating the way its going to be. I've always had tons of family and friends to help out. I've been fortunate to never doubt that there would be people there to help me whether is was to just listen or to lend a hand and we've done our share of being there too.

So when I heard a co-worker talking about how she and her mom were going to move her and how they were used to moving themselves, I had to offer to help her out. I had a van, a trailer and a healthy husband. What would take us four one load and about 1 hour of loading and unloading, would have taken her all day with multiple trips. We made one trip to move all that she had and it was easy peasy and fast. I'm so glad my husband is always game too.
After we unloaded her stuff into the house of another co-worker, we stood around and chatted a few minutes in the garage. The other co-worker asked if I wanted these old lamps and right away I said I would. She was happy to get rid of them and I was happy to take them. I loved the yellow and green and thought I'd just replace the lamp shade. I'd say very 60's? Well the more I looked at the yellow and green, I preferred it to be either one or the other color but not together. I decided to spray paint them. I'm such a wimp when it comes to change. I want it, I have the ideas for it, I usually go out and buy what I need and then I stall. I chicken out. I wimp out. I start to self doubt my abilities. The above material I've had for at least 18 years. I've always been afraid to ruin it. What if I cut into and I wasted it some how? At first I looked around for a drum lampshade but do you know how much those bad boys are? Way above my pocket book limits. So I looked around, found some wire rings on-line and cut into my precious fabric.
WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG? I've had these lamps for about 2 years in the ugly lampshade and yellow/green decor. Look how lovely the material shows through when they are lit! I love the material. You know you've made a good purchase when you still love it 18 years later. So now I just needed to paint the lamps. I'm making my way toward changing my living room decor to a lighter color scheme so I picked a rusty color for a little pop of color. I need it to be brighter, lighter and cheerier in my living room. No more drab green and old yellowed lamp shades in here. Baby steps. I'll get there as long as I'm moving forward.

I had a Plan~

2010-07-22T19:36:00.001-07:00

Whilst at work I make all sorts of plans for my after work hours. While I'm at work, I imagine how productive I'll be when I get home. I make lists, I imagine how good it will feel once I get all the tasks checked off, I imagine how good I'll feel with a "clean house" or "sorted drawers" or "laundry folded and put away" and while I'm at work I am so happy just thinking about all that will be accomplished when I get home.

Yesterday I had plans to:
*vacuum
*clean the kitchen floors
*finish putting primer on the wall corners in the bathroom
*spray paint a lamp
*clear my bedroom of craft stuff and take it downstairs
*start and finish two birthday presents that are late

Isn't that a great list and can't you imagine the domestic bliss I was going to have at the end of its completion? I know you feel me.
Well the reality of it went something like this:
*dump all my work gear on the kitchen table
*ignore the mess that was in the kitchen
*don't look at the area rugs that need vacuuming for cat hair
*pretend there is no crunch under my feet while I walked through the kitchen
*forget that my list says to paint in the bathroom

I have to say that I did not come home and plop down in front of the television. I did not.

I had a healthy snack.I made a flower arrangement. Isn't it pretty? I love flowers.I told my cat all about my list. He was a captive audience because he's always amazed at all that I get accomplished on any given day. To him, I am a super woman. If he were female and human.....he'd want to be just like me. You can see it in his eyes.Leo? Leo? I'm not finished with what I was saying. Leo? He's probably just exhausted by all that I was going to get accomplished. He knew he couldn't compare to my vast talents. Leo?

five senses friday on Saturday

2010-06-19T10:07:00.000-07:00

I've been up since 5:15 am. On a Saturday no less. How come I can't sleep in on a weekend? I've already had 5 cups of coffee, read my Bible, posted new items to my Etsy shop, took my husband gas because he ran out (LOL) and its still so early. I still have the whole day ahead of me and I feel like I've already had a full day.

Today I read Psalm 112. Verse that has me thinking and so grateful. Ps 112:4 "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man."

I'm playing along with abby for five senses Friday. Of course I'm a day late but I'm living on the edge and marching to my own drum~

Feeling~ The urge to make new cafe curtains for the kitchen and do some crafting. Also the need to clean kids rooms. Gave them a pep talk last night. Feeling the need too for no complaining while we clean. Please God!

Smelling~ Lavender cut from the yard.

Seeing~ Said lavender. It's so pretty and reminds me of scenes from Pride & Prejudice when the sisters are bunching flowers together and hanging them up to dry. I have my bunches together and now they are hanging on one long string.

Hearing~ Feist CD that I got from the library. Loving!

Tasting~ Coffee and Frosted Mini-Wheat's. Gotta love cold cereal***

Vintage love

2010-06-15T18:47:00.000-07:00

I took a couple of days off since the kids' last day of school is Thursday and quiet time will be non-existent until September and they go back to school. Two days off equals two days of thrift shopping. The above wee pitcher. Old school, sweet and love the little bit of yellow.
12 old freezer jam jars with three different designs, a soft training baseball for my son, jar so I can make my sister a terrarium, old plant pot, a Hull dish and a #2 Fiesta stacking bowl.
3 old green lidded jars, two Ball jars, 5 knives, a set of marshmallow skewers and a milk glass lamp. I didn't know the metal lid had glass on the inside. Cool discovery. Lamp works and I'll put on my nightstand.

2010-06-09T18:36:00.000-07:00

If we didn't have children right now we'd:
1. Probably be living in a motor home and traveling.
2. Eat out a lot. We love sushi, Mexican and Chinese. Newest food tried is Vietnamese and oh man I so loved all the veggies.
3. Not have a mortgage because of #1
4. Sleep a lot more than we do. They're old enough where they don't keep us up during night yet they're old enough where they don't like to go to bed too early and I can't go to sleep until I know they are asleep.
5. Do a lot of thrift shopping but currently they moan when we mention the fun adventure of going to the thrift shops so we don't do it so much.
6. Experiment more with foods but said kids don't like to try too much new so we stick to kid friendly foods. Try to sneak in healthy too.
7. Not spend time looking for our chucks or socks or sweaters that kids are now old enough to like and borrow because they're wearing the same size.
8. Not have pets. Not because we're not animal lovers but really, the pets entered via kid pleads yet I'm the one that cleans up after them, worries that there's enough food and supplies on hand and I'm the one they follow and meow after. No one else. Just me. It's like having two more kids.
9. Have nicer furniture because said animals try to take out all furniture as if its the enemy and taking up space that they could be frolicking in. And let's face it, kids too are hard on furniture. Not that they mean to spill or put their feet up on or lay their dirty bodies on but...it does happen.
10. Our house would be quiet and peaceful. No "mooooooooom", no "daaaaaaad", no "don't touch me", no "stop it", no "i didn't do it"....you get the meaning.

But we do have kids so we cook a lot of our own meals and don't go out, we do have a mortgage, there is no traveling, there is no motor home, we do have pets- two cats and one fish, our furniture is safe and sturdy, our house is noisy with our two kids and all the neighborhood kids. Each day we laugh, we are left speechless, we want to cry, we wonder how this crazy life could be ours, want to pull out our hair, clean litter boxes, try to reason with the cats that they don't need to meow at us because there's food in their dishes, water in their bowls and they are fine. Each day we say our prayers for their health, for their futures, for the blessings that come with kids, for guidance, for strength, for comfort, for sanity and what else our brains can managed to remember when one is sleep deprived.

Our life is simple, it is ours to live, ours to own and make the best of, hope in, praise God for and we are content. We are blessed. We are thankful.

2010-05-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

My new Martha Stewart Living came today. I remember when the magazine first came out and the publications were few and not every month. I loved those magazines. Some years later I decided I had magazine issues and I couldn't possibly read all the publications I was subscribing to so I stopped them all. I usually have one magazine subscription going these days but its been awhile since MSL was a regular in this household. I really love getting it again.

I'm doing a little pattern testing for a local blogger and while I'm testing her pattern, I get to use whatever yarn combination I want. Martha and I are thinking a long the same color lines. The dress is so stinkin cute. I can't wait to finish it. Yeah for buttercup and teal.

Fuchsia Conversation

2010-04-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

I was commissioned to make fuchsia fingerless gloves for a friend of a friend. So I asked my daughter if she wanted to go to Joann's with me.
Me: Do you want to go to Joann's with me? I need to pick up some yarn.
The Girl: You have lots of yarn. Can't you just use what you have?
Me: I need fuchsia.
TG: Don't you already have fuchsia or can't you use one of the pinks you already have?
Me: No I don't and fuchsia was specifically asked for so I need to go buy some. Do you want to go or not?
TG: Yeah, I'll go.
After looking through the bazillion different yarns (wool excluded because no animal products allowed for this job) I was pleased with my choice and told my daughter it was time to go.
As we're in the check out line.....
TG: Is that the yarn you're going to buy?
Me: Yes.
TG: That's not fuchsia.
Me: Yes it is. It's totally fuchsia.
TG: No it's not. It's more purple. Fuchsia is more pink.
Me: I think it looks like fuchsia and it's the one I'm buying. - - - - - - - - - So you really don't think it's fuchsia?
TG: No. What's the color on the label?
Me: It's not going to say fuchsia even if it is fuchsia. They name yarns like they name nail polish. Fuchsia can be called lollipop, bright pink, pink lip gloss and so on. They aren't going to say "fuchsia".
We look at the label and it has a name alright. Says "magenta".
TG: See, it's not fuchsia. It's magenta. Magenta is purple and not pink.
Me: Will you go look with me?
TG: Alright, if you want to.
So we pick up every bright pink we see and read every label for names and for contents because remember, no animal products allowed. Finally.....
TG: This one looks good. This is fuchsia.
Me: Are you sure? It just looks like hot pink to me.
TG: Fuchsia is hot pink only it's fuchsia.
Me: What does the label say the name of the color is?
TG: FUCHSIA!

I've emailed the president/CEO/owner of Joann's a picture of the girl and told them they are not allowed to ever let her enter any of their stores. Ever. She is so grounded from Joann's.

2010-04-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

I have major tree love for this Dogwood. I had hopes that our Dogwood would grow to look like this one.....before I killed it. Sigh.... long story but yes, I killed my precious Dogwood. I was heartbroken. Anyway I really look forward to this one coming into bloom each year. Yesterday I took a picture of it and I think it's just beautiful and perfect. It's a good thing this is a quiet corner, by our house, because I am so distracted by its beauty that I'd crash into any vehicle that was passing the other direction or parked. I drive by so slow and can't take my eyes off of it that it makes me feel like a stalker. Yesterday was beautiful and awesome. Today it is raining buckets and I sit here with a wool sweater on and Ugg boots. While working in the yard yesterday, I clipped some lilacs and I'm so glad because we need some inside sunshine since there is none to be had outside. Peace.

2010-04-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

Thrifted today: Blown glass hummingbird feeder, old postage scale-when it was .03 an ounce to send a letter, green stripey cotton pillow case and a Pampered Chef salad dressing maker-the best recipes on the bottle. A small pile but a happy one.

Son and husband are out of town for the weekend. Just me and the girl. Already hit Joann's, tomorrow is water aerobics, a celebration of life service, a meal to someone who had knee replacement surgery, the library and whatever else we can think of. Sunday is church and some more fun! Maybe the Japanese market and bookstore, more thrift shops for sure and weed pulling. Peace.

2010-04-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

More flowers for Abby's unofficial flower week. First year we've planted tulips and they're quite happy. I don't know why we waited so long to plant them. They are happy flowers.
These sweet Johnny Jump-ups are like weeds and self seed. They are spreading everywhere. I've always thought they were really cute and have liked them but when I picked these, I found out that they smell really good!! I didn't realize they were so fragrant. Now I'm in love with them even more.
I've had this chive plant for at least 7 years. I planted it before we moved into out house and we've been here 6 years. I know I'm supposed to pinch the flowers so the plant keeps flourishing but I can never bring myself to do that. I love how this picture turned out. Softness in the back.

2010-04-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

1.99 tulips. Thrifted green Belgium glass.
Following and playing a long with this sweet site. I'm really getting attached to her pictures. Wasn't planning on going to the Crafty Wonderland sale because the thought of so many people kind of freaks me out but she'll be there and I'd love to see all her stuff in mass quantities so I can touch and have a close up look. What to do, what to do?Inside one of the tulips in my yard.Underside of a Columbine in my yard too.

Simple is Good

2010-04-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

My devotional today is from rbc.org and it's My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. I am always so changed by his lessons. What a impact he has made by his studies and continues to make after all these years.

Today's lesson was a good one for me. Don't get sidetracked. Stay focused on God. Another devotional by O.C. says, " Growth in your spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our father in heaven." I want to grow and not stand still. I want God to be evident in my life and how it affects what I do and how I am. I want his hope and gift to draw people to him. It's so simple. I just need to focus on God. Keep my eye on my God and let him do the rest. Here's the devotional if you want to read it.

Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? —John 14:9

Our Lord must be repeatedly astounded at us-astounded at how “un-simple” we are. It is our own opinions that make us dense and slow to understand, but when we are simple we are never dense; we have discernment all the time. Philip expected the future revelation of a tremendous mystery, but not in Jesus, the Person he thought he already knew. The mystery of God is not in what is going to be-it is now, though we look for it to be revealed in the future in some overwhelming, momentous event. We have no reluctance to obey Jesus, but it is highly probable that we are hurting Him by what we ask-”Lord, show us the Father . . .” (John 14:8 ). His response immediately comes back to us as He says, “Can’t you see Him? He is always right here or He is nowhere to be found.” We look for God to exhibit Himself to His children, but God only exhibits Himself in His children. And while others see the evidence, the child of God does not. We want to be fully aware of what God is doing in us, but we cannot have complete awareness and expect to remain reasonable or balanced in our expectations of Him. If all we are asking God to give us is experiences, and the awareness of those experiences is blocking our way, we hurt the Lord. The very questions we ask hurt Jesus, because they are not the questions of a child.
“Let not your heart be troubled . . .” ( 14:1, 27 ). Am I then hurting Jesus by allowing my heart to be troubled? . If I believe in Jesus and His attributes, am I living up to my belief? Am I allowing anything to disturb my heart, or am I allowing any questions to come in which are unsound or unbalanced? I have to get to the point of the absolute and unquestionable relationship that takes everything exactly as it comes from Him. God never guides us at some time in the future, but always here and now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the freedom you receive is immediate.

2010-04-06T17:46:00.000-07:00

Trying my hand at making rubber stamps. Folded some cardstock I had to see what they would look like as notecards. Maybe I'll use them when writing notes to the kids' teachers or as thank you notes. I have a couple of those I need to write out. I liked the way they turned out. Now I'll need to make more because this is just a wee bit addicting and very relaxing.

2010-03-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

There are so many reasons to be thankful

2010-02-28T13:31:00.000-08:00

Taking in a bit of my own color as the rain takes away our sunshine.

2010-02-27T15:00:00.000-08:00

Thrifted wool yarn and such treasures make me happy. Why do you suppose someone gets rid of such lovliness? Leftover from a project? Tastes change? Decide they are never going to use is so they donate it so I can buy it? Whatever the reason....I'm happy they did.
I received lovely mail from Kristin. I did a Valentine swap with her. Her hand stitching detail is to swoon for. Thanks Kristin!!!

2010-02-24T17:27:00.000-08:00

420+ circles made. Now it's on to continuous crochet to join them. I've been doing this for a little over a month and I did not get tired of making circles, not even a little bit. I.am.so.excited!!!

2010-02-20T10:54:00.000-08:00

The beginning of my day
Being a native Californian, you take sun for granted. It's always there. Some ocean fog in June, maybe some rain here and but there's always sun. The middle of my day
Living in the Pacific NW now makes me appreciate the sun when we have it. No longer taking it for granted. It's precious. Not to be ignored. One learns to stop and take notice. Take in the moment because it won't last long. Rain can come almost all year long and without notice. The weather forecasters try but there is no control there. The weather here answers to no one. The end of my day
The sun was shining and seeds were half price. I'm taking notice, planning, dreaming, starting my seeds this weekend, mowing the grass, rototilling, preparing and being mindful of the glorious sunshine!!! Peace

2010-02-17T16:44:00.000-08:00

Thrifted: blue/cream wool afghan, 3 yards of beautiful blue/green/aqua flowered fabric, old brass frame with corner detail/interest, glass fridge dish, 6 Japanese stacking mugs, woman figurine for my printer drawer w/ miniatures, art piece on a 2x4 piece of wood and a roll of graph paper. I'm going to make a dress from the material, hang the art, use the dishes, the blanket will go at the foot of my sons bed for those extra cool nights, display the woman in with the rest of my miniatures and make envelopes & stationary from the graph paper.
:2 magazine holders, ledger paper, pinking shears, Japanese wood tray, blue folders, brass frame, wooden plate with blue tole painting, a doctors baby thermometer set and two old ceramic pots. I'm going to sell the thermometer set, tray, plate and bowls. Going to use the paper to supplement my paper supplies, use the folders, frame and magazine holders. I think I'll spray paint the magazine holders first. And who gets rid of pinking shears? I paid 1.50 for those and they worked perfectly when I tried them on material. Man I love new to me treasures!!

We started a re-sale store on Etsy. We've had some business and that is very encouraging. At some point Jesse's going to do some upholstery on thrifted furniture. I love seeing him upholster. He moves about so effortlessly. I admire his talent to upholster. I love re-sale because it allows me to find wonderful treasures and bits that someone can use. I used to hate passing them by but knowing I can't use every treasure so now I don't have to pass them by. Peace.

2010-02-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

Being organized makes me very happy. Went to Ikea and bought some magazine holders to try and hold/cover the clutter but I didn't like the plain white so I covered them with paper patterns designed by lovelydesign. I love her style sooo much! I was so happy when she started offering these paper patterns. I knew I had to find a way to use them.
Thrifted this little bird and the pot. I've always preferred to transplant house plants to the actual pots but I've been doing something wrong lately and I've started to lose them so I've been keeping them in their original plastic and putting them in decorative pots. I love the way this one looks with the papers.
I have a serious love for paper. I love lovelydisigns studio!! Paper heaven~ Stimulates all my paper love senses. I've been thrifting a lot of graph paper, ledger papers and vintage paper folders so I can cut them up and add them to my supplies here. I also like making envelopes out of them.

I've got spring cleaning fever and I can't wait to tackle every corner of my house and get it looking pretty like this one. Tell me I'm normal. peace.

happy

2010-02-13T20:36:00.000-08:00

Met up with a friend today, at the school of Aveda, for a pedicure. I am ALWAYS running late but today I was half hour early. Because I'm always running late, I've never noticed this totally fun store across the street. The name of the store is: HAPPY.

Color, color and color everywhere!!! Very interesting colorful window displays. It was closed so I couldn't get inside to take a peek at the treasures. But I was glad I had my camera with me.

I had been taking pictures, from every angle, for about 10 minutes when I happened to walk to the end of this eclectic railing and discoverd a homeless person sleeping below the entrance pictured here. His three carts of aluminum cans parked at the end of the walkway. I felt like I had intruded on his privacy and instantly felt bad. It's been raining hard here lately so I was glad he had a place that was at least dry for him.

There were these hanging clear plastic balls with smiling faces in them. Red lights, read streamers and decorations. Each fence railing was completely different and very fun. There was a bright sunset mural on the front concrete walkway. This place literally was painted all different colors. I can't believe I never saw this before. Sheesh.

Say cheese!!

HAPPY signs made of all different materials were hanging everywhere.

I was tagged on Flickr today for a portrait. I had just been tiling for a couple of hours but the rules were to stop as soon as you received the email and to take a picture of myself. This always cracks me up because my family instantly starts looking at me like I've lost it again.

Oh and the toes....they turned out fabulous!!! They made little bows out of the toe dividers!

2010-02-10T18:18:00.000-08:00

When I lived in Southern California, public transportation wasn't looked upon very kindly. One preferred to walk than to take a bus. The taboo of public transportation started in junior high. Maybe even 5th grade is when my friends started making comments of those who did ride the bus. I was in walking distance of school so it was never necessary but the message was clear.
As an adult I once had to take the bus to work for a period of time. Not very long I'm sure but it seemed like a long time. One day an adolescent boy threw up on my foot. I went home and told my husband that I didn't care what kind of car I drove, I needed a car. It was these sorts of experiences that gave public transportation a bad name. Then I moved to Oregon.
Here public transportation is a way of life. People choose public transportation. And why not? A lot of care and thought is put into each MAX station. Downtown sports a free rail zone every day of the week. We're known for it in the public transportation world. Some bus stops are still just bus stops but the stops at each light rail stop is unique. Art meets function. Interest meets need.
I took the bus to the MAX station then rode that home. Not my typical commute, as I usually drive, but it was a welcomed change. And it rained today. No change there. Not exactly a new flash in the Pacific Northwest but I loved being out today with the fresh air, my umbrella and uninterrupted time to crochet while getting home. I'll tell you it wasn't nearly long enough. I love living in Oregon. Peace.

2010-02-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

~Out and about today with the husband. Not much sun but it was dry and good to be out~

Asian grocery store- empty when we arrived:: crazy busy when we left.
Japanese bookstore-he got hungry and left me there while he went to grab a bite:: he was happy and I was happy.
Goodwill- discovered new superstore location:: he had to dig deep to stay patient. i thanked him for his efforts. another stellar day!!
Office supply store- still can't find narrow staples for my thrifted and now favorite stapler:: going to the internet. i'm hopeful.

Squirrel Card Tutorial~

2010-02-02T13:15:00.000-08:00

I saw security envelopes being used to make Christmas cards...the weekend after Christmas. I finally had some time to browse the Internet but I was too late to make any. One day at work, as I was emptying the recycling bin, I saw all these lovely security envelopes and knew I had to go dumpster diving.

Who knew there were so many varieties? Free craft paper and in abundance!! I went on-line to find a squirrel shape I liked and printed a couple of sizes so I had options. I made a template out of thin cardboard, from my scrap pile, which made it much easier to trace then regular office paper.
I decided which envelope pattern I wanted to use, traced and cut out my squirrel.I pulled out card stock I had purchased from a summer garage sale. I have tons of this stuff. Folded in half it makes a decent sized card.
I then used a glue stick to put the squirrel on the card. You can now choose which way you want to make a heart. I cut out a heart from paper that was a received note on one side but it had good weight and texture so I used the blank side for my heart. You can glitter, stamp, punch or cut out a heart for yours. I used whatever I had on hand. This is great for boys or girls and we'll be making them for the classmates in my kids' classrooms.

2010-02-01T18:37:00.000-08:00

Every circle makes me completely happy.
158 made. 262 left to make. I was worried I'd run out of steam but this is all I want to do. I have to make myself do daily chores first and reward myself with time making these.

I put 40 together than decided on making all circles before I continue. I want to make sure it flows and I was worried my combo's might vary too much as I go along. I can't get enough!!!

2010-01-27T19:07:00.000-08:00

I had the most excellent day at Goodwill. Found three huge bags of yarn, old ball jars in my favorite color, favorite color office paper, ceramic peanut with squirrel on it, Ginny doll bed, doll case/closet, wood bowl, wooden shelves, made in Ireland trinket box with cute shamrocks on top, embroidered tablecloth, vintage material, huge linen table cloth with pre-printed embroidery pattern and two Rubbermaid drawer sets.

2010-01-24T20:57:00.000-08:00

Read this post which took me to this post and now I can't stop making circles. Decided to make a coverlet for our bed. California King. Big bed. Giant bed. Humongous!!! 420 circles big. I have two rows completed. That's 42 squares completed. I have another 30 circles ready to be made into squares, about 25 circles that need a third color and another 25 or so circles that need two colors. I can't stop crocheting. They make me completely happy to look at. Using this method to connect them. Scored 3 huge bags of yarn at Goodwill today. I have enough yarn to complete the project but when the man says "look at this. You should buy them", who am I to argue?
Sun peeked out yesterday. Today is completely drenched. No sun. Only sounds of hard rain.
Need to dig deep to remember what sun looks like. The plants help me along. Starting to think of garden planning now. What we want to grow again, what we want to try new and what to not bother with. Everything in its season but I love thinking about it. Next month it will be time to plant Sweet Peas. My most favorite flower. Luv.

2010-01-21T18:19:00.000-08:00

There's a wee slug living in here.

21 days into the new year and I have much to be thankful for. My spirit feels renewed with hope, possibilities, peace, love and gratitude. I'm a praying woman so I know that is always hope even in the midst of world gloom. I'm praying for you Haitians!!!

4x4 collage for Valentine's Day swap with thevintagedragonfly.typepad.com

I've been enjoying creative projects such as this collage, crocheting my first granny square coverlet for my king size bed (375 more squares to go!!), learning to knit and photographing. Being able to do these things really recharges me.

He needs a name. I'm smitten with his cutness!

And of course...extremely wonderful mail is enough to put a huge smile on my face and be happy.
Sweet ornament from holidaysparkle.etsy.com. He is so adorable!!!!

2009-12-22T21:24:00.000-08:00

Their reaction to my baking for them makes me want to never stop. ~Pure Joy~

2009-12-20T21:41:00.000-08:00

From...
every...

angle...

I wish you peace in the New Year.

@12

2009-12-19T07:21:00.001-08:00

She loves purple and blue. Happy Birthday Maya!!!

Out~

2009-12-15T22:38:00.000-08:00

It has rained hard and non-stop for the last two days. Maybe it has been three. But...
I don't care because the weather has been COLD and AWESOME and we've been taking full advantage of that. Christmas is near and I'm all set. Christmas is near and I'm relaxed.
Christmas is near and life is peaceful. Christmas is near. Christmas. Christ was born.
Don't look at the trash. (great shot Norma) I don't care. The weather has been awesome and Christmas is near. Peace.

Ornaments~

2009-11-30T19:36:00.000-08:00

Light was very gray today so it was hard to take pics but loved making these two ornaments. Made two Christmas trees to go in my little Etsy shop and two of the white wreaths for two lovely ladies I'm swappin with. Creating these were so satisfying. I'll have to make more for sure.

Thankful~

2009-11-27T19:21:00.001-08:00

I am content and blessed to be loved. Happy Thanksgiving season~

Dad~

2009-11-17T20:05:00.000-08:00

I love my dad. As long as I can remember, he's made me feel loved. He's soft spoken, God loving and has gifted hands. He was an upholsterer. Taught my husband to upholster. He took up cello in his 50's. He's gardened, sketched and has always been handy with his hands. He was a paratrooper in World War II.

He used to scrape the paint off an inch of my pencil and write my name on them for school. As a young girl he made me a gold crushed velvet sectional for my Dawn dolls. He made me a tree house in 5th grade.

He always took me to church and made God real for me. That's the gift I cherish most. He introduced me to God. I've had a relationship with God for 41 years and God has never let me down. I was 5 when I first believed. A child's belief of a very real and tangible God who has shown himself to me daily. His love for me is real and is the same for anyone who accepts it.
Father's Day this year. He's pictured with my brother. I think we all look the alike. My dad's not feeling well today. I'm too far away to jump in the car to go see him but I'm praying for him because I love him and value him as a precious gift.

Get better dad. I love you. Norma.

No I Didn't

2009-11-09T20:17:00.000-08:00

Um. Yes I did. YAY!!

Eating Out

2009-10-29T21:50:00.000-07:00

We have trees in our yard that are 30 years old and BIG so of course we have wildlife. This is one of many squirrels. We don't feed them. They take care of themselves and do what they have to do to survive. Sometimes there are lots of them and sometimes there are only a couple.

He's a bold one. We were in the kitchen making dinner but when you have entertainment like this...the burners get turned off and you get the camera. He wasn't afraid that we were only 5 feet from him. Didn't budge when we opened the window to get clear shots. Here he's living on the edge. He doesn't know that that sunflower head isn't going to just fall off. We've had tons of rain and it could be rotted and ready to drop at any second but his soul purpose is to stuff his cheeks while he has the chance. He's a survivor. He's doing what he has to do.

Look at that tail!!! He was having a good hair day for sure. Deserves to be noticed.

Action shot. He's done this before. Big tree stump or a thin sunflower stem, it doesn't matter to him because he's the master of his domain!

Classic squirrel pose with the tail in upright position.

Not bothering to go to the top. Why bother when he knows he's going back down under.

Tail only.

He's giving me his backside. He has attitude. And my personal favorite below is...

LOOK...NO HANDS!

Hands

2009-10-25T20:41:00.000-07:00

Maker of things

2009-10-24T21:41:00.001-07:00

I'm a maker of things. My mind is constantly thinking and creating but there's always a set back to the doing part. Well last weekend I made myself try the making part and not think about the possibility of not succeeding part of my thoughts.

These little reversible fingerless gloves are my first try and were intended for little girls but a friend of my daughter had small hands and let me get pics of them so I could see how they looked on human hands rather than in my imagination. These were fun but already have new ideas on how to make them a little easier and more stream lined. Very satisfying results for my efforts.

I hardly ever make anything for myself but I went on-line to find a free pattern for a crochet hook case made out of fabric, this popped up first and I just knew it was perfect for me. The brown is out of wool then felted. I love brown/green and brown/aqua combinations but this time I had a sweet little thrifted button I've been wanting to use forever and this is just the place for it. I absolutely love how this turned out.

Said sweet little button that I adore!

How I love Thee~

2009-10-10T14:58:00.000-07:00

Fall how I love thee. Your color. Your light. Your sunny days and crisp evenings.
I'm not the only one enjoying the Fall yard and air.

Not much time left out on the porch to enjoy evenings and outdoor meals.

To sit on the back porch enjoying your color.

Your light captures my attention and keeps me mesmerized.

Your provision makes me thankful. God's goodness shines upon us.

Please linger and stay awhile.

Seasons~

2009-10-08T19:05:00.000-07:00

The day had promise of being a beauty. I knew it would be better than yesterday. The boy was sick and running a fever when he woke up. 102 degrees. There was crying because he wanted perfect attendance. He was hopeful and thought he'd feel better if he got dressed and tried. But a fever is a fever and he couldn't go to school and get everyone else sick. So he cried again. Yep, he was sick. He doesn't do sick. But I don't think the male species does at any age.

Ibuprofen kicked in yesterday long enough for him to have tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich.

I wasn't above bribing him, for a smile, with some fresh chocolate chip cookies. It worked.

It was a sunny day today. Really bright out but even with that, the Fall light is here and shouts that we are definitely in Fall. I love the color of the season. Making saying goodbye to Summer a pleasant parting. Welcoming the Fall smells, sights, colors and crispness. Love it!

2009-09-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

Orange Wednesday. Playin.

2009-09-30T19:32:00.001-07:00

It's time. I feel it. The shift. The change. It's in the air. It's time for Fall. Bye summer.

2009-09-28T21:01:00.001-07:00

Participating in Autumn Color Week: Yellow Monday.

September 8

2009-09-08T20:31:00.000-07:00

It rained this weekend and the garden exploded. All four of us spent an hour picking then Monday I spent about 4 hours washing, canning, freezing and cooking so it wouldn't all go bad.

Flowers too.

We have the bug. Next years garden will be bigger and more efficient.

I love gardening. Harvested more yellow squash today, about 25 lemon cucumbers and picked fresh basil for tomato, basil, mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar for dinner. Yum.

Tourists~

2009-09-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

Fort Stevens

My cousin came in from San Diego with her two children. We played tourists!!
Astoria

Multnomah Falls

Boating on the Willamette River

This is my beautiful cousin. Inside and out.

Oregon State Fair

We loved that the kids hardly knew each other and got along so well!!
Sugar coma.

They hadn't been u-picking before. Has to be part of the Oregon experience. I hope they come back soon.

Saturday~

2009-08-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

Enjoying this Saturday: garage sales::vintage finds::sunshine::warmth::sleeping in::family time::clean fridge::plans to bake::thoughts of up-coming visit from cousin and her two kids::cleaning house which sounds contradictory but I love the end result::garden bounty::leisurely spending the day with no place to be:: Peace.

Pen or Pencil~

2009-08-19T20:36:00.000-07:00

A friend suggested I start a journal. I don't feel that I'm the man for this sort of task and yet there are some valid reasons to start. To document the growth God is working in my life right now and I know He is always at work doing. To have a record of my time. To be encouraged at any point in my life as I look back and maybe my thoughts will be treasured, by a family member, at some time in the future.

My dad kept a journal of his Bible readings and what God was saying to him and how he interpreted what he was reading. I absolutely love to read them. Partly because I get to see what he was thinking and how it impacted him. Mostly though I love to see his writing. For some reason, seeing his writing makes me feel like a young girl who is loved and protected by her father.

I purchased a simple three-pack of thin journals called Keep it Green. I like the slim size of them so they can be carried with me in case I want to write on the go. I'm sort of private about my inner most thoughts so I'm not sure about letting them out of my sight, at first. I really like the colors of these journals. Two have lines and one has graph paper. I wonder what kind of journalist I'll be. Will I doodle? Will my entries always be short or long? Do I always have a "highlight of the day" or "thought of the day" in each entry? Do I use pen or pencil? Or both?

There's a lot to think about. I feel the need to take this somewhat seriously. I went to the bookstore to buy these. Do you know how many types of journals are out there? Leather bound simple. Leather bound super decorated. Organic, plastic, recycled, spiral or not, hardback or paperback. I never took notice before of all the options. I really like these simple ones because that's just the way I roll. The aqua one also matches my glasses. I think it will be the first one I write in.

One more question: Should I write the company and tell them they should change the name of their product?

Miss Them~

2009-08-11T21:20:00.001-07:00

Who am I kidding? I miss HER!!!! So small with a big personality.
Sweet.

She's daddy's girl all the way.

She is secure in knowing she is loved!!!

Saturday Market~

2009-08-08T22:04:00.001-07:00

My son pointed out that the family all stands the same.
I can't stop taking pictures of her.

She's sassy.

Today it was green converse.

U-Pick Family Style~

2009-08-06T20:38:00.000-07:00

We went to u-pick today. My son and family hadn't tried this before so we thought we've give them the experience. We had fun traipsing through the peach orchards and blueberry fields.

Of course we had to sample the goods. Just to make sure all was okay. You know? Didn't exactly want to get home and have fruit that wasn't tasty. It could happen. Better to be safe than sorry. Just sayin.

Before.

After.

Before.

After.

Conversing...Sort of~

2009-08-05T22:25:00.000-07:00

Ben: Mom, listen to this song. (he hands me his mp3 player) It's my favorite song on the whole CD.
Me: Okay. (listening to screaming combined with some sort of musical screeching sounds)
Me thinking: okay, I can't even understand a single thing these guys are saying but hey, he loves this Christian CD we bought him for Christmas and that's all that matters. The guys at the Christian bookstore did great with matching the Lincoln Park sound he likes so much but without the content)
Ben: Can't you totally tell it's a song about not giving up?
Me: mmmmmmm. (making eye contact but not saying anything because lying is not good)

Ben: I guess that's why they named the song "Get Back". Isn't it a good name for the song?

Me: mmmmmmmm (making eye contact but not saying anything because, again, lying is not good)

Me thinking: Need to get him some more CD's like this but make sure he always loads them on his mp3 player or I'll go insane from the crazy, racing, screaming sound.

Time to Celebrate~

2009-08-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

So thankful family is in town!!!! Time to make some wonderful memories!!!

Positive~

2009-08-02T06:27:00.001-07:00

There's so much to be thankful for and I am. I have a good life and I know it. Our family has no illness and we are blessed. God gives me hope, comfort, peace and grace. But some days I wake up knowing it's going to be hard to stay positve that day. Peace.

169

2009-07-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

Taking photos in a moving car is always a surprise. I was taking a pic of the cool moon and all I got was "169". I don't even know what that was to or remember there being a sign.

Does your mind ever race and dwell on thoughts that are best not dwelled on? My mind is my biggest distraction from what really matters. "169" is not something I need to try to remember
and I'm not, but I sure wish I had more control over my mind when it comes to things that matter. Something I need to work on.

Philippians 4:8 (New Living Translation)

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

I'm Movin~

2009-07-27T18:22:00.000-07:00

St. Johns Bridge. There are 10 bridges on the Willamette River.

To beat the heat yesterday we went boating out on the Willamette River. Today was even hotter. Tuesday and Wednesday are to be hotter yet. I like it warm. Really I do. But I don't do hot. I'm a lump on a stump when its hot and while I try to beat the heat, I think of all the fun things I could be doing if it wasn't so hot. It makes me cranky. Ask my family if you don't believe me.

St. Johns Bridge on the way back to the marina.
We boated south, through Portland, toward the Lake Oswego area then anchored with some friends to play in the water. In the water is so much better than being home in the heat of the day. Trust me. Just when I thought my day couldn't get any better, my husband says to me, "We're moving into one of these houses." "Okay" says I. "Which one do you want to move to?" says my darling husband. Well I said I wasn't particular but it was harder to make a decision then I thought it was going to me.

This one is my particular favorite. While most have a private dock for their boats, this one was sporting a small yacht but I don't need big or flashy. Small is fine with me. To the left was a either a private vineyard of grapes or rows of blueberry bushes. My guess is grapes but I like blueberries enough to plant a hillside of bushes. Don't you?

The kids were wowed by this one but it seemed a little Venetian to me and I'm a simple girl after all. It may be a little excessive to my lifestyle of simple. Can't beat the view for waking up to though. Looking down on the water. Someone knows how to live.
I also liked this little simple number. Okay, little might not be an accurate description but it did seem smaller than most. My husband would be fishing, off the edge there, morning and night. I'd have to bring him his meals out to the edge. Believe it. I would.
This row of very unique homes will be our neighbors. Variety is fun and there's always something to talk about.

OMSI is just down the river. I wonder if I get a discount for tootling my boat on up to the dock?

The area seems very nice. I really liked this view point that had this cool awning for shade.

Portland is but a mile or two down the river too. We could boat on in for dinner or a bit of shopping. I may never need to get in my minivan again. I wonder if the local grocery delivers?

This is beautiful Portland at sunset.
Well I'm off to pack up the household while I decide on which house I want to move in to. My job is never done.

Full~

2009-07-22T21:45:00.001-07:00

Summer is in full swing around here. Evenings outside to enjoy the cool air after a hot day.
Neighbor girls stopping by to have their pictures taken and chat about their zoo adventure.

Oh the water bill that will be coming soon but we can't let the plants suffer.

Good friends are appreciated so spending time with them.

Making raspberry freezer jam. First time I tried this. So yum. These were for co-workers in thrifted vintage jars. These lids just slipped on. I think I squealed when I spotted them.

I Luv Baseball~

2009-07-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

Father's Day we went to a Padre's game while we were in CA. When we lived in CA we were big Padre fans and went to their games often. We'd always buy tickets to the game that had a Doobie Brother's concert afterward.

Petco Park was not where we'd go see the games though. This is a new venue and it's right in downtown San Diego, right off Mission Bay. It has beautiful views of the bay with all the military ships, cruise line ships, all the sailboats and such. The city is a well oiled machine on game day. They have traffic flowing and people flowing for the least amount of stress to the public.

Even though it's a big stadium, it has a cozy feeling to it and it was really enjoyable. We had a blast. I love everything about a baseball game. The music, the people, the chanting, the wave that the crowd does, the sounds of a game and it's a bonus when they win. Padres won the Oakland A's. The Oakland Raiders are an old rivalry of the San Diego Chargers so it was good to win their baseball team.

This is the view of the girls in the family. Since it was Father's Day, the boys lucked out on some free seats right behind the visitors team dugout. They were down close and personal with the players. It was a great treat for my husband to have his boys all together. I was glad where we were because it was a hot day and we were in the shade.

My husband with the two oldest. Our third son was taking a potty break. The usher was really cool about letting me go down to take their picture. When you're that close to the field, there are rules and they don't like them broken. I think he let me go take their picture so I'd stop babbling on so about it being Father's Day and we were visiting from Oregon and I wanted a picture with all the guys together since we don't all get to be together that much and so on and so on. I guess he figured, you can't make this stuff up and keep going on and on about it.

It was a great day. A really good memory.

Lake Billy Chinook~

2009-07-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

In central Oregon. Hot. Perfect for being on the water all.day.long. Someone has to.

Kids laughing all day long. Playing on towables that are surfboard like, tubes and snowboardish.

I love summer. I love water. I love Oregon. It's been so incredibly good to us. I'm thankful.

72 miles of shoreline, 4000 acres of surface area, views of Mt. Hood, in existence since 1964 when PGE built Round Butte Dam. Named after a well-known Wasco Indian scout from the Warm Springs region who traveled with John Fremont in 1843.

We saw two waterfalls. This one has a rainbow in it. When on the water we're surrounded by cliffsides that look like the Grand Canyon. The cliffsides are full of different patterns so it appears they are alive with movement. Read more about it here.

There are two campgrounds that I saw. We camped at the top at Crooked River Campground. Each campsite has electricity, water, trees for shade, a fire pit and picnic table. There are flush toilets (a must) and showers. The campsite was full but not once did I have to wait for a shower or to use the restroom. Have I mentioned that I love Oregon skies?

A Recipe~

2009-07-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jamaica Juice:
1 cup dried hibiscus flowers*
2 quart water
Sweetner of choice

Add 1 cup of flowers to 1 quart water and bring to a boil. Turn off heat once water comes to a boil. Strain by colander into a pitcher. Add the other quart of water to concentrated juice. Sweeten to taste. Refrigerate or add ice and a little less of the second quart of water. Perfect for summer!!

Optional: 1)a squeeze of lemon for a bit of a different flavor. 2)Add about 1/4 cup made juice to a glass of sparkling water.

* We buy our dried flowers at the Mexican food store. 4.00 for 1 lb of dried flowers. It goes a long way. Ours were packaged in a clear bag and labled : Jamaica Bulk.

After boiling / Dried

Deep~

2009-07-05T20:47:00.000-07:00

Changed my blog name. Why? I liked it better.

Liquid Relief~

2009-07-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

The last time we went boating on Mulnomah channel, an eagle (in back) was after the fish the front bird had. The front bird was flying hard and fast to keep its fish. Other little birds were after the eagle because he was too close to their nest. They were swooping in and around us, each intent on their own mission.

We were cheering for the front bird and he did win out. The eagle couldn't catch it with the little birds pestering him.

Well the weather is going to be in the 90's tomorrow so we are going to head out to the river for some liquid heat relief. We go with friends who have a boat too. Last month the weather wasn't quite hot enough to brave the cold river water but we are definitely taking the 3 man tube and getting wet.

The houseboats are amazing. From very small one room shanty looking things to big two story houses that have full on trees on their front deck. How do they grow those? They don't look like they're in a planter box or anything. Maybe some day I'll just stop and ask.

Water, sunscreen, water, sunscreen, more water and more sunscreen. A priority!!!!

Out with a Bang~

2009-06-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

The only request for our vacation was that they be allowed to swim as much as possible. He swam in the ocean lots! No amount of seaweed kept him out of the water. Water temperature was like bath water compared to Oregon's snow run-off. He was in the water every second he could get in. Ocean, shower, pool, shower, ocean, shower and repeat as much as possible.

He loved watching the surfers. Did he imagine himself being able to surf some day? He never mentioned it and I didn't want to interrupt his admiration with questions.

We climbed rocks together. He wanted me to notice the flowers on the cacti. He wanted me to admire the view from the mountain top. He wanted to talk about our surroundings and the differences between California and Oregon.

He never complained. He was happy to be out and about and just doing. He played hard, slept hard and never wasted a moment of our vacation. As we were getting in the car to come home, he had a door shut on his finger.

Back out of the car for 30 minutes of crisis. Sad tears. Whimpers of pain. Lots of "ouches" but he recovered. He's going to lose his nail, I'm sure of it. But he sure had a great time up to that point. He's mentioned that he's sad we had to leave. I'm glad those good memories are what he's talking about and not his finger.

Torn~

2009-06-29T21:05:00.001-07:00

Every time I come back from a California vacation, I feel so torn between my love for beautiful Oregon with open skies, green of every shade, surf meeting forest in a wild union, an abundance of water for growing my garden, personal spiritual growth.....

...and my beloved California beach full of familiar sounds, smells, sites, warmth, comfort, family and friends. While content in both places, my heart yearns for the one I'm not currently in. Oregon has been so generous to us and has given us a wonderful life. Oh how I miss my beloved beach though.

Trippin~

2009-06-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

We're on the road to see this sweet girl. Can't keep her waiting.

Polaroiding~

2009-05-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

I'm sure it's a verb. I love how 70's-ish it is. I loved the 70's. In the 70's my life was full of fun, laughing, the beach, California sun, a carefree life, family, friends, smiling, music and I have great memories. Memorial Day weekend was wonderful at Detroit Lake. So much like the 70's. Family, fun, sun, heat, water, carefree, relaxing, laughing, smiling. We made good memories. Looked like the 70's too. Take a look.

The lake.

Contemplation.

Conversation. ( it's fffrreeezzziinnggg )

The plunge.

Peace mom. Piece of cake.

Going Back~

2009-05-20T21:26:00.001-07:00

We went here last summer. Outdoor smells. Outdoor sounds. Anything outdoors works.

Bits of sun breaking thru the tall old trees. Slowing down. Noticing. Keeping it simple is best.

Oregon beauty. Oregon beauty then some more Oregon beauty. Always beautiful!!First camping trip of the year. A sign of things to come this summer. With my sister. It's half way between our homes so travel is not too hard on either one of us. Any time with my family is good. Have a safe and fun holiday weekend. Up here in Oregon, the weathers going to be simply awesome. I look forward to simple. to awesome. to family. to lounging in the hammock. to sitting by the fire. to taking leisurely walks. to good conversation with my sister. to fishing. to bar-b-queing. to having no plans. to keeping it simple. Peace.

Wall~

2009-05-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

I am not good at home decor. I did not get that gene passed down to me by my mom. It's not nice to not to share. I'm telling her that the next time I talk to her. I'll do it. Really.

If I don't have stuff out or up, my house looks empty and bare. If I try to put out decorations, pictures or what-nots, it looks messy and cluttered. I can't win.

Well I gathered all the various pics and put together this wall above my desk and computer. I really liked the way it turned out! So very much! My family, kids watercolor creations, an oil paining by my mom, thrifted art goodness and a mosaic I made. See the bare spot? I need to buy a special wall hanger for the one picture I couldn't put up with a nail. Soon to be filled.

I enjoy sitting at my desk and glancing up. Faces I love, pretty pics and drawings, a wall that I won't get tired of any time soon. My mom will be so relieved there's a sign of hope.

Merriman~

2009-05-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

My two year old granddaughter, Tyler. I love this picture so much. How many two year olds sit still and just view? She's a peach, she's a gem. she's a whiz, she's our love. My name is Nina to her. Oh and we're Charger fans. This is Chargers jersey.