About Due

We have been about due for another picnick/pickwicking adventure. We picnic practically every day on the patio, but sometimes it IS nice to go with basket and blanket in hand, to the park.

Yesterday was one of those days. We wasted the entire day out there. The only housework that I did was hang clothes on the line and bring them down again, folded. How's THAT for an easy day?

Here are some pictures from our day. Our beautiful, sunny day! We have a few more coming, I hear, too!

Gotcha!

The above picture appears to show Corynn eating her sandwich, looking out on the water. Not so! She was, in fact, feeding her sandwich to the geese. (Who were very greedy by the way!)

WHY do I ALWAYS forget to bring them FOOD?!?!?

Captured!

During lunch, we discovered two little goslings swimming about. I thought that rather odd, since I thought they came in larger batches than that. At a shallow point in the reservoir I was able to capture one of them for a closer look. (Don't be impressed...the babbling brook into the reservoir was just a bit too overpowering for the little guy...)

The children loved getting a closer glimpse and touching how soft and sweet it was. Corynn and I are convinced that we WILL be getting some ducks when we have our own house. Matt doesn't know about this yet.

We only held it for a few moments before returning it to its brother. It was so cute how fast that little guy swam/ran to see if she was okay. The parent geese looked on and were quite forgiving of the curious humans...I think it was all the sandwich we gave them.

Corynn's got the "awwww's"

When Andrew saw-he started quacking.

And then he got in a touch or two.

I want one.

Ever notice how stone water fountains always taste like algae? Well. It was cold and so, it was refreshing. Plus. They are always 'fun' to drink out of.

Three's Company

Corynn is not quite sure of this spinny thing. She is pretty curious as to why Millie, Annika, and Susannah love it so! :-)

I know I know...he needs a haircut.

BADLY. Tonight I will gather all my courage to do it. *I think*

At days end, we had one tired Little Miss

Waking up 'the sister'

Just because...

I love this boy.

Seeing Double?

Basket Full of Posies

After seeing a picture of a pillow similar to this in a back issue of Victoria magazine-I figured I would try it someday. Someday came a few weeks ago and I am only NOW able to graduate it from the works-in-progress category. Brown, small yo-yo's form a basket while larger, more colorful yo-yo's are the flowers. Various buttons decorate the centers, basting stitches form the stems and leaves and scraps fringe the outside.

I have been wanting to send something to the woman in the hospital who is paralyzed after having a car accident and losing her infant son on Mother's Day, but I just couldn't figure out what to send. Of course, a card. But I wanted to do something more. I wasn't sure if it would be too painful to have something personalized for her son, or to dwell on that. I just wasn't sure. Then, as I was stitching the stems up it came to me- I will send her this pillow! It is LIKE flowers, but won't fade...and it might dress up her hospital room-a home that will be hers for about 6 more weeks. I don't know her personally, but I can honestly say, she has been on my mind more since I learned of her than anything else.

Which brings me to a cute story.

Last night after Corynn was in bed she 'had' to get up to go 'potty'. Of course, on her way BACK to her room, she stopped in my craft room to 'tiss me one more time'. Frankly, I think it was all a ploy to see what was being stitched!

When she asked what it was and who it was for, I told her the situation. It went something like this.

Corynn: "Whatcha doing Mama?"

Mama: "Finishing up this pillow."

Corynn: "Is it for ME, Mama?"

Mama: "Nopers. It is for a lady who lost her baby."

Corynn: "She LOST her?"

Mama: "No darling. She didn't LOSE her baby-she was in a car accident and her baby died and now lives in heaven with God. She's very sad right now and I thought if I sent her this pillow it might make her feel a little bit better. Do you think it will make her feel better?"

Corynn: "Yes. I think so. But...Does she have a Papa?"

Mama: "I suppose so." (wondering where she was going with that...)

Corynn: "That's good. Papas always make you feel better."


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As long as I am sharing... here is something else that tickled my fancy.

The other day Matt and I were discussing making a blacktop driveway and he was describing to me the differences in consistency between concrete and asphalt when he said...

"Concrete is like cake mix and asphalt is like no bake cookies."

And I said, "OOOOOOoooooooh."

And then we both laughed. That, my friends, was a perfect analogy for me!

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Finally, I wanted to share two of the books I have been soaking up in my free time. Basically, I am in love.

*Morning Glories~Breakfast, Brunch, and Light Fare from an Herb Garden
By:Sharon Kebschull Barrett

Can I just say this is the COOLEST thing? It has got me making a whole new checklist for fun herbs to get in the future, and putting the herbs I have into good use. Lemon Verbena blueberry muffins? Lavendar Blackberry Jam? Scarmbled egg wrap with cilantro, tomatoes and feta?!? My mouth is watering and my tummy is a'grumblin!

*The Art of Romantic Living~Simple Touches to Enhance Everyday Life
By: Susan Wales

When I picked this up I was enchanted by the lovely photography on the front cover. Then, by the title. For a few dollars, I decided to make the purchase. Only when I opened the cover did I realize that the author was writing from a Christian perspective and when I read this line in particular, I knew it was gold. After having just lamented the fact that women are often sorely disappointed by the lack of romance their husbands show forth she says, "Please note: We are not going to fix HIM, we are going to change ourselves and our attitudes." And who can NOT like a book with pages so interspersed with fabulous quotes?!?

My Rhododendrun bush is in bloom...

Anyone who is worried about the bee extintion scare...

needs to come to my Rhodo bush! :-)

Up close and personal

Have you ever seen how the bees get the pollen to the hive? They catch it on their front legs and wipe it all on their back legs and rump. It is really neat. Even the smallest details God has planned.

On a side note: if we didn't all know bees sting and are NOT friendly, I would say this picture makes it appear like a cute, soft little fuzzball.

Gotta love those glitter wings!

In the garage: HUbby's WIP's

Just when you thought you were rid of me...

I got so busy talking about MY projects still wip's that it entirely slipped my mind to tell you about the WIP's of my better half.

Matt FINALLY had the opportunity to download and post the movies he took (which is quite an undertaking given our dial-up, slow as molasses internet connection!) and I teased you all with a week ago.

Go to his blog to see some of HIS projects-they are there now for your viewing pleasure.

And when you do, drop him a comment and let him know!

Even if you aren't that interested in deer-hiding, they are fun to watch. Granted, I am the wife-but I still think they are. Each are about one minute long. If nothing else, after viewing, you will have a better idea of why my life is so fun.

(Equally as exciting is the fact that, if you go, you will see how Mattie was able to magically free me from the burden of a migraine on Saturday night when I returned from the bridal shower, a late-night, mile-long to-do list swirling in my head.)

Disclaimer: Mattie doesn't say 'BASICALLY' every other word in real life. He was being silly. Just so you know...

Now-GO ALREADY! :-)