Crazy-creativity

Got a wild hair and pulled out some girlie fabric and a pair of old boys jeans with no knee left in them.
I had this idea that I could one-up a skirt and pair of bloomers for feminine play clothes, so in foof-a-fying this cast off, I managed to satiate my creative streak while recycling something that looked like it had no life left in it.



































I do think a pair of blingy cowgirl boots would step it up a notch!

I would improve this version (and maybe will yet, because I think there's a steady supply of holey-kneed jeans in our future) by shortening the length of the pant, and I might use lighter weight fabric in a dark color for the little "skirts".

All in all, it was a fun project (and quick, which is my speed), and made the girl smile.

I'm smiling too :-)

The boy got strawberries... finally!

Party, Party,Party!

It's been a week of partying around here.  Since Dad worked out of town this week, I gave the children each a night to choose and make dinner, stay up later than everyone else, and then sleep in my bed.

This program gained high ratings from the start, but has risen in popularity since then.

Zachary chose Spaghetti which turned out delicious!

Clay wanted Tacos, so he also snipped just enough cilantro from our garden to make semi-fresh salsa.  Then we played Moose Farkle, and ended the evening with one hand of Gin since I skunked him in the first game :-)

And Susanna was pretty excited about her turn.  She posted this "sign" on the front door.  

It read:

Today is my Day

said Sue  

I get to make dinner rolls.  

I get to not clear the table. 

I get to sleep in Mom's bed.

That "not having to clear the table" bit really made an impression I guess!

Olivia had her night tonight and wanted to make tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.  We also had our neighbors down for a party, and they brought stuff for fresh-picked-huckleberry-smoothies.

Then Olivia wanted to play Twister... not sure where she went when the game came out.  

Maybe it's more fun to watch?

The Sound of Music was Olivia's choice of movie to end our party,

 

but after our guests left we two partied on for another hour before I sent her to bed.   

MY bed.

Carolina asked me if SHE gets to stay up late, and I told her that tomorrow is HER night.  Happy day!

For dinner she'd like to make rice.

...and Oatmeal.

thoughts and perspective of a newbie gardener

This...

is my garden.

The fence and gate are still the prettiest part to look at.

It's been chilly, and it's been overcast.  The ground has stayed moist enough that I hardly have to water it, which is a change from trying to grow things in California (everything grows for the sun if you remember to water it)!

Another thing to get use to is seeing moss grow in a vegetable garden.

I planted my heart out a couple months ago, and am actually surprised that most the seeds didn't rot in the ground before germination.  I think I determined that sunlight is hitting our little plot for 7 hours at best, even though daylight starts at 4 AM and doesn't end until after 10 PM.

Now, Auntie Hannah's garden... is another story.
First of all, she is a pro gardener - I don't care if she's never gardened in North Idaho before this year.
I comfort myself that The Uncle Char/Auntie Hannah family live higher up on the hill (waaaarmer) and their plot sees more like 11 hours of the suns rays (again, waaaarmer).
I don't factor in the part where she spends more time spreading goat manure, weeding, planting, cold-framing, and probably singing to, her seedlings.

I don't sing to mine.  I'm pretty sure it wouldn't help anyways, as the goal is for my plants to not die.

Besides.  I am an introspective person and when I have space and silence all to myself, I think. 
Thinking is good.
I should garden more.

I don't talk to myself, and certainly not to my Onions, but if it would make them get big enough to support the 5-times-a-day:

"Can I TRY the (insert barely-sprouted vegetable name)... mom?"

No son.  You tried one yesterday.  They're not a whole lot bigger today, and there won't be any left by the time we can tell it's a Radish.

Anyways.  I recently had a big weed-fest and could REALLY see all the bare spots, so today I planted more seeds.

And more seeds again.

It felt really good!  Ironically I feel most like a farmer when sewing seeds.  Not when I am pulling weeds.

If I ever get to really harvest something (because I'm reluctant to call a couple snips of lettuce or plucks of cilantro a "harvest"), I might feel even more farmer-ish, but in case that day doesn't arrive this year I want to get my kicks where I can:-)

I want to show you something I discovered.

Perspective makes all the difference, don't you think?

 

Same garden, but oh!  It looks so LUSH, and those beans - they're so TALL!

 It's a true depiction of the real thing.  If you kneel down in the corner - just so your nose is almost touching the lettuce, you might think I have accomplished great things - things you wouldn't notice from a distance.

In fact, I have accomplished something amazing; I started a project that I am sticking with.

Things ARE growing (albeit rather slow).

The weeds ARE being pulled (in the usual abundance)

And I am starting over again when my previous work has been dismayed (Thanks LORD!).

Not only that, but I finally broke down and bought a "fun" pair of mud boots.  For as often as I go out, and abundant as mud seems to be I thought something prettier than the usual too-big, black irrigation boots might make me smile.

I found these when shopping with Molly in Roseville a few weeks ago 
and I was right:  
they are fun, 
they make me smile, 
AND I think of that trip to the Nursery with my sis and brother-in-law. (Thanks guys!)

Please do note that Clayton is trying to grow an artichoke.
In North Idaho.
I'm doubtful at best, but enjoy thinking of Clay every time I pass it :-)

The Hens and Chicks however, like it here.

      ..............................................I suppose the artichoke could surprise me.............?

Ode to Boys

Because of boys, I have conversations about worms.
"Mom, Uncle Charlie has healthier worms than ours.  I think it's because he feeds his table scraps and stuff like that."

Are you serious Zack?!
Really? Healthier worms?
I know I'm just a mom, but it seems like there are other ways to get worms than by turning them into another chore.  Just turn over a rock in the yard for instance.

There will be no competing with Uncle Charlie though.
He has a pack goat, so the newest rage is wanting a pack goat.
One big enough to ride.
In fact, says Zachary:  "I'd like for Uncle Charlie to make a saddle for me.
I might even pay him a little (how generous) or maybe help him..."

The thing is, boys are Adam's descendants so they are made from...

dirt. 

One thing I understand now; dirt calls to boys.
I never knew just how much I could love dirt. 
And boys.

I should probably remember that when I'm doing laundry. 

And speaking of boys and laundry... some things are not meant to go through the drier.  You'll have to ask if you really need to know.



Boys hunt for and "bag"... mice.

Boys like gadgety stuff (if gadgety is a word) .  Especially big boys.  The kind of stuff we girls don't understand and often can't pronounce.  And if you don't watch out, they will buy you a present they know you will love....  and you'll never see it again.  But that's okay because you love the boy who gave it:-)

A boy will climb a splintery porch pillar in underwear to get closer to a robins nest.
(and because I am becoming less surprised by such things, I grab my camera on my way out to scold)

Put a price tag on that!

Boys are one of the things that make life so perfectly wonderful and I can't imagine how little laundry there'd be without them.  
In any shape or size, they're pretty much the best thing a girl could ever get!


 

It was a good birthday...

...a very full and wonderful day!

My Firstborn... like it was yesterday

9 years ago, July 7th.  8 lbs.  2 ounces.  

Who are those two kids taking that baby home from the hospital?

Oh yeah.  That's us.  Parents to a now-nine-year-old.

I had no idea how fast the time would disappear!

What an amazing fellow you are Zachary Christian.

You are a leader, a planner and do-er.  You are an overcomer - We have watched you battle fears and stand the Victor; We've instructed you and watched you choose to master your will and actions.  We've been so blessed by your gracious big-brothering, and protection of your siblings.  

You are nine years old now - still a child; yet you are well on your way to becoming a man.

A boy I am so thankful to call son, and a young man I am privileged to call friend.  Dad and I love you so very much Zack.  We were pretty excited about you in the pictures above, but we are even more amazed by you now!

I have a feeling that the years ahead will be even better 

and a whole lot of fun :-)

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Meeting Baby

My last week was full of becoming an Auntie again.

Molly and Nick were ecstatic (and relieved) to finally welcome their little one.

A Girl!

Lydia Grace.

I was so fortunate to meet darling Lydia, and I will vouch for her delectable sweetness - she is truly a beautiful baby!  Molly looked radiant and serene; Nick is prouder than proud.

Well done Sis!  She's a keeper ;-)