Linen Skirt

I hosted a shower for a friend of mine who just had a baby girl. It is her first girl, so I decided to make her a little skirt. This is the first time I've sewn with linen and I'm pretty happy with the result. I did French seams so the skirt ended up being a bit less full than I had expected. It's a 19" waist which should fit 6-12 months. I think it will look really cute with leggings since it's a bit on the shorter side. I had a happy accident when making it. My seams didn't line up exactly in the back so I added these cute buttons to camaflogue it. I think they look cute!

Back with buttons

Front

Everything in its Place

Watch out world - I finally got my fabrics organized and visible! Ron brought home this awesome shelf from work, so it was free! I've had it for about a month now and was seriously lacking motivation to get everything put away, but today I had success. The smaller fabric bits are even arranged according to color. I'm hoping that having most of my fabric out will inspire me to get more made. I'm working on something today, so there is hope!

River Fun

Last weekend we took a trip down to the river for a relaxing family outing. I'm glad we did because it has rained all week. It seems summer is taking her sweet time arriving! The kids had a great time digging in the river rocks and creating "islands" for themselves. Dad helped with the digging and mom kicked back on a blanket. A great time was had by all!!

Dad and son having a good time together.

Sarah balancing on the rocks.

Do I really have to stop for a picture?

I found this awesome tiffin box at Target the other week. I saw these in Thailand and almost bought one, then regretted that I didn't. You can get metal ones in China town, etc. When I saw this one in pretty bright colors I couldn't resist it!

Landscaping

Ron has been working on the landscaping since we moved in and now that it's spring he's been going all out and the yard is looking fantastic! He got some free wood chips for the front yard this past weekend to finish off the left side of the front yard. I really should have taken before pics of the yard. Basically just picture the tree....and nothing else and you will have an idea of what it looked like! He's planted about 15 trees including apple, flowering plum, beech, bamboo, alder, maple and more I can't remember. His next big undertaking will be to put in a brick walk way from the front gate to the stairs and a large pond with a waterfall in the front yard - I can't wait!!

Amazingly enough Ron's been hauling around some of his plants for 15 years in pots, just waiting for the day when we would own a home and he could plant them in the ground. We were hardly able to do any gardening at our last rental, (they didn't like plants and flowers I guess), but now he can garden to his heart's content and use his horticulture and gardening skills to create beauty all around us. We've had some iris bulbs for 12 years that have never bloomed until we came here. My theory is they know they're home finally.

The picture below reminds me of a woodland retreat. I'm tempted to do a painting of it, hmmm..

Bamboo plants are along the fence line planted in pots so they don't take over the yard. We also planted an apple tree, butterfly bush, lamb's ear, snap dragons, ferns and lilies on this side.

We plan to do a brick walk way where the bare dirt is now.

Snap dragons and bamboo in the back ground.

I love these wooden pieces that line the path to the bath tub pond. Ron built the fence to the right.

Head cat hanging out on the porch.

Raised Bed Harvest Begins!

Last night we harvested our very first lettuce from the raised beds and had it for dinner! Ron has built a total of 4 raised beds thus far already. So far the potatoes, onions, lettuce, onions, carrots and kale are planted in the beds. We have tomatoes and broccoli ready to go and will plant them as soon as Ron finishes up the 5th raised bed. We have plans for about 4 more raised beds for squash and other veggies. All the hard work is starting to pay off!!

Potato leaves (4 potato varieties), and onions and carrots in the background.

This boy loves lettuce!

Lettuce raised bed close up

Peas are planted with the string all tied up and ready to go.

Peas in the foreground with cale starting on the left side.

The Farmer's Market is Back!

Spring isn't really officially here until the Farmer's Market arrives. Today was the first one this year and we had a great time there! It's such fun to go to the market - it's a cultural experience in our area. We get a chance to see friends while we shop and check out all of the beautiful veggies, plants, flowers, trees and other goods. Ron usually likes to look at all of the trees for sale, while I gravitate toward the flowers. The kids like to run around on the grass and climb trees. A fun time was had by all!

I thought I'd try out the skirt/pants look today. I picked up the skirt for a few dollars at the thrift store a few weeks back.

Ron checking out a beech tree he ended up buying.

The market always has these awesome cacti.

Justin smelling some bees wax.

Embroidery Projects

I've gotten back into one of my favorite hobbies lately: embroidery. I did a lot of it when I was in high school and college, but when I had a family I simply haven't had time for it. Lately it's been my creative outlet since I haven't had much time for sewing. The great thing about embroidery is that you can take it with you anywhere! It's a relaxing and fun textile art. I'm actually getting close to completing the gnome embroidery. I plan to mat and frame both of these and do another one so I can have a grouping to decorate with. I'll post pics of the finished projects.

Mushroom gnome still in progress. I plan to mat it with the cute woodsy floral printed fabric behind it. I got this design free on line.

Sun bonnet girl - I started this years ago and had originally planned for it to be all satin stitched. I'm getting more realistic though and may not fill in the entire design!

Vintage Wooden Window Key Holder

I've been in need of a key holder for a long time now. I tend to misplace my keys a lot, oy! But I just couldn't seem to find an attractive one, one that fits my style, etc. The other day I was out in the back yard and saw this old wooden window in Ron's window pile which he plans to use for his green house. I had a spontaneous creative inspiration to turn it into a key holder! So I went out and bought some ribbon, hooks, and dried flowers and wa la - key holder! I taped the flowers behind the frame to hold them in place, and laced the ribbon through the holes in the hinges and knotted it. I may end up looping the ribbon through the hinges instead, just to make sure it doesn't come loose. I measured out even spaces for the hooks and screwed them into the wood. Ron got a special hanging device for it since the window is heavy. It's hanging in the hallway so it's hard to get a front shot of it, but I think you'll get the idea. You could also put pictures behind the window, dried leaves, or anything you like!

I got the dried lavender, roses, and ribbon at Michael's craft. The hooks came from Rite Aid and the window is from the back fourty! ;)

Great Grandma Emma's China

My mom's cousin happened to be driving up to Oregon this past weekend and had some family china with her for my mom. The china was from 1932 and my great grandma had saved up money for it from raising turkeys from eggs and selling them. The China is from Japan and is a hand painted set of 12 with a very delicate design. My mom was thrilled to get it because she remembers her Grandma well and had a close bond with her. Family heirlooms are such amazing and wonderful things!

Ready for Dance Class

I'm not usually able to get a good picture of Sarah dressed up for dance class, but my dad was able to get a really cute one when he was here this past weekend. Here is our little ballerina!

New Shoes!

I rarely buy expensive shoes because I just cannot justify it honestly. In fact, the last shoes I bought were a pair of lime green Simples, (hardly worn), for $2 at a thrift store. Yeah, you could say I'm thrifty.

Yesterday the kids and I were out in Old Town for our Los Bagels/pigeon outing when I saw a 60% off sign in a local shoe store. Anything over 50% off must be investigated! After searching through discounted shoes I found these beauties. They are Earth shoes, which I've always wanted, but could never justify paying $140 for! But at 60% off who could resist?

Happy feet

A Sunny Day in the Garden

The sun is out today so I took the opportunity to take some pictures out in the garden again. I just can't get enough of the sunshine! The house is a mess, dishes and laundry are piled high, but the sun is calling...

I had fun in Photoshop. Justin said, "Mom, take my picture." I love this pose, what a looker!
Head enjoying some peace and quiet.

I keep taking pics of these beauties because they will be gone soon!

This boy could swing all day!

On the "high" swing

Head getting a drink from an empty planter.

A Magical Sort of a Day

Justin's birthday party was on Saturday and it was such an amazing time! Grandpa and Grandma came up from Sacramento for the big day. It had been pouring rain that morning as it usually does on his birthday, so we were bracing ourselves for an indoor party. But about an hour before the party the skies cleared and it was sunny and gorgeous out much to our surprise! Everyone had such a great time and after cake and presents we went out in the sunny back yard and opened a pinata. The kids had a blast playing on the climber, swinging, looking at our bunny, and running around the yard. Ron gave a raised bed garden tour, (as only he can do), which added to the fun of the day.

I rarely encounter days as perfect as this day was. There is something so amazing about gathering with good friends at your home to celebrate your child's birthday. Everyone was smiling and happy, laughing and enjoying themselves. I felt so grateful for family, good friends, and life in general. The clouds parted for the party, then the rain started up again when it was over. I couldn't help feeling like God had smiled on the day just for us.

Some of Justin's favorite buddies getting ready to dive into the cake.

One happy four year old boy!

The delicious Co-Op carrot cake which had honey in the icing, yuummmy!

Justin checking out his new Radio Flyer scooter.

Pinata aftermath.

Ron gave a raised bed garden tour in the back yard for our friends.