Views From Home

Today I took some pics of some of my favorite views around and about the house. My camera is not the greatest, but I got some decent ones. I had fun in Photoshop tweaking them. I have too much time on my hands now that school is out!

I told Justin that I wanted to take his picture. He posed so nicely for me in the reading room! I love how this one came out. Child #1 can't sit this still.

Window cil sitters

Sarah's flower pot boquet from Flora

Books, glorious books


One of my favorite views in the house. Sitting in the reading room looking across the hall.

Our Christmas cactus has exploded into bloom.

One of the amazing aprons Louise made us!

Sewing supplies

Laundry room window

Upstairs banister

Hydrangia - Thanks Deanna and Adam!

Lamb's Ear

Lily

Antique roses that were here when we moved in

Ron indulged me with some potted plants for the porch.

Fox Gloves and Hydrangia

My cute kitty

What a journey for these three numbers!

Sarah the Dancer

Sarah danced in her 6th ballet recital tonight, "Flora." She has been taking ballet for 3 1/2 years now, and has been taking modern dance for 1 year. I'm so proud of her accomplishments in such a short amount of time! She has gone from ballet 1 to ballet 4, (as of this fall), in a few years. (Most of the girls in her class have taken ballet since they were three or four.) She has two ballet classes per week; one of them is a pre pointe class. Then she takes her modern dance class once a week. She wants to add a Latin class next year. She works so hard to perfect her art. I was a dancer, so I know how difficult ballet really is. Dancers make ballet look really easy, but it is hard work! One of the kids in her class has a mom who is a photographer. She got these amazing pics of Sarah on the last day of class. I especially like the first one!

Stretching for splits. She has only a few inches to go!

She is notorious for having her ribbons untie mid dance. Her teacher asked the photographer to get this photo of her to memorialize the moment!


Cool twirly spin

House Warming Fun

We had a little house celebration last weekend and our friends brought us some wonderful gifts! We were given seven plants! It was so much fun to show people our little spot on this earth, and just hang out and have a good time. Ron made his famous chili, (man salad), it was sooo yummy. I took pics of most of the lovely gifts. My camera wasn't cooperating today, so I have more pics to upload - a friend gave us the cutest hand made aprons I want to show you! Thanks to all who came to our little party!

Two different friends from my mom's group, (Deanna and Elizabeth), gave us the same pretty pink hydrangea plant! Ron had registered for these at Target, but they didn't even know and got them other places. I think they know us well!

The beautiful fuscia was given to us by one of Ron's bosses. It looks great hanging in the holly tree.

A Japanese maple given to us by one of Ron's co workers. The tree on the left was given to us as well, I'm sure what it is exactly. Ron planted them in the front yard.

This is a "Wandering Jew" plant, it's so pretty. We can't figure out who gave it to us, but we love it!

The sea foam vintage pitcher on the far left was given to us by our friends Jason and Bethany. It's my favorite present by far! It fits in perfectly with my vintage pitcher/tea pot family.

We were given a few gift cards. I got this nice couch cover with the gift for our hand me down love seat that was in desperate need of a make over. It matches our leather couch well.

This wasn't a gift. I just wanted to show you the gorgeous purple Rhododendron blooming in our front yard!

Vintage Gown

Here is Abram Oak, my friend Tracy's adorbale baby at 6 weeks old. I made this gown for him for his ma ma's baby shower. I used a vintage gown I had been given for the pattern. I embroidered an R on it for his last name to add a special personalized touch. At the time I was just sure he would be a girl, but I made sure that in case he was a boy this would be gender neutral. I think he looks adorable in it!! Can't wait to meet this little fellow.

Hexagon Quilt

A friend of mine made this gorgeous hexagon quilt over the holiday. She posted pics of it on face book and I fell in love with it. It's like a large version of the mother's flower garden, and she used 30's repro fabrics. I asked how she made it so quickly and she has offered to give me a lesson! I've never had a lesson from a quilter before, so I'm ecstatic! So look for this one made by me on the blog in the near future!

In The Garden

The garden is starting to bloom at long last! Ron has done an amazing job with the plants in such a short period of time. Many of them are in the ground already and thriving. We have two new additions to the garden as well - our cats Derby and Head. They are now officially out door cats, after being in doors for about 8 years. Due to bad cat behavior they could no longer live with us, (just imagine cat pee, lots of it.) They seem to be adjusting well to the out doors though they meow on a regular basis. Here are some pics of this morning's wanderings in the garden:

Everthing is turning up roses.

I'm not sure what this plant is called, but I love the petals.

The beginnings of apples!

Over heard this morning, "Dad, Headie clawed!"

Boy and cat.

Derby cat

Higher ground is always safe. (Taken by Sarah.)

Flora

Sarah is gearing up for her spring dance performance, "Flora"! This will be the 6th ballet she has been in after taking ballet for 3 years. She will be in 4 dances and will be a Bluebell, Lotus flower, ant, and will do a finale dance. She's been working really hard and the dances are all beautiful. She has really developed her dancing this year, I've been amazed to see her skill level advance so much. I've been helping with the costumes which are gorgeous! Stay tuned for more pictures and info about the performance!

My stately dancer

Sarah practicing her modern dance as a Lotus flower.