Photos of our week.

April: June:
These sad little plants are withering away in their pots. All 12 tomatoes and 6 peppers. The basil and dill have long since been replaced. I take them on field trips outside on sunny days, otherwise they are wards of my windowsill. We have had record rain this summer, and the garden is still soaked. Sigh.We've tilled 4 times hoping to dry it out. I hate to stuff my tomatoes in planter boxes because they grow like freaking trees in the dirt! Honest. Last year they were up to my shoulders and I still have tomatoes in the freezer. There is no vegetable better than a warm tomato fresh from the garden. Seeing them like this makes my stomach hurt. Whine, whine.

Moving on, here are some photos from our quite mundane and splendid week. Addie's first pigtails. I've never cut her hair. She is just busy growing brains instead of locks.

Precious friends came over to picnic, treasure hunt, make trails, and entertain my sweet girl.
This is the, "Can we be done with pictures?" look. I love all her faces. Not just the perfect smiles. And the freckles! Be still my heart.
Grandma had a birthday last weekend. We were getting ready, and she hobbled over in this get-up. She said, "Momma, do I look fancy?". She sure did!
I guess all my photos of have the same little subject in them. Maybe I'll try taking my camera off the property like other bloggers. It never occurs to me that she's not captivating to everyone in the world. But I'm new here, so I suppose there's a learning curve.

Wait-one more! Because I geek out on this stuff. And I'm here to be myself, so here's something that made me proud this week. Something I've been thinking about and was chicken until now. Thrown over the fence by BP's attack on the earth.


Wish me luck!

I never win anything!

I really don't. I am totally that person. But when entering P Dub's drawing for the Kitchen Aid, it's kind of a downer to be entry #34,869, is it not?

Lucky for me I happened to see a fun giveaway from a blogger I love to peek in on. Karla from Classy and Fabulous! was giving away some lovely address labels from Pear Tree! I threw caution to the wind and put my name in the hat! Wohoo-I win! I win!

I am neither classy nor fabulous, but sometimes I try. Karla is an author and expert on being your best regardless of social class or financial situation. Sometimes manners and grace seem to be a lost art. I am one of the only people I know who send a written thank you note for gifts. And if I am too slow, my dear mother will call and let me know that she has not received hers yet. Thank you for that gentle reminder, Mom. I have more learning to do. Anyhow, now I get to pick out my very own big kid address labels! Labels that didn't come free with membership from the Hunter's Association! Elk silhouettes are sorta not my style. The varieties at Pear Tree are in the gazillions and I can't decide!

I really like these for spring.
Perhaps this one? Although it's hard to be objective-I can't see much beyond her white teeth. Thank you so very much, Karla, for making my day with this generous treat!

Farm Party

My daughter's 3rd birthday party was way fun to put together! We're semi-rural out here, so the "farm" theme just hopped into my lap
My mom and I made animal cupcakes and a barn sheet cake from this Betty Crocker tutorial. Aren't they sweet??! I put together little centerpieces with candy in red and yellow themed colors. I found all of it at the Dollar Store. Score!

These glass drink dispensers were a steal at World Market. I think I paid $30 for the pair. I lust for this one from PB, but just can't resist a good deal. (Especially when we still need to purchase counter tops-notice the classy pressboard?). I added tons of ribbon to adorn everything and added paper hang tags for labels.

My sweet husband spent the morning chasing balloons and fetching fresh flowers.

Lacey the pony was a complete hit with the kids. We enjoyed half an hour riding Lacey in the yard before the downpour hit. Everyone retreated indoors and I'm so glad my husband had the foresight to clean out the garage! It was a bummer, but I honestly believe those children didn't even know it was raining outside. They were so happy to play together and feed Lacey apples that it didn't matter where they were.
The kids also played on the swing set, fed the resident cow, threw grain for our flock of hens. To my relief everyone came dressed for outside fun, so it was no matter that things got a little...damp. It's just how we roll out here. We also grilled and had excessive amounts of yummy food to fill tummies up.
I crafted a little barn out of cabinet boxes for an emergency indoor activity. It just took a bottle of tempera paint, a roll of white duct tape, and a utility knife. The kids thought it was cool, and Addie is going to love it to bits and pieces-literally-all summer long. Talk about recycling! Below she was just taking a moment to herself-30 guests can be a overwhelming for a little girl. I can relate! I wanted to make this party really special to show how much we love our little girl. We don't often indulge her with things because I'm terrified of her becoming a brat, so this was one occasion to go all out and make it memorable. My family pitched in so much, which makes it even more special. They are so generous with their love and time. It was a gift for both of us. Addie loved her party, and our littler guests said it was the "funnest ever". I'd call that a success.

Random Monday

When I went to town this morning I didn't find anyone to give my care package to but, I wanted to show that I made good on my commitment to be ready to help someone. I'm not really sure if these items are great, but they are things I have on hand and can share.
I think I will keep it in my glove box for future encounters with anyone in need.

We're just hanging out today. Working on some gardening and playing make believe with Naomi the Gnome.

My clever aunt crafted this little land for Addie's birthday. The girl has been a bit disappointed not to see her elusive gnome, but she's kept busy bringing gifts to her doorsteps. Naomi's garden is filling with mushrooms, nuts, and pine cones. I'm sure it will be brimming with more found "treasures" as summer rolls on. It makes me so happy to see Addie using her imagination and finding real pleasure in pretending.
Until recently, I had NO IDEA how easy it is to make a chicken. The one above is one I actually made and I'm pretty proud! I was encouraged by my very favorite frugal website, which said plop it in the oven on 450 for 2 hours. DONE. Crispy, juicy chicken. I used dental floss to truss it, but am totally skipping it next time. The juices made killer gravy, too!

Today I'm using the crock pot. These directions said just season it and leave it on low for 7 or 8 hours. SOLD! I'm trying it, and it's starting to smell good! I'll let you know how it works out.

I am almost finished editing photos from Addie's Farm Party and will be ready to share soon!

Sunshine

I've been crying in my beer all day about the monsoon conditions that are looming over my otherwise fabulous weekend party plans. I made a trek to the big city today to get a special lens to take perfect pictures of the birthday party, but my stomach was literally in knots thinking about 40 people stuffed in our home sitting on each other's laps. It was one tiny break in the clouds that let one tiny ray of sun shine on Portland that inspired me to open my car window. I hit my door locks when I spied a beggar on the next corner, and swore when the light went red.

I was 3 yards from a human being with a sign in his hands asking for help. If my window was up, I would have pretended he didn't exist, but here he was and he smiled at me when I said hello. I gave him my full coffee punch card for a free cup. He was so appreciative, and I was so ashamed. Two people on a corner-one has and one has not. And I've been feeling so sorry for myself all day because it may or may not rain on Saturday at 4pm. Distraught that we had so many people that wanted to come to my daughter's party. Irritated that the pony I rented would have to give rides in the garage instead of the yard. Toting around a card that shows I've treated my lucky little self to TEN Dutch Brothers coffees. Meanwhile, this man has been standing in the rain watching the "have"s go by. Shame on me. SHAME!

I have one bumper sticker on my car: "Be the change you want to see in the world. Gandhi". It is my favorite mantra. I translate it as "if you don't like assholes, don't be an asshole". Maybe it should be on my dash so I can see it!

I will be grateful this very instant. And I will have a bag of helpful things in my car for any needy person I find when I go back to the city on Monday. I do not care one small bit about the circumstances that put a person on a corner. It makes no difference. I like to believe that every person is doing the very best that they can, and I should too.

Party planning

This weekend we are throwing a party celebrating my 3 year old's Birthday. In true Mother of the Year fashion, I had postponed it an entire month hoping for beautiful weather. Here is where mother nature kicks me in the head and reminds me we live in Oregon. Awesome. I'm sure the 30 of us will be quite cozy indoors...


If these decorations don't cheer me up, I'm hopeless. Just look at them! Hand picked and hand crafted. My friend Karla owns A Child's Birthday and offered to create some lovelies for Addie's farm party. (She actually came up with the "farm party" idea. She's clever like that!). Everything I needed was delivered right to my door in tidy little boxes, then I proceeded to take every single item out to admire them and make a ginormous mess. Karla has other parties ready to ship, so email me if you would like to contact her.

And these 2 fabulous things came to my house, as well. From my husband...for our anniversary. I forget every single year, and he remembers without fail. He is the most practical gift giver ever. One year I received a carpet cleaner and a bathroom scale for Christmas. I love it! He does sprinkle in precious stones now and again-just to keep me on my toes. ;)

But seriously, I love the hair dryer and Jeep starter. My fella knows how to treat a girl. Happy five year anniversary to us!

How it will begin

Because I have the memory of a fish. Because I have a million other things to do right now. Because I already blog in my head. (You know what I'm talking about).

These are the days I want to remember, but a list of chores occupies that space in my brain. It's been a slow creep, like mold growing. That's a lovely visual of my distaste for lazy minds. I recall when I felt so organized and peaceful. Miss Priss sucked that out of me during birth.

I know we are the luckiest people in the world, but my failure is noticing that. I am oh-so-skillful at judging other's lives, copying, and criticizing. People talk about viewing their lives as a passenger, or having moments they feel like they are hovering above watching. I need that skill. I could tell myself where I was going, to pay attention, what I was doing wrong, what I was missing! I want to journal without acquiring 5 Rubbermaids of scrapbooking supplies. shudder.

Here is my effort to reflect, remember and judge my own efforts. I don't have a boss, but I need one. My desired result will be more thoughtful actions. Gratitude. Balance in our home. Peace in my mind and calmness in my soul. Serenity.

Because I'm feeling slightly off center.