late summer beauty

Summer,

I will miss you. We have had such a wonderful time
playing, watering, tending, and basking in your
golden warmth.

A hint of autumn is in the air,
so until next year,

thank you, thank you, thank you!

adventures in dogsitting

we have been watching our friends ben and kristi's boston terrier for a few days now. it has gone extremely well - she is great around emi, mustard, and the chickens. This evening Kashi came over for awhile and we all took Angel out for a walk. We had gotten a few houses down when Angel made way into the neighbor's yard to pee. That reminded me I had better get a bag for any other surprises along the way. I ran back into the house and when I came back out with the bag Sen was very excited to hold it, since I had told him that he couldn't hold the leash. When he asked what it was for I explained it to him and he said, "Oh yeah, it's hard work picking up dog poop, huh?"

"Yeah, you're right it kinda is" I responded. Sen tilted his head and looked at me thoughtfully and said, "Yeah, it's hard work for you, not me" and then ran off to catch up with Kashi.

One is such fun

birthday day..

cards,

lunch in a tutu...

with daddy....

playing at the park,

and a pizza party!

but don't leave yet, there was still more fun to be had that weekend...

it started with...

shortcake ready to go in the oven...


and that meant the next day was


Birthday Party Day!

It was a very "P"-ful day...

pretty,

presents,
picking,
playing,
and pouting!?!...

but don't worry it all ended happily with a very sweet little girl taking a very sweet little nap.

emi is happiness

Happy Birthday Emi!

One year old today
and falling in love with you
more and more every day!

wish you were here

little bursting seeds

Our garden is really starting to get going lately.

The other day I made a salad out of
lettuce, basil, green onions, and brocolli
and sprinkled it with flowers -
lavender,
rose petals,
calendula,
and nasturtiums
...all from our garden.

Food tastes so much better when you grow it yourself!

I've been introducing a simple verse before our meals that I found in Seven Times the Sun by Shea Darian. The verse she gave is a little longer, but I have gleaned out my favorite part:



"We thank the earth who grew this food,
from little bursting seeds,
And the Keeper of the Earth,
whose gifts fulfill our needs"

Claudette

Meet Claudette.

Loves blush, strawberry soda, and hot fudge sundaes.
Favorite flower: roses

Please find her at the Silent Auction for Carol
June 14-16!

Auction for Carol

I am adding a new button to the side bar of my blog today in support of an online auction that will be going on June 14 -16...

and I am excited to say that I am working on a doll to donate to the auction!

The auction is a benefit for Carol Decker - a mom who has been through more than I can possibly imagine.

Please take a moment to visit their website and learn about this incredibly strong and beautiful mother.

Okay, I better go get to work!

where oh where could my little girl be?

The other day it became curiously quiet...

Luckily my little girl is smart enough to leave
a trail...

I think I shall call her Gretel.

the end.

Days like this make me want to live forever

I am so lucky!

I am so lucky!

I am so lucky!

Sen turns 4

Happy Birthday Sen!

Dear Sen,
Thank you for being born.
I am so happy to have such a sweet little gnome in my life.
It has been such a beautiful adventure getting to know you better everyday.
I hope that you enjoyed your birthday as much as
I have enjoyed you over the past four years.


...I had lots of fun getting ready for your party.
I hope you liked the mushroom pinata...

and the mushroom cupcakes too..

(and the Bûche de Noël...it was the chocolate that you asked for,
but I forgot to take a picture)

It was so fun having all of your sweet little woodland friends over...


...and your wonderful family as well.
Your big cousin Kashi, the birthday boy as well,
was such a great help in keeping everything under control.
It was so special that Nana came all the way to Oregon to
visit you on your birthday.

The birthday garden we planted is already beautiful and
I can't wait to enjoy it with you over the coming warm months.

I love you Sen!

Love,
mama

p.s.
thanks for being so excited about wearing
your gnome outfit to your birthday celebration
at school on thursday...