I love it when things just seem to come together. Line up and fit like a puzzle working itself.  It all started with tee pee talk.  Then a totem idea was added into the future village idea. A handy husband with his chain saw. Of course, that all required a search for a few promising fallen logs.  While looking around we come upon a place where the last storm had flooded the creek, washing out part of the field, leaving rocks of every shade. In pink, green, blue, white and speckled multi-colors. What started out as an Indian theme trip, turned into a rock excavating site. We dug, we ohhh, and ahh. Every little bit the kids jumping up and showing the new treasure that they had uncovered. Every little bit, I jumped up sharing what I found. A new found hobby blossomed right in front of them. Hoping a rock tumbler will be in our near future. Indian day forgotten. Or so I thought until hidden among pretty stones was flint and arrow heads. I guess the Indian study was just beginning. We brought back our pockets full of earth. The rest of the evening was spent washing and admiring. Planning more trips. One being to a historical Indian Earthworks site. Another back for another dig in hopes of a few more arrow heads. Craft idea that included kids making head dresses, corn silk dolls, handmade tools and music. While the arrow head, or at least what was left of the arrowheads was the main thrill. I was excited to see the kids curious about the rocks, what they were, what was rare, what was special? Where did they come from was just a few of the questions. Earlier in the school year we had come across a mineral curriculum. The kids had no desire to study. “We already know this mom.” was said with a bit of eye rolling. So, a quick refresh of the subject and we moved on. Book and ideas put away, the time was not right and that was fine with me.  I’ve pulled out those undesired books and ideas once again, this time they were welcomed open armed from my little rock hounds and with eager minds. This is how it should be. This is what gives me joy. When the time is right, it all clicks and unfolds before us like sun rising to begin another day.

I love the idea of paper and fabric being mixed. They seem complete opposites that go so well. Sweet and sour. These are a few handmade cards I made. They are addictive in doing. I could spend all day, clipping, arranging and sewing them together. Once I start , I don’t want to stop.  I think I’ll make a few just for the kids. They have some thank you notes to send. Make them extra special thank you notes.

 
Off I go, we have another dig date before it rains. It’s quite a cloudy day which I’m sure you’ve noticed by the pics.  You’ll hear very soon what has inspired the kids here this past week. And we are having so much fun with it. It’s like snowball effect here. One thing leads to another.

My thrifty husband does it again. He grabs what I need. A place to hang my keys. This actually was not placed on his “if you find” list. But just mentioned during a chat we where having. So he does listen, at least some of the time. While he has done great lately, he fails miserably in style department with this one.  Shhh…we won’t tell him. I don’t want to loose my main man in the treasure hunt.  I just laughed it off and shook my head at him. He only wishes I’d cover the walls in camo.  A redo was a must and I wanted the girls involved.  I gave them some ideas of what we could put on it. My oldest said it should be a crazy random piece. It would suit our personality the best. You have no idea how random I can be. The girls chose the fabrics, a few some what finished pieces of an unfinished project I had laying around, I help a little but they had the finally say. And…  a place to hang our keys. And just cost a quarter, the supplies used to spruce it up was things we already had laying around. Yeah for thrifty ways. Even daddy said he like the new one better…but only because it was made by his little girls.

The before, yeah you need say no more….I know.

We ……
played,
explored,
gathered,
shared,
laughed,
learned,                                                                                                                                                      talked,                                                                                                                                                             they fought a little,
Back to normal, the four us through the day.

Yesterday I made a slip cover for my ugly free office chair. This slip cover was actually a trial one but it works quite well so will probably leave it on for a while.  However, the next one will definitely be made with brighter fabrics. Candy colors. Happy colors. Yellow? Maybe. I had so much of this fabric pattern and it is pretty so I used it. The only thing I will do different in making another one will be the elastic. It needs to be a little stronger.  I wheeled it up beside the other yellow shelf, which is on the kids side of my craft room. Right now it’s holding the kiddo’s craft supplies. And speaking of my kids. I miss them. Miss my older two. They have spent the week out of state with their cousins. It has been great for giving me a chance to get those little things that you never seem to get around to doing..done. I’ve also found out who messes the house up the most. The house has been visitor ready the whole week. Even my youngest hasn’t had any problems of picking up after herself. Still I miss those messy little monkeys. I talk to them every night. We have very length conversations, telling me every detail of their fun filled day. The catching tree frogs in the swimming pool, being scared by the barking neighbors dog, waking up before everyone else, crying at night when no one can hear because they miss home,(They’re OK during the day with fun and playing taking over. It’s the still of night that the miss their own beds), watching the fainting goats..faint, playing with kitten and puppies, spending the day with their cousins cousins. Tomorrow they come home. I think this was good for them, makes them feel more independent, a little sense of freedom. As much as it breaks my heart to hear of those tears falling from those beautiful eyes. I’m glad they do miss home. Glad they long for the peace and comfort they find with in these walls. Is that bad of me to feel that way?  Tomorrow when they arrive there will be lots of hugs, kisses and long storytelling that will probably last days. Hope every one’s weekend will be as happy as mine will.

My mom loved yellow houses. I grew up in a yellow house, when I was a teen we moved into a new house. My mom had yellow siding put on it as well. She said “yellow house are happy houses.”   I tried a yellow living room once. I guess I picked the wrong tone because in the evening light, it took on a weird lime green hue. Not good. I’ve sort been afraid to trust myself with yellow after that. But since getting this 50′s dining set, I’ve longed for a yellow kitchen. Not a soft butter yellow but a bright bold sunny day yellow. Clean and crisp feeling, Like the chairs themselves. I think it was in my subconscious for some time because I’ve noticed yellow has been popping up a lot around here. In little doses. I think I will head to paint store and gather a bundle of yellows. Sit and look and ponder which is the best choice. I’m not afraid of colors like I was when I was first married. I say “yellow kitchens are yummy kitchens.” 

The yellow shelf…free. Someone was throwing them away. One sits in my kitchen and the other in the craft room. I’m loving this summer!

My husband calls, saying he has found a few old school desk at a yard sale. I’m thinking, nah..  but then he says”Aqua Blue”  I say “Yes” And to think for a dollar.  He’s getting better at knowing what I like and picking things out. Plus he’s seriously the best deal finder I have ever seen. I wrote him a list for summer finds I’m looking for.  The first day he checks off three of them. I’m looking at him thinking you can’t be real.  My own personal treasure hunter…Be still my heart.   

A few more kitchen knives… $1..Check (a pretty colored silverware tray to boot)

A chair with wheels.. free..Check

A couple clip boards…… 0.25 each..Check (8 clip boards to be exact) And I have been looking all year for just at least one at a sale.

I can’t wait to see what labor day weekend (HUGE sale weekend here) will deliver up.  My list for him is growing. The kids are excited about using the desks. Especially the little one that will be in kindergarten next year.

Made by Stitchin by the sea. Thank you!!!!

“ Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.”~

It has been some time since I’ve last sat down and typed. Many things have past since then. Where to start???

When I posted this last picture on flickr, I wasn’t expecting something horrible to happen just days later but it did. He bit. 4 stitches where needed across a cheek. We made the decision of giving him up because of the kids and didn’t want something like that to happen again. I called a rescue group to see what they felt should be done and since he is a normally a sweet heart who loves people young and old. They took him in and have been wonderful about keeping us updated and even sending pictures. While we are all sad, it’s my oldest daughter who took it the hardest, and still has a hard time with it. Just yesterday she sat down and cried again. He was definitely her dog, following her around morning till night. She has been volunteering at a dog grooming salon which has been helping her cope.  It has also been a great opportunity to teach her many things, communication, improving her grooming skills, patience, customer service. 

Here are just a few other things that’s happened during my time away, we had a couple birthdays, a baby shower for a family member, had family out of state visit, went on a relaxing camping trip and had a couple of my nieces stay with us for almost a week, made a mud slide into the creek, caught tap poles, found a new swimming spot, kids designed Indian like canes along with other outdoor things, found some wonderful treasures at yard sales. They are definitely worthy of having there only post.   Made a little quilt for the blooming quilt swap, put up our volley ball net, visited the zoo, played night time hide and seek, ate many Popsicles, tea parties, embellished a dress I had and LOVED how it turned out, made a doll as a give away prize for a party, read a few books and see a miracle baby come into the world. Those are just a few of the things keeping me on my toes.  How has your summer been going and what’s been keeping you busy?

 ”A day wasted on others is not wasted on one self.” A lot of my time lately has been for others and that’s a good thing.