Morels!

They're early this year in Western North Carolina.  We've been eating them up.  They are simply amazing and worth the hunt in the woods to find them.  Morel season is something we look forward to every year.

Vernal equinox

It's here! Happy Spring, Friends.

Now, for a tour of her room

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Because you asked....boy's room tour

If you know me, then you know that plenty of what you see is DIY, thrifted, hand-me-down, or sewn on my machine.   Honestly, you should have seen the shelves before I painted them with four coats of  "Luscious Mango"!!!  (They were black and brown, bought from 2 different yard sales.)  What I love about this room is that it is functional, colorful, and fun.  There is nothing that is unused or simply for show.  I also take just a wee bit of pride in the lovely fact that not a piece of furniture is brand new or purchased from a major catalog source.  Truthfully, I wish I could have grown up in this room.  What I love is that he appreciates this room as much as me.

Love my weekends

Making things makes me happy.  Every weekend I try to spend a little time messing around, doing whatever it is that I want to do.  It washes away the stresses of a busy week.

A while back, I found this antique aquarium for a quarter.  It has a crack in it which no longer allows it to hold water.  The kids and I started getting antsy for spring.   We went to a local nursery and bought $6 worth of plants.  Then we scavenged a little moss from the woods.  Easy peasy.   Our own indoor spring. Go make one! It's fun and I promise you'll love it.  There's nothing like creating something that offers up immediate gratification and takes very little time and money to achieve the effect.

Happy Valentine's Day

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Just checking in

I've been sick over the past 3 weeks and recovering from shingles on my face and in my ear.  No fun.  However, the silver lining is that it's a bit of a reminder to slow down.  (I probably needed that.)  Plus, we were supported throughout the roughest part by family and friends.  There were meals, rides for the kids, and the extra hugs and attention that our kids needed from other loved ones in their life while their mama was down.  It makes you realize how much people care about you... plain and simple.

These owls are a creation made by the entire family, and there's more that didn't make it into the photo shoot.  I drew different animals, my husband cut them out on the band saw, the kids painted them, and I wood burned the detailing.  Really sweet and different from other crafty things I have tried.

One quick plug for recipes.... we made it last night and everyone chowed down.  It's a slow cooker chicken soup with avocado and cilantro on top.  We followed the recipe more or less, using frozen tomatoes from our garden this summer and no mushrooms.   Next time I'm doubling the batch because the best part was that after a full day of work, school, and activities, dinner was ready at 5.  I was thrilled.  Check it out at http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/11/salsa-chicken-and-black-bean-soup.html.

So... back to life and trying to live it in a mindful way while raising kids and working.  We are so lucky, aren't we?   I'll check back in soon.

Intentions

Ah, the new year.  It's arbitrary, I know.  I get jazzed though.  I have always relished the chance to evaluate my life, and then decide how I want to do things better.  Often, I fall way short of any of those aspirations... my friends and family can attest.  It feels like a giant cleanse to take stock, and then make decisions about what I want to change.

How amazing it was to have 10 days off, to hang out with family and friends, to sew, to be outdoors.  Oh, life is good.  Now, I have a whole list of goals and intentions for this new year.  Don't we all?  Here's to a bright new year filled with peace, joy, adventure, love, and health.