Today . . .

Outside my window . . . warm and sunny – looks like it will be a beautiful day!

I am thinking . . . this week can’t get over fast enough – There are so many things I want to be doing outside of work.
I am thankful for . . . my faith – it gets me through!
From the kitchen . . . scrambled eggs with Srirachi sauce (I can put Srirachi on just about anything)
I am wearing . . . black skirt – tan lace top – and my favorite scarf!
I am creating . . . Shabby Charlotte doll bodies – I have 7 bodies cut out, sewn together, and ready to stuff.
I am going . . . to run at lunch today – the warmer weather makes that easier for me.
I am reading . . . nothing at the moment – I guess I better pick out a book when I get home today.
I am hoping . . . get the rest of the rocks that I need for a project in my yard this weekend.
I am hearing . . . Lily playing with an app on my phone – ABC’s
Around the house . . . (office) – early morning calm . . . it won’t last long.
One of my favorite things . . . snapping photos of everything I do . . . and see.
A few plans for the rest of the week . . . staying busy – staying positive – finding time to play!

From my picture journal . . .

 My favorite crazy pigtails ever . . .

 

 

 

I'm not really sure what this tri-tip on fire is all about . . . but the look on his face and the flag behind him just made me laugh . . . if nothing else - he can make me laugh!

 

"In a houseful of toddlers and pets, you can start out having a bad day, but you keep getting detoured." ~Robert Brault

Shabby Charlotte Voodoo Doll - Bedeuten

This little doll was a special order . . . I am waiting to hear from the person who ordered it - to see if it is what they had in mind.  I do like how he turned out and I love his short hair.

 

Bedeuten is a clever little voodoo doll made with someone very specific in mind.  He is very loyal to the people who care about him and will do whatever he must do to help them out.  He likes strong coffee, fairy tales, and wandering through museums.   Keep this little doll around and you just might find that the smile he brings to your face makes dealing with mean hearted people a little bit easier.

Owen, wawas, & flowers . . .

I took Owen for a walk yesterday to see the "wawas" - I'm not sure why he calls the geese wawas . . . but I do know that he was excited to take a walk to see them.  This little guy is always on the move . . . it is hard to get him to be still long enough to take a picture.  Yesterday was all about swinging the whiffle bat . . . and of course the wawas.

 

 

 A desk full of flowers . . . to make my day!

good morning sunshine . . .

 

Some more pictures of Charlotte last weekend . . . I can't help myself.  I just like looking at this face.  She always wakes up quiet, but happy (very much like her dad did when he was this age) . . . and ready to entertain us with her expressions.  Thank heaven for little girls!

upside down bubbles . . .

The key to a successful day with a 5 year old . . . keep them busy. 

It has been awhile since Lily and I had a full day together.  I think we need to do it more often . . .

. . . nothing like upside down bubbles with a 5 year old to make you realize how easy it is to have fun and be happy.

Garden Lily . . .

Yesterday I started getting the feeling that it was time to go back to work.  I have been on Spring Break for a week, and I have enjoyed every minute of it, but I was somewhat ready to get back into work mode . . . but, today is the kind of day that makes me want to stay home everyday.  Lily is spending the day with me.  It is just the two of us - since everyone is back at work and we have one more day before school starts back up.  We planted sunflower seeds in our newspaper pots, she helped me pull off old flowers, and she helped me water . . . EVERYTHING!  We dug up a bush that I wanted out, played in the sandbox, blew bubbles . . . and it isn't even lunchtime yet.  We still have to take lunch to the park, watch

The Wizard of Oz, and she wants to bake something. 

I love being on vacation . . .

Richard found this idea online and wanted to try it . . . you may have seen this on Pinterest.  You just take a roll of ready made cinnamon rolls and put them in a waffle iron for 2 1/2 - 3 minutes.  They are so good and so easy.  I think I like them better than waffles.  We put the icing on them that came with them, but they would also be good with syrup. I think I like them better than waffles . . . and way less messy.

I used newspaper to make some pots this week.  Lily and I will be using them to plant sunflower seeds today.  I should have had them started already, but I wanted Lily here to help.  We finally have a day we can spend together.  Back to work tomorrow . . . but it has been a great Spring Break.

Shabby Charlotte Doll - Beatrice

 

I finished this doll last week, but had to wait and post pictures of her . . . she was a gift and I didn't want to spoil the surprise. 

Beatrice is a very special little doll with a wonderful sense of humor and a great smile.  She loves a good cup of tea – preferably in a pretty teacup . . . and even better if served with fancy little finger sandwiches and pastries . . . and shared with friends.  Beatrice loves to make things . . . and is always ready to turn a few simple pieces of paper into a work of art.  She loves nature and sees beauty all around her.  She likes to keep a little bird seed in her bag just in case the mood strikes her to stop and do a little bird watching.  Beatrice is kind, thoughtful, and believes nothing is impossible . . . why with determination and hope – she even believes pigs can fly.