stuff along the way . . .

Just some pictures along the way today.  I went for a walk/run at lunch.  I had hoped to get three miles in, but the sky was telling me it may be a better idea to cut it short and get back to work.  I also may have gone further had I not kept stopping to take pictures . . . but that is half the fun of going.  I did get in two miles - in spite of threatening clouds and stopping to take pictures.  The rose was little worn, but was poking out of that fence just waiting to be noticed.  The hollyhocks for some reason reminded me of The Wizard of Oz . . . which made me smile and enjoy them even more. 

I found these two cards while I was finishing up my last half mile.  I really don't believe in the meanings of cards and such things . . . in fact, as weird as I can be - things like that just don't go along with my beliefs at all.  For some reason I picked them up and for some other reason I looked up what the cards meant.  I can't say the cards were sending me a message . . . but with anything like that you can usually find a way to relate it to what is going on in your life in some way.  It did make me think, and it did make me thankful for something a friend talked to me about earlier today . . . and it did make me take the time to thank her for being a "Queen of Hearts".

 

"The years teach much

which the days never knew."

 ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love raspberries . . .

I mentioned these raspberries in my last post.  Why have I not had these before, and if they are a new idea . . . why has it taken someone this long to think of this.  No matter . . . however long this idea has been around - I have never tried these until this past weekend.  I went to the store at lunch today and bought the raspberries and white chocolate chips and took them back to work . . . after washing the raspberries - you simple stick one chip into each berry.  Everyone thought they were great.  They looked much prettier in the crystal dish that they were in at the shower this past weekend - and I was thinking how fun they would be in a blue dish for the 4th of July.  Anyway . . . simple idea and they are so tasty.

weekend past . . .

I think I blinked my eyes and this past weekend was simply over that quickly.  I guess some weekends are like that.  There was time for some yard work, housework, and a bridal shower.  Richard and I went to lunch on Saturday and we went to dinner at a friends Sunday evening . . . so it isn't as if we didn't do anything or even that we did anything out of the ordinary - it just seemed to fly by like it didn't even happen. 

Here it is Monday morning . . . well, nearly Monday afternoon (today is flying by also) - and I wish I was still home enjoying another day of weekend. 

Good things this weekend: 

1. The fresh mint in the second photo - next to my beer.  It smelled absolutely wonderful.  (I think I am going to have to plant some mint.  I tried it one other year . . . but didn't have much luck.  I have another area in my yard that I think will be better)

2. Fresh raspberries stuffed with white chocolate chips . . . one chip per raspberry.  So simple and tasty.  I wish I would have taken a picture - there is something about a bowl of raspberries that always looks so pretty.

3. Dinner with friends - Cinco de Mayo dinner that was so delicious.  It was a beautiful evening, we ate outside, and the company and conversation was as excellent as the food. 

4.  Getting a couple of cranes out for my 1000 crane project . . . I have been lagging again on that . . . slowly but surely I will finish my 1000 crane project.

5.  Spring Fever . . . as in I have tons of energy, motivation, and ideas . . .  

 

"The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious.  The desire to reach hearts is wise." 

~ Maya Angelou

May 1st

I found myself sitting quietly by the table late this afternoon - feeling more than a little sad.  It was four years ago today that my dad passed away.  I thought about him all day . . . fighting back tears one moment, then smiling to myself the next.  I think about him and picture him with a smile on his face when he teased me about something . . . or when I said or did something that he got a kick out of.  He was a man of few words . . . but I knew when he was happy, I knew when he was upset with me, and I knew that he loved me - even though I can only remember him saying it one time.  I can remember holding his hand when I was little.  I remember the last time I saw him . . . knowing it would be the last time and feeling lucky that he was my father. 

 He may not have said the words . . . but I did. I know it made him feel uncomfortable, but whenever I told him goodbye I would tell him that I loved him and give him a hug.  He would shrug his shoulders, respond with an short "yeah", and then make his exit. 

Not long before he got sick I was home visiting . . . and helped my parents with a few things that needed to be done.  When it was time for me to leave for the airport - we got through the awkward hug and I was walking out the door and looked back at him.  He thanked me for helping them . . . and he looked at me differently that time.  It was one of those moments that touch your heart.  I loved him so much . . . and even though I always said the words . . . I hope he knew how much. 

So . . . as I was sitting there feeling sad and missing him . . . I looked out the window at my little garden and felt better - because it reminded me of him . . . He would probably get that little smile on his face if he could see my little garden and he would probably tease me about it.  His garden was big and full of everything that just seemed to grow because it knew it was supposed to.  I loved to walk down to his garden lot and see him there . . . there he always seemed a little more at ease.  I miss you Dad!

I'm going to have zucchinis, tomatoes, hot peppers, and lots of giant sunflowers

 . . . and more hydrangeas. 

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.