blossoms . . . and dolls

I have been enjoying Spring . . .
working in the yard, sitting on the patio listening to the rain . . . planting a few things.
 I have a hard time making myself go inside . . . 

"Look deep into nature, and then

you will understand everything better." 

~ Albert Einstein

messy hair . . .

I know it's not perfect, but it's life.
Life is messy sometimes.
 ~ Grey's Anatomy

Lily saw this little heart sitting on my desk this morning.  I had made it back in February when I was messing around with some fimo clay.  She told me we needed to take a picture . . . and then put it in her hands.  I love that she had that idea . . .
She isn't at all happy with her hair in the photo . . . I guess we should have taken time to fix that, but sometimes your hair is just messy.  In years to come we won't remember her hair being messy, but we will remember her wanting to take a picture, taking the time to do just that, and the wonderful time we spend together each morning.
Happy Tuesday!

zombie finger cookies . . .

 Jennifer made these wonderful "zombie finger" cookies yesterday.

Yes, they are a little creepy, but they tasted wonderful and with some ice cream were the
perfect dessert for the season finale of The Walking Dead.  

Not everything at our house was creepy last night . . . .

 . . . we had all of these little ones over for dinner. 

My favorite kind of Sunday.  A little noisy and chaotic at times, but I love that part!

April doodles . . .

I enjoy the tea . . . but I think I like seeing what the tea bags say even more . . . 

I still have a group of students that come get origami paper and paper cranes from me nearly every day during the week.  Sometimes they bring me cranes . . . or other things they make out of paper.

This little guys probably comes by my desk more than anyone . . . 

He came in to show me this finger puppet he made out of paper yesterday!

This is so great! - and it makes me smile.

The JOY of cooking with Charlotte . . .

Sometimes you have to spend time with

a child so you can understand life again.  

I am a messy cook . . . a pretty good cook, but very messy.  Let Charlotte help and it is a kitchen disaster, She helped me make enchiladas tonight and I will probably be finding spatters of enchilada sauce for the next few days.  We cook, we laugh, we take pictures, and make a mess . . .  

This is truly a joy for me . . . spatters and all.  

feeling relaxed . . .

It has been a long week . . . in a good way.  

I guess I sort of decided to take the week off from everything . . . not just work.

  The weather has been beautiful and it has been a joy just to be outside.  

I basically relaxed and enjoyed every day.  

It is back to work tomorrow . . . I think I tend to get more things done when I am working, so maybe in some ways that is a good thing.  

GOOD THINGS THIS WEEK!

1. Dying eggs with Lily

2. Long walks and going to the park with Charlotte

3. Rereading To Kill A Mockingbird . . . then staying up to watch the movie

4. Gregory Peck

5. Easter dinner at Jake and Kasey's . . . a wonderful day with family and friends

6. Staying up late and sleeping in

7. Watching the kids hunt for eggs

8. lots of sunshine

9. getting plants for my garden

10. feeling very relaxed

today we painted . . .

It was actually a very busy day . . . with many interruptions, 

so we had to do a little something fun!

painting pine cones . . .

St. Patrick's Day dinner . . . .

 It is a tradition in our house to have corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's Day.  It probably is my favorite meal . . . I really should make it more often.  I was actually going to make it for Christmas this past year, but for some reason decided on something else.  

So we celebrated St. Patrick's Day . . . 

. . . corned beef & cabbage, carrots, mashed potatoes, horseradish sauce, and homemade soda bread

. . . and even some footprints and gold candy left behind by a leprechaun for Charlotte.  

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

color of the day . . .