Friday, September 28, 2007
Moms will love this
My friend Christy sent me this. Too good not to share.
I've been so busy with travel on the weekends and preparing for the travel during the weeks that I'm not spending the time blogging that I would like. Let me make it through this weekend and hopefully I can find a balance.
-dana
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wanna play?
Warning: If you don't like puppies or kittens please stop reading now. Seriously. Because this is nothing but puppy and kitten mush.
Still with me? Good. I took these photos yesterday and as I was looking through them I was narrating them in my head. I tend to do that alot. Talk FOR the animals that is. I create entire conversations between them. Each of them has their own little catch phrases and funny things that they mispronounce and stuff. They also talk back to me in my head.
So anyhow, as I was looking through these I was narrating them. But I'm not so sure they need words. The photos tell a pretty good story all on their own.
Tsali just doesn't understand why the older and more mature Truman doesn't want to play with her. Hmpf!
-dana
Still with me? Good. I took these photos yesterday and as I was looking through them I was narrating them in my head. I tend to do that alot. Talk FOR the animals that is. I create entire conversations between them. Each of them has their own little catch phrases and funny things that they mispronounce and stuff. They also talk back to me in my head.
So anyhow, as I was looking through these I was narrating them. But I'm not so sure they need words. The photos tell a pretty good story all on their own.
Tsali just doesn't understand why the older and more mature Truman doesn't want to play with her. Hmpf!
-dana
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Oh my
Currently my favorite sibling shot ever.
You wouldn't believe me if I told you where it was taken.
-dana
Super Sneak Peak
These are just the first that I have proofed so far. Lots more to go. What beauties!
-dana
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Extreme insanity
Imagine if you will:
Further imagine:
Up to 32 non-stop hours of trekking, mountain biking, and paddling over 85-115 miles. And just for kicks you'll have to use only a map and compass to find specific checkpoints along the way.
Rock on dudes.
This is not just a nightmare . . . er, I mean dream. People actually did this. It was the Over Mountain Extreme Adventure Race held last weekend in Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina.
Now I was not a participant or even a spectator at this event. After all, how ya gonna watch 32 non-stop hours over 85+ miles. I'd need a helicopter and with the cost of gasoline that would be pretty pricey. But believe you me, I have heard about every excruciating detail of the race. And I mean excruciating. Muscle cramps. Fatigue. Thirst. Hunger. Blisters. Delirium. And the overwhelming excitement.
Razor loves the sport of adventure racing. He loves the thrill of competition. And, the agony of defeat. He loves the months of training and the fleeting moments of race time. He loves the team dynamic and the true sportsmanship of the sport. He tells me that during every race he says to himself that he will never do it again. But, as soon as it's over he is ready to sign up for the next one. Sounds vaguely familiar to the whole pregnancy-childbirth-amnesia thing that I have experienced. After all, I do have to put into some terms that I can relate to because if there is one thing that I know for sure in this world it is that . . .
I.
Will.
NEVER.
Be.
An.
Adventure.
Racer.
-dana
Further imagine:
Up to 32 non-stop hours of trekking, mountain biking, and paddling over 85-115 miles. And just for kicks you'll have to use only a map and compass to find specific checkpoints along the way.
Rock on dudes.
This is not just a nightmare . . . er, I mean dream. People actually did this. It was the Over Mountain Extreme Adventure Race held last weekend in Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina.
Now I was not a participant or even a spectator at this event. After all, how ya gonna watch 32 non-stop hours over 85+ miles. I'd need a helicopter and with the cost of gasoline that would be pretty pricey. But believe you me, I have heard about every excruciating detail of the race. And I mean excruciating. Muscle cramps. Fatigue. Thirst. Hunger. Blisters. Delirium. And the overwhelming excitement.
Razor loves the sport of adventure racing. He loves the thrill of competition. And, the agony of defeat. He loves the months of training and the fleeting moments of race time. He loves the team dynamic and the true sportsmanship of the sport. He tells me that during every race he says to himself that he will never do it again. But, as soon as it's over he is ready to sign up for the next one. Sounds vaguely familiar to the whole pregnancy-childbirth-amnesia thing that I have experienced. After all, I do have to put into some terms that I can relate to because if there is one thing that I know for sure in this world it is that . . .
I.
Will.
NEVER.
Be.
An.
Adventure.
Racer.
-dana
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Season change
There is so much I could write about today. Razor's recent 24 hour adventure race; potty training Tsali; the mega gash in Truman's tail from a recent cat fight; the next 6 straight weekends being filled with travel for Old Red Barn Co.; my latest quilt is close to being done; the big clogging performance coming up for the girls; um . . . oh, lots of stuff. But, I'm trying to make dinner, supervise homework, potty train the puppy, and not think about the bathrooms that I still haven't cleaned like I should have today. So, you get pictures of the season change at my house today.
Muah!
dana
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Seed saving
Seed collecting at our house is a sure sign of fall. Boo and Licious prance from plant to plant and ask, "Do you want these seeds?" I most usually say, "Yes!" And, they happily collect the seeds for me. When we moved here 3 1/2 years ago and acquired our two greenhouses I made a point of showing them how to collect seeds for growing next season. Practical. Responsible. Economical. And, well . . . fun.
My girls know that a plant comes from a seed and, in turn, that plant will make new seeds. They know that some plants are annuals and others are perennials. They know that seeds are spread by wind, rain, birds, other animals . . . and by little girl fingers collecting them in the fall. To plant back in the spring.
Wait. You mean plants don't come from the store?
Huh. Who knew.
-dana
My girls know that a plant comes from a seed and, in turn, that plant will make new seeds. They know that some plants are annuals and others are perennials. They know that seeds are spread by wind, rain, birds, other animals . . . and by little girl fingers collecting them in the fall. To plant back in the spring.
Wait. You mean plants don't come from the store?
Huh. Who knew.
-dana
Monday, September 17, 2007
Beachy babes
My brother and his wife. Don't they just make you crazy? They are those people that you just hate. Cool. Clever. Smart. Snort-out-your-nose-laughing cause they are so hilarious. Savvy. Stylish. Gorgeous. Kind. Successful. Loyal. Thoughtful. Conscientious. Fun loving. Easy going. Yes, you want to hate them . . . but you can't. Absolutely. Can. NOT.
Rather, they are the type of people that you just WANT to be around. You want to bask in their glow. You want them to notice you . . . and they always will. They always find a way to let you know that they care about you.
Cool people are so good at that.
Wish I got to see them more.
Maybe then I would be cool.
-dana
FYI: That is really them. See! I told you they were cool.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Remember these wee lads?
How much can one person go on and on about her pumpkin patch. Not even "her" pumpkin patch so much as her husband's pumpkin patch. From the moment the seeds went into the ground this crazy lady has blogged every developmental stage of practically every pumpkin in the garden. Seriously. How dull.
Oh, come on. Humor me! These are just a few of the MANY sugar pumpkins that we have harvested. Most will be roasted up and used in cooking or baking. But, a few of these littler ones will be carved. Or brought to the girls' school to decorate their classrooms.
But these big guys are still growing!
In all the years that we have had a vegetable garden this is the FIRST year that we have actually had an abundant crop of pumpkins. It may seem like a small feat to some, but to us we feel triumphant! A victory over those pesky squash vine borer bugs!
I'd like to think that this would be the last post about the pumpkins. No guarantee however. I mean think of the pumpkin excitement I can still share. Harvesting the big ones. Weighing the big ones. Putting a nice display together of our beautiful pumpkins and ornamental gourds. Carving pumpkins for Halloween. Roasting pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin bread. Pumpkin cookies. Pumpkin stew. Figuring out how to add pumpkin to my soap recipe. Oh, the possibilities are endless.
Anyone live near an Einstein Bros. Bagels shop? Oh my word! About this time every year they have pumpkin bagels and pumpkin cream cheese. These are the stuff of dreams. Absolutely. To. Die. For. Too bad I'm at least 2 hours away from the closest store.
-dana
Oh, come on. Humor me! These are just a few of the MANY sugar pumpkins that we have harvested. Most will be roasted up and used in cooking or baking. But, a few of these littler ones will be carved. Or brought to the girls' school to decorate their classrooms.
But these big guys are still growing!
In all the years that we have had a vegetable garden this is the FIRST year that we have actually had an abundant crop of pumpkins. It may seem like a small feat to some, but to us we feel triumphant! A victory over those pesky squash vine borer bugs!
I'd like to think that this would be the last post about the pumpkins. No guarantee however. I mean think of the pumpkin excitement I can still share. Harvesting the big ones. Weighing the big ones. Putting a nice display together of our beautiful pumpkins and ornamental gourds. Carving pumpkins for Halloween. Roasting pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin bread. Pumpkin cookies. Pumpkin stew. Figuring out how to add pumpkin to my soap recipe. Oh, the possibilities are endless.
Anyone live near an Einstein Bros. Bagels shop? Oh my word! About this time every year they have pumpkin bagels and pumpkin cream cheese. These are the stuff of dreams. Absolutely. To. Die. For. Too bad I'm at least 2 hours away from the closest store.
-dana
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Big trees
Big trees are cool. Some of these are over 400 years old. We picnicked and hiked in this beautiful old growth forest. After all, if I want my children to save the planet, I have to teach them to love the earth.
dana
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Wrath of grapes
We've been making grape jelly like crazy people. My fingernails and cuticles are stained a deep shade of purple. So are portions of my counter tops and dishtowels.
Yet, I cannot pass this day without remembering the victims of 9/11. I pray for peace for those victims, their families, our nation, our service men and women, and victims of terrorism internationally.
-dana
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Quilts and such part IV
I just gotta say right off the bat a great big thank you for the encouraging comments to my last post. Day two of art was MUCH better than the first and I'm looking forward to next Friday. The middle schoolers still tried to push me but I let them know (with no uncertain terms) that I was in charge and they were engaged and enjoying themselves. I enjoyed myself as well. I'm looking forward to next Friday already.
Nnn-kay.
I have been wanting to share my latest quilts for several weeks. Amazingly I found the coolest couple that quilted the first two quilts you will see on their long arm quilting machine. Not only are they super cool people but they have two young daughters that my daughters like to play with. And, one of the coolest things is that we bartered my photography services for their quilting services. How cool is that?? I am glad that I met this family . . . and not just because they have a long arm quilting machine. Can't wait to photograph those beautiful girls.
This is the first one. You might remember me mentioning the patchwork quilt that I put together with 5 inch square fabric blocks that I acquired from a fabric swap. Well, here it is.
And, the backing on it is another patchwork that I had done with 12 inch blocks of various vintage sheets. I love this effect!
You'll recognize this one from the banner up top. I hand pieced the entire top this winter. I'm going to bind it with the red from the one block. This is probably the most conventional/traditional quilt I will ever do. I adore it.
These last two are some that I put together quickly. The first because Licious wanted one to call her own. The second because I have always wanted a Halloween quilt to take on fall hayrides and bonfires. Quick and easy but pleasing nonetheless.
Thats all for now.
dana
Nnn-kay.
I have been wanting to share my latest quilts for several weeks. Amazingly I found the coolest couple that quilted the first two quilts you will see on their long arm quilting machine. Not only are they super cool people but they have two young daughters that my daughters like to play with. And, one of the coolest things is that we bartered my photography services for their quilting services. How cool is that?? I am glad that I met this family . . . and not just because they have a long arm quilting machine. Can't wait to photograph those beautiful girls.
This is the first one. You might remember me mentioning the patchwork quilt that I put together with 5 inch square fabric blocks that I acquired from a fabric swap. Well, here it is.
And, the backing on it is another patchwork that I had done with 12 inch blocks of various vintage sheets. I love this effect!
You'll recognize this one from the banner up top. I hand pieced the entire top this winter. I'm going to bind it with the red from the one block. This is probably the most conventional/traditional quilt I will ever do. I adore it.
These last two are some that I put together quickly. The first because Licious wanted one to call her own. The second because I have always wanted a Halloween quilt to take on fall hayrides and bonfires. Quick and easy but pleasing nonetheless.
Thats all for now.
dana
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