Your two cool cats

I don't really categorize myself as certain things. Ya know. Some people are "dog people". Some are "cat people". Some are "people people". It's not that I'm not any of those things it's just, well, I don't know. We have a real pest, er, uh, I mean dog. We also have two cats. Truman and Sweetie Boy. (As in Harry S. Truman not Truman and Capote.)

Anywho, those cats are the absolute coolest cats I have ever known. They showed up at our house as starving kittens. The cutest little things with the loudest meow. I mean they were HUNGRY. They have always been outside cats. We never even considered bringing them indoors even though we had only ever had indoor cats. We figured we had a barn that could shelter them (especially with the cozy beds we have for them in there) and they would be just fine. And fine they are. They were so happy to have someone to feed them that they let my girls do anything they want to with them. Especially as kittens (since they weighed less) the girls would practically carry them by only their back paws and they didn't care at all.

They catch moles and mice. I wish they wouldn't catch the pretty birds but they do. Ya know what else they do? They are always there to greet us. They are sure to say hello each and every time we are outside. They garden with us. They go hiking with us. I mean come on! What other cat do you know goes hiking??

They are cool. And they snuggle each other. And they tolerate the pest, er, uh, I mean dog (who by the way is smaller than either of them and barrels toward them and jumps and bites their ears!).

Someday I'll introduce you to Hershey the pest dog.

-dana

Concord grapes, oh my!

So lovin' and sooooo missin' our homemade grape jelly. But take a look at these beauties. Come September we are planning on making 4-5 batches of jelly. My hands (especially my cuticles) will be stained purple. Can't wait!

xo-dana

Another reason to love Sarah McLachlan

Please click here.

Already loved her music before. Now I think love her even more.

Wow.
dana

Vegetable garden

Pretty self explanatory I think. The plants are all still small (except those GREAT looking potatoes!) due to the lack of rain this Spring. I'll have to take a similar photo in about a month so you can see how quickly it grows. [That last bit is for the city-slickers among you. For those that don't know about a vegetable garden. Or, on second thought, for those that do but just as a way to entice you back to my blog in about a month.]



These little buggers are the pumpkin sprouts. We didn't plant them until mid-June this year in hopes of avoiding some of the squash vine borer bugs that seem to destroy every pumpkin plant we ever start. Razor is on a mission to grow serious pumpkins this year. We don't use chemical pesticides or fertilizers -- all organic -- so let's hope that we conquer those pesky squash bugs this year. Beside all of the Halloween pumpkin fun, I really want to make a ton of our favorite pumpkin stew this fall!

Wanna come help us weed?
dana

Quilts and such Part II

Awhile back I told a friend that I would post photos of some of the quilts I have made. Here are a few. Oh, and 'Licious thrown in the mix cause she is so darn cute.

The first photo is of the first large quilt I ever made. I love the whimsy of it. I keep it folded at the foot of Boo's bed. The vintage chenille patchwork is another favorite. I made three different ones similar to this. They were such cute baby blankets but now work nicely as throws.

Let's see. I have three quilt tops complete that I need to take to the long arm quilter. I have made four other small wall hanging type quilts. I've made one crazy nine patch quilt that I even quilted myself. Um, I think that is it. I'm currently participating in a round robin quilt with some friends from around the country . . . speaking of which I have a deadline to reach and better get busy!

Opps. Already promised to take the girls to the pool today. Dag nabbit.
dana

Lookie!

Took the girls to the park yesterday morning. Hadn't done that in awhile. It was cool outside and I thought it would be fun. Instead they stood around like a couple of goobers and acted like it was incredibly boring. Fine. We went home.

So, instead of acting like a bored goober myself I decided to make this.




First let me say that I am horrible about before and after pictures. Once I get an idea in my head I don't have time to take a before picture. I just start in a blaze of fabric, paint, glue, sandpaper, thread, Mod Podge . . . oh, you get the idea . . . and start. I. Must. Complete. It. NOW! No-time-for-pictures-till-its-done kind of thing.

I bought this old bridge table at a thrift store last week for $2. The old timey kind with the wooden top and fold out legs. You remember me telling you before about the Moda "Chez Moi" fabric that I adored. Well, I bought a charm pack of it awhile back. Once I had the table I knew just what to do.




The fabric is adhered to the table top with several coats of Mod Podge. Then the whole top is covered with clear acrylic. The adorable green chairs were purchased at another thrift store last week for $10 for 3. Sure I wish there would have been 4 chairs but I can live with 3. Love the green color.

Now, the table is hung on the wall in the play room as art. No silly. The legs are folded down flat and it is hung on the wall like a picture would be. That way I get to see it everyday . . . and if we ever need a table, VOILA . . . I just take it off the wall and have an instant table.

Deep breathe. I love it!
dana

Friends

Real lookers aren't they?

These cuties are the kids of my dear friend from college. Let's see if I can do some math. Um. I met the momma in 1990. Dorm. Sorority. Apartment. In each other's weddings. Children. That is 17 years and many milestones. A majority of that time we have lived hundreds of miles apart.

Sure wish we lived closer to one another.

Happy Anniversary guys! What a beautiful brood you have created.

Miss you,
dana

Snicker * Snicker * Giggle

HOW TO SHOWER LIKE A WOMAN / HOW TO SHOWER LIKE A MAN

Part 1: HOW TO SHOWER LIKE A WOMAN:

Take off clothing and place it in sectioned laundry hamper according
to lights and darks.

Walk to bathroom wearing long dressing gown. If you see husband along
the way, *cover* up any exposed areas.

Look at your womanly physique in the mirror, make mental note to do
more sit-ups/leg-lifts, etc.

Get in the shower. Use face cloth, arm cloth, leg cloth, long loofah,
wide loofah and pumice stone.

Wash your hair once with cucumber and sage shampoo with 43 added
vitamins.

Wash your hair again to make sure it's clean.

Condition your hair with grapefruit mint conditioner.

Wash your face with crushed apricot facial scrub for 10 minutes until
red.

Wash entire rest of body with ginger nut and jaffa cake body wash.

Rinse conditioner off hair.

Shave armpits and legs.

Turn off shower.

Squeegee off all wet surfaces in shower.

Get out of shower.

Dry with towel the size of a small country. Wrap hair in super
absorbent towel.

Return to bedroom wearing long dressing gown and towel on head.

If you see husband along the way, *cover* up any exposed areas.




Part 2: HOW TO SHOWER LIKE A MAN:

Take off clothes while sitting on the edge of the *bed* and leave them
in a pile.

Walk naked to the bathroom. If you see wife along the way, shake wiener
at her while making the woo-woo sound.

Look at your manly physique in the mirror. Admire the size of your
wiener and scratch your butt.

Get in the shower.

Wash your face.

Wash your armpits.

Blow your nose in your hands and let the water rinse the snot off.

Fart and laugh at how loud it sounds in the shower.

Spend majority of time washing privates and surrounding area.

Wash your butt, leaving those coarse butt hairs stuck on the soap.

Wash your hair. Make a shampoo Mohawk.

Pee.

Rinse off and get out of shower.

Partially dry off..

Fail to notice water on floor because curtain was hanging out of tub
the whole time.

Admire wiener size in mirror again.

Leave shower curtain open, wet mat on floor, light and fan on.

Return to bedroom with towel around waist. If you pass wife, pull off
towel, shake wiener at her and make the woo-woo sound again.

Throw wet towel on her pillow.


WOO-WOO!!!


Snicker * Snicker * Giggle,
dana

More adventure racing news

Razor and his team placed 13th in the co-ed division. Whew. 20+ miles of biking, running, paddling and other "mystery" events in 90 degree weather with nearly 100% humidity. Oh, and thorns and mud and mosquitoes and the chance of stumbling upon a rattle or copperhead snake. Sounds awesome. Maybe I could be your new team mate.

You guys are nuts.
dana

In search of the world's best flip flop

I am in search of the world's best flip flop.

In summers past I have worn my Birkenstocks so much that I had tan lines exactly like the straps. However, this summer it seems I'm only into flip flops. I have 3 or 4 pairs but seem to wear one pair more than others. Nothing fancy. A $10 pair from Target. They have been my wear-everyday-whether-picking-up-the-kids-
at-school-or-working-in-the-garden-shoes since April.

I think it is time to spread my wings, huh?

Wouldn't it be cool if some fabulous shoe company stumbled upon my humble little blog and decided to send me some flip flop samples? I mean, I would TOTALLY advertise them for you here. I would sing their praises even if they gave me nasty blisters! So Merrell, Teva, Chaco, Havania, Keen, Croc . . .(or any shoe company) feel free to send them my way. I'm a ladies size 9.

I won't hold my breath.
dana

A Tour of Sorts

A tour of what is blooming today in my yard.










Finally, I'm extra proud of this begonia bloom as I have never been very successful with begonias. Can't you tell I've spent some time admiring it.



Peace out, people!
dana

Pictures as promised

A few days ago I said that I would take some pictures of the recent work done around the yard. So here they are. These first two show most of the plants that Mom & Kim repotted for me last weekend. They are several varieties of salvia and scabious that will grow in pots all summer and be planted in the fall. They needed to be put into these size pots so that they can grow nicely all summer.




This shows the flower garden that we reworked last weekend. There is a small lilac towards the center of the photo that I will allow to grow into a large bush. In the spring when it blooms and I have the windows of the mudroom open it should scent the whole room. You can see the chives and other ornamental onions there on the back/ left side. All around the front are gallardia (blanket flower). At the far end of the bed are day lillies.



The above photo of Boo describes the main reason why I haven't blogged much this past week. It was our first full week of summer break and I just found myself too busy to sit at the computer.

Never fear, I took tons of pictures of the weekend and plan on sharing lots with you.

xo-dana

Swimming and such

It's summer break and we have been doing summer things.

Over the weekend Mom and her friend Kim came to visit. We had a great time but I worked those ladies hard! They both love to garden so I had some jobs for them. They had to repot about 180 plants from the greenhouse. They had to rework a flower bed that desparately needed it. They also hiked up into the woods behind the house and dug out lots of ferns and other shade plants growing on the creek bed. They even planted a few for me in a shady spot behind my house. I helped. Honestly, I did! I fed them well. We giggled alot. Plus, they took home an entire truck load of plants from my house. Does that make it better that I worked them so hard??

Boo and 'Licious had a wonderful time with Nana and her crazy friend Kim. I'm so glad that they came. AND, believe it or not, I don't have anything to pick on Mom about. Hmmm. Wonder what is up with that?

Yesterday we went swimming. The pool is still a little cold. The girls swam as much as they could stand it. Their little lips were purple by the time we left. Hopefully in a few weeks it won't be as cold.

I need to take the camera outside and get some shots of the work that was done over the weekend. Plus, Razor has been working hard on the vegetable garden. I'll get some shots of that as well.

Until then,
dana

What is my obesssion with old red barns anyway?

Why do I love them?

Hard to say for sure. I just do. They are peaceful. Beautiful. Reminiscent of a time gone by. The red in contrast to the green surroundings. Or, even the gray surroundings of winter. They usually stand alone. Apart from other structures.

I love everything about them. The way they look. The way they smell. They way you can see the dust in the air when you swing the door open. I love how some are well maintained and pristine. I love how some are nearly falling down.

Since I was in college (1990-1994 University of Missouri - Go Tigers!) I have loved old red barns. My husband is all too familiar with me spying one as we are driving and yelling, "Stop the car! I gotta look at this barn!" I've seen some real beauties with him by my side. Sometimes he even spots them before I do.

They are especially lovely with Holsteins grazing in a pasture nearby. Or those gorgeous woolly sheep with the black faces and legs. The barn pictured above is in central Pennsylvania. I'm guessing it was an old tobacco barn. I love the stone silo. Who knew even my brother would stop the car to satisfy my quirkiness??

No, I don't have an old red barn. I do have an old brown one and I love it nearly just as much.

It just made sense to name my company after my obsession.

-dana

big problems can overwhelm

I am a worrier. Always have been. Afraid I always will be.

I'm also a control freak and an organizer.

Put all these lovely personality traits together and you have a gal that can be overwhelmed by certain problems. I'm overwhelmed by the big problems that affect us all. War. Famine. Drought. Natural disasters. Global warming.

I try to set a good example to my daughters of how to be a good GLOBAL citizen. I try to be a good steward of the earth.

Is it enough? I am just one person. Is me hanging my clothes out on the line to dry instead of using a dryer going to end and/or reverse global warming? Is me raising money for and supporting worthy charities going to end poverty?

Is all the worry in the world going to make a difference? That is one I can answer. NO. Worry won't help. Action will. Yes I'm one person. But, I know I'm deeply affecting at least two people. And, I know that those two people will go on to deeply affect others.

I met a woman named Liz Nicholas a few weeks ago.

Check out her website (and her beautiful artwork!) at Art With A Conscience. She is one person that is using her talent to make a difference. How inspiring! How motivating! How glad I am that she reminded me that one person can make a difference.

xo- dana

Am I a bad mom?

Do you see the mischievous grin on 'Licious's face?

When Razor got home from work yesterday Licious was so excited to give him gifts.

Me: "What gifts?"

'Licious: "Stuff I got today."

Me: "What stuff?"

'Licious: "The stuff from the thrift store!" [said in a totally annoyed tone]

Me: "What are the presents for?"

'Licious: "For Father's Day!" [again, same tone. she just can't believe I'm asking such silly questions]

Me: "Father's Day is not for a few more weeks."

'Licious: "I know. These are early presents because he is such a good daddy."



Well, who am I to argue with that?


So, after a huge production, 'Licious brings out the presents at dinnertime. First Razor opens the card [that apparently I bought earlier that day at a thrift store]. He reads it aloud. The front says:

Happy Valentine's Day to a beautiful,
loving, intelligent, weird daughter.

The expression on Razor's face was priceless. It was a complete look of "huh???"

'Licious: "Why does it say Happy Valentine's Day?"

Me: laughing, laughing and more laughing [I can't even stop to answer her question]

'Licious: "Mommy! You said it would be a good card for Daddy!"

At this point we are all laughing hysterically.

Now 'Licious prompts Razor to open the present. He does. It is a little Christmas ornament. Yet another confused face made by Razor.

'Licious: "Read it Daddy."

Razor: "Baby's First Christmas."

Me: "Oh no!" [more hysterical uncontrolled laughing]

So, does this whole scenario mean that I'm a bad mother? Obviously I bought these things earlier in the day. It is our routine that when we do go to thrift stores 'Licious gets to have little things that she sees. It makes it more fun for her AND allows me more time to find hidden treasures. Apparently today I was soooo into what I was doing that I didn't even bother to look and/or read what she was buying. Plus, I know that during the entire shopping trip we had a running conversation about how she was shopping for Daddy. Furthermore, aren't I horrible for practically falling out of my chair laughing at the situation?

All I know is that it was so blasted funny and that it felt good for us all to laugh until we had tears running down our cheeks.

Maybe you had to be there.

Muah!
dana

Finally!

Whoa! Did you just feel that? Whoa . . . there it was again. I do believe that the earth shook for a minute. No, not like an earthquake. More like it wobbling off it's axis or something.

What am I talking about?

People! I can finally share video with you!!

a-huh. a-huh. a-huh-a-huh-a-huh!
a-huh. a-huh. a-huh-a-huh-a-huh!
(that is me doing a little dance)

Now check out this dance.




Thanks Razor! I sure do luuuuuuuuuve you!

-dana

to infinity . . . and beyond

This is my kitchen window. I spend alot of time here looking out at the world. My kitchen is situated right at the front of my house. When I stand and look out this window the rest of my entire house is behind me. It makes me feel like the master of my domain. The ruler of this roost. The queen of the castle. King of the world (ah, now I'm totally thinking about Titanic "i'm king of the world!").

You get the idea.

I just made the window valances the other night. I had just red and white checkered ones before. I found the most amazing vintage table cloth (yep, at a thrift store) that became the front portion of the valance. So cheery and very much in keeping with the rest of my 1950's kitchen.

Here's to hoping you are the king of the world today.
-dana

What a trip!

Whew!! What a trip we had this weekend! We needed to get away for a few days so we took a trip to Dollywood for the weekend. We spent all day Friday at the park and had an absolute blast. We had never been to Dollywood before and I was surprised by how nice it was. Clean. Well planned. Lots of great rides. The weather was great too -- not too hot and even a bit overcast. It was perfect! Then, we spent all of Saturday swimming at the hotel pools. I say "pools" because we, in fact, swam in all three of them. Don't ya know it! The girls wanted to make sure that they were not missing out on anything.

I love that we could spend the weekend as a family just doing something crazy and fun. To skip and dance our way all through Dollywood is what it is all about. To see Boo's and 'Licious's faces on the roller coasters, water rides and gut-turning rides made it feel like I was a kid again. (By the way, Boo is the older. 'Licious is the younger. I had considered giving Mark a code name as well but then could only come up with names that he didn't approve of . . . he didn't like "Smoochies" cause it didn't seem manly enough. Oh please! He didn't like "Slim" because he thought it was kind of wimpy. He liked "Razor" until I explained how I came up with that one. With a sarcastic grin and a roll of my eyes, I explained it was because he is as sharp as a razor. Come on, honey! You. Are. Razor. Sharp. So he will remain "Mark". Wait till I start posting "Markisms". Then you'll be calling him Razor too. Love you SMOOCHIES!) To see the girls board scary rides with reckless abandon . . . against my better judgment . . . reminds me that they are growing up, becoming individuals . . . and that maybe MY judgment is not always necessary.

They took swimming lessons the last two summers and I was debating about whether to sign them up again this summer. Not after this weekend! At the end of last summer they were good swimmers. But yesterday they conquered new feats. Letting Daddy launch them high in the air into the water. Jumping into the deep end unassisted and swimming to the wall. Swimming underwater for lengths that, I gotta say, made me a bit nervous.

Can you tell we had a blast?

Again, whew! Pigeon Forge, TN is a real zoo though. It is bumper-to-bumper traffic with everything built wall-to-wall all along the main strip. For a gal that used to live in a big city, send bad guys to jail, parallel park DAILY all while wearing a most stylish suit and high heels, I sure missed this:
I took this the other night on the way home from my first photo shoot. I snapped this less than 2 minutes from my house. That is just they way I like it. Sometimes the little suckers get loose and I shoo them back to their pasture. I can't have them chomping on my flowers or vegetables! Besides, they leave terrible tracks and other "presents" in my yard.



No matter how much fun we had on our little trip, there is no place like home.

Nighty-night ya'll!
dana