Growing Up

Lately I've been feeling like a have a smidgen more time on my hands. In the last two weeks I've made two dresses, which is two more than I've made in about 7 years. I sew costumes regularly, but just plain old sew for the heck of it sewing has been scarce for awhile now. I sewed almost all of my dresses in High School, and then again after college, BK (before kids). I always thought I would sew for my girls, but alas this just hasn't happened. But lately I've had a new and very welcomed flood of ideas that much to my surprise have come to fruition. I'm not sure exactly what to attribute this to, other than the kids are growing up. Yes, they still need me, but they are getting much more independent. They play in the neighborhood now with other little girls. They read more, have an easier time getting into a solo craft project and can even find themselves a snack and drinks without my help (thank goodness for frozen yogurt sticks and step stools). The chores they do now actually do help instead of create more work. I have more time to bake and cook too. I'm so sorry if you are reading this and want to smack me, I completely understand. I would never say these things to a new mom in person or a mom with multiple toddlers, you can even scream at me through the screen if you want to. I hear ya. But you just have to know that your brain will come back, the things you used to do you'll do again, I promise. I do miss a lot of the things that come with babies, believe me no one loves a baby more than me, but I am enjoying all the new opportunities I'm having. So the pictures today are a little walk down memory lane, I hope you like them.

Move over Muzzy

As you may already know, my camera is on it's last leg. My friend has been letting me borrow his very nice camera and I've had it for at least two months now. The old camera has been sitting around the house and I tried to use it today as the battery on the borrowed camera is dead and I don't have the charger yet. Well as I started downloading pics off the old camera I realized that I didn't recognize any of the pictures, she's been using it unbeknownst to me, again. So here is what I found, move over Muzzy, there's a new beagle in town.

Singing and Dancing

Last night I took the night off from 34West shows to attend a different show. A show that included Legally Blonde, West Side Story, Toy Story, The Wiz and Phantom Of The Opera. It had dancing, tumbling, jazz, tap and ballet. Sounds like a big undertaking? It is to me, I normally work with a cast of 2 or 5 at the most, adults. This cast had about a hundred or more girls and boys from the ages of 3-17.

They performed like pros. It was really fun to watch. Their teacher was in the wings directing them and was no doubt very proud of them. She is set apart in my mind from many other instructors. She puts an emphasis on conquering fears, gaining self confidence, and just plain old having fun among other things. The older girls really are good role models and care about the younger ones. Size and shape really don't matter, no cookie cutter dancers.

Singing and dancing is something we should do from birth till death Miss Kim says. I would have to agree.

Saturday Morning

This is just a little glimpse of my Saturday morning. We did a show in 'Donutland' at one of the inns Thursday night and Friday, so i snagged a little somethin' to bring home. My family misses me when I'm gone but they sure do like the donut box I always bring home with me. It always makes for a great Saturday morning reunion. A special bonus awaited me, my Country Living. A great rainy Saturday morning treat. The tulips are probably on their last day, they will be missed. Fresh flowers, coffee in my favorite cup, my favorite magazine and my favorite donut in the whole world, ahhhhh.... it's a good day so far. Sometimes it's the little things, it has to be.

Birthday Pie

Here is the much anticipated Rhubarb Custard pie. When deer slayer (a.k.a. birthday boy) and I went to the Farm Market on Monday I picked up some rhubarb, along with my donuts of course...when he saw it he immediately started talking about rhubarb custard pie, how it was his favorite in all the world and he wanted it for his birthday. No pressure. I was pretty sure I had never made that before and me not being a very confidant pie baker started getting a little nervous. And then he said "Make the crust just like the one that we won the other night at the Gala"... right. That pie was baked by Aunt Velma, who's middle name is probably pie crust. You can do it he said. So I cut up my rhubarb and did what any good pie baker would do, I googled it. I found this. The description was amazing, all the raving, very inspiring. So I put it together and camped out by the oven till it was done. I accidently put another egg in, not sure how that happened and I didn't quite have four cups of rhubarb, but no matter, it worked anyway. I think I might even post this picture on their website. But the most important thing, birthday boy loved it and so did our guests. And no, I didn't make the crust, chickened out, I guess my middle name is pillsbury. Oh, and I can't forget a note about the china, it is Le Parc by Noritake, it is our wedding china. And since we just celebrated 18 years on Sunday, I thought it appropriate.

Birthday Boy

Now, you might be a red-neck if you have one of these 'pillows' on every couch, bed and chair.

You might even be one if your hat choice for the day includes tail feathers.

A Poem for Steve

Your camo patterns are vast and carefully chosen,

You can speak the language of any woodland animal,

Your truck smells earthy, organic really...

You get up at unspeakably early to sit in the quiet of the woods for hours.

You know who you are, and the One who made you,

You take care of your family and love those around you,

Your passion for life spills over and over,

You've made a difference in life after life.

Happy Birthday crazy husband of mine, I'm looking forward to everything.

It was a big week around here, so big I don't even know where to begin. Banquets, school programs, a gala and a show. I met new friends, caught up with old friends, and won a pie! Very exciting all of it. I am exhausted, but happy. I can't even keep my eyes open but I just wanted to stop in and say hi. Hi. I promise more details this week. Did I tell you I won a pie, it was cherry, it was good, very good. I wish you were all here in person to share it. Oh and I must give a shout out to my friends, the Q's, rest, recuperate and I love all four of you, and the fifth Q too:)