Thursday, April 30, 2009

Ezra Fun









Yesterday was a treat with Ezra. I picked him up at his daycare and he was very chatty all about a toy, "Wolverine Claws- (they're not sharp)". Every time he said it, he included the "they're not sharp" part. He assured me they are available at EVERY Target store-including mine. We discussed earning and saving money for items like that, which signaled that this was a good time to get out a cool bank his Aunt Amy had sent a while back with three separate compartments for Spending, Saving and Sharing. More on that later.
I had decided that since I was going to be spending more time in my "new" sunny yard that perhaps I should try to encourage in him a love of gardening as well. I bought a fun little greenhouse kit to start us off. Six brightly colored pots with soil pellets, seeds and a plastic container that turns into a mini greenhouse. We placed the pellets in the pots and he poured 2 tsp of water on each. Then, for the five minute wait we made Kraft Mac and Cheese, and returned to find soft soil ready for planting. Our Teddy Bear sunflowers were put into the red and one of the yellow pots and the Lilliput zinnias in the rest. Misted, and placed the lid on. He will be excited to know they have already sprouted and will need tending soon.
He was also intrigued by the pond and fountain and the fact he could climb from the patio to the deck, a good 2 1/2 feet, without using the steps. I showed him how we could adjust the fountain to have different spouts of water, he wanted the tallest one, of course. Throwing rocks into the pond was fun and we looked for more along our way to the frozen yogurt store. When we came back, Jim had lowered the fountain spray because 1/2 of the pond water had bounced out of the pond! So, Ezra, got to refill it with the hose.
So, for his gardening and pond filling chores, he earned money to put in his bank. He asked what each of the words were on the bank and we put money in each talking about why it was important to do all three, even though he said that he didn't know anyone who would need to be the beneficiary of the "Sharing" bank, so he really didn't need to add to that one.
All in all a very fun afternoon, with a little boy-who out of the blue came over and hugged my neck. Does life get any better?

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

It's all about the "Derby" this time of year










I haven't created a thing since my last post, busy with Mom, work and all things KY Derby. But, for those who are interested in other aspects of my life, here in Louisville, the world takes on fun focus with all sorts of events during the KY Derby Festival,from the greatest fireworks in the world, (I have been on the South Lawn of the White House on the 4th of July- no comparison), mini marathon and marathon, bed races, Run for the Rose (as in wine-where local restaurant wait staff race with full glasses of wine around a course), art fairs, balloon glows, balloon races, balloon glimmers, chow wagons, music,oh, yes, and horse racing. So much fun!
The marathon goes by our house at about mile 16. We sit in green canvas chairs at the top of our driveway and cheer on the runners. It is an opportunity to see neighbors we only see about once a year. Our 4 lane parkway is a busy place and children on the street (and there aren't a lot on this busy thoroughfare) mostly play in backyards during the rest of the year. Our street is closed for about 6 hours and the kids have great fun riding bikes and scooters in the street and chasing each other on foot. All of the houses on the other side have alley access so the normal coming and going is from the alley.
Saturday is always farmer's market day for us so we strolled there, too, on Saturday. The Cherokee Triangle Art Fair is held on the same day. I almost always buy something- this year no art but a new cookie from the Kizito Cookie Lady-gingersnap dipped 1/2 in white chocolate. She is discontinuing is soon because the chocolate melts so easily even in her store where oven are going constantly. She is from Uganda and a real treat. She started selling her homemade cookies out of a basket she wore on her head, she now sells ways to many for her basket to hold. I love to look at Jude's clothes and have a great wrap skirt with a bird pattern that is also reversible that I got last year. She has designed two wall hanging for me, one for me and one for Amy. Also the quilt on our bed was a gift commissioned by my office for our wedding gift that she made. I may get a new linen wrap skirt in yellow and orange with green waistband before the end of the year.
I've also been working in the yard a lot since the weather has been great! We lost a huge tree and I now have a sunny backyard and a new fence!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

ATC



I'm continuing to create atcs for the swap this month. Our themes are "women", "blue" and "travel". I dug out some of my paste paper for the background. The stamps are stamped in Archival Ink (my new favorite for its pitch black color. The "moody" woman is colored with water color pencils. I've had the stamps for a long time but I think this is the first time I've used her. Mounted on black cardstock.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

CBHC-Spring


I think of birds when I think of spring. I awaken to their songs in the morning and the increase in bird music in the morning is a sure sign of spring to me, a reminder of renewal and rejuvenation of the earth and nature. Even people seem to be in a better mood! Here is my CBHC for this week's theme of Spring.

Friday, April 03, 2009

Tie dyeing Easter Eggs







This is my first attempt at literally dyeing eggs with ties! 100% silk ones that is. My friend, Sue, posted this on her blog and I had to immediately try it as she KNEW I would! Now, I wouldn't say it was a complete success, but hey, I'm still happy. I have to figure out how to get the fabric closer to the egg at the gathered end. I think I'll do flatter, fewer folds rather than many tiny ones. Technique, technique- practice, practice. My husband hates hard boiled eggs so I see myself giving a lot of these away so I can practice!
The fun was going through his old ties! The Where's Waldo one was a birthday gift with a coordinating purple striped shirt in 1992. The red with paisley was the tie he wore to defend his dissertation in 1994. The others were-silk. I have about 4 more to use this weekend. I only had 4 raw eggs today. I hard-boiled the rest thinking Ezra and I would dye eggs. But, cookies were the activity of the day.