Summer Picture of the Week

               My what big teeth you have, my dear Alpaca.

New Family Members

   We have contemplated adding goats to the family for several years now.  We finally gave in!  We are now owners of two Nigerian Dwarf doelings.  They were 9 weeks old when we picked them up a few weeks ago.  To say they are too cute is simply an understatement.  That's the breeder in the first photo.

Now here they are at our home.

"Ivy", our tan/white darling is the alpha goat .  She is the first to dig in to the food, the first to greet us at the door and quick to give "Willow" her new sister a butt if she feels like it.  She has blue eyes and is "polled", which means genetically, she has no horns.

     "Willow", our black and white baby is still quite timid.  She is slow to warm up but if seated on your lap is content to enjoy some cuddle time.

We watched the goat showing at the fair this year.  I'm hoping the kids will be interested in showing these gals next year.  For the time being, though, we are just enjoying their antics and affection.

 
We found the cutest kids play house on Craigs List for them to stay in.  It needs a paint job as the children who previously owned it showed off their artistic talents with a wild paintbrush.  Inside, there's plenty of indoor graffiti announcing the names of little girls allowed in the house and those who are  banned(even little girls can be snarky), but  it's the perfect little home for them.

     Now, I wonder if we can talk my husband into getting alpacas...

Cowboy Boot Birdhouse

I entered many things in the fair this year, this birdhouse being one of them. I think it turned out pretty cute. And it was the first place, blue ribbon winner! Ok, so it was the ONLY birdhouse entered this year so I won by default- but I still think it turned out great.

Unfortunately, I did not get to keep it after the fair, although I knew this going in. All birdhouses were going to be kept and auctioned in February for our fair fundraiser. That's fine with me. I hope they raise enough to be able to buy a fair trophy for one of the kids next summer. I was disappointed though, that no one else entered a birdhouse. I always love to see other artist's creations. Let's make it. You will need: a cowboy boot-I found mine at a garage sale license plate bandana wire belt small grapevine wreath drill with bits to drill through metal plus one of those circle grindy things with the teeth little stick for a perch small piece of wire fencing-optional glue Ok, here we go. We had some fencing left over from a goat pen project. The holes in the fence were about 2 x 4. I rolled up a piece,about 12 x 6, tube fashion, tucked it inside the boot, just to support the inside of the boot so it wouldn't collapse or crush. You couldn't use anything with small holes as your birds wouldn't be able to get into the house. Like I said, it's not necessary but we had the fencing so I used it. You will have to cut your piece to fit inside your boot. Using your drill and big circle grindy thing(is it used to cut holes in doors for a door knob?) cut an entry circle in the side of your boot so your birds can get in. You can also use an exacto or craft knife. Using a smaller drill bit, drill a small hole under that to accomodate a perch. Now switch to a metal bit to put holes in your license plate. Bend your plate in half to form a roof. Set it on top of the boot and decide where you will be able to attach the plate to the boot. Drill one or two holes on each side of your plate with matching holes at the top of the boot. You will be wiring the plate on via these holes. Cut 2-4 lengths of wire-depending on the number of holes you drilled- 5"-6", long enough to fit through the boot and the license plate. Wire the plate to the boot. My boot had loops at the top so I cut a length of wire and wired it onto the loops for a hanger. I cut a 12" piece, attached it to the loop on one side, ran it over the top of the plate, and attached the other end to the loop on the other side. Add the perch by making sure your little stick fits snugly in the perch hole. Add a dab of glue to hold in place. So that's your basic boot. Now it's time to embellish it.

I had an old thin belt with a western style buckle that I wrapped twice around the bottom 1/3 of the boot. Then I rolled up and tied on a bandana, leaving the corner down, bandit style, for some color and flair. I had seen some boots on the internet with bandanas just rolled and tied on but I liked leaving a little corner. I got it to this point but felt like it needed some thing more. I headed to the Salvation Army and found just the right size grapevine wreath to put around the hole. I glued this on. Hmmm, what else? A sheriff's badge was exactly what it needed! So off to the dollar store I went. Sure enough, in the kids isle I found a package of gold badges, a sheriffs star being one of the them. Perfect! It was just the bling I was looking for. Just a dab of glue to hold this in place and YEEHAW! You done got yourself and fine birdhouse, pardner! This is a great birdhouse for the cowboy or cowgirl in your life. It's easy to make and a sturdy home for your backyard birdies. If you make one please share it with me.

Another Fair Come and Gone

Well, our county fair has come and gone for another year. The kids and I managed to win more than few ribbons. I am a crafter and baker so it's a natural fit for me to enter my creations in the fair. In fact, I was the "Top Baker" this year. In the coming weeks I'll share those recipes with you. Wait 'till you see my first place scarecrow. I hope it makes you smile. In the meantime, here are some favorite fair photos.

Yipee! School's Out!

Summer has arrived for my children. Their last day of school was yesterday. I don't know about you but I always had mixed feelings on the last day of school when I was a kid. It was bittersweet. I was excited that summer fun was starting but I was sad to be leaving my friends and teachers. Now, as a mom, I still feel that way! Since I was a teacher pre kids, I get that double whammy. Would you believe my youngest son had the stomach flu and missed the last two days of school! Yes, the stomach flu in June-it was going around his school UGH! He is still crying about it. He feels like he didn't really finish the 4th grade. Poor kid. I think he will feel that disappointment when he is thirty. He's just that kind of boy. He has two birthday parties lined up this week. That will help him get over it, no doubt. And so the summer fun begins...

The Day Has Finally Arrived!

Yes, the day is finally here.  I have been a crafter and stitcher forever!  When my children were young I started drawing stitchery designs by the dozens.  I have two filled notebooks of doodles and patterns ready to be stitched up.  Back when the kids were younger I actually stitched up a few of them then tucked them away until "someday" came and I would have more time to write up the instructions, supply list etc. etc.  If you are anything like me, you put everyone's needs, the housework, cooking, critters and yard work before anything else.  I have had this dream in my heart for so long, 15 years has gone by, the kids are a little older and guess what.  I have put some of those other household chores on hold to wrap up and publish my patterns.  I have over 30 designs with 6 of them listed so far on ETSY and Pattern Mart.  Yea!

I have many holiday designs, whimsical flowers, cute critters and samplers.

This was one of those things that I just HAD to do before the end of my life(which is hopefully a long way away).  I would have had so many regrets had I not taken the time to do this. My hope is that these stitcheries bring simple joy to both the stitcher and the recipient.  Now that I'm on my way, stay tuned for some free stitchery patterns right here.

We have baby chicks right now.  Wait 'till you see them...

I'm Back!

Gosh, it has been quite a horrendous 6 months.  We've had four deaths in our family.  Cancer has claimed two and complications from old age has taken two more to the angels.  Tending to households, sharing last days and funerals have appropriated great amounts of time  and  I've spent the last few months playing catch up, clean up and buck up trying to get myself back up on top.  I finally made it here, the view is still sad but looking up and I'm on my way to begin again.  Following the yellow brick road back to my life.

     I heard on one of the morning shows that Mattel is blaming moms for the slumping sales of Hot Wheels cars.  Really?  Pa-leeze!  Are you kiddin' me?  I have three boys.  When they were little I spent countless hours playing with Hot Wheels.  We set up tracks all over the house.  Taped track to the sofa and chairs, ran them down the stairs, rolled them into loop-d-loops,  crashed 'em, you name it, we would play for hours.
     At some point the teacher in me kicked in and we got out the ruler to measure the length of each cars' run.  We would run 25 cars, had a fast pile and slow pile and finally figured out which car was the fastest of all.  Then we hypothesized and analyzed why we thought that car ran the fastest.  We built bridges and buildings out of boxes to add to the track.  We all have very fond memories of our car days.
     I think kids have a lot of other toy choices now so cars have lost some of their appeal.  What's your take on this?

     I want to share one more thing today.  I happened upon a website for Leonie Dawson.   I am notorious for feeling that all of my ducks and chicks have to be in a row before I SHOULD do anything creative.  Laundry had to be washed and folded, the meals had to be gourmet, floors scrubbed etc.  UGH! Old school, I know.  I don't think the younger women feel that way.  That's another reason why my blog has been left untouched.  I felt that I had to have something profound to share before I should write.  I checked out Leonie and she gave me the kick in the seat I needed to Just Do It.  Check her out.  You might find a tidbit of wisdom that will give you the kick you need too.