Black Eye ala Betty

My dog beat me up and gave me a slice to the lid and a black eye.

Seriously.

I am sporting a lovely purple shiner today, a slice to the lid (right in the crease) that hurts, A LOT, and a massive headache from the bruise to my eyeball.

Anyone else see the hilarity in the fact that a blind dog has essentially blinded me temporarily?

See you when I can see clearly again.

:)

PS: I had Casey take pictures, but I can not bring myself to post them, so not pretty.

Summertime Do

Happy Memorial Day. We kicked today off with Alex's new 'hawk. Well not really it was just the transitional period during his cut. We couldn't convince him to keep it. Dang...

One Spot

This is my one spot. My spot to grab a few minutes to breath. My spot where I pray and study. My spot where I talk on the phone. The spot to pile a few clothes. The one spot that is soft and soothing and surrounds me with favorite things. I finally got around to hanging those pictures, they are not even or perfectly spaced, but they are up and each one holds great snippets of our life. I love my one spot.

On the Edge Of It

The edge of tonight's spring storm.

The other day I talked to two of my oldest and dearest friends. Like all our conversations they started off with random silly things we have said for years and years, said for so long that we forgot the silliness that started them in the first place. But these things are the habits and actions that keep the friendship webbing between so strong regardless of the years and miles. As soon as the silliness stopped I knew that this was a serious phone call, one of those phone calls that make us feel like adults of today, not the silly kids we were in the past.

These two are going through a tough time, a time that I know they will overcome, that will make them closer to each other (more then they all ready are), a time that will be hard, but will have been worth it for all that they were able to avoid. I have been thinking about them and their son this week, sending out prayers and love into the heavens in their names, holding them closer to my heart. Wishing that they didn't have to go through it.

Seeing how they are during this time has shown me that so much beauty can be seen during the ugliest and roughest experiences. Whether it is the beauty of a strong marriage or the noble character that shines through, there is beauty there to be noticed and noted. So even though I doubt they will read this, I just want it said that I am so proud of their family and have so much love for them as they weather this storm. I love you guys.

A beautiful fold.

There is more to say later

I noticed that all my posts recently have been picture posts with just little snippets of text. As I am sure most of you know my new camera has been put to good use recently but it is also that time of the year. You know when school is winding down, work is heading into summer mode, vacations are being prepped for, gardens are growing, the pool is beckoning and life is mostly lived outdoors or in the shower cleaning up from the outdoors. So please bear with me as I post random pictures from our every day and find my words again.

If you know me, you know that words are not something I am short on. *smile*

A Mother's Day Lily Pad

My Mother in Law sent me this lovely Lily pad vase for Mother's Day. She sure did pay attention to what I loved at her farmer's marker. I just love it!! The potter's details are amazing in the crystal designs on the top, and the addition of a metal frog inside to hold the stems was perfect. Thank you Carol!

*Gosh* My favorite Idaho Goodie

There are few things that I could bring back from Idaho, that are as fitting and happy making as this. Cause my Lips Hurt Real Bad.

Hello Moon

Dear Mrs. Moon:

I had to take your portrait tonight because you shined so brightly on our home where our son is snuggled in his bed, on our gardens that are growing our family such great food, on our pups that slumber in the garage, and on us as we prepare for bed. Thank you Mrs. Moon for your diligent watch, and for those few days a month when your vision is blocked, thank you to your friends the stars that look down on us with winking eyes and sparkling light.

Love,

Us

A Boy Lives Here

Once

I am more then a little late blogging about this movie. It has won the world over, it won an Oscar, its all ready in stores, and I saw it first a month ago with Lisa. And I feel in love. If you want to see true passion, raw passion, talent, and be moved emotionally go see Once and sigh over it like we did.

whatcha eating?

Ooohh, whatcha eating?
Can I have some?
Does it taste good? Is it crunchy?

Mom, Bella won't share!

What if I pretend to nap and look really cute doing it?

Will you share then?

Oh no! It's Archie trying to snag a nibble. I must act like I am eating.Go away Archie there is nada here for you. It's all for me and Bella.

Help, I need a snack!

Makes me happy.

• Both beds are fully planted, trellised, and gated.
• Clothesline is back in production.
• Bags and bags of more mix for our third bed, which I will completed tomorrow.

Good stuff.

I did the unthinkable...

I did the unthinkable, I took the flannel sheets off our bed today. Oh, but look at the lovely crisp cotton sheets I replaced them with. Don't they make you think of summer nights when you finally stretch out into bed, tucking your feet into the coolest spots under the sheets. And then the next morning you wake up to deliciously rumpled sheets that will be welcoming you back to bed in the evening. So nice.

I have been...

I have been...

Gardening in flipflops...
Eating Casey's Famous Ribs...
Waiting for Betty to fall off the couch...
Listening to the crackling of the crust on the No Knead Loaf I baked.

Life is good.

Idaho in a Picture List

Okay random pictures in no order, just as I could get them to load. More details later...

Wedding cakes that Carol and I did.
Sweet sweet Alex, the ring bearer.
Christine and Donna, all smiles.
I made the bouquets!
Love my crazy man.

A HUGE dog at the farmers market, so cute.
Two bags of stash at the world's coolest candy store, Powell's.
Alex's mode of transport with Uncle Matt. Easily puts him 8 feet in the air.

Matt after his Lacrosse game.

Play pictures, Matt was Great Big Little Panther.
Tigs!!! I have a picture of me with Tigger the morning after prom, 16 years ago! And he is still around.
Alex in Grandma's Council chair!
Screwing around at the Fred Meyer's.
Best damn pizza ever!

A cup of soul, it was so yummy.
The men at the capital, which is being refurbished.
Tulip love, they are EVERYWHERE!
A fitting building for Alex.
My new favorite place to shop. I think we went 6 times. Seriously.

Cell block lock down.
This cell block FREAKED me out, I did not like it one bit.
Of course Casey would make him lay down on one of the beds. UGH!
Loafers.
Coolest murals all over downtown.

The Pen, of course we would visit a haunted prison. Why not?
Loads of fun signs everywhere. Casey had Alex stand in a dark corner, UGH!!! Of course Alex loved every minute that Mommy was creeped out.
oops, wrong way. Casey is in solitary confinment, scary place.
One of two airvents for 8 solitary cells.

Wedding prep!
Benny loves Casey.
Smoochie Love.
Brothers...
Freezing in Idaho City, it SNOWED on us!

On the real Thunder Mountain train.
Beautiful country.
Me!
My Men...