Warm Weather....

brought this family outside this weekend.

We decided to start a project that we have been wanting to do

since we moved in...clean up the woods. 

At first, I was a little hesitant.  Once we started

and I realized how much more space we had, I rolled up my sleeves.

Woods are just like thinning vegetables when gardening.

As much as you hate to pull those sprouts that aren't at the 2in mark,

when you do, you get bigger vegetables from the ones you leave to grow.

Same principle here.

We were able to go through and see which trees to keep and

which trees to cut down depending on variety and location.

Zach trimmed all the trees that we are keeping

so that you don't need to bend over to walk under them.

Yes, the ax was used, but of course power chainsaws are fun too.

This is a quick shot of what things looked like before the clean up.

Branches and logs were hauled to brush piles to be burned at a later date.

I can honestly say, I was wore out after a day and a half of hauling.

 

Can you find my cat in this picture?

The kids helped in the beginning as usual and then got hot.

My oldest decided to take off his shirt.

Then I hear a noise of giggles and screams and when I turn around...

I see the girls decided to do the same thing. 

At this point, I laughed and was thankful we didn't live in town.

 

Here is a finished shot of part of the area that we cleared. 

I thought this project would last this whole summer,

but after this weekend and at this pace, maybe only a couple more weekends.

 

 

"Spring, spring, spring, spring"

The words being chanted by my big girl,

inside the house and out.

Maybe if we keep on chanting,

Mother Nature will take a hint?!?

 My little one finished coloring her pin wheel

and wanted to put it in moms' flower bed straight away.

So that's just what we did.

 

After we arranged the pin wheel,

my big girl needed to play in the mud

so I busied myself in my garden shed getting prepped for the season.

I can't wait to get my hands in the dirt!

When the laundry hamper is full...

keep on sewing!

Well, I have been trying to keep up on laundry,

but it seems this is a daily battle that I will never likely win.

So my theory, accomplish other projects that I can get done.

Flawed plan you say...well, maybe, but more fun:)

 

This is a block I did up for my Bikin' Chicks Group that I'm a part of.

It's a block of the month club with 11 other ladies.

Everyone is assigned a month to pick four of your favorite fabrics

and everyone makes a 12.5'' block with the fabrics you picked by the end of that month.

Basically everyone walks away at the end of the year with 12 different blocks

that you can make into a quilt, wall hanging, table runners, place mats, or

 whatever you can think of.

I'm really enjoying it and am planning on doing it next year.



 I'm hoping my soon to be sister-in-law doesn't read my blog because

this is her bridal shower gift I just finished for her.

 

It turned out cute and am hoping she likes it.

My master plan is to make three other seasonal table runners for

the wedding gift.

Can anyone guess what this is?

Hint: She really loves coffee.

That's right a cup cozy with 'Mrs.' on the front.

It's so cute I may make one for myself.

Off to switch loads and turn my sewing machine back on;)

Happy sewing.



A Day with my Kitchen with my big girl

A slightly chilly morning with my big helper in the kitchen,

yielded 4 loaves of banana bread,

a whole bunch of giggles, 

and a double batch of zucchini chocolate chip cookies.

These are a favorite with my family and

since I usually freeze the abundance of zucchini that we have,

we get to enjoy this recipe all year long.

If you are a gardener, canner, and homesteader,

I highly recommend you read this book.

It's one of my favorite books and has some great seasonal recipes.

 

 

Usually, springtime brings about a bit of a switch in my hobbies.

Planning and planting in the garden boxes is a favorite

that still seems like it's too far away with the weather we have been having.

While I still knit/crochet in the summer,

I tend to sew more.

Check back soon to see some of the things I've been sewing...

a post is in the making:)

 

Presents....

My dad picked out my birthday present this year,

and viola, my pantry is now organized. 

It makes me smile every time I open my pantry door.

Thanks mom and dad.

 My oldest just picked up his bow this weekend,

which was a Christmas gift from his Aunts.

 

 Needless to say, Zach is a little jealous of his new bow.

My eldest says, "Mom, guess what dad told me, he said I have

a fancier bow than him now!"  All with a huge smile on his face.

There has been target shooting everyday since.

 

And Mother Nature decided to give us this present this morning.

It's April isn't it?  We made the best of it this morning

when coming out of church,

 a snowball fight ensued and giggles couldn't be stopped.

I'm looking forward to pictures of planting, garden boxes, and the outdoors!

Cousins sleepover

I helped out at school all last week as the secretary. 

Let's just say by Friday, I was ready to be home again.

Zach suggested that we invite the boy cousins over for a sleepover.

 

 Although being a little apprehensive because of being exhausted from the week I had.

We made the calls and I am so glad we did.

 

It was exactly what I needed though!

Zach and I laughed at the conversations going on between the little ones.

We laughed at their giggles and screams(and were there screams)!

 

Needless to say, everyone had a great time and we had no tears,

which is always an indication for a successful sleepover:)

 

We settled down with a movie. 

The kids finally went down at about 11pm and

we awake laughing at around 5:30am. 



Of course I ran out of coffee because that's just how it goes when

I work all week.   Moms can't be superheros all the time:)

So I made a coffee run and picked up donuts.

Thanks for the laughs kiddos!

 

Their Callings...

The kindergarten class put on a play, "The Glum Princess"

Do you recognize who the Princess is?

She did great and even with a wardrobe malfunction in the middle of the play,

she righted it before her next line.  That's my girl:)

 

 My eldest usually works with Zach in the shop when he's in there

and just recently discovered carving. 

 

He already has some pretty lofty ambitions of making some items to

sell at the farmers market this summer.