hike in the rain

camping at the lake

christmas trees

We are forming a new tradition of cutting down our Christmas tree at this beautiful farm. For the past two years, we end up going after a snow fall.

My camera is sort of missing. (Piles of laundry are dwelling in every corner of my home) So I don't have pictures to share. So I'll just tell you that we had a blast apple picking this weekend. Our car is sounding funny lately. It started making a new sound on the way out Saturday morning, so we decided to turn around. Not to far from home. We ran into some good friends who were also going picking and they so graciously invited us to cram in with them. Between their two cars. We were so grateful and had even more fun driving in cars full of happy, and not so happy children.

We went to a local flower picking garden last week. it was vast and beautiful. Besides, the dead mice that the farm owners cat had dropped in various rows and walk ways.
We all love being outdoors and my love of flower goes way deep. It was a treat for everyone involved. I picked this bouquet that made me keep saying moulin rouge. I think that actually may have been the name of these sunflowers.

summer fun

We are off to the beach today. In my mind this is the perfect beach. Yes, its the island of Capri. This is not where we are going. But I think we'll have a grand time anyhow.

Hope you have some summer fun today too!

somewhere

My dad and Mr. P drove cross country this past week. (really, from one coast to the other) And on their way through, we met them at a little pub, in a little town and had a wonderfully awesome day. Complete with giddy children, and grease delicious food. Of course, I would forget my camera and have nothing to show you. I know, terribly lame after such a long break. Have this picture of this bedroom as a peace offering. Don't you just love the quilt?

Latah county fair

It's been pretty busy over here. Between having visitors, sick children, and starting to homeschool, I have gladly taken a break from blogging. But it's not a permanent break. I've been thrifting a lot and getting good deals I'd love to post about,..but until I get some pictures of the goodies I've found, I'll let you in on our grand fair event. We had a blast and so did the kids. Sam got to ride some fun little rides, and we enjoyed looking at all the prize winning livestock. ( my favorite part). Now I want to raise sheep along with the chickens. Reality only allows for chickens right now. But hey, a girl can dream right?

Photo booth special

We had the chance to use the photo booth in the Ace Hotel in downtown Portland. And all we got after two tries were funny faces. I guess that just makes us a funny group.

we got married

Five years ago today that is. It seems like yesterday that we said our vows, yet I feel like I've known Joel forever.

We celebrated by cleaning house. (oddly satisfying), and dining out at one of our favourite eateries. God is so good, and blesses us beyond belief. It really was a wonderful day and my life is wonderful as your wife honey. I love you. Here's to spending a zillion more years together.

xoxo

I've been watching alot of Jamie Oliver

New fabric

serving dish


and potty seat



Hot dogs, and frozen yogurt do wonders for cranky boys whose mothers drag them through Ikea for hours.

weddings and swedish oatmeal pancakes

Went drove to PA this weekend to visit loved ones and to see some loved ones get married.
It was a beautiful affair. Complete with dining, toasting, and, dancing. Reformed folk sure know how to party. I have a hard time getting pictures lately. And I'm not sure what to blame it on. We didn't get a single picture of the wedding. Ceremony or reception. All I have to offer are pictures of our awesome brunch at Wish You Were Here in downtown lancaster after Sundays worship service. My dad graciously treated us all to the best breakfast I've had in years. Seriously, this place was so good it reformed my view on breakfast. Particularly pancakes.






We love Lancaster city as shown to us by some other loved saints.

Philadelphia

I do really enjoy this city. This was Joel and I's second visit since wedded bliss. The first time babe # 1 wasn't around to enjoy it with us. We visited the Franklin Institue Science museum. Which was wonderful for adults and children. With hands on play exhibits in the center of a room, visible from all the reading and visuals around the perimeter. We originally set out to see King Tut,
but at a whopping $35 extra after museum entrance fees, and a lack a time, we decided to be satisfied without him.
Papa helps Sam touch the air plane
Daddy and Sam fly the plane
Uncle Kyle Can fly too.

We also got to shop the Reading Terminal Market.
The food,
Ah the food.
I love these markets and hope they never go away.

wonderful weekend::would you?

We went away to Pennsylvania for the weekend. To visit future family and these wonderful congregants. Its always such a pleasure to see them all. Even though the time spent is short.
We always look foward to going back. Which could be sooner than we thought. They are having a St. Pastricks psalm sing this coming friday. I love psalm singing in large #'s. Which is pretty much anything larger than 8 people. Its edifying!! All thouse voices praising God is so glorious. Its reaches my soul I tell you. That reminds me, Sam started to sing amen at the end of hymns. Its great to see him participate in worship service. Even though its just a tiny bit. He knows whats going on for the most part. That is, when he's not causing a disruption.

We got to do some thrifting in lancaster county. Much better resources than we have locally.
I got Sam a bunch of stuff. Books and clothes, and found this for me.


Okay here it is. The finished project:

Here it is. One print/color of two. Of course minutes before we left friday afternoon I just needed to finish it so I could bring it with me. Don't you love a needle that breaks at just the right time? Two inches from finishing the last seam.
I've been working on the structure of this bag for years I hate to say. I have a mild obsession with totes. And their functionality. A bag can look really cute on the racks but if it won't stay up or you can't reach in to get to the goods without a fight, what good is it? So here is what I've come up with so far. Would anyone be intrested? I might have to put in the shop.
Click on the bag to see the other photos I took.