Along Griffin Creek

I would like you to meet Alice.

2011-06-21T20:43:00.000-07:00

This is Alice. Alice is a breeder of Romeldale/CVM sheep and she and her amazing sheep have won many awards. If you ever get a chance to feel, squeeze, spin, knit or wrap yourself in Romeldale/CVM wool DO IT! This stuff is amazing!
My good friend Kelly and I took a little trip south to Eatonville to visit Alice and her sheep (and her little yarn store) on her farm. Alice is a great lady full of funny stories (she has a Canadian goose that thinks it's a shepard!) and wonderful information on raising sheep. We got to meet her rams, ewes, her English Shepard dog and her two beautiful and sweet Maremma/Pyrenees mix guardian dogs (LGD).
Well, I left with two lambs (they're HUGE) and a beautiful lambskin. Thank you Alice!
My husband and I will be leaving this Thursday to Eugene, Or. for the Black Sheep Gathering where we can cheer Alice on, she will be entering some of her lambs.

the following pictures were taken by Kelly, Rusty Tub Farm. Thanks Kelly!

Around The Farm

2011-06-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

I am joining Farmama in posting about what's going on Around The Farm.

A lot of strawberries!

The hops are coming up.

Yummy raspberries.

Artichokes and bush beans.

Celery.

Peas.

Cherries.

Apples, plums, walnuts, currants, gooseberries and beautiful lupines.

Happy chickens and ducks (except for one that got carried off by an eagle last night!).

Sweet kids who are not too happy about all this wet weather.

Bunny the goat going for a walk with me while I take pictures.

I have let them on to pasture and they are getting fat!

Tomatoes (and carrots).

Bushes and bushes of blueberries!

2011-05-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

I'm using my Columbia yarn by Imperial Yarn to make my youngest daughter the Esprit Folk Tunic. The yarn isn't the softest but it's raw and earthy and I'm enjoying it.

Hipstamatic

2011-05-26T12:27:00.001-07:00

I have been playing around with the Hipstamatic App. This photo and the ones from ROADTRIP were taken using the John S lens and the BlacKeys B&W film.

It's amazing to think that back in 1995 I used to shoot with my Holga all taped up (to prevent light leaks) and would have to spend hours in the darkroom to get a similar type of image.

Yarn from Shaniko, OR

2011-05-18T13:24:00.001-07:00

Of course I had to order some Imperial Yarn from the Imperial Stock Ranch in Shaniko, OR and it arrived today. LOVE IT!

For Mothers'Day I got a lovely wire egg basket. It does look pretty with yarn in it but I will use it for eggs.

House slippers for a toddler.

ROADTRIP!

2011-05-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

Friday morning I woke up early and headed out on the road, destination, Sisters, Oregon to pick up two more lambs. I was planning on taking I-5 South through Tacoma, Portland and then Salem before heading east to Sisters but I changed my mind last minute and decided to take the other route, one with smaller towns, no traffic, open sky, and rolling high desert ground. I am SO glad I did. Wow, we live in a beautiful country! From the wet and green western Washington to the snowy passes and the beautiful desert, I LOVE IT ALL! There is nothing like driving ALONE with good music and beautiful country side to look at.
I drove through towns so small and sweet, ones that I have NEVER heard of but have amazing history. My favorite little town is Shaniko Oregon. I first stopped in Shaniko on my way down for a quick little pee brake and thought it was so sweet, but it wasn't until my trip back home that I fell in love! I pulled in to Shaniko while heading back north to feed the lambs and give them water. I spoke to one of the ladies in town (there were only 6 people in town, all women) and she saw my lambs and asked if I would be coming back in September for their fiber festival. WHAT?!?! This teeny tiny town that I never heard of before has a fiber festival! She handed me a flyer, wished me a safe journey and sent me on my way. Back home I looked up the Shaniko Wool Gathering and learned that in 1903 the sweet little town of Shaniko was referred to as the "Wool Capital of the World", AMAZING! Also, the breed of sheep known as the Columbia was first developed near the town of Shaniko at the Imperial Stock Ranch that still exist today, I need to call and see if I can schedule a tour! My husband and I are going to Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene at the end of June and a few years ago we went to the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival but I'm thinking this fall I might need to make another road trip to the Shaniko Wool Gathering!

The Shaniko Hotel (it's for sale!!!!!)

and finally, meet Nettle and Thistle.

You're never to old to learn how to...

2011-05-11T17:02:00.000-07:00

read music and play the guitar.

ski.

ride a horse.

All new to me and I'm having SO MUCH FUN!

Yarn Along

2011-05-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

Here's my Yarn Along with Ginny.

I finished reading The Bucolic Plague and am still reading (and enjoying) All Creatures Great and Small. I've also added The Dirty Life to the stack of books on the nightstand.
I took a little break from the February Baby Sweater (will I ever finish it????) and worked up some quick little house booties for a sweet boy who is turning six today (Happy Birthday Tom!).

Sheep to Shawl 2011

2011-04-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

Spent today, Saturday, at Dog Mountain Farm volunteering at their Sheep To Shawl Event. It was the most time I have EVER spent spinning! Grandma had the kids so it was just me and the wheel and my wonderful friend Kelly from Rusty Tub Farm.

Dog Mountain Farm

Some Rusty Tub Farm Babydoll Southdowns waiting to be sheared.

Kelly from Rusty Tub Farm giving a drum carder demo for the "goat guy" from St.John Creamery.

And me.

Spinning.

2011-04-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

I dusted off the spinning wheel and got to work on the babydoll fiber. I need to make more time for spinning, I LOVE it! I must admit that part of the motivation to start working at the wheel again was that I volunteered to help out at a local Sheep to Shawl event this Saturday. So, if you're in the area please come stop by Dog Mountain Farm.

Thank you, thank you for all the comments. I LOVE to get comments and I read them all! I don't know if it's blogger or the fact that I'm horrible at computer stuff but I don't know how to email people back.

A VERY cool blog, book and project!

2011-04-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

this photo was taken with my iPhone, sorry for the poor quality.

I went to Weaving Works in Seattle today to get some oil for my spinning wheel and came across the most beautiful book. When I got home I googled the author, Rebecca Burgess and was taken to her blog. You must check out the blog and her amazing project. I would love to attend one of her workshops!

Tour of the "Hay Loft"

2011-04-27T17:08:00.000-07:00

My AWESOME husband has turned the hay loft into my fiber studio. Want a tour? Okay, here we go.

You gotta say "Hi" to the girls.

The really cool furniture was given to us buy a friend who had it in her restaurant, total score! I am in desperate need of some sort of yarn storage, any ideas?

Yarn Along

2011-04-27T07:14:00.000-07:00

Here's my Wednesday Yarn Along with Ginny. Same old thing.

Still plugging away on the Baby February Sweater and still reading All Creatures Great and Small. I don't get through many rows or pages before I drift off to sleep.

Babydoll Fiber

2011-04-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

I can't wait until next year when my little darlings can get sheared. I am so impatient that I had to order some babydoll fiber to try out now. I've read that the fiber is next-to-skin soft and close to cashmere. Well, this package I got from Kellane Farm is pretty darn soft! I need to dust off the spinning wheel and give it a go.

Kids and kids.

2011-04-24T20:32:00.001-07:00

It's been a fun, exciting and very busy spring!

Meet April and Meadow.

2011-04-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

I FINALLY got my sheep!!!!!! Do you remember WAY back when I first mentioned the Babydoll Southdowns? Well, it's been a few years and now that we have moved to the country and the barn has been built, here they are! I am so excited, can you tell?

Picking up sheep.

2011-04-19T19:41:00.001-07:00

Heading East

2011-04-19T18:41:00.001-07:00

Hair cut!

2011-04-13T14:03:00.001-07:00

First hair cut, or shall we say buzz.

Showing off.

2011-04-13T13:55:00.000-07:00

It's spring and it seems like on every hobby-farm blog I look at people are showing off their beautiful eggs. So, it's my turn!

Yarn Along

2011-04-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

This is the first time that I have participated in the Yarn Along (with Ginny). I actually took this photo last Wednesday while we were on vacation in Whistler. Not much has changed this week! We are back home now and I have added a few more rows to both sweaters and have read a few more pages in each book. It's been very busy around here, it's spring you know! Exciting new things are happening and a lot to prepare for, I can't wait to show you!

The February baby sweater is in a purple Malabrigo worsted (YUM!) and the February lady's sweater is Quince &Co. in the color Honey. My daughter picked out the purple and I'm not too sure about that color and the Honey is a little on the green side but I'm hoping it grows on me.

For My 1 year old!

2011-03-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

Here is my little man's birthday sweater, the pattern is Caelum. This was a fun, fast and easy project and I was very happy with the results. Details are on my Ravelry project page.

My boy's green sweater.

2011-03-09T20:44:00.001-08:00

My boy's green sweater., originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

There has been some knitting. I will post more soon.

Link Love

2011-02-02T09:13:00.000-08:00

These are just too darn cute!

A sweater for the birthday girl (and her doll).

2011-01-16T12:39:00.000-08:00

My Little Miss is 3!

Big Boy Overalls (a Ravelry update)

2011-01-16T12:20:00.001-08:00

Details are on ravelry.

the barn kittens

2011-01-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

This past Fall we adopted three kittens, all siblings, with the intention that they would live in the barn. HUH! These little cuties have made it into our hearts and home. So for Christmas I decided to make the three girls knitted versions of their kittens, Charlie (orange) Pepper (brown) and Lola (grey). You can see the details on my Ravelry project page.

quiet

2011-01-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

The big girls are back at school, the two little ones are napping (AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!) and there is a cozy chair, hot tea and some yarn.

I want to play here.

2010-10-06T12:57:00.001-07:00

Ni#os jugando en el tipi, a la luz del sol., originally uploaded by Vladimir2004.

I stumbled upon this while on Flickr. Isn't it lovely?

A sweater for baby Niamh.

2010-07-16T09:03:00.001-07:00

A sweater for baby Niamh., originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

Ravelry update.

Koi

2010-06-30T15:34:00.001-07:00

Koi, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

Did I scare you?

2010-06-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

Did I scare you? I didn't mean to. It was one of those days. One of those days that I was yelling at my kids in the morning trying to get them to the bus on time. One of those mornings that it took me almost two hours to do one load of laundry. One of those mornings that my two year old was extra demanding and one of those morning took me 20 minutes to put the baby down for a nap only to have him sleep for 15 minutes.
Yes one of those mornings... the ones that make you think, "Can I go back to bed and wake up and start all over again, please.".

And to be gentle and honest to myself, no I don't yell that much. But sometimes I do yell, and that morning was one of them. I'm working on it.

It was so very hard to do that post. To put out the truth that I am not the perfect mother, I don't always have the right things to say and sometimes my kids make me freakin' crazy. I'm glad I wrote it. Thank you for listening and not judging.

Now I need to go and get my kids ready for the day, and I am not going to yell, no, I am not going to yell.

The Truth

2010-06-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

I wake up around 6am to a baby waiting to be fed and I know it's started. I feed a baby, change a baby, take a very quick shower. I don't brush my hair or look in the mirror. I dress and it's time to feed the troops. I yell at children who refuse to wake up, I yell at children who refuse to get dressed. I yell some more. The bus comes and sweeps away two of them and the other two remain. They whine and cry and smile and laugh and make me whine and cry and smile and laugh. The day goes on.

It's 7:30pm and there is a baby waiting to get fed. I feed a baby, bathe a baby change a baby, take a very quick shower. I don't brush my hair or look in the mirror. I yell at children who don't brush their teeth, I yell at children who don't want to go to bed. I yell some more. With a lot of help the troops are in bed. I kiss their sweet heads and tell them goodnight and how much I love them and I really, really do love them.

And I am tired and can't wait to enjoy my time with my man and some time all to myself.

A blog worth visiting.

2010-04-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

Please check out my friend Jennette's blog.

2 months old

2010-04-01T15:23:00.001-07:00

2 months old, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

Knitting again.

2010-03-26T08:34:00.001-07:00

Knitting again., originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

Spring

2010-03-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

...and she's actually wearing the sweater I made her, FINALLY!

Handmade loveliness.

2010-03-05T09:19:00.001-08:00

The beautiful quilt by my friend Suzanne, the wool overalls by Mama, the handsome wool vest by Tiffany and the adorable wool gnomey hat from Natasha. Can you say SPOILED!

I wish my talented friends had blogs so I could show them off. Maybe I can convince them to start one!

Enjoying this...

2010-02-21T10:39:00.000-08:00

Celebrate the Boy

This year I want to...

2010-02-18T07:30:00.000-08:00

read more ( just finished, currently reading, and arriving soon from Amazon.).

knit more.

learn to sew.

have a veggie garden.

go camping.

take another solo (with the nursing babe of course) train trip to Portland, OR.

do yoga.

take horseback riding lessons with the big girls.

get sheep and another pig.

go to The Oregon Country Fair.

bake bread every week.

play outside more.

learn new recipes.

do some canning (jelly, tomato sauce...).

and I'm sure there's more!

Missing the needles.

2010-02-16T15:45:00.000-08:00

I'm going through knitting withdrawals. Up until the day Koa was born I was knitting like crazy. I knit him two hats, three pairs of socks, a soaker, a pair of longies and some sweet overalls ( which just need buttons). I haven't picked up the needles for two weeks and I'm itching to knit.
I splurged on a little birthing/mama of 4/last baby gift to myself and it should arrive this Friday. Maybe this will get me knitting again.
I am always amazed at how some mamas of four can do it all, they are very inspiring!

Koa 2weeks old

2010-02-15T17:42:00.001-08:00

Koa 2weeks old, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

My little guy is weeks old. It's going way too fast!

Thank you everyone for all of your lovely comments! This was my first homebirth and it was truly amazing! My first baby was a planned birthcenter birth but after 24 hours of labor, I ended up being transferred to the hospital. I lost confidence in myself and my ability to birth a baby. I chose to have my next two babies in a hospital with a midwife. Then came my fourth baby and at 36 weeks I had an emotional breakdown after reading Ina Mae's Guide to Childbirth, it changed everything. I have an awesome community of strong and confident mamas around me who all have birthed at home and they, along with my husband and mom, supported my decision to have a homebirth, they new I could do it!!!!. So I left the hospital midwives and found two wonderful midwives who would attend my homebirth as well as a wonderful doula. I am so thrilled that we chose to have our son at home, it was just perfect!

The birth of baby Koa! on Vimeo by Rachel Shepard

2010-02-03T18:24:00.001-08:00

The birth of baby Koa! on Vimeo by Rachel Shepard, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

Thank you Rachel for the beautiful images!

39weeks and 5days

2010-01-22T15:34:00.001-08:00

39weeks and 5days, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

New baby Picky Pants.

2010-01-16T17:41:00.001-08:00

New baby Picky Pants., originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

Finally updated the projects in my Ravelry account.

New Years Day 2010

2010-01-01T16:58:00.001-08:00

New Years Day 2010, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

Happy New Year!

Jack Frost

2009-12-07T21:52:00.001-08:00

frost, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

it's been cold, real cold.

Salmon in our creek.

2009-10-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

*No salmon were injured in the filming of this video : )

Gator sure tried to get one but they were much too big and fast for him. I am amazed at how many salmon are making this journey this year, a sight to behold!

Autumn Walk with the Little One

2009-10-15T19:33:00.001-07:00

Don't miss this awesome GIVEAWAY...

2009-10-14T21:05:00.000-07:00

breakfast

2009-10-09T08:21:00.001-07:00

breakfast, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

walnuts

2009-10-08T09:05:00.001-07:00

walnuts, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

We've been picking walnuts from our neighbor's tree, gotta love this season!

Sunflower Family

2009-09-30T18:42:00.001-07:00

Sunflower Family, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

Saving the seeds for next year.

* The oldest was at soccer practice.

Fall Gnome

2009-09-27T17:02:00.001-07:00

Fall Gnome, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

My first felted gnome for our Autumn nature table. He isn't perfect but I'm excited and had to share!

sunflower

2009-09-22T18:14:00.001-07:00

sunflower, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

First day of Autumn and it's hot, really hot!

eggs

2009-07-30T22:03:00.001-07:00

eggs, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

Our ducks and hens have started to produce. Did I mention we now have three roosters.

Summer knitting.

2009-07-30T16:48:00.001-07:00

Summer knitting., originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

108 degrees outside, 88 degrees inside.

Picking Salmonberries

2009-06-20T13:34:00.001-07:00

cookie

2009-05-29T11:05:00.001-07:00

cookie, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

my little cookie monster.

34

2009-05-23T18:55:00.001-07:00

IMG_2742, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

thank you.

Sisters

2009-05-17T21:11:00.001-07:00

Sisters, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

Sunday evening.

2009-05-06T21:24:00.002-07:00

chickpea, feta, and cilantro salad, originally uploaded by Griffin Creek.

I've been enjoying some new cookbooks and there's another one on the way.

* Thank you for all the comments on my last post , we are all healthy and doing well (except for my poor husband who has a torn ACL).

Sick on Spring Break

2009-04-12T17:10:00.000-07:00

The girls were home for Spring break this past week and we had big plans. Well, not really big plans, but we sure were planning on having a lot of fun and getting ready for Easter. On Sunday night the Wee One came down with a fever but she seemed to be a little better the next morning. So, as planned, we took a little trip to the Point Defiance Zoo. The drive down was longer than the time spent at the zoo, the girls were melting quickly. By the time we made it home there were chills and fevers and all three girls were put to bed. By Wednesday the girls were on the mend, no more fevers but still the stuffy nose and that nasty cough that never seems to go away, and that's when it happened. It came on so fast and BOOM, the only thing I could do was to call for reinforcements. THANK GOD for an unemployed sister, a retired Aunt and Nana, a wonderful husband and a loving Tutu (my mom). I was able to stay in bed right up to Easter. There were dyed eggs and Easter baskets, but I was unable to make the Hot Crossed buns that I had been planning for Easter morning and poor Nana had to take over the Easter dinner that I was going to host. So here I am, on the mend, no more fever or chills but still that stuffy nose and darn cough typing away on the computer in an empty home on Easter while the rest of the family is enjoying ham and scalloped potatoes at Nana's house. Damn flu!

Spring

2009-03-25T21:07:00.000-07:00

our baby turkey

Gator

Thank you for all your comments. Krista asked me what a baby turkey is called and I have no idea. If you know PLEASE leave me a comment, thanks.

2009-03-22T22:05:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been awhile since I've posted. We got a new computer and it's taken me a while to transfer photos on to it.

Since I've been gone we've had snow,

oldest watching the snow fall

someone is now upright and on the move,

and we got some chicks (and ducklings, and a baby turkey... pictures of those soon.).

cousin and the two big girls with some of the new chicks.

Going out to breakfast.

2009-03-01T16:34:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning breakfast.

Monday

2009-02-23T10:33:00.001-08:00

Banana Muffins

Something yellow.

2009-02-20T21:13:00.000-08:00

yellow

2009-02-20T21:10:00.000-08:00

Playing.

Painting.

Need this for my girls!

2009-02-17T09:37:00.000-08:00

I found this via Emma Bradshaw. I need to make one for my girls!

South of the Border

2009-02-06T21:40:00.000-08:00

Sayulita, Mexico

01.23.09 to 01.30.09

It's taken me so long to post these pictures. Trying to figure out Photoshop and Flickr makes me want to throw my computer through the window. I am NOT a computer person.

Our Sweet Pea is 1!

2009-01-14T12:27:00.000-08:00

2008

2009

Weekend Walks

2009-01-04T19:54:00.000-08:00

We are really enjoying our weekend walks.

We are so lucky to have the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail running behind our house and about a half mile up the trail we can access acres of Weyerhaeuser land. Today it was BEAUTIFUL! The air was cold and there was still a trace of snow on the ground. We bundled up and grabbed our dog Gator and headed up a few miles. The kids did great!

The snow has melted.

2008-12-30T14:48:00.000-08:00

We had a busy but wonderful WHITE Christmas! It was so nice to be inside, all cozy and warm in our new home.
But now Christmas is over and the snow has melted and soon we will begin another year.

Christmas Countdown.

2008-12-22T10:29:00.000-08:00

Homemade Gingerbread cookies and a good story to go with it.

Leavenworth

2008-12-22T10:17:00.000-08:00

Thursday morning we woke up to snow. We loaded up our car (brand new tires put on the day before) and headed over the mountain to Leavenworth. Aside from the numerous "Are we there yet" outbursts, it was an awesome ride, snow everywhere and no sign of it stopping.

Baby, it's cold outside.

2008-12-15T21:24:00.001-08:00

We have freezing temperatures here in the Pacific Northwest.

The girls and I took a stroll around our property this morning and it was a chilly 17 degrees.
Bundled up, we skated on frozen puddles, searched for icicles around the creek, and came running inside for hot chocolate and coffee for me.

They're finally here!

2008-12-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

Ever since the heavy rains I walk down to our creek in hopes of seeing salmon. Up until today I thought this "salmon spawning creek" we had was a lie, but NOW I believe!

YUM!

2008-11-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

You need to check out this YUMMY looking treat...I need to make this!!!!!
And follow this link for more baking goodness.

And there has been some knitting. I just wish I had picked a lighter color yarn which would have showed off the cables a little better.

After the storm.

2008-11-13T16:36:00.000-08:00

YAHOOO!!!!!!

2008-11-04T20:35:00.001-08:00

A girl and her pig.

2008-11-03T16:31:00.000-08:00

Spinning

2008-10-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

On Sunday the two big girls and I went to a drop-spindle class at the wonderful Foothills Academy. We had a nice time learning the basics of spinning and chatting with friends.

Little and Big

2008-10-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

My littlest and my biggest.

Pixie Hat

2008-10-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

The Wee One's Pixie Hat is finished except for the ties which I will probably leave off since they will become a chew toy. I think she looks pretty darn cute in it!

* This pattern was awesome! I added the "pixie top" to it after seeing it on one of the kids at Wilderness Awareness. The mom I talked to shared this pattern with me and said to get the pixie look I just needed to knit two rounds instead of one when I get towards the end of the decreases.

A Birthday, a visit and a walk.

2008-10-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

We had a Luau Party to celebrate the biggest girl's birthday. She is 7!!!!!

Grandpa came to visit...

and we all went for a walk.

What we've been up to.

2008-10-02T20:59:00.000-07:00

There's been some knitting (w/ some pixie inspiration added to the top). The first one I made turned out a little too big for my Wee One so it was given to my sweet little niece. I'm making the next one in the 6-12month size. The yarn is scrumptious! Soon there will be some knitting for me!

The girls and I did some Fall needle felting. This project from Living Crafts magazine was perfect for my 4 1/2 and almost 7 year old (she turns 7 in five days!).

There was some block making. I have been wanting to make these for a while now and we found the perfect branches down by the creek. Dad cut them and the big girls and I have taken turns sanding them. All the girls have enjoyed playing with them.

Last weekend the girls and I collected acorns, the biggest girl had a blast. We want to needle felt little balls and glue the acorn tops to them, we should have enough tops for some Wee Felt Folks too.

and

We have been enjoying our beautiful land...

The Wee One

2008-09-21T17:19:00.000-07:00

Friday at Wilderness Awareness

2008-09-20T11:27:00.001-07:00

She is loving the Roots and Wings program at Wilderness Awareness!

* Thank you for all the comments! It's so nice to be back.

Finding a rhythm.

2008-09-17T20:21:00.001-07:00

Trying to find a rhythm to our days and weeks.

New chores for my little girls.

I would love to here the rhythm/routine of your days/weeks and what chores your young ones help with.

I'm back.

2008-09-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

We have finally moved into our new home and are loving it.

It has been so busy around here with unpacking, organizing, starting school, new animals (yes, we have added two more critters to our family), and working on the yard and drive way. I haven't posted for awhile and it seems a little overwhelming to post all the new things that are going on here but I'll give it a whirl.

-The big girls started school. The oldest is in 1st grade at the local elementary and is having a blast catching the bus to school and is really enjoying her teacher and new friends.
The middle child is in her last year of preschool and started at a new Montessori school a few miles away. She seems to have adjusted quite nicely and has already made a few new friends.

-We already have adopted more animals. We now have Bruce, a beautiful rooster, and a baby potbelly pig named Daisy.

-The baby and I have joined a Waldof inspired parent-tot group and had our first meet up last week. I am so excited about this group and can't wait to learn more about Waldorf at home. I am currently reading You Are Your Child's First Teacher and Earthways(which has the yummiest bread recipe!) and have Beyond The Rainbow Bridge on the shelf waiting. I love a lot of the Waldorf ideas especially those having to do with rhythm and play and natural toys etc., and yet find some of the Steiner beliefs a little hard to swallow. This has been totally inspiring to me right now.

-The Snoqualmie Valley Farmgirls are having a spinning class at Foothills Academy and I so excited to practice my spinning. With the move and school and all I haven't done any crafting. I also want to make the felted pumpkin and hedgehog from Living Craft magazine (which is totally awesome!) and I need to knit the girls some winter hats.

-The big girls are both enrolled in Wilderness Awareness school. The biggest is doing a once-a-month program and the middle child is going once a week.

I'm sure there is more to catch you up on but I'm getting a little tired and need to call it a day. It's good to be back though.

This came yesterday and I am drooling all over the pages!

Downstairs.

2008-08-06T21:57:00.000-07:00

It's almost done! My husband has been working so hard on our new house and it shows, our house is beautiful.

" I love my house, I love my nest, in all the world my nest is best." Mr.Bird, The Best Nest.

2008-08-06T21:38:00.000-07:00

2008-07-21T21:09:00.000-07:00

Today we dropped the Big Kid off at her first day of camp. She was so excited and had a wonderful time hiking, building forts, and just getting dirty!

The Middle Child and I took a felting class in Duvall at Foothills Academy. The class was led by Cathy and her two young daughters. We had a great time and are looking forward to any upcoming classes.

We then headed off to our new house to visit Dad and play in the dry grass. Middle Child ran around collecting daisies and dandelions for her baby sister and we made her a lovely daisy chain crown. Poor little baby was in good spirits considering she has a cold and is teething. We purchased an amber teething bracelet to see if it would help, today was her first day to wear it.

Make Baby Stuff

2008-07-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

This website is AWESOME!

A warm weekend in July.

2008-07-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

We had another sunny and warm weekend here in Western Washington. On Saturday the girls and I played in the sun at our new house while my husband and my Dad worked on millwork. Then it was off to a special boy's first birthday party.

Today we went back to the new house to play and pick raspberries at Remlinger Farm. The babe is 6 months old today (she is growing up too fast) and My husband will be turning 35 tomorrow.

On Friday our Family Farm and donkey toy order arrived in the mail, they're awesome!

What we've been up to.

2008-07-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

Letterboxing with new friends.

A new hammock for the babe, she LOVES it and has the best naps when she's in it!

Painting some flowers we picked.

Giving the animals a "bath" outside.

Making pizza dough.

Staying cool.

Some much needed sleeping in!

ME

2008-06-30T21:48:00.000-07:00

I got tagged from 13 Mimosa, so here it goes...

What was I doing 10 years ago? I was living in the same house as I am now with my husband (boyfriend at that time) and I was working part time at MAC cosmetics in Nordstrom and doing photos for model portfolios on the side. My husband and I had our first photo studio in Georgetown (south Seattle area).

What are/were 5 things on my list for today?

1. Do laundry, ALWAYS on my to do list!
2. Schedule my baby's 6 month old doctors appointment.
3. Make pizza dough for tonight's dinner (my husband makes the pizza) . We usually have pizza on Friday night, but it's Summer Break so we mixed things up a bit.
4. Change the bed sheets.
5. Clean up the house so we can play the rest of the week.

What are 5 snacks I enjoy?
1. FRENCH FRIES!
2. Popcorn
3. Fruit and almonds
4. Edamame
5. Cheese and crackers

Things I would do if I were a billionaire?
Everything! Travel , Shop, start college funds for all the kids in my life, help some of my family members by a house, donate money to children's charities... the list could go on and on.

Places I have lived?
Hawaii, Nevada, California, New York, Washington.

Jobs I have had?
Made shave ice and scooped icecream at Waimea Falls Park, The Gap, Art Intitute of Seattle Photo Department and in the student art supply store, Benahm Gallery, Mel Curtis Photography (worked in his darkroom), Karen Moskowtiz Photography (photo assistant), Topline Shoes (marketing Department), MAC cosmetics, myself (fashion, editorial and wedding photography)

3 habits?
1. Coffee!!!!
2. I have a BAD magazine habit! I buy at least 5 or more a month!
3. I know there's more. I would ask my husband what they were but he's already asleep. Maybe staying up too late is a habit of mine.

What's the latest news/goals for your business or efforts nearest and dearest to you?
I want to be a better mom. I want to be more calm and patient. More minduful. I want to live in the here and now. Just be a better person ...
I want to create more! More knitting and spinning and I want to learn how to crochet and how to sew and embroider.
As for photography, I wish it would come back to me. I feel as if I lost my creative juice.

I shall pass this on to Janya, Emme and Rach.

Enjoying Summer.

2008-06-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

Maw, come git yer coffee!

2008-06-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

Tuesday morning, no rushing to get the kids off to school. Lots of time for waffles and a second cup of coffee. I love Summer!

My new (to me) coffee mug from the Duvall Antique Mall. I love it!

Our favorite waffle maker.