In Pictures

Happy Easter!

Weekending

Even though it's a perfectly sunny Sunday, I'm spending the day cooped up indoors, cranking out little people for little people's Easter baskets. Not my little people, mind you. No, these are set to be mailed tomorrow to make it to their new families in time for next Sunday. Though, I do plan to have a few extra to tuck into the girls' baskets, too. I'll get to those in time. I'm not complaining too much about being in, as I've been working through a nasty head cold since Thursday and just (mostly) got my voice back today. (All dressed up with some place to go.)

I picked these up when I went into town with my mom yesterday. I don't know why I've never been to this place before. So many fabrics I'm dying to buy, but I chose just a half yard of each of these two sweet pieces. I don't know what but I'm hoping to use them to make something for the girls for Easter.

But first, I must get back to work. Have a beautiful Sunday!

Weed Bouquets

This has to be the best part of spring for my girls, making weed bouquets for everyone. They bring them in to me constantly, one by one, in clumps and big handfuls. And I try to get them all into little jelly glasses. They've even began picking a fresh handful for Miss Mel, the children's librarian just before we head off to the library every week and, of course, they're always much appreciated. What's your favorite part of spring?

Warning! Stay Out of the Feed Store!

I stopped in this afternoon just to pick up a bale of hay to bed my strawberries. Really, that was all.

First I hit the plants set up outside and picked up a bee balm plant. And as I, oh, so innocently, meandered up the front steps, there they were. Seriously, how could you resist the cuteness?

And to be honest, I am a complete ignoramus because I don't know what breed it is because the lady working there thought this one was a Dutch but when I came home and googled Dutch rabbits... yeah, I don't think so. And, I'm not even sure about the sex. She did know they were 8 weeks old and neither of us could really tell but I think it's female. So, for now, we're calling 'her' Lavender. Completely ridiculous, I know and I wished the breeder had been on-site, but, oh well. The breed isn't important and neither is the sex, really. We'll get 'her' neutered in time, anyway. But, if you do know anything about rabbits and perhaps can tell me what breed you think it may be that would great. She said the others in the box were mini-rex so... maybe this one is, too...?

Regardless, 'she's' about the sweetest thing ever and I'm happy to have her. But, just warning you, stay out of the feed store! If the itty bitty rabbits don't get you the baby chicks in the back of the store will.

Right Now I'm Loving...

This set of photos I took of my Zoe, just this morning. She makes me laugh!

~The sheep teaching River to Baaa like the pros.~

~I desperately want a Peter Rabbit set like this one... you know, for the girls.~
~Every single gnome made by this seller. Seriously, we have two and they are addictive!~
~This article.~
~What a sweet way to gift handmade washcloths.~
~Garden teepees for children. Who has one? What plants did you use? I'm thinking about a shady spot, any climbing plant ideas for shade?~

Preparing and Balancing

Seeds have been planted. We've bought, assembled and filled a small greenhouse for said seedlings. Ground has been weeded and turned over and early seeds have been sown straight into the ground.

Spring is definitely here!

One heck of a storm came tearing through here last night. Did it come your way, too? It woke me around one... I'm guessing, beating against my window. It didn't wake the girls but they did wake a bit later, frightened because the power was out and it was pitch black. Needless to say, I didn't get a whole lot of sleep, wedged between three little girls. Every time I woke throughout the night I lay awake awhile, willing the power to come back on so I could send them back to their own beds and get some rest. It didn't come back on til about 8am and I have just finished my second cup of coffee.

I was so pleased to see that our little greenhouse still stood this morning, only one stake pulled up and slightly askew, and even this little pea trellis I had erected only yesterday. Shocked really, to see it fully intact though a tree just across the yard had been pulled up.

The peas are planted there, I only need to pick up some netting for it tomorrow before things get to sprouting.

I'm having a bit of a hard time finding balance between mothering, getting the garden ready, caring for the animals and staying caught up with shop orders. I find myself going back and forth as best I can, a plot tilled here, carrot suit knitted there, pick up eggs and replenish water and hay, who needs lunch or a hiney wiped? My life is very full, to say the least, and while I wouldn't trade any of these elements for anything (I really have to catch myself when I start complaining about the Etsy work that has taken off! It really is a wonderful thing and I'm so happy to be able to provide for my girls and stay home with them.) I just need to find some way to manage my time better and prioritize. Yesterday was, as predicted, a gorgeous, warm day and so I put off my weekly cleaning til today, as I knew it was supposed to be yucky today, and worked outside instead. So, today finds me cleaning and knitting, oh and rearranging my mother's living room for her and making potato salad for a pregnant friend. Whew, I'd better get busy then!