TreasuresInTerraCotta

Sometimes February finds folks in the doldrums of winter.  As if sunny Arizona and 70 degree weather is not enough, we decided to have a dress-up party.  I have mentioned before how much we love dress-up, so for Uncle Ted's birthday we had another dress up party...just like last year .  Just in case someone showed up without a costume I filled the coatrack by the front door with some options.  My boys used some repeat costumes from days gone by.  Calvin is in a knight's tunic.  I made it about 8 years ago for a neighbor-friend who then passed it down to us.  It's getting a little small for Calvin!  Truman is in lederhosen.  I'm prety sure they are genuine German lederhosen that are as old as my husband.  Andrew is SuperMan...and it's convienient that they are also pajamas because he would wear PJs all day, every day if I let him. My sister's kids were a princess, a pumpkin ...

The beginning of realization started with shoes.  Kid's shoes.  Where are they?  Why aren't they on?  Do I have to ask you again to put on your shoes?  No, I didn't say to carry them...I said to put them on!  Where are your shoes? About a year ago I could feel the weight of anger.  A hot, burning, uncontrollable, eye-popping and out-of-control anger.  It was heavy and unpredictable.  I now know where the phrase, "pulling your hair out" comes from because I had a similar, visceral urge to scratch my eyes out. I do not know how long I was in this state.  The fact that I was in my third trimester may have added fuel to the burning fire of anger, but I suspect hormones, just like hunger, fatigue or stress, didn't cause the problem, but rather revealed it.  Sometime during the Spring I made a half-hearted confession.  In normal mommy-conversation one afternoon I confessed...

I had a little project in mind and headed to the craft store for some new fabric!  It's been a long time since I've purchased new fabric because I always seem to be using  left over scraps or repurposed clothes .  There are so many new patterns and prints.  By "new" I mean retro, everything-old-is-new-again prints!  I was really surprised at all the 70's-style large florals, gold and avocodo colors, large paisleys and polka-dots.  I was also shocked at the prices!  It has literally been years since I bought new fabric, but I can promise you that plain ol' cotton prints were  not  $9.99 ten years ago!  Good thing I had a coupon.  I found a pattern for a "Mama's Bag" and decided to attempt it.  I needed two coordinating prints and I wanted one to be large and somewhat whimsical.  Even without my favorite crafty friend Michelle to help, I finally decided on... I washed my fabric and af...

We have borrowed the story of Stone Soup from the library many times.  I am especially fond of the Jon Muth version with an Asian flare and beautiful watercolor pictures.  The Pete Seeger version includes a catchy little song that my boys sing regularly.   Recently Calvin announced, "We should make Stone Soup!"  So we borrowed a few more books for comparison and invited some friends. We read the story with the kids and then said aloud, "What we need is three smooth stones...to make stone soup."  Off they ran to collect stones! A big pot, a few stones and some water is all you need for Stone Soup. Unless, of course, a bit of salt could be found.  It is even better with a bit of salt. Until someone observed, "This soup is good, but it would be even better with some carrots." Or, "The last time I made stone soup corn made it especially delicious." The kids eagerly added corn and peas, carrots and onions, meat and potatoes.    And once ...

Visiting with our State Representative...and Uncle! The flag of the United States...100 years ago and today.  Arizona's Centennial Celebration at the State Capitol and my cowboys celebrating in style. The copper top of the Old Capitol building. The anchor from the USS Arizona sunk in Pearl Harbor. Ditat Deus God Enriches The original chambers when Arizona became a state. The Great Seal of the State of Arizona from three floors above in the historic capitol building. We got to be on the floor with Uncle Ted for the convocation, Pledge of Allegiance and the points of personal privilege where the kids were introduced.  Many desks are graced with the representative political symbol... Elephant or Donkey! Calvin drew the elephant for Uncle Ted.  In the Speaker's seat with the Great Seal above. My Cub Scout learning his civics and citizenship lessons.  Storms in the desert on the way home! I Love You Arizona ! And more than all, on this Valentine's Day and ...

I think that tongue helps him think!  Reaching waaaaay out!  Getting to All-Threes!  Two hands and one knee.

I spent a few hours this week working on this super cute and easy  fabric bowl  recommended by my friend Michelle .  Starting with a package of clothesline from the hardware store and a few scraps of fabric we wrapped it all together, zig-zag stitched it in place and ended up with a bowl.  Calvin helped me wrap the fabric and use the sewing machine.  Because the finished product appears quickly it was a satisfying project to work on together.  I used two different fabric prints for the bowl alternating them at irregular intervals.  I am so happy I added red contrasting thread for the zig-zag stitching.  Isnt' it cute!  It also has a texture reminiscent of quilting so my hands are very happy holding it.     One of the reasons I scoured my old email searching for the fabric bowl pattern in the first place was because I had this little table in mind. I've seen Na...