Learning New Things

I love learning new things. That's what makes me a good teacher. I never feel like I have it all "figured out" so I just keep trying to figure it all out. I even love learning new things about technology....once in a very great while, but don't tell anyone.
So, what I learned today is how to pull my pictures off of the computer and put them in here. What I didn't learn is how to put them exactly where I want them. Can anyone help with that? They each just went to the top of the page instead of next on the page...
Well, anyway, these are some of my Whimsical Woolies. Let me tell you about them.
This is one of the very first ones that I did and it still makes me smile. It says, "Yum. Tastes like chicken. (oh, it is chicken...)" Look at the grin on that face. He fits in an 11x14 mat, so the art work is about 4x6. Real feather.

Here we have the Cat Whisperer. He just evolved from a southwest feeling. Must be leftover from our 2 years in New Mexico. What do you suppose that crow is telling him? He also fits in an 11x14 frame.

The title of this one is "Mamas don't let your kittens grow up to be cowboys." Doesn't he look little boy determined? That is a real (little) piece of bandana and string for rope. Also 11x14.

This is what I do for fun. I have a gift for creating given to me from the first Creator and every so often I simply must create something. I also make baskets as you know. Maybe I will show you some of them tomorrow.

So, what do you think? Do you have a favorite saying that you think would be cute? Always looking for ideas...

Hope they make you smile for awhile.

Body Talk

Today was another perfect weather day...cool, cloudy and a nice rainstorm in the evening, but I was tired today. Needed a nap and a snack. Got the snack, but not the nap so will be calling it a day early this evening.
Isn't it interesting how much our bodies tell us if we will just listen...well, not to the little starving creature that wants an ice cream cone every single day!
Listen and enjoy.

And on the other hand...

Doesn't it always seem that just as you are getting things together in your life something goes wrong? We are trying to build as we go and pay as we go and are succeeding...but then today, Herself (my little husband's Jeep), had a falling apart and has to have major transmission work done. It is the cost of the repair and the fact that our "work" vehicle is out of commission for about a week. Evil is out there...waiting, looking, jumping. Be careful.
But on the other hand if you want a boost and a hero check the YouTube video of Coach Don Myer winning the Jimmy V award at the Espy's last night. I don't know how to link you there from here, but it is worth the time to find it.
And on the other hand, my friend Stevie is coming home from Ireland tomorrow and I will be very happy to see her.
And on the other hand we have 89 little trees that made it through the winter and deer attacks.
And on the other hand our friend, Mike, brought us cold drinks when he came to Shangri La Ti Da for a quick visit today.
And on the other hand I have a basket to finish and that makes me happy.
I am so glad there is always the other hand if we will only remember to look there.
Don't forget.

A Gentle Spirit

Another bike ride today. I think I need a name for the seriously cool sparkly rasberry old lady bike...any suggestions? I am becoming The Old Lady Who Named Things...a kids book by Cynthia Rylant I think. Whatever.
The bike ride was only about 17 miles today...from Reedsville down the mountain to Morgantown where my husband met me. Took about 2 hours.
While I was riding, I was listening to a podcast of one of my friend Patrick's sermons, watching the wildlife, and praying about how I am to be being right now...again! Anyway, in the sermon, Patrick said that we should have a love for our Lord, a gentle spirit and a heart for service. For now, for today that seems like a worthy and doable goal. My aim is to fill my heart and mind with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, because it is what we are filled with that comes out in our words and actions.
Feel free to help me with this in any way you see fit. Really.
What are you full of?

Sunday

A good day at church visiting with good folks and sharing the journey.
Made a yummy lunch using more of the farmer's market foods, took a nap, read a little and then headed out to Shangri La Ti Da.
We now have 3 windows installed and 3 baby bluebirds hatched.
Hope your day was as full as mine.

Tears and Blessings

I don't know if it is just because I have been attempting to live my life more purposefully, more abundantly, more in the adventure of each day but things get to me and I tear up easily. Not saying this is a bad thing.
Josh and Kara have been married for 5 years and Josh posted his remembrances of his wedding day and the music that was playing as Kara walked down the aisle. I listened to the music and cried thinking of Kara, who was born in Scotland, walking down the aisle with her father in his kilt to the sounds of bagpipes playing Highland Cathedral. I cried again when I tried to share it with my husband.
This morning we got up and took the dogs for a run at Shangri La Ti Da. On the way back into town we decided to stop at the farmer's market. Walked the dogs up with us and everyone loved seeing them. I bought new red potatoes, peas, lettuce, and brown eggs and I cried again when we got back in the car. It was just so peaceful and personal and genuine and these words just aren't really capturing my feelings, but I was just so moved when we got back in the car I cried. Tonight we had a yummy dinner with some corn on the cob added to the other veggies! Don't tell my husband's family that he ate a vegetable dinner! Oh, we did sprinkle a little bacon on the potatoes.
We have a squash plant of some sort growing unbidden at Shangri La Ti Da. The plant is vigorous, huge dark green leaves, yellow blooms bigger than my hand and a green squash about the size of a small football with out the points on the ends. Any ideas what kind it is? I am taking it to church with me tomorrow to ask there.
I went to MountainMade and collected my artwork. They have sold 8 pieces since March. I think that is pretty good. They kept 2 at the store.
We put in one of the windows in Flicka's shed. Very exciting!
My new friend, Connie, won best of show at the McGrew House photo contest with a stunning photo of her twin girls dressed in their pink fairy costumes and tennis shoes walking away from her into the forest primevel. You can almost hear them singing a little song as they walk along with their heads together and their wings touching...
And next year they are all mine in Kindergarten!
When you pay attention it is amazing how many blessings fall on you in a single day's time.
Going to finish shelling the peas for lunch tomorrow and count my blessings for today as I work.
Count your blessings, too.

Possibilities and Planning

Yesterday, my little husband and I had a little date. We went to a non-matinee movie and shopping for new tennis shoes in a size 13. We were out way past our normal bedtime and my husband got some hip hop tennies...it was them or granpa's favorites. Not that much choice when you wear size 13!
Today we got up and out to Shangri La Ti Da early...had to beat the rain...and we were done by 10:15. We didn't even get to eat the picnic lunch. Our shed, which shall henceforth be known as Flicka's stable, is now waterproof! I let my husband drive the last nail. Can't say I'm sorry we are done driving nails for awhile. I have boo-boos on 3 of the fingers of my holding hand. All are healing very nicely, thanks. So, we are ready for the next step and had to take a little time for planning and thinking about possibilities. We went off to Lowe's in Oakland to see about soffit and fascia and shingles or tin roof. We got lucky and asked a very nice and helpful man, George a few questions and found out all we needed to know. Unfortunately, we didn't bring the right vehicle to transport what we needed so we will be going back. But, that is OK because somehow this week we lost a day. We were thinking that today was Thursday. On the way home from Oakland we picked up a hitchhiker who probably got a little nervous when we tried to convince him that it was only Thursday. Anyway, we were supposed to go to MountainMade to collect my art work on Friday, which just so happens to be today, so we will have to go there tomorrow and Oakland isn't that far out of the way...ahhh, the joys of not having to go to work every day.
Spent the evening at school. I love this time of the year and all of the possibilities that are looming. I think I got a schedule worked out and theme related activities for the year (Amazing Animal Adventures) assigned to time periods and all the CSO's divided up through out the year. I think they are calling that curriculum mapping these days...whatever.
It was a creative, productive, enjoyable few hours.
What did you do that was creative, productive and enjoyable today?