Blahness..Is that even a word?

I don't know what got into me.. I am in a funk.. a BLAH mood.. I can't really explain why and I am trying my hardest to fight it.. I don't think anyone should have to put up with me in a bad mood.. Its odd even to me.. I am feeling like a cross between Eeoyre and Rabbit.. A little bit of woes me and a smidge of negativity.. Who knows.. It just is..
I could rattle off some of the things that I thought I would get to this weekend but between soccer at 8am yesterday and nap time today it was a blur.. I have not been productive. May is here and I am beyond behind on everything.. Craft projects that have to get done aren't (that 9 to 5 interferes with my other life, the real one)..2 out of 3 bathrooms have yet to be cleaned.. Its Sunday! I have nothing good in mind for my mom's big milestone birthday..I did manage to get one part of her gift and we are planning an all day excursion to Pasedena for some window shopping and lunch...But I want to get her something special.. something that says milestone.. I have made her quilts before and scrapbooks..I am idead out..
Martin's birthday yesterday was good only because he is so laid back that an impromtu BBQ at home was enough for him to be happy. I baked him a cream cheese pound cake and our compadres came over for the BBQ. It was unplanned but it worked out..
The laundry is still in baskets and not in the closet.. I haven't the energy yet to fold clothes.. I guess I won't be sleeping tonight as I know me. I will get a burst of energy and be determined to get the house back on track before the Monday morning work day..
I have oatmeal cookie dough in the fridge chilling so that the cookies will be thick and chewy.. A small treat for today.. I just need to be ok with not being in constant motion..
Missy is sitting next to me doing her makeup.. she looks like she's ready for halloween.. She is such a little lady.. I can tell we are going to have to fight over the make up age.. Oh boy...
The sun is still out.. we are enjoying our quiet time.. Maya was drawing while I indulged in a back issue of a country living magazine and plotted how much longer I could put off getting the house done.. In my defense I did manage to clean the down stairs of the house complete with mopping. I did do the weekly grocery run... I did get the laundry done and the trashes out.. It just isn't completely done and back together in place. I can't light a lovely smelling candle until I know that everything has made its way back to its spot..
I hope the mood is gone. I hope those cookies will give me that last bit of energy to end this lovely day on a better note.. I have so much to be thankful for and focusing on the bad just isn't the way I want to be. "I have been blessed with so much more than I deserve" I couldnt have said it better myself.. Martina M sings it perfectly..
Wishing everyone anything but blah.. Wishing you hugs and blessings...
Alex

Home Sweet Home

This weekend we have lived in our house.. we have tended to the garden..we have sneezed at the flowers in bloom...We cleaned, baked and slept at home.. No visiting relatives an hour away.. No driving for entertainment.. we enjoyed our home.. We took this 3 day weekend as an opportunity to BE HOME..

Martin planted a lovely lavender rose tree in the front yard and gave the entire yard a spring cleaning.... Maya painted a small flower pot and then filled it with a pansy purchased from the local Farmer's Market..She was my partner this whole weekend.. She ran errands with me, she helped me pick flowers and she also climbed on her ladder to help with pancakes..

Missy even carried a beautiful butterfly around the house for about an hour.. she was amazed that daddy could catch one..

After years, no a lifetime, of adoring strawberries and anything that reminds me of strawberries, I finally brought some strawberry plants home.. I found a lovely hanging basket of strawberries at the farmers market and I knew that this weekend I would finally add my favorite berry to my yard..Currently that lovely plant is perched in the wagon on the flowerbed in the backyard. I even trimmed my mint, which is still alive, and moved her to the front porch.. crossing my fingers she likes it out there..
The sunflowers on the kitchen island and in the bathroom are as cheerful as they are yellow. As I have said many times before, if I won the lotto or was somehow in a position not to worry about money, I would always have fresh flowers in my home. That was my gift to myself this weekend.. If having flowers in the yard and in the house was not enough.. I also had flowers on my craft table.. The Flower quilt in Aunt Grace prints is coming along nicely.. I even decided the scraps will be yo-yos.. can't wait!

One of the neatest things about this weekend was the peek at baby hummingbirds.. Martin discovered a nest.. look at these tinies! Amazing..

It's good to be home..

Night,

Alex

We all win, right?

Thank goodness the kids don't keep score.. It was a blow out.. The other team had 4 players to our 6.. We cut the quarters down to 5 mins.. It was a sight. Their strongest player outscored our entire team in what seamed like an effortless blink of an eye.. She had been on our team last year but no where near that skilled.. What a difference a year has made for all our girls..

She scored 17 to our team 5.. Its all about having fun and getting the girls out there.. The dads were broken.. Martin stopped recording and focused on cheering..

Thankfully my Missy scored 3. She was determined to score.. She did and we can all wait until next week to see what the rest of the competition looks like.. I laughed since the girls couldn't really care abut winning or loosing..They were happy about the cheer and the tunnel afterwards.. Score? whats that? We want snack..

Go Stars!

Alex

Some time to sew and plot about sewing..

It's Sat.. Still chilly but the sun is out.. Crossing our fingers that the weather is mild while the girls play...I will post soccer info later.. Game is at 12:30 which is way late.. Missy will no doubt be asleep by the time we get home from the game a whole 5 blocks away!

I was an early bird this morning. My inner clock was ringing and fabric was swirling in my head. I snuck out of bed before 6am. On a Saturday no less.. I don't know about you but when I finally get to sit down to quilt/sew I have to orient myself. My machine is still perched on the table from last week, not even plugged in.. I have projects all over the table and I just didnt know exactly what I wanted to do first.. My supplies are a bit scattered..I could work on Denise's Christmas gift.. I finished Emily's so fast my head spun.. Must get all 3 kids quilts done by Christmas. One and a half down.. One and a half to go. .The biggest isse is finding a boy friendly line for Jacob's quilt.

I could also work on any of the unfinished projects in the closet, but I dont think I am ready to tackle those.. They are all in fall folk colors and require some serious applique work.. must save those for night time..

I read some patterns, I looked through my sewing how to book.. I highly recommend it for newbies to sewing.. Its by Diana Rupp and its called Sew Everything Workshop.

My mind kept nagging me.. Get started on those Aprons.. I finally had it.. I need to work on the easy peese apron pattern that I found months ago.. I found the pattern here: Jona's Apron in an hour tutorial Well I can't start just yet, the fabric isn't washed. One of the major differenced between quitling and sewing is the whole prewash thing.. So as I continued to clean off my workspace I decided I would work on my Flower Quilt.. Its cut and laid out ready to be stitched down.. Let the pinning beginning.. Next thing I know the Missy is awake.. 20 mins later.. Mom, I am hungry... ok.. little break..

I tossed 2 prints of fabulous Farmer's Market fabric in the dryer so I can work on my Apron project later. Teal blue and bright purple.. What can I say? cheerful it is.. This one is my test run.. Its not lined and has no embellishments. I am hoping I can model future aprons after this one but add a pocket or two..

Next thing I know hubby comes in to say that he found a hummingbird nest and that I should get the camera.. off I go..

TaTa for now..

Alex

A fresh and free Friday

We had to take 5 days off this month.. While initally it was not in the plan and we didn't love the idea of "forced time off" we have warmed up to it.. It broke the tension of waiting for the other shoe to fall.. It gave us an excuse to take longer weekends and play more than normal...

While the other days were filled with "To Dos" today has been all about home and family.. I read a magazine with my morning coffee.. I cuddled with Missy while she watched some morning cartoons..I took Jake for a long walk in the field.. All without worrying about the time... We had lunch out in town at a nearly empty restaurant..

At ome it was about divide and conquer. Martin headed out to the garage to clean up the cars and plan out the yard work.. Inside I threw in some laundry, cleaned bathrooms and set up a craft zone for Missyy in between organizing rooms and drawers...The yard is getting new blooms planted. We found some lovely Rose trees to add color to the front yard..The house is almost ready for company..

Tomorrow is all about SOCCER! Maya is so determined to score.. Wish us luck.. Grandpa and Grandma G are coming for a visit. A rare one at that.. Ceviche and BBQ is the plan.. yum...Uncle Arthur is coming to see Maya play too.. She will have a whole cheering section on hand..

Family Movie night is on the agenda for tonight.. I am off to look for a good family flick for us..

We three G's are a blessed lot.. We are thankful and relaxed on this Friday..

Buzz.. Alex

Recommended reading

I have a new favorite.. I can't say enough. I am hooked. I am envious and in awe of The Pioneer Woman.. If you have never seen her site, check it out.. For those of you who already know her, love her and know how she went from Black Heels to Tractor Wheels just smile and wave.. We newbies are just now drooling at the stunning pictures, the ideas for everything from food to homeschooling and oh yeah there is that Malboro Man... Enjoy..

p.s. Bev- if you are reading this from Italy.. YOU have never read a love story like this.. Read Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.. It is a love story.. a real one.. You know love stories are not my usual thing but this one has now put romance on the map.. Ciao bella.

p.s.s Deanna- I can't believe you never told me about this site.. For Shame..

I will be dreaming to the "Cowboy take me home" song.. I am sure Ree is the real life incarnation of that song..
Alex

Tada!

Finally.. one for me!

Here they are.. The Cinnamon Rolls.. I didn't glaze them with the cream cheese frosting since Missy is not a "frosting person" but I did slather mine with some.. Yum! No licking the screen...


Recipe courtesy of SmittenKitchen.com