the gnome that saved the day

We've had a bug over here, and some sleepless nights and cranky days. We are feeling better now, but I just had to show this little fellow who cheered up my cranky toddler on an especially grumpy sick day. I found him in the rainy-day box, and watching the gnome tumble down the board made Ari giggle and eventually get off the couch to give it a try. And thankfully he could set the gnomey fellow a-tumblin' all by himself. Which he did a good many times. And demonstrated again when Papa got home. Aside from colds and flus and recoveries we've been busy with fun things too, lots of dinners with friends, dancing and crafting and general merry making. I made these shirts for two young friends turning 3. A double, pirate themed birthday party held at the gymnastics club with 20-some kiddos invited. Pure, delightful mayhem.

And while I had the freezer paper stencil stuff out, I couldn't help making one for Ari too. He is quite enamoured with bikes lately.

And we are busy celebrating the end of the semester and the beginning of Perry's holidays! Yipee! We have a date set for list making- aside from the lounging about and visiting the beach, we also have a whole lot of things we want to accomplish around here. Nesty things. Because this mama hen is itchin to get our nest organized and in ship shape for the autumn's hatchling.

farm trip

We spent a morning at our favorite farm with my mom last weekend, Ari loved the animals and flowers and the tea and cookies in the garden. Me and my mom took turns browsing through their greenhouse of herbs and flowers to try and choose a couple for our own gardens. Thomas the goat was a hit. He tried to snack on my mom's hair which Ari thought was rather funny. He's been telling that story lots- "Sheep eatin' Baba's hair!"He'd never before had a whole plate of cookies and treats set before him and took full advantage. When I asked him how many he'd had, he said "84." Which was about right.
He's been playing horse a lot since this trip, galloping around the kitchen.

And asking to go back. A lot. And though it is quite a drive, we'll make it back soon I'm sure.

good evening

The view from our bedroom window. Because it makes me happy. I am still a little giddy at having an upstairs from which to enjoy this view.

things are growing

:: buds on Ari's placenta apple tree::

We've been having some internet trouble caused by an incident involving a yet-unburied Internet cable and a lawnmower that has been keeping me from blogging. All is well now, though burying the cable still remains on the to-do list- an item I suspect will not be checked off until Perry's summer holidays begin. And we are counting down fairly obsessively for that moment to arrive (two weeks, one day, three hours to go...)

::skirts- finished and in progress- to accommodate the ever expanding belly::

It feels busy right now- the garden demands so much attention this time of year, and Perry has been building a little green house so we can finally grow some tomatoes and cucumbers. We are still shuffling things around from our big reno- trying to clear all the still-packed boxes out of the communal basement space (our land-mates have been hinting at meetings that they really would appreciate the space to be cleared out... ahem,) spreading dirt over the mud pit left behind by the big machines so grass may one day grow again, digging up new areas in the garden to grow even more potatoes to provide for a winter with ever increasing food prices... the list goes on. I have been retreating to the craft room now and then to get away from the giant list and rest my aching hips (I don't think I hurt this much last time....)

The skirts above were made using See Mommy Sew's great maternity skirt tutorial which adds a nice wide belly band to a simple A-line skirt pattern. I suspect I'll be getting more use out of these than just pregnancy, they are super comfy.

::tiny little freezer paper stencil shirts for the growing babe::

These images were inspired from decals and fabric at Print and Pattern- I love browsing through all the images there. I've started thinking of the baby as "little radish" since making this shirt. A good nickname, no?

:: hanging tomato plant::

:: basil growing in the new greenhouse::

Although it is difficult to ever feel like our work is done, I do love this time of year, the green and growing, busy beautiful life buzzing around us. It seems right to have a garden and a baby growing right along with it all. It's a good life.