The First Time

The Lambies took their first swim of the season today. EmBlem captured some amazing water splashing that her sister was doing. Neat, huh?

Quackers!

I got this wonderful picture at Park Day today. My boy sure does love fowl!

Hard Working Boy

Nothing makes my heart so glad as seeing my boys working like men. Today was the first mow of the season and the thick backyard grass wasn't all that dry. Vic sure enjoys making the yard neat and clean. I'm glad he takes such pride in his work...

...even if he wears hippie-shoes to do it.

Pillow Mess

Jack is surveying the extensive pillow construction that went on today. EmBlem, GirlofGod and Trixie constructed pillows with all of the younger children. Everyone has at least one pillow keepsake of the great time they had together. Even Missy and Troubles got to help with the sewing!

Missy: circa 1880

I've been enjoying a site called How to Be a Retronaut. I especially liked "Smiling Victorians". I thought this pic of Missy would look nice all black and white'd like those beautiful smiling Victorians they showed.

Books For Wilson

These are some of the Books For Wilson books.

Here are more. I have donations coming in all the time and work daily to add books onto the $5/$3 lists, the Amazon store and onto LibraryThing accounts: Wilson and Mommaofmany. I'm having so much fun doing this fundraiser! It'll be even funner to see pictures of Wilson in his Mommy and Daddy's arms!

Sculpty

Several of the Lambies created with Sculpty Clay this afternoon. We've got a trayful of beautiful cakes and other objects to bake tomorrow. Can't beat it when kids create their own toys!

Just call me Mrs. Librarian

I spent some time in my library today. Much needed time! I straightened, sorted, thinned, moved and organized books. I think it looks so much better!

Here's the last shelf that I need to do:

Yeah, I think I need another shelf...or two. There's no way all those books are going to fit.

Brotherly Love

Isn't it wonderful?

SO Little!

This is a pic of a pic, so forgive the flash. Aren't they cute?? It's my eldest and second eldest.

Pepper!

We were getting low on pepper once again, so I called for Polly to get the pepper mill. Really, the Marga is a hand mill for grains, but it works really well on peppercorns. Also, it's so much fun to do, Troubles, Missy and Polly almost always do it for me!

Valley Abundance

A friend dropped off two big boxes of oranges and lemons from her trees. One box lasted two days. We'll see how long this one lasts.

High School Biology

Em was excited to do her second dissection of the year this week. So thrilled was she that she wouldn't let me get any pictures of her face. Instead, you can see the beginning of the end of Mr. Crawdad.

Birthday Humor

It was recently Vic's 13th birthday. He was so tickled by his main gift!

Precious Moments

This cross-stitch compilation was stitches in 1995-1996 to decorate my first baby's room. See the little football player on the upper left? My husband changed the pattern colors so he would be a 49er.

Spring is Coming Part Three

Last week I took pictures of different flowers gracing the neighborhood as I walked with the younger children. Today, I figured out how to make all those pictures into a pretty collage.

It's Getting There!

Wilson's donation tub has collected some funds. It won't be too long before we'll have enough to send off. Yay for helping that cutie to get home, dollar by dollar!

The Castle

Here's another cross-stitch I did years ago. It was finished in 1993. It's called "The Castle" and was designed by Teresa Wentzler. Here's the detail shot:

I made a small error while stitching this, that I didn't notice until after it was framed. I mentioned that fact one day to some of the Lambies. It's turned into quite a competition to find the error. So far, no one has found it!

Christ At Heart's Door

Here's a cross-stitch I made back in 1998 or 1999. The date is slightly blocked by the frame. It's called "Christ at Heart's Door". The original is a painting by Warner Sallman. He also painted the famous "Head of Christ" and "Christ at Gethsemane". Here's a detail picture:

I don't know how many times I stitched the left eye. It looks ever-so-slightly crossed to me. Happily, it's hard to see when looking at the overall piece.

Yard Sale Treasures

I went yard sale-ing this morning and found many treasures! This tub of REAL Legos? $5!



Almost all of these books are going to be listed for Wilson. Just three four will be staying with us. (I was told that we do not have one of the books I thought we did)

FIVE pairs of good Rollerblades (one even Rollerblade brand!) to fit growing, active feet.

I also bought five pairs of kids jeans, a shirt, a pair of Teva shoes (for me!!), Vans and a pair of slip-on 'barn shoes'. All of this set me back a mere $19. I actually came home with change in my pocket still! Thanks, Lord, for the blessings.

What a Guy!

This is my dear father-in-law. I'm thinking of him tonight, as he is not feeling well. Get better quick, Dad!

It's All Here

All of the curriculum I have ordered is here! I've been enjoying reading through the new books and mentally planning next year's studies and activities. I still want to get the experiment kits from Home Science Tools, but they are extras...we may end up putting the stuff together ourselves.

Methuselah-Kitty

Here's our half-blind, older-than-dirt, ever-loved cat. He began life as Little Boy, progressed to Boy, then to Old Man. Now is known by many names: Puddy, Crusty, Methuselah, Zombie...It's been a good 15 years. Here's to at least another summer!

Spring is Coming Part Two!!

The waders are here and so are the blossoms! The trees are blooming all over and the temps have been in the 60's. I love Spring in the Valley!

A Primal Breakfast

Two farm-fresh eggs, cooked in butter, with three heaping tablespoons of finely chopped swiss chard/spinach/tomatoes (greens from my garden!) and a tablespoon of bacon included, seasoned with kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, garlic and onion powder, topped off with Tillamook Cheese.

Robot Face

GirlofGod is painting faces again...and getting pretty good at it, too! Jack is a robot in this design.

My Honey

I caught a great picture of my Honey today. Isn't he just the handsomest man ever?!

Spring is Coming...

...and so did my waders! I'll be joining my Honey in the cold Sequoia waters soon. Trout, watch out!

Happy Day!

EmBlem turned 15! She seemed to like her gifts. She got the last Percy Jackson book, a Sigg water bottle, a large candy bar and some cash.

Drama!

There was a vampire about the Crew's digs! GirlofGod struck again with her face painting talents and transformed EmBlem into The Count! We ever had a huge box available to serve as a coffin for her to rise out of. Never a dull moment, I tell ya!

High School Science

We had our first ever high school science dissection. We purchased a specimen kit from Home Science Tools to avoid a live dissection.