tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90485637471496163282024-03-05T01:45:09.539-08:00Tilia ChroniclesEricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535887463887673671noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048563747149616328.post-74727371235549077502011-03-28T19:09:00.000-07:002011-03-29T10:32:38.074-07:00March...is marching on.Well, March has come and gone. Both seemingly, as a lion, I might add. We have been busy cleaning and organizing inside, belatedly picking out seeds from a seed catalogue, and taking steps to ready our yard for future growing possibilities. We also baked cookies, played dress-up, put on a dance show, swam in the tub, and took as many walks as the weather would allow. We had lovely visits from family and friends, saw snow and sun, learned the letters "J, D, and P" and camped out in the trenches of potty training. <em>Perhaps that should read, camped out in front of either the bathroom or the washing machine. </em> How did you spend your March?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuHax6qn-eA8dUovGAto7D_L3_8IfqxLmzyISVmtTqcsPUm9xsd4vqEWNJxHRkEg0pZLhXKkS7JQQZjCOrM9dPE_er_vEwnZAVkSuAGsPhv2MJ1XLfz1FPnAjgGoVtZV6oPjnra7-gdTN/s1600/snow-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuHax6qn-eA8dUovGAto7D_L3_8IfqxLmzyISVmtTqcsPUm9xsd4vqEWNJxHRkEg0pZLhXKkS7JQQZjCOrM9dPE_er_vEwnZAVkSuAGsPhv2MJ1XLfz1FPnAjgGoVtZV6oPjnra7-gdTN/s320/snow-tree.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This giant pine was behind our home, next to our garden. It was removed, along with three other trees on our property. Although it was sad for all of us to have them taken out, we have plans for garden expansion and perhaps a few fruit trees. The latter was the only acceptable reason to the girls to take the trees out. They have declared that they each have enough savings to buy a tree of their own, a pear tree for Mathea and a plum tree for Mairi.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7T1euDSelUyUHJdaRGaTxdS4z_dC_paDDTka5Zxzq56VuAsp_lYAzqXnv9qzWbH54aIMndgtISIXXhJrwf212zxTwAYneh3jIcdzKJs1XmEj500C2Y_uYG_fQ3tip3E8LhqYAmjuDSaQ/s1600/topped-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7T1euDSelUyUHJdaRGaTxdS4z_dC_paDDTka5Zxzq56VuAsp_lYAzqXnv9qzWbH54aIMndgtISIXXhJrwf212zxTwAYneh3jIcdzKJs1XmEj500C2Y_uYG_fQ3tip3E8LhqYAmjuDSaQ/s320/topped-tree.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Limbed. </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Down. Amazing what light came into my office window. And how many unnoticed cobwebs there were!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These little guys were in a nest at the top of this pine. The workers were able to keep the nest intact and not handle the babies, and after a few hours the mother squirrel returned and carried them off to a quickly made new home (sorry mama!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixh-SWj5gOSw3P6_1IY1GnsDTQM8qOtBk9JmdD3V_K5E_lca22hgArjEAI5IvqFSk5mRcdOtudc_DvNSnAvcmhvq-KI-O44rv2uOX7D3KA5Gizm_EayEZ6dsqiv1w-4MPTfNb0qHzi5Gh7/s1600/hair-mattie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixh-SWj5gOSw3P6_1IY1GnsDTQM8qOtBk9JmdD3V_K5E_lca22hgArjEAI5IvqFSk5mRcdOtudc_DvNSnAvcmhvq-KI-O44rv2uOX7D3KA5Gizm_EayEZ6dsqiv1w-4MPTfNb0qHzi5Gh7/s320/hair-mattie.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">After asking for french braids, she couldn't resist decorating the rest of her hair. Complete with a scrap of fabric used for a doll towel. She went to school this way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GgM0FI0kC6YoZSHIPDT7-INOHi-xlCSZkVBIb1Qa1DuVgqv468lA_bISS80L8BgQojXeqEHvdaJWXB1AQBbDgR9tMzuWoFOfSOYapVIyHD22g5hC-IhEikT1ORt2kEX3xh9N_LEylRsQ/s1600/google-bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GgM0FI0kC6YoZSHIPDT7-INOHi-xlCSZkVBIb1Qa1DuVgqv468lA_bISS80L8BgQojXeqEHvdaJWXB1AQBbDgR9tMzuWoFOfSOYapVIyHD22g5hC-IhEikT1ORt2kEX3xh9N_LEylRsQ/s320/google-bath.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Swimming in the tub. What else to do when you want it to be spring and it insists on snowing? Oh, I know, here are a few other ideas...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXPYiJ8RoqyvbpCA0sIkrPzjdFHz3EN_EXgA-qQsGoou9o_ri0Jvq2QhHw-rWn9PNWBVBjrAmhES1JcdXIjbTpjECw13_F1-nA_aElafC2VNCUMhFuPlKtCEsJGT3Ne5P0iTw86iluONW/s1600/dance-party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXPYiJ8RoqyvbpCA0sIkrPzjdFHz3EN_EXgA-qQsGoou9o_ri0Jvq2QhHw-rWn9PNWBVBjrAmhES1JcdXIjbTpjECw13_F1-nA_aElafC2VNCUMhFuPlKtCEsJGT3Ne5P0iTw86iluONW/s320/dance-party.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Have a dance party with your sister! She put this ensemble together on her own, black boots and all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbPYv8pfIyOIGov_i8p-QHtovFi2Beske1lMv-Uu6MJuhxzKhvFzsxzeA0yBCNlU5xBzNx0wjzSEMgsWuZaFK1VMSB2QM3wMY5MfA18BiQc9eTw2hfchncOUAGbm46VD9XEBi3Hhkxl5e/s1600/mattie-tulip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbPYv8pfIyOIGov_i8p-QHtovFi2Beske1lMv-Uu6MJuhxzKhvFzsxzeA0yBCNlU5xBzNx0wjzSEMgsWuZaFK1VMSB2QM3wMY5MfA18BiQc9eTw2hfchncOUAGbm46VD9XEBi3Hhkxl5e/s320/mattie-tulip.jpg" width="182" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Inhale </em>tulips. The very essence of spring. Enjoy them. Love them. Sing to them. Bandage their leaves when torn accidentally. Make them the best 6 dollars mom ever spent.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjkaZSKyVBOTsFwDlVerFKr-8WLBC5JkjWdC-ZdafcLrzRh746I7BDUKlfI2XKvxDtccEiMb9vR_F1Jd7a0CByJW4h5kS175uDX3PrUkm858gN952U8GYzSnj1eKzU9541_H1vdrFTcSL/s1600/mairi-tulip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjkaZSKyVBOTsFwDlVerFKr-8WLBC5JkjWdC-ZdafcLrzRh746I7BDUKlfI2XKvxDtccEiMb9vR_F1Jd7a0CByJW4h5kS175uDX3PrUkm858gN952U8GYzSnj1eKzU9541_H1vdrFTcSL/s320/mairi-tulip.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEF_55h4xrMelG0qPowTgFp13r52dWQ2F5KF_-TgevSdV52u4mwn73jadpKnwywBW-Dexf3wlhPnw_fJTK94Tgqh7oriCB7cNM700mdGYUvGBIlv133vr2xxT2tq_8uWsm9jyv0ZtsuSd/s1600/chocolate-mairi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEF_55h4xrMelG0qPowTgFp13r52dWQ2F5KF_-TgevSdV52u4mwn73jadpKnwywBW-Dexf3wlhPnw_fJTK94Tgqh7oriCB7cNM700mdGYUvGBIlv133vr2xxT2tq_8uWsm9jyv0ZtsuSd/s320/chocolate-mairi.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And make cookies. Chocolate cookies. The kind where little girls are allowed to lick the batter bowl clean. <em>Twice.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWbJSB-WMKhjKNUKxsUb304JUTHq_wPD0hury1kly1oFRsaVQCUDW-mXVCtjQE5Ry3I5IjZtIwjdw8IGPsDzQykHXa_B75ZUJNJD7DQ2HbiP4PqvdHM3-JhGUUjfTtuvubK5ldRKjF4HE/s1600/chocolate-mattie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWbJSB-WMKhjKNUKxsUb304JUTHq_wPD0hury1kly1oFRsaVQCUDW-mXVCtjQE5Ry3I5IjZtIwjdw8IGPsDzQykHXa_B75ZUJNJD7DQ2HbiP4PqvdHM3-JhGUUjfTtuvubK5ldRKjF4HE/s320/chocolate-mattie.jpg" width="173" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jcfXB6MqjJs3O4n57Yh0eQkXIc2ySoUzXpkXWxS8AxarkTIgNE7psC5tuC0Hx7cntViZ2HKhy8PwXgUCLxRkAaYpGDIOS_F21x5LfqyTWkqLXKhJiSpcchMiyVysjccaHuO-1R7TtwyP/s1600/walking-mairi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jcfXB6MqjJs3O4n57Yh0eQkXIc2ySoUzXpkXWxS8AxarkTIgNE7psC5tuC0Hx7cntViZ2HKhy8PwXgUCLxRkAaYpGDIOS_F21x5LfqyTWkqLXKhJiSpcchMiyVysjccaHuO-1R7TtwyP/s320/walking-mairi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And on days when the sunshine and wind allow, take a walk to the local park. Bring a friend! </div>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535887463887673671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048563747149616328.post-56826073101759430392011-03-06T18:01:00.000-08:002011-03-06T18:01:17.289-08:00ImaginingWe spend a lot of time imagining in our family. The house is usually full of galloping horses, talkative puppies, painters, sculpters, chefs, storytellers, dancers, and yes, even princesses. We daydream of owning fish (more, different, and definitely some in Mattie's room), rabbits, chickens, horses (a frequent request really) and growing a beautiful and bountiful garden, of knitting something more complicated than a garter stitch scarf, of seeing a rare bird (or any bird these days). <br />
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And right now, especially, we are daydreaming of spring. <br />
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Here are a few of our week's imaginings...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wWLXR5C4WUx2TFaf9nhboGZ5Y4oVLvXFyF8cAeZZ7rWNGQnOY5ifEHJcBH0gwV5jvB-TJ0opAuk9aijpF9CgMIqDz5eS9DgYJpd-wvrq1M5futiTbpUl43WhULZvdgrkn5Th3f5wPw2B/s1600/fairy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wWLXR5C4WUx2TFaf9nhboGZ5Y4oVLvXFyF8cAeZZ7rWNGQnOY5ifEHJcBH0gwV5jvB-TJ0opAuk9aijpF9CgMIqDz5eS9DgYJpd-wvrq1M5futiTbpUl43WhULZvdgrkn5Th3f5wPw2B/s320/fairy.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A fairy out for a walk with her magic wand (an unsharpened pencil with an extra eraser on the wrong end).</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFpiJ1efbbDbWUfqg7YafHW-XbSL6fUolIiP_NYybUE2mRosSfipuAdCJ5VSWUIsSYIDbzs3q3Pb8v2OxHx1nciRcjQ0U9Lu_PU49OpINYvcMSz6iUbYZRuFarh3QKT0v7ZVbCi6Y4VHS/s1600/ice_skating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFpiJ1efbbDbWUfqg7YafHW-XbSL6fUolIiP_NYybUE2mRosSfipuAdCJ5VSWUIsSYIDbzs3q3Pb8v2OxHx1nciRcjQ0U9Lu_PU49OpINYvcMSz6iUbYZRuFarh3QKT0v7ZVbCi6Y4VHS/s320/ice_skating.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ice skating in the kiddie pool.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoPq3jMvH1_r2gs0Ucebx_wVblHS0E3lO0hWJ5T7By7b-0nEBArWKpIZSzB7UFXZ7j3s-q6wa1q0RmCoLpAuzmBEmbs3RSO8Oawp34JoEeLjHuM7NDXi_SzSTxaaa25puqIMDn-n8Lh6E/s1600/grownup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoPq3jMvH1_r2gs0Ucebx_wVblHS0E3lO0hWJ5T7By7b-0nEBArWKpIZSzB7UFXZ7j3s-q6wa1q0RmCoLpAuzmBEmbs3RSO8Oawp34JoEeLjHuM7NDXi_SzSTxaaa25puqIMDn-n8Lh6E/s320/grownup.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Being a grown-up. After finding some felted sweaters for crafting, she decided they were the perfect "old" clothes. And in fact, coupled with her present outfit of dress, tights, and sandals, did indeed make one wonder. Or reminisce. In any event, she was quite excited to be a "grown-up."</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojTivY9LGTTtId-7sZykCJ5V65nxy2MorEe-R8M4iT6i_ySUKDqBUtaZY7CTqIWGH-cvmocYoQ-Ud5GLYrhfzpLfdGIWBRyxaj50-0ERTfuHl67CCaqob6zynH9kJovdXgu2f2OIqvmVN/s1600/grandparents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojTivY9LGTTtId-7sZykCJ5V65nxy2MorEe-R8M4iT6i_ySUKDqBUtaZY7CTqIWGH-cvmocYoQ-Ud5GLYrhfzpLfdGIWBRyxaj50-0ERTfuHl67CCaqob6zynH9kJovdXgu2f2OIqvmVN/s320/grandparents.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Dressing up not just as grown-ups, but as a grandma and grandpa. They were in this together.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKac_aM-gRJgzciKVUEZPyQ653bhcN0RlUUD9Tg6daQq300rnNr7lk1jHThJlGEszJlXmMwhLpMQ345w5Y8jwVCI6oV2Hj9GilccSBoEsaC188ETXTp4GTr1UBDzi6Hy3v9mqMpy8TdjC/s1600/pap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKac_aM-gRJgzciKVUEZPyQ653bhcN0RlUUD9Tg6daQq300rnNr7lk1jHThJlGEszJlXmMwhLpMQ345w5Y8jwVCI6oV2Hj9GilccSBoEsaC188ETXTp4GTr1UBDzi6Hy3v9mqMpy8TdjC/s320/pap.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Seriously playing grandpa. She found a "boy" voice and put a play cell phone in her pocket. However, minutes later, when she stood up and discovered her shirt was so long she had to waddle, she decided playing a penguin was much more fun (to the dismay of the grandma.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihj-sCflp514J2CEwnydqwmnUphO-GNJwnmAfHI8JNzH_q1TWUBlJICricrHTqqCcrmig9pLV5g243FUq6njGApr04pO4vWRfqCQArptGAVcYvEsXuhisf4lUjDKGKY_C7nBu9KLQdnZNq/s1600/rye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihj-sCflp514J2CEwnydqwmnUphO-GNJwnmAfHI8JNzH_q1TWUBlJICricrHTqqCcrmig9pLV5g243FUq6njGApr04pO4vWRfqCQArptGAVcYvEsXuhisf4lUjDKGKY_C7nBu9KLQdnZNq/s320/rye.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Rye, trying to escape the confines of our garden...and winter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea_rZH8tIJu5CBARtz7D0B66EkxRQIskaN-g4eP9l_az156ZPp3e2w_DWE-g3Mp4oAMwqpxoD9lFIhXBwavf0iQASqbMMjhY1t145nbv1dxq456tOnWy_jl5JL9RVchumntDx8kMX3wUS/s1600/bulbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea_rZH8tIJu5CBARtz7D0B66EkxRQIskaN-g4eP9l_az156ZPp3e2w_DWE-g3Mp4oAMwqpxoD9lFIhXBwavf0iQASqbMMjhY1t145nbv1dxq456tOnWy_jl5JL9RVchumntDx8kMX3wUS/s320/bulbs.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bulbs, imagining it is spring.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQhyphenhyphenVeI3B4otwI_M3C2N0YLeLHHcm67ULcSrQ-IQKCtUELs3YSxco8mJHGG6nXJBe8UVcapvU__CGTSVhcYn6PRiTY28mzZTzlbcnQ8EsF24fWeE7Oct7vMzLl8y3XNMkw4-IBmCTSEK6/s1600/nosnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQhyphenhyphenVeI3B4otwI_M3C2N0YLeLHHcm67ULcSrQ-IQKCtUELs3YSxco8mJHGG6nXJBe8UVcapvU__CGTSVhcYn6PRiTY28mzZTzlbcnQ8EsF24fWeE7Oct7vMzLl8y3XNMkw4-IBmCTSEK6/s320/nosnow.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Just as we are trying to imagine we are done with winter. (The girls decided they were done with snow and tried to kick down the snow man. I drew the line at a bucket of hot water.)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Happy daydreaming to you!</div>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535887463887673671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048563747149616328.post-26677186306176585792011-02-27T17:57:00.000-08:002011-02-27T17:57:46.795-08:00Winter ReturnsWinter returned without a doubt on Friday...so we took the opportunity to do the perfect indoor project....painting! The girls painted letters to spell out their names to soon adorn their bedrooms.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhge_sAd1PhUMiZX2ByP91qd2ARFSPzkgKECf4yyIXiPPem9yqglbaSfJ2IFZMC4vIkYgNhxo8gMhVLCuZDvzyTNY8cVCkn0va7ykZGi3E10CF6xiU07CrH_N5xZi685-VuAW_0UHtXzPXg/s1600/hand-painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhge_sAd1PhUMiZX2ByP91qd2ARFSPzkgKECf4yyIXiPPem9yqglbaSfJ2IFZMC4vIkYgNhxo8gMhVLCuZDvzyTNY8cVCkn0va7ykZGi3E10CF6xiU07CrH_N5xZi685-VuAW_0UHtXzPXg/s320/hand-painting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hand palettes are a preferred tool. Who thought of a paper palette anyway?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcOYLuL3GTVy3oyAP-Iv4glRI-rFcWdS7nQQMlmEXaUBVuAk4Ga1s9fAmlbV9-vYpuwRbEHEoEuIjed8JrjT39Hgjli4kQV8HOWwoTbfL_cA9QWA3FocbGjkRuMirdpOgd730HX80hzh6/s1600/wreath-tieing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcOYLuL3GTVy3oyAP-Iv4glRI-rFcWdS7nQQMlmEXaUBVuAk4Ga1s9fAmlbV9-vYpuwRbEHEoEuIjed8JrjT39Hgjli4kQV8HOWwoTbfL_cA9QWA3FocbGjkRuMirdpOgd730HX80hzh6/s320/wreath-tieing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center">Mattie and I made a rag wreath (I couldn't take the Christmas ones any longer and spring flowers seemed a bit premature!)</div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtU2EOsiiaeUaaAaoKxzlOJT7zaYglvsPDC-culM5nSbJ5KLwv_swaA_2T7FeWPitJMZLj2xOPrKASRgPx9QoAm9ryz7V4hgil85DmJObYxwYz9JZWtjxZ-qCa44qFZ1ozyh-kNPDIUYQ/s1600/wreath-door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtU2EOsiiaeUaaAaoKxzlOJT7zaYglvsPDC-culM5nSbJ5KLwv_swaA_2T7FeWPitJMZLj2xOPrKASRgPx9QoAm9ryz7V4hgil85DmJObYxwYz9JZWtjxZ-qCa44qFZ1ozyh-kNPDIUYQ/s320/wreath-door.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Maybe better saved for the Fourth of July?</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheL6P8RzoWq_uCOOrYgajLnv9-5PF37yBx-mHMF1hV8QUY-_ZqR8_eS2PZlxh4-IaSOhZdVupMTdLiRLM3FLu4zesZAubiUDG7Ws2zpdRFK9IZfUnFzS9SpvMGtanbXz-twZPPysls1jry/s1600/snow-daddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheL6P8RzoWq_uCOOrYgajLnv9-5PF37yBx-mHMF1hV8QUY-_ZqR8_eS2PZlxh4-IaSOhZdVupMTdLiRLM3FLu4zesZAubiUDG7Ws2zpdRFK9IZfUnFzS9SpvMGtanbXz-twZPPysls1jry/s320/snow-daddy.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center">With the onslaught of snow Friday and Saturday we were left a wonderful medium for a serious snowball fight around the garden, culminating in "Cinderella" winning over the "Beast" and ultimately two wet girls burrying daddy in the snow.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxOauYtdj5C4vgCnPgnuG-YmO5zUZfJp7mIClL8Jew4-4kvXpPfhWYM5yD-KLcGqRXBqLaIKQBoyfETs7Gpb_S-TusbbFPx_EODzx7rHpCHQdttI5gQLjhN9w5kWurWUCxeVMadGTjMbg/s1600/tory-ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxOauYtdj5C4vgCnPgnuG-YmO5zUZfJp7mIClL8Jew4-4kvXpPfhWYM5yD-KLcGqRXBqLaIKQBoyfETs7Gpb_S-TusbbFPx_EODzx7rHpCHQdttI5gQLjhN9w5kWurWUCxeVMadGTjMbg/s320/tory-ball.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Even Tory enjoyed the snowballs!</div>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535887463887673671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048563747149616328.post-40399857092463348622011-02-17T18:21:00.000-08:002011-02-17T18:21:53.782-08:00Catching UPWell, it's been a few more days than I had intended. Here are some pictures of a week ago or more...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0PoFsp80zo01lC0vUc-2lvpSav74ZzBo6j2kOvs8YfbgEPvCSqGYUV9z1r1nRNKQQaNSmbjNTYxkbBp7V3dGjiYerj588iVcIgPbJOjjOR_55d4GA5A8rdA9D3KivL1XSrh6kXGqUT2t/s1600/crown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0PoFsp80zo01lC0vUc-2lvpSav74ZzBo6j2kOvs8YfbgEPvCSqGYUV9z1r1nRNKQQaNSmbjNTYxkbBp7V3dGjiYerj588iVcIgPbJOjjOR_55d4GA5A8rdA9D3KivL1XSrh6kXGqUT2t/s320/crown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The only time the birthday crown was worn ON her birthday. Since then, she has worn it about the house like a normal accessory. (whew!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtIM4aJqUlD5Biq3q_FUnBnSf-oXSkO6bKbnhQmC0aOnYklhYtu8wgSV8QVQFa8lQA3I5an2Q0IZuqwhCydodU48l62Hxzu1IvNwZyu79fwPeMkMH3aWAKtnLwyUiQh5OwaBd5teVUGdH/s1600/pied-piper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtIM4aJqUlD5Biq3q_FUnBnSf-oXSkO6bKbnhQmC0aOnYklhYtu8wgSV8QVQFa8lQA3I5an2Q0IZuqwhCydodU48l62Hxzu1IvNwZyu79fwPeMkMH3aWAKtnLwyUiQh5OwaBd5teVUGdH/s320/pied-piper.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who wants to hear the horse music box? Why all the horses in the land of course (and perhaps a few fairies)!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFh_a2B9YAH0t4Yd5CV5AT0qqjzdak9k80C31I6sT-riTVKf_Cv_xPR3DIXAfT1xL12V_tL3_sFgQj7vZgcoKwzULeGRbm0DzC300pn3VzUuKSfCyBywYSP9B4DAUdOr19glIj7kn-2RH/s1600/shoveling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFh_a2B9YAH0t4Yd5CV5AT0qqjzdak9k80C31I6sT-riTVKf_Cv_xPR3DIXAfT1xL12V_tL3_sFgQj7vZgcoKwzULeGRbm0DzC300pn3VzUuKSfCyBywYSP9B4DAUdOr19glIj7kn-2RH/s320/shoveling.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Shoveling is hard work...digging a pass (like the Rocky Mountain Pass) is even harder!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOxWUhMqRG1St1dsAy2wKgB8HdKEVWchYQK0xZXy9N-PooQfS2yV3h8sZ9ojFWrgJxfaHTEj4yWYYUH8jgpXj0ElLjhVZziLpFT59EZ33cLy1cofHVnAQAO7kWBMa5HnUKWiAGJkHFJlk/s1600/bucket-head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOxWUhMqRG1St1dsAy2wKgB8HdKEVWchYQK0xZXy9N-PooQfS2yV3h8sZ9ojFWrgJxfaHTEj4yWYYUH8jgpXj0ElLjhVZziLpFT59EZ33cLy1cofHVnAQAO7kWBMa5HnUKWiAGJkHFJlk/s320/bucket-head.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center">Guess who?</div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3bl4w1-v501iKcDls5ZOcBd_8ojfGPaxTbuB7WwEZ5q55cv0a0SuTjQ2Sr3qsrgOuiWEHrpP4sRnktioz-mTfqkvZ3_GNGiwXfmsz7_U__ZpgK4foE2RXd9pgXTLOSncQ78Y7cYFMDkQ/s1600/bucket-head2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3bl4w1-v501iKcDls5ZOcBd_8ojfGPaxTbuB7WwEZ5q55cv0a0SuTjQ2Sr3qsrgOuiWEHrpP4sRnktioz-mTfqkvZ3_GNGiwXfmsz7_U__ZpgK4foE2RXd9pgXTLOSncQ78Y7cYFMDkQ/s320/bucket-head2.jpg" width="159" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Surprise! (Playing bucket-head was far more fun than digging a pass.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vhVTnXotk-vgv_Ofq1m-drCz3A9syqKLgyp4dAm-bddLaRwJQtSDdgpCM8_27_1dKRT6Z6emxTGV-lg1b25SeQw8rBn9WbAY9LgTxsFrGs1omf4HFsr87rzYZqAK_olTFFmbe4DwRVyF/s1600/queen-of-snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vhVTnXotk-vgv_Ofq1m-drCz3A9syqKLgyp4dAm-bddLaRwJQtSDdgpCM8_27_1dKRT6Z6emxTGV-lg1b25SeQw8rBn9WbAY9LgTxsFrGs1omf4HFsr87rzYZqAK_olTFFmbe4DwRVyF/s320/queen-of-snow.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">On top of the snowy mountain! (What a pose, huh?)</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">And now on to this week's fun...</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgm3ulq0o2eZt74N88xqMxYvTrByT9m-QPmVA3rBBRnklBu0tPf0Rr2Hb7MP161nvyd8kURG6CxlWgO8139pex0Ixeh6D_NISEztR9WmuTLVkDxNT-x-ZlpxKvLlgY38AOgugGp-Z847a/s1600/ball-cap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgm3ulq0o2eZt74N88xqMxYvTrByT9m-QPmVA3rBBRnklBu0tPf0Rr2Hb7MP161nvyd8kURG6CxlWgO8139pex0Ixeh6D_NISEztR9WmuTLVkDxNT-x-ZlpxKvLlgY38AOgugGp-Z847a/s320/ball-cap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was the morning our 4.5 year old got up on her own, woke not a soul, dressed herself in her big girl clothes (please note the purple belt and baseball cap, key items in being dressed as a big girl) and then announced to everyone that the sun was up, so what was our problem? (Before and since she has never, ever, gotten up and afforded her <em>mom</em> an extra second of sleep!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpJtkcl0RllwsSTNOWZkko7G7JyIA0OYOSGA4FAVrIlCD7IuXgKU8BFhFr0gzkLkvSx1VWnwr7oqSPCIV-UTc19xlkJKWuE6HWm2Kgb0z7fQ6D5omLMFz67K2y5mleZNqHjUDlbGJWu5c/s1600/tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpJtkcl0RllwsSTNOWZkko7G7JyIA0OYOSGA4FAVrIlCD7IuXgKU8BFhFr0gzkLkvSx1VWnwr7oqSPCIV-UTc19xlkJKWuE6HWm2Kgb0z7fQ6D5omLMFz67K2y5mleZNqHjUDlbGJWu5c/s320/tower.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Proud of the tower built for animals and dollies alike (managed by dumping the basket of blocks down the stairs for more efficient hauling.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48YsICTy-snaSBe8AZOUb_PmDTF4KhSi7EdVXYCeomTnQ9V13mWuMnji39pVfpc72ivgjJBfP7i3yf9ut4xzMimcEbDpmk8MOjXDzT9lAwLjMsH49e7U-7VrSbDX-fU5xUuO9ymUpUU7p/s1600/dog-walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48YsICTy-snaSBe8AZOUb_PmDTF4KhSi7EdVXYCeomTnQ9V13mWuMnji39pVfpc72ivgjJBfP7i3yf9ut4xzMimcEbDpmk8MOjXDzT9lAwLjMsH49e7U-7VrSbDX-fU5xUuO9ymUpUU7p/s320/dog-walk.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">50 degrees you say? Let's walk -- dogs and binnoculars are all I need!</div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Pa2cQ-s3mJ-0MNLLbqoSidgTvZNZC_0AjPdUenjumEy6PpZXzuNQbg8hnLeN6yTaZsbF3zYVHdSp-tPRs7dTlxEUXBxciggk92Yi5GhMSBZ9q9fiOchoNgsMenWHhGWdv5ltkxKl-ld4/s1600/seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Pa2cQ-s3mJ-0MNLLbqoSidgTvZNZC_0AjPdUenjumEy6PpZXzuNQbg8hnLeN6yTaZsbF3zYVHdSp-tPRs7dTlxEUXBxciggk92Yi5GhMSBZ9q9fiOchoNgsMenWHhGWdv5ltkxKl-ld4/s320/seeds.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center">Seed pods, everywhere. Please note the petticoat-like layers in Mathea's dress. Brand new velour dress, two layered skirt, pants, and a new to her spring coat (layered over another). All clean and pretty. I had to <em>beg</em> her to wear water-proof boots and not some pink item. She swore she would walk around every puddle.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofJWmmpgAvfjyFwDnxW2eqEIWb6hp_QeFmWAEl3tXkLyJCmukz56MsW6w193j0YgWPf4OAXn7wIMJ1Bx9A4sCNUPZOWXqO57auPtfqTQ7Nvv1f1I4reC7EN3vz6RquaY3cd3HXSsNIVRV/s1600/splash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofJWmmpgAvfjyFwDnxW2eqEIWb6hp_QeFmWAEl3tXkLyJCmukz56MsW6w193j0YgWPf4OAXn7wIMJ1Bx9A4sCNUPZOWXqO57auPtfqTQ7Nvv1f1I4reC7EN3vz6RquaY3cd3HXSsNIVRV/s320/splash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center"><em>Hmmm. </em>I suspect the entire month of March's pictures will look something like this.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vhawp1kxEAKDaQP3Ho52Ndv5EoVmGTC0R9k4GrQ-VIXp_uVMuaLed86l2bvTHcuRAxLh0zqxaDn2SRyQgrraKwwJTsmS_a1FlHX-ke_9bz57Qsa8DYHL4hLulS-vwLneBTXPwkBxVIGI/s1600/spring%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vhawp1kxEAKDaQP3Ho52Ndv5EoVmGTC0R9k4GrQ-VIXp_uVMuaLed86l2bvTHcuRAxLh0zqxaDn2SRyQgrraKwwJTsmS_a1FlHX-ke_9bz57Qsa8DYHL4hLulS-vwLneBTXPwkBxVIGI/s320/spring%2521.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">She was joyfully exclaiming "spring, it's spring!" Heartbreaking. February in western New York. Not so much. But beautiful while it lasts. (Oh, and did you notice the mud? Almost lost the boots at the bottom of the block. Imagine suction and cries of "hold my hand!" Yes, March will be i<em>nteresting</em>.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535887463887673671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048563747149616328.post-37497082322927765232011-02-10T17:54:00.000-08:002011-02-10T18:13:08.223-08:00Lulu the Traveling Emu visits AtlantaImagine my surprise when I opened up my Christmas present from Erica and the kids and found, staring up at me, a nice, fuzzy, bright blue emu (the head only, of course). While her primary function is to sneak into my suitcase and transport little notes and goodies while I'm traveling for business, it only seems appropriate that Lulu should have the opportunity to document her travels, obviously for the greater edification of emus everywhere. Toward that goal, I'm happy to announce that Lulu's first stop was to the National Archives Southeast Regional Center in Morrow, GA, tagging along while I was helping to present a two-day seminar. Unfortunately, Lulu wasn't able to bask in the normal comfortable temperatures of northern Georgia in February, as she apparently brought the snow with us from New York.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXEmsFIMvjNEAQgC8tlGarmMVnmg-IUvce_vCKCtbHfExg-UN37BgzdH3YQaXMF-q56nB41Ww1g8ZRHGp5jjJ6yL97-8klg7BtXlvWE4q9rd_n0bsnIkA3DEnP25273eyIH8pTCU61kk/s1600/Lulu-in-Atlanta.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXEmsFIMvjNEAQgC8tlGarmMVnmg-IUvce_vCKCtbHfExg-UN37BgzdH3YQaXMF-q56nB41Ww1g8ZRHGp5jjJ6yL97-8klg7BtXlvWE4q9rd_n0bsnIkA3DEnP25273eyIH8pTCU61kk/s320/Lulu-in-Atlanta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572249050391891186" border="0" /></a>JRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287544341635283371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048563747149616328.post-43516410301592861372011-02-03T18:20:00.000-08:002011-02-03T18:23:40.518-08:00The Spirit of a WeekSo far, our week has been filled with lots of creating. For fun, our bellies, and birthdays (with more birthday creations to come if we can squeeze it in...at the very least <em>cake!</em>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLkIAIqVbkJ-RiXH0C-SLVVqkjZYSKM1JHb-0UJXqNHT4Q9gT20pJWpYUSbXFIcIC3zb0OPwGAtfDfAWFCBgyRp2nnOgST3ZFrQZfZQoW62tkzqhjgmMr8u6b6c10XJArRz5zSXptrVPK/s1600/hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLkIAIqVbkJ-RiXH0C-SLVVqkjZYSKM1JHb-0UJXqNHT4Q9gT20pJWpYUSbXFIcIC3zb0OPwGAtfDfAWFCBgyRp2nnOgST3ZFrQZfZQoW62tkzqhjgmMr8u6b6c10XJArRz5zSXptrVPK/s320/hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clay. It was fun while it lasted. Then we had to wash the girls, the horses, the table, the chairs, the floor, the sink...need I go on?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGneEv6wZHTazpzPdrso5-IGf4BsoOoqIntJzgfU5V8-k1BHY9Q7Q6Rbtk2qEBr7gbXt-Y4GBZdtX40wZ1fPA-gFAeiKUaC_CiFPuuKzzu97Xf0RxGXA_ms6iw6Pl7vpzAdPtkzebBS7_/s1600/costume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGneEv6wZHTazpzPdrso5-IGf4BsoOoqIntJzgfU5V8-k1BHY9Q7Q6Rbtk2qEBr7gbXt-Y4GBZdtX40wZ1fPA-gFAeiKUaC_CiFPuuKzzu97Xf0RxGXA_ms6iw6Pl7vpzAdPtkzebBS7_/s320/costume.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mathea sewing Mairi a costume...impressive patience by both.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusoFPclviWoFf-XhMM-whc_-It2T5OPe1Yx0W71ErSjsC0zmctPKoJpslDJaVI_S_RwtTn8JS7MMxmYV4VQCh2TW0OXBxwIqklpV7hvgJuGIbXlpRhX1oFnPAXExumf6Au_YGQUMWsbkp/s1600/butterflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusoFPclviWoFf-XhMM-whc_-It2T5OPe1Yx0W71ErSjsC0zmctPKoJpslDJaVI_S_RwtTn8JS7MMxmYV4VQCh2TW0OXBxwIqklpV7hvgJuGIbXlpRhX1oFnPAXExumf6Au_YGQUMWsbkp/s320/butterflies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mathea's masterpiece, a butterfly for all seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziBa5xkkrcubrlNO5ThYhg-gr9sfpHPoGCZI-3vk6mnmP1a78yy4muiRAmUC1df7X0YSx8Z-83sVuYndot4F3bVzz_rcMMQXYwSDY_Elg35n9wZQovjPPUqIPzrq9z2glsdQBP1kSHsDT/s1600/oil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziBa5xkkrcubrlNO5ThYhg-gr9sfpHPoGCZI-3vk6mnmP1a78yy4muiRAmUC1df7X0YSx8Z-83sVuYndot4F3bVzz_rcMMQXYwSDY_Elg35n9wZQovjPPUqIPzrq9z2glsdQBP1kSHsDT/s320/oil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Painting linseed oil on the great trucks Papa Doug made, the dog bowl stand too.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4lLr8BXsMEmhb1cTJhiDWKFerTqyrEgxAjvF3ef9ZszobUzoeUVhvqwVCZAHd5FI8oEjitb2UCHXrrvzHeJ2Ul82xPttso3DmbHpDveNhZSCAQ3KUdG0pxR0Is_SCh9gH3HMpCx-NuxZ/s1600/foood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4lLr8BXsMEmhb1cTJhiDWKFerTqyrEgxAjvF3ef9ZszobUzoeUVhvqwVCZAHd5FI8oEjitb2UCHXrrvzHeJ2Ul82xPttso3DmbHpDveNhZSCAQ3KUdG0pxR0Is_SCh9gH3HMpCx-NuxZ/s320/foood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Homemade bread, whole wheat oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, chili...and veggies, which obviously were not homegrown this time of year, but pretty, and what the girls had for dinner.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspwn7CxmsWzaaVDskWEuzs4Dw6p_lYdN9elLGbi1gLVrFO5ZPyQpZyP8orwYxzR0D5F8kX8CqMX_2GFyxZIbiKtU0bpcYn3xJDJR5a9DqSF13LRPOlTkMUvkovIlFc1jShml1REnWHyre/s1600/presents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspwn7CxmsWzaaVDskWEuzs4Dw6p_lYdN9elLGbi1gLVrFO5ZPyQpZyP8orwYxzR0D5F8kX8CqMX_2GFyxZIbiKtU0bpcYn3xJDJR5a9DqSF13LRPOlTkMUvkovIlFc1jShml1REnWHyre/s320/presents.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Birthday garland, crown, and gift bag, all reuseable for many years, inspired by "the creative family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections" by Amanda Blake Soule, <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">http://www.soulemama.com/</a>. The fabric for the bag was a thrilling find at Goodwill, a beautiful linen with sparkly butterflies and flowers. Perfect. Both girls helped with the sewing of the crown, hence the perfectly imperfect embroidery.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHJsP7Y0ekPp3UgJPnQ8bdVmWH4RPS1XE0YXZXQPC6YDchkznIJX00ZtAchCkVS_Uwgc3cGBO9yUj774v0lYWtkpMvo-9cF31XZ7QAKw1ysga4sRAT8OW2mWLo2DtgDaBdc49LF_p9ve2/s1600/horse-chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHJsP7Y0ekPp3UgJPnQ8bdVmWH4RPS1XE0YXZXQPC6YDchkznIJX00ZtAchCkVS_Uwgc3cGBO9yUj774v0lYWtkpMvo-9cF31XZ7QAKw1ysga4sRAT8OW2mWLo2DtgDaBdc49LF_p9ve2/s320/horse-chicken.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Super Mathea...disappearing and reappearing the "horse chicken". JR asked for a duck-goat, but apparently those are on back order.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqeUc2z0vmZmo6aMHHLbVX-WScw1uQRt7LHMvflvqCc_qF24PvAUqN4cxa_uMKvt2wpndgvfeFiyfHtXzQwIdanv65mir4Grb7n5kjq98iVO5oibIYWkfAqOLPqRe7J72_ncdOoD1fxa6/s1600/super-mattie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqeUc2z0vmZmo6aMHHLbVX-WScw1uQRt7LHMvflvqCc_qF24PvAUqN4cxa_uMKvt2wpndgvfeFiyfHtXzQwIdanv65mir4Grb7n5kjq98iVO5oibIYWkfAqOLPqRe7J72_ncdOoD1fxa6/s320/super-mattie.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Priceless.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusT4v6mRXPEwQEsM-M8JwxBAoOlSMnyQRAPITj7lM2fSUGJwVqaOtXatcu15mW-T0pEPJiZxxfpj2CAA4exsReY9cjm2M2fD-ne_6_P_mY737QtJ9_3DuPWAX-4p_U4Ij_y5uH6XfxX7a/s1600/mairi-world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusT4v6mRXPEwQEsM-M8JwxBAoOlSMnyQRAPITj7lM2fSUGJwVqaOtXatcu15mW-T0pEPJiZxxfpj2CAA4exsReY9cjm2M2fD-ne_6_P_mY737QtJ9_3DuPWAX-4p_U4Ij_y5uH6XfxX7a/s320/mairi-world.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>Where in the world is Mairi?Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535887463887673671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048563747149616328.post-50059761257129144502011-01-28T17:37:00.000-08:002011-01-28T18:05:00.467-08:00My HeartSoft, warm hands, delicate. Tiny fingers resting gently, perfectly, in my palm. That old, tired cliche so true.... How fast time flies, how quickly you grow. Three. Are you sure? <br />
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You're sure. "I can do it!" is your M.O. You're learning you don't always have to follow your sister and her designs, you too can wield some power. Testing the waters, trying new tricks, pedaling away...coming back for a red popsicle. Fierce and stubborn, gentle and tender. Already embedded in a strong, beautiful sisterly truce. <br />
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I want to scream, "Slow down! Don't grow!" But I can't. I am too excited to watch <em>you</em> unfold.<br />
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As you whisper, "I love you Mommy" in the dark, I am amazed at how small and big you are. <br />
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I love you too, Mairi, <em>I love you too</em>.Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535887463887673671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048563747149616328.post-59014235609723641972011-01-27T18:19:00.000-08:002011-01-27T18:19:39.768-08:00The Spirit of a WeekThis week we...<br />
<img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhs91m7oaPdcMxH4tf1qHpedgvrCnDRemu6pDMxsbeLb_V6vjhP6y49Lh3hlq9V62Wo8neoKlSFrK7brYOfSqOaBaDXRWppMrCdxTXLU_KOUscHN7C10oq-g80WETe1C4y8VnE9LZA8G6F/s320/spider-man.jpg" width="287" /><br />
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dressed up in new costumes, set aside for a cabin fever day;<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jZQylW3HmIYllK7A1H18j_eNYoBwtAM4hyVCdqDF4CGzXrcphUGx6-wZdzSOoz1PAuuUnXNakiW-B-NpDIzUWbnQkDJIJKYtuOgi-4V10UE3uKmSdHEi1WTdM7Del5kuE_v2RB-RLAln/s1600/painting-a-herd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jZQylW3HmIYllK7A1H18j_eNYoBwtAM4hyVCdqDF4CGzXrcphUGx6-wZdzSOoz1PAuuUnXNakiW-B-NpDIzUWbnQkDJIJKYtuOgi-4V10UE3uKmSdHEi1WTdM7Del5kuE_v2RB-RLAln/s320/painting-a-herd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">painted (hoof print pictures...and then the entire herd);</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJL0yYxuj8WKKbqcex4joCdsosbLjJMsQshsiVzF3CKFELWd4Dv3QKJHb4rC6EAYkpjzh-_eqYCdxvNUGqZqxqYaeHapWLEBDZpsL9TA8D3DCUnvSWMO5n2ix1EprI4V85B4nxLJXeAiYC/s1600/mattie-and-snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJL0yYxuj8WKKbqcex4joCdsosbLjJMsQshsiVzF3CKFELWd4Dv3QKJHb4rC6EAYkpjzh-_eqYCdxvNUGqZqxqYaeHapWLEBDZpsL9TA8D3DCUnvSWMO5n2ix1EprI4V85B4nxLJXeAiYC/s320/mattie-and-snow.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN5PUhhVE0HZasyzrjgjJ7opfJtCwMyzEtLb8SStNDxBcQFZhI1yTQX4zqd5kTH7v_oMyoOJvwjU4KOTbQ-o0tMo2DMfzrjEHVypKKDPvU7FSGMR1Sjast2IgXapKt1Lhx2VnPkoq8Elm/s320/snowman.jpg" width="222" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">built a snowman for our local rabbit and birds to enjoy (yes, I know those are rather unfortunately placed turnips, what can I say? buttons?);</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLS4YCdq0AHZ1x-ODsOLVG5rww2XKHEABHfUDK6pbJKCLyDRi8CwDI26HSn02TGgOzUetu-cyUw-9rHe2_9WOT_wyWc9ZP78gbnVf9wQLZvZ1d3NXjJnKjgYikWJkkVo6nWftaJ5hf8or/s1600/veggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLS4YCdq0AHZ1x-ODsOLVG5rww2XKHEABHfUDK6pbJKCLyDRi8CwDI26HSn02TGgOzUetu-cyUw-9rHe2_9WOT_wyWc9ZP78gbnVf9wQLZvZ1d3NXjJnKjgYikWJkkVo6nWftaJ5hf8or/s320/veggies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhs91m7oaPdcMxH4tf1qHpedgvrCnDRemu6pDMxsbeLb_V6vjhP6y49Lh3hlq9V62Wo8neoKlSFrK7brYOfSqOaBaDXRWppMrCdxTXLU_KOUscHN7C10oq-g80WETe1C4y8VnE9LZA8G6F/s1600/spider-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>and corraled some veggetables.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN5PUhhVE0HZasyzrjgjJ7opfJtCwMyzEtLb8SStNDxBcQFZhI1yTQX4zqd5kTH7v_oMyoOJvwjU4KOTbQ-o0tMo2DMfzrjEHVypKKDPvU7FSGMR1Sjast2IgXapKt1Lhx2VnPkoq8Elm/s1600/snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We also ate two dozen chocolate beet muffins, discussed birthdays, birthday parties, and listed our family member's birthdays in chronological order (beginning of course with next week), and reminded Mathea that her birthday is indeed in June. More posts on birthdays to come....</div>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535887463887673671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048563747149616328.post-38747121631431309342011-01-26T17:26:00.001-08:002011-01-26T18:04:35.294-08:00Chronicling the JourneySo, the other day I said to Erica "Why don't you write a blog?"<br />
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And, well, here we are.<br />
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Seriously, though - I agreed that I would participate as well, and that our goal would be to share some facets of our life as a family - the decisions we're making, the priorities that we've set, and the successes (and most likely some failures) along the way. We've given a lot of our collective time and energy to learning, and following, a more responsible lifestyle the past few years - responsible to our children, our bodies, and the planet - and want to take the opportunity to share what we've learned. Not everyone will get everything, hopefully some of it will be interesting to all, and my guess is that many will just check in for wacky "your kids did what?!?" stories. If you laugh, that's great, and if you learn and choose to make some small changes in your life, all the better -- and we hope you'll leave comments to teach us a thing or two as well! To paraphrase a friend of mine, the information "is free - and worth every penny!"<br />
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With that, wish us luck on this experiment!<br />
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Best,<br />
JR (and Erica too!)JRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16287544341635283371noreply@blogger.com0