A Little Sneak Peek

I'm pretty sure I have carpel tunnel due to many hours of hand embroidery this past year. Most of this piece was done through the pain of aching wrists and tingling fingers. But I couldn't let that stop me from bringing it to life.



It will be part of a wall collage over the girls dresser that I'm working on this week. Let's just say, I spent four hours spray painting on Tuesday.

Next week is VBS at our church. I volunteered to be the Costume Coordinator this year as table teaching isn't my gifting. Though it's been a lot of work, I am having a blast getting to sit in on rehearsals for the play. Our children's music director writes a new play for it each year, and she does a phenomenal job. Here's a sneak peek.



More to come next week including my first ever clothing piece for an adult.  I haven't even sewn for myself yet and I made a colonial dress for one of the lead characters.

A Little R & R

I had the privilege of spending another relaxing week-end at our church's retreat center recently.



I could never tire of this place. This time we stopped for lunch in Red Wing. I forgot how much I love that town. We definitely need to take a day trip there as a family this summer.













They added a little petting zoo a couple of weeks ago, complete with two llamas, some goats and sheep. They also have chickens now too.



Aren't they cute?



I got to do two of my favorite things that week-end.  Sit on a porch swing and embroider and sit by the pool reading. *sigh*

Last Day of School

I am so glad that school is out. We've been looking forward to sleeping in, trips to the pool and zoo, VBS, camping and just being together more. And it's finally here!

Congratulations girls, on finishing your first year in school. I am so excited to have you back home with me for ten weeks and I look forward to making many fun memories this summer.



We had a K-5 pic nic after our early release last day on Friday and it was a ton of fun. This is Allison with her teacher, Ms. Gillitzer. Sam loves to sneak into as many pics as he can. ;)



Sweet friends from Emily's class.



Her tooth became wiggly that morning after accidentally getting kicked in the mouth. *OUCH* She said too bad it won't make it onto the tooth chart this year. We were all surprised when it fell out at the pic nic just one hour past being able to make that chart. It's definitely more fun to loose a tooth when you are with your friends.



This little guy had a fun last week of school too.



We found out that his nickname at school has been Sammy Whammy as many of his teachers wrote that in his farewell card.



He seemed right at home with all his new friends, though even up to his last day, he was so shy going in everyday that he covered at least one eye and often both while walking to the room with his teachers. The director said he's just that all american kid that's always smiling and happy.  Everyone wants to take him home with them. That's my boy!



Sam you are such a fun kid. We look forward to watching you grow and learn.

I'll be back soon...tons going on and lots to share...

How does my garden grow?

Well, my 14' wall turned into a 17' wall. :) And it still doesn't seem like there is as much planting space as I had envisioned.



The grill is nicely tucked in the corner now. and some stones at the base of the hand me down fire-pit make it look a bit built in.



The Japanese lilac tree our Bible study go graciously gave us money to buy when my dad passed away, has finally been planted. I still have some sod to bust up around the bushes I added for privacy and edging stones to buy and dig in around the back of the new bed.



I love that I found a tree with 4 trunks to it. I think he would have liked it.



This new rose bush will be very pretty this summer.



I added a little dry creek bed along where the gutters have been overflowing.  Just before David fixed them and they no longer overflow. Ha! It will stay anyway since I think it's pretty cute. :) I'm looking forward to those hollyhocks (to the right of the stones)  blooming this year.



I love how great the flowers look back here even just a year after transplanting.



The delphinium are a new favorite.



I especially love the view when I turn the corner now.



There is still a lot to do like painting the chairs around the table, adding a 9'x9' patio under the table, painting the backside of the house this year, putting a vegetable garden back in (just below the playset) and a few more plants to buy to fill in by the air conditioner and hydrangea to buy for the whole front side of the house. This morning a raked half of the front yard and added grass seed. Busy, busy, busy.

Thank you Mom...

...for the Mother's day gift that allowed me to buy exactly what I needed to make a 14' retaining wall. In just one day I'm half done and should have it finished tomorrow. I'm looking forward to no one having to mow this steep hill anymore and to being able to add flowers and a hedge to block the lovely view of our neighbors garbage cans.



But most importantly, thank you for teaching me that we can do hard things.



It took me 36 trips from the garage to the back door, carrying heavy blocks (obviously). But that doesn't count loading and unloading them at Home Depot and keeping the heavy cart from getting away from me on the slope to my truck.



I think I'll sleep well tonight. Or not be able to get out of bed in the morning. Probably both. ;)