Craft Therapy

I was having one of those weeks where everything just builds up then your 4 year old decides not to eat the eggs you just made but wants a sandwich instead and it sends you into a meltdown. I timed myself out in the backyard with a cup of coffee. What I wanted to do that Sunday morning was rewind the weekend and start over but instead I picked up my knitting needles. One of my friends way back from middle school was having a baby shower and I decided she needed a new hat to go with the kimono and baby shoes. I pulled up project runway from my DVR and two hours later I had a hat. It was so satisfying to start and finish a project in one sitting.
Minutes after finishing I was out the door and on the way to the party. It was amazing to see a room full of people I had not seen since our 10 year high school reunion (20 is around the corner). Tina really seemed to like the gifts and I think the handmade items inspired a few friends to pick up new crafting skills as well. There was even talk of a wine and sewing party in the future. I came home feeling full of warmth from old friends and ready to start a new week.

First Day of School

A new year has begun. Ava started second grade yesterday. Two of her very good friends are in the class so life if pretty good. Erin also went back to preschool, now in the 4 year old class. She has a wonderful teacher and lots of friends which made it an easy day for both of us. She is already trying to decide what "100 things" she wants to bring for the 100th day of school and has her pajamas out and ready to go for pajama day.

I let them pick out what they wanted to wear. I already have a strategy for helping Erin match her clothes. Lets hope it is successful or I foresee morning meltdowns in our future.

A New Garden Bed

Jeff and Ava replanted the garden today.

After several attempts to grow vegetables in pots we decided to see if a garden bed in the ground would work better. The herbs have done pretty well but everything else is just hanging in there and not producing any veggies.

We found a good spot next to the downspout which gets several hours of full sun in the afternoon. It is hard to find the right balance between sunshine and baking hot in the Arizona desert.

Water break

Here is where we are so far. Next step is irrigation and a little sunshade.

Diggin' Dinos

We are into dinosaurs at the moment. Or, Ava is I should say. Erin would prefer that she just stop talking about them. Don't get Ava started or she'll tell you about their evolution from sea creatures. It is fun to see her get so interested in something. We've taken several trips to the library to check out books on dinosaurs, watch National Geographic documentaries, even excavated them in the sandbox. Erin... not so much, but give her a princess crown and she's happy.

Summers End

I had a wonderfully quiet, creative, fun summer with my family but today it's back to work. I love the start of a new year and knowing that fall is around the corner. It is one of my favorite times of the year.
I had to squeeze in just a little more sewing so I ordered these beautiful fabrics from Above All Fabric. They practically arrived the next day. I have made two skirts and a shirt from these so far and I'm trying to find just the right pattern for the others. Those apples are just shouting back to school clothes for the girls. I hope to post some pictures of these items, I just have to photograph them first. Now what to wear with my new clothes? New shoes of course! Last week I went into a discount shoe store looking for boots and I left with 5 pairs. It was just one of those magical shopping days when everything fits and is 40-70% off. I passed up so many cute pairs and narrowed it down to these.

I've also stocked up on jeans and white t-shirts. Now you see why I'm so ready to start a new school year?