Sometimes I forget...

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in things that are less important I forget the ones that are more so. This weekend, I forgot to linger, and instead got to rushing. I lost sleep over it. Every time that I think I've got things figured out( including myself), I fall again. Often, I wonder what I have done to deserve my sister.

I just can't stay away

I so rarely post anything anymore I sometimes wonder why I bother. I guess it's like Facebook, once it's there, you feel slightly compelled to check on it every now and then. I had grand plans of using this space for things like talking about books I've read( I do loooove to read), but so far , nope. Of course I don't read much but school books these days, but still. So many people have such brilliant things to say( Soulemama, bluebirdbaby, anyone?)that I feel like it is a better use of my time to just do things, and let others do the writing, for now. But I do love sharing pictures, so here a a couple from out my door this morning.

here comes the rain

pileated woodpecker

Night~blooming Cirrus

Oh, the weather has finally changed. Gone are the oppresive 90 degree days, with their wretched humidity. In their place today, we have cool breezes, and a wonderful mix of sunshine( for the soccer game), and rain,( for immediatley after). I reaaly do love summer, but cannot tolerate the humidity that makes me feel like I'm wearing a blanket on my chest.

These woodpeckers were hanging out at our house for a couple days last week. As I was pulling in the driveway, they flew up in front of me, so I grabbed the camera that I luckily happened to have in the car, and managed to get a couple of shots before they got too far away.

The flower is one of about eight or so from my night-blooming Cirrus, which is truly the world's ugliest plant. Being as it's actually a climbing, vining type of tropical plant, its really not suprising that its so sprawly. It just grows all over the place, no symmetry or anything, but once a year, usually late August, early September, the flowers show up. They are fabulous. They really do bloom at night, and each one only opens once, and then that's it. But, they smell amazing. If you are lucky, and get out of bed early enough, you can see them in the morning, before they wilt, but by then the scent has gone. The funny thing is, I've had this plant for about 20 years, and it never did much of anything. It's not a typical houseplant that one sees in New England, but one year I decided to put it outside for the summer. That did it, so now every May, out it goes...

I'm back at school these days, actually taking Nursing now, instead of hoping I get in. A bit different than last year, certainly more work. ( which is funny, considering its only 6 credits, last year I was doing 10) Our first exam is in 2 weeks(!), I'm determined to get an "A".As my Anatomy proffessor said last year, " Study what you don't know". Makes sense to me. But first its a nap, as this awful cold I have found somewhere along the way kept me up all of last night. Me no likey. Even the dog is sneezing, maybe its in the air. Cheers!

What I did on summer vacation

my cousin's wedding in August

at a (surprise) 60th birthday!

paddling

on the lake

at Niagara Falls(American side)

just after crossing the border

at Gramma's( yes I'm in a picture!)

Gramma, after scolding me not to take the picture


It's been sooo busy this summer, with surprise birthday parties, unexpected trips North of the border, weddings, summer basketball, soccer starting, getting ready for school( and trying to conquer the accompanying butterflies in my stomach!) I couldn't believe that it's been two months since I've written anything. My sister and I went to Canada this month to visit our Gramma, it was a wonderful, if too short, trip. We spent the night in Niagara Falls( Canadian side) on the way home, and went to the state park on the American side the next day. I'd only ever been there in the winter, so to see it now,its amazing. We celebrated Craig's mother's 60th birthday, with a sucessfully-pulled-off suprise party, and just this past weekend, celebrated the marriage of my cousin Brian to his fiancee Missie. It was such a beautiful time, I especially loved "Here comes the Bride" played on kazoos by the wedding party. Awesome.Not to mention sneaking off to the lake for an afternoon, getting away to my sister's for a weekend, and spending all my spare time reading, trying to get it in before school starts( in a week!), when I'll be reading nothing but my textbooks. So, on that note, I'm off to visit Forks( again. Yes I know), if I can hear myself think over the clamour of boys in the next room.

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day:: to my husband,Craig, who recently celebrated 15 years of being a great Dad, and to my dad, my grandpa Al, Craig's grandpa Bob, and my brother in laws, Tim, Sean and Jon.

is it....

finally summertime? Time for homemade popsicles, pomegranate lemonade, swimming, and things to finally be growing in the garden? Why, yes, I do believe it is.

this moment

{this moment}:: a single photo capturing a moment from my week, inspired by Amanda

Sometimes...

Sometimes, our children are our greatest teachers, about forgiveness, patience, and the kind of people we want to be when we grow up. Oftentimes, I think, we really don't deserve them.

this moment

this moment:: a Friday ritual( although my last was awhile back :)

summertime...

::clothes on the line

:: not a cloud in sight

:: typing this with garden~dirty hands

:: putting seeds in the ground

:: giving old plants new homes

:: eavesdropping on the birds conversations while I work

::getting ready for the first trip of the season to the beach

what makes your ordinary day special?

Sunday hiking

Going hiking with the kids these days is a rare experience. Between all the sports, school, and other " stuff", there dosen't seem to be as much time for a hike. But we'd gone to visit their Graet Grandpa, and afterwards, Hunter had some places he wanted to show us. So we went. It was fun. This is all behind their grandfather's house in Proctor, and the best part was it didn't rain till later. Speaking of rain, it's very dark in the sky at the moment, we're supposed to get thunderstorms later. I am a bit tired of rain, of course this morning was beautiful, while I was working. Figures.

in which I am doing everything but what I am supposed to be...

I've finally managed to get out there and get some pictures of the Spring that has seemed to happen overnite. Either it was too grey, or there was too much going on. I will be glad for the first week of May, school's out! I am so glad to be back in school, don't get me wrong. Having never thought I would/could do anything like this, I'm still kind of surprised at my self. But this week's got so much to do:: an exam in every class, plus a paper due in Anatomy& Physiology. Then, studying for finals two weeks after that. At least the boys are on vacation, no games this week for them. Of course, that's just in one sport, they still have soccer games( which of course I will miss:( ). But no baseball till next week. Hunter has signed up for his sophomore classes this past week, Driver's Ed this summer! I can't believe its that time already. I'm not sure I want to be old enough to have a driving teenager. At least Fischer's still got a couple years.

In other very exciting news, I've got a clothesline! No, really, that's very exciting. It's been 5 or so years since I've had one, and how I've missed hanging things on the line. Craig put it up for me last Tuesday. I can look out my bedroom window and see it, it makes me so happy. Of course, its not the cool, old aluminum vintage retractable one I got at the rummage sale last year, that one proved to be waaay to short to fit anywhere. So I shall give it to my friend Gretchen, who has a very small yard, it should be just right. She has chickens too, I'm a wee bit jealous, but really, what would I do with one more thing to look after!? Fischer now has a fish( named Tom), as well as a gerbil named Emma( poor Jack, our replacement for Luke the hamster, did a runner on Easter morning. Oh yes, he did. Instead of looking for eggs, we were looking for hamster. Never found him. Poor little thing. )I do rather like having a fish again, I must say.

It's off to get my work done, and try to unstuff my poor head, I've got the worst cold ever! I haven't been sick like this in years. sigh. It's really not fair, why couldn't I have gotten it in the winter, when I didn't want to go outside? Ah well, happy Spring to everyone!

I can't think of a title for this post...

This is not what it looks like at my house this morning. Today is bright, sunny and smells like spring. Flowers are up, leaves are coming out, and it's going to be 80(!) degrees today. Yesterday we were watching baseball. Things are good. This pic was taken a couple weeks ago, on a drizzly and grey Monday. I am fond of it, for all of that. I simply have not had time to get any pictures even taken, let alone uploaded lately. But soon, soon!, term will be over. Four weeks, in fact. I have never looked forward to summer vacation more. I have so many plans, including going to the lake( a lot!), hiking, camping reading, some sewing projects from A Handmade Home( which I got last winter, and haven't had a chance to make anything from yet), learning to play guitar, and how to knit socks. Maybe some lunch dates with my friends and sister, and getting ready for nursing school in the fall. Things are good.

The Vintage Swap....

a new corner of my studio...

some lovely goodies from Leanne,

Pretty ribbon, and a sweet thrifting find...

this little crocheted doily is great...

another great thrifting find, linen and bird love( and British!)

Well, here we are. This seemed to take me forever to get posted, but Leanne's box was so full of wonderfulness( is that a word?). Lots of fabric, ribbons, buttons(squee!), and little hairpins, just right for Spring. Thank you so much, Leanne, I can't wait to use some of it, and Heather for setting it all up. Blogging has really changed my life, "meeting" all these wonderful women would never have happened without it. And since Leanne's box arrived the same day as a box full of "beach stuff" from my mom in Florida, it prompted a cleaning of the studio, and removal of some things that no longer worked for the space( can you say old metal-frame futon couch? to the dump with thee!). It freed up a good deal of valuble real estate, which naturally led to a little more throwing away, and some redecorating, so now that old wrought-iron lamp I got at the age of 13 has a great new home, to light up the perfect spot for studying. In a couple months, it will be lighting up some knitting, or embroidery, but that will wait.

The bread that needed to be baked on this cold, dreary Spring day is almost done, I can smell it.I love being able to have something good for the boys after school, it's a good thing I made four loaves, I bet we'll be down to two by bedtime!

Ahhh.....Spring

The ice is going out on the pond, the crocuses are up, and all the manner of growing is going on in the gardens. As I sat down to write this, I saw a robin right outside my window. My mom used to mark on the calender when she saw her first robin in the spring. This winter posed many challenges, and now I am glad for all of them, they make the spring seem that much sweeter.

I'm still here...

does anyone care? I feel like I've lost the last few weeks, it's already mid-March! and past Daylight Savings Time! I have been looking forward to that. So many things to report, but they shall have to wait. I'm neck -deep in school work, exams and exams and papers due soon. I got my acceptance into Nursing school at Castleton State( yay!) but I am so very nervous about it now. sigh. I know it'll be fine, it's just really a big thing for me. I got my box from Heather's Vintage Swap, pictures from that loveliness soon( they're still in my camera!). I'm off to Karate with the boys, and a bit of studying~ is it May yet? I need a vacation.I did get my Christmas present though, that beautiful bookcase. It was full the moment it was brought home. Thanks to my wonderful husband for that!

{this moment}*

*idea from Soulemama

A winter's day

The trees, from underneath, while snowshoeing..

the kids, trying to make a human snowman..

What a wonderful day we had yesterday. The boys proved they were not too old to go outside and play, and I got to spend two hours being reacquainted with an old frind, my snowshoes. Such heavy snow as we had made for slow going, but I'd finished my homework, and was in no hurry. A good lunch when I got home, and more of the kids going back outside, made perfect conditions for a quiet hot shower and a little nap. Being home for dinner was a treat as well, usually I'm in class at 6:00. So dinner with the family, beeswax candles and all, and now they're back to school, so a quiet morning is now to be had. I'll take it, as quiet is a rare and precious commodity in these parts.

Snow Day...

A little bit of breakfast...

someone else doing the hard work...

lots of snow....

a little Spring peeking out....

all equals a Snow Day! No school for the boys, and no work for me. Seeing as I work in a school, that does make sense, but its still nice. The only thing was that after the 5:30 am call from the school, and the 6:15 call from work, I erally couldn't get back to sleep. But as I am now up before the rest of my house, I will enjoy the peace and quiet,and have my tea. I'm betting my class will be cancelled tonite as well, which will make for a bit of a nice break, I need to get some papers finished up. I didn't do a thing on them yesterday, but I did get a box together to send to Leanne, of Little House Mouse. ( I really need to learn how to make my links work!) She and I were partnered in the Vintage Swap, hosted by Heather of Shivaya Naturals. The first of March is kind of sneaking up on me, but it'll go out today, yay! Our post office is open in town after 6 months of being closed due to fire damage. No more going to the next town, with its big post office/court building, and little tiny parking lot!Plus, I am going to go snowshoeing this afternoon, I haven't had the snow to go since December. I am ready for Spring, but I guess Winter can stick around a little while longer, as long as March goes out like a lamb.

reason # 1306 to have a Dutch oven

This Dutch oven, in fact. This very one, Carribean Blue, Le Creuset, 5 1/2 quart. I was making the Pioneer Woman's Pot Roast, and as I was reading the directions, it told me to use my Dutch oven. ( By the way, if you do not have a copy of her cookbook, get one.Right now. She's amazing.)Not having one, I sighed, and proceeded to improvise. I do that so very well. And while it will undoubtedly come out fine( and if not, it will be my fault, not hers), I am sure it would have tasted better coming out of that wonderfully blue Dutch Oven. I am saving all my pennies for this( yes really! actual pennies!)and someday it will sit in my cupboard, at the ready for risotto, soup, bread, and oh yes, pot roast.

edited to add:: PW Pot Roast=YUM!

is it Summer yet?

So, this is not what it looks like at my house right now. Nor does it depict anything that I have done recently, like going to Boston (to see Harry Potter). Still haven't managed to get those pics off my camera, eveen though there's not much to see, as we couldn't take pictures in the Exhibition itself( stupid copyright). But to be able to see the actual items from the movies, it was beyond amazing. As is my sister Sarah, who arranged the whole thing( and drove in Boston. I just couldn't have done it. We'd still be there.) The clothes, books, wands, props, classrooms, I loooved the wardrobe with the Boggart in it! The Quidditch. Oh, the Quidditch. I really couldn't pick just one thing to be my favorite.
Fischer is feeling a bit better now, for those who were wondering. After the dentist( clean bill of teeth for both! Yay!), we went to Petco, and he chose another little furry friend. He named him Jack. I keep calling him Jake. We have a yellow dog named Jake. It's confusing. But even this did not stop him from having a (teen -age) hissy fit about going to Karate tonite, because Tuesdays are boring. But when he has no winter sport, because basketball is boring, he dosen't get to ditch Karate as well. There would just be too much sitting around in the winter if he did, and unfortunatley, he's one of those kids who shouldn't sit around. All my logic was wasted on him. I hate to say I just told him he's going, and that 's it, but I did. I know that after, he'll be in a better mood( because that's one of the benefits of excercise), but putting up with it till then is JUST NO FUN. It feels like I'm "forcing him" to do this, but if he's left to his own devices, he will just sit there. How else do you manage the fine line between encouraging and making them do something? He does love Karate, and is good at it. Almost-thirteen can just be so fun sometimes.
Anyway, my picture is from last summer. It's snowing here, and I'm really feeling that I'm done with winter. That seems to be going round the blogosphere, so I thought I'd throw a little summer to anyone who stops by here.

A not-so-happy ending...

So. I took Amanda's advice. I got out of Dodge. Changed my scenery. Went to the Boston Museum of Science with Fischer, to see the Harry Potter Exhibition( totally freaking awesome!!!!!!!). Although it was a long ride home, that was alright. Get home about 9 pm. Fine.Fischer goes to check on Luke( his hamster. Can you see where this is going?) Poor Luke, not so much with the living anymore. *sigh* He's never had a pet die on him before, I feel so bad. There's really nothing I can do for him, I am not used to that, as a mother. And, I felt really bad putting poor Lukey in the trash, but what else can I do with him in February? I would've buried him. But it's frozen out there. And yes, tomorrow after the dentist, we'll go to Petco and get a new hamster( since I just bought new food and bedding, it seems silly not to have a hamster to go with it). So maybe tomorrow, we'll have a happier Fischer. And I'll tell you about the HP Exhibit( for anyone who actually reads this). But for tonight, I feel like I'm not doing very well at getting away from the winter gloom. And I was trying so hard.

Moving on...

I can't wait to try the Tunisian Crocheting I found in here!

This one is my favorite, just sooo much cool stuff to try!

SO, it's high time that I posted about the wonderful books that Laura(at a http://asmatteringoflaura.blogspot.com/) sent me. (Sorry about the link, its the only way I can get it to work.) As I've started the Spring term at school( even though its 3 degrees here right now), I will have to put these on hold for a couple months, along with all the other reading I've yet to get to. But, it was great to get this in the mail, there are so many projects that are now on my " must make " list, along with a few that are on the "I can't wait to try that" list as well. The sun is shining brightly this morning, and my household is still sleeping( its not just mothers of small children who wish for their kids to sleep in on a Saturday morning!). I can feel my sadness slowly slipping away, especially as today the only thing I have to do is walk with my friend( long overdue), and get a start on my homework. I found out yesterday that my classes end on 30 April. Woot! Just in time for Spring planting of basil, tomato and marigolds! Also, my sister and I are going to take ( most of) our kids to the Boston Museum of Science, for the Harry Potter exhibit, in February. I love that place.

So, thank you thank you Laura! These books made my day!