My Obsession

As you know if you've been reading my blog for any time at all, I have two major obsessions: paper and Christmas. Yesterday I stopped at Hobby Lobby to look for patriotic decor, which of course was not on sale meaning I have to stop there several times to use multiple coupons, but that's another story. I was thrilled when I turned down an aisle and saw this:

Only 211 days to go!

The Family Gardener

Thunder has the makings of becoming a great gardener. Sunny brought home two plant starts in January, a tomato plant and a sunflower. To our great satisfaction, they both lived and are thriving. Last week we harvested our first tomato. Thunder heads out every morning after breakfast when he's here to inspect the tomato plant and then comes in with a progress report for me. When we picked the tomato, he explained to me how I should slice it. But when Dan asked him if he liked tomatoes and wanted a taste he said, "no thank you, I don't like tomatoes yet." I guess that's something he's working towards!

Although you can't tell from his expression, he was very excited over the tomato, but the sun was in his eyes. 

The Sand Box

We've been meaning to build the kids a sandbox ever since we moved into this house in October 2013. But somehow it always got pushed down the list of priorities. This year we found a sandbox at Sam's Club that looked perfect. We opted for convenience over sentiment and bought the kit.

Needless to say they love it! Especially Thunder. His only complaint is that I don't have a dump truck. I need to remedy that right away. Here are some photos of the sandbox being enjoyed. I think Thunder's smile says it all!

Thunder

Sunny, Thunder, Storm

We were surprised (and pleased) that Storm did not put any sand in his mouth!

A (gasp) Stitching Post!

Yes, I have been stitching this year. I've actually completed nine projects. What I have not been doing however, is taking photos and posting.

Last week I got myself together and framed several pieces. I have many more to frame and hope to complete that task by June 1.

Here's a peek at what I've been up to:

This is the last square I committed to stitching on Jessica's afghan

 

I stitched this in 2013 and finally framed it last week.

That's not TOO bad, is it?!

Same deal here, took me two years to finally frame it.

Yippee! Finally a project that I stitched and framed all in the same month.

Another 2015 stitching project. I love the fabric from PTP, but I forgot to note which one it is.

Speaking of Picture This Plus, I will be heading over to Abilene Kansas soon to visit Marilyn and the rest of the staff. I am so excited and can't wait to purchase some new fabric.

I have a new (to me) philosophy of stitching this year. I'm mainly stitching for myself. I have a few project I must make for others, but not many. I'm also going through my stash with a critical eye as to what I'm really going to ever stitch. There are so many new patterns that call to me, but I don't buy them because of all the old (some are REALLY old) patterns that I have on the waiting list. I will be listing the ones I want to discard on a future post. They will all be free, but I will need to have the postage covered by the recipient this time around. Stay tuned!

SSMT #10

Be strong and take heart,

all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24 NIV

Official Eleven Month Photo

I'm doing better this month, at least I'm posting the photo within days of  the 4th. I love the monkey photo this time. The days of Storm placidly laying beside the monkey for a photo are over! Hard to believe this sweet boy will be one year old in less than a month...

Summer Project

So, I was looking at some of my Pinterest boards the other day to see what I could delete. I like to try to keep a clean account by every once in a while going through my boards and deleting pins I will never make, am no longer interested in, or just plain have no idea why I pinned them in the first place.

I was focusing on my "Edibles" board when it occurred to me - here's a great summer project! Why not make as many of the recipes on my board as I can from June1 - August 31?! Great idea...

Now, we'll see if I really follow through or not. But just in case I do, stay tuned for updates beginning June 1st.

I'm actually kind of excited...

SSMT #9

I read this verse in a book in April and knew I just had to commit it to memory.

The Lord your God is in your midst,
   a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
   he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV