Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Friday out on Trinity Lake - hardly anyone there! Another score for Homeschoolers!!! These kids are so lucky. It's really
amazing on a boat - you have no other responsibilities. You can't do anything but relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. So far we have seen bald eagles soaring alongside us and deer sleeping my the shore. And the whole family has fun. What more could I ask for right now?

SUMMERTIME AND THE WEATHER IS SWEET

We are going to have the best summer ever! Thanks to everyone who helped us create this wonderful life we are living. We are so lucky and blessed to know people like you.

Happy Mothers Day!!

We spent Mother's Day at our local Zoo. The kids loved brushing all the goats and sheep - funny since I can't get them to do it at home!!
Can y'all see my little guys outfit here - his own personal style, a
little of everything.

California spring

Here's some California sunshine for everyone. Just seeing these makes
me warm.

Fairy Fun

Thanks to everyone who attended my daughter's tea-party. We had fun frolicking with you!

Life on a farm....

Life on a farm should be like this everyday. The kids love looking for eggs...some days we only find one, but somedays we find a whole basket. I'm always looking for new things to do with all those eggs. 

Any suggestions?

Easter egg hunt

Big sis made sure that little brother was able to hear all the rules for the local easter egg hunt. He was feeling shy, and didn't know what to expect. She comforted him until the search began. Then, like all good big sisters, she abandoned him to find the candy!
But really we had a lot of fun (thanks- local 4-H !!) those eggs were well hidden, and those mountain kids of mine have eagle eyes.

Sewing Spring Dresses

Yesterday the girls and I dug out patterns and fabric for new spring dresses. We all helped cut out the pattern and fabrics, and today while it snows, we are going to sew them together....seemed like we thought we would wear them out to dinner tonight, but now it looks like we won't be going anywhere! Ahhh the weather in Northen California. 

Spring??

We  made beautiful sugar cookies with the best icing recipe and sprinkles too! Boy, I always forget that sugar cookies are an all day long ordeal, but so worth it in the end. It's always amazing to see the kids personalities come out in the decorating process. 

Early signs of spring.

I love seeing the crocuses bloom each spring. They are so dainty, and
fairy-like. They are only here so briefly, and seem to be saying
don't worry about the winter, he will be leaving soon and spring in
all her beauty will be arriving!
I can't wait. Our 6 year old has decided to celebrate spring with a
Fairy tea party... we can't wait to tell you more about it soon!

Winter storm

Old man winter brought us a wonderful storm last week. So we thought
we'd go for a drive! Here we are at a place we call Top of the World!

So long holidays!!

The life of a busy mom....

Here is a funny picture of a poor neglected pumpkin that didn't even
get to be carved out for Halloween. He spent the rest of his days on
our porch. Here is what he looks like today.

The Karma Goddess!!

Thank you Karma Goddess! We stayed in town over the weekend
with final dress rehearsals all day Saturday and two performances on
Sunday where our 6 year old was a snowflake in the Ballet. We didn't
want to risk getting stuck and missing either. Heading home this
morning I was a little worried about the road but who was in front of
us? The Grader and Plow! Thank you thank you - we made it home just
fine. And now all my littles are tucked in their beds with visions of
sugar plums dancing in their heads.

Spot our new puppy.

As if we weren't busy enough, we got the cutest little puppy just
before Thanksgiving and named him Spot. He is going to be a great dog!

Happy Birthday Papa!!

Well, as you can see my cake making skills are pathetic when it comes
to decorating. Oh well, it tasted great and there were no complaints.
We had a nice day, it was beautiful outside and we enjoyed it
together, with the little ones, wishing the two older girls were here
too.

Winter Crafts

Today it was sunny and Hot out! What a Dec. 1st!! Perhaps it'll be a warm winter, what with global warming and all....But tonight it rained a cold hard rain that snapped me back into reality - it'll be snow on the ranch for certain again this year. 

This week we will be knitting legwarmers- in the round with variegated yarn...pictures to follow...Should be interesting with a toddler - let's call him King Distructo, and our beautiful new blue pit puppy, aptly named Spot because of the diamond shape on his head. 

Also Grandma left her clay, so we will have to do something with that. 

December always seems like a good time to make candles, and tinctures. I want to try to make herbal throat lozenges this year. Solstice will be here soon enough, and I am trying to think of a really nice handmade present for each one of my bundles...aprons maybe, since they have ben big helps in the kitchen lately.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

     We have so much to be thankful for this year. Our large family is so happy to be complete and stronger then ever. Our beautiful children are growing so big, and they are learning everything. My husband and I have had the most challenging summer yet, but we have emerged from it ready to take on the next hardship together as a
unified pair.
    Watching what is going on around me is enough to exhaust anyone. We are preparing for the winter non-stop right now. With the warm winds still here we have been outside all day, cleaning organizing and playing. 

     Our kids are amazing, and I love them so much. They have become little explorers up here in our mountains.
They found 4 salamanders up here in our creek the other day. The older ones have been riding their ATV's and the littles are getting really good on their bikes. We have been collecting and pressing the fall leaves for winter projects when it is too cold to go outside. I have plenty of other winter projects ready too. My sewing machine is back out and the knitting needles are flying. I have been knitting a little red riding hood cape for my daughter. Winter we are ready for you this time!
Enjoy your holidays everyone, I hope they are overfilled with love.

Only in our town!

Kids wait in line to see Mossman and tell him their halloween wishes! It's a little like Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin, perhaps...  ??

Spot the poodle...