Chick-sitting

We got to chick-sit a few weeks ago to get keeping chickens out of my system.  They we're so little, I worried about them constantly.  Nope, not ready for pets yet...but we had a good week.

about my mom

I can't remember why I started my blog and most of the time I can't think of why I still have it.  But I do like to take pictures of my life and my kids and my projects.  And I like to keep track of what I've read and seen.  And a blog is a handy place for all that.   It's also the place I know I can show my mom what Sorette's hair looks like today, or how Boo held the chickens we babysat last week (post next week?) because she will see it within hours if not minutes of my hitting Publish.

And then she'll call me. or email me.  To tell me her hair is beautiful and Boo is precious and that they have a good mother.   I usually roll my eyes but secretly I love the praise and need that praise.  Even if it's not true I want it to be true and hope that I'm doing something right.  like she did.  and does.  

baking norwegian christmas goodies.  every year-enough for the whole family. 

sewing one of a kind dresses and teaching me to sew with my grandmother.

cooking at the beach while on vacation.  who cooks on vacation?  my mom and my aunt because the vacation wouldn't have happened otherwise, and neither would the memories.

packing for camp and college.  oh, that packing.  it was a serious task.

letters to camp with pressed flowers from home.  

finding lost things and not complaining about the irresponsibles one who lost things in the first place.

anne of green gables marathons.  the tradition continues!

teaching me to drive on the way home from school.

mucking stalls.  did she really do that for me? yup.

planning a wedding, before he asked.  

flying down at the birth of her grandchildren.  rocking them so i could sleep.  

creating treasure hunts for children who will remember having something prepared especially for them.
emails packed with truth when i've been confused.
flowers on my birthday, with a note that tells me how much she loved me then and now.

life is funny.  like my daughters now, when i was little, i tried to do just like my mother.  whether it was baking or sewing or getting dressed.  then there were the years of independence i spent convinced i was nothing like her.  then a few more years that would make me laugh and scratch my head when i'd look at my hands and see hers.  and now i'm back to thinking we are so different and i will never be like her.  how was she so patient?  how is her faith so strong?  how is she so considerate?  and flexible? and will i always blurt out what i'm thinking--will i ever learn to be more like her?  then i remember my hands and wonder if she had some of the same weaknesses and consider her a benefactress of hope.

This post is part of the:

Nature Study Scavenger

A few pictures from our last Nature Study...with egg cartons painted different colors for a scavenger hunt.

March Bee Block and a Quilt Along

I mailed in my March block -Blocked In from 99 Modern Blocks.  I used my own stash for it-which makes it all the more dear. The other members' blocks seemed to be made of other bright fabric, so I hope they all play together nicely.  

And starting today my bee partner, Megan of City Stitches, is hosting a Quilt Along 

based on the Retro Flowers Patter by Christina at The Sometimes Crafter.  

Doesn't this look fun? May have to try curved pieces...

Etsy-Sometimes Crafter

Yarn Extensions

We tried them...after two days of twisting them in...we got about 2, maybe 3 weeks of wear until I was sick of the fuzzy look.  I also thought I missed doing her hair every Friday and Saturday morning...

They were fun and she was really good about her beads so we'll definitely do them again.  Maybe just once she's better at sitting for long periods of time.  

I'm thinking they might be good/easy for camp this summer...

Tomorrow is her birthday, by the way!  We've been celebrating with cookies for dessert each night this week :)

February Modern Block

Another New Year's Resolution was to join a quilting bee.  Check.  

February's block is On the Plus Side, from the 99 Modern Blocks book.  I finished it last night and will send it to British Columbia tomorrow!  Can't wait to see what Katie does with 10 of them.

Look at how tiny these plus parts are:  

Field Trip #5: Dead Fish Friday

We've been enjoying our Dallas Children's Theater a lot this school year-we've seen 4 plays so far and will see another 2 in the spring.

We've also been doing Nature Study/Art Fridays with two other homeschooling families.   The art part has been a lot more consistent than the nature part.  I've just been lazy about getting the kids out and seeing nature.  you know, it's cold, we should stay in.  or, it rained two weeks ago.  it could still be muddy.  never mind we're in a stage 4 drought.  

But we made it happen the past two weeks!  And I brought my camera!

We've been loosely following The 10 Week Getting Started Outdoor Challenge.  Last time I asked each of the kids to collect a seed, a leaf, a dead bug or endoskeleton, and a rock.  This week, I told them to collect one kind of item, but several varieties-like seed pods, or leaves.  They collected dead fish and declared nature study awesome.

 Happy Trails.

Finished Magformers Quilt

It's small (crib size), but I really like this quilt.  While I was binding it, I bragged to Matt that my stitches were so stealth-like.  They were ninja stitches.
Of course a lot of things get labeled "ninja" in our house these days, thanks to having boys live here and all.  Not sure yet what purpose the quilt will serve, probably just a play mat for our living room where we don't have carpeting.

Have a great weekend!
ps:
part 1 of Magformers Quilt here.
linking up to Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts-thanks, Amanda Jean!