The Annual Ritual

With Easter nearly here, Katie and Alex get crack-a-lackin' on dyeing eggs!

The Easter Monster?

This little art piece was up in the kitchen when I came to work this morning. I THINK it's an easter chicken. Whatever, I like it. And who doesn't love preschool artwork where the feathers are the kid's hands!?

Happy Birthday Sister!

Susna's Birthday is today (or tomorrow, sorry Lorene my memory is going south.) Here's how I envision my big sis and me in our glory years.

I know you can still rock that feathered head-dress missy! Hope your day is as fab as this outfit!

Natalie Dee I Love You

That Natalie Dee, how does she know my life so well?!

nataliedee.com

A New Guilty Pleasure

Y'all know that TLC is devoted to totally trashy 'reality' programming, right? I am obsessed with "Toddlers & Tiaras" lately. Could these little girls and their mamas be any MORE on the path to teenage pregnancy and life in a trailer park? Thank goodness I live in the Pacific Northwest, where we just force our children to play soccer and hike.

Kill Me Now

I have a terrible head cold. I need this hat. Boo.

Bowl & Pitcher

The big boys have early dismissal this week, so my task has been to keep them outside and busy. Today's excursion was to Riverside State Park to hike around the "Bowl and Pitcher" (so called because there are 2 giant rocks that supposedly sort of resemble them) Here are some pix:

I heart the guy in his Utilikilt!

Liam on the bridge. We learned it was originally built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. So we got a little history into our outing.

Ain't no rock high enough (or rubble-strewn enough) to keep us from climbing it.

We found a little clearing and the boys decided it was a perfect spot to build a fort. They happily collected branches and built for about an hour while Lavs lollygagged in the sun, supervising.

Alex inches his way down a slippery slope.

Whew, he made it to the bottom. Getting back up was a bit of a challenge though!

A 'beauty shot' of some of the rock formations on the river.

A New Pattern

I am kind of excited. I just finished a pattern for a pair of fingerless mittens adapted from an old knitting book (dated 1884). They are really quite pretty, I think. And will look even better when Pia has time to take some 'professional' photos, but I couldn't wait. I'm trying out the sales thing after giving away many patterns, hopefully this one will be the next big thing on Ravelry!

The Virginians II

Thanks for the photo, P :-) I still haven't managed to take a single pic, but here's proof that The Virginians ARE HERE. Sooooo happy to have all of my kids under one roof even if it's just for the weekend. And even if they are actually spending most of their time out at Quest playing the slots. At least they are in the same city as me. Bliss.

They're Here!

Yay!!!! Cara and Tony are in the house! (sorry about the horrid pix, but I'm too excited to find my 'real' camera and take decent ones right now)

A Beautiful Morning!

Mikey and I met Katie and Lucy at Rockwood Bakery for a treat, then we all walked over to Manito Park. Lucy chased a tennis ball, and Mikey played on the toys. Then he and I climbed up on top of the big rock in the park.

Mikey advised me "don't climb down this way, Wowe. You might get hurt. You are very old." True, Mike.

We found the first buttercup of spring!

WORST E-Bay Purchase EVER

I'm doing a little spring cleaning today, and found this, my worst ebay purchase EVER.

When Dan Wilson retired, I thought it might be fun to get a memento of his career as a gift (I think it was going to be for you, Katie). Went on eBay, and found "Dan Wilson Game Worn Jersey". Won it with a ridiculously low bid (or so I thought).

Here's what I won! A laminated card with a snip of white cotton claiming to be a PIECE of Dan's jersey. LOL! I kept it as a reminder that it pays to read those descriptions CAREFULLY.

Movie Recc.

I just watched "The September Issue" and give it a two thumbs up. It's about the process of creating the ginormous Vogue annual fashion issue and it's really interesting. I still can't figure out just why Andre Leon Talley is some sort of fashion arbiter, but whatevs. His caftans are fab.

Less Than A Week!!!!

Until Cara and Tony arrive! They are coming on the 17th for the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, which is in Spokane this year. YAY!!!!

Love!

These adorable "Dotty Knobs" from a British site called "The Other Duckling". They would be perfect in my trying to be purple bedroom.

Back to Work!

I've been home the last week and a half, while Mikey recovered from the chicken pox. Today was my first day back and his first back to preschool. We were both very happy to resume our routine!

Looks like he scored a cool Bakugan t-shirt while he was sick. Lucky pup! And he assured me he only scratched "around in a circle" not ON his chicken pox.

Separated at Birth?

Our own little hair stylist, Maddie...

and international fashionista (plus wackadoodle hair) Suzy Menkes?

More Spring Signs!

Lucy and I went for a walk this morning, and found this charming knot of crocuses (croci?) Yay for Spring! (sorry B, I know you haven't had much winter for snowshoeing, etc, but I'm happy Spring is coming)

Brills Party Idea!

You know P, Katie & I (plus Lucy) will be hunkered down for the Oscars tomorrow night. I found this great way to while away the endless hours of Oscar dullness: OSCARS BINGO!

Laughing at celebrity's hideous outfits + playing Bingo = Bliss. You can get your Bingo cards by clicking on the link.

Another Birthday for the P

Pia had a big birthday bash at O'Doherty's last night. She had more guests than the total number of people I've known in my entire life of course. Here she is just after downing Katie's gift: An Irish Car Bomb (Guiness with a shot glass of Bailey's and Irish whiskey). Woot woot!

L.A.O.

"Life After Olympics", does it seem rather drab to you post-Olympics? I miss my Norwegian Curling Team, the hideous Russian Ice Dancers (the 'Aborigines' costumes were SO BAD), Apolo and the gang at the short-track venue, and all the rest.

Thank god Jim and Pam had their baby on The Office last night, or I'd have nothing to live for!

Spring Has Sprung

Almost! I was outside in the yard this morning and found this little 'nest' of tulips. Come soon, Spring! We miss You!

The Brave Little Toaster

Since Katie never updates her blog (evidently, she doesn't wish to be known as the Crazy Dog Lady who only blogs about her beloved pet), I will let you know about our brave little girl, who was spayed yesterday. Here she is on day 2, sitting sweetly on her sore bottom. I don't think she much likes the Brazilian she got at the vet's, but she is trying hard to recover and be the annoying jumper/enthusiastic little bean we normally see.

P's Birthday Present

Adding to the "half finished" pile of projects is the pair of "Winter Twilight" mitts I'm making. #1 is done and very pretty I think (and we all know Rotch cannot resist anything with "Twilight" in the title). The wooden hand looks very good modeling the mitt (tho I don't look so hot in the background I must say).

More Sweater Progress

1st sleeve finished on my "Sirdal" cardigan! I'm going to knit fast and furious in order to finish before I run out of yarn :-) Love this sweater, it's going to be really nice IF it ends up with 2 full sleeves and collar/buttonbands in the same color.

Must See TV!

I'm not usually all that wild about sitcoms, but have you watched "Modern Family"? The girls introduced me to it and it is SO f-ing funny! I'm not sure which character I love the most, but I'm leaning towards Cameron and Mitchell. Their attempt to 'Ferberize' Lily was hilarious!

Quarantine!

Poor Mike P! He has the chicken pox! I haven't seen the spotted little mouse yet, but hear reports he's plenty miserable. Maybe I will have to send him something in the mail to make his quarantine a little less awful :-(