My Everything Corner

The kids, Bear and I were out playing on the bales last night (again),  when Kaitlynn announced loudly that she had to go to the bathroom, but didn't think she would make it to the house.  She ran off behind some tall grass, but I could still see enough to realize she was taking off everything from the waist down, including her boots.  Jared was sitting next to me, and I said, "I need to teach that farm girl a thing or two about emergency 'field trips'".  Bear decided to join Kaitlynn out of curiousity, and I tried to call him back, without success.  After a moment, Kaitlynn starts yelling at Bear, and is starting to sound quite frantic.  I asked her if she needed some help, and she literally screamed "YES!".  So off I went, telling Jared to stay on the bales in hopes of saving what little dignity my daughter had left.  There was quite a surprise.  Kaitlynn's little 'field trip' turned out to be quite the episode.  'Numbe...

The kids have built their dragon nests in the bales, and are now playing out there every chance they get.  The game involves touring around the 10 acres and looking for a specific grass and other oddities to add to their homes.  It takes up entire afternoons.                                                                                                                         ...

Here is a series of photos I took of my dog, Bear, as he is running up to greet meet me. I was just going out to check on my kids, take a few photos and call them in for supper.  Bear was playing on the bales with them, and when he noticed me, launched himself off the bales and started running toward me. I just love watching him run!  In the last few years of my last dog, Ginger's life, there was no more running and bouncing.  The arthritis had taken that freedom away, and watching her was often filled with more pain than joy. Bear is just over 6 months old and weighs in at over 60 pounds.  He is a force to be reckoned with.  At this point I am already starting to brace myself for the impact! I'm loving the one ear up, one ear down look.  He has big floppy ears that will often turn inside out when he shakes his head. Just look at that face!  He has not started to slow down yet, so I know if he hits me, it's going to knock m...

Last year at this time, I was still living in Cold Lake, Alberta.  I would have been packing and showing the house, and getting ready for the move in July.  Now I'm all settled in, and enjoying the house.  Time for yardwork!  There is not much I'm able to do without a tractor, as much of the work that needs doing is major landscaping.  But I can make a few improvements... Here is my fire pit area (one of them anyway).  I didn't mind the fire pit on its own, but the rocks make it look fabulous.  You can see I've been raking leaves in the background.  There is still a lot more raking to do. This is an overall view of the part of the yard I've been working on.  It is on the west side of the house, and right now is my favourite part of the entire 10 acres.  I can't wait to see what it will look like when the trees fill in and my planters are overflowing!  Cleaning up fallen branches, pruning trees, raking and weeding we...

Vicki at 2 Bags Full...  creates these beautiful yarn nests you see in the photo, and she is giving one away at the end of May!  I do not usually promote giveaways, but I had to make an exception for Vicki.  Not only is she uncommonly kind, but her blog is always a delight to read and look at.  Her photos from all over the world are phenomenal, and I always feel inspired in some way after visiting her little corner of blogland.     Great art picks up where nature ends. ~Marc Chagall.  That is how I feel about these wonderful, little nests!   I hope you feel encouraged to visit Vicki's blog, and even if the nests aren't your thing, take a look around, and absorb some of the lovely energy that resides there.

My house is turning into a zoo.  I will soon be able to charge money to anyone entering my home.  A gecko, several cats, a puppy, a fish, and who knows what will show up next. This little orange guy is Georgie's (the kitten he's hugging) big brother.  It took quite awhile to gain his trust, but he is now the friendliest cat in the house, and he does not show a desire to go outdoors, although that is where he was raised.  His momma is still around, but we rarely see her now that our new puppy has taken over the deck.  But she is showing up at her cat house everyday for food and was chased under the truck today by that puppy who has yet to learn what kitty claws can do. These kittens are a fun pair, going at it like gladiators one minute, and then curling up into a tight ball the next.  Their personalities are like night and day.  Georgie, the female, being far more uptight, aloof and chosey about when and how she will be handled.  Crush is far mo...

My husband likes to surprise people.  So when my daughter found the kites hidden for her and her brother, there were 3 very disappointed people.  My husband, because his big reveal was ruined, and my two little ones because Dad wasn't ready to give the kites to them yet.  The next couple of days, I had a son who went on with life like it was no big deal.  As long as he has his bicycle and a puddle, he's happy.   And I had my little girl trying to find things to do to impress her Dad to the point of giving in on the kites.  This past Saturday morning, that Dad took the kites and quietly went to his shop to start assembly.  My son, being curious as a kitten followed shortly after and came running back to the house after about 5 seconds outdoors, yelling at the top of his lungs that Dad was putting their kites together.    After another 5 seconds had passed, they were bot...