To Bee or Not to Bee...

I'm so happy that these fellows are back this year.. the past few years we really haven't had many bees around. We couldn't get near the blackberries behind our house, they were swamped with bumbles, yellow jackets and white tipped wasps (none of which I'd like to get too up close and personal with).

xoxo~
Abbie

The Plum Faerie...

The other day I came home to find an enormous basket of plums on my doorstep. My sister in law (aka the Plum Faerie) dropped them off for us. When our home was under construction a few years ago we lived with her and her husband for about a month. She and my son would have 'Plum Wars'. They'd stand under their plum trees and pluck plums at each other.. it was pretty funny. Now.. what to do with them all?? There are probably 5 pounds of plums! (I don't think a Plum War should be an option yet..)

I'm thinking plum jelly, plum tart, it makes me plum tuckered out just contemplating the possiblities!

Do you have any ideas for plums? Please? :)

We are eating them right out of the basket for now. Delicious!

xoxo~

Abbie

This little fellow was outside last evening. Unfortunately, he wasn't well and allowed me to get quite close. In his right mind, natural instinct would tell him otherwise. He was taking risks, stepping out, and it most probably ended with his demise. Few creatures survive the night in these parts unless they are safely tucked into their homes. Although, perhaps, he is still out there, shouting to mice friends, 'I did it! I walked right up to her and she didn't eat me!' Hehehehee.. little did he know that I captured him. Caught him right up with my camera and now I can look at him whenever I wish.. ;)

Only three wings to fly.

A few weeks ago I waited patiently for hours hoping for a dragonfly to stop long enough for me to photograph it. No such luck.. but the following morning, I found this young thing floating in my daughter's pool. As some of you know, I have a thing for insects, (as you can see here, here, and here and most definitely HERE) and take great pleasure in capturing their details with my camera. So, it's not perched delicately on a leaf as most photos of these fabulous fliers are, but it still made me happy none the less.

In high school, our art teacher had a bird's wing in her desk and several other oddities hanging around for us to draw if we so chose. Most of the kids didn't get it and really thought her to be quite odd. I get it, I understand her... strange after all these years to recall that. I feel badly for her now. By high school most people have discovered whether or not they have an artistic eye. Most didn't, and I assume she is still there suffering the same treatment by those who have their artistic eye closed quite tightly.

xoxo~

Abbie

Digital Journal Page 13

I took this photo almost a year ago and have been waiting for the right inspiration to strike. For more digital journal pages click on the 'journal' label below.

xoxo~

Abbie

Life is...

The past few months have not been easy ones.

There has been more emergency room visits than I care to count, IV's, minor surgeries, stitches, high fevers, x-rays, MRI's, tests, broken hearts, etc....

It seems to never end, and at this point, still continues. Whenever I see cherries I think of The Witches of Eastwick with Jack Nicholson. I can't stand sweetened cherries but I love fresh ones. The fresh ones in the movie send quite a plague through the small town and that is how I feel right now with our lives.

The photos are from a bag of fresh cherries purchased the other day. They were fun to eat and a nice break from the typical apples and bananas.

We are going to the ocean in a few days on a family vacation. A desperately needed vacation.

xoxo~

Abbie

Happy 4th of July!

Having grown up in a military family (my father served almost 30 years, my grandfather marched across France in WWII, and now my brother has served in Afghanistan) the 4th holds a special place in my heart. This weekend, enjoy your families and the freedom to practice any beliefs that you hold dear. Remember that men and women have lost their lives so that you could have the freedom to gather and celebrate!

The images above are for you, just right click to enlarge them and then save them to your computer. For more patriotic clip art visit my other blog, The Vintage Moth.

Have a fabulous weekend!

xoxo~

Abbie

In a nutshell..

I was outside with the kids the other day and despite my complete lack of creativity, I grabbed my camera on the way out the door. Above is a shot of the blackberry brambles that wrap around our backyard. They are nasty, but have supplied us with many blackberry treats and jellies.

This is a micro shot of the moss and tiny seedlings sprouting on our stonewall. It amazes me to no end how complex and precarious life is.

I spent a few days in Ottawa during the beginning of the month visiting my father. It was the Tulip Festival so I had to throw in a tulip photo.

Our apple trees are in blossom as well. This lovely sits outside my kitchen window.. the spring breeze carries it's fragrance all over our yard.

I had to drag the pots I had on the deck into the 3 season porch the other evening. It got down to 30 degrees and the frost would not have tread kindly on my tomatoes.

Last fall I made the tiny pillow sitting in the little chair. It makes me happy. We also have chickens now! They are so fabulous! They make me happy too.. I'll get some pics up for you when time allows..

Hope everyone is out, enjoying the world!

xoxo~

Abbie

Images of Reality

I thought I'd share with you my 'reality'. So often in Bloglandia we sugarcoat, crop and edit until our worlds are lovely, picture perfect illusions. You get glimpses into my home, when it's clean, organized and unfettered by my children's rampage. The truth is that my house rarely exists in perfect harmony and most often it is a chaotic mish mash of Disney Princess toys, tents and Matchbox cars. With the occasional leaky sippy cup or barking dog dressed up as Tinkerbell. So, for all of you who love before and afters, here is one of my Red Room. Strategically hidden behind the large leather couch are all of the toys... isn't it serene and tidy? Note the very intentional photography so that none of the toys behind the couch are visible.

After the hurricane of my 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 year old hit. This is the way it looks most of the day.

Now you know why I take pictures when it's neat. Because it rarely is!

So, here is my reality. :) Bright chaos, in shades of pink and princess plastic. In all honesty, I do love this room. It is bright, full of sunshine and it takes only five minutes to throw all the toys over the couch to 'clean it up'. You can get a peek of my PC in the hutch in the corner. the sun is shining and the snow is melting. What could be better?

xoxo~

Abbie

Digital Journal Page 12

It has been awhile since I created a journal page. This one is in regard to having another child. After every child I have had thus far, I have said, quite emphatically, 'this is my last!'. Again, my maternal clock is shifting into over drive. As my daughters get older and closer to going to school, I am struggling with what do with myself. Should I go back to school? Volunteer? Start a business? As I really have no clue and almost daily, it seems, my ideas and dreams change, there is one thing I know, I am a mother. A good mother. It is something I can't quit and will never regret doing. The one job I have always been on time for and the one I will never regret devoting my life to. So, perhaps, I'll have another. Someday. No, I am not pregnant. :)

Damn it. Spring better get here soon, cause I really think I'm starting to loose my mind.. another kid??? What am I thinking???

We are getting more snow today.. more!

What to do?

I have been pouring through images, shuffling my 'things' around trying to come up with a post for you. Something, anything that is outside the box, so to speak. I took some photos; don't really care for them. As far as making a piece, I opened my drawer and cupboard and dug through it, but nothing happened. What do you do when nothing happens? When the only creativity that I have right now is in designing a virtual world for my pet, Moxie on Facebook? How sad is that? Even until last year I would have titled myself an 'artist'. Perhaps not a defined one, but 'an artist' none the less. Now, I'm pretty sure that I fail that title. It no longer applies. Crafter, homemaker, those labels work. A fiddler. One who fiddles. Fiddles with the digital world while I live in the real one. So, with my thirty-fourth birthday approaching in two days, I declare myself no longer an artist! Know what? It feels good. Letting it go. I think I let go a long time ago. Now to change all my profile descriptions and to stop designing my personal website. I was going to pool all of Internet presences into one website. Once I started to build it I realized there isn't much to tell. At least nothing of significance. And that is Okay. Thirty-four. 3-4. Hmmm... another year. Wonder what this one will bring? Knitting. I know it will bring knitting as I am taking a beginners class in March for three hours on every Saturday. Confused? Not me. Not anymore.

Page 9

Yesterday, one year ago, my father in law passed away. It is hard to believe that already a year has fluttered by, but sometimes it seems as if it was just yesterday. For one year now I have shared my home with another woman. Strange, but lovely all the same. She fills the children with smiles, and I know they do the same for her. I'm finding it more true each year, that the older you get the faster the years go, and I'm only 33! When I'm seventy will they seem to flash in a blink?

Grateful for.. No electricity. Heat. Quiet.

Yesterday we lost our power due to this..

which made me break out these..

causing her to do this..
Allowing me to do this.

It was lovely.

Happy Thankgiving!

Shuffling around...

As the days sift by, I have decided to rearrange the functions of my blog. It has been with me for a long time now and as much as I tried, I just couldn't let it go. I found myself writing posts in my head. Composing my thoughts of the day, recipes, crafty goodness, all the tidbits that shuffle around I was putting together as blog posts. I was thinking ways to share them with you. You, those who have followed me for years now. Almost 29 thousand views of this blog. This little ol' corner of the net that has become home to my thoughts, fears and ideas. An outlet for me as I am stuck at home with wee ones. A way to connect with those who are like minded or, at least lonely, like myself. Now, mind you, I may be lonely when it comes to creative relationships, but my days are not lonely. They are filled with hectic ramblings of a staggering woman trying to keep a home, raise three kids and care for a husband and mother in law. I find that almost my entire day is eaten up by trips to the potty, diaper changes, vacuuming floors, and trying to squeeze in a shower. Oh, and laundry. Can't forget that. Ooops. Meals, feeding 6 takes up some time too. Fear also wraps itself around me a lot me right now. My husband has been fighting something, (no one can tell us) and it appears to be back. My brother in Afghanistan that I think about constantly, but rarely connect with. Keeping my three children safe from the 'world'. And all the other ridiculous fears that plague a mother. I have been trying to keep my blessings in mind. Touch them, collect them and cherish them. Remember them daily and say 'Thank you' for them. I want to be able to post about my children and not have worry about someone unsavory oogling at them, or worse trying to find them. I want to be able to tell the truth and not have to hide/edit my feelings or my thoughts. But, alas, I just don't think that that is possible in this world. Atleast the world we are in currently. So, here it is, my first truly 'outspoken' thing I've done on my blog in long time. Go McCain/Palin! Yes, it's true. For the fist time in my life I am voting for a Republican Ticket. Wow. That is a load off.

These little piggies...

These little piggies went to the momma salon.
These little piggies had fun!
These little piggies chose red polish,
These little piggies said "I want some!"
and these little piggies went "see! see! see!" all the way home!

Summer...

My nephew 7.15.08

I have been enjoying the simplier things and quiet moments. OK, I am lying. My husband would have snorted loudly when he read that. Actually, as much as I would love to settle down and just breathe, my family stresses me out. To the point of an ocular migraine yesterday morning. Mind you, I do love my family, but for some reason, I get quite flustered when everyone is around. Take dinner the other evening. I had my brothers over with their families and my mom. There were only 13 of us, not that many considering there are usually 6 at our table every night. It ended with my 9 year old son projectile vomiting all over my 'clean for the moment' kitchen. Uuuhh??? Why? It was a difficult evening anyway, but why? Why must it end so? Are anyone else's 'perfect' family moments and summer get together's foolishly ridiculous too?? Anyone? Or are all the photos I see on your blogs the 'true' story? Romantic, fabulous, and sans vomit?

Oh well. Our pack is going to my aunt's house later, I'll try to sneak some pictures for you. Her gardens are to die for and the house, oh the house. The barn, the buildings, just about the most perfect 200+ year old New England farm you have ever seen.

Hope you are relaxing and breathing.

Local goodies that my daughters eat by the fistful.

Rate My Space

I have been uploading images of our home to HGTV's Rate My Space. You can take a peek around and 'Rate My Space' HERE. If you have uploaded pics of your space, let me know, I'd love to peek!

A Rose Will Bloom

'She Dreams' Digital Collage 6.18.08

'A Rose Will Bloom' Digital Collage 6.17.08

I have been playing with some tools on Photoshop. I love the borders (distressed, etc..) that you can put around your images, but 1.) didn't want to pay for them and 2.) wanted to possibly incorporate them in designs to sell. To do that I needed to generate my own, so as to not worry about copyright infringement, etc. I really enjoy trying to figure things out, and at some point I'd love to take more PC design courses. But, for right now, I can self teach on my own time and again, it's free! I'm desperately trying to save up enough for a new fancy, schmancy laptop so I can work anywhere in the house and not have to worry about file size. Right now I'm close to collapsing our PC. Sometimes it takes forever to crunch the numbers on some of the files I'm using. hope everyone is enjoying their almost-summer months! Today is my son's last day of school and then the fun begins! Trips to the lake (about 2 minutes away), picnics, slip and slide,

soccer camp, etc. Enjoy!

Gifts!

I have been very busy organizing, cleaning, and chasing ladybugs down with the vacuum. We are completely inundated with the pretty little pests. Once the spring sun warms up the sides of the red house, the ladybugs come out in full force!

I wasn't able to organize myself enough to do the monthly giveaway thing.. I still plan to, but I think it's gonna wait until fall arrives and we move back in doors and cuddle in front of our PCs again. In the mean time, here are some copyright free clip art images for you.. antique images from the ever growing stock pile! Use 'em and abuse 'em!

Have a fabulous weekend, I am going to be spending mine in 50 degree weather watching my son play baseball. ALL weekend.

Just right click the pics for larger sizes.. and if you click the 'clipart' label below, directly you will be directed in the right direction for all of the free clipart images I have posted thus far.

xoxo~

Abbie

Brake for Moose..

I'll be taking a brake from blogging for awhile. My father in law's burial is just around the corner and we have family coming from far and wide, (can't wait to see you guys!!) Z has started baseball but also still has Scouts. T has completely regressed on her potty training and baby A is a very whinny little girl lately! (I think she is teething..) The house needs a good cleaning and organizing (as usual) and I have a swap project to work on. (Hi Rhonda! I'm workin' on it!) Just life is happening and when the weather allows, we are outside soaking up the sun. (Soon we'll be soaking up the rain, as it's on it's way!)

I hope everyone is fabulous out there in the great wide world, I read your comments and love them all! I'll try to also catch up on my blog readin' as that has gone by the wayside and I really need to visit you all.

The pic above is a peek at the page I am working on for Rhonda's Book Swap!

Enjoy spring!

xoxo~

Abbie