Happy Holidays To All

Alfie asleep with a present for a pillow.

Getting Ready

This Christmas will be much different from last year. As the picture above shows, my little wee one was a teeny tiny babe at this time last year. Things were more quiet. A few coos here and there, smiles and attempts to roll over...

Now? Santa is a scaaaary man, and Fritz wants nothing to do with him. The tree seems to be missing ornaments occasionally throughout the day. Presents are safely stored in a closet until Christmas morning. And I'm sure the wrapping paper will be in many more pieces than last years.

But yes, I am excited for next Friday. Because I'm sure that next Christmas will be quiet again, right??

The Followers

I go downstairs, they come downstairs. I go back upstairs, they come back upstairs. Off to bed for a nap, snuggle, snuggle, snuggle. Living room couch for some reading, yep you guessed it. Especially Melba (pictured in the middle) she's the worst one of the bunch!

Of The Early Morning Dawn

Fritzy woke me up early one morning. I guess he got too much good sleep and decided it was time for play. Fuzzy darkness was still creeping around my bedroom, but one peek out the back porch window and my breath caught. Luckily for me this is quite unusual to have my son wake so early, and it has been quite some time for me to catch the morning light peeking slowly out. The shades of pink and later, orange, filled the entire sky. Usually it's the sunset that Fritz and I will see, but on this day it was extra special to break our fast at peaceful misty colors.

Wednesday Craft Update - The Second Fair

Last weekend in my hometown, I had my second craft fair to attend to. My father and I shared two spaces to sell our wonderful things. With rocks, and cribbage boards made out of antlers, and jewelry mixed in-between, we had a beautiful presentation. It was a great day to talk with people I haven't seen for awhile and to hang out with my Dad.
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A few pieces of jewelry (bracelets and neklaces) sold, and even better, eleven scarves too! I guess it makes it easier to sell them when it is frigidly cold outside. But the funniest part to me was at home, counting out the money and realizing that my Dad and I had made the exact same amount of money!!

Ta-Da!

Here is my new craft. Bracelets! I'm a wee bit addicted now. Maybe because I got so burnt out on scarves?? Nah....
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There is a bit of a blue theme going on. But that is only because my bead selection is quite low. I have plans to go to town this weekend to some of the hobby shops to get more. Who knows what those ones will look like!?!? I am pretty darn excited about it though.

An Adventure Under Candlelight

Last week I heard a small boom outside and a second later all was dark. It was seven p.m. and trying to find candles while not tripping over toys was pretty comical. I had a few to light that were in my kitchen but alas... the rest were still packed in a box in a closet! A half hour later there were 35 flickering lights letting Fritz and me have a romantic evening together.
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After Fritz was put to bed I questioned what to do with my time of no power. So many wonderful things I could think of! Christmas cards to be addressed and written, or reading by soft glowing light. Instead I decided to try a new craft. Not that I really need a new craft, but what the heck.
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Hopefully tomorrow I will post a picture of what I have been up to for the past week. I hear Fritz calling me, or rather coughing to me. Both of us are sick with a nasty cold that has lasted almost a week. But unless we are too sick to get out of bed tomorrow, I will post. Promise.

Still Here... Somewhere.

In the absence... confusion, fear. Taking it hour by hour and trying to hold on. It's the crossroads with questions of which direction? But either way, finding a little light on my face is all I need. To feel some warmth, some hope. And letting the hour by hour slide to day by day.

Welcome to BloggyLand Monica!

My good friend Monica just started (well a month or so ago) her very own blog. Life as she sees it with kids, husbands and spiders! I have known her for the past couple of years and haven't stopped laughing. We were work colleagues and sat two feet apart from each other for almost ?two years. And I am sure there were a few times when our boss wanted to shush us to quite down and quit laughing so much.

So if you are ever in need of a good chuckle check her out at My life as a Mommy and Wife.

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of the Bad Hair Day

Yeah, that's the back of my noggin. Mommy just had to take a picture of my bad hair day to show everybody how cute she thought it was. See, I have been a bit under the weather, so tossing and turning is all I had been doing at sleepy time this past week. At least Mommy didn't take a picture of my gross runny nose!


Fritz the sick one.... signing off.

Free From the Trees

Now at the new house, I have a different lighted view. Refreshing, beautiful. Before, at the old house the sunsets would whisper through the swaying branches of glorious old cottonwood trees, letting only a little light peek out. I would close my eyes and try to see past the leaves and limbs to what lay beyond them, but could never get the full wonderful picture.
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Now looking straight through our front windows, I have the whole world to watch the fading star slink slowly to the night. Opening my eyes bright, I no longer have to wonder what's on the other side. It's right there, waiting for me.

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of the Spooky Ghost

Yep, that's me! Couldn't really tell huh? Mommy made me a cool ghost costume for Halloween this year. This Holiday was special because it was my first Holiday that was my second official Holiday! Do you get it? All the other Holidays I have only had one of them, but I am old enough now that all the next ones will be my second go around. And this one was extra fun, because I actually got to go trick-or-treating! Yep! Mommy and Daddy (and a whole lot of other family members) took me around to some of our new neighbors houses to introduce me-and them. It was so much fun! I can't believe all the yummy candy I got! Some of the people even let me pick my very own out of their bowls. I wasn't too greedy, mind you, but I did tell Mommy and Daddy that, I guess if I really have to, I would share with them.
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I hope everybody had fun on Saturday night, I know I did!


Fritz.... signing off...

The Last Bits of Light

Fading through our bedroom window, I caught the glowing embers of the evening sun. Gone are the days of bright lit skies in a summer day. Gone are the days of sweltering heat and sweaty bodies. Now we have the chill of winter upon us and the cold winds to swirl our hair.
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I must say, suddenly I'm in the mood for hot coco...

Wednesday Craft Update - A Spooky Update

Hmm.... What will it be?? And for whom will it be for??

Playing with the Stairs

Alfie has never known stairs, until the new house. She was so scared at first, not sure what would be lurking up or down them, but curious all the same. The first week anytime one of us humans would use the stairs, Alfie would puff up and run away. Now of course she is crazy for them. Trying to bat at us as she sees our heads coming her way, or chasing the other cats up, down, up, down. Good, she needs the workout. And I have to say... the stairs ain't bad for my bum either!

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of the Moving Day

Hi all, I'm back!!! Mommy finally had enough time to sit me at the computer to let me do my post tonight. Sorry I have been gone for so long, but it is quite time consuming setting up house. So many new things to play with and discover. I'm having the best time!
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So let's get to the post, shall we? Moving day was quite exciting. I wasn't too sure what exactly was going on, as people kept making my house that I had known for over a year get emptier, and emptier. It was sad to say goodbye to my room and my first real home, but Mommy reassured me that I would be happier at the new place. I told her I didn't really care where I was as long as she and Daddy and all my toys were there. I guess the cats too!
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Grandpa took me for lots of rides on the big red gizmo. I'm not sure what it was for, but it sure was fun being pushed around in it. I kept climbing on it to go for a ride, even when people kept telling me that I would have to wait 'cause they were busy doing other stuff.
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It was a really long day, and I only had to sleep in my portable crib for one night. The next day Mommy and Daddy set up my room and it was sure a lot of fun to find all of my cool toys that had been missing for a couple of days!
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Fritz... signing off.
P.S. Yes that is a coconut bra that I am wearing. Daddy got it as a present from somebody and let me play with it. It makes the coolest noises when you clack them together!

Friendly Neighbors

The morning after we had moved all of our stuff from town to town, we awoke tired and sore, but ready to start moving things off the truck into the house. As the coffee was brewing and breakfast was being sorted out, my father noticed some non-human neighbors in our front yard.
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Next to my Mother's car were a few deer searching for food. These weren't the only ones either. Across the road there were about seven more. I think we counted eleven or twelve in all.
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Being a Montana girl born and raised, this isn't really that surprising. Even at our house in Bozeman, during the winter months, we would usually see a couple deer walking through our yard to the little creek across the street. I remember lots of times growing up where my Dad would chase the hungry deer away from our apple trees. And since our new house is close to some hills, I knew we would be seeing the quiet animals sometimes, but not this much!! Every day I see them wandering around. I just hope that is all of the type of critters we will get. I'm not much fond of bears...

Views From Our New Door

Looking down our street. It is so quiet out here, I don't know what to do with myself!

Looking South. Nobody around. A few horses, and deer. I think there were plans for a subdivision, but not anymore. Lucky for us!

Out the back door. This is part of our yard, and the BIG hill behind us. Of course this means we have no neighbors too!

Trying to Sell Scarves in 90 Degree Heat

Yep, not that great of an idea. I did sell more than I thought, but not as many as I had hoped to sell. The total was eight and one necklace. It was so unbelievably hot outside that I am actually quite surprised any were sold! We did however, score a great location underneath a huge old tree. We had a canopy ready at hand just in case, but never needed to use it. I was set up next to other crafters, so it was very nice to speak with others who had something else to share.

It was a great experience and I did have lots of fun. Maybe I will try it again next year?

There is another craft fair in my hometown on December 5th that I will be having a booth at. Hopefully it will be really, really cold and I will sell lots!!

Some Time I Will Be Done

We are officially moved in! Although, the house is still a wreck and I am slowly finding things their place to stay. It has been quite a challenge with Fritz "helping" me organize stuff. Usually by the end of the night I have to take an extra 20 minutes to pick up all of the things he got out! Hopefully this weekend we can put the child locks on the doors again.
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I am so happy to be here in the new house. The move was long and tiresome, but well worth it. And as soon as I find the silly missing camera cord, I will post pictures of the new house and the festival!
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I will try to post more often now that our computer is temporarily set up, but my focus is to get this house operating and all of the boxes emptied!
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P.S. We had our first snow yesterday, which is funny as barely any of the leaves have changed their color yet!

Just a quick note...

Hi all. I get to use the computer tonight for a couple of hours and then I am off again for probably another week or so! Things have been going pretty good. I have spent the last few days painting the walls of the new house. I only was able to get a few rooms done, but the rest can wait until next year. The house had ALL white walls. Yuck! Nothing against people who like white walls, they can be pretty, it's just not me. Not the way I roll.

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Now the weekend that I have been not wanting to happen is upon us. It's our official move out/in weekend. Two more nights of calm and then chaos soon to be had by all. I will post some pictures of the festival and details next time I am able to post. My camera cords are all packed so here is an older fave photo of mine.

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Until then.... have fun everybody!

The First Leaf and a Few Updates

I watched the first leaf of soon to be Autumn fall today. It floated gracefully around before hiding out of sight. So the days of beautiful green, lush, leaves are almost gone. That's okay... I'm not unhappy, as Fall is my absolute favorite season.
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The festival is this Saturday, and I have completed 48 scarves! I feel pretty good about that number as I am still working hard to get to 50, but I think I might be finishing the last one on the day of the festival. It has been a real challenge with trying to make my goal and organize a big move to a different city, while still being a Mom.
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Well, this is to be just a quick post as I need to catch some zzzz's to wake up early and drive over two hours to close on our house! Yep, the day has finally arrived! It was suppose to happen on Wednesday, but was delayed for two days. I wasn't worried, it was just challenging to re-think all of the plans that were already in place. As Fritz left with Grandma today to stay for the weekend, I reminded him that although I won't see him for a couple of days it was important for us to be apart so we could get that piece of the American Dream!

Sundays with Fritz- The Case of the "I Don't Like Packing!"

Let me tell ya something folks... I don't like all of this packing business that's been going on. There's boxes everywhere, and all of my favorite drawers and cabinets keep becoming empty! How am I suppose to play with mystery objects if they keep disappearing into boxes I can't open??!?!
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Oh, when, oh when will this end?!
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Mommy says to be patient that all will be getting normal again. But not at the house that I know! But... hmm. I guess there will be plenty of new adventures and discoveries to be made at the new place, right?

To My Grandmother With Love

One year ago today we lost you. The rock of our family, the one we would always turn to for advice and the wonderful woman whom would open her home, heart, and cooking for anybody that asked. The year has gone by with out you with life changing at every moment, but you have never been forgotten. And never will be.

Wednesday Craft Update-A Day Late!

Yep, I'm a day late for the update. We are suppose to close on our house in less than a week, but I find out tomorrow if the closing will be delayed by a week. I'm okay with that, as then I have more time to make more scarves for the festival that is next weekend!!
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I'm am surprisingly right on schedule for my goal of 50 scarves. I am currently finished with 47 and have started on another tonight. I thought I had finally found the yarn color to go with the blanket that I wanted to finish, but when I brought it home it didn't match. Yep, going to have to nix that blanket as nobody in town has that color anymore. Oh, well. I might have to just reuse the yarn for a scarf!
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I also received in the mail my official announcement of what booth I will be in at the festival. Makes it more real now! For a couple of years I kept telling myself that I should do this, but never found enough guts to go through with it. Now there is no backing out and I actually feel a teeny tiny bit nervous!
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My fear is that I will be one of those booths where people walk by, look, and keep on walking. I do feel that if I can sell enough to cover the cost of the festival booth, than I would at least come away with a new experience.
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Here are only three of the scarves that I have completed for this week. The total done was 5... pressure can sure make my fingers work faster!

BIG thick heavy Aqua colored yarn.

(So thick and big was the yarn, that it was actually the hardest yarn to crochet as it made my fingers hurt pretty badly after only one row!)

Purple Fuzzy Yarn.

Aqua Blue Fuzzy Yarn.

(I'm in love with Aqua Blue!)

Yep...

My cat Boo likes bags.
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A few years ago when I moved from Boise, ID back to Montana, I didn't have a place to live for a couple of months. Staying with family and clothes in the trunk of my car, I missed my kitties very much. Boo and Melba (Alfie wasn't born yet) stayed at my parents house which we dubbed 'fat camp' as both cats lost weight from all the room to run around in.
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One weekend when my parents were gone, Boo decided that he wanted to feast on an electrical cord. When my parents returned, they discovered Boo had serious burns in and around his mouth. They immediately took him to the vet in town and were glad to know that Boo had not lost his tongue in the feast. For weeks after, as the sores were healing, Boo would drool constantly.
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I believe that my cats fascination comes from this experience. It's not only that he likes to sit in the bags and play with them, but he constantly licks them! I think that the smooth-ness of the bags feels good on his tortured tongue.
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But of course... he taught this licking the sacks trick to the other cats. It doesn't bother me too much, but when you hear it in the middle of the night, it's kind of creepy!

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of the Roll-Ups

Last Sunday morning, Mommy woke up craving something that she was saying is a family traditional breakfast. I guess they are like crepes? Don't know what those are either, but I'll smell/try anything I guess.

Of course I had to poke and prod the weird tortilla looking thing. It was soft and smelled 'bread-y' and the light butter and sugar inside sounded promising.

Daddy gave me a bite, and I did eat that first bite. But... yeah... I'm not so sure I like these things. But this Sunday morning, Mommy wanted to give it another go (she said she was still craving them) and this time I ate an entire one by myself! Mommy did say that I can't have them every weekend, as they are a special treat, and I think she packed the pan away already! Boo.

Wednesday Craft Update

My camera battery is currently charging so I was not able to take a picture of the two completed scarves that I have for this week. So... I decided to throw in these darling photos of Fritz when he was ten months old helping me with a scarf. He thought it was just the most silly thing to have that yarn on his head!

So two more completed to add to the pile. I had started on another and got half way through when I discovered that the hook had disappeared! I think my couch ate it, but I'm too scared to go rummaging around as it has been quite awhile since I removed the cushions for a good vacuum. Until I get up the courage, that one is waiting. In that scarf limbo, I started a new local University scarf as I do believe that those specific color scheme ones will sell quite well with the festival being at the perfect time for football season at that school. I only have three in those colors so the more the (hopefully) more money!

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of the Water Boy-Part Two

Saturday night, Mommy and Daddy and me went over to our friends house to have a 'last BBQ' before we move and won't get to see them as much anymore. At our friends house, there is a huge yard for me to go all crazy and run around in. I can't wait to be in our new house with the big yard too! Too bad the end of summer will shorten my time to play.... oh well. I guess I will have to wait!
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Anyways... I noticed that they had a big shiny ball lying in the grass. I thought it was mine at first, as I have one identical to it. Well, not identical I guess. Mine is a smaller version. In my confusion, though, I ran over to get it not realizing that the sprinkler was in my way. Ahhh, who cares! I had to get that ball at all costs, nevermind a little water!
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Luckily, Mommy has a spare set of dry clothes that she keeps in my bag at all times. However, she did realize that it was time to update the spare set as the pants were too short for me now!

Just Poppin' In

I have been putting tags with prices on all of the scarves! So scary! I can't believe that a few years ago, when I went to my first Fall Festival here, I thought 'I could do that'.... And now I finally am! Only a couple more weeks to go to finish my goal. But, I have been having some bad luck with finding the yarn to finish off the two blankets I have been working on. Unless I can find them, I will be forced to NOT finish those (oh, darn).

Have a great weekend all!

Wednesday Craft Update

It's been a very busy, crochet week! I completed five scarves this week! Two are not pictured, as one is a double of last weeks school color scarf, and the other was just finished off as the last picture downloaded. AND... I have just started on another one.
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Where am I finding the time, you ask?
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Who knows! With all of the packing, and getting the moving organized, and playing with Fritz, and cleaning, and somewhere in there I am sleeping a little bit, I have found a few moments late at night. But, I have also been neglecting my blog reading. Sorry! I suspect that the lack of keeping up to date on blogs will only get worse. So I will apologize now. Hopefully things will settle down in late October. 'Course, then the Holidays will be sneaking around the corner.
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Black/Gray Mix Fuzzy Scarf

Lilac Fuzzy Scarf-No Fringe

Leftover Multi-Colored Scarf
(Leftover because these were the last bits of color from yarn, and I didn't want to toss them. I figured, why not collect them over the years and make a scarf. I believe I started this scarf seven years ago?)

Just Ride

People in this town are serious about riding bikes. Of course you see the summer time riders, or the University riders, but they are so serious about it that you can often see them in the dead of winter on slick, iced roads going for a spin.
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I used to love to ride a bike. I received my first adult bike when I was around ten. And that was only because my older sister had one, so I had to get one just like hers (duh!). After a few years of riding it, I knew it wasn't the one for me. A couple of years later, my parents bought me a mountain bike that I used until a few years ago. In the tiny place that my husband and I live in, there was never any kind of good storage for a bike. So outside it stayed. Poor little bike. It didn't take well to all the different kinds of weather. One snowy day, I saw foot tracks that led up to my bike. The culprit then walked my bike about two feet, dropped it and left. It was too crappy to even have been stolen!
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Now I have dreams of owning one again. There will be plenty of storage at the new place and open roads galore surrounding us. I can't wait!
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Side note.... I am muti-talented on a bike. I can read a book and pedal at the same time. No wrecks on my record!

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of the Water Boy

It was Hot, Hot, Hot! on Saturday, so Mommy and Daddy busted out my little pool for me to take a dip and cool off. They kept telling me that they wished it was bigger so they could cool off with me too!

I even had my own private jacuzzi bubbles! Daddy was playing with me and squirting me with the hose, until I stole it from him to have all to myself.

I got tired of sitting in the water, as the hose was much more fun to play with then water that didn't really go any where. Mommy didn't let me play long, 'cause she said my teeth were chattering too much from the cold water coming from the hose. I got pretty mad at her for wrapping me up in a towel and taking me back inside. She did promise that the next warm day we have, I can come out and play again!

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Fritz signing off.....

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P.S. Sunday was crappy and rainy all day. I had hoped so much to play with the hose again, but now I have to wait!!

Out My Front Door

Swimming in colors of orange, I stood on my deck a few nights ago, just being, just breathing. Letting the last bits of setting sun swarm over me, body and soul, I calmed my mind and let all thoughts of stress of the upcoming months slide away.
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Closing my eyes and letting the glow of the sunset slip through my lids, I was reminded of one of my most favorite places in the world. Somewhere that always wraps myself in peace. In this place there is a beautiful meadow below the towering mountains, that fills with wild flowers and grass every summer. So many times did I find myself walking out of the trees of the forest to wander down to the sunshine, to find a rock or the wet earth, and sit. No technology, no cars to bother me, only pleasant quiet sounds of nature in all it's beautiful symphonies.
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It has been many, many years since I have been back to that specific place, and although I miss it terribly with each passing year, it's still there. In my heart, in my memories, always there for any moment that I need to steal a piece of time, and just be.
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In the comfort and confines of places we live, when the world gets to be too much, all we need to do is find that somewhere out our front doors to have those healing breaths, and to feel the sun or moon, the wind or rain, and be. Just be.

Wednesday Craft Update

I received my application in the mail today for the festival next month! AND... I finished four (3.5) scarfs today! The .5 is because I need to add more fringe to one that is not pictured as I did not have enough to finish.

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The first one below is a local schools colors. I hope that I can do two or three more like this as the school is in the town where the festival is.



Another blood red color one, and for some reason my camera still hates this color. This picture was the only one that somewhat resembled the actual color. The red is not as bright as the picture is showing.

Next is a soft blue with twinges of light green mixed in.

Since the application will be in the post tomorrow, now I really feel the pressure of completing my goal of 50. I am up to 37 so I am pretty confidant that I will make it, but the goal was to complete two smaller blankets as well. The blankets might be the difficult part!

So Many Ideas

Blah, plain, and boring all came to mind when I first viewed our new house. No character, no stamp that says "I'm a cool house". So many thoughts and ideas are running around in my mind as to how to make the front of the house more appealing. I would love to add either a bay window or a balcony over the largest (living room) window, and maybe an awning over the front door. And definitely a new color to spice things up.

I find myself thinking constantly about the changes that I want to make on the outside and inside, and I can't hardly wait to get started. It's a love affair. If I could, I would make a career out of flipping houses. Turning beauty out of ugly. Ahhh...

Sundays with Fritz-The Case of the Cranky Boy

Mamma was going to let me post last night, but then she told me that I was too cranky and had to go to bed early. What????? I don't need to go to bed early!!!

But I do have some cool news to share. My cousin Jackson was born last Monday! He lives far, far away from me, so I don't know when I will get to meet him and play with him, but I hope it's soon!

And... Mommy and Daddy are so proud of me as I have finally mastered the art of walking! Yep, I'm a walking machine now! Of course there are the few times still when I don't know how to turn on the brakes and I tumble to the ground. So far, I have only gotten two bumps on my noggin. I think that's pretty good for only going at it by myself for less than a week. Now I can really chase the kitties!!