Tried & True Tulip Trick - A Penny For Your Thoughts

With the emerging blooms we are entering into that hopeful time; Spring! Blossoms begin to don my tabletops on a regular basis and earlier this morning I was reminded of a tried and true tulip trick as E and I perused the bouquets while at the market. We'll call it : Give a Penny (stealing from the title of the blog that exposed this fabulous trick to me 2 years back). Add a penny to the bottom of your vase and your flowers won't wilt over.

Unofficial Trader Joes Commercial

*Thanks for sending that to me Tania!

Reading with Rover

Last month after soccer practice we stumbled onto a great reading program at our local library; Reading with Rover. The premise is that therapy dogs are brought into the library to encourage learning and or struggling readers to read aloud to a non-judgmental audience. Lately E's been into this phonics series, and is doing so well! She's mastered 3 of the books, and reads them over and over to us, and today to her doggie friends.

Welcome Inger Ina

I was honored to attend the birth of my newest niece this morning. Inger Ina Olsson was born just after 10AM at 9 lbs 2 oz. and is 21 inches long. Gloria was strong and did so well. My little brother is a dad!

My Funny Little Valentine

E woke to find her Valentine present from us; a new pet Betta. She's been asking for a new one recently and they are much easier to keep than even goldfish. Mid-morning I whipped up some heart-shaped flapjacks, and later she was delighted to find that even her soccer practice was filled with Valentine themed games and such. The rest of the afternoon D chauffeured her around to the homes of many of her friends so she could hand deliver her cards and candy while I made a batch of cookies for her long awaited Valentine's Day sleepover tonight!

Fevers, and Soar Throats, and Ear Infections, Oh My!

Yes folks, we are under attack! Last week it was me with food poisoning and this week it's D with some form of flu. And somewhere overlapping us was E, who is on the mend and only dealing with draining sinuses. D's left ear (according to his doctor) was so bad she was apprehensive to approve his trip to Spokane (a 5-hour trip over the mountains) for the 2 shows he has scheduled for this weekend. She was certain that his eardrum would rupture and, folks, a musician needs his ears...So we cancelled and we're here, barely, but we're here.

400

This marks my 400th post! Whoa! That sure went by quickly. Thanks for joining me, and all your comments!

Book Signing

Anyone interested in attending Molly Wizenberg's (Orangette) book signing next month (March 3rd, it's realease date) with me? Mark your calendar's and shoot me an e-mail and we'll get our little evening figured out.

I HEART hearts

We spent a little bit of time yesterday and a little today assembling our version of this heart wreath from Crafty Crow. I love doing projects that E actually contributes to!

Portland Weekend

*I've been aching to put up this post for the last few days, but have been stricken with a nasty case of food poisoning, we believe. You can only imagine the added bonus of having a little one rolling around inside you as your stomach tries to settle itself...Thankfully today I feel like I'm about 75% back in the game, and looking forward to taking a shower, coffee again in the mornings, and starting in on the loads of laundry I have, awaiting to be folded...

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D had a show last weekend down in Portland and E and I joined him. We stayed with my cousin, and had a great time. We hit our usual eat and play spots (as well as some new favorite ones), met up with friends, watched a few movies and had some nice family time.

(seals)

(little bit of belly)

(polar)

(eyes with real depth)

(always the leaf collector)

(all about numbers)

(war paint)

(a new medium)

(clay collaboration)

(the eats)

(night on the town)

(family)

(new digs)