Flying Beauty - Photo Art Friday

The Paper Kite butterfly captured my heart this past summer when I was able to photograph it in two different butterfly houses.  It's home is in southeast Asia, so unfortunately I won't see it flying through my garden any time soon!

THIS is Why I Can't Wait for Gardening!

These catalogs keep filling my mailbox and making me very anxious to begin gardening!

I was THRILLED to find a rose that I have been hunting for several years show up in a catalog this year!  Can't wait to get my Love & Peace!

I've also ordered LOTS of bare root plants that will be delivered when it starts to warm up around here.  Unfortunately that won't be for several months yet, but I can still dream and plan it!

Come on Spring!  Are you planning for your summer garden?

It's a Bittersweet Year for This Birthday

Today is my 47th birthday.  I've been dreading this year for awhile now because my Dad died of cancer in 1987 at the age of 47.  It's difficult thinking of all that he left behind at such an early age.  I can't imagine what he must have gone through while he was sick, thinking of all the life he would be missing with his family.

After he died I began gathering photos of him to make a scrapbook.  I found very little.  I carefully placed them all in a box.  For 18 years those photos have been hidden in that box.  I just couldn't bring  myself to put them in an album.  Honestly I was afraid that no matter what I did, I wouldn't bring them the honor my heart knows they deserve.

Something came across me recently and I dug into the box.  I discarded some scrapbook paper that I had saved for the project because it was already so outdated!  That's a sure sign you have procrastinated too long on a project!

I went scrapbooking with a friend on a recent Friday evening, and this was my project.

I've only found about 23 photos in all, so it is a short book, but I enjoyed walking down memory lane.  It wasn't as hard as I had imagined, but maybe time has helped.

I became a scrapbooker for one reason............to document my family's life.  When I had searched for photos of Dad to do this project all those years ago, it sparked in me the need to take lots of photos of loved ones, so if I ever loose someone, or heaven forbid it is me, my family has lots of photos to look back on.

Now I can enjoy my little scrapbook, share it with my girls who didn't get to meet their Grandpa, and remember what a great Dad he was to me.

And I pray my 47th year is a healthy one!  I miss you Dad!

Photo Art Friday - Gates

Wow, it has been a really long time since I have posted here!  Like many of you, the holiday time seems to take on a life of it's own and takes over mine!  But that is usually in a good way, because if I haven't had time to sit and visit here, it means I was having a grand time with my family.

I've also been having a dry spell creatively, and haven't had any time to play in Photoshop.  It felt really good to have some free time tonight to do some creating.  I'm so happy Photo Art Friday is back!

This is a photo I took while in Haiti in 2011.  We saw many pretty gates on walled streets.  Unfortunately in Haiti they aren't used for decoration, but for security.  I thought this one was picture perfect!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!  From our family to yours, may the celebration of our Savior's birth be JOYOUS!

Pallet Bed with Trundle

What seems like years ago was actually only a few short months ago....summer!  I don't believe I ever shared with you the trundle bed we made for our junior high daughter out of pallets.  It was a lot of work, but it really turned out great.

K loves having friends over, so we wanted to make it far enough off of the ground so that a trundle would fit underneath.  Plus she wanted some place for storage, and we were lucky enough to find these cute zebra bins in the perfect colors that match her room.  (She is a little zebra crazy!)  We found some freebie luggage tags that we spray painted with chalkboard paint so she could label her bins.

But after we incorporated the trundle and the storage space, we realized that it was REALLY far off the ground, so we (by we I mean Husband) built some cool stairs for her to climb into bed.  He even hid her dirty clothes basket within one of the steps!

It was a lot of work tearing apart many of the pallets, but we are really happy with how it turned out.  A note to anyone wanting to build with pallets....it takes a LOT of patience!  You'll find that pallets come in all shapes and sizes so creating a large project can be tricky.  We were very fortunate to find a business nearby that actually encourages people to come use their pallets, and they were free!

We still have lots of pallets left.  What can we make now........?

Paper Kite Butterfly - Photo Art Friday

Texture Tuesday

Kitten Love

About 4 weeks ago I headed out to our shed to retrieve a bag of potting soil, but what I found was two newborn kittens and a stray Momma cat!  Husband wasn't so thrilled, because he is allergic, but the girls and I were very excited!  Momma must have thought the shed was a safe place, as she had carried them in there from somewhere else.  We quickly provided a nice comfy box and blankets for our new little family.  Momma cat was VERY hungry, skinny, and lonely.  But once we started coming out to check on her and the new babes, she quickly became very friendly and loving.  She had obviously been someone's pet.  As I inquired with the neighbors, they reported they had seen her out all summer long.

After the kittens had their eyes open, I grabbed them all up and headed to the Vet for a check up.  Miraculously, he said they were all healthy.  The flea collar I had put on Momma had even chased the fleas away.

So we began our new little adventure with this adorable family of cats.  They have made their home in the shed in the girls' play side, which is nicely carpeted and painted.  Each time we feed Momma, she eats like it is her last meal.  She has put on a little weight, but she could use some more.  The kittens are now about 5 weeks old and as cute as could be!  We have really enjoyed watching them quickly grow, playing with each other and their Momma.  The girls and I spend a consider about of time visiting out in the playhouse each day, being sure they receive a lot of attention so that they are ready to be adopted by a nice family.

ok-truth be told, we have snuck them into the house a few times!  The playhouse is very small for 3 people and 3 cats!  But as soon as Husband starts sneezing, out they go!

It will be very hard to see them go once we find a home for them, but we sure have enjoyed their stay!

Texture Tuesday

It's been a long time since I've joined in on a Texture Tuesday!  I was feeling creative last night, so I worked up this cute little Queen Anne's Lace, textured with Kim's Leslie and Laura. I've missed you Texture Tuesday!!