Haredini

Benjamin Bunny became Haredini, if only for a day! He chewed away at his cage and finally hopped out of the hole he made. He's getting crafty in his old age. Ben is over 5 years old, to be honest I thought he wouldn't live threw the winter. Its been cold and he has lost alot of weight, even though he's a well fed bunny.

The Great Bunny Rescuer...

...and resident hutch fixer!

Jon was outside when he felt something tugging at his pant leg. Ben was letting him know some maintenance was in order. His little stunt landed him in the bath tub while we found something tall enough to put him in, he got to spend the night in the house. For a tiny-and I do mean tiny-bit I thought how fun it is to have a house bunny. Then I snapped myself out of it with the memory of Ben's predecessor Pete (Peter Rabbit-we are so original) who was a house bunny, and was a ton of fun-but pooped a ton!
Grace was a hoppy--I mean happy girl when she learned Ben had been rescued!

St. Patricks Day at our Home

Avery, Mel (Jon's sister), Jon, Willy, Grace, Mama Lou, & Jerry

We never pass up on a holiday that involves good food.
Besides, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick day, even a bunch of Germans.

Mama Lou & Mel drove down for Willy's band concert, they were happy when the realized they would be a part our celebration. We were blessed to have them. Jerry (Jon's Dad) usually spends St. Patricks day with us.

Cabbage, Colcannon, Corned beef.

Oh yea and a table cloth, its officially now a party!

Grma & Grace
Passin' around the green!

Mama Lou loved the Irish Soda bread so its a keeper for next year. Jon and I both enjoyed it better the second day toasted.

Grace did ALOT of work-- start to finish!

Leapin' Lepre--doodle!

Ok so he's a labradoodle... but boy can he leap!!! And we aren't even Irish but we will be having corned beef, cabbage, and little red potatoes. This year I'm going to make Irish soda bread, if it goes over with my family we will add it to our St. Patricks day menu. And for just a touch O' the green we will make pistachio bread.

Avery and Otto were out trouncing in the snow a few short weeks ago. Now it's mud, mud, mud!

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!!!

Bonus Day with Agnes?

These are Grace's "driving gloves" she bought them last fall at a thrift store for 50 cents. She got in the car put them on, then took them off and put them out of sight, they were to "distracting"--she couldn't stop chuckling! Grace is chauffeuring me to a dr. appointment. When we arrived she said "BONUS" Look for our listening pleasure!

The harp is so pretty, with so much detail.

This nice lady let me take pictures. I should have asked her name . I imagine her as an Agnes, my Grma Brown had a friend named Agnes Stoltz. So Agnes the Harpest it is!

A bonus day indeed!

Learning to Live Without...

This post is copied from my sister Tami's blog (here). Although I have never met Keeghans family, I have prayed for them when Tami has talked of their struggle.

Remember Keegans family as they are remembering their boy on his birthday.

Happy Birthday Keeghan. . .we miss you.
To remember Keeghan on what would be his 13th Birthday, I asked his mom to write something for my blog.

Keeghan Barry was a 12-year-old boy who wanted nothing more than to grow up and find a cure for cancer. Keeghan was taken from this life on August 31, 2008 by brain cancer. In an effort to continue his dream, his parents are trying to raise money for cancer research, as well as to help other families still on this journey with pediatric cancer, through Keeghan’s Cell by Cell Fund.Donations to the Fund can be made in two ways. First, by mailing donations directly to Keeghan’s Cell by Cell Fund, c/o Bank of America, 185 Chappie James Blvd., Bldg 4570, Bolling AFB, DC 20032. Second, through the purchase of jewelry made by Keeghan’s mom, Shannon, at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5036403. In memory of Keeghan on what would have been his 13th birthday, 100% of all jewelry sales in the month of March will go to the Fund.Please feel free to copy and post Keeghan's story on your own blog, or link back to this site. If you would like to know more about Keeghan and his family you can visit them at http://www.skeleigh.com/ .

Beading

It has been for-EVER since I have made any jewelry. My fingers have been itching to have beads tumbling threw them. To get back into it w/o much time or committement (or brain power) I worked on this easy little bracelet. It is a birthday gift our niece Danni. Are my reading/beading glasses fun or what?

Tea for...Me

I love tea. Wally world, was out of Great Value decaf (I am a serious light weight when it comes to caffeine) black tea. So I looked for the next cheapest thing, and Tetly was it. I love the little round pillow. It doesn't hit my tea button, its a close 2nd (or 3rd- still searching for a good decaf black). Drinking tea for me is mostly about capturing a flavor memory. I have two that are my favorite. Black tea because my Grma Lois drank black tea, and raspberry tea because it reminds me of Grma Brown (here).

On to the mug. I love simple and pretty. I like old and worn (what my kids call dead people junk). The contemporary mug (Jon's Christmas gift from J.J.'s girlfriend) is not me. But I like it. I like the feel of it in my hands, on my lips, and the way it holds the heat. For now I will console myself with its color, black and raspberry.

Rag Rug

This rag rug, like the other one (here) had a direction all it's own. I may have it figured out, I'll keep you posted! The middle is an old green floral sheet that was my favorite. The creamy yellow was another sheet. And the cranberry was a thrifted-wonderfully-worn-soft-cotton table clothe that I paid $1 for.

It sets in front of my chair that is not far from the pellet stove (here). It feels so nice under my feet, I think it's the worn cotton that gives it that comfort feel. It's not perfect, but it has character. I love it!

Gift for His Mom

He puts a song in my heart this man-boy of mine. He called today. He lets me ramble about dr. apts. past and yet to come. Then he requests (its always like this), its not a hair cut he's coming home for, or to have a button sewed on or his pants patched. My mission is to locate Origami pattern for flowers for his girl friend. He's coming home to craft with his Mama (I can say that 'cuz he walks in the door and says "Hi Mama!")!!!!! I am going to officially choose to believe that this is my valentines gift from him! I love to do hands on with my kids no matter the age.

J.J. is our prodigal, much like his father before him. Our 2nd child, 1st son. He makes me crazy at times with his liberal views. He has made some choices that has brought tears to my eyes and prayers to my lips (and one of those prayers is that he will come full circle like his father before him). Even though I get frustrated and down right heart broken at times, I am so thankful that he calls, requests, comes home...

... and always brings me a rose.

Real Men Don't Wear Super Bowl Rings...But They Do Sew!

Avery had sewing class last term. He did really well, he's a wee bit of a perfectionist about his seams, and I must say I am very impressed. He sewed the manly Viking (there's always next year) pj pants and the hat that he has on. This is his official after school uniform! He also sewed a duffel bag and a pair of hot chili boxers for Grace, who, besides her shoe addiction she has a funky boxer thing goin' on!. Ave now has an opinion about sewing machines, and unfortunately he's not at all impressed with mine. I tell him it just showing its age -- 60, I kid you not!