Making it Up As I Go

We’ve been a little obsessed with butterflies around here recently, and today we decided to go find some in the wild. So we headed out to Ulistac Natural Area and got our looking eyes out.  Tiny also got her whistling mouth out, which translates to short high pitched screaming, but we convinced her after some tears that if she wanted a “butterfly land on my tummy” (her goal for the day) that she was going to need to be quiet.

Our first find was this fine fellow. Not a butterfly, but pretty awesome nonetheless.

We walked around in a fruitless search for a while (in retrospect, I think we were there too early) but before long we stumbled upon:

Do you see his tongue? Z was very excited about that part. This little guy hung out near us for quite some time, so we were able to get a bunch of pictures. I think we’ve correctly identified him as a Fiery Skipper.

Isn’t he pretty?

We caught a couple of glimpses of this next one, but he was a speedy little guy, and far more skiddish than the Skipper above. I think he’s a Buckeye. This was the best picture I could get of him. But he and his friend did perform a lovely game of chase around and above our heads that had the girls staring open mouthed and squealing in delight.

Lastly was this little one. Also pretty friendly, but he refused to open his wings, so I could only attempt an identification from the back of his wings. (But all of the pictures of the kind of butterfly I think he is had the wings closed as well, so maybe it’s a species thing.)

I think he’s a Grey Hairstreak.  The orange going up the wing differentiates him from the California Hairstreak, so I think I’m right. But who knows, I’ve only just started with this whole identification thing. But I can see how it could get addicting!

Z also found what she called a “spiderweb house”, which is a pretty apt description. She was a bit concerned about the bugs that would get caught in it, because “the bugs are my friends!”.  Yes, they are.

And that was our butterfly adventure. The girls want to go out again soon, so I’ll post  pictures if we get some more.

We got back from a whirlwind trip to Utah a couple of days ago, and while it was beyond wonderful to be there, it is so nice to be home and back to some semblance of a normal schedule.

While we were there we got to see so much family, and Z made some new friends:

Aren’t they just completely adorable? I LOVE it. This was as we were ready to leave, and there was sadness about that.

I also got to see my wonderful Aunt Cindy (yay!) who I won’t post a picture of because she doesn’t like it, but she is beautiful – and my SO SO loved Uncle Larry, who I WILL post a picture of, if only for my momma, because apparently I got some of his being-in- pictures genes.

Heehee.

I got to see tons of other family as well, but I’m relying on getting the pictures that my mom took, so I didn’t take too many.

We also got to see our good friends, the Stiers, and that was so lovely. I so wish they lived closer, if only so that I could look at and snuggle their gorgeous kids every day. I mean, look at them.

And seeing Ben and Jess was completely wonderful too.

We also got to see the traitorous Becky Shipley and her adorable kids- it’s only been a month since they moved, but it seems like years, and it was wonderful to see them. I didn’t take any pictures because I was too busy hugging.

On to actually random things:

I have 3 quilts that I want to make REALLY badly right now. REALLY. As in so badly that I have to stop myself from going to the store and buying fabric immediately. I mean, look at these:

Aren’t they gorgeous? The third will be a patchwork made of 5 inch squares from reproduction 1930’s fabric- such gorgeous prints, they just make my heart happy.

The clean clothes from our trip have yet to be put away. Somehow I don’t think that Z or Tiny are going to do it. Dang it.

We went to the library and left with 14 books. Only two of them were for me. I think it might be time for someone to get her own library card…

Now that I’m back, I’m neck deep in sorting out our Fall schedule: 2 different preschools, adventure days and playgroup, which all involve other people and their schedules; everything else I want to fit in- library trips, music and art, reading, farmer’s market, nature trips; and then all the things that need to be done to keep the house up and running.  And at heart I’m really not a schedule person. But with me it’s all or nothing, and so on the side of order we stay.

The girls are up from their naps, (thank GOODNESS we’re back to taking naps – well, at least Tiny) so off I go. More randomness to come, I’m sure.

Snagged from The Simple Woman’s Day Book via Beauty that Moves

Outside my window...the sun is just breaking through the clouds.

I am thinking... I should get moving.

I am thankful for… a quiet morning and girls who slept in.

From the learning rooms… come reading lessons and art appreciation.

From the kitchen…overflowing clutter. I need to get on that today.

I am wearing…sweats and a t-shirt, my morning pre-shower uniform.

I am creating…baby blankets for friends later today.

I am going… to the park in a couple of hours.

I am reading… Treasure of the Golden Cheetah by Suzanne Arruda, a mystery set in 1920’s Africa.

I am hoping… I will love it and will have a discovered new mystery series to love.

I am hearing…fussing. I think Tiny is kicking Zoe in an attempt to get off of my bed.

Around the house…chatter, toys, discarded clothes – the signs of my girls everywhere.

One of my favorite things… my new desk.

A few plans for the rest of the week: a playdate with new friends, playing at the pool, playing at the park, the farmers market.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

The crazy huge magnolias around our complex.
My new teacup ring. (B is full of win!)
The girls painting.
5 new patterns I won (!). Fun new sewing in my future!
My awesome new desk, the only upside of my lame best friend moving. (Did I mention that she’s lame? She is. And I miss her already.)

But the rest of the things make me happy.

What’s making you happy?

It’s been a busy week!

Monday: Bounce-A-Rama!

Tuesday: The beach

Wednesday: Picking veggies and walking the “beam” at Papa’s

Today: Went to the pool, had cousins over to visit, and finished this for my lame best friend who is moving to stupid somewhere other than here. (It’s not her birthday, but I made one of these for my girls and knew she’d want one for her kids too. And now I like this one better than the other one I made. )

And, at some point during the week: Tiny impersonated a rock star

What’s going on with you?

The best daddy I know, doing what he loves the most:

I couldn’t ask for anything more.

We love you.

Z is playing swim lessons with her dolly. She just informed her dolly that they’ll be going to Starbucks. Lucky ducks.

Tiny is sitting at the table playing with a “momma” and “baby” Pooh bear. Any toy that she has two of become a momma and baby. And not just a baby, a “baby, awwwww”. It’s pretty dang cute.

I’m moving a boatload of pictures off of my camera. I try to do it daily, but apparently I haven’t moved anything for almost 2 weeks. So I’m revisiting pictures from a lovely wedding,

(Doesn’t she look so gorgeous, and so in love?)

(And isn’t this a beautiful old church?)

a trip to the museum,

(I COVET this piece. Yes, I’m aware that’s a deadly sin. Still.)

(sewn and embroidered silk. Gorgeous.)

the girls being crazy,

(Because if there is a bucket, Tiny will put it on her head.)

(Pretending to sleep.)

and finally, the gorgeousness we saw on our adventure at the nature preserve today.

Now Z is alternating singing “A Spoonful of Sugar” at varying speeds and practicing reciting her scripture that she’ll share in Primary in a couple of weeks. “And by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things. Moroni 10:5.” Over and over and over.

She and Tiny have moved on to playing with the dollhouse, and are displaying their growing skill to play well with each other. That skill comes and goes.

It’s almost time for their rests, and for me to torture myself. I’m back to doing Jillian Michaels every day- a group of like minded crazies and I are doing it together. Well, not together, but we’re all doing it and reporting in each day. I’ve been throwing in some yoga afterwards, because I like it, and because I have a new goal; I want to be able to do this:

No, not the playing in the sand, that I can do. The crazy body over your head handstand. Isn’t it the coolest thing you’ve ever seen? I saw this picture and was completely captivated. I really can’t express how much I want to be able to do that. So I’ll workout and work on my flexibility, and hopefully some day it will happen. Not in a bikini though.

In the meantime? My calves are KILLING me.

What’s going on with you at this moment?

It’s that time of the year again! The girls had their first swim lessons of the year today, in their matching swimsuits:

Z’s hair took some finagling to keep it out of her face, especially as I couldn’t find the right pony holders this morning for puffballs:

Hey, it worked. Seriously, her hair is like 15 miles long.

Tiny ended up going first, which wasn’t the original plan, but she was so excited when we got to the pool that we decided to embrace it and have her go. Man, did that excitement end quickly.

But by the end of the lesson (only about 5 minutes in, really) she’d stopped screaming and surrendered to the authority of Miss Brittany.

Z was next, and remembered everything she ever knew about swimming within seconds of being back in the pool. She’s going to make amazing progress this year, she has so much innate talent. It’s really awesome to watch.

I have a video of her swimming too, but I have no idea how to post it, so it will have to wait until B helps me. And probably adds music to it.

Tiny is sitting at the table eating her blueberry yogurt by dipping a Tuscan Herb cracker into it. Hey, whatever floats your boat. She is wearing a “rella” (translation: dress, so named because Cinderella wears a dress). She has worn a “rella” every day for the last week. If she’d had her way, it would have been the actual Cinderella costume, but that costume is too big and she trips in it constantly unless I bustle it up.

So “rella”s it is. The dress she’s wearing today is a striped polo dress – it makes her look like a little Margot Tenenbaum, minus the eyeliner.

If I had my druthers she’d wear striped polo dresses every day. Both girls would. Alas, there aren’t that many striped polo dresses to be found.

Z has dressed herself in an oversized Cars t-shirt and blue comfy pants. She and Tiny are now playing out on the porch, admiring her flowers.

I admire them too. Except for the dying grass. I don’t admire that. What you can’t see, on the left hand side of the picture, is a gigantic, towering Chinese cabbage plant, overflowing with yellow flowers. It’s really pretty.

I’m still wearing pajamas, but that will change soon. We may have a little friend coming over to play today, so I should get myself and my house whipped into company shape.

Later today I’ll finish up working on a project I’m really enjoying- one that’s just for me. ME! I found a bunch of gorgeous 1920s themed papers, and wanted to do something with them, but really I just wanted to LOOK at them. So I’m making a themed spinner.

It’s getting close to finished, but still needs work. It’s got me all inspired though, and combined with paintings like this from the exhibit we saw at the museum yesterday,  it has me wanting to pull out my couple years old murder mystery novel manuscript (set in the 1920s) and take another look at it. We’ll have to see about that.

Huh. I thought I had more to say, but apparently I don’t. I’m going to go get ready for my day.

What’s going on with you at this moment?

Are you ready for summer? We are.

She would wear this everyday if I’d let her. She won’t be so eager once she starts swim lessons, but that’s a fight for another day. Our “summer” starts in a couple of weeks- preschool ends and swim lessons start- I’m excited. I love our preschool and the fun things we do with our friends for adventure days, but it will be nice to just have time to be outside and play. (Of course, seeing as I have to have everything organized, we still have a “schedule” for the summer – lots of pool days and park days and beach days and adventures. But it’s a lot more open  than the non-summer months have been.)

I really think my Auntie (and my favorite Uncle and cutie pants cousin too…)  should come visit me for a weekend (at least) and go to the beach with us…. I’m just sayin’….

I really feel like I should be heading to bed, it’s late (for me) but I totally scored today and took a 2 hour nap, which I think may doom me for falling asleep at any normal time. But who knows, maybe it won’t.

I’m reading some really interesting books right now- Come Be My Light by Mother Teresa, which is fascinating- I’ve not read much about her before; and Keeping House: The Litany of Everyday Life by Margaret Kim Peterson, which is hands down one  of the best books I’ve ever read. It looks at the spiritual implications and ramifications of homemaking and housekeeping, and as  my dearly loved Brandy expressed about it- it’s extremely validating. Peterson puts into words so many things I’ve felt, and explores connections that I immediately recognize as truth.  My favorite part so far – when speaking about the scripture in  Matthew about feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, and “as you did it to the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” :

“There is a tendency, I think, on the part of those of us who are well fed, clothed, and housed to imagine that the needy people to whom Jesus refers in Matthew 25 are people we don’t know- the sort of people who are served at homeless shelters and soup kitchens, at which we ought therefore to volunteer at least occasionally. But housework is about feeding and clothing and sheltering people who, in the absence of that daily work, would otherwise be hungry and ill-clad and ill-housed.”

Isn’t that stunning?

Oh, and this too:

“God’s own presence with his people is mediated through dwelling places and domestic activities. In the book of Genesis we read of how the Lord appeared to Abraham as he sat at the door of his tent beside the oaks of Mamre. God’s appearing took the form of a visit from three strangers whom Abraham and Sarah welcomed by preparing and serving a meal of bread and meat and curds, and as they welcomed these strangers they welcomed God himself and became recipients of God’s promise and blessing.”

I love it.

Truly a random thought- did you know I never actually learned to type? Like I never took a class or anything. I just wrote hundreds of papers in high school and college and by the middle of my freshman year in college (I’m fairly sure), my fingers had the muscle memory from all the hunt and peck. I have no idea how fast I type now, but it’s not too shabby. Like I said- random.

We just started watching Modern Family- it’s cute. And we’re catching up on Doctor Who, which is fantabulous. I love that show. Not at all convinced I’m going to love the new Doctor, but I thought that about David Tennant too, and I absolutely adore him.

Ooh, I’m also reading poetry by Kay Ryan, current U.S. poet laureate, and absolutely LOVING it. I’m not huge on poetry- it has to hit the right tone for me- but she’s awesome. Snarky, smart, slightly biting- perfect.

Polish and Balm

Dust develops

from inside

as well as

on top when

objects stop

being used.

No unguent

can soothe

the chap of

abandonment.

Who knew

the polish

and balm in

a person’s

simple passage

among her things.

We knew she

loved them

but not what

love meant.

So lovely.

I bought new sandals. They’re awesome and my toenails are painted red in their honor.

I really want another s’mores cupcake like the one B brought home for me the other day. It was super yummy. And it had toasted marshmallow frosting.  That’s just awesome.

I really don’t want to plan out dinners for the next week. Anyone have any great ideas of new (fairly easy) recipes I can try?

I’m running out of random thoughts, so I will tie this up with some cuteness.

All I will say about the contents of that cup is that while it should have kept her awake, it did not. Thank goodness.

She is not, in fact, re-inacting the Monty Python Silly Walks sketch, although I can see how you’d think that.

Really, I think this is the absolute cutest, to die for picture ever of all time:

Grandpas are just the best.

Hopefully that was sufficiently entertaining and didn’t bore anyone to death.  I think I may be ready to fall asleep. And I want to get my booty out of bed tomorrow morning and do some yoga, so I better get to it.

What’s going on with you?