And we're off!

Tomorrow morning at 4am I will packing my two little people in the car for a cross country excursion. I can't wait.

We've been looking forward to this for weeks now, driving west, getting out into the open, visiting the wilderness of South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah... I can't believe the day is almost here. And I am so moved that I am able to show my children these things that my father showed me as child. The mudpots of yellowstone, the fossilized bones of the badlands, the great salt lake mountains. But best of all, is our planned stop to Nebraska City. I nearly tremble thinking about it! I grew up in Nebraska and we spent many days at the Arbor Farm in Nebraska City making cider, learning how bees make honey, and presenting our own shabby quilts at the 4-H fairs. And now I, as a full on grown up, get to revisit these warm spots so rich with memories. And I get to share this with kids of my own! I can't wait.

Two fantastic websites

I adore these designs....feminine yet sturdy.




I especially like the use of mixed media in this design. Hand drawn elements are the future for web design. They add a personal quality to an impersonal, over saturated internet.

Sunday Evening Update

It is Sunday evening and I am listening to Howard Shore scores. It rained for a few minutes, heavy thudding drops, the thick full plops burst against my skylight, leaving a dramatic splatter, and an even more dramatic echo throughout the loft area.

This weekend was surprisingly normal. I am working on making peace with normal. I doubt that all this self-induced drama is good for my future or my complexion.

Yesterday I had my hair thinned out, still trying to recover from helmet hair courtesy of my last hair dresser. I have tragically perfect hair, how hard can it be to cut?

I've nearly finished reading Twilight, which is fairly good for a teenage saga. I'm getting too old to read these sagas, and perhaps too old for the Miley Cyrus song I just uploaded to my iPod.

Today I took a lovely picture of a pinecone in the grass. It was staring at me. Saying "wouldn't I make a lovely image?" and I said "I've heard that one before, and then you switch the lighting and textures, by the time your image gets onto my computer it's unfixable." But something told me to try once more. And I am glad I did. I'm rather happy with the outcome.



Tomorrow means RedDot, and a full day of work. I'm excited to go in. I love my job. I only hope my boss thinks I am progressing as he hoped.

One more week then it's road trip time. I am looking forward to the open road and the peace and quiet of the Black Hills.

Payton's Birthday Cake

Though we had her "friend's party" a week ago, today is the actual day of Payton's birthday. Today she is 10 years old. Double digits. She is the brightest star in my life. She is so full of natural kindness and selfless goodwill. I have never known a soul so pure. And I, at the age of 21, was entrusted to care for that angelic soul, and to try my best to keep the world from hardening her. A decade has past since her birth. I can't believe how time passes. And I can't believe how a beautiful child can become an even more beautiful person.

Chris baked her a cocoa cake and made butter cream frosting. Payton decorated the cake herself and it was lovely!









Happy Birthday Payton!

Splendid Garden

I am astounded, nearly to tears, seeing food grow from the soil in my backyard. Real, edible, plump vegetables. I watched them from seed to bloom, and I never tire of watching the tomatoes ripen on the vine. This display of nature bursting forth with and without the aid of a caring hand and plentiful garden hose, is a true miracle which our family has brought to life.

The Wheelbarrow Fire

We had a bonfire tonight, in a wheelbarrow in the backyard. Chris says we are true rednecks now! The fire burned up some brush I pulled out of the garden and lasted about 30 minutes.

Payton's Party

Payton had her 10th birthday party at the park with 500 of her friends this past weekend. It was a luau and so fun!

I tried to boil eggs for the potato salad, but alas even this can be screwed up!



The luau begins!





Ryland, my nephew