Now the Front!

This was a big weekend (again) in our yard. We have now started to landscape the front yard! The major work is done, we just have to wait for the tree planting.  

BEFORE

You can see the pallet of Blue stone on the driveway next to 2 huge bags of sand all ready to go!

We have been dreaming this project since we moved into the house. Our plan was to start this weekend and probably finish next weekend. Well, Stephen came home friday with WONDERFUL news... 2 men were coming to help him with the project! That meant that I didn't have to do a thing, barely lift a finger. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind manual labor. But this was going to be a lot of work, lifting big slates of blue stone, and much more. Don't worry I did my part...I gave my opinion, and that I am good at! Stephen worked really hard and I think he is still feeling it!

And here is AFTER!

The new oak will go in the space next to the driveway. Stephen is talking about a fence too, that will come with time. I am so impressed with the work they did, it would have taken Stephen and I ages to finish. We both feel this makes our house feel more welcoming. I hope our friends and family feel the same!

ps...will someone please remind me to take pictures mid-summer?!!!

And so it begins....

We have had such beautiful weather this week! It was nice to start off the week sitting outside basking in the sun. But today I started to clean up the garden. Made a trip to the local compost site. I don't know if there is anything better than FREE COMPOST!

Doesn't the spring garden look so inviting? Thinking about all the things that will be growing in here this year. All the possibilities! All the things we need to do!!!!!

This lone little guy was peaking out this morning. I think it is why I got all the ambition to work in the garden today! This is year three!!! we get to enjoy our asparagus, it is sooooo exciting!!!!

Happy Gardening!! Happy Spring!!!

Spring?! Seeds!!!!

We finally got our garden seeds ordered!! This has really added to my spring fever. Warm weather this weekend helped a lot too!!!
Steve is working on the 2010 garden plan. I am pushing for no CSA this year, big step but I think it will be better for many reasons. Our goal is to have a sustainable garden so I think we should take a year to find out what we need to add next year. We did add a lot this year so we'll see how we do!!

Spring Fever Pictures...

Okay, here are some photos of my new bag that I absloutely love! I have been using it now for almost a week and so far I can't find anything wrong with it.

Which comes to my "idea of the month." (I am always coming up with a new idea for someday making some money.) This months idea is to make and sell patterns. Like this bag for example it was very simple, and I came up with the pattern myself. And I am knitting a new sweater for myself, previous pattern very altered would that be considered my pattern? If I do this I am doing what I love yet sharing them at the same time. SOMEDAY :)

If anyone is out there, please let me know what you think!

Spring Fever

I knew another snow storm was on the way. Truthfully I didn't believe it. That is unitl I looked out the window this morning and there were about 8 new inches of snow on the ground. I love snow and winter but Spring Fever set in this week. I went out and found my seed starters (I found them made with Peet this year!!). And all the Easter things are in the stores. I got so excited for Spring!!! Then came the new snow. At least we got a snow day. Kyra came downstairs with a fist pump/YES! So, that has made it  easier!

I also had a creative surge this week, I made a new Purse and even decided to name it. Really, I decided to name it "Spring Fever." I really do love it!

Knit and Purl

Knitting....
And so the knitting has begun. I took a class to learn to knit. Once I got the hang of it I came to understand why so many people love to knit. It is such a peaceful way to take a moment for myself.  Add a cup of tea and my afternoon is perfect.

I made a sweater for myself. At first I thought this was a very ambitious project. Then I realized that this project is a great way to learn the rhythm of knitting. It definately is rhythmic, I love it! And there are so many possibilities.

Although, now that I am finished I am wondering what I will do with a quiet afternoon. First I have to decide what to knit next, then I will know what to do with myself. I am thinking of socks, plenty of leftover, soft, yarn...

Two Gifts...

I thought I would start to post some of the Holiday gifts I made. But I must start with the baby quilts I made for my dear friend's beautiful twins. The twins are the true gifts to their family!

I started the quilts this summer/fall knowing the twins were on the way. But stalled a little bit until I was under the gun. So they got sent off and I thought I would share some photos.

Becky (my friend) had a girl and a boy so above is the girls quilt. I received some samples of decorators silk that I used on here. It looks a feels beautiful.

Each one has a plush soft backing. Especially for Baby!

Here is the boy's quilt. I made it much more simple, but it was because I saw a similar design and really liked it so I thought I would try. I love the quilting fabric in the pieced part, of course it is discontinued, boo hoo.

This is a picture to show the top section. I also was able to incoorporate the silk into this quilt.

Again, soft and plush. Especially for baby!!

I say I don't know how to "quilt" but I have recently been corrected. I have not officially learned quilting, but I have pieced together a few blankets to make quilts so I guess I do know how to quilt. A class would be interesting to take to learn some techniques. Also, I do not own a rotary cutter, I think it would be a dream!

8 Years

Today Stephen and I have been married for 8 years. Everyone thought we were crazy for having a January wedding. It was a perfect day for a winter wedding in the mountains. Warm at times and even some snow.

Many wonderful memories in these years. The best of these memories are the 2 beautiful additions to our family and finding our Home. I look forward to all of our memories to come. I can't wait to grow old with this wonderful man.

I love you honey!

Happy Anniversary!

Welcome Back...

Are the holidays really over? I love the holiday season. People think I am crazy but I love winter. It used to be because I was a skiier. But now it is just the thought of staying inside with a hot cup of tea/cocoa looking out the window at the snow. Unitl this year we really haven't had too much snow here on Long Island, that is since I moved here. So far we have had a big dumping and dustings here and there. The cold is a different story, but you have to accept it to love winter!!!

I had to take a break from blogging because I had quite a few projects I needed to make and get sent out before it was too late. With all of that (barely) being over I now feel like I can take some time to revisit this blog. And I will get some pictures up here of thoes projects I gave away. Hopefully I have some pictures stored on my camera.

It has been a busy and event filled month so hopefully that will give me something to write about.
Until then, enjoy the winter!

It's About the Process...

I thought it would be fun to make felt balls with the girls this weekend. I have never made them and how hard could it be, right?! And it was pretty simple, but it was definately about the process not the product. Kyra thought this was really cool and good at it. Mae started out good but ended up having more fun witht the soapy water. It was fun, but so much for thinking this might turn into some Christmas gifts.

Lets Talk Recycling

During a recent trip to the library I came accross two great books about Recycling Your Wardrobe. I have done this minimally throughout my life.... patches, cut off shorts, you know you probably did it too. But to make a whole new piece of clothing is very motivating. And after reading some good advice I started my mission by adding another pile when going through my closet this fall. Now I have the Keep pile, Give away pile, Throw away pile (things have always had to be pretty bad for me to actually throw them away), and now the Recycle Me pile. I am constantly longing for new clothes and a new wardrobe, but that is just NOT happening. So, with a few alterations to clothes that I haven't worn in a while, don't wear anymore or have just gone out of style I am coming up with new clothes for myself. And I am excited to wear them. A little too excited, I didn't take any  pictures of this sweater before I altered it.  My sister Amy is always telling me to "take before pictures!" I really do need to listen, before and after pictures are key! So my new sweater photo follows, but I do not have a before picture:(

I will explain since I do not have that "before" picture. This is a cotton Old Navy sweater that used to have long sleeves and the neck was open to right under my ribs. I didn't mind it, but just didn't wear it much. And this season I have been noticing the style is short sleeved sweaters with long sleeved t-shirts worn under. I liked the style and knew that this sweater would be perfect! It took me a few tries to get the sleeve length right but I think this is a keeper, at least for another season...

I am off to take pictures of my Recycle Me pile, just so I have them for when I decide to reuse something.

One year I tried trading clothes with my sisters, that worked really well too. And Amy has also been talking of a swap with a bunch of people. I really like that idea, I may have to do that here with my friends.

If anyone has more ideas please pass them on!!!

A Beautiful Day

The sun is out, I already have my windows open. Is it really December in New York?! What else will this beautiful day bring? Why am I sitting at the computer....

Another Fun Week!

This past weekend we had visitors, my Mom and Dad were here. It was a wonderful visit, we did a lot of hanging and talking. And they got to do a lot of playing with their grandchildren.

The week started with Mae's Birthday!

Grampy is so proud of Kyra for learning to read all the bird names!

Is this  ANOTHER birthday party?

We also visited Daddy's job site, Brooklyn Bridge Park. It was amazing to see how far it has come. We got a personalized tour, Kyra and Mae loved running around and exploring. I love to go into "The Big City" (as the girls put it, I think it came from a Curious George book). But I never really push it because that is where Steve spends all his days and a lot of them at that.  So, this was a treat for all of us!

I love this shot of my little family!

Then we stopped by a flea market in search of treasures. Which this puzzle would have been, but it was priced for someone else.

Then we stood in  this line for pizza. It was good!

Thanks for a wonderful visit Mom and Dad!

Where Have I Been?!

It has been so long since I have written here. I paused when I had to send my camera in to get repaired. Then I couldn't think of anyway to start back up again. So I thought I would start with a little montage of what we have been up to this fall....

Peaceful playing.

Halloween.

This was the "Boat Burning." A tradition our community Maritime Museum does every year to thank the local residents for putting up with summer tourism. It was my first experience at first I didn't even know why they burn the boat (so I looked it up) but now that I know it was a very special night to enjoy with the community.

A few walks in the woods...

And...

Our big Birthday Girl!!! This was her day! I think we will have a girl who takes the whole month of November for herself.....better save one day for me!

I will be back soon to share more.

Catching Up

We have been catching up with life around here. Getting rooms and furniture painted. Yes, actual projects getting done, I cannot believe it. We had a rainy weekend last weekend so we took advantage of it and got some stuff done. I have been rarely sitting at the computer. Today I figured I better sit down and pay some bills and catch up with my e-mailing and write a little blurb on here.

This is an old picture of our asparagus. I was cleaning up the garden yesterday thinking about how excited I am for this upcoming spring because we will finally get to eat some asparagus. It will be year three, yippee!The reason I am using an old picture is because my camera has been sent to the repair shop. BOOOOHOOOO. It seems unnatural to be not snapping picutres every minute I get. That just made me realize that I will not have it for Halloween. I thnk I have to dig up my old camera that I have been letting the girls use. hmmmmm where could that camera be......