sunday

saturday

Low Energy Friday.

It's weird around here when the busy boys aren't feeling well. Things are just too, quiet.

But quiet today was nice...

We had lots of jammie wearing and reading and my lil' boy asked to embroider! How sweet he was sitting there working so hard, concentrating, yet relaxed. He just picked some scrap fabric and wanted to trace the lines. His hand is very steady and those stitches are just so even and tight. Very pro for a 5 year old.

I am sure both dudes will be back to normal by the end of the weekend, so I will marvel at the "kid-broidery" and steep in the quiet.

Enjoy the weekend!

Where It Comes From.

I was cutting out some felt hearts for next month when my own heart started beating a bit faster and I was moved to say something about Haiti.

I don't write about serious stuff here. None of my personal, liberal views on controversial issues make it here or need to be here. That kind of talk is for real life. Out Here'n Two Rock is about sharing the little stuff that is happening in my family's daily world.

But in real life, we are feeling, discussing, hurting and hoping for Haiti's families.

We are learning too.

I have learned that a group of second graders, my bigger boy included, can take initiative and spread the word on giving. Giving whatever and whenever you can. They sent out a letter to the people of our tiny school, asking for help. And from our small group of hard working ranch families and military families of all walks of life from around the country, came more than $400.00. Just to give. Just to try to help.

Not everybody is planning for frivolous holidays that celebrate love. They just need it and we all have it to send in many different forms.

We need to however we are able.

Because in real life, we are all connected by that beating in our chests.

A Break For Show And Tell.

I admit I have been obsessed with unpacking and putting away and getting this place lived in. But! That doesn't mean the kids and I haven't had any special making time.

We haven't had a LOT, but some.

We made sacks for our yo-yos. The boys (big and small) are addicted to the yo. I am constantly on guard for flying yo-yos and tripping on knotted string. Obviously they need little bags to store them in right?

Right.

I finally finished and found somewhere to hang this.

And Minna and me both really like the frilly touch in her new room. Jeff isn't so sure. At least he likes his yo-yo bag.

We love those bags so much that Sully made some for his friends to put whatever they want in.

He did it all by himself on his very own machine. I have to say I thought he was secretly making that sweet yellow one for me, his dear old mom. After all, yellow is my favorite color. Turns out it's for a cute little girl at school. So it begins.

And lastly, I am back in the embroidery saddle. I haven't picked up a hoop since Christmas!

Feels like home.

Watery and Covered In Ants.

But no matter! We are all moved in!

Ahhhhhh...

It has been a wet, tedious move and we have battled with a zillion ant squatters that do not want to move out. But again, no matter! We are here!

All of us are stretching out and making it our own, finding our new favorite corners,

and making ourselves at home.

Stay tuned for more on those ant roommies and the goings-on out here. We have some pictures to share and some making to show and tell!

Hope you are all staying dry and safe.

We missed you this past week!

Happy Tuesday.

sunday

saturday

friday

Movin' On Down.

I know I promised to let you in on what was going on out here after the dust settled and matters were tended to, but that could be a while.

Well here it is; 'tis true, the gang and I are MOVING!

This will be our last night in this little, trusty house that enabled us to start over and begin to live the life we really wanted. The life we needed.

Bittersweet? Yes, but we managed to find an old, pretty house with a bunch of charm and a bit more room to stretch. Should fit our family just perfectly.

It really is lovely.

To the right of that kitchen window there is a fireplace! Very exciting for us.

I have been taking bins and boxes back and forth while Jeff is at work saving all the big heavy stuff for his return. Lucky guy. (The boys are a great help but just can't move 7 foot bookcases. Neither can I.)

The best part? It's just down the driveway, past the garden and the red barn, on the same beautiful piece of property that we are so lucky to roam right now.

Another good part?

We are taking LuLu with us...

So, see you down the road when the computer is tucked into it's new space and when we have our fireplace a-blazin'...

Deliverd!

I finished my first kinda' ambitious sewing project!

A messenger bag for Sully.

I succeeded in making a bag that can actually be used for important school stuff even!

I had to dive into the world of fusible interfacing and edge-stitching and sewing a curve. All not so easy, but I managed and learned a lot.

I worked after the kids were sound asleep. I worked and I worked...

Around 2:25 (yes, that is AM.) I realized I had finished. The time just flew by.

Here it is as I stumbled and fell into bed.

I see many more bags in the future of all kinds. I love making stuff that has a purpose and is nice to look at.

As I write this, my first bag is strapped around my boy's shoulders at school.

Hopefully serving it's purpose and being very useful.

Happy Tuesday all!

Startin' The Week Off Right...

Note-As for this weekends wordless posts, (and I am sure I am the only one that cares) I just wanted to say that I realize Mr. C is wearing the same shirt in 4 out of the six posts. I am noting this because I am adamant about only posting shots of what went on out here on their respective days. No cheating! I promise I didn't cheat, Colyer just wore the same shirt all weekend. But I am happy to report that he did go to school with a different (and clean) shirt today.

Now, with that out of the way, look at my new sketch/idea/list/measurement-jotting notebooks!

I made them from my sewing machine box. I really wanted a spiral binding like this but the local chain office-print shop always gives me a hard time about that and wants to charge me extra for a prep fee. (Twice as much!)

This time I took matters into my own hands and punched holes, got tiny binder rings and bound it myself. Not bad. I still prefer a spiral and wonder if I could find a machine for our craft table and do it myself. Ya think? I will have to look into that.

I am off to enjoy the rest of Monday but here is another hint at what we are doing. Anyone catching on or found us out yet? (Well, that doesn't know already:)

There may be a tiny embroidered wall hanging for someone that guesses correct-lyyyy...

Have a great day.

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saturday

Nonetheless.

SO! Things are topsy-turvy out here! Once things settle and I have dusted myself off and compiled the photos I will let you in on what is happening, stay tuned...

As for the now, we have not been too busy for dreaming up projects and making stuff though.

We are carefully choosing and playing in fabric. Plus we are trying to find useful things to make out of fabrics from around the house that are being retired soon, like old curtains and sheets.

In the works...

A messenger bag for Sully. His school backpack is so old and tattered and there are only so many times you can try to fix or replace a zipper. For real.

Also, a tote made from a shower curtain. Sound interesting? Just might be.

Lots of sewing in the future and I am loving Amy Karol's book, Bend The Rules Sewing. I am gonna learn a lot from her and have heaps fun doing it.

Back to work and I am sure you have plenty to get back to as well.

Have a great day!

Happy Monday!

This was our last day of winter break. Boys will be back to school tomorrow and I am really going to miss them. I love days on end that we get them all to ourselves.

We had a busy day, out and about. Some new and interesting things are on the horizon and a big change is coming (VERY) quickly for us.

But more on that later...

Right now I am fiddling around with a mini quilt that I am making for Happy the doll. I am just using basic quilting techniques that I have been reading about and trying to teach myself. I am not using a pattern, just a patchwork kind of method. It sure is fun. All that is left is the binding that my talented seamstress friend showed me how to do over the weekend. I am crossing my fingers and diving in. We will see what happens.

Have I mentioned that I love my new sewing machine? I did? Oh...

Well, this is my first step to accomplishing one of my 2010 goals- making a cozy lap quilt for each of my kiddos.

Hope you have some fun goals in mind too and for now...

...Monday.

sunday

saturday

No Bread To Be Had At Mid-night.

I wanted to start a new tradition on New Year's Eve.

The idea was to bake a yummy loaf of bread in the evening to be eaten after the clock strikes 12. Sounds easy enough.

I found a recipe that just had to be adjusted to include chocolate chips. I definitely thought something sweet would be just the ticket for long after dinner and with tea or something.

I mixed and kneaded and loved the excitement of peeking while the dough was rising.

All was good until it was in the oven and someone forgot to check on it now and again.

Burned New Year's Eve bread.

Bummer.

I didn't even bother to take a picture of it.

Depressing.

At first I deemed it a bad omen for the year to come but that is silly. I was just too busy nursing my girl and laughing with my boys as they tried so hard to stay awake.

Nothing bad can ever come from enjoying family moments so much that all else is forgotten.

Plus, there is always next year for New Year's Eve bread.

Happy New Year!

Yesterday we took our last trip 20 minutes north to the coast where we downed the last cup of our favorite clam chowder. Then we strolled for the last time down the docks, amongst the seagulls and crab boats.

Then, after a few minutes of begging with clasped hands, we stopped for the very last time to get a bag of salt water taffy to eat on the way home.

Well, the last time in 2009 that is. We will be having many more cups of chowder and lots of sticky fingers from that taffy in 2010 I am sure.

So with cold hands,

pink noses and taffy in our cheeks we wish you all a...

Happy New Year!