If You Have an Empty Pepper Melange Bottle...

...put some roses from your back yard in it and put it by the sink and it will make you dislike washing the dishes a little less.

The WIP - Rock Edition

We spent the better part of Saturday playing music with friends.  Since I was the one with the camera, there are no pictures of me, but I assure you I played right along.  I played the violin and the mandolin and the bass.  And I messed up.  A lot.  But I didn't care.  It was one of the best days we've had since moving to Virginia.  So thanks to our hosts for the great food and great venue, and thanks to everyone who participated in making the music sound so good.  The kids had a blast too, and got to eat ice cream and jump in a bounce house and stay up WAY past bedtime.  We need to make this happen more often.

Sunday I got to take a nap - and I needed it badly - because Kev and Daphne went on a date to the movies.  There was also ravioli on the porch.  Doesn't get much better.  Happy last day of April.  Rock on.

Attitude Adjustment Friday

"Dr. Seuss Flowers"

Spy Bunny Returns

Veronica and Atticus

Outside, in general, it is spring.  Sort of.  There are flowers and birds and bunnies and things. But then it turns sort of wintery.  Then it rains.  Then it warms up.  Then it gets windy.  Today it's cold, until the sun comes out and then it's warm, until the wind starts blowing and then it's chilly again.  It's difficult to plan what to wear and what to cook.  Nobody with allergies stands a chance.  I guess that's just the way it is in April 2012 in Virginia. 

I've been feeling kind of crummy the last couple of days since I am one of those people with allergies.  But I am not letting it keep me down.  Last night, I went to my first ever book club, and I'm so glad I did.  It was REALLY nice to be around this group of smart, funny, interesting people.  I can't wait for the next time we meet. 

And tomorrow, it's hootenanny time once again.  We'll be dragging our instruments over to Mister Jeff's house this time.  And not only will there be band practice, but there will also be kids and hamburgers and apple pie and homemade ice cream.  I am really looking forward to it.  Even if I have to play my fiddle, which is sort of terrifying. Recent events have affected my perspective, and I feel sort of like I need to stop worrying so much about stupid things like my questionable fiddle playing abilities and just enjoy playing music with people I like for what it is.  I'm not very good at just "letting it go," but I'm going to try.  There's no time for needless fretting.  Life is too short.  So GET YOUR EARPLUGS, everyone...I'm fixin' to let fly in the key of E!  or perhaps A minor!  Yee-Haw!

In all seriousness, this has all been brought on by the fact that I just found out that (another) person I know has recently been diagnosed with cancer.  It makes me so mad.  This is one of the nicest people I have ever known, from one of the nicest families.  I never heard her EVER say a negative thing about anyone.  Ever.  But cancer doesn't care how nice you are.  And now, a couple of kids are in all likelihood going to have to grow up without their mom.  It's just too many people.  Something's gotta give.

Anyway, wherever you are, have a good weekend with your families.  That's what I'm gonna do.  See you next week.

Good Song of the Day

You're welcome.

The WIP

Straw Wrapper Mustache and Napkin Ring Antlers - at MacDowell Brew Kitchen

Daphne, Flat Stanley, and one of Leesburg's Finest at the Garden Show Set-Up

Dad's Art Show - Trash Can Theme

Playing in the back yard with Scout

Three Generations

It was a good weekend.  Saturday it was hot.  HOT!  Sunday it was cold and rainy.  Saturday, my dad had a painting in his first art show, and we were all very proud of him.  After the show, we got to hang out in the back yard and play with Scout, which was fun.  It reminded me of being in my grandparents' back yard as a kid.  All the adults sat around in lawn chairs while the kids ran around.  Good memories.  Sunday, we went to the Flower and Garden festival and walked around in the rain, came home and had family band time, and then watched the Muppets.  I keep putting away the winter gear, and then having to get it back out again.  It's been a strange month.

There is a movie that Kev and I once watched called The Saddest Music in the World.  It is a terrible movie.  Don't watch it.  But I do like a little sad music now and then, and I think Kev may have discovered the saddest song of all time.  It is REALLY sad.  But also really really cool.  How have I gotten this far along in life without ever hearing Townes Van Zandt?

Atticus Finch

Here is the Daddy Bird sitting on top of Big Al, checking on the babies.  He seems less afraid of me today.

The WIP - Hanging Out Outside

Lilacs from the Back Yard

Climbing up to look in Big Al (the Fern)...

...because Big Al is now home to Baby Finches (those fuzzy things).

Dinner on the Porch

I Love This Picture

And this one, too.  If you make it big, you can see Daphne in Kev's sunglasses.

Jumping in the freshly-mowed lawn.

Jumping off the picnic table.

Um...I didn't really get much air.

Style Points for Kev

On Saturday, we spent most of the day outside.  We walked to South Street for breakfast and went to the Farmer's Market.  We sat on the porch a lot, but eventually moved because we were freaking out the mommy and daddy finches (Veronica and Atticus), who wanted to tend to their babies.  We did some gardening, and played in the back yard.  Daphne did a lot of running and jumping.  I made friends with a long-time nemesis (you'll have to click the link for the full story).  Kev cut the grass.  It was a fun and productive day.  Then, Daphne woke up Sunday with an unpleasant stomach virus.  It was less fun than Saturday.  But she is much better now.  

Should be a quiet week.  I'm ready for a quiet week.  I might even get to knit.

More Spring Break - The Travel-y Bits

This rabbit started hanging around our house during Spring Break.  Daphne is convinced it is one of the Easter Bunny's spies.  How else would the Easter Bunny know exactly what Daphne wanted for Easter?  She is working out plans for a trap so she can get to the bottom of this.

Meanwhile, our tree looked like this for a couple days.  Spring is good.

On our way to New York, we stopped in Barryville to see my friend Bryce, who lives in the woods.  It was fun to see him, and we laughed a lot about various things, and Daphne got to have a cookie and play with a dachshund, so she is Bryce's biggest fan.

On Friday, Kev's parents babysat so we could go out and celebrate our ninth anniversary.  We went to Calico in Rhinebeck and had excellent food, and I saw these shoes in a window of a shop that was closed.  Aren't they awesome?!  Orange sneakers.  With LIFT! 

 

On Saturday, Daphne colored Easter eggs with her cousins.  Guess who made the one with the giant orange "D" on it?

Then we put on out Easter Best and went to New Paltz for Easter dinner with the Fowxes.

 It was a really nice day.  There was soccer...

...and marshmallow shooters, and food and dessert and lots of fun with aunts and uncles and cousins and friends.

And on the way back to Hyde Park, Kev stopped in Rhinebeck and bought me the SHOES!  I can't have them until Mother's Day.  But that's all right.  Then I will wear them every single day.

 

On Easter morning, there were lots of treats and gifts, and a big egg hunt in the yard.

And finally a short visit with Nana before heading back home.  Whew!

Monday, we hit the ground running.  Even though there was an extra day off from school, Daphne and I went anyway for an event to welcome new students.  Daphne was a "tour guide" and she was awesome.  She guided people along, introducing them to the counselor and librarian, and showing them where various rooms are.  Today, was piano and art, and finally back to school for Daphne.  This afternoon is our Daisy meeting.  The whole troop is coming to my house to make garden stones and plant seeds.  It's going to be interesting.

My house is a DISASTER, but there's no time to clean.  Maybe tomorrow.  At least the Daisy meeting is outside.  

My brother mistook some green rubbing alcohol for mouthwash yesterday!  His tongue is numb, and I don't think he can taste food.  I hope that goes away.  

I need a nap, but I think I need to go start mixing cement soon.  I never thought I would be typing such a thing.  

Spring Break Continued...

In the back yard with Scout.  It was a good day.

Field Trip: DC

To celebrate Spring Break on Monday, Daphne and I headed into DC on the Orange Line.  Our first stop was the Postal Museum.  All of the Smithsonian Museums are so great, and they really try to make it interesting for kids.  At this one, Daphne got to start a stamp collection, write a card to a soldier, play in a stagecoach, and learn about Owney, the postal mascot dog.  They had the actual dog there, all taxidermied, and I didn't take a picture because I thought it was a little disturbing.  But it's a nice story if you want to google it.

Things worked out so that after the museum, we were able to meet Uncle Jeff for lunch at Carmine's, and then hook up with Grandpa for the afternoon.  First stop: Pitango Gelato.  

Then, we went to the National Portrait Gallery, which is my new favorite Smithsonian.  Daphne got to see Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts and the original "Daisy."

She also got to see George Washington.  She looks mad, but she's trying to look "presidential."  She is carrying a George Washington doll from the Discovery Kit they have for kids who visit the museum.

NOLAN!

At the end, we got to go into a room and make sculptures.  Daphne got to tape stuff to other stuff!  And I think Grandpa kind of enjoyed it too.  It was a good day.

I love DC.  There are trains and people and action.  I need some city every once in a while.

Part 2 of Spring break starts today.  Off to have a sleep-over with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Jeff, and Scout.  Yay!

Things We Saw at Rust Today

The Lorax

Dogwood Trees

A Tree Swallow

A Field Sparrow

Three Mallards

This Turtle (Eastern Box?)

Kev

Daph

Huge Trees