A Portrait of Friendship

Hey Mom, can we all go out and play???

Settling In!

Wow, have we really been in the new place over a month? It is hard for me to believe it, but it's true.

We are just about there, no more boxes to unpack, linen closet is now organized, everything has a place, with just window treatments left to get up on the windows.

In the blaze of the move, I have been so negligent with posting--and yet my faithful friends keep poppoing in. Love you all!

Here are a couple of photos I have been meaning to share. This was from Christmas--when I was playing with a new hairstyle for Ella.

It won't be happening to often--getting her into those pony tails was like wrestling a steer to the ground!

Here is another shot of her--looks like Ellan has developed an affection for Grandpaw's decoys!

And finally, here's Gino enjoying the new location for the bird feeder! I always loved big dogs, but this little guy stole my heart the very first day we picked him up from the rescue.

I feel a blog redesign coming on--now I just have to fit it in between sewing window treatments, baking these cookies, playing the Wii, carting James to and from his new pre-school, and chasing my firecracker daughter all over the house!

Is it spring yet???!!!

Oh My Goodness . . .

The pups, lounging in the sun. Gino hurt his foreleg, and the joint was very swollen, but after a trip to the vet and some antibiotics he is doing much better.


On another note, Ella is starting to use a spoon and fork! She was very proud of herself while eating her eggs. She was actually able to spear them with the fork and get them in her mouth!



One of my birthday presents from my grandparents included two jars of Smucker's Plum Jam in the box. You just can't get it here (they live in Oklahoma).


Ella loves her toast with plum jam, just like her Mommy does!



I took this picture of Ella a couple of days ago--I think I am obsessed with her little toes--they are so perfect! I would like to eat them up!


And to follow up on yesterday's post: When I say I am terrified of using my Mom's machine it is really because I remember having a terrible time loading the bobbin, and it pretty much turned me off of sewing while I was in high school. (As I write this, I can see my Mom shaking her head, saying that her machine was so easy that our old dog rascal could have operated it. Love you Mom!)

So, I am looking for an easy beginner machine that will last--my friend Stephanie will think I am crazy, but after visiting the local sewing machine shop, and talking with the owner (who is an older Italian gentleman that was completely taken with James) I am going with a Janome Youstyle 100. I am going to pick it up today! Mr. Gittanella is giving me a discount because he said he was so impressed with James, and because James informed him that his middle name is Sebastiano (which is Mr. Gittanella's brother's name).

My very first project is going to be crayon roll. Stephanie made one for James and I thought it was just an amazing idea!

Anyhoo--gotta go--a busy day ahead!

A Warm Place in the Sun

What more could a dog want?


This is Gino, one of my Italian Greyhounds.

He is a sweetheart, and looks like an old man, even though he's only 6.

This house is so much sunnier than the last one--
it makes for some great napping spots!