pretty

Painter of Interest

I like the quality of these paintings by Duane Keiser I found online today. I was looking at the guy's website and really liked some of his landscape paintings but really didn't like his still life paintings. He is like a mix of Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth. He really looks like Hopper in his other works but I'm not much of a fan.

Look At These Beauties

Aren't these Beautiful! I love amyrillus (I don't know if I spelled that correctly.) They do look kind of lame when not in bloom, big long floppy leaves, but when they bloom WOW so beautiful. They were here before we moved in and the peonies next to them are about to bloom too. My seeds in the garden are starting to sprout including my pumpkin, broccoli, sunflowers and spinach. Don't worry I'll post another picture soon. I know you are all anxious to see the inch they have grown.

I've had a good couple of days. Very productive. I rearranged the boys' room and it looks so much better. It is amazing to me how I can't think spacially. I tried to plan this and it came out totally different and so much better in use of space. You can see a bird's nest in our fern on the porch from their window very clearly. We watch the Mom and Pop birds feed the babies and everything. It is really cool for the kids.

I also got these fun hot pads at the thrift store along with some nice blue cannisters.

Corporate Thinking

I really like what Valerie recently posted about corporate confession. You should check it out.

Jack's Country Store

I just got my oilcloth tablecloth and I love it. I also bought a yard of another pattern and I hate it (I thought it was bright yellow and red but it is dull yellow and brown.). The colors look really different on the website.

I bought it at Jack's Country Store which also has a catalog. The store has all kinds of old fashioned stuff. I'm really excited about the old fashioned hankies they sell. I have my grandmother's old hankies and I think they are super cool. I wanted to get some for Renata and was happy to see some in the catalog. They sell cast iron stuff and old reprinted cookbooks which I really want to check out. They even have old Campfire Girls Handbooks/Activities. I really get into this stuff. My husband is probably rolling his eyes as he reads this and planning how make it clear that he will Never go camping.

Anyway, the online store ships cheaply, but the stuff isn't cheap.It is moderately priced. This store has been featured on TV, apparently, but since we don't have one I was out of the loop and this may be old news to you all.

Kipper is the Coolest

So my Hubby is away and the kids and I are watching lots of Kipper. Kipper is the coolest. The show is based on books written and illustrated by Mike Inkpen (I know, the name is a little too perfect). He does the animation for the show too, I think. The illustrations are wonderful but the content is great too. The show is British and, there is a lot of slow moving time in the show that is so like kids. For instance, Kipper and his friend Tiger sit under a tree slurping on juice boxes for a full 2 minute before someone talks. Kipper makes you really enjoys lots of little things. I have to remember to go do my housework when it is on instead of watching the show.

Busy

It has been busy around here. My husband is working on a new business, my in-laws lost power for a week and are staying with us, George is pulling up already, and I started planting my garden.
Having my in-laws has been really nice . I get extra eyes and hands and great food. George is a pulling up maniac. He is so different from my other two it's strange for me. He hates being penned and loves roaming and getting into everything. He's a booger, a very cute booger. It's nice that grandma and grandpa are around to help right when he's transitioning into this stage.

My garden is halfway planted. It is very exciting to see my little seeds have turned into little plants that are now nicely arranged in my nice weedless plots. The pictures will not do them justice. This is the best time in gardening - no weeds, no pests, no problems.......yet. I really love gardening. My father- in- law keeps mocking me because I keep going outside and potting and repotting and rearranging my plants. He just doesn't understand.