Link love...

You know that feeling when you think your day is just going along wonderfully yet you have that nagging feeling that something is about to happen that might not set you in a good mood?  You know what I'm talking about don't you?  Well, that was my evening yesterday.  I was sitting watching Matt play baseball in the bright, yet freezing late afternoon sun.  Ryan was at the pier fishing with his friends and all was good.  

Later, when I got home I received the phone call...."mom, can you come get me?  I fell in the lake!"

At first I thought it was some sort of April Fool's joke.  He's a kidder like that! But, then I realized that this was no joke.  

Long story short.  He was able to get a temporary cast on until Monday, where he will then have to go back and get a new one for one more week.

His friend jumped in to help him get out.

No, he wasn't over his head.

Yes, he said the water took his breath away.

The phone he NEVER carries, got wet...because yesterday was the day he decided to bring it with him.

I've lost count with how many phones he has gone through.

I'm thankful there was no ice in the lake.

Today was calmer.

Onward to the links....

 Not sure I could ever pull this outfit off, but I do like it!

 These look yummy and fun to make!

 I'm always on the lookout for quick and easy crafts to make with older kids.  This one looks like it might fit the bill.

 I can't remember if I've shared this blog with you yet.  If so, I apologize. The author writes about the everyday stuff and makes us laugh in the process. It's worth reading.

And lastly, for all of you with insomnia (and I know there are plenty because I see you when I'm up in the middle of the night)  a fun online photobooth to take silly pictures of yourself in your pj's!

enjoy the rest of your weekend!

5 things....

We were dealt with a few more weeks in the cast today.  The bone is healed but not quite strong enough to put weight on it yet.  Disappointment was apparent but this way is better than the very expensive brace that he would have had to wear.  

The countdown has been put back up on the kitchen blackboard and we will remain optimistic.

 The weather has changed-sunny but cold.  Heads are back in their studies.

 We found a wonderful wicker couch at a local barn sale this weekend.  A fresh coat of paint and new cushions will make it as good as new!

 Have you looked up at night these past few weeks?  The moon, planets and stars have been giving us a beautiful show.  Last night was outstanding!

I have one looking for work for the summer and another thinking of camp.  It hardly seems possible that we are here in our lives.  They have been good.  It's been a good week...and as I type that out, it's guaranteed to go downhill from here on in!

Link love....

It's been a weird week.  So much good weather followed by a "snow" day where the temperature hit 80 degrees have left us a bit disheveled!  Or maybe it's just me and no one else seems to notice.

My flowers are blooming so I found myself out wandering my yard to see what I could see.

I wanted to immerse myself in some beauty as the day to day stuff seems to be pulling me down into some pretty grim trenches.  

My sons' educations have left me thinking about choices and if we are making the best ones for the boys.  I wonder, quite often,  if it would be better if I didn't know all that I do about the education process, the inner workings of a school and the injustices that I have seen occur within a school setting. Would I relax a bit more, or is this worrying just my nature (I can feel my family shaking yes at this statement)?

We will see the Hunger Games this weekend.  I'm looking forward to it as it is a book that we have all read and discussed.  It will be interesting to see how the boys interpret it.

So here's to a good weekend

And to Syracuse winning tomorrow night!

Enjoy the links!

Go SU!!

  On my to-do list this weekend.  Something quick to spruce things up around here!

A new blog to me.  I would love that little phone to put next to my bed! 

I want to buy EVERYTHING in this shop! 

 Okay all you out there that sew.  I want to make this.  How hard can it be?

This will be made this weekend and packed in lunches for the week.

Happy weekend everyone!

just thinking out loud....

Boy, yesterday was hard.  And to be quiet frank, the day before that wasn't much better.

I'm loving the freakishly, warm weather, but it's putting a crink into our routine.

All of a sudden, we are doing summer things and on summer mode and nothing is getting accomplished that needs to be...like homework!

I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but we aren't use to this weather in March!  We live where the temperatures only reach the 80's in July and August...if we're lucky!

Last year, at this time we had mountains of snow. 

So, we will roll with it.  

I will enjoy my days on the porch, because I know they are numbered and it will be snowing in a few weeks.

I will try not to come down too hard on the boys with their work.

I will be comforting to Ryan as his cast sweats (6 more days!).

and will look at this global warming event as a time to get things done, for surely it is a cruel joke of Mother Nature's and we will have a blizzard next week!

What it typically looks like around here in March!

Taken a year ago.

Link love...

The boys were off from school again today.  What's up with that?  We just had a useless February break, last week we had a half day and today was a staff development day. Spring break is right around the corner too!  

Because of no school, we had a lazy start to the day.  The sun is finally coming out this afternoon and it looks to be warm and sunny for the weekend.  

My perennials are a month ahead of schedule and my lilac bush is budding.

Strange stuff!

Tomorrow is a knitting retreat.  I'm only going for the shopping, but hope to buy myself a treat.

Spring cleaning will continue as will baseball tryouts.  Tomorrow we find out if Matt has made the team.

Send good thoughts his way if you could.

Enjoy your weekend and the links.  So much good stuff out there lately!

Found this cute etsy shop on Free Range Chick's treasury on etsy.  I would love one of those aprons! 

 Back in October I provided a photobooth for the seventh grade dance.  It was a blast.  I wish I had some of these tips before setting out on the endeavor.  I will probably be called upon to do it again and this time I will be an expert!

 The ginger cookies pictured here were made from a recipe off this app.  I've made a few things from here and have had great success.  These ginger cookies are to die for! Needless to say, they are gone!

 More food.  This time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  This looks delicious and so much easier than cooking corned beef all day!

Need something to do this weekend?  Checkout all the free printables here!  So much good stuff!

enjoy!

Making...

Oh my gosh!  I must apologize!  I held a contest on my blog and then went away for awhile!  Totally unfair to you all that left such nice comments.

The winner, picked by the surly, wonderful fifteen year old is Kristina!

Kristina, shoot me your address in an email and I will get your yarn off to you!!

As you can see I finished another pair of socks.

This pair I started way back in March of 2011!!

They sat languishing in my knitting basket until I finally found some energy to knit the other sock.  Not sure why it took so long, because once I started it was completed three days later!

Specs can be found on Ravelry.  But give me a few minutes as I have to locate the ball-band with all the information!

Currently, I'm working on this sweater.  It will be completed and then packed away for next winter. It's working up fast now that I'm concentrating on it exclusively.

I need to make the rounds to see what you are all working on!  

See you all soon!

Making...

 There has been a lot of making going on since last week, but I don't have anything that is quite finished to show yet.

A sock that's almost there and a new knitting bag is being worked on.

I have some flannel that I want to make into lounge pants. My timing always stinks, finishing something at the end of the season.  But then I pack it away, with little use and when I pull out again, it's like I have a brand new item.  Mind games work wonders on me!

Tomorrow's forecast is snow, after two gloriously warm days.  Knowing this, I got out for a walk early.  Not much color here in our neck of the world, but I did notice my crocuses were struggling to bloom this morning.  

I have nothing to complain about.  This winter was easy compared to last.  Bring on the warm weather!

PS...I forgot...I made bread yesterday.

5 things...

Holy cow!  I've tried at least a dozen times to get here to write.  Each time, some interruption has occurred that needed my immediate (or at least they thought it did) response.

Finally, I have a few moments to catch my breath before I have to tackle the next hurdle.

I'm amazed that it's March already!  It seems like we were just making New Year resolutions!  None of which I've kept so far....

We are in week two of Lent.  I chose to give up chocolate and alcohol.  I'm not a huge drinker,maybe a glass a wine in the evening,  but wanted to do a cleanse/eat healthy thing since we will be heading away on our beach vacation soon.

I have to say it's one of the most difficult things I've ever taken on.  I can't believe how much my body "wants" the sip of wine in the evening, even when my head is saying no. This week it's a little easier as the chocolate/alcohol wanting has subsided a bit.  I find that I really need to stay occupied while preparing dinner, as  that's when I crave it the most. I'm hoping we won't be invited anywhere where I will be put to the test in a social situation...I think I'll just stay home for the next thirty days!

 1.  Ryan got his long leg cast off today and had it replaced with a cast to his knee. Another three weeks in this one and then hopefully, he will be healed!

 2.  Baseball has started for Matt.  Thankfully, this season is a bit less intense.

 3.  I've been staying home more due to the gas prices. Who knew there was so much to be done around here!

4. I am now reading Emily, Alone.  It's a character study of an older woman in her 80's.  My mom recommended it to me.  It's incredibly sad in parts, yet in other sections I find myself laughing and picturing my mom (she's only in her early 70's) and her friends.

5.  I'm looking forward to watching Justified tonight.  I'm just at the beginning and have heard good reviews.  

The mid-season new shows are starting to show up.  Are there any that you are interested in?

Enjoy the rest of the week everyone!