MAY 2009
05.31.09 | MISSOULA IS STILL THE COOLEST PLACE EVER
I'm back from a weekend in Missoula, and yes, it's still the coolest place ever.
The farmer's market is super-mega-cool.
The M is definitely cool. (It stands for "Molly," you know. At least that's what I told my children.)
And this building is still totally cool, because it's the place where I fell in love for the last time.
Memories just flood back to me in Missoula. Of being a young girl, of being a young woman, of being a young mother.
I learned there, I played there, I found a community there that seared itself into my heart. I found my Eric there, we became a "five family" there, and when I left, especially the last time, I was ready to go, eager to find a new place to call my very own.
But going back, I realize how much Missoula will always be a part of me. The kids loved it there, said we should visit more often. I can't believe how much that meant to me.
To steal and paraphrase John Steinbeck's quote: "For other Montana towns, I feel admiration, respect and even affection, but with Missoula it is love."
05.29.09 | A HIKE
We went for a great little hike last weekend. Just up a big hill and down again.
Enjoying the wildflowers.
And each other's company.
P.S. Don't miss two new blogs on my blogroll: awkward family photos and this is why you're fat. Just. Plain. Funny.
05.26.09 | GRADITUDE LIST (WRITTEN LATE AT NIGHT)
CHARMED: I'm so in love with my backyard.
CHARMING: This girl is just too beautiful for words.
PERFECTION: I bought a piece of second-hand Pyrex with the name "Phyllis Dorrington" on the bottom. How perfect is that? Of course her name was Phyllis Dorrington. And she took many, many hotdishes to many, many potlucks in this avocado green Square Flowers print Pyrex casserole. I just know it. To quote a commenter on my flickr page, "Phyllis, your Pyrex is in good hands."
PROTECTION: For all their fussing and fighting, for all the screaming and kicking, they really do love each other after all. When the sprinklers of life come at them from all sides, they will hold tight to each other, providing shelter, comfort and love. It does a mother's heart good.
TOTALLY RANDOM: One more photo and then I'll go to bed. I just can't get over this diligent, little gnome. Best $2.99 I ever spent.
DISCLAIMER: I probably shouldn't blog late at night. Then again maybe I should. Good night friends.
05.23.09 | ANI'S ROOM, A.K.A. "THE PINK ROOM"
I'd like to put a few more things on the walls, but for all practical purposes, the pink room is done!
If you know me in real life, you know that this has been a big-time dream of mine: to paint my little girl's room pink.
We started with the yellow room and the blue room because making them livable was much more pressing, but a couple of weeks ago I finally got the pink room done, and it is all I had hoped and dreamed it would be!
It's pretty magical in there. Super-sweet, just like my Ani.
05.17.09 | 8 AT A TIME IN 2009
I've been making 8 at a time in 2009 mosaics from my 365 in 2009 set on flickr. I thought this one turned out particularly pretty.
We've been enjoying slightly warmer weather today. The thermometer says 80 degrees, but again I swear it doesn't feel that hot.
A friend of mine told me that I must have missed spring. "It was that two days of rain," she said. "Now, the summer!" Oh, how I hope she's right.
05.16.09 | LAWN BOY
He picked a good shirt for day: GROUNDS. I love having a semi-pro groundskeeper as my husband and fellow homeowner. (Plus, there are those calves again, right?)
It was supposed to be hot here today, but it barely felt warm to me. Someone said there is a winter storm warning for next weekend. Now, I'm a Montanan through and through, but this slow-arriving springtime is testing even my limits.
The landscape's not devoid of the signs of spring though. And I know that the cells in these tiny leaves are multiplying exponentially, and that soon our back yard will be leafy and shady and summery. And I'll miss the chartreuse innocence of these baby leaves and these cool, soft breezes.
05.15.09 | THE WONDERFULLY ORDINARY
:: a small army of snow boots, waiting by the back steps, covered in mud ::
:: precious baby leaves getting their first real peek at the world ::
:: trying out the sprinkler system ::
:: getting soaking wet ::
:: loving it ::
05.14.09 | MOMMA'S DAY
I hope all you mommas out there had a peaceful, lovely Mother's Day. Mine started out with these...
...and ended with this. Ahhhh, a comfy spot from which I can watch the kids frolic in the backyard...
...and enjoy the view.
My first few hours on the chair included three snuggling, squirming little girls on the chair with me. (Good thing it's roomy.) A true Momma's Day.
05.11.09 | "WORK"
I spent the weekend "working" at the Feathered Pipe Ranch near Helena, helping to facilitate The Policy Institute's Leadership Seminar Series.
I get paid for it, but it's not really work to me to be amongst such bright minds, incredible talents and compassionate hearts.
And all in this spectacular setting. See you all in September!
05.03.09 | OH, APRIL
Oh April, you teased us with the promise of Spring.
Then you brought unwelcome snow showers.
And pesky freezing temperatures.
But there were also a few fuzzy buds on the trees,
Glorious celebrations of new life,
And a couple more fires in the fireplace.
Also - the wonderful ordinary things that fill my days:
Little girls playing violin,
Bananas ready to made into bread,
Backyard b-ball,
A green hose lying in green grass.
And the joy of finishing another couple of rooms in this imperfect, lovely place we are calling home.
05.02.09 | KITSCH-EN
I went thrifting yesterday afternoon and found some real gems! I got these salt and pepper shakers (Gemco Spice o' Life pattern)...
...and these Pyrex casserole dishes (Square Flowers pattern, Cinderella shape)...
...this fun carafe...
...and this deviled egg plate.
Are you kidding me with this stuff?
But the most fun was putting together this "set" of plates. So. Much. Fun.
And all for $7.50. Can you believe that?
Eric says, "Yes, I can believe it."
Whatever.
05.01.09 | OK, I LIKE WHITE TOO I GUESS
It's been ridiculously wintry around here. I must admit that it made me a tad grumpy. But it's supposed to warm up over the next couple of days, so I suppose I'll forgive you, Mother Nature.
Since it's been snowy and cold outside, we've done a little work on the inside of our place. Please enjoy a few Before|Afters:
Bryni's Room
Soni's Room
The Guest Room
Up next: Our room and Ani's room.
Someday: Kitchen.
