simplesparrow

playing...

with my camera, working on my next postcard collection. Playing with color pallets, hoping to start my next sewing project. I spend so much time thinking and dreaming up projects, I wish I leaned more on getting things done...ah, but the daydreaming part, it's so enjoyable, no?

My boys are over the flu--thank heavens. And so far the rest of us are A.O.K  This must have been the season for tummy bugs because this sort of thing just hit our house around Christmas--before that I can't even remember when we were sick like that. Twice in one winter is a first. Yuck is all I have to say.

I'm starting to feel the beginnings of spring fever (one illness I welcome) Then summer is just around the corner and that is my very favorite time of year. Just typing that gets my giddy. I can't wait to spruce up my wardrobe with some fun colors and I've just spied some spring green sandal clogs I think I must have! I can totally picture my feet clicking around in those.

venturing out

I mentioned a few posts back that I was working on postcards made from my images and here they are! I'm pretty darn excited about this project. I think because it is something so totally different than what I have been doing creatively over the last few years--primarily working with fabric. My love for photography goes way back to my high school days when I took a class in it with my dad's 35mm Nikon film camera--that makes me feel so old! I still have some of those black and white images that I developed in the dark room and I can still smell those chemicals in my mind like it was yesterday!

For the postcards I've started with two collections: Handmade and My Clothesline (both subjects dear to my heart) from images I've taken throughout the last year or so. If all goes well, I plan to add to these collections and start new ones--already in the works is Things That Grow. The first 2 sets are ready to go!

Staying on the subject of venturing out, I mentioned that I had some exciting news to share. We're in escrow with a new home! It really is pretty amazing how all this worked out. It started with a conversation I had with the guy that cuts my hair. Long story. There are still some hoops to jump through so I'm holding this home with an open hand, nothing is final yet. When we found out the seller had accepted our offer we were really kind of stunned for two reasons: one, it was a low-ball offer and two: the house is a beast!! It will need some major work before we can even live in it. Now we were wondering if we really wanted to take on the monster. We decided we do and it will be worth it in the end. It has some real potential. Besides, all we can afford are the beastie types.

If this all works out I'll be short on time when it comes to blogging--but man! Will I ever have some before and after pictures to show you. Good grief :)

remembering: a summer wedding

Above--my son the wedding photographer, my son an invited guest.

I had some time last night to browse through some past family photos--and I thought for the next week or so I would share some of those memories here, just as a photo post with little or no words. It seems like just the right time for me to talk less around here--at least for a little while.

summer vacation #3

I've been wearing a big smile as I watch my little guy lose his nervousness around the water and paddle around with lots of excitement. In the deep end even. Watching my older kids play around together brings equally big smiles too.

While in the land of the blackberry one must always make a blackberry pie. This one is compliments of Hannah. No recipe, just her magic touch.

And what is a vacation without some shopping? My favorite buy is that adorable clock. The little bird ticks back and forth. It sold me in about 2 seconds flat. The others are some inspiring reading, a lovely plate and a bamboo lantern that gives off the faintest glow. It will be a perfect night-light.

Hannah and I also had the very wonderful pleasure of enjoying lunch with Vicki and Grace,

and dinner with Alicia...

My heart was warmed by their generous hospitality and the time they gave to us. Hannah and I felt so loved. I never expected blogging to lead to such wonderful connections. Isn't it nice that life still holds so many happy surprises. Send your love and prayers to Alicia and Andy, their precious Audrey had to leave them and just maybe all of our support will help to fill the hole that is in their hearts.

This is my last vacation post. I hope all of this wasn't to boring for some you! I'll be home the middle of next week and regular life will resume with lots of crafting to chat about.

Until then, be well friends.

xo,

T.

summer vacation #2

The farm.

This is the home of my husband's mom. She's lived here I think for about 23 years. She raises sheep and cattle on a small scale and always has a huge vegetable garden. I love to roam the garden. It's quiet and beautiful, and I love to see food growing as opposed to how I see it most of the time--in the produce section of the market. I am so fond of vegetable gardens, big or small. The sights the sounds, it just seems so right.

We actually lived next-door to her here, on a piece of property she gave us for about 3 years. Hannah was born at home right there out in the country. Those were 3 special years and we have so many fond memories. The 3 boys were in heaven with 16 acres to roam and dig (little boys love to dig you know, all the way to China if they could) and a swimming hole just across the road. Mark's brother now lives on that piece of property running his nursery business. It's good to have it in the family still and that's how it will stay for a very long time.

Inner tubes waiting for the creek.

Feeding time for the cows. Grandma has named each one of them :)

One of my favorite gates that the grape vine has taken over. I still went through it, hunched over and all.

I took pictures of all the gates around the house and garden. I feel sentimental about them I guess. Going in and out so many times, the endless times of reminding the kids to close them, the familiar and different squeaks each one makes. They seem like part of the family.

I forgot to ask grandma what this was, but who could resist taking a picture of it with that gorgeous color and curious vine meandering it's way through? Not I. 

Farm, I will always love you...xo.

my summer vacation #1

My new shoes now stand on Washington soil.

I have been once again pondering the perfect beauty of my favorite tree in my parent's yard.

Playing lots of croquet.

Doing a little fabric shopping, lots of relaxing, and taking in the many peaceful images around my parent's home.

portraits of a favorite lamp

all three of my boys were piled in my bed tonight--talking, laughing. i was sitting on the floor right here next to my bed, loving the sight of them just being together. i could hear Hannah in the distance on the phone with my mom. an ordinary moment, a special moment, the kind of moments life is made of.

i noticed how pretty the light was on the wall, and how the edge of my bed crept in--looking calm and restful--when only inches away my three boys were a jumble of blankets, chatter and laughter.my camera was close by, so I grabbed it and took these portraits--portraits of a favorite lamp.

that's all i have for now. just a shared moment of regular life, and a pretty cute lamp.

a little piece forever

I love how the camera lets you capture time, minutes that tick away most days without ever getting noticed. Then you have that little piece of beauty, or memory, or quietness forever.

just because...

i love shoes and feet...

because i love chocolate...

because i love fabric...

because i love manderines and my daughter's paper snowflakes...

just because i love the ordinary, everyday things.