Happy 10th Birthday

We're celebrating a milestone birthday with Lizzie today....10 whole years old! It's hard not to ponder the future and this decade that will take her from carefree child to capable adult. Plans today include a crafter-noon, Legos and chocolate cake. Happy birthday Lizzie!

Signs Of Fall

Lizzie and I gathered these first signs of Fall about our neighborhood this week. We've been enjoying crisper evenings and are busy planning all the soups 'n stews we will concoct this season. Happy first weekend of Autumn!

Summer Treats

Oh the summer treats we have indulged in....

Pineapple Whip in Springfield, Missouri.

Mug N Bun floats in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Peach cobbler at the Peach Park in Clanton, Alabama.

Believe me...this does not account for all of the ice cream we've consumed this summer. It's rather hard to document a treat that melts so quickly and is so yummy. An interesting side note....while Lizzie and I were polishing off the mint-choco and choco-chip cones in the first image we spotted the strangest creature....a uni-cone!!

4th Grade

We're getting into our 4th grade groove this week. This may or may not include splashing around in a fountain or two ;)

Around Downtown

We spent a few hours on Friday exploring downtown Springfield and snapping random pictures (including spilled Cheerios in a parking lot). A perfect summer afternoon browsing the treasure trove of vintage goods at Hakaar's Bazaar and coffee time at The Coffee Ethic. Our summer is humming along and I'm feeling the need to slow down a bit. I'll plan to pop back in here mid month.

Happy Birthday USA

National & Historic Flags of the United States from Webster's Elementary Dictionary, 1941

We're heading out in a bit to buy some fireworks and food for tonight's celebration. Wishing you a happy & safe 4th of July.

Back To Work

I'm refreshed after my vacation time and ready to get back to work. In fact, June's collage blocks will be ready ASAP! We took a road trip to visit family in Georgia and Alabama (Patrick & Lizzie's home state....I'm the oddball Yankee). Took this fishy snapshot at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. You can see other images from our trip here. By the way, if you're ever passing through Montgomery and in need of a good lunch you gotta try Gail's Down The Street Cafe. The sweet tea, cornbread, greens, squash casserole, fried green tomatoes and blackberry cobbler is to die for!! I'm trying to be disciplined after all the good eats but it's hard 'cuz Patrick's grandpa gifted him a well-seasoned cast iron skillet and he made an awesome frittata for breakfast today....burp.

Vacation Time

It's time to give myself a bit of vacation time. We've got places to go and people to see :) The shop will remain open but orders will take a few extra days to ship so....if you enter the coupon code: VACATION your order will ship for free. I'll see you back here at some point during the 2nd week of June. Now for some kite flyin', pool dippin', ice cream eatin' fun!

A New Home

As promised I'm back to share some images of the fairies new home. Everyone has recovered from the 'tree episode' as Lizzie calls it ;) We thank all of you for your sweet comments, notes, gifts and thoughts for the fairies (and our!) well being.

May Art Blocks

My offering of art blocks for the month of May will be sprinkled into the shop today. There are two distinct groups this round....one of fanciful fun and the other of natural wonder. Enjoy your weekend!

Fairy 911

We've had a bit of a fairy emergency. Yesterday a thunderstorm downed a tree between the two wee houses in Lizzie's fairy garden. Both houses were spared as well as the human's home. The tree landed on a fairy fountain and the human's fence.

Our power and internet was down for about 24 hours but we're back in the 21st century tonight. See my tether to the internet under the downed tree? I spent the day cleaning out the spoiled contents of the fridge and started working on this month's batch of collage blocks sans viral distraction.

As for the fairies....they are in good hands. Their village accoutrements were saved by two brave parents armed with flashlights and a laundry basket during the drizzle last night. Lizzie has been busy scouting out possibilities for their safe relocation. We'll be sure to let you know how they like their new home.

Easter Eggs

Did you dye Easter eggs? Nothing elaborate here....just good ol' Paas and one googly eyed Spring chick :) Hope you've been enjoying your weekend. Happy Easter!

My Leprechauns

My two leprechauns are always up to some sort of mischief ;) We celebrated over the weekend by attending the parade downtown. What a hoot! They are sure generous with their candy here...Lizzie came home with a bag full of loot and even caught a stuffed pony the size of her head. Wishing you and your leprechauns a Happy St. Patty's Day!

Puppet Master

Puppet Master, original collage on scribbled book cover

Two years ago Patrick and Lizzie were well into their Oz adventures. This week they are finishing up the 47th book in the series, Trouble Under Oz. It has been a fantastical journey and even though I don't sit in on the nightly readings there has been a bit of Oz seeping into my own work. I've dubbed it Oz-mosis ;)

A Special Day

Patrick and Lizzie shared a special day together last Friday. We trekked back to Manhattan to attend Patrick's commencement ceremony at Kansas State University and Lizzie celebrated her 9th birthday. The six year journey through graduate school is officially over! In Lizzie's words....'Congratulations Dr. Daddy'.

Happy 9th Birthday

Time flies when you're havin' fun and what a fun year it's been! Seems like you turned 8 just yesterday. Happy 9th birthday my Lizzie.

Fall Foliage

We've been enjoying some splendid Fall foliage these past few weeks.

Always more fun to rake wet leaves with a tiny rake (don't ask!).

Our neighbor's golden tree.

The piles of leaves have been dubbed 'nature's pillows' :)

Our neighbor's golden tree the next day.

'Leaf bouquets' are gathered on our daily walks (as if we need more!).

Happy Friday!

Raggedy Ann

The rain let up just in time for Raggedy Ann to go trick-or-treating this evening. I gotta say thank you to the Rountree neighborhood for an awesome first Halloween in Springfield....y'all outdid yourselves!

Happy Halloween

Haunted House by Lizzie Scott, age 8 (click image to enlarge)

 Trick-Or-Treat by Lizzie Scott, age 8 (click image to enlarge)

Happy Halloween friends! We're busy getting ready for this evening and crossing our fingers that the rain stops. Lizzie has decided on a Raggedy Ann costume....it's store bought as I lack patience for anything involving a sewing machine. I'll be sure to share pictures later on tonight or in the morning ;) Wishing all you little trick-or-treaters a safe and silly night!

Rainbow Clouds

Rainbow Clouds by Lizzie

Popping in to let you know I'm taking off for a bit o' family time. See you back here on Monday. Have a beautiful week & weekend too ;)