Please excuse the dirt under my fingernails

I've been gardening! Woohoo! The beginning of the season is so exciting. So much optimism, so much naïveté. :)

Here is what I've planted so far. I have to do a lot of weeding, unfortunately.Work before play!

Lily of the Valley

Bleeding Heart - I planted 2 tubers

I also put a few of these

Ranunculus

in my flower bed. They are "tender" perennials, which means I'll have to dig them up in the fall because they won't over-winter. No problem. I think they are worth it.

Note: I did not take any of these photos myself. I think I want a macro lens for my birthday (this Saturday). That's what you need to take really amazing flower photos. Sweetie???

Pin It

Spring might be coming after all!

Yes, spring might actually be coming to Seattle. Here are some signs:

1. My crocuses are blooming!

2. Baseball practice started yesterday. Yes, I've joined the ranks of those who shuttle their kids back and from extra-curricular activities. My oldest son is now on a baseball team for the first time in his life! I'm thankful I didn't have to stay at the field for the entire practice because it was 44 degrees, rainy, and windy. Brrr! My youngest and I warmed up at the library.

A practicing his catching.

3. My boys played outside in the backyard today because (for the first time in AGES) it wasn't raining!Pin It

Button headband

Ever since I saw the idea for a button headband, I've been mildly obsessed. I have a huge button collection (this is only some of them)
and a headband is a perfect way to use them.

I've made 3 headbands so far - white, brown, and turquoise.
My hair isn't really that red, it's the flash and the artificial lights. :)

Instructions for the headband? Pretty simple.
1. buy a few elastic headbands. Dollar Tree has a collection that includes a wide one that is perfect for this project. I like the thinner ones made by Goody (show below). They come packaged in three (I believe) for about $3.00. Don't quote me on that, though. I got mine at WalMart.
2. gather up the buttons. Make sure you have enough for the headband. You don't need to cover the entire headband.
3. Use thicker craft/button thread for best results. I matched the thread to the buttons.
4. Sew. This craft is perfect for doing while watching a movie or TV.

Note: you can sew the buttons very close together since the headband stretches quite a bit. If you aren't bothered by gaps between the buttons, don't worry about this.

I'm linking up with a Crafty Soiree at Yesterday on Tuesday and Chic and Crafty.Pin It

A Taste of Spring at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show!

It had been a rough week. First, my oldest son was sick, then my younger son started coughing, then it snowed and snowed, school was canceled, twice, it was very, very cold (for these parts). We were supposed to get away for a short family vacation but sickness kept us home. I spent several days stuck at home for various reasons. You get the picture. So, what does a woman do? She packs up her son (home from school with a cough) and says, guess where we're going? The garden show!

It was very kid friendly. Kids were even admitted free! They had a scavenger hunt in the display gardens. A piggy bank was hidden and you wrote down where you found it and once you had found all twenty, you would receive a prize. I didn't tell my son about the prize. We spent 90 minutes at the show ( a long time for a 5 year old) and we found 12 of the pigs. I need to send the organizers a note about that little problem.
My favourite display garden (from a gardening and style perspective) was the one done by Christianson's Nursery which is located in Mount Vernon.
My favourite display garden for kid appeal was this Wind in the Willows one.

There was even a little rowboat for C to sit in and watch a little of the Wind in the Willows DVD.
Here is a display with a wolf theme. This is the pigs' brick house.The Alice in Wonderland was the most crowded area. Here's the Queen of Hearts.This is display (using a shipping container as a shed) was created by a 17 year old girl!
I was *amazed* by the displays. Did you know they have 72 hours to set everything up? I would love to see the work that goes on to bring in all those trees and plants!This one was the most jaw-dropping. It looked like the Woodland Park Zoo! There was even a "Sasquatch" hiding by a tree. Can you see him there? If I had more time and my son wasn't with me I would have made notes and taken more flower photos. One cool idea was a path made of walnut shells.
I enjoyed our outing but next year.... I'm going to spend the whole day there. There was so much more to see, especially the vendor area. I did see a booth with some beautiful wreaths.Who's going with me next year?? :)Pin It