two kids and a cake :)

Well, I'm not sure what happened to
Pink Week,*

 but I decided to share

some  pink love of my own! :)

Olivia pretty in pink!

And it's been awhile, since I posted a pic of my favorite little man!

So far he's lovin' his new Lightning McQueen potty!

 I thought you might like a peek at the cake I made for the art teacher at my school.

{We draw names to celebrate birthdays, and I was happy to get Mrs. M's!}

I made a rectangle Funfetti cake and cut it to look like an artist's palette.

Then I sprayed a cookie sheet with Pam and melted a

few Lifesaver candies to represent blobs of paint. 

I added a Happy Birthday cupcake topper that I'd saved

for just such a time as this, and a cheap paintbrush for effect,

&

Voila!

~birthday cake extrordinaire~

{and so simple!}

*Update Wednesday night~

PINK WEEK has been extended to ten days and starts today at

http://bloomingonbainbridge.blogspot.com/!

tickled pink...

...to tell you that blooming on bainbridge is having

a PINK WEEK giveaway,

and it starts today!

Just click on the link above

or the button on my sidebar

to join in the fun!

Monday evening update: 

I understand Teresa (our hostess')

 computer is down today! 

Stay tuned!

decorating daydreams

Take time to dream...

 ...arrange flowers...

Doing dishes would be a pleasure in that farmer's sink!

Let's sit and talk and have a cup of coffee, or tea, maybe?

I'd feel so pampered in this bathroom.

I would love to have a dinner party here...

..or here.

So serene...

Do you see the chandelier reflected in the mirror?

Dishes too pretty to be hidden in a cupboard.

...and always pink roses...

It didn't cost a dime to dream, now did it?

giveaway of Olympic proportions!

Check out Koralee's giveaway at bluebirdnotes. 

I happen to be a big fan of childrens' books, the Olympic Games,

and Koralee's blog! 

So, I'm really hoping I win this adorable giveaway, but if I don't, I hope you do!

changes

Mom and Dad were married for 55 years. 

Mom has been dealing with Parkinson's disease

for the better part of 5 years.

Dad found out he had cancer in June and passed away in October. 

You can never anticipate the changes life may throw your way.

*

In addition to starting back to teaching school after the break, the last couple of weeks have been spent planning, making decisions about what to take, shopping for things that she'd need in her new place, and moving my sweet Mom into an assisted living facility.  I stayed with her for the week-end.  It's a wonderful place.  I think she'll be well taken care of there.  But we lived next door to Mom and Dad for 11 years.  My youngest was only ten when we built our house right next door to "G & G." (grammie and grandad)   My Dad helped to build our house.  Our backyard was really G&G's property, but we always thought of it as ours, jointly.     Change is hard.      I find myself wishing that I could  talk to Dad just one more time.  I just want to ask his advice like I always did.  Mom and my brother think we should sell the house and Dad's barn, the pond and several acres.  But before he died, Dad said he wanted it to stay in the family.  Gosh, I wish he'd put that in his will.  When Dad and I talked I told him that he and my brother and I should sit down and talk about all of these things, but he died before we had that opportunity.  I feel sad.  I had dreamed of making Maple Crest Farm into a business that hosted events, parties, weddings...

Lord, what is your will for us?

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.  Proverbs 19:21

happy new year!

Having been inspired by Tracey

from Notes From a Cottage Industry ,

my friend Teresa and I,

along with a few very special kiddos,

spent part of our

New Year's Eve

making

 party

hats

!

Olivia had a little help from the boys.

That white crayon just didn't cut it!

I jazzed up this photo using picnik.  {fun}

We spent some time eating fancy foods...

I had never seen cheese in

*snowflake*

shapes!

YUM

and we talked

and played

'til the

ball

dropped

in

Times

Square

!

Today I'll spend some time recounting events from the past year,

planning improvements for the next,

and counting my blessings

which includes

 all of you

who have opened up your lives

to inspire

and

to share

and

to encourage.

Happy

2010.

*peace*