Checking In

For the past year we have had a couple of screech owls behind our house making the most awful screeching noise EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.  We knew there were at least two probably nesting because they would talk to each other beginning as soon as it was dark. With all of the leaves gone I finally happened to see one of them. Kind of a neat looking bird but why oh why can't he/she just have a cute little "hoot"? 

And a few things I have been up to lately:

Oh and on a farmer retirement note....he is keeping very busy.  He cooks every night AND he cleaned the hen house today. Oh I am happy!

I Might Get Me A House Husband

The farmer had a milestone birthday this year. The big 6......0. He decided that he is going to retire as of the end of this month. Quite the adjustment for him AND for me. For you see, I have to work until I fall off of this office chair and expire. Health insurance, you know.

So that said I have been deviously plotting thinking of things for him to do. You know, honey do list. He is pretty good about working on things for a while but seems to get a little bored with every day projects like um, dusting, dishes, etc. I don't know why. The thing is I keep seeing my honey do list growing and growing until it turns in to a huge ball that fills our house. He does like to cook occasionally but I am afraid an every day thing may just be a bit much for him.  Any suggestions?

So I am working on a third order from Made In Oregon.  Just barely keeping my head above water these days.  If you meander up this way take a look at their store.  I haven't managed to see my stuff in there yet.  Hope they do well.

Thanksgiving is coming. My favorite holiday.  Gobble.

Cold Nights and Beautiful Days

Fall has made its way here now.....cold nights,  sunny days, beautiful leaves. It is one of my favorite times of the year.  The down side of course is that all the yearly bills like property taxes, insurance, etc., rear their ugly heads and seem to eat our savings in huge chunks.

We have been working on getting our wood for the winter. There are several dead trees on our property and the farmer had a few issues trying to cut them down.  OOPS!!!  No worries. He had a little help from our nephew and the tree is no longer trying to eat the saw.

I delivered my first order for Made In Oregon and am working on my next one due in November.  I did manage to get away for a couple of days to the Oregon coast with my sister and work on some craft bazaar items. Always a nice trip and you should see some of the creations she makes. I will have to take some photos and post soon. She will hopefully have an Etsy shop some time after the bazaar in November.

Beautiful ocean sunrise. Just love it when the sun begins to hit the waves.

Something we found while walking. What the heck? Do any of you know what this is supposed to be?

A few blocks I have worked on lately. It has been really fun to come up with non-holiday items.

Hope everyone is able to enjoy the beautiful fall days.

Busy

Things have been so very hectic I find it hard to even look at this poor little blog. I miss writing and I miss reading all of my blog world friends. I am going to try to carve out some time to begin again.

I have been working away on a big order of my Christmas blocks for Made in Oregon stores. I feel honored that they noticed my work and now find myself immersed in wood. But I do love it.

Just a few personalized blocks I have worked on lately:

Cute little generic baby block for a friend.

 Another little girl block order

 Wedding block for a friend.

A Little Love For The Oregon Coast

Back in March the farmer and I decided to take a weekend at the Oregon coast to celebrate our anniversary. What had been a very rainy few months surprised us with a dry and mild weekend.  There were a few clouds but we were able to take many long walks and I had the opportunity to capture these photos. 

If anyone really knows me they would know that I adore the Oregon coast. I could live there in a heartbeat. The farmer? Not so much. He likes to visit but the wind bothers him.  Wind? Rain? I don't care. I love it. So he indulges me with trips now and then.

 This funny guy was about a foot from the back door to our room. I know he was waiting patiently hoping for a snack.

 This young lad has a captive audience.

Aww! Now we know why. Just a little snack.

The farmer trying hard not to smile. He doesn't like his picture taken much. But neither do I.

 Even on a gray day the beauty is amazing.

What I love about the coast is how rugged it is. These rocks were outside the place we stayed and the waves crashing were pretty spectacular.

Crash!

Settling down.

 We ended our evening with a beautiful sunset.

 And those seagulls crossing the sun............Love!!

Personalized Blocks

When my daughter was nearing her due date I was trying to come up with a special design for a personalized baby block. She took these photos and I used them along with a few lines from a poem that she mentioned she loved.  If you would like to see the other sides you can go to my Etsy store and see the rest.  Enjoy!

I adore the poem below that my sister found in an old children's book. Some day I will use it in some way as well.  

Where Did You Come From, Baby Dear

Where did you come from, baby, dear?

Out of the everywhere into here.

Where did you get your eyes so blue?

Out of the sky as I came through.

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?

Some of the starry spikes left in.

Where did you get that little tear?

I found it waiting when I got here.

What makes your forehead so smooth and high?

A soft hand stroked it as I went by.

What makes your cheek like a worm white rose?

I saw something better than anyone knows.

Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss?

Three angles gave me at once a kiss.

Where did you get this pearly ear?

God spoke, and it came out to hear.

Where did you get those arms and hands?

Love made itself into hooks and bands.

Feet, whence did you come, you darling things?

From the same box as the cherubs' wings.

How did they all just come to you?

God thought about me, and so I grew.

But how did you come to us, you dear?

God thought about you, and so I am here.

~George MacDonald

I am linked to:

A New Addition

 I am a grandma again! My daughter blessed us with another beautiful little boy.

This is Quinn Andrew. Another big baby. 9 lbs., 9 oz. born April 16th. Just love those little chubby cheeks. He is a little sweet doll.

My daughter Jill, has become such a wonderful photographer. Isn't this just so sweet? 

Big brothers love their little baby. 

I will be back soon with more updates. I have been very busy but I miss blogging and reading all my favorite people.