SPT #28

It's Tuesday again, and the SPT challenge is still taken from our "100 List" (see previous SPT entries)....

#28- I love interesting jewelry. Right now, Silpada Designs jewelry is my current favorite.

I never was much of a jewelry person, but always admired unique styles that were unlike what the mainstream wore but still classy, fun and/or artsy. I admire people who design their own jewelry using new ideas and material combinations- especially when it takes more skill than threading a bead on a string and calling it quits.

So I get invited to a Silpada party, and was completely drawn to the styles in their catalog- classy, fun, artsy (sound familiar?), simple, bold, and with much if it in the highest quality silver, way more affordable than the same designs in gold.

Here was my first purchase- I call them my Liahona earrings because they spin...


Some other favorites....





I could go on and on, but I just have too many favorites! (And that's a good thing!) Long story shorter, I've been selling Silpada for almost 2 years and still love it. Jewelry is one way to express myself and how I feel- and with this jewelry I can be classy, fun, artsy, simple, bold....you get the idea.

Leelou blogs

Learned on another blog about this site giving freebies away. They have great blog backgrounds!

First Field Trip

Last Thursday (that would be Thankful Thursday), Lucy had her first field trip with her pre-school. It was chilly but dry (Thankful for that!), and we went to a nearby farm. Here are some highlights....





What a great time we had...but this smile is what I'm most grateful for....

SPT #21

Wow, don't quote me, but I'm on time today. Weird.....

SPT #21- I love blogging.

Hmmmm...the challenge here is not to bore you to death....

When I first became aware of blogging and bloggers, my reaction was "who the heck has time for that? those people just need a reality check in time management." Open mouth, insert foot. I now know that I find a very silly satisfaction in blogging. I can express myself (no, not quite like the conical madonna- although you'd never know, would you??) however I please with random thoughts, musings and photos. I can be creative. I can steal ideas from other bloggers who are vastly more talented than I am, and they'll take it as a compliment!! My blog is my way of talking to myself and my friends- and when you roll your eyes at me, I can't see it- unless you grace me with a comment. My blog is one way I find validation in all my crazy or jantastic ideas or rantings.

My blog also keeps record of the happenings of this household. Once upon a time, I used to scrapbook. That ended with the birth of our second daughter, almost 8 years ago. Blogging does a great job of scrapbooking, as well as helping faraway friends and family stay in touch with one another.

I sincerely hope that one day all my closest friends and family will have blogs. I love to hear from you all, so if you don't currently blog, consider it. If you visit a so-fun blog, pass the address along. We're all in this life together- let's have fun enjoying the ride together!

My baby is 3

Lucy had her very first birthday party today. I can't believe that 3 years has passed by already. Here are pics from her party....



And one from her actual birthday earlier this week....what are we thankful for? Lucy and PlayDoh!!

Getting back to SPT

Sigh....Okay, I've neglected the SPT (see Lelly link). The topic this month is expanding on our 100 List- which I never did. Frankly, I can't think of 100 interesting things about me, so I feel that a 38 List is more appropriate. If I get any interest, I'll post all 38 tidbits, but to follow the SPT, I'll do #14 for the 14th (yes, it's the 16th, but #14 is more interesting, trust me).

#14- I have been doing cross-stitch since 1990- it calms me.
Counted cross-stitch was on my to-try list then, and I haven't been able to stop. It's theraputic, I think, and I love seeing cool images emerge. I've done most for friends and family, and I only like elaborate pieces, not scrappy little week-long bits. The one I'm currently finishing I actually started in 1993 and got put aside many times to do projects for other people. This one is the Pageant Kings, and it's for me! My goal is to finish it by Christmas (doubtful) so it can be enjoyed.

And here's one I did for Marleah years ago...


Oh, and to get up to date, Tuesday, the 7th's SPT would have been #7- If I don't have Orange Juice in the morning, I get cranky. There. Enough said.

To Camp or not to Camp....

Ahhhh...the colors of Fall in Upstate NY. Fall is my favorite time of year- I find something very grounding (no pun intended) about the leaves changing and dropping, the briskness in the wind, the geese slicing the sky as squirrels and chipmunks scamper to collect their winter hoard, and then the smells- concord grapes, apple cider, and soon- pumpkin pie.

This weekend, DH decided we'd better get our last hoop-la in for camping. To be honest, I was reluctant to put the work effort into the trip, but wow, how grateful am I now? The trip was magnificent in every way. The girls had their roasted marshmallows, DH broke in his new hammock, I got to fly the big kite from OBX (if just for a little while), and we spent two of the days with some camping friends. The weather was beautiful and the views too nice for photos. So I share with you smiles and colors.....enjoy!






This is the land that I love.

Wet 'n Wild Weekend

Last weekend, the fam took a much needed altogether-vacation with friends up to the great white north to try out their indoor water park. It was fantastic! We swam, splashed, bobbed, tubed, shot the slides and rode the waves for hours. Even my loving "tumor-child" found her gumption, peeled herself off mom and splish-splashed! (I did the happy dance!)

And here's what they looked like when it was time to go....



We decided this trip was so nice, that we plan to return in the dead of winter, when we all have cabin fever. Many thanks to our friends who accompanied us!

Highlander Pics

So I finally got photos of the exhausted bicyclers after the Highlander! Horray!