New Girlz on the Hill

they have arrived! the new chicks are here! Brendan and I zipped down to the post office within minutes of getting the call that they were waiting for us...peep peep peep was all you could hear from the "box o'chicks".

They all look fabulous! a very healthy bunch, they got right down to eating and drinking without any trouble. The littlest one we have named Buffalo.

the rest are: Ka-Bobbi, Wicked Chicken, Kentucky (but not fried..ha ha ha) Quesadillia, and Teriyaki.

first day of summer vacation..so far so good!

Whew! so I survived day 1. it can only get easier from here! we had a gorgeous, warm, sunny day here on Da Hill and the kids had a fun time splashing around in the pool. I got to peek into the beehive this morning to see how things were going and it looks like the bees are VERY productive right now! We are still having issues with our little chicken Sour who seems to be the punching bag of the flock. poor thing, we can't leave her alone with the big girls for a second and they are pecking her to bits :( We are due to get 6 more chicks this week and it looks like the hubby may be making another run for the little ones to keep them safe. what can you do!

so it's summer and the kids are home, which means my knitting time is going to have to be at night when everyone is settled in. Emily and I are getting ready for our big road trip to Pennsylvania to dance nationals. I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

My summer project :)

This summer....I shall learn to make soap. I know I know..like I have the time for this. But seriously I'm determined. My cousin Dawn over at The Little Farm That Could makes the most fabulous soap ever and has offered to teach me. But because I'm eager to learn...I've decided I should probably read up on it first...plus, I'm not sure what I'll do with Gavin while I'm working around cooking soap...hmm, the first thought was bringing a movie and plopping him on the couch with her husband and letting them bond....but being in a different house could put Gavin over the edge so that might not work out...then again, it just might....one never knows :) Regardless, I'm going to grab a book from the library and get reading. At least I"ll have a little better idea of what she is talking about...i so prefer to watch the process, you know, being a "visual learner" and all!

It's here......summer vacation!!!

I really do love having my kids home, they are a fun bunch..but that first week out of school is a huge adjustment and there are bound to be fights, cries of "i'm bored", the house will be a mess and the fridge will be wiped clean in seconds...

Yo Yo Yo...It's the Noro Wrap!

My latest project! And it's all for ME!!!
I love love love (luuurv) Noro yarn...but man alive
it can be pricy! I have made so many things for so many people in the past that I felt it was high time I just splurged and treated myself. I'm on skein 3 of the 4 recommended for this lovely shawl/wrap. The pattern is called Pontocho by Sharon Spence and can be found on www.ravelry.com. My goal is to finish it before I head North to the wilds of Maine to visit my cousin Dawn :) so when the Diva's all sit by the fire I will look fabulous!

ps. side note..yes that is Gavin in the background hamming it up for the camera yet again.

Posey Pin Cushion!

I saw this little pin cushion over on Lydia's Treasures and had to make it! super easy instructions! I just used some leftover cotton yarn and a little button I had lying around the house..only took me a couple of hours to make it :) isn't it just the cutest???

The Farm is going Hollywood!!!

How Cool Is This???!!!!??? So the teen girl has started discussing her sixteenth birthday next summer (she actually turns 16 on Christmas Eve...but a party outside is a way better idea) and decided she wants an outdoor movie and a bunch of friends over...so of course the Hubby's eye lights up because this would involve two of his favorite things: A Project he can "man up" and technology. He is practically giddy with the excitement of it all. Now there are some lovely companies here that will come and set one up for the night and then take it away when done...I like this concept, less resonsibility on my part...because you know who will be inflating this and taking it down and making sure it gets put away properly if we actually had one of our own...yup, that would me moi!

For now, I'll let him dream as he cruises the web for ideas and plots and plans away. I'll burst his bubble later. But seriously how cool would this be!!

R.I.P Teddy the Cat...you were a spaz but damn we loved you

Tonight, we had to make the very difficult decision on
letting go one of our cats. Teddy B was a fabulous cat
a bit nutty and he ran kind of funny but he was as loving
and gentle as a cat could be. We will miss
him lots and lots but we know he will be happy on the
other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

Crazy Time Of The Year!

whew!!!

It's nearly summer here...only 16 more days of school to go, and for a substitute teacher it's the busiest time of the year. I know, seems a little weird doesn't it? But this is the time when all the teachers and classroom aides cash in their personal days...because the weather is so nice! It's a good and bad thing. I'd like more than ever to stay home and putter in the garden, but...cha ching! I need the money for the summer! Plus I have my eyes on this pair of sandals from LL Bean that I really really want since I had to retire a pair of sandals and my old sneakers this weekend (they both lead a full and productive life as I'm not easy on my footwear)

now off to make 5 lunches and get 4 kids and myself out the door!