Pyr Hair Everywhere!

Worked on Rogue and his shedding for about an hour today...the collection picture doesn't even show what was left on the yard, floating in the air or stuck to me. A Great Pyrenees in the spring...just may get me the Dyson I've been asking for. (A refurbished one to be exact...another way to curb the "Golden Arrow"...and save money!)

Doesn't he look so handsome with his coat freshly brushed?

Pink Paint...

In my reorganizing and de-stuffing of our home, I decided to freshen up Roxie's bedroom paint a bit. Yes, this may sound a little odd, but I take any chance I get to dip my brush into some of my favorite paint colors. This pink paint, (Olympic -Pink Clay Pot) is my all-time favorite in the pink color wheel.

Lance is not a big fan of this pink paint, or more honestly, anything pink! (He has three daughters...deal with it I say!)
Seeing how I do all the painting around here, I listen to his opinion...but ultimately do whatever I like. As long as I keep the master bedroom green, he keeps his comments about the pink paint to himself, most of the time...

I Don't Need a Bag!

Thanks for sharing Shannon, this clip Rocks!

Herrett Center...

Over spring break I took my crew (Ausha, Kaziah, Roxie, Rocco, Mia, Micheal and Ashley) to the Herrett Center for some good free fun. I love this place, so many things to look at and discover. You can learn a lot about Idaho and who used to live here. The kids never tire of the place. They also hold a Mingle in the Jungle evening where they break out the snakes and have an educational, hands on event. As I have a bit of a snake phobia, I usually stay home and Lance takes the kids. Although, I guess I should face my fears and join them...maybe next time.

More photos...

Punta Mona

Our friend, Talia, just returned home from nine weeks in Punta Mona. Her stories were fun to hear and the Rum she brought home was mighty fine, mighty fine indeed.

One of my favorite stories is men asking to share a shower to "Save water", always a good cause. Ha Ha! I'm sure Rich, her husband, didn't think it was too funny...but I got a good laugh!

It's nice to have you home Talia. I look forward to learning the organic gardening tricks you now have up your sleeve. Cheers to you, where's that Rum?

Family Hike...

Our family spent a special day together this past Monday. We went hiking, had dinner out and then finished the evening by attending the Golden Dragon Acrobats of China. Good family fun for all.

While we're on a family hike, we get about ten steps and then we're all crouched over some plant. Lance telling us what he knows about it, either it being a "good guy" (native) or a "bad guy" (invasive species). We learn about soil crust, birds and plants. All three girls are very proud and excited to show what they know and what they have discovered. "Hey Dad...check this one out! What is it? Is it native? Hey Mom, take a picture of this one!" I usually end up at the back of the line, taking pictures and enjoying the sights. Most lovely being my family, my kids learning from each other and interacting with us...The sky, rocks beneath my feet and the smell of sage brush always brings me home.

For more photos of our hike (all 93 of them!), click here.

Also, if you have never seen the Golden Dragon Acrobats, be sure to click the link. If you ever get a chance to...don't pass it up. Worth the ticket price on a school night.

Happy Spring!

Spreading the Word...

Conservation, Seeding and Restoration (CSR -Lance's work) holds the annual Earth Day Celebration. We used the St. Patties Day Parade to help spread the word. Such fun! This past weekend, our family worked on the banner and Lance's globe costume (I can't believe I missed getting a picture with Lance in his costume!) Lance has wanted this costume for years. We tried to get it together last year, but failed. This year we were fresh with ideas and it turned out great. Check my Flickr for more pictures of our fun.

My next "BIG" project...setting up the "Bennett Family Recycling" booth for the Earth Day Celebration. I am figuring the best way to reach people is with lots of eye-candy. I am not just focusing on recycling though, it takes all three "R's" to make it work. Most important being...reducing. Spreading the word is what it's all about, our family lives to "Save the Planet". And...you know you are getting through when your own daughter tries to wear the same clothes four days in a row. When I told her to at least change her shirt for school, I got this reply, "But Mom! I'm saving the planet!" Brings a tear to my eye...

Remember...Everyday is Earth Day!

Earth Day...

Much excitement in the family about this event. We have our own booth!

Check it out! Celebrate Earth Day

New Idea...Thrift-Spinner

As you may know, I love to sew. I try to be a "green" consumer when it comes to groceries and the like, but the fabric store holds a dilemma. It is my major weakness, and Lance would be the first to agree. I can "Save the Planet" all day long, but when it comes to the fabric I need for my projects, I hit a wall. I have many other thrifted ideas in mind, but was extremely excited when I popped this beauty out. I am calling this new venture Thrift-Spinner.

The idea was born last week during one of my sleepless nights and I could not wait for the sun to rise so I could put it into action! Finding inspiration from thrifted goods is not new, but creating something that people actually want can be a challenge. So, last Friday Roxie and I hit up a few of our local thrift shops and bought the old prom dresses that no sixteen year old would possibly want. You know the kind, 80's puffy sleeves and shoulder pads. I took them home and started cutting. A practice run was in order before getting serious about my Etsy shop items. Roxie was thrilled, a new Jasmine costume was top of her list and I was happy to oblige. (she is so "princess stage" right now) For my Etsy shop, I will focus on dress-up gear for both boys and girls. Masks, tutus and capes. Eventually I will incorporate more elaborate designs, but for my time spent to actually pay off, I need to keep it simple.

And, much to my delight, after sharing the idea I already have people offering up old bride's maid dresses, thanks Lisa!

If you think the Jasmine costume looks a little big, it is. I made it a size five for long wear. Roxie is so happy with it, that last night when I told her to get her jammies on, she told me, "But I don't want to! Mom, you need to sew another costume just like this one, but with jammie stuff!" Made me smile, she has such confidence in my ability. Couldn't ask for more from your daughter. I hope to be a good example when it comes to thinking outside the box.

So there you have it. I am your Craft-Crazy Thrift-Spinner. Now, where is my seam ripper, I have work to do.


(This Jasmine costume was made from three different thrifted dresses)


Side note: Blogger is blogging me out these days! I have tried uploading these pix every hour and keep hitting errors. Six hours later, I can finally post -without all the pix I wanted to share though. (check my flickr for more pix on Thrift-Spinner) Arg! Darn that Blogger sometimes!

Kids and Ducks...

I have been sick since Saturday, the girls did their best to share and I was hit the hardest. I needed some fresh air to lift my spirits. (actually, I was happy just to be out of bed!) A trip to feed the ducks, "Where the dead people are!" was in order. No disrespect intended, this is just what my three year old calls a cemetery. After that, we hit up our library for some fun books on ducks. Kids are such fun. I love seeing through their eyes, keeps things in perspective.

And why, exactly, is it that when Momma gets sick, everything falls apart? Ya, I am the glue here, but come on! And I'm sure I am not the only wife/mom with this complaint...

Are They Serious?

Lance brought this little "guide" home the other night. He started the evening by saying things like, "And now it says you should bring me a drink and rub my feet." We both got a pretty good laugh about it. I checked with Snopes.com for reference and it is undetermined as to if this was an actual article, saying "It has become fashionable to portray outdated social behaviors and attitudes -ones we now consider desperately wrongheaded- to be worse than they really were as a way of making a point about how much we've improved." Either way, I can't imagine living in such a time of repression. I would not be a very "Good Wife".

True or not...I am sure you will get a good laugh.

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.

During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.

Be happy to see him.

Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.

Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity.

Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

A good wife always knows her place.

Feverish Times..

'Tis the season I guess...First it was Ausha, then it hit Roxie...then Ausha spiked up again. I have barely worked all week. (if organizing and taking breaks to nap with my babies doesn't count as work...some pretty good meatless meals cooked too)

Here is a photo of Roxie in one of Lance's shirts (she was giggling with pleasure...cause "Daddy doesn't even know!"), trying to beat a fever with a fruit Popsicle and also enjoying a few rays of sun.

Enough sun, that is, to get my first good solar dry of the year...YAH! We've missed school, work and dance...hopefully next week we'll be back to normal...whatever that is!

Finding Time...Rambling on

Blogging is a treat, if I don't get so much of something done (I'm talking house chores and the like...remodels with just a bit left to do here and there), I don't give myself the pleasure of writing in this space. I still get a bit of blog surfing in, but when it comes to putting my thoughts out there, I don't have the time.

Today, before heading to the job of de-stuffing our home...some more, I am posting a bit...I'll start here: I have worked from home for ten years. Since making this transition, the chores that were easily done before are now piling up and taunting me. I am a clean freak. Having three kids and two hairy dogs (and a husband) makes for a challenge when it comes to playing "keep up". I have decided the problem is more all the stuff we have and not so much the dirt the dogs bring in from the muddy outdoors. Stuff is everywhere! Stuff is crowding out my thoughts and balanced time for my creative ventures, totally bringing me down. I have to create or...I'll just say I am not that fun to be around, and I can admit that. Working at Tribes definitely gives me creative time with my hands, and I learn something new everyday. But it also needs to flow into my home life. I have not sewn anything for more than a week!

Dance class helps, it gives me creative body movements. And the fact that it is something I leave the house for helps as well...dishes and laundry done or not, I get to leave the clutter of my home and enjoy music and dance...And I guess the plan to move and sell our house in a year, puts even more pressure on me to de-clutter and finish projects...I am already thinking, "12 months...that is not a lot of time to organise and ready a home for selling!" Luckily we have the opportunity to camp out in my parent's large basement while we sell. I can't imagine trying to sell with the traffic we have in our home. I would go crazy and no one would want to be around me...no joke. Can buyers look past the dog hair swirling in the corners of a room? No.

I am doing some serious rambling here. If you have made it this far, thanks for listening...

Besides working on weeding out the stuff we have acquired, trying to find my balance when it comes to working outside our home, sewing for a new online shop, training my Great Pyrenees and being a good vegetarian (you know, making sure my family is eating what they need to be healthy -planning meals and such), I will share some of the thoughts floating between Lance and I for our next home:

*Will it be an old farm house, made green? A yurt or straw bale?
*Humanure
*Chickens, goats and sheep
*cob ovens
*gardens and canning.
*sewing for a better future...more on that later.
*native laundry detergent

I really could keep listing thoughts here...but I should just get back to work...or moving forward, as I call it.

(I guess it is time to compost my tulips)

Creative Kids...

Here we are working on Roxie's Valentines for school and her dance teachers. For all three of my girls I stuck with the rule..."No spending money, work with what we have". I am so proud of them! They did so well and were super creative. I also said we were not buying candy to go with the Valentines. Buying a bunch of candy just did not flow with limiting consumption and litter. And really, kids get too much candy anyways. The girls didn't complain and again, I was proud of them.

This project just needs old crayons, wax paper (sandwich the crayon shards with two wax paper heart shapes), an iron, newspaper and ribbon. The picture doesn't really show how pretty the hearts are in sunlight.