fresh picked whimsy

the other side

hello friends.  i am still here.  i am.

i've been on a roller coaster.  a crazy, up and down, nauseating, exhilerating adventure. 

Life. 

You're never prepared in advance, for the twists and turns that come at you...fast and unrelenting.  All you can do is hold on for dear life and lean on the ones who are closest to you and take it as it comes. 

Since we last talked, mark and i completed a mini marathon!

 

soaked up the last days of our elementary school years with Griffin's 5th grade completion

 

enjoyed the sweet success of Craft Casserole

celebrated the four scholarships won by our Katie

 

 while savoring the many "lasts" of her primary school days,

 

 beamed with pride as she graduated high school last week

and tearfully said good-bye to our beloved Kismet. 

Something had to give.  I just couldn't keep up with it all...mostly emotionally.  So, i put the blog on hold for a bit.  Thank you for your sweet messages of concern for me.  I've missed you, too.  I'm back now.  and, i will tell you all about it.  Little by little. 

Feels good to be here. 

Thanks for not giving up on me.  Hugs to you. 

getting there

We always drive.  We actually enjoy the road trip!  This time, it was a little more stressful because of the crazy spring break traffic, which we had never experienced before.  But, it was still fun.  The best part of our road trip was the stop half way there to see my sister, brother-in-law and kids in Georgia. 

It was only one overnight, which was entirely too short, but it was so great to see them! 

We brought Kismet along with us on this trip.  She's simply too old and fraile to board at the vet, so we checked Sunny in for a week and Kismet got to go with us.  Katie said, "she's really checking a lot of things off her bucket list this week!"  Hilarious!

She was a pampered pooch and i think she enjoyed herself.  The kids set her up with a cushy bed in the van. 

She was a little confused about the rental house and it took her a few days to get the feel of her surroundings.  But, for the most part, she did wonderfully. 

Mark does all of the driving...by choice.  And, I don't usually sleep during our drives.  I love looking at and taking pictures of the signs, the other cars, unusual sights, funny things, weird things.  Here's just a few of the things i captured...

this is always a uneasy sight...

we've past these signs for years...what is Rock City? and, will i ever see it?  probs not...

About half way between home and Florida is McDonough, Georgia! 

And, if that weren't cool enough, the next town over is Griffin, Georgia!  Oh yes, he loves driving past all of the signs with his name on them. 

We bought the Hunger Games audio book and loaded it on my iphone and listened to it the whole way there. 

Katie was the only one who had read it and seen the movie.  Then, for the trip home, we uploaded the 2nd Hunger Games book.  We still haven't finished it.  It was very long!  On the last day of break, we took the kids to see the movie.  It was really good.  It's a very sad story and a little bit disturbing, but going to the movies was a fun way to wrap up our break. 

Sunny was so happy to have us home.  We couldn't wait to see that face again!

Feels good to be home. ♥

 

it's all sunshine and happiness

We got outta Dodge last week and hit the open road {actually, it was pretty congested and backed up!}...

This was the first time we have ever gone south for Spring Break.  But, this was not our typical vacay where we spend lazy days on a beach.  Nope.  This was a vacation on the go.  We packed a lot of action in our week.  We went to visit my parents in The Villages, Florida.  They had spent the winter there, renting a house and deciding whether or not they should make a permanent move there. It's a huge retirement village.  And, it is way cool. It's a golf cart community.  Everyone has a cart.  My kids LOVE this!

{typical sights in The Villages}

lots of fancy, tricked out carts, too...

I spied this one at Target down there and think i could rock it when i'm a golden girl someday...

My parents took us to a polo match in The Villages.  Never been to one before.  I wondered if i would need to channel Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and wear a brown/white polka dot sundress and large straw hat. 

But, no...we were golf cart tailgating at the match!  Wear your shorts, tshirts and pack a cooler!  My kinda polo match!  After the 5th chukka (time periods in polo - you are welcome for this new tidbit of knowledge), everyone goes out onto the field and stomps down the divots that the polo players and horses have made during the match.  {just like they say in Pretty Woman, "beware of steaming divots!} 

Then, these yellow hummer golf carts come out to the center of the field and everyone lines up and they pour you a free glass of champagne!  Nice!  Hooray for new and fun experiences!

These Villages folks really do know how to party!  Every single night there is live music, dancing and happy hour in the Village Square. 

I'm pretty sure we all packed on a few pounds, as Mom treated us to her amazing home cooking.  She spoiled me with my most favorite dish in the whole world, her eggplant parmagiana and we also enjoyed her famous macaroni and meatballs...

The Villages is in central Florida, so we took a day trip to Daytona Beach with my folks and my cousins.  We had never been there.  Driving on the beach was different and my kids had never been in the Atlantic Ocean, either!  They loved body surfing in the waves, but i think my Dad loved it the most...

PawPaw treated everyone to ice cream from this huge ice cream truck on the beach...

We also spent a super fun day in Disney World.  We were about an hour and 20 minutes from Orlando, so the trip wasn't bad at all.  {more on this day to come!}  We ♥ Disney World...never stops being magical for us!

We had so much fun visiting my folks, doing puzzles, watching movies, going on golf cart rides, easter egg hunting, hanging out by the pool and playing this hilarious game with our cousins...

 

Headbandz...have you ever played it?  We laughed and laughed!  Who knew it could take you an hour to figure out that you are a pickle?

The best part of our trip was just being together. 

{kids driving golf cart...when i found this one on my iphone...i cracked up.  Riley, keep your eyes on the road!}

 

Thanks, Mom & Dad for a super fun week!  We love you!

 

Have i mentioned that i love my job?

Spring has definitely sprung!  Thought i would share with you a couple of projects i just finished.  Both allowed me to tap into this gorgeous weather and blooming flowers everywhere for inspiration!  This first one was for the religious education program at my church...

...and this one is for Faucett & Flame.  That is the store that i did the Holiday Shoppe with in Zionsville this past Christmas season.  Well, this event is being held in the Faucett & Flame store in Lebanon, IN.  I can't wait to check it out!

I also created a few custom recipe cards for one of the elementary schools' PTO...more specifically at the request of one of my besties who is soon to be the PTO head poobah at that school.  Sets of these cards are going to be given out at the volunteer appreciation event...

they were bundled with a ribbon and this little tag was attached...

do you know how much i hate slapping my watermark across these?  But, it's a necessary evil.  sigh.

However, i have LOVED creating these custom goodies...are you looking for some custom illustrations?  Send me a message, email or comment.  I'd love to make something for you!

Have a wonderful weekend! xo

16 Reasons to love him

16 years ago i gave birth to this wonderful, amazing boy...

1.  He will steal your heart

2.  He lives up to his name, smiley Riley

3.  He loves his big sister

4.  He loves his little brother

5.  He wants to be just like his Dad when he grows up

6.  He is so thoughtful and loving to his Mom; always ready with a hug

7.  He's cool, but he doesn't take himself too seriously

8.  He's driven to succeed in all that he does

9.  He's a gear-head...it's in his blood.

10.  His faith is strong and unwaivering.

11.  He's a loyal friend...he's everyone's friend.

12.  He's a team player; so proud to be a Greyhound.

13.  He's the life of the party...

14.  He's always up for being your sidekick.

15.  He's someone to look up to...

16.  He's everything you would ever hope and pray your son would be, and so much more...

 
happy birthday, sweet riley...i am so blessed to be your mom! i love you!

 ♥

Is this March or July?

We are enjoying record breaking warmth here in Indy.  The continuation of the strangest winter weather ever.

And, since tomorrow is the first day of spring...i'm certain a snow storm is in our near future.  {kidding...i hope}  Although, i am dreading the day that is inevitably coming {as it always does in Indiana} when the temps drop back down and i have to tell griffin that he can't wear shorts.  Heaven, help me...that will be an ugly morning!

Honestly, it feels like summer here.  We skipped right over spring {and winter, for that matter} and everything is in full bloom here!

We are probably a month ahead of schedule for trees budding and grass that needs mowing!

We {the neighbors} had an impromptu Margarita Friday in our hood because it was so gorgeous out!

Joy's hubby Casey came home from work and celebrated the sunshine in the driveway as we raised our glasses (and cameras). 

The boys and I ran to the grocery for dinner on the grill Saturday night. 

Griff was so disappointed when he learned that it's too early to find corn on the cob in the store yet!

We are completely caught up in March Madness...NCAA tourney time.  We each filled out our brackets.  I have no clue what i'm doing, of course.  Shocker...i'm in last place in the family.  Oh well.  We were so sad when our Boilermakers got knocked out by Kansas last night.  :(  Riley is the bracket keeper.  TV, smart phone, laptop...he runs the family NCAA control center...

That boy right there is having a birthday tomorrow.  He's requested Bagel Fair bagels for dinner and Triple Decker Brownies for dessert.  I better wrap this up and get baking!

Hope you're enjoying some sunshine today!

p.s.  Happy to report that thanks to my super hubs, the plumbing and vacuum have been fixed!!!  Onward and upward!

just another day in paradise...

 "The kids screaming, phone ringing
Dog barking at the mailman bringing
That stack of bills - overdue
Good morning baby, how are you?
Got a half hour, quick shower
Take a drink of milk but the milk's gone sour
My funny face makes you laugh
Twist the top on and I put it back
There goes the washing machine
Baby, don't kick it.
I promise I'll fix it
Long about a million other things"

Mark and I call that song by Phil Vassar our own personal theme song.  You can listen to the song and watch the {little bit cheesy} video here.  Seriously, it was as if the guy was in our house, watching our life when he wrote it.  That last part about the washing machine being broken is particularly true to life for us.  Only it's not just the washing machine.  It's the dryer, vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, kitchen sink, ice maker, shower stall, pool cover, pool heater, half painted house, half finished game room...and on and on. 

No, i'm not looking for you to have pity on us.  We live in an awesome, cozy, wonderful house that we wouldn't trade for anything.  Honestly, we adore it.  We are blessed beyond measure.  But, i was having one of those days today.  And, when you live in a 40+ year old house, things give out and things need replacing.  It's stressful and comical at the same time.  We have to laugh about it or we will cry.  There's always something...  And, when you're on the verge of making college tuition payments, you tend to try to repair things yourselves rather than pay someone else to do it. 

Mark has fixed our hand-me-down, duct-taped vacuum cleaner at least a dozen times.  The last time was this past weekend and today I vacuumed for about 2 minutes before this happened....

it literally fell apart.  and i had to laugh.  Made me immediately think of that scene in the movie The Money Pit with Tom Hanks...you know that scene...

  

 ok, just had to share my funny housekeeping woes with you...

and yes, i'm fully aware how fortunate we are and how unfortunate so many other people are around the world.  Like i said, i'm not looking for sympathy...just thought we would giggle together because i was having "one of those days" where everything seems to be breaking around me, the dog pooped on my shoe, the kitchen sink is backed up, i opened the dryer door and a bolt fell out, and the internet went out on me in the middle of typing this post.  And, i know sometimes you have those days, too.  Right? 

Yes indeed, life is very good...and sometimes you just gotta laugh.

Busy busy girl

In the midst of putting together Craft Casserole, i've been swamped with custom work.  It's been a huge blessing, even if it has me hopping!!!  I thought i'd show you some of what i've been up to.  A few custom canvases...

 I'm thinking about creating a listing in the shop for these.  You know, to match baby nurseries or kids' rooms.  What do you think?

As i was painting away in the studio, Griffin was creating oragami.  He said some of the kids at school had made these and he was intrigued.  So, he pulled out the ipad and found a tutorial and figured it out. 

Then, he was bitten by the oragami bug.  He loves following the step by step progress and watching it develop into something awesome.  Just like it does when he puts together a Legos set.  We spent an hour or so making these guys...

and then he starting making a sun...which temporarily looked like a crown!  He is so fun to hang out with.  Seriously, if i was an 11 year old boy, he would be my bff.  What a great kid!  He did finish it but i didn't get a picture of it yet.

This week is his 5th grade play.  They are doing Willy Wonka Jr.  They've been working on it since Christmas break.  I've only seen the last 5 minutes or so of it, but what i've seen is ADORABLE.  So I've been creating a little bit of scenery/props.

 

  I love doing this because it's so fun for my kids to see it and be able to say "my mom did that."  Every time i bring in another piece, the kids oooh and aaah and i can see him puff up a little with pride.  That is priceless.  These are the last few months of elementary school for us and this play is kind of like the last hurrah.  Can't believe it.  I'm going to miss all of it so very much.

Sales on etsy have been so wonderful.  Thanks to you awesome people, it's pretty steady these days and once or twice a week you will find me here...

sending out some more happy mail!!! 

This morning we had the most amazing lovely fog.  The sky was clear but the fog lay very very close to the ground.  Griffin calls it clouds on earth.  I captured this picture before Mass this morning.  It was breathtaking! 

By mid morning it had lifted and i found this beauty by my back door. 

I've got the windows open and we are supposed to hit 74 degrees today!  I love it!  Wherever you are, i hope you are enjoying the sunshine today, too! xo

 

6 Miles!

Still trucking away at our training for the Mini Marathon.  We are 8 weeks out from the event and are right on target for our training.  Yesterday we walked 6 miles on our local walking trail {the Monon Trail}. Our plan was to walk 3 miles and turn around and head back.  {G scootered along with us}

Good plan...and we really had no problems except for the fact that at the end of the 3 miles we were so thirsty and had completely forgotten to bring any money with us.  The trail water fountains are still closed for winter, so we were out of luck.  Lesson learned. 

i love this sign along the trail...{random}

With this AMAZING spring-like winter we are having, and the new-found daylight in the evening, our remaining training should be a cinch!  On our walking days, Mark and I have been going to the city gym and walking on the indoor track most nights after dinner. 

{My drumstick legs while we are walking}

There's fewer people using the track then, and, it's the only time Mark has had open to walk.  It's been great, but it's so much better walking outside!  It has been a crazy winter...i'm not complaining, but it just felt odd.  No snow to speak of.  I took this pic at Target last week.  No snow = 70% off sleds!!!! 

My daffodils are blooming, everything is greening up and we are praying that Mother Nature isn't planning a sneaky winter attack as winter comes to an end...only 7 more days!!!  I took this picture on the day of those horrible tornados in southern Indiana and Kentucky.  The clouds were so low and there was this one opening. It was so spooky. 

Then i spotted this horizontal spiral cloud, which had me completely freaked out.  I was in a carpool line for Griffin and everyone in that line was watching it.  Eeeeeery!  {I guess those were kind of random, too}

So...my biggest challenge on this journey is still meal planning.  We are a busy family, with lots of activities and some picky eaters.   I'm really trying hard to keep it healthy and to manage portions.  My weight isn't coming off as easy as i thought it would with all of this exercise.  A few people have recommended apps for tracking calories and food.  I did download mapmyfitness, but just haven't had the time to set it up yet.  This was today's lunch...i love fruit in my salad...especially apples!

tonight we will have turkey burgers on portobello mushrooms.  Yum.  Everyone loves the burgers...the mushrooms, not so much.  Oh well.   Not gonna lie...i'm kinda sore from yesterday's walk.  Going to try to head to bed early tonight.  Wish me luck! 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder ♥

As always, when i'm away from my little corner of the blogosphere, i've missed you so!  I'm so excited to tell you all about why i have been gone...I've started a little some'mmm some'mmm...

Introducing...the next BIG thing from moi and whimsy studios...

A brand new series of crafting classes that i'm offering in my studio!  I know!!!!...it's so much fun!!!  See, everytime people come to my studio, they look around at all the fun art supplies and always say..."wow, i'd love to just sit down right here and make something!"  Well, now they can!  Twice a week i will be gathering 12 crafty peeps in my studio, where i will teach a new craft {NO ARTISTIC ABILITY NECESSARY!}, we will enjoy a little wine or coffee, a few snickety snacks and get creative!  Kind of a "crafty girls' night out" or "crafty girls' morning out".  My goal is for everyone to take away from Craft Casserole a new crafting skill, quality girlfriend time and some ideas for future homemade gifts. At the very least, they will go home with some crafty goodness and be able to say proudly, "I made this"!

I've already held a couple of classes and we had so much fun! 

First we made these trendy coffee filter wreaths...so we could do something that everyone has seen on Pinterest...that everyone has been wanting to make.

 

at the next class, we made these sweet no-sew fabric rosettes...

 

which we made into brooches...

We just had a blast.  Everyone brought their own crafty beverages and snacks {sharing was optional} and nobody wanted to leave! 

I've created a Craft Casserole facebook page here.  If you are local, and you'd like for me to send you the class schedule for March & April, leave me a comment with your email address or message me on that FB page.  Morning and evening classes are first come, first serve and are filling up nicely!  You do need a reservation to attend.  Classes are $15 + the cost of supplies, which varies per craft.  All supplies are provided!  You are welcome to come by yourself and make new friends, but it's ALWAYS so much fun to craft with old friends, too!  So, feel free to share this with your friend, sister, mom, neighbor....

That's where i've been, friends!  I've got so much more to share with you...updates on my 40 Bags in 40 Days, Mini Marathon training, and new whimsy studios art!  We'll catch up this weekend! 

Happy Friday to all!!!!