fresh picked whimsy

whimsical gardening

I love this time of year!  Hello...lemon slice petunias anyone?  I die.  These were a Mom's Day gift from Cameron...a sweet boy in my life.

 Last year i think the drought was already beginning at this time.  But this year everything is green, lush and colorful. For Mother's Day i requested mulch, flowers and the help of my minions in the yard.  My boys have gone above and beyond helping me with the gardens these past few weekends.  I could not have done it without them! 

Yard work is not Kate's thing...and i get that.  I hated working in the yard when i was younger. I really didn't enjoy it until i was a homeowner. But she is a huge help inside...cleaning and cooking.  (In that photo above, she's holding up a bottle of windex! :) Ha!

Mark and the boys have been working on a major drainage project in the backyard which will hopefully put an end to the flooding issue we have when the pool has filled up and overflowed during past storms.

The pool is open, but still resembles a pond in color, which would explain why we found this guy in the pool on Saturday.  Hoping we can swim soon...

 

He's actually about the size of a hamburger.  Katie said this instagram i posted of him made him look gigantic.  He's since been safely returned to the nearby creek.

While the fellas work on the infrastructure, i just work on making it pretty.

I painted this red heart on the rock by our mailbox a few years ago when we painted the house.  It had faded away.  So, it was time for a redo.

and continuing the heart theme...

Griff helped me make this rock swirl...

 i cannot wait for my hydrangeas to pop!!!

The tulip tree is in full bloom...

Technically, it's in our next door neighbor's yard, but it reaches over a big part of our yard.  A few tulip tree sprouts made their way over to my big garden and have begun to grow there.  One of them is now taller than me!  I'm so happy!

it is my favorite kind of tree in the whole world...big yellow tulips grow from every branch! It's gorgeous!

I had this old chair without a back on it.  I spray painted it aqua over the weekend and it is now a lovely stand for my potted geraniums.  Color, color everywhere!!!!

There's more to come for this yard.  Stay tuned!

prayers going up

God bless Oklahoma ♥

Notes from teacher - free printable

All new Notes from teacher free printable available here.  Similar to my happy notes, i made these especially for teachers.  What kid wouldn't feel extra special after finding one of these little notes from teacher in their desk or cubby?  Feel free to print and share with your favorite teacher! 

Orders have been rolling in for Blue Ribbon for Teacher prints this week.  They're available in my etsy shop here.  i will also include a printed  Notes from teacher with every order! 

 

I cannot believe we only have 10 school days left.  There's a countdown on our kitchen chalkboard and the kids are positively giddy.  We're ready for you, summer...come and get us!

Teachers rock!

Recognize. Celebrate. Appreciate. 

Order your 5x7 personalized print for $10 plus s/h.  Available now in the shop!

hangin' with the masters

 

 

We celebrated Katie's 19th birthday on Sunday.  It was a gloomy, rainy day.  So, we went to the Indianapolis Museum of Art for some eye candy. 

 

Kate had just finished a class in Art History and she was excited to see some of the masters in person.

Like Van Gogh...

and Monet...

 

I think people in general have a misconception about art museums. 

 

I think that a lot of people think art museums are stuffy and boring.  But, really they are only stuffy and boring if you are.

just relax and have fun with it!

I love that our kids love this place, too.  I love that they ask questions about what they are seeing, that they have opinions about it, and that they can appreciate art...the good, the bad, the wacky, the controversial and the classics.  The IMA is one of Indy's gems...admission is always FREE.  If you live in the Indy area, check it out....with your kids!  If you don't live nearby...go to your local art museum.  You won't be sorry!

art is love!  word. 

Weekend BOGO print sale!

Just 'cause i love ya.

NOW through Sunday night at midnight.  Buy ONE print, get ONE print {of equal or lesser value} FREE*.  *Does not include custom illustrated collage prints.

No limit...which means, for example:  BUY 6 prints, get 6 FREE.

IMPORTANT!!!  Simply purchase a print (or several) and tell me in the notes to seller which print you want for FREE.  Please, please, please do not purchase your freebie.  Then i will have to issue a refund and that's no fun. :)

Brand new print in the shop today...

ALL BOGO PRINTS WILL SHIP OUT FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING...which means you can receive your prints in time for Mother's Day!

Happy weekend and happy shopping!!!

 

she's home!

Wow!  Did that year go by fast, or what?!

We drove up to Purdue yesterday and loaded her entire freshman year in the van.  As you can see from the pics above...she had a little more stuff to bring home than she started with. Ha!

She's had an amazing year.  She rocked the Purdue art world.  I've shared a few of her successes earlier in the school year here and here.  Here are just a few others from her 3D design class...

larger than life...

ice cream cone made entirely out of soda cans...

and design a pair of shoes made entirely out of paper.  Part of the grade was being able to wear and walk in them for 60 steps, without them falling apart.  Mission accomplished.

She made so many new wonderful friends and managed to de-bunk the myth that you should never, ever room with your best friend.  Yup, they're still besties!

 
The "master packer" once again had his skills tested.  "Now, where am i supposed to put this?!?!..."

that's a good daddy. ♥

 These two fellas "helped" me get her room ready yesterday.  They knew something was up. 

This mama is so happy to have all her chicks back in the nest for the summer.  My cell phone is always on 24/7 when she's at school.  It was so sweet to turn it off for the first time in a long time, last night.  Welcome home, Katie...our college sophomore!