Boom! Poof! Zoom!

The sound of time flying past me or just straight up disappearing. February was the last time I posted on here. Another small sabbatical in which I return with new ideas and more energy.

I have noticed that my time spent on art this year has been pushed aside to focus on family. The great news is that I have a five year old reader, new friends, two active and intelligent kids and many house and garden to-do items checked off our list. The only bad news is that there is less art to show you. I have kept working here and there but my limited time is mostly spent doing and not documenting and sharing.

I have been told that this is a particularly bad year for colds and the flu. We are certainly building our immune system in this house with a near constant level of sickness floating around. Tack allergy discoveries, new activities and volunteering to the list and you can see why come 8pm I am on the couch with the TV on rather than writing.

Right now my trees and flowers are blooming and there have been some beautiful days of warm sunshine. I am hoping this is a sign of health and creativity in the coming months.

Jeannine

Thursday's Collection

My very first bloom of the season is this gorgeous Hellebore.

I have a primeval hankering for cabbage rolls. I'd like to try my hand at making them myself.

I have a theory about the correlation between weather pressure changes and children's difficult behaviour. We'll be making a couple of 'thinking time' glitter jars to refocus negative energy. I may make one for me, too.

Seedy Saturday is this weekend! I have my list of essential seeds and a large enough bag to come home with several other items that I didn't realize I NEEDED. If I can squeeze in the time before April, I'll make a few of these wonderful markers from our river stones.

I have one of these in all of my bathrooms. Lightly scented with organic lavender oil, it's one hundred times better than any synthetic deodorizer.

February is perfect for slow cooker soups. I mixed this recipe with this recipe to make a vegetable chowder. I also adjusted my cornmeal biscuits to be whole grain and cornmeal with a very delicious result.

jeannine

. 

For the Tooth Fairy

My daughter's recent trip to the Dentist led to the discovery of her first wiggly tooth! On our way home we stopped at a craft store and I let her pick out the felt and ribbon. That evening I made a simple tooth door hanger so we'll be well prepared when the Tooth Fairy arrives.

There is a small pocket on one side for the tooth and a large pocket on this side for money. What's the going rate for the Tooth Fairy? I believe I received twenty-five cents, but there has been a tiny bit of inflation since the 80s. Is a dollar enough and perhaps a little extra for each tooth thereafter?

~ jeannine

.

Two for Tea

Remember the Tea Box storage bins I made? Well I made two more. They are part of a pretty set of three sitting on a shelf in my studio.

One is filled with stamps

One with postage

One with tape

and they all still hold the scent of lemon verbena

~ jeannine

.