Nature Connections: February

We aren't home right now (we're in Disney World) so I'm scheduling this post to publish. We didn't get out too much this month. We did manage two fun adventures.

We had a snow day! Check it out here.

We also had an afternoon that I am calling, Urban Nature Exploration. It was a simple walk around parts of our neighborhood that we had never explored. I forgot my camera, but had my trusty iPhone.

We headed out for a walk . . .

found some interesting things . . .

and discovered where the sidewalk ends . . .

To think, this was all just a few steps away this whole time.

Best Laid Plans

Today is the day we go to Disney World.

Last night I dreamt that we overslept and woke up at 7:30am. Our flight was scheduled to depart at 6am. That would not have been good. Fortunately, we didn't oversleep and woke at 3am. Ugh. Backing out of the garage, I realized that I forgot my camera so I ran back in and grabbed it. Whew!

We arrived at the airport in plenty of time, Princess awake and excited. We went to self check to print our boarding passes only to find that our Portland to Salt Lake City flight was delayed. Very delayed. There was no way to make our Orlando connection. After standing in line with all the others, we were rescheduled on the next available flight to Orlando . . . leaving in about SEVEN HOURS. Grrrr..... We gave Princess the option of staying at the airport or going home for a couple of hours. She chose to stay, so here we sit with lots to entertain us (laptop, DVD player with LOTS of movies, DS, iPod Touch, iPhones). Fortunately, I prepared a lot of food for us. And now, rather than arriving at a very lovely 4:30pm, we arrive at a very late 11:30pm.

I guess we could have slept until 7:30. Man, I'm tired. Please forgive any grammatical and/or spelling errors.

Just when we thought there was no chance

Yesterday, I woke to this . . .

Okay, so it really isn't very much snow (especially for this Pennsylvania gal) but it's all we're going to get. This is a typical snow for us and yes, they closed the schools.

The Royal Dog went out to explore the snow while Princess slept.

The first thing Princess did when she woke up . . .

After running around and throwing snowballs at me, she decided to build a snowman!

And then the snowman died . . .

Farewell dear snowman! See you next year.

And I was certain it wasn't going to happen. I guess Mother Nature had other plans. Thank you ma'am for giving us the snow we've been asking for. You made Princess' day!

Project 2011 - Week 8

Yes, ladies and gentlemen! It is time for Project 2011. For details, click the badge to the left. If you need a reminder of what we're doing in our house, please check out the Royal Goals.

I don't think I've done much this week. Sure, I've taken photos (but relatively speaking, not that many) but I haven't worked on learning anything new. I have all the supplies I need for Princess' nightgown, but I haven't started sewing it or even cutting it. I'd better get moving if she's going to have an opportunity to wear it! I am doing my weekly workout and have added a daily walk (mostly on the treadmill) to my routine. I have the Tai Chi DVDs from the library, but have yet to try them.

I did add the goal of outside time to our Royal Goals, and we did enjoy a lovely day wandering the neighborhood last Saturday. I'm saving those photos (which I took with my iPhone) for Nature Connections on the 28th.

Huh . . . this is just about the lamest update I've had so far. I think I know why. You see, I screwed my blog up big time. I thought I was being so organized and efficient deleting photos from Picasa. Little did I know that when I load photos from Picasa online to my blog, they don't actually load . . . they link. So now I have several blog posts with missing photos. AND I'M REALLY AGGRAVATED!!! So now I'm trying to decide if I should just delete those posts. Grrrrr . . .  Any suggestions?

Guess what!

In four days, we will see Tinker Bell . . .

. . . and all her fairy friends
. . . and all the Disney princesses
. . . and even some princes
. . . and lots of other Disney characters
. . . and grandparents
. . . and old friends

because we're going to Disney World!!! 
No. We're not at all excited. (Now head on over to Feet Off the Table, our Wardrobe Wednesday sponsor, to see what all the cool kids are wearing.)

P. S. Posting next week will be spotty at best. I hope you all understand.

Counting to 60

Princess: Mommy, I can count to 60.

Me: (confused) Well, of course you can. You can count higher than 60.

Princess: No. I mean a different way. 

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Me: Oh! Right! Did you know that was that same as multiplying 6 times 10? 

Princess: Yes.

Me: So you know that 6 x 10 is 60?

Princess: Yes.

Me: What about 3 x 10? (Yeah, it takes me a while to let it sink in and Princess loves it when I ask these questions . . . otherwise I wouldn't.)

Princess: 30 (with a big smile)

Me: And 9 x 10?

Princess: 90 (with a big smile)

Me: Huh . . . well how about that!  (returning her smile)

Now, I know that the 10s are easy, but she figured it out. On her own. No lessons. I wonder what's next.

Rock Poachers

Do you remember the rock wall behind our house? It is one of my favorite features of our backyard. I was surprised to learn that all the rock came from our ground, that they blasted to ready the area for building. The lot above ours has been a dumping ground, by the builders, for extra rock from around the neighborhood. 

Yesterday, the Lizard King went rock hunting to find some good rocks for yard projects we have in mind. Truthfully, at the moment we don't have any definite plans for the yard. (I wish I knew a landscape designer . . . our yard has so much potential.) We want to make sure that we have the rock for when we are ready.

I think that Spring is in the air. Our thoughts have moved from inside changes to outside. We are in the beginning planning stages of our veggie garden. We've got a big sunny area for dedicated garden space. The plan is to start with three big raised beds (we'll have a total of seven). LK has a whole big plan in his head, but I've got no clue what it is. I guess we'll all be surprised! Happy Monday!

Cookies and Faces

Last year we learned that Princess has Celiac. This means that Princess cannot tolerate gluten, which is found in wheat, oats, barley and other foods. I have something called Hashimoto's, an autoimmune thyroid disorder. People with Hashimoto's often have Celiac as well. Rather than paying for the expensive test, I live my life as someone with Celiac.

It was a huge change for us. Not only do the foods change, we had to replace many kitchen utensils and appliances. Our entire house is gluten free. We had to start thinking about everything we did.

Play dough has gluten. What little kid doesn't like play dough?! We had to get rid of the play dough. Princess was not happy. Then I found that Discount School Supply carries gluten free play dough. How cool is that?!

We had a fun time the other day with our GF play dough.

Princess made play dough cookies . . .

I made play dough faces . . .

So glad we have gluten free play dough!! What fun!

Project 2011 - Week 7

Want to see the Royal Goals, click here.

Weekly workout - check! Still loving the workout and have added Tai Chi to the fun. I wanted something different to do and someone mentioned Tai Chi. It intrigued me, so I checked out a few DVDs from the library.

Played around with taking photos and editing - check! You all get to see what I'm doing in every post. :-)

Here is my new sewing project! Isn't this fabric pretty?! It is sooooo soft, too. It's flannel that is not intended for sleepwear, which makes it perfect for a nightgown. ;-P

I refuse to put Princess in the chemical laden sleepwear available in stores. I know the pattern is for pajamas, but Princess really wants a nightgown. The plan is to lengthen the top to turn it into a nightgown.

I also did a little bonus project for a friend. I had so much fun doing this, I think I might make some more.

Finally, we've got outside time. Uhm . . . uhhh . . . shhhhh! Don't tell anyone that we haven't been outside all month. We've still got time to get out there before we check in for Nature Connections. Right? The goal is to get out at least monthly. We did a whole lot better last month. Maybe we'll get out tomorrow?

Princess hasn't been all too excited about her goals lately. She'll do it when she's ready. Or not. As for the Lizard King, he has been gathering parts needed for the Harley build.

Now head on over to Moments of Whimsey to check out the other Project 2011 players.

Two Thin Blades and a Pink Helmet

A couple weeks ago, Princess was invited to an ice skating party.

I don't skate.

The Lizard King skates. He skates well. He used to play hockey . . . back in the day. Being the awesome daddy that he is, he left work early to go skating with Princess.

Safety first! A helmet is definitely in order. The bike helmet became an ice skating helmet. I know -- it is quite shocking to learn that Princess' helmet is pink.

Princess had the best time and can't wait to go ice skating again! Now head on over to Feet of the Table to see what all the cool kids are wearing.

Off the Needles!

Two years ago (ish), I started a blanket. Princess and the Lizard King have been anticipating its completion so that they can cuddle under it and stay warm. It is finally done and Princess is putting it to good use. 

LK is out of town on business this week. Princess wants it to be a surprise for him when he comes home. I think he's going to be thrilled. Now what am I going to use to keep me warm? Maybe it's time to start another blanket?

Happy Valentine's Day

Princess' thumbprint heart. :-)

With love . . .

Snow?

Two winters ago we actually had snow.

A lot of snow.

There was ice, too.

Last year we had a little snow.

This year, they predicted the worst winter in years for the Pacific NW. We were waiting to see if that meant snow or rain, as both are possible. We wondered how cold it would be.

AND?????

We got nothing. Sure it rained some, it is Oregon after all. We wanted snow. We didn't get snow.

Project 2011 - Week 6

How did the week go by so quickly?! Somehow, I haven't done that much.

I've been thinking about sewing, but I have to get to the fabric store and actually choose and buy fabric for my next project. Maybe I'll do that on Saturday. I have to make the time. I really want to work on my next project!

I've been doing a lot of reading at Digital Photography School and I'm learning a little more everyday. I'd really love to take a digital photography class. Maybe in the summer? Anyway, I shot some photos for this post and chose my favorite, which leads into the next goal.

Fortunately, my Slow Burn workouts take very little time. Click the link and it will take you to the iPhone/iPad/iPod "vook" that includes videos of the at home exercises. It still amazes me that I can see results from ONE workout when I do ONE set only ONE time a week for only 30 MINUTES.  Between this workout and living the Paleo lifestyle, I have lost 7 pounds. Does that rock or what?!

I've been thinking about adding something else to my workout just for fun. You'll have to wait to find out what that is . . . until next Thursday!

Now head on over to Cate's at Moments of Whimsy to see what everyone else is up to for week 6.