Cherry tree.

The cherry tree is a hubbub of activity, Bees and bugs and little butterflies all over it.

Such a lovely little community.

Day of summer.

Yesterday, I saw leaves on trees. Bright green and misty.

Abbi came over to get cherry trees and an apple tree. They were trying to figure out how to fit them in the van.

I found five Johnny Jump-ups. I have been looking for them. and I found them where I hadn't thought of looking.

One of the cherry trees was starting to blossom. So beautiful.

Miss Mara.

Tall Aaron. Way above the trees.

Tall Jonathan. Not quite above the trees but definitely above the shed.

I cleaned the yard a lot yesterday and washed Luke's truck and the van and yup. Perfect weather for those activities.

Green Grass.

This is what our computer is wearing :)
Isn't she cute?

She is. I know.

She is also 4.

* bonus picture.

I told her to open her eyes really big.

So she did. :)

The many faces of Jonathan.

This is my 8* Year old nephew.

He is - Deathly afraid of kisses (makes a good threat although if I kiss him he tickles me, It is just the fact of figuring out your priorities. )

Has a mischievous smile

Longest eyelashes on planet earth. well, OK. That I've seen.

Very VERY good vocal chords. (loud)

Generally lots of fun to be around.

Cute little bugger.

* I forgot his age and put 7 before. goodness. Old age is creeping upon all of us.

Megan is 4.

Mara picked these lovelies for us.

Megan blew out her candles with a little help. :)

I sure do love the leaves and flowers popping up. So very very marvelous.

Happy 17th of April!

Senior Photos.

Well. Some of them.

You might get one in the mail.

Besides the fact that none are printed.

And you might get invited to a unconventional party. Unconventional because it might be around the fourth of July. Tentatively.

That's OK isn't it?

I am probably going to be officially graduated on the 5th of May.

I say probably because I still have to take a test.

But they say I am smart.

so yup.

The End.

and The Beginning.

Essay #1

I stand at the kitchen counter browsing the snacking possibilities as the afternoon sun shines through the windows.

A small face peeks at me from beside the table, I smile and wiggle my fingers at him, He grins and runs giggling and screeching, turning back only as if expecting a jolly monster to be on his tail.

I give in and holler about how I am going to get him. He hurtles into grandma's arms giggling, trying to get safe. I tickle him and blow on his belly and kiss his cheeks for good measure.

I go back to my snacks, and pretty soon I see a little face again.

Seasoned squash seeds.

These turned out exceptionally yummy, So I thought I ought to record the recipe somewhere.

Seasoned squash seeds.

Seeds from the inside of 2 squash ( or Pumpkin)

Clean seeds with warm/hot water and then set to soak with-

4 cups warm/hot water

3 TBS Salt

1/2 Vinegar

Let set for a couple of hours

Drain and dry with dish towel.

Then coat with -

2 TBS Butter

1/2 tsp Dill

1/2 Fresh ground pepper

1 1/2 tsp Salt

Spread on greased 11x15 pan.

Bake at 300°F for approximately 1 hour. Stir every once in a while to ensure even browning :)

They are yummy. and crispy. and such a nice flavor.

Cloudy day macro.

This morning, well 1/2 an hour ago actually, I decided to take pictures. Close up.

So... I did.

Maple bud.

Oak tree growth. Fungi. Moss.

May Flowers... in April!

Spring clover.

Buster, He is a hard one to take macro of, Since he likes to move. A lot. At least when he thinks somebody is watching him.

The End.

Miss Petunia.

yep.

So far...

Guess what I made!?! :)

Headbands!

And I think they turned out cute.

Do you want one for your birthday?

Also, today is spring. I mean it is warm and the sun was shining :)
Mara found Mayflowers. Last year we found them in June I think.

And we saw this pretty moth/butterfly.

This morning on the way into town we saw two ducks by the creek so when the kids got here this afternoon we went down to see if they were still there. they weren't but it was a fun walk and time spent by the creek anyways.

Megan checking the water.



Trying to cross the stream. both of them eventually got wet feet :)

Aaron played pooh sticks and successfully caught his stick most times.

I am working on a summer quilt for my bed. It is in blues, yellows and a little green. I am making a simple pattern so I hope I get it finished. I am really good at starting things and never finishing.

But I am trying not to keep up that habit.

Love, Keren

P.s. Happy Birthday Anna Marie!

Wish list...

Yep.

Holly had this straightener and let me use it. It is so fun. you can straighten of course but also it does wonderfully lovely cascading curls.




This lens would make it much less complicated to take pictures close up and then far away with out having to change my lenses all the time. It is kinda expensive though. Almost $400.

A used Honda accord. This I do hope to get in the next few years. Reliable and cute and nice and a Honda.

Thats all.

For now.

Keren

The de-tickers.

I'd like you to meet our team of de-tickers.

As in the ones who eat the ticks before the ticks eat us.

This is Fredricka, She is one of the foremen. er... forehens...

The team hard at work.

L to R- Fran, Fifi, Flora, Freida, Fiona and Fonda

Another branch, They focus on the upper yard.

L to R - Fauna, Fuchsia, Fumiko, Flo, Fritzi, Flynn, Mr. Fitzroy, Felice and Fola.



Last but definitely not least -
Fabiana.




We have a few more but they were taking dirt baths at the time and I didn't think it appropriate to take their pictures.

Pictures of.. mostly Jaten :)

Margaret, Jaten and Travis.

Cousins- Megan, Mara, Jaten and Margaret.

Daddy Peter and Jaten.


Watching Mr. Bean. :)

Jaten and Aaron.

Telling Grandpa a story.

Getting kinda sleepy in Mara's lap.

Visiting about things.

Cute boys :)

Luke, Peter and Jaten.

Feeling pretty good on Mommy's lap.

Holly and Peter with a baby goat.

Jaten and Me.

Mara and me, both age 10.

Jaten with auntie Abbi.

Henry's turn to hold baby :)

Jaten and uncle Travis.

Anna's Pantene commercial, After we straightened it. :)

Margaret and Ninia.

Nic and Jaten.

Grandpa and kids gathering maple sap.

Peter and Jaten.

Sweet, Beautiful Jaten.

We are definitely having a marvelous time.

Happy day!

Love, Keren