Quite A Spook-tacle

Admit it.  You've heard it in the distance.  A low, grumbling that leaves you wondering, 'Did I just hear something?' as you quickly convince yourself noises like that don't exist or rather what makes a noise like that doesn't exist.


Let me tell you something.  You're wrong.  Here's proof.

Blue, one-eyed monsters really do exist.  They rumble.  They wrawr.  It's like the roar of an everyday common monster but ten times scarier.  They cause quite a stir among the guys hanging siding on the house going up next door, amid MN Landscape Arboretum Halloween Party goers and general passers by who are lucky enough to catch a glimpse.

They even ride bikes.

Amazing.  Completely amazing.

Happy Halloween to you and yours.  RAWR! 

Super

Yesterday, we attended a birthday party at the home of Super Megan, Channing's sweet little girlfriend who lives across the street.  She's adorable, as in he absolutely adores her.  

Jim & Kelly had Super Suits ready for all the party guests.
Kelly sewed the capes.  Jim made the masks and wall plaques.  A-mazing!

Every Super Girl needs a birthday smooch.  She sure does.

Even Captain Channing holds Daddy's hand when crossing the street.  

When we received the invitation, there was no hesitation on my part.  Super Megan needed a likeness of herself.  I whipped out the pattern for the Sophie Doll and turned her into this:

See. I told you I had good things to share.  Surprise #1 revealed.  

It's Electric

We came together as seven women should, taking great delight in the unknown and the unexpected.  The anticipation was electric right up to the moment the key turned in the lock at the Shangri La, our home away from home.  We had arrived.  Nieces Trip 2011.  Nassau, Bahamas.  

Aunt Kris did her utmost to ensure we would want for nothing during this week.  She lavished us with unending generosity, no detail left unattended.  We ate.  We drank.  We took in the sights.  There were a few terrifying moments involving the jitney (bus), the (not so) lazy river and a shark or two.  There were many more moments where that relaxed feeling overcame us and we slipped into that place of total contentment.  

Enjoying a pool-side drink at the Atlantis.  Needed to settle our nerves after our not-so-lazy river ride.

Collecting shells and walking along Jaws Beach, the site where the movies were filmed.

The view from the top of the Queen's Staircase.  Part of our island tour courtesy of Chef Marci.

There were several of us who never showered in the house.  Nope. Not once.

For one bliss filled week, we lived in the sunshine, swam in the sea and drank in the wild air.  We've now returned.  Renewed.  Refreshed.  Reverently grateful for the time we shared.  

Here

In case you've been wondering, 'Where is that girl?'  I'm here.  Right here.  For just one more bliss-filled day. 

Catch Up

It's time to bring you all up to speed.  Posts have been started and stored and started and stored. I have no less than five draft posts hidden on the back pages of Fresh Picked.  The thing is, we've been busy.  Frantically busy, but in the best of ways.  

This mama has been stretching her creative wings yet again.  There was another fall wreath.  Newer.  Brighter.  Highly improved and perhaps a bit spooky in anticipation of Halloween.  However, the idea of using a pool noodle and duct tape to make the form.... Not the best.  The wreath looks more like a coma now and has been tossed in the closet until there is time to find a way to make it round once more.  Suggestions anyone??


Slippers.  Mary introduced me to ithinksew.  For $3 I downloaded the pattern for these:

Don't my feet look sweet?  Love them!


There are two super secret birthday projects that will have to be revealed at a later date.  Let's just say, I am proud enough of these to toot my own horn.  Loudly.  Very loudly.  They rock.  I'm so excited to give them to the recipients.  Anderson.  Megan.  Get ready!


Play dates.  Three have been photographed.  There have been more.  The kind where smiles abound, laughter rings out and hearts feel light when all is said and done.  


Kelli sent a quick text to the effect of-park:  5 minutes.  Let's go.  We went.  

Kendra, Libby, Channing & I made good on last fall's promise of a trip to the apple orchard.  It took a year, but was worth the wait.  We came home with a half peck of apples that quickly found their way into an apple crisp.  Channing tried adding raspberries, blueberries and strawberries too.  I'm an apple crisp purist.  No berries, please and thank you.  

More recently, Mary, Collin, Kiera & I braved the threat of rain for a wet morning in the park.  Mary and I delighted in the antics of Monkey See, Collin, and Monkey Do, Channing.  Kiera thought the boys were pretty amusing too.

It's been a little crazy.  It's been a little nuts.  But only in the best of ways.  Tonight, we've a daddy date on tap.  Not sure of the exact plan.  It will involve my two best guys, the ones I'm so proud to call husband and son.  


Happy Friday to you all.  Mine certainly is.  

Longing

Fall is not doing well to make its presence known.  Timid, it sighs rather than coming right out with a friendly, 'Hello.'  The seasonal bully, Summer, is still pushing everybody around with weeks of bright, hot sunshine.  Yes, hot.  

While I'm longing to pull on jeans with my favorite argyle sweater and a pair of wooly socks, Channing is handing me his swimming trunks, asking, 'Which shirt goes?' and pretending he's discovering sea monsters while scuba diving in our backyard.  Did you know such fearsome beasts could be found at the bottom of a Rubbermaid tote?  

It makes a little guy hesitate just a bit before putting his toes all the way to the very, very bottom.

 And requires an extra rinse to get the monster germs off once the expedition is over.