I don’t have any “before” pictures, just these “after” shots.

We have always had larger outside dogs, but Shiloh is a different story.  She’s small, snuggly and pretty much likes to hang with us.  Since moving back to the city we’ve noticed she looked kind of rough and shaggy so Builder suggested I take her in for a bath and grooming.  Now, I’ve never taken a dog to be groomed, and didn’t think it would make much of a difference!

What a funny surprise to have them walk out this shiny, pretty, pup, with a pink bow in her hair (she promptly rubbed her head on the ground and removed it)…and she smells “good” too!

Imagine all the coos and awws and “pretty dog” chatter that flew around the van on the way home!

Mae has an indoor herb garden.  She is studing Botany this school year, using Exploring Creation with Botany by Jeanne Fulbright.  This has fueled an intense interest in gardening, especially herb gardening.

During Christmas break Builder took Mae shopping and came home with great shelves, that sits in the south facing picture window, and a lot of herbs, plants, pots & dirt.  Builder also installed a light fixture and put it on a timer.  He is a wonderful dad!

Last week Mae started our Tomato, Celery and Bell Peppers. Exciting!  Garden plans are starting…

And Mae made fresh mint tea for my upset tummy (lactose intolerant people should really avoid ice cream, even if it is her daughter’s birthday and a stop by Cold Stone Creamery was part of the celebration).  The tea was delicious and we’ve made many more cups!

Last week March strolled in, sunny, warm, wonderful!  I remember many sunny warm starts to March, releasing us from the deep chill of winter with a good dose of Vitamin D.  A kind gift from the Maker of all seasons and weather.

to climb high,

swing high

and higher still

and even to balance your sister on your arm


counting the love gifts of our Father with the gratitude community #418-440




Tea with my girls, made by my girls
Lemon cookies
Chicks in the sunlight
Pink sky
In like a lamb.
Sunshine
Girls on the monkey bars, playing hand clap games.
Card love from a much loved fun Aunt Heather (would you say a prayer for my sis and her family?  Such challenging times are upon them)
Morning doves calling
Sunshine through all the windows
Daughters, Sisters who love much

2002.  There once was this sweet little lady…

and she grew!

and there are days…
when I realize just how fast the days, years are running by.  Petal Rose has a tender and adventurous spirit.  She’s faced challenges in learning, and we are so proud of her hard work and the way she has cheerfully faced those challenges.  This year Petal Rose has tried some new things and will be performing in the musical Mary Poppins this spring!  And she is thoroughly enjoying a Karate class.  We are delighted to see the sparkle in her eyes and that great big smile everyday as she continues to pursue life with cheer, tenderness and a sense of justice.

Last week we celebrated our Petal Rose as she turned 10.  With my younger two it is harder and harder to believe how old they are now.  When I look at their eyes, I still see those pudgy little faces…

but, in reality, their faces are thinning and maturing and here we are again…double digits!

Felicity is modeling the new apron sewn by Mae.

Daddy Builder took Petal Rose out for breakfast, and for a special purchase.  Petal Rose has requested a pocket knife for a couple of years.  She now has one.  I’ve been requested to pick up a block of wax soon, so she can start whittling/carving.

Can I tell you how much I adore that smile and love that girl?

After an afternoon of swimming & playing with her kindred spirit and good friend Rebekah, we had Builder’s wonderful fried chicken, mashed potates with gravy, asperagus and sliced cucumbers.  Petal Rose had requested that I make a High Rise Glorious Skittle Skat Roarious Sky Pie Angel Cake.

The very important writing in the sugar step.

We trimmed it with Freshly whipped Cream and Strawberries.  It was a very good, no bad, wonderful day.

When I look in the mirror I see…

Silver highlights that I once somewhat feared would be gray.  More laugh lines around my eyes than the frowns I used to wear.  A softness that most days has replaced the bitterness that lived in my heart and on my face.

In the mirror I am learning to see beauty, not as the world delcares, but as the fearfully and wonderfully, much loved daughter of the Creator, Most High God.

Occassionally when I look in the mirror, in the glaring overhead light I forget to see and instead only look at  the lines, the duller hair and the hair that now grows in the wrong places, the lack of beauty and walk away downhearted at my worldly unworthiness.

Thank God that He will take me back with quick reminders from the people around me.  The people He has placed in my life, that becuase of His love stilled in their hearts, only see the beauty.

Linking up with The Gypsy Mama

{this moment} – A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Linking up with SouleMama

In the mail we recently recieved a sample bottle of Purex Complete Crystals Softener.  It came at a great time as I have been replacing our laundry & kitchen cleaning products with those that are safer for the environment and better for our family’s skin and I hadn’t found anything to replace the fabric softners!

The first thing I noticed about the crystals is Less Mess!  Spills and sloshes happen, and liquid fabric softener get sticky and gummy when not immediately cleaned up.  It also tends to gum up the spot where we add it to our machine.  The crystals are easy to sweep up when spilled, and load right in with the clothes.

Our clothes felt lighter during the week that we tried the product, and I was thrilled to find that there was less static electricity in the clothes coming out of the dryer. 

I wanted to know how the product is better for the environment, so I spent some time in the Purex Website and watched a couple of the videos they have available.  I also found the ingredient listings and have included them below.  Click on any of the links in this post and they will take you to the information page & videos on the new Purex Complete Crystals.

All in all, I recommend Purex Complete Crystals and hope to have some coupons to share with you soon!

Fresh Spring Waters, A sensation of clean blue skies and spring breezes with line-dried fresh notes and clean florals.


Size & Loads  28 oz (32 loads)   55 oz (62 loads)
Ingredients~ Sucrose (Sugar), Bentonite (Clay), Peg Disterate (Blending Agent), Fragrance, Sanolin Blue (Colorant).






Lavender Blossom, A comforting scent that features fresh lavender wrapped in cozy, soothing vanilla.


Size & Loads  28 oz (32 loads) 55 oz (62 loads)
Ingredients~Sucrose (Sugar), Bentonite (Clay), Peg Disterate (Blending Agent), Fragrance, Sanolin Blue (Colorant), Sanoline Rhodamine (Colorant).






Tropical Splash, A scent that captures the beauty of exotic flowers intertwined with sumptuous fruits.

Ingredients~Sucrose (Sugar), Bentonite (Clay), Peg Disterate (Blending Agent), Fragrance, Sanolin Yellow (Colorant), Vitasyn Orange (Colorant).