Josie the Photographer

Josie has discovered phone photography. I've loved seeing what catches her eye. (Everything, to some extent--she took almost 500 pictures once she got going. I have selected a few that caught my eye) 

Obviously, I took this one below. But she approved of it immensely. "Look at my hair!"

                                                                                   

 

Out and About

 

Birthday Party

It was just parents and grandparents as there's going to be a kids' end-of-school party in a few weeks.  Her little self had a good time anyway

She scored big in the matter of fairy garden stuff to set up on the little patio.

There were lots of packages to open--books and games and fairy garden accessories and a Ladybug set . . .

A bed and a quilt and new nightgowns for Dolly and Margo

A beautiful shawl from Aunt Aileen . . .

More garden fairy stuff including a lake and a bridge

An ice cream cake covered in sprinkles

Candles to blow out. 

And a good time was had by all!

 

Once There Were Wolves

Another one from my book pusher. It was on the top of the heap and I've reached for it then pushed it away for several days now. 

I blame Bambi. And Black Beauty. I really don't want to read about animals suffering--which is, admittedly, a lame position for a writer who has written about all sorts of human suffering. And a novel about an attempt to introduce wolves into the Scottish highlands--where there are many cattle and sheep-- was bound to have some unpleasant outcome for the wolves. Not to mention the cattle and sheep.

Inconsistent but there it is.

However, at last I gave it a cautious try. The wolves have a major role but the people, with their pasts and predicaments, posed so many interesting questions that I was hooked and kept reading.

Twin sisters, one traumatized and mute, one seething with rage and mistrust, fleeing an unnamed threat; a sheriff/love interest with an unhappy past; a local farmer and his abused wife; a community in opposition to the wolves; and an unplanned pregnancy are just a few of the plotlines the author sets in motion. I just had to keep reading.

A very good read with some surprising (to me, at least) twists.

 

Me Again

On Friday at preschool there was a birthday party for me, Josie. There were cupcakes and a fancy purple birthday hat and when Meema picked me up I told her I had had enough sugar, so we didn't need to stop for an ice cream cone. She said that was good because there was a birthday present waiting for me at her house and I could open it early

The present was from my friend Sandy who is kind of my fairy godmother and I think she is magic because when we were on the porch, before I even saw the present, I said to Meema that I would like to paint some of the rocks that were there in one of her plants. And when we got in the house and I opened the present (very fast while Meema was still bringing in the groceries,) what do you think it was?

It was a rock-painting set with paints and brushes and glue and feathers and glitter and googly eyes and mermaid tails and unicorn horns to glue on to the rocks!

First you have to paint the rock all one color and let it dry. That is the hard part, waiting for it to dry.

When the rock is finally dry comes the fun part--gluing stuff on!

I made a narwhal with a mermaid tail and a unicorn horn.

This is so much fun!

Before Daddy came to get me, I also made a mermaid and a bird with REAL feathers.

 THANK YOU, SANDY!!!

                                                   

                                                                  

 

Where Did the Day Go?

I manage to keep up with meals and laundry--but sometimes I look back and wonder what kept me so busy all day.

Let' s see: Finished quilting the doll quilt that will be for Josie's birthday to accompany the doll bed John made for her; painted some birthday cards to accompany her presents; moved some more plants out of the greenhouse; potted up some parsley and basil for the front porch; pruned and tidied a bit in the greenhouse . . .

And just like that, it was time to fix dinner. I did spend a fair amount of time sitting outside and enjoying the flowers and the beautiful day. A necessity, I think, in this magical time of year.

 

A Closer Look