Gosh O'Hemlock

Retro Redo Part 1

2012-02-09T21:18:00.000-06:00

I love a great deal as much as the next person, and free is always good, but I have to admit I've always been a little wary of "dumpster diving." I know people that do it, I've heard people talk about it on HGTV, and I've seen the great stuff that people drag home and resurrect. I've just always been a little to "scared" to do it myself. That was until last year after picking up my son up at middle school. You see, every year my small town has what they call "City-wide Clean-up." You can clear as much ~~shit~~ unused treasure out of your house as you want and set it at the curb, and the trash service comes and takes all of it. What I discovered is that if you scope out the streets before the trash truck comes you can find some diamonds in the rough.

Sorry about the blurry Android photo! And it's not in the photo but the seat cushion was with the chair!

I must confess my middle-schooler wasn't too keen on the idea of me pulling over on the road near his school and dragging this beauty up out of the ditch. But sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I promptly drove to our storage unit and unloaded it in hopes that my husband wouldn't discover it and throw it back in the trash! And there it's been sitting since last May. Fast forward to last week. I've been wanting to learn to upholster for quite some time but just didn't ever take the initiative. I was talking with my sister again about wanting to learn and she just happened to go online and find a class at a local community college. Unfortunately, the first class was the night before she found it and it said online that it was closed. Not to be discouraged, I called up the admissions office and pleaded my case. As luck would have it the instructor is a very agreeable fellow and gave me permission to start this week. Yeah! So last night I loaded up my project and headed to my first upholstery class. As much as I hoped it could, the upholstery could not be saved, and as you can see it is missing a front leg, but not to worry a new one has been ordered and is on its way!

This is the tag I removed from the bottom of the chair. I haven't done any research on the Thayer Coggin Co., but I definitely will.

After removing the base of the chair, I was on my way to removing all the old upholstery.

All the springs are in great shape.

This is its current state after my first official upholstery class. I post more as I work my way through the class.

It Seems So Simple

2012-02-09T19:39:00.001-06:00

I need to put this list on a constant loop in my mind!

Conversations With a Three Year-Old

2012-01-13T10:04:00.000-06:00

Me: Wow! Julia you look great but we may have to change before we go into town.

Julia: But Mom! These are my special errand-running clothes!

A Very Caribbean Christmas

2012-01-10T15:15:00.000-06:00

The kids are past the Santa years (except one) and frankly we were getting tired of shopping and filling our house with more overpriced junk. This year we decided to take a family vacation for Christmas. We quizzed our travel agent a bit and then decided on Turks and Caicos. If you are looking for a vacation packed with action and adventure this might not be the one, but if you need to entertain children between the ages of 3 and 20 and you want to relax this is surely a top contender.

Everyone enjoyed playing in the ocean.

Our butler, Aide showed off his fire dancing skills for us at dinner.

We turned TJ into a sand mermaid.

We watched a colorful, rhythmic parade.

But one of my favorite memories of the trip is how easily Julia made friends. Generally she met a new friend each day, but she met Anastasia the second day and played with her almost every day. When Julia first met her, she couldn't understand why Anastasia was "speaking English" ~~German~~ to her. Ana would say something to Julia and she would try to repeat it. When Ana didn't understand what Julia was saying to her, Julia tried again in her own made up language, then throw her head back and laugh like it was just the funniest thing. They finally just settled on the international language of sand castles...

Shhhh! It's A Secret

2011-12-16T06:00:00.001-06:00

I am lucky enough to live in a neighborhood where many of my closest friends live. This year I decided to give homemade gifts to them. I thought about the normal caramel popcorn, assorted cookies and fudge, peppermint bark, etc. but it just didn't feel right. Then I remembered something my mother used to make every year at this time. HOMEMADE KAHLUA! It's the perfect gift because Lord knows we like our happy hour around here!
If you are like me, you love anything coffee flavored. It's easy, so go ahead and try it for yourself. This is what you'll need

I sent my husband for the vodka and this is what he came home with.

Might not have been the brand I would have picked.

4 c. water
3 c. sugar
5 oz. pure vanilla
2 oz. Kava instant coffee
1 qt. vodka

Mix sugar and water and heat to dissolve (DON'T BOIL)
Combine vanilla and coffee and add to water. Pour into a gallon pitcher and stir in vodka. Let stand for 2 days.

While you are waiting, go to World Market and get some fancy bottles.

After you have washed and dried the bottles, use a funnel to fill the with Kahlua.

Once they are all filled, add a pretty tag (with a coffee martini recipe) and an ornament and "Voila!" Easy homemade Christmas gift.

My Nativity Scene(s)

2011-12-15T07:29:00.001-06:00

Here is a quick peek at BOTH of my Nativity scenes. The first was a wedding gift from a dear family friend. She made it herself in a ceramics studio. It has quite a lot of pieces. There are more animals in it than you see in most scenes, which I suppose is fitting; they were in a stable after all. There are two camels, four sheep (if you count the one across the shepherd boy's shoulders, a cow, and of course, Mary's donkey. I especially love the angel that hangs above the entire scene. It is a good reminder to me that there are always angels among us. I must confess that I get very agitated every year when my children understandably want to help me put it out. I am terrified that one of the pieces will be broken. I know, I know; the pieces could be repaired, but the thought of the clunk and shatter as one of the pieces is broken is almost too much for me to bear. Here is a look at the one I've had the longest and was a gift from Marian.

My second Nativity scene was a gift from my grandpa shortly before he passed away. Again, he made it himself in a ceramics studio. It is much smaller, both in the number of pieces and its physical size. I love how it appears to be made of pewter. Even though this scene is equally as precious to me, it is the one that I always put down low for the kids to look at and touch. The main reason for this is that I can hear Grandpa Bob saying, "Jenny, let them play with it, there isn't anything there that can't be fixed." Here is a peek at it.

So there you have it; my Nativity scenes. Both of them equally beautiful and handmade by people I hold dear. Merry Christmas everyone!

This post was inspired by Mama Kat's Pretty Much World Famous Writer's Workshop. Go ahead and link up too!

Note to Self

2011-12-01T07:39:00.001-06:00

Advent Conspiracy from International Justice Mission on Vimeo

I'm so guilty of this compulsion to spend at Christmas. This year for Advent I will try to remind myself of this little video each day.

What I Love About Preschool

2011-11-22T14:49:00.000-06:00

Grandma's Recipes

2011-11-21T09:48:00.001-06:00

She will be 97 on Christmas Eve.

She helped raise many of her 15 siblings.

She raised 5 of her own children.

She has 20 grandchildren.

She has 29 great-grandchildren.
And one on the way.

She has never driven a car.
She and my youngest daughter share a middle name, "Lorene."

She worked for years as a cook at McCollum Hall at the University of Kansas.

I wish she would have been the cook when I lived there!

We fight over her gingersnaps, we covet her snickerdoodles, her quesadillas are heaven, chicken and noodles just aren't right without her homemade noodles, and spending the night at her house brought the extra perk of getting a fluffy pancake as big as your head for breakfast. I'll admit I don't use her recipes as often as my family would like, but thanksgiving calls for a couple of the favorites.

Let's have dessert first, shall we?

Grandma's handwritten recipe

I usually make two; one with a traditional crust and one with a graham cracker crust. Now Grandma makes a mean meringue the likes of which I have not mastered, and that's what she tops hers with. I default to whipped cream. Here is her pie crust recipe if you don't have a favorite of your own:

The story on this, correct me if I'm wrong Mom, is that my 3 yr. old self proved my excellent cutting skills on Mom's recipe card while she was on the phone. I like to think she was on the phone with Grandma getting advice on the recipe, but I'm not sure that's true.

Okay, on to dinner.

This is my own newly married handwriting, but I promise I was taking dictation directly from her. A few things I'd like to point out:

I'm sure hers was originally made with bread she had baked herself the day before, not Wonder bread that may or may not get slightly toasted in the oven depending on my mood and time constraints.
That means sometimes it takes a little more than a loaf to soak up enough of the chicken stock.
Like a good speech student of Mr. Bigham, I must remember to assume my audience has never made dressing before, and needs to be told to tear the bread into pieces and place in the baking dish.
Mix the rest of the ingredients together, except butter, and pour over the torn bread. Mash it slightly to make sure all the bread is moist.
I always use more than 1tsp. of sage because I love its flavor.
I use real butter instead of margerine and I just slice the stick in pieces and place them randomly over the top before baking.

Good luck with all of your Thanksgiving cooking!

This post was inspired by

You can find out how to participate too right here.

So I Did

2011-11-14T08:14:00.000-06:00

We were having a glass of wine and she said, "You know, you should paint your dining room orange."

So I did. How else should one spend a weekend when the husband is out of town?

Where The Workers Get Distracted

2011-11-07T09:14:00.000-06:00

What's a girl to do when there is yard work to be done?

Distract the workers of course!

Turnabout is fair play, right?

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy...

Epic Roadtrip

2011-10-17T09:23:00.001-05:00

We left home on Thursday with an empty truck and trailer and a full tank of gas. We had maps and sunscreen, bungies, straps and tarps. We headed south through Kansas and Oklahoma towards the mother lode of flea-market shopping in Canton, Texas.

It was a trip we had talked about taking for years. Giddy with excitement, we made lists of all the things we were on the lookout for...cabinets and tin ceiling tiles, old ledger paper, vintage textiles and jewelry. The list went on and on. Our first stop found us in Pittsburg, KS, a mere hour from home. Old toolbox anyone? Load it up of course!

We shopped our way through Oklahoma, stopping at any place that caught our fancy.

Unfortunately, this place wasn't open for the day yet but that didn't stop us from exploring the outside!

You know this is on the list of places to return to!

I'm ~~embarrassed~~ happy to report we had to make a stop in Tulsa to drop our first load at Jana's daughter's house for fear we may not have enough room for the treasures we just knew we were going to find...

it's a good thing we did, because boy did we ever find treasures!

And I found kettle corn!

There were lots of things we didn't buy...

But just a few that we did!

We returned home late on Sunday with a full truck and trailer and an empty tank of gas. We had treasures, and ideas and projects to start, stories to tell and memories of new friends made along the way.

Let me tell you, if ever you need just a little jolt to your creativity and sense of adventure, head to Canton, TX for First Monday Trade Days. I assure you it won't disappoint!

Songs That Make Us Sing Saturday

2011-09-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted on Saturday for quite a while, but this has been an especially patriotic week around our small town and I'm sure the same is true most everywhere in the United States. Tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of the attack on America at the World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and an open field in Pennsylvania. While I can't even pretend to know what it was like for those who were right there in the middle of it, I know it changed me. I could never understand how my parents could remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when JFK was shot. After 9-11 I absolutely understand how you remember where you were when the world stopped turning:

You can play along too. Check out The Mommy for all the rules and to link up!

Small Town Celebrations

2011-09-07T09:34:00.005-05:00

Small towns celebrate big. This is how we spent our Labor Day.

Waving Flags

High School Band

Flyovers

Fighting for Freedom

Patriot Riders

Waiting for Candy

Family Floats Full of KU Fans

Floats Full of Lifetime Residents

Red Hat Ladies

Cool Cars

Carnival Rides

Good Food

We have lots to celebrate in this country...God Bless America!

Happy Monday!

2011-08-29T12:54:00.001-05:00

I don't know what else to say about this but...LOVE!

First Day Flutter

2011-08-23T14:50:00.000-05:00

Well truthfully, there weren't any flutters. Julia was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ~~awake and ready to leave for school at 5am~~ and so excited to go to school just like the big kids. I have to tell you I was just as excited as she was. I don't tend to get overly emotional ~~my husband says I have a heart of stone~~ about the milestones in my children's lives. I agree with The Mommy that it's our job as parents to raise independent children capable of handling new situations even if they are a bit nervous. So, while Julia was busy doing this:

I spent my 2 1/2 hours of time to myself doing this:

and a little of this:

and a some more of this:

I have grand plans to have my Etsy shop up and running soon...and maybe even a Facebook Fan page! Stay tuned!

On Getting Older...and Acting Younger

2011-08-02T08:54:00.002-05:00

Disclaimer: I am a Jayhawk...because my best friends made such bad decisions as to be Wildcats should be no reflection on me

This past weekend a small group of my dearest friends headed to the lake to celebrate the birthday of one of said friends.

This weekend we ate too much fabulous food.

This weekend we dumped ourselves and a cooler of beer out of a canoe and into the lake.

This weekend we took pictures with gnomes and swans.

This weekend we got caught in motion lights.

This weekend we watched a beautiful thunderhead put on a show over the lake.

This weekend we listened to lots of great music.

This weekend we reminisced of past adventures.

This weekend we plotted new adventures.

This weekend we explored an abandoned camper.

This weekend we laughed until we cried.

This weekend we talked about getting older, but enjoyed acting younger...

Heat Wave Camping

2011-07-26T09:10:00.001-05:00

She's been wanting to go camping...so we have been for the last week!

Songs That Make Us Sing Saturday

2011-07-23T03:00:00.000-05:00

I realize I've got a water theme going here, but it's hot here people. We are talking 103 degrees!

When I find a genie in a bottle, my first wish is gonna be for pipes like these! Happy Saturday!

It's Getting Hot In Here...

2011-07-22T23:56:00.001-05:00

I won't continue with the rest of the lyrics, but really, leaving the air conditioned house is just a terribly silly thing to do here in the Midwest this week. Instead I've been putting to use all the things I've learned from her in this class.

And here's a sneak peek at the inside:

Jealous? You can make one for yourself that looks like this:

And you can fill it full of pages that look like this:

Or this:

Believe me, it will become an obsession and you will have to make your sister a baby book that looks like this:

Check it out for yourself, but you'll see that Full Tilt Boogie is a great class and Miss Moss, well, she's just an inspiration!

Songs That Make Us Sing Saturday

2011-07-16T00:33:00.001-05:00

We went to the Bahamas for our 2oth Anniversary...we shouldn't have waited for so long...now we go to the Lake of the Ozarks...water is water right? not!!! Still, knee deep or chest deep the water is where its at!

8:34 AM, 83 Degrees

2011-07-15T09:29:00.001-05:00

It's no secret the Midwest is bracing for a blistering heat wave just as LA braces for "Carmageddon." These two events probably have no connection, just as the scene in my laundry room this morning has absolutely NO connection to the two aforementioned events. I'm sorry, but my conscience just won't allow me to show you a picture. Suffice it to say that SRS may get wind of the mess and come for my children, even though they are the ultimate cause of my shock and horror as I groggily padded into the laundry room this morning to start my daily ~~grind~~ routine. You see, last night just before curling up in bed to read for a few minutes before my exhaustion won over, I requested that my two middle children (ages 13 and 16) bring their dirty laundry to the laundry room. I could hear from the bickering back and forth that they were complying with my request. There is no way I could have prepared for this morning's laundry room scene. We are in the middle of a heat wave here people. The bins should have held t-shirts, shorts, swimsuits and cover-ups all neatly sorted by color value. No, apparently all the SWEATSHIRTS and SWEATPANTS my children own had been breeding quietly in their rooms! WHAT??!! Those items should have been neatly stowed months ago. I tell you, you just don't need them in Kansas in July! To calm myself, I watched the following and imagined myself there; alone with a bottle of red wine...

It's Not Saturday

2011-07-13T08:42:00.003-05:00

I'm really going to try to keep up with "Songs That Make Us Sing Saturdays" which I learned about over at Because I'm The Mommy. I'm acutely aware that it is Wednesday, but I just came across it so I'm gonna post it today...rules schmules. Wanna play along? Click on the button in the left sidebar to get all the info.

In Over My Head

2011-06-15T21:45:00.002-05:00

I've been wanting to change the look of my blog for quite some time, but just didn't have the knowledge, time, or energy! I have been blogging for awhile but mostly in fits and starts. In an effort to improve, I had been searching the great wide interweb for some friendly Blogger advice. That's when I stumbled across this awesome e-book while checking out fellow Full Tilt Boogie classmate, Nancy Lynn's blog. Now I know that's a lot of links in one sentence, but I promise you, taking the time to click each one will be well worth your time! In the name of expediency, I used a free template, but Karen's easy to follow directions were oh so helpful (and you feel like you've gotten a mini html lesson too)! Now I feel a little more confident and not so far in over my head. My blog feels a lot more like me now which might just get me posting a little more often (insert crossed fingers here).

Completely off the subject, but enjoy the picture below of my daughter Julia, taken my oldest budding photographer daughter Ali

Boogie Down!

2011-06-08T13:16:00.003-05:00

I've been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for this class to start.

I've strapped on my dancing shoes

and gathered my supplies.

Now believe me when I say I'm ready to boogie with Mary Ann. Rumor has it that her sister Carol is even working on a Full Tilt Boogie Martini recipe. Crank up the tunes and let's dance!

So You Think You Can Sew?

2011-05-17T12:12:00.002-05:00

I've taken on a room renovation project that could quite possibly be my undoing. Julia's bedroom in our new home was just a little too beige and I had this great idea in my head of the perfect vintage girls bedroom. I started by painting the walls a beautiful light blue. On a tromp around town I found this sweet sewing cabinet and painted it red, and then rescued the chandelier that originally was purchased for Ali's bedroom from one of our TWO storage units. Julia's closet now stores clothes and toys!

This great mirror was hiding in the corner of a flea market in a tiny Kansas town and just had to come home with me!

No little girl's room is complete without a chalkboard for playing school.

Now before you go thinking I spent a eleventy hundred dollars on a vintage schoolhouse chalkboard (believe me, I looked and salivated over a few!) I didn't. This is simply a coat of magnetic paint, followed by a couple coats of green chalkboard paint and then framed with trim that I painted glossy red. The great schoolhouse desk you see in the corner is the most amazing color of blue and was rescued from a friend's basement.

At this point the next project on the list was getting rid of the crib and finding the perfect bed and bedding. I looked and looked and just wasn't satisfied with what I was finding out there on the great wide web. That's when I stumbled upon this. Let me tell you I wanted to call miss Anna Maria up and beg her to whip one of these babies out just for me because of course I wanted it yesterday! I refrained and just ordered the pattern. Next, I took a little shopping trip to Sarah's to find just the right fabric. I didn't get started sewing right away because of course I needed the perfect bed for the finished product. My mind said I needed a Jenny Lind just like the pattern cover showed, but then I found this beauty at a flea market. Steven was none too happy to help me pick it up as he doesn't generally support my love of "dumpster diving," but he softened up a bit, took it to the shop and painted it with red automotive paint for me.

You can see it is still awaiting its crown of glory, and this is why. To make a full size quilt you need 10 blocks like this

And 10 blocks like this

Now I've been sewing for quite some time (25 years at least) and I tell you I'm not sure if I've ever made anything quite so time consuming. So, I will try not to lose interest, and I will try not to lose heart because I know it will all be worth it when the blocks all come together in the end!

Let's just hope Julia isn't in junior high by the time that happens!

Wishing Well

2011-05-16T08:48:00.002-05:00

Here in the Midwest, it was spring and then it was summer, and then it was winter again, and then it was...you get the picture. But on Mother's Day it was beautiful and Julia had the best time playing in "the wishing well." I don't know what you wish for when you are 3, but I'm sure it was a good one. I wish for warm weather!

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-09T09:05:00.003-05:00

There's nothing better than having them all together in one place!

Give Me A Break!

2011-03-28T13:26:00.002-05:00

A ~~SPRING~~ break, that is. So what happened to Spring in the Midwest anyway? I shouldn't be surprised really, I've lived here my entire life. It's such a cruel trick Mother Nature plays on us most years though; 70 degrees for a few days and then right back to having snow on the ground! We did make it to the lake for a few nice days of relaxation though. This is how Julia relaxes

A Trip to Remember

2011-03-09T16:41:00.005-06:00

We shouldn't have waited 20 years to take this trip. Is it crazy that we've been home less than a week and are already plotting our next getaway?

Bahamas Trip from Jennifer Dover on Vimeo.

It's The Month of...

2011-02-10T08:12:00.001-06:00

Class Collage

2011-01-25T09:40:00.004-06:00

Class Collage by jdo918 featuring heart bracelets

My first attempt at a digital collage on polyvore.com for Misty Mawn's class. I definitely need to work on my composition, and I think I much more enjoy getting my hand messy with paint and glue!

So after posting the original collage above, I imported it into Picnik and did a little more work there. Now there is much more depth and color. Here is the end result

The Apple of My Eye

2011-01-13T22:08:00.001-06:00

I'm taking my FIRST EVER art class. It is an online course taught by the amazingly talented Misty Mawn. We are nearing the end of week one and although I haven't even gotten close to finishing ALL of the assignments, this sketch of an apple is about the only recognizable work I have produced.

Hopefully I'll have more to share over the next 4 weeks!

Wanna Dance?

2010-12-15T11:25:00.001-06:00

The quality of this picture of Julia is terrible, but my cell phone was the only device handy at the moment. She is sporting newly acquired hand-me-down dance clothes. SCORE!

So, in honor of dancing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYL3j27sSH8

Definition of Insanity

2010-11-30T14:06:00.001-06:00

What makes a fairly intelligent, college educated mother of 4 decide to get a puppy for her 12 year old for Christmas? Especially since said mother also has a 2 1/2 year old daughter with Absolutely.NO.Interest.in.Using.the.Big.Girl.Potty. Can everyone say "insanity" together now?

Julia and Garfunkel

A Finished Project!

2010-10-25T13:45:00.001-05:00

It seems I have more unfinished projects than finished ones, but I promised I would post a picture of my finished knitted hat. The pattern was easy to follow and I really enjoyed getting back to knitting. I loved the yarn I used as it is soft and colorful, however in the future I think I will use a solid color for this pattern. I'm not sure if I like the self-striping for this particular pattern. Gotta go! On to the next project!

And the finished project on model #2

2010-10-01T16:12:00.002-05:00

I've taken a long knitting hiatus, but I found Laurie's blog and beside making me pee my pants with laughter, it makes me want to knit (and drink wine). Really though, the days are getting shorter, the nights cooler, and the treetops are tinged with the most beautiful amber color one could imagine; knitting season has arrived. So I allowed myself 30 minutes in the yarn store (any longer and I have to visit the bank for a short-term loan) to find something lovely with which to knit a hat.

So the yarn I chose is Chunky Mochi, color #805 by Crystal Place Yarns. It is 80% merino wool and 20% nylon. The hat pattern I chose is called "Brimming with Style" and I found it in hats gloves scarves by Louisa Harding. This is what it looks like:

I'll post my version once its completed. I'm not a fast knitter, so don't hold your breath while you wait!

Getting Sparked

2010-09-10T11:19:00.001-05:00

I recently joined The Gritty Bird Academy and decided to give Becky's Creative Spark Fridays a try. Here are the sparks for the week of 9/3-9/10:

**CREATIVE SPARK ONE**

•Artistic Theme•

Kaleidoscope of Color

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**CREATIVE SPARK TWO**

•Theme Words, Poem or Phrase•

the kaleidoscope turns

in patterns and colors

a swirl of blend

continually tossed

by each turn of the hand

within the tube are

prisms of light

easily colored

by the direction

it's pointed

and what was a star

becomes a flower

a shape disappears and

becomes a pattern

then shifts again

into the blend

beautiful glimpses

that tumble around

each small piece

a part of the whole

pieces of stardust

pockets of glitter

you know with each turn

nothing much matters

just that you turned

and looked at the colors

admired its moment

and swirled in the blend

- Debby Rosenberg

----------------------------------

**Creative SPARK THREE**

•Theme Color Palette•

You'll notice that the punch of pink in the image is missing from the color palette. I am not sure why it did not come through the generator but I am plan to add into my sparks, so please feel free to as well if you like!

And here's my Sparked Creation:

Golden Memories

2010-09-08T10:23:00.001-05:00

I have vivid memories of one Christmas in the early eighties when my dad and uncles gave my grandparents a VCR. It was the size of today's microwave and weighed 100 pounds! It was the most amazing thing to me. Along with the gift of the VCR, came the movie "On Golden Pond." I don't remember my grandparents ever having any other movies except the tapes my grandma "made" of PBS programming and "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." I watched "On Golden Pond" so many times, I think I must have had it memorized. The other night when I finally plopped exhausted onto the sofa, I was excited to see my husband had run across the movie while channel surfing. What was a girl to do but watch it one more time. I must confess after watching, I had to do some web-surfing of Squam Lake to check out the real estate market. If you are in the market for a little cottage with a $1-5 million dollar price tag, this is the lake for you!

2010-08-25T17:28:00.001-05:00

I've spent the last 2 1/2 weeks learning some metal-smithing techniques from Stephanie Lee. I can't tell you what an absolute blast it has been! Here's just a peek at what I've been creating.

Play Date with the Cuz!

2010-08-24T15:14:00.001-05:00

We had my nephew this weekend for an overnight stay. What fun to have a little boy around again!

And of course its always fun to have a little girl around!

Start Spreading the News...

2010-08-17T05:44:00.001-05:00

I'm leaving today. I want to be a part of it, New York, New York.

These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray. Right through the very heart of it, New York, New York

I want to wake up in a city that doesn't sleep, and find I'm king of the hill- top of the heap

My little town blues, they're melting away. I'm gonna make a brand new start of it, In old New York.

If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere.

It's up to you New York, New York!

Don't you worry New York, I'll be back!

Time to Fly

2010-08-09T10:10:00.001-05:00

It can't possibly be 18 years ago that I snapped this picture at a turf convention. And now here it is 2010 and my oldest has officially flown the coop.
Finger paints and Halloween parties at Jungle Ginny's, sandy everything from swimming at Hillsdale Lake, combined birthday parties at Hillsdale, laser tag, and the swimming pool, baseball bats turned stick horses, Power Rangers every Halloween, hikes and forts and campfires with s'mores, soccer games, basketball games, baseball games, football games, teaching his younger brother and sister to ride their bikes, dirt bikes and motor cross uniforms, golf cart rides, learning to drive, muddy uniforms in the washer, sprained ankles, sprained knees, torn shoulders, student council, LEO club, homecoming candidates, proms, so many memories to list. The feelings this transition brings are so opposed to each other; sadness that my little boy is no more and happiness and pride that he has become such a caring, compassionate, intelligent, and capable young man ready to begin his next great adventure. All the blessings of God and the universe to you Ash. Can't wait to see you soar!

It's Summer and the Livin' is...HOT!

2010-08-06T17:39:00.002-05:00

It's August in the Midwest and that means hot and humid. We are a ~~comfortable~~ sweltering 95 degrees today! Here's my prescription for cooling off: Great big glass full of ice, shot (everyone's definition of shot varies) of Passion Fruit Vodka, lemon wedge, lime wedge, and fill the rest with Peach Fresca. Perfect!

Good Things

2010-06-14T10:18:00.003-05:00

Despite all the "It goes so fast", "Enjoy every minute", "They'll be gone before you know it" advice, I wasn't emotionally prepared for this day. I thought I was; really. I made it through football season without tears, I wasn't sad when he decided not to play basketball his senior season; not even his last prom brought a tear to my eye. I had been telling myself all along that I had done my job. He's prepared. We had instilled in him a faith in God, a strong work ethic, a sense of responsibility and loyalty, a love for all that is America. I was ready. I was so proud. And then graduation day came and he said "Bye Mom, I'm gonna head over to the school now. I'll see you in a few minutes." And that started the waterworks. I just couldn't bear to watch him go. Despite my tears I was so happy for him and so proud. I look forward to watching the way he will meet the world head on. I cannot possibly describe the pride I felt as he addressed the crowd at graduation with such confidence, humor, and intelligence. There are good things to come from my boy. REALLY good things.

Congratulations Ash. Here's to many more GOOD THINGS.

It's In Their DNA

2010-05-12T15:49:00.001-05:00

Because I have my degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Kansas, I spent many hours debating Nature vs. Nurture. We also frequently discussed what toys you should allow children to play with (i.e. should boys play with guns and swords?) That was of course before I had 4 children of my own. I'm here to tell you, it doesn't matter what toys you give 'em, boys are going to turn it into a gun or a sword.

Exhibit A

And girls, well, they will turn the plastic packaging for garden hose washers into a phone.

Exhibit B

Here's to imaginative play at any age!

Yeah for Moms!

2010-05-10T16:23:00.001-05:00

What a way to spend a chilly Mother's Day morning in Kansas! 27 of us moms and kids left Louisburg at 6am and headed to Overland Park to participate in the Mother's Day 5K.

As you can see in the background, it is a tradition for groups to decorate a port-a-potty. Ours was "The Powercat Potty" and we had a fabulous time covering it from head to toe in purple. Being a Jayhawk myself, I liked to think of it as a LOUISBURG WILDCAT POTTY, but I must say I was very proud of the way it turned out. During the race the boys stayed back to gift the Powercat Potty patrons with purple Hershey's kisses, chewing gum, and purple hand sanitizer. Our potty placed 2nd in the competition to the group that wins it every year. Can you say RIGGED?

All along the race course were husbands, dads, brothers and kids cheering on the special women in their lives. Our own Andie even placed 3rd in her age group and 89th overall out of 3432 entrants!

I can't think of any other way I would have wanted to spend Mother's Day morning. We will definitely be adding this to our tradition list.

Our sentiments exactly Julia!

It's Official

2010-05-06T08:04:00.003-05:00

Many things have become official lately. We have moved from our big house in the country to our beautiful house by the lake in town, we have a contract on our big house in the country (yeah!), and we have a son getting ready to graduate from high school (what?). What I'm referring to though is the official start of summer for me; planting my pots for back deck and front stoop. I'm not lucky enough to live in a temperate climate like Mary Ann, so each spring I must drag out the pots, make a dash to the nursery, and get my hands dirty. Ahhh summer!

If only my hibiscus could live in the yard and greet me year after year!

Moss is my favorite to line my wire forms, but who knew it is harvested right alongside some illicit drugs! Every nursery that is lucky enough to get it in the door is witness to its immediate disappearing act. Coco fiber mat will have to suffice this year. With a little TLC these babies will cover it right up anyway.

Fuscia geraniums in hanging baskets. Love, love, love

Don't try to hide beautiful hibiscus bloom. You may just be the star of the show!

Things I Don't Like

2010-05-01T16:44:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I am copying Andrea's idea, but it just got me thinking. So here goes:

Laundry, you are a cliche, but really, must you breed in the dark corners of every closet AND the laundry room? There must be a solution.
Mean girls. 13 or 55, I just don't like you. Peace on earth will begin with us, girls so let's not tear each other down.
Musty towels. Enough said.
Flying, stinging insects. I know, I know you are necessary for my beautiful garden, but frankly, I'm afraid of you.
Cigarette smoke
Grammatical errors. Call me a speech snob, but blame it on my parents if you will.
Liver and onions. Really? Mom and Dad, this was cruel and unusual punishment. The one meal that could make me become a vegetarian!
Helicopter Moms. You know, the ones that hover around everything their children do, get in the airspace and kick up dust everywhere in their wake.

Why? or Things I Discovered While Cleaning My Kitchen Cabinets

2010-02-08T10:56:00.001-06:00

My kitchen cabinets have been calling to me for quite awhile now. Most days I tell them "hush, I have much more important things to do!" However, an impending move has me clearing spaces in my home that haven't seen the light of day for 11 years. So, inspired by Andrea's List Project, I thought I'd share with you some things unearthed from my kitchen cabinets today:

9 boxes of food coloring- Can there possibly be enough Easter egg coloring left in my lifetime to use this much?
4 jars of cinnamon sticks- Apparently we haven't been drinking enough "spiked" cider.
###!!! bottles of expired medication- If you are in the medical or pharmaceutical field, please just ignore this item!
A pedometer- Mom, I think I received this from you in my stocking a few years back. Sorry!
Door code to a vehicle we no longer own- My husband and my father-in-law have both been locked out of said truck. A locksmith was called on each occasion because the code was nowhere to be found.
6 packages of expired yeast- Try as I may, I did not inherit my grandmother's ability to make fabulous homemade bread.
A box of Tapioca pudding- Must have been purchased during one of my first 3 pregnancies on a craving-induced grocery store run.

Unfortunately, I could continue with this list, but alas, another corner of my home awaits me, my yellow trash bag, and my vacuum.

Wonderful Obsession

2010-02-05T12:10:00.001-06:00

I recently came across a photography technique called "through the viewfinder." It involves taking photographs with a "top" camera through the viewfinder of a vintage camera. Well, what was a girl to do but buy a couple of vintage cameras off eBay and give it a try! I waited patiently (not really) for my Argus Seventy-Five and my Kodak Duaflex II to arrive. The happy pair are pictured below.

Using an empty cereal box, i built my contraption for the Duaflex II, instructions courtesy of Russ Morris.

The following collage shows some of my favorite shots so far. The top two were taken with the Argus and the bottom two with the Kodak. I have to say my favorites are taken through the Argus Seventy-Five.

There is no doubt this will become another wonderful obsession!

Normal Daze

2010-01-29T09:48:00.005-06:00

I've been spending too much time lately perusing the wonderful, creative blogs of so many women. The need to create something beautiful and lasting is an urge that tugs at the soul of so many of us. Often the blogs I visit leave me feeling wistful for a lifestyle so different from my own. I happened across Molly's blog today and found these words which she had borrowed from Ali's blog, they shook me awake and so I share them with you.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return. ~Mary Jean Iron~

Although I can't bear to share with you pictures of the dishes that patiently await me in the sink, or the piles of laundry breeding down the hall, I will share pictures of the first of many times this day, Julia will empty the bookshelf.

So, normal day, I will embrace you. And at least for today, not wish you away.

ROD Journal Video

2010-01-25T11:40:00.002-06:00

ROD Journal from Jennifer Dover on Vimeo.

This is the journal I completed in Mary Ann Moss' online course, "Remains of the Day." I had so much fun making this journal and I have even started to fill it up! I can't wait to start my next journal.

Fill 'er Up Please!

2010-01-20T16:26:00.001-06:00

Growing up in a small town in Kansas, we had a few gas stations but my favorite was Blair's Station. You could have a tire changed, your oil changed, even your engine changed if need be, but the best part was that is was full service. You could just pull right up and within seconds someone was at your window and you could request "Fill 'er up please." Right now, in the dead of Kansas winter with a small child, I long for the days of full service gas stations! What I am truly excited for though, is to begin filling my new journal that I just completed in Mary Ann Moss' fabulous online journal making class Remains of the Day. Making the journal has been a creative journey in itself. Watch out! It is very possible you will become addicted to making these one-of-a-kind beauties!

Learn Something New Every Day

2010-01-18T21:17:00.001-06:00

I am taking an online class from Mary Ann Moss called "Remains of the Day." This is my journal cover that I completed today and I am so excited to get to work on the "guts" of the journal this week! Be sure to check out her blog where you can catch a glimpse of all of her fantastic travels too!

Summer Dreamin'

2010-01-08T17:08:00.001-06:00

As I sit with coffee in hand and peer out my bedroom window...

and see that the snow would love nothing better than to swallow whole the pool fence,

I'll just pretend it's July.

The Road Less Traveled

2010-01-07T10:38:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year! I'm not one much for New Year's Resolutions, but I've been thinking lately about the direction I want my life to take. It seems so often I am caught up in the race just blindly being herded along with all the rest, head down, nose to the grind stone. I am getting ready to start round two of a fabulous journaling class called Thought Threads and it has encouraged me to think more about possibility, direction, intention, and living a creative life. I want this year to be about traveling the road I choose, not the one everyone else is pointing to or heading down. The speed limit on my road will be much slower than most. That will give me time to be a part of the scenery, not look at it in my rear-view mirror. Here's to the road less traveled!

More From Journalfest

2009-11-06T11:22:00.001-06:00

This is the journal I prepared to take to Journalfest. It has a picture of my grandma on the front because she is one of my greatest inspirations. The following pages were done on the second day in Tracy Bunkers class. What fun to play with layers of gesso, paint, paper, fabric, stamps, etc!

The first day's class was Traci Bautista's "Graffiti Insriptions" where we learned many techniques with paint to create layers and layers of interesting texture. We also learned to make our own free-form stamps with craft foam and monoprints with overhead projector transparencies.

And after creating our fantastic canvases, we ripped them up to create a fun and funky journal. Mine holds all my trades, evidence, and memories from Journalfest.

My last day at Journalfest was spent in a writing workshop with Stephanie Lee. What a breath of fresh air that was!

Keeping Promises

2009-10-30T10:11:00.001-05:00

I promised in my post on December 6 of last year that I would post photos of the finished hat I was getting ready to start knitting. It is suddenly sad to me that this much time has gotten away from me. I've made a promise to myself to spend more time doing the things that bring me joy and to slow down and savor my wonderful life. So here's to promises. Pictures of finished hats, and a return to blogging, knitting, sewing, writing, loving, laughing, living...

The promised finished product. Maybe Julia will decide she likes hats this year... or not

A bonnet made from a recycled wool sweater and corduroy skirt

In honor of Journalfest... potholder journals

A Bo Peep skirt made from a recycled pillowcase

I'm Back!

2009-10-28T08:04:00.001-05:00

It's been too long. I have stayed away from my blog for so long now, it seems a lifetime ago. I just returned from a beautiful few days in Port Townsend, WA and now I am truly reinspired! It just takes a short time surrounded by wonderfully creative people and the juices begin to flow again. I must stay focused though. So many new techniques to try, so many new things to learn! I understand now why so many people go to the Northwest to find their creative muse. What a supremely beautiful place!

The views from Fort Worden State Park are incredible! This place will forever call to me. A big thank you to Teesha and Tracy Moore for the first ever Journalfest! You can check them out at
http://www.teeshamoore.com/ and http://www.zettiology.com/
I've learned so much. Now, I must honor it all by continuing my creative journey.

Snow Day

2008-12-12T13:59:00.001-06:00

We just got one of our first snows of the season and Julia was very intrigued by it. Her new trick is to holler to get everyone's attention (not that she doesn't already have it) when she wants something. She could see Bruce (the dog) outside on the deck and wanted to get at him or the snow. Once she was successfully side-tracked by the remote she was content to watch the snow fall from the window!

Hats Off!

2008-12-06T10:57:00.001-06:00

This is the hat I knitted most recently. I added a pin to it that I love. The picture below is Julia modeling her new hat. I loved the way it turned out so I decided to knit another similar one but larger. I love the yarn I have chosen because it is so bright and cheerful. It is very textured and reminds me of popcorn. This doesn't make for quick and easy knitting, but I am sure the finished project will be very interesting. The yarn is from Yarn Bee and is called Artistry. The color is Picasso. I've included a picture of the started project. As soon as it is finished I will post of picture of it also.

Inspiration

2008-12-05T11:42:00.001-06:00

These are my boys Ashton and TJ. They inspire me to work hard for worthy causes.

This is Ali. She inspires me to be honest and to make an attempt at patience.

This is Julia. She inspires me to be creative.

Why Gosh O'Hemlock?

2008-12-05T10:17:00.000-06:00

I think I had a magical childhood. At the very least it was fantastic. Being the oldest of four girls, I thought I was always in charge. Three of my cousins lived next door (okay, a mile down the gravel road). And I got to see the other seven on a regular basis. We had horses and dogs and barn cats. We even had mean roosters that would peck at my ankles when I went out the back door. We packed peanut butter sandwiches and disappeared into the woods behind our house for the day. We swam in the pond, skinny-dipped in stock tanks, ran throught sprinklers, camped out in the back yard, and rode our horses bareback. We wore hand-me-downs (I put garage sale finds in this category too) and hand-made clothes. I'm not sure how old I was when my aunt taught us "The Antisdel Song". We sang it with gusto and believed every word. It goes like this: "I'm a hayseed. My hair is seaweed. My ears are made of leather and they flop in windy weather. Gosh O'Hemlock, I'm tough as a pine knot. I'm an Antisdel can't you see!" It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized it was just an old camp song that she had substituted a few words in. It made no difference though. As children we were important enough to have our own family song! So now at 37, with four children of my own, 17, 13, 10, and my youngest (a big surprise) 7 months, I need a creative outlet. My mother passed along a love of sewing and knitting to me and I got to thinking about my childhood hand-me-down clothing. I'm sure she didn't realize it, but my mother was on the cutting edge of "green living" over 30 years ago. This is where my idea for repurposed (aka hand-me-downs) and embellished clothing came from. My creative juices are just beginning to flow, so I'll try to post some pictures of my one-of-a-kind Gosh O'Hemlock creations as they become available.