neighbors

I think the very best part about all of our back yard projects has been reconnecting with our whole neighborhood. We live on a very friendly street- actually, alley and street. And the neighbors are so excited to see what we're up to. Rory, Ivar and I went for a walk a few nights ago and never made it out of the alley. We stopped and talked to seven houses.

Oprah's last Oprah

On Wednesday, Oprah will air her show finale and my sister just happens to be in town for a wedding. If there is one person I'd like to watch the finale with, it would be Annika. We used to watch a whole lot of Oprah together growing up. So I sent her this personal evite and we've got a viewing date.

I haven't watched Oprah in ages, but I have been tuning in these last final episodes. Something about it actually does feel sort of momentous. No matter what you think of her, the woman has had a whole lot on influence.

Art Day

I got the greatest invitation from a crafty friend of mine. She asked if I wanted to join her art club and described it as something similar to a book club, but instead of reading books they gather monthly and get creative. I actually squealed at the computer when I got this thoughtful, super-fun invitation. I missed my first month because Ivar had a fever, but I was able to go this past month and took my first stab at mosaic.

The morning was fantastic...full of good food, good conversation and the time and space to try something new. One person hosts each month and chooses the project, sends a link to what we're going to make as well as a supply list of what we should bring. In this case, we brought our own pot, tiles and hot glue gun, but she supplied the grout and sponges. I loved doing a new project group-style. It felt less intimidating to try something new this way.

And you know the very best part? I didn't have to come up with some excuse as to why I didn't finish the book...

a message from cheerbear

Hi everybody,
My name is Cheerbear and I come from the land of Care-a-lot. The thing is, when you come from a place like Care-a-lot, you tend to care for other people. A lot. So imagine my worry when I heard that Mara, Becca's 6-year-old niece lost her dear Bedtime Bear while driving back to Montana from Minnesota! Word has it, they think it fell out of the car at a rest stop! Oh, how terribly sad for Mara! She misses that carebear a lot and feels especially sad at night. And who could blame her?

Now, I'm not worried about Bedtime Bear. We Carebears actually enjoy a change of scenery once in a while and find that a big move across the country can be quiet the awesome adventure. We're very happy wherever we are, because we have come to find that people are very good to us and we tend to make friends easily!

Anyway, when I heard that Mara is missing her dear Bedtime Bear, I came up with a plan. I bravely decided that just like Bedtime Bear is enjoying new surroundings at some truck stop somewhere in South Dakota, it might be time for me to go on an adventure to Montana.

So this week, I am going to travel to a land I've never been, called Montana. I can't wait. And Mara will be my new bedtime snuggler.

When I told my stuffed friends of my plans, Stuffed Squirrel just couldn't contain his excitement and begged that he be allowed to come along for sister Sonna. And you know, I'm so relieved to have a companion on my journey. Everything is more fun with a friend.

So this is goodbye, Becca's blog friends. I am off to the mountains, and hope dearly that one day I might return to Minnesota. But until then I'll be living the dream with Stuffed Squirrel.

Sincerely,
Cheerbear

lilacs

My favorite smell in the world is lilac. Our backyard is lined with nine lilac bushes and they fill the air with the strongest, most fantastic lovely smell.

I remember last year, Rory and I were taking a walk in Gretna and found a backyard filled with lilac bushes just like our place in Minneapolis. We were smelling the flowers when the owners of the home came outside. By the time we left their yard they invited us to come back with vases and scissors to cut our own bouquets. And we did. A couple different times over the next 10 days.

I think that is how lilacs should work...if you don't have your own, you should really find someone to make you a bouquet. And if you have a whole bunch, you should be responsible to share them with others. The blooming season is just so short, it should really be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Let me know if you need a lilac partner and I'll hook you up :)