Wordless Wednesday ~ Roses~

Wordless Wednesday ~ Quote of the Day

Wordless Wednesday~Spring?

Gardening: A Family Affair

We are definitely what you would call outdoors-y.

Planting a garden is just something that's a part of our family routine.

My husband and I both have a background in horticulture. 

I no longer practice professionally, 

but my husband on the other hand...he's an owner of a large landscape contracting business in Charlottesville.

So, I'd say we have our fair share of plant and landscape knowledge in the house.

Working with plants.

It's what we do.

And we love it.

And 

uhhhhh 

it may or may not 

be rubbing off on our kids.

Gardening started out as a hobby for me. My husband and I actually met at work. We were both working at a local garden center.

I guess one could even say that the love of plants brought us together.

Awwww, how sweet.

Aren't you feeling the mushy mushy that I'm bringing?

Well, I guess where I'm going with this post is:

We are bringing our kids up, they only way we know how.

With the same love that brought us together.

Plant love baby.

Plant love.

And welp.

It's spring time.

And what better way to spend the sunny day, than planting seeds together.

Cause the family the plays in the dirt together, stays in the dirt together.

You like that??

Ummmm yeah.

I just made it up.

Or kinda tweaked the original version.

 You know

for all us plant lovers out there.

These guys love it. 

They love it love it love it.

Did I say that too many times??

Oooopsy. 

I'm sure if you asked them though.

They'd reply the same.

"....we LOVE it!"

"Cheeese Mom...we're dirty!"

I'm not exactly sure these two did much planting...

I do know

 they were there for "assistance" if needed.

Happy helpers!

That's little miss Eleanor.

She's helping with the onions.

And it's funny

our kids won't eat the onions we buy, 

but they sure do love the onions we grow!

Must be that extra special love we throw into the ground with every bulb.

Momma was happy too.

Cause who doesn't love getting dirty with their kiddos?

Well folks.

That about does it for me.

We got all our cool season stuff in the ground yesterday and it felt great to check that off the list.

Peas, beets, radishes, spinach, lettuce, onions, garlic...

I still have plugs to plant. But those will have to wait until the snow passes. 

The seeds won't germinate right away

so they should be fine.

It's the freezing temps that would do the actual foliage plants in.

Honestly, we waited a bit too long to plant our seeds, but we are still gonna give it our best shot.

Cause that's what a good dirt lovin' little family would do.

XOXO

April

Wordless Wednesday~Seeds

Recipes Your Kids Will Love!

I hate to cook.

There.

I said it.

I know, I know...being a mother, you must think...how does she do it? How does she feed her family if she doesn't cook??

Well

Uhhhh

I cook 

I'm just sayin'

it ain't always good folks

it ain't always good.

I do try, I promise! 

And sometimes, just sometimes, my food comes out looking yummy, and everyone enjoys the deliciousness I created.

But 90% of the time, I get an scrunched up nose.

Pursed lips.

Closed mouths all around.

And yes

even a few have dry-heaved at the table!

There are many many things I am good at

but cooking

Is. A. Big. Fat.

NO.

Now

with that being said....

I started googling ways to make dinner and snacks a little more exciting around the 'ol house.

 Here is what I came up with:

Nutella Breakfast Pizza via A Thrifty Mom

Who doesn't love Nutella?? 
I mean yuuuum!
And fresh fruit, so easy, and good for you too.
Next, I found these:
Pretzel Dip Sticks via Parenting.com

Such a fun treat

anytime of the year.

These are done with spring colors

perfect for Easter :)

This next one is my favorite 

and we have yet to try it

but gosh darn

it looks so good:

PB & J Pops via Weelicious

Last but not least:

Heart Shaped Eggs and Toast

We've actually made this.

And it was awesome.

The kids love love loved them!

And as they say

the proof is in the pudding.

A sure fire winner.

And you can find the recipe at marthastewart.com.

Martha,

you've still got it.

Go girl.

Hope you enjoy these fun recipes.

And if you're anything like me, 

I hope you find a little joy in the kitchen again :)

Happy cooking!

XOXO

April

Boys Will Be Boys

Boys will be boys.
I know you've heard that saying before.
And the older my little rascals get, the more it rings true.
I mean come on.
How often do you see a little boy holding a stick in his back pocket like a gun?
Or goggles are worn as "sun glasses".
Every game is turned into Cops and Robbers.
Fingers are always muddy.
Worms are pets.
And every new animal is always called 'Spike'.

Thumbs up mom!

He's such a good sport when it comes to the camera.

And he doesn't mind when his little brother pretends to choke him. 
Lordy.
Where did those sunglasses come from??

These two really are best buddies.
Even though half the time, 
they are beating each other up...
playfully!

And some little boys....
well, they just don't grow up. 
But that's okay, I love that he's a little silly. Cause I'm the first to admit....that in our house, I'm the serious one!
And in case you were wondering...
Yes, that's my hat, lol, not his :)
~

We got our first baby chicks yesterday.
This breed is called Dixie Rainbow Mix.
I've never heard of it, but since we already had most of the other breeds, we decided to try a new one this time.

Don't you just want to love it and hug it and squeeeeeeze it until the head pops off? 
Ooops.
Sorry.
I got carried away.
Teeheehee
They're just soooooo cute
 And I wish they stayed this small...forever and ever.
This little one hung out in bed with me last night.
They're all so squishy!! 
~
I also got a little crafty the other night. Decided to decorate my client CD covers. The plain cardboard seemed so boooooring...

So what does one do when they have extra scrapbook paper??
You guessed it.
Mod Podge to the rescue.
Seriously,
 I would Mod Podge my entire house and everything in it,
 if my husband let me. 
Business has been picking up, and on top of all these events I've been co-chairing, this little momma needs a break.
But there's no time for a break when you're in high demand!
Last night I took on another challenge and was asked to photograph the local Miss Louisa Pageant.  
I'm very excited about all these new opportunities coming my way.
Yay!
I guess on that note, it might be time to clean my house.
The dishes, laundry, and mopping sure won't take care of themselves:)
Happy Saturday to you, I'm off to photograph a wedding event rental business today....
And I'm very excited! 
XOXO
April

First Official Snow!

Yaaaaaay! 
How bout it folks, we are finally getting some snow. And as much as I complain about how I hate the snow....ugh, I have to admit, it is kinda pretty. 

Okay there.

I said it.

The darn snow is pretty. 

I really miss being tan though.

Like really miss it.

And I miss the heat.

Is that too much to ask? 

Oh summer, how I miss thee.....

Okay, I'm done.

Right-te-o, back to the snow.

So after dropping off my littlest at preschool this morning, I headed over to my daughters school to help out.

They've been working with counting money (I know, I'm a pro right?) so I stopped in to help with that.

When it was time to leave, I grabbed a bunch of girls from school to drop them off with their mommas. We had a blast on the way back, singing songs.....bee-bopping all around town. 

Gotta love girl time!

Anyhoo, I dropped the girls off where they belonged and headed to the dreadful grocery store. This Momma didn't have all the proper snack foods one needs while being snowed in.

We also stopped off at Southern States for some fresh bedding for the chickens.

Those poor guys, it's quite the muddy mess out there. And I just couldn't let them stay all cooped up in a mess!

Well, guess what this gal did today?

Came home and started shoveling nasty poo-hay, and tarped up the coop. 

In. The. Snow. And. Ice.

And ya know what??

Normally one would complain.

Nope.

Not me!

I had a blast working out there. 

Look at all the mud. 

I left tracks in the grass too...ummm, oops.

I was wheeling it outta that coop like a mad woman, lol

But the chore had to be done!

And now, thanks to little 'ol me, the chickens can stay dry.

 I know.

It's not very pretty.

But the food is dry and the floor is clean.

Now....

if only the dummies would get outta the weather and into  where it's warm!

See all the mud? It's a yucky mucky mess.

And I was slippin all over the place. 

But like I said....

It was fun, and I promise, I'm not joking.

Remember.

I did two mud runs last year, so I think we can all agree.

April Loves Mud.

April Loves Vintage.

April Loves...Snow?

Well, there's one thing about a good wellie boot...

They're great for gettin' mucked up.

And they shine up even prettier.

Okay, almost shine up.

I really just dig the colors in this picture. And in case you were wondering, I took this picture last spring.

**sigh**

Hope everyone enjoys the snowfall.

Haaaappy shoveling to you!

XOXO

April

From the Garden to the Table...Eggs!

Funny how time gets away from you.

I've found myself becoming busier and busier,
 and not by choice either.

Sometimes things just fall into my lap

 and I always seem to say yes...

with gumption too!

And with our busy lives, things get put on the back burner.

Like this darn blog!!

Sheesh, I really wish I could keep up with it better.

I know there's a happy medium, 

but gosh darn it.

I've had writers block for the last 6 months, lol!

I would definitely say that 2012 was

 a grand slam, 

bomb diggity,

kick butt 

year.

We had some good times, 

and some bad times.

 I managed I stick out the bad, 

and let the good times roll.

~

I'm still rolling with the punches on this photography thang...seeing where the wind takes me.

But I have a feeling

 I'm gonna have to "up my game" this year.

I've already booked two weddings.

So dear lord almighty,

I hope you prepare me.
~

From the Garden to The Tabe is a series I started here on my blog last summer. 

My garden inspired me to write this series, but alas, I got caught up in the hustle and bustle.

And well

she kinda fizzled.

But no worries my friends, 

I thought maybe a snippet would boost my creativty again.

So here goes nothing.

From the Garden to the Table....

Eggs!
And yes.

I'm well aware that eggs do not come from the garden.

But, we raised the chickens, and they produced the eggs, just like growing the garden produces fruits and veggies for us.

And well,

the chickens poop in the garden too, making it all high in nitrogen and"crap", literally, lol! 
So really.
It's two fold :)

So there she goes.

Hopefully this post, along with some warmer weather, 

will inspire me (and maybe you) to write a little more...

garden a little more, 

take a little more pictures,

and be more creative!
Til next time...

XOXO

April

Blogging...Instagram Style

How was your Christmas? Did you get snow?

I know some of you live in places where you joyfully had a white Christmas.

Us, we had a "dusting" if you will. 

And then it was gone.

I've spent the last two weeks with this nasty cold that has been going around. And the rainy cold weather hasn't been helping any.
But, somehow, we've managed to get out and enjoy ourselves.
We went on a tacky Christmas light tour in Richmond.
I had never been before and it was kinda fun!
Apparently this home has been featured on USA Today, Fox News, and TLC. 
Cool right?
It definitely was the best home of the night.

 I got kinda crafty this year, (thanks to my friends and Pinterest of course).

Mod Podge may or may not be my newest craft obsession. 

But i'll let you figure that out for yourself :)

I made picture frames, wooden letters, felt flowers, yarn wrapped wreaths, and I also mod podged family pictures onto canvas's I purchased at Walmart...yes, Walmart!! Acutally, since I hate hate hate to drive anywhere, I actually got all my supplies at Walmart.

Cool huh?

And speaking of mod podge, I got the coolest gift EV-ER from my friend Margaret....

She made this ornament for all us girls. We've done a lot this year together, and I mean a LOT.

It's gotta be the most thoughtful gift. Sure do love that girl!

~ 

Christmas has gotten cleaned up for the most part. Still contemplating the tree take down. I've really been enjoying the lazy days around the house with the kids.

Still trying to fight this horrid cold, but I think a trip out to DC tomorrow to visit the museums may do the trick.

I hear there's an awesome LEGO display at the building museum. But that's after we check out the Native American museum, there's a horse exhibit, and.....well, we have a horse lover in the house!

Always loving on Daisy....if we had somewhere to put her, she'd definitly be happy! I'm getting sick of telling her that "No, the horse can't stay in your room."

~

Here's our last attempt at a family picture ON Christmas Eve.

I swear.

I just plain give up on a nice picture!!

Look at Eleanor, such a doll. She's the only one who seems to pay attention to the camera :)

Well folks, that's it from me until next year.

XOXO

April