Thursday, April 16, 2015

The first mark!

I've been letting perfectionism get the best of me. But today I decided to just go for it and do the first artwork in my Sketchbook Project sketchbook. Right smack dab in the middle. The theme of my book is "My North Woods". Here ya go!

I really enjoyed painting this. If I mess something up in the sketchbook it will just have to be that way. It's only a sketchbook, after all. I think that's the whole point of the project; to experiment and have fun and see what happens.

More animals and north woods related things to come. I've had this picture in my head for quite some time. Now I'll have to come up with a new idea!

The realtors came and asked numerous questions. They seem to think we need to figure out about my Dad's piece of property adjacent to mine before listing the property. Once we sell, that piece of property is landlocked and pretty much worthless. So, that will take some extra time as they do some investigative work.

Meanwhile, we hired a new gal at the deli...and two more are leaving. Just as the tourist season is about to hit us. We are so short-handed!! I think my character (and ability to survive) is about to be sorely tested.

Think I'll rustle up some lunch and read or something. That darn cold is still hanging on. Or is it allergies? Whatever! ;)

Talk to you folks later! Shalom!

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Recovery and discovery...

Came down with a cold Thursday night. Sore throat and achy all over. I felt a little better yesterday, but I'm glad to have the weekend to recover. Still headachy and my throat is the slightest bit sore. I'm taking it easy, drinking lots of tea and watching, of all things, videos about Cornish mines! These are beautiful old ruins and I find them fascinating. And I now know what an engine house is and what it was used for. Here, have a look.
http://www.wildlifeincornwall.com/cornish-engine-houses/pascoes-shaft/
The link above will take you to the website where there are multiple videos to watch. Here's one to begin with. I feel like I've been on a trip to Cornwall. Beautiful!


Otherwise, I'm trying to do some house cleaning and planning for my meeting with the realtors on Monday. Yes, my house may not draw any interested buyers, but on the other hand, it may! There are so many things to plan. Lists! Make lists! :) 

But, with all of this, I am trying to rest. Here's to another cup of tea and more videos. Maybe something uplifting and entertaining?

Micah and Adam are making a journey to Fargo today (90 miles) with the three little ones. Micah posted on Facebook that Hazel was sitting in the back seat with a pouty face and she said, "I'm not happy. I'm sad." Micah asked, "Why are you sad?", to which Hazel responded, "I want Grandma!" Ha ha! This tells me that Hazel was getting impatient with all that car travel and knew that if only she could get to Grandma there would be treats and she could play with forbidden toys stored on the high shelf. Mwahaha.

You may not have noticed, but my blogging was just interrupted by a phone call from my baby brother, Mark. His calls are usually fairly short and just about daily happenings. I enjoy it because it makes me feel like we live just down the block from each other, instead of 1,000 miles apart. He's fun to talk to. We're just getting to know each other after many years of not being in touch.

We're having beautiful weather, though we could sure use some rain. I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend full of God's shalom. :)

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Well, Mags...

...if you must know, I watched The Railway Children! :)



If you read my last post, this is one of the British movies I found through the Anglotopia website. I look forward to many more!

We're pressing onward with putting my house on the market. At this point I will be relieved when the whole process is over and I've found a more permanent place to live. I don't like this feeling of being in a holding pattern aka limbo. I think it's time to move on and let go. This little farm was a wonderful place for our children to run free and explore; to play and grow. But now that they're all grown and going on with their lives I feel like I should do the same. I'm praying that someone will come along who can really see the potential in this place.

My sketchbook is still empty. I must make that first mark!!
Too tired right now...

Seeing lots of tornado alerts on TV. Hope you are all safe and sound in your homes.

Shalom. :)

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

England and Spring..

What more could you ask for? :)



I'm enjoying many of the offerings at the Anglotopia website. They have great lists of British movies and TV shows, plus lots of fun trivia.

It's a day off. I'm leaving in a few minutes to ride along with Micah and the girls to Adele's first baby checkup.

Have a great day!

Shalom.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Sisters...

I love the expression on Audrey's face. So proud and excited to be a big sister once again.

She's become a little girl seemingly over night. A big three year old! But still my grandbaby in many ways. Hazel was in the background somewhere. She's interested in new baby Adele, and thinks she's "SO CUTE!", but many other things are also interesting. We look forward to lots of fun with these three sisters!

I'm enjoying "Elizabeth and Her German Garden". At first I wasn't sure about her. She seemed to dislike her husband whom she referred to as The Man of Wrath. But as I read further my viewpoint was changed a bit. I'm still only a third of the way through, but I find her descriptions of her thoughts very much like my own. We are strange birds. ;) It's a real page turner. It's been a while since I've read a book that captured my attention as this one has.

Back to reading and drinking my decaf. Hope you have a cozy evening and a Happy Easter. It is finished! Shalom.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Meet Adele JoLee Yliniemi...

And if you can't pronounce her last name...you're not alone! :)

Yil'-uh-nee-mee. Now you're in the know.

First, here's a shot of Micah and Adam last night as they arrived at the hospital.


There was talk of inducing, but she was far enough along they decided to forego that. Very glad! Micah wanted to experience a water birth, so that's what they did. She gave birth 2-1/2 hours after arriving at the hospital. She said it was very quick and "relatively" easy. She credits the water bath with being very relaxing. She stopped having contractions for about 20 minutes, then had two very hard ones, and there was Adele! Her regular doctor arrived a few minutes too late to help, but the ER doctor did a great job. (Micah says, the ER doctor has nicknamed her Garbage Gut because she always arrives at the clinic with a pop and candy bar!)

Here's Micah's Facebook announcement just a few hours ago:

She's here! Adele JoLee was born March 31st at 11:25pm. 6lbs 12oz and 19.5 inches of sweet, squishy baby I couldn't have asked for a more perfect water birth experience and we are very thankful everyone is healthy and feeling great!

Exactly the same size as sister Audrey was!

Mom and baby doing fine!
Thanks for prayers! God has blessed us once again.

Shalom to all!