sun, day 2

Good Morning, friends.

We are on day two of sunshine and I am soaking it in. It has been a wet, dreary fall so far and I'm learning to truly appreciate each sunny day, as if it were a gift.

Yesterday, I actually found myself out on the mower--mowing our grass in the middle of November. I have to say, I'm sad to see that job disappear for the winter. It is one of my favorite things--ipod on, children can't interrupt me, seeing the trail of accomplishment (mowed grass) behind me. And to top it off, the mower we use is one of those commercial zero-turn kinds. The kind that spins on a dime. I think you all know how much I enjoy a good power tool. And this, though much bigger, falls in the same category. And when you have as much grass to mow as we do, a little riding mower would take half a lifetime to get the job done.

Did I just write about riding mowers on my blog?? I'm turning into my husband....

Last week was a long one--Dan was home sick for two days, which always seems to throw everything off, even though we barely saw him emerge from the guest bedroom. And the girls and I were on house arrest the rest of the week, as my car was in need of brake repair. Let's just say, when it gets to the point of grinding, it's time to change the brakes. Thank goodness, my husband could do it, and save us the astronomical costs of repair.

Did I just talk about changing my car's brakes on my blog? I am turning into my husband...(I did refrain from talking about the frozen calipers [my new vocab from the weekend])....

We also had rain all week and by Friday the girls (and I) were suffering from a severe case of cabin fever. I could tell they had huge amounts of energy that needed to be expended, so I got them going on a project. I figured they could expend that energy in a creative form. Creative therapy, I like to call it.

So we pulled out the iron and ironing board and my big basket of fabric scraps and began cutting out triangles for what will eventually become a little flag banner to hang above the beds in their room. Each child had a job--Mary turns out to be an excellent iron-er. And Emma traced and cut out (with pinking shears) all the triangles.

Elizabeth "sorted" the scrap basket. And Ruby laid behind me and chewed up tiny bits of fabric scraps and paper. She's such a help.

Immediately, the mood of the house changed. The girls settled down and became engrossed with their jobs. Emma, who loves a good project, began to talk my ear off. I barely spoke through the whole project except to answer a few questions, or agree with the things she was sharing with me. It seemed like all that energy was coming out through her hands, and her mouth.

It was a great way to break the week's foul mood.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

In other news, the winner of Friday's Show & Tell giveaway is Emily Preston.

Emily, please send me an email (you'll find it on the About Molly page) and let me know you're mailing info. I'll get the book out to you asap.

Comments

[Mary Anne]

Do you have pictures of the girls' finished projects?
My daughter made a "birthday banner" like this and it ended up hanging in the kitchen for a month!
http://missmaryannesunshine.blogspot.com/2009/10/friday-foto-finish-1022009.html

She's been bugging me for a new project, so I'm looking for something she can do for Christmas. Now to just find the time to fit it all in. This working for a living thing is really cramping my style!

[Jennifer]

Great that you found a creative way to get all of that energy out. Love the fabrics for the bunting.

[Sarah Jackson]

maybe that's what we need today - a good group craft project. It's already becoming a heck of a week. Ugh.

[Kelly]

I'd love to see a finished project when you get there!

And yay for sun!

[blair]

I would have loved to have been right in the thick of all those fabric scraps with you. Oh, and Peter's got riding mower envy too...big time. xo

[beth]

Well, I know wiil think of mowing the lawn i na whole new way! Those fabrics for the bunting are too cute!

[Amy]

It's kind of amazing how everything feels easier and lighter when the sun is out.

[Mama Urchin]

oh those molly birds....

[*c from rock my world]

i just discovered your blog, and i love it!
that top picture is gorgeous, and the fabric triangles look so fun.

[Ann Voskamp @ Holy Experience]

I love this quiet place.
Thank you, Molly...
For being a retreat... you, your life, your words.

Thank you...
All's grace,
Ann

[sandy]

i've always wanted one of those mowers!
and what a sweet project everyone can partake in.
i agree with ann...your space is real retreat that i am thankful for also.

[mama-pan]

Oh, we've been fighting the rainy-week cabin fever, too. I love the banner-to-be; what great fabric choices. For us, the "escape" came in the form of papercutting (we like Rebecca Emberley's books: http://www.amazon.com/My-School-Escuela-Rebecca-Emberley/dp/0316000507/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258557010&sr=8-9 )and a trip to the indoor pool. I scraped my knee something awful but it was totally worth the tired late-afternoon peace that followed.