out for some fresh air

I have recently fell in love with hanging my clothes out to dry. Why have I put it off for so long? I guess my biggest excuse was that my condo's backyard is really just about patio sized. I didn't want the clutter of a clothesline cutting off any pathways for us. Then we got that amazing January heat wave and I just couldn't resist. I strung up a very temporary rope, web-like, across the patio and hung about 3 loads worth out to dry. That very day, a friend stopped by on her bike to show me her latest purchase- a retractable clothesline- I fell in love. We've had some rain since, and I haven't actually purchased the new clothesline, yet, but count me in as a converted clothes dryer.

BOOKS!

Today is library day! hip hip hurray!! My girls and I go to the library once a week, sometimes Tuesday, sometimes Thursday. The girls hop out of the car and skip, or run, down the cement path right into the library with giggles and excitement. They help unload the bag on the return counter and then are off to get lost in the stacks. Ruby is hooked on the American Girls series, and Ginger always finds a stack of good read alouds. I always put a bunch of books on hold through the library's online system, so I know there will always be a good stack of "classics" waiting for us.

Ginger's latest phase has been to engulf herself in a good, long, chapter book. She'll grab an old favorite (one she's heard before, i.e. Little House on the Prairie) and hunker down and go through page by page, letting the pictures remind her of whats happening in each particular page, or chapter. Wearing a prairie dress often helps her "get into character".

What's Your Lucky Number?

We have a winner!! April of Fresh and Fun has just won herself a hat!! April, please contact me with your address and which hat you prefer from my shop, and I'll send it right over.

I'd like to thank each and every one of you who participated in my very first giveaway. I was so tickled with all your positive comments and encouragement. I feel so welcomed into blog-land, and will definitely be staying a while. Thanks so much!!

Spring Has Sprung

Well, in my mind, spring has sprung. This may seem odd since the weather we are having is the most like winter we've had all season. But I don't care, I'm going with my gut feeling, and I feel like it's time to make spring dresses!

This is definitly my most favorite thing to sew, and I love to make them with recycled vintage bed linens. Anyone recognize this print from their childhood?

There's still plenty of time for you to get your name in for the hat giveaway, don't miss out.

Hat Giveaway

In celebration that winter is now more than halfway over, and I am pleased to notice that just next month spring will be here, I am going to be giving away one of my crocheted hats!!

By leaving a comment right here on my blog, I will enter your name into a big hat to be drawn exactly one week from today, Sunday February 15th. The winner will be able to pick from the hats available in my shop, which come in an assortment of colors and sizes.

Now, if you really want one of these babies I'll even give you an extra chance to win by posting about this giveaway on your blog (and letting me know) I'll enter your name a second time into the drawing!

P.S. While your in the giveaway mood, you might want to head over to my dear friend Toni's blog Simple Sparrow. She has an incredibly creative mind and is a very talented photographer. She has made some lovely journals and is giving one away!!