And the winner is...

Regina!

Wanted to use random.org, but will save that for another day. Check it out, it's a pretty cool website.

Regina, I'll be in touch~

Yee-haw

I know there are a lot of you out there that don't care for country music, but in our household, it's a staple. Our alarm clock is set to the local station, Michael always has it playing in the garage, and we usually listen to it in the car. Michael's ipod is a strange mix of music and not very kid-friendly, and my little ipod is stuck in Maggie's boombox....but that's a whole other story. Our friend Ken refers to country music as "goat-ropin' " music. The lyrics can be a little cooky sometimes, but overall, it's fun, energetic, feel good music.

We went to a country concert the other day and listened to some bands. I was there mostly to hear Little Big Town, but I also liked One Flew South (note to self: get some of their music). It was Maggie's first concert. A little loud for her, so we walked around a lot and left a little early (ok by me-not a big Billy Ray Cyrus "Achy Breaky Heart" fan).I love concerts and easily get starstruck. Michael can take or leave them but he's a sport and often will go with me. When we do go, it seems to be along the lines of country or bluegrass since we agree on that genre. I don't see him going to an Enya concert with me (hmm...not sure she's ever been on tour, that would be an odd one) :-)

As for bluegrass, nothing will cure the longing I have these days. With Nickel Creek apart, what is a girl to do? Punch Brothers, Allison Krauss, solo acts...they just don't fill that empty spot. But I keep trying and next up is Sara Watkins solo CD. Oh, how I would love for those three to get back together...it's not off the table so here is to dreaming.

Half birthday

How time flies. I know all parents say this and I've been told to cherish these special moments because they don't last forever. It's so true. We are excited every day to be parents to this little girl. We get to shape her world day by day. Often we make good choices, sometimes we try and then try again.

I love to be girly with Maggie. I think if I put one more decorative headband on her Michael will freak out. She is all smiles and she has made friends of all ages everywhere she goes, breaking mom out of her mold and forcing her to talk with everyone. She loves being on the top of dad's shoulders and digs the walks he takes her on. Mom, not so good with that one.

Maggie, you have always been a great sleeper but these days you call out for us more. You have the prettiest eyes. They are still a slate blue but there is a little brown coming in. You are on your second growth of hair, but it's still really short and mostly light brown. Everyone says you have red hair but I don't really see it.

You are a great camper and look pretty cute all bundled up. Mom loves dressing you in handknits.

You get to see Nana, Papa, Lita, Papito, Auntie Shay, Cousin Eden, and Auntie Sylvia often. You and Eden have a special language ("Maggeeee" or "Maggie down") and Auntie Sylvia's dog Mya made you laugh a lot the other day.Your room is about to get painted in the color "Hawaiian Shell". It's been a light blue but soon it will be a light rosey pink.

You seem lengthy and slim but you are getting little chubby thighs and arms. Everyone think you are petite. You have dimples on both cheeks and while we're on that subject, you have some great cheeks! Just like daddy. I love your soft warm skin and can't wait to snuggle with you more this fall and winter.

We love you!

Special package

I'm doing a little give away of something crafty, so all you crafty folks out there, read on!

While in Oregon I visted a favorite art gallery in the strangest of places. It's a non-profit where local artists sell their goods and the profits go back into the local community center. The town is very rural and poor, but this art gallery is a shining star along an otherwise non-descript little main street.

Recently, I've fallen in love with handknit/crocheted dishclothes. I've made a few, recieved a few as gifts, and now I'm using them in the kitchen and with Maggie when she's eating in her high chair. I'm sure there are endless uses for them. I'm currently making one that is kind of snazzy from the Mason-Dixon knitting book. So, I've decided to give away a couple crocheted dishclothes from this art gallery with a little "Miso Pretty" hand soap, persimmon and wild orchid-scented. How can you resist? Maybe they will accent your own kitchen or bathroom. The dishclothes are bright and sunny and two different crochet patterns.
Leave me a comment if you'd like to be considered in the drawing and I'll pick a winner at random as soon as I hear from you all :-)

Summer vacation

We've returned from a week vacationing in Oregon. This picture above is from a drive through the valley and low and behold, what did we see? A couple cowboys hearding their cattle across the highway. I enjoyed the "view" as Michael hopped out and snapped a couple pics. What a tourist.

We had the option to stay in a little cabin or put up a tent. I've done both before, but we opted for the tent this year thinking we'd have more space. Seriously though, after a couple nights in less than 40 degree weather and sleeping on an aerobed that kept losing air, I was reeling for the cabin! All in all, we had a wonderful time. This was Maggie's first trip to Oregon, let alone camping for this long. She was a champ. We would bundle her up to look like a little bear at night and I swear those nights were the soundest we've slept in awhile. Travelling with a baby is definitely a new road, but we wouldn't have it any other way. We're not as "get up and go" as we once were. Instead we opted for small walks, hanging out, and quiet time during naps. She tried new foods on the trip, including mashed banana and squash, and she loves whatever we give her. She started babbling more with different sounds that only parents catch onto. The minute we heard it we looked at eachother and laughed. You can catch her now saying "bababa" or "mamama" if you're lucky. She also is putting more weight on her legs if you try to stand her up.

Our trip was a mix of so many little things that made it great - watching a cutting horse competition, eating great food and drinking great wine, visiting my favorite little crafty art gallery, a little knitting here and there, nature walks, card games at night after the kids went to bed, getting the tractor up and going (Michael was in heaven operating the 1979 Ford tractor), fishing in a neighbors trout pond, and enjoying loads of great company.

Oops!

I was thinking of making my blog private, but for now, I'm leaving it public. I deleted the post about going private if you're wondering :-)