Splendid

the glades

Yesterday we spent the day in the everglades for Father's Day.  The girls thought it would be a fun outing with their dad to do the whole airboat thing and see an alligator show. We've lived in south Florida for a year now and haven't ever been on an airboat or seen an alligator show, so it sounded like a good thing for dear ol' dad. The everglades are huge, and as beautiful as it is, it is also very dangerous. 

The weather was beautiful, not as hot as it usually is in June, and the captain of our airboat gave us a great tour of the beautiful everglades. We saw 3 alligators and many different species of wildlife. He explained about the exotic vegetation that grows there (most of it is dangerous), the insects that live there (most of them are dangerous) and to never put any body parts over the edge of the boat or in the water (also extremely dangerous). The alligator show was interesting, although it's not a career I'd fancy,it was pretty cool. The show on Animal Planet Gator Boys is shot there and our gator show entertainer J-Mart is on the show. We held a small baby alligator, and while it used my hand as a diaper, the little gator dude was pretty neat, too.  It's crazy to think all of this is literally in our backyard, like our house was the everglades at one day long ago. We often have gators found in residential areas, and it's not strange to hear about people finding gators in the small lakes behind their homes or even in their swimming pools. One thing is for sure, the everglades are beautiful, mysterious, and for sure someplace you do not want to get lost. (or run out of hand santizer). 

scrapbooking with FX

Anyone who knows me I have trouble sitting still.  I wouldn't say I am high energy or overly talkative, definitely not fidgety or unable to complete tasks, but I do have this calm hyperness.  My husband always says, "geez!  Can't you just sit here with me?"  I do have trouble sitting still and watching tv or movies.  I need to be folding laundry, checking emails, writing lists or doing some hand-work. I scrapbooked these last week, one while watching Sons of Anarchy with Dave. I must say I like me some Jax, and I like him better with shorter hair. And the other show that I'm starting is American Horror Story, ummmm, scary and weird, but I like it.  Anyhoo, this was produced in those 2 hours of tv.  I think that nervousness relates back to my dad who had a funny motto, " you should never sit on upolstered furniture during daylight hours" meaning we should be busying ourselves, and I guess I still think like that.

Do you have any nervous ticks?

so ready for warmer weather...

While I truly enjoy all 4 seasons, I must admit I'm rather growing tired of the bitter cold here in Philadelphia. I wouldn't say I'm the most outdoorsy gal in town, but I do like to go for nice walks and sit out under a tree once and awhile...

the high yesterday was 22 degrees...my windshield wipers froze to my car on Monday and would not work until I had the defrost on for 20 minutes and finally MANUALLY moved them, I mean, c'mon here...but the cold weather does help me hunker down (love that phrase) and get some crafting done I guess...and the last few days, here I've been...hutled by the heater (secret: late at night I've been watching reruns of this, shhhhhh...so embarrassing, so trashy, so fun!) Here's 2 of the few projects in the works over here...

the RVA class has been so cool.  I've thoroughly enjoyed it...my embroidery picture, the latest project from Rachel, fun!

and my "I'm Lucky" family portrait, getting ready for St. Pat's Day.  It's my next Category Stories project, so shhhhh...don't tell anyone...Dave's portrait makes me laugh a little, I can't tell if I think he looks like the Uni-bomber or not...and do you see his arm with the tattoos? He's actually much more tatted up than that, but I didn't know if I should add more and it would look even stranger than it does...

 

and on the homeschool front, another wonderful class at the Morgan Log House.  We take monthly classes there for our little group, each time another lesson on early American colonial life. A new aspect of colonial life is discussed, another tour of the house with a theme in mind, and a craft related to that theme is done. This time it was on light; candles, sunlight, firelight, etc. We had a scavenger hunt through the house to point out all types of light sources.  The kids loved it. Then we learned about using a flint to start a fire and made punched tin window designs. Both girls made cats.  Pretty stinkin' cute!

 me helping little sis with her tin punching project, and below big sis doing her project. There's the Flat Sandy from her pen pal in the UK in the picture...

 

And we've been studying Mexico for the last 2 weeks for geography and social studies, the girls finished it off with a sugar skull project.  We bought these kits from Hearthsong, and they were pretty good. Both the girls are really into Mexican culture; sugar skulls, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead dolls) or La Catrina dolls are a hit with them.

 

our royal icing was a little runny, wouldn't you say??? Very Jackson Pollock, eh? 

Oh, and I won the challenge this week over at Scrap Mojo with my for the Love of Vintage page.  I consider it a great honor because all the studly gals who entered the contest are so talented and did AWESOME layouts! And to be picked by the mojo gals, fab-u-lous! All of them are dreamy!

Have a super weekend!