Day one on our hobby farm.

We are so excited to finally be here in Idaho. Will miss family and friends in California, but for us this has been our dream for over 10 years. Today our friends here in Idaho sold us a must have tool on any homestead. A troy rototiller. We have a half acre designated for vegetables. And today being day one at our homestead we decided that we would not waste any time and get the garden in. At first I attempted to pull the weeds up. But with the large space we have I knew it was futile. So, Kim and Wendell to the rescue with our rototiller. Ken mowed the weeds down as far as the mower would go, and viola, the rototiller worked its magic. Within 2 hours over have of our garden plot was tilled.  May I also brag about the fine rich soil that was under those weeds? Whoo wee. Tomorow we will work on tilling up the rest of the designated garden plot. Im sooo sore tonite but have a huge smile on my face. Wish all our kids could be here to share in our excitement.

One More Day.....

 Tomorrow I retire. Yes, I have been working jobs of a wide variety since I was 13, first as a babysitter. Then my first official job at a nearby amusement park at 16.  Then at 17 I worked at a restaurant... and now at the age of 52 I am officially throwing in the time clock for a life of.... whatever I decide.  In my life I've had a few jobs that I've hated... like being a legal secretary.  I did it for 6 months. Diddn't like the legal field, the lawyers lying and cheating old people out of money. Diddn't like the non creatie invironment or the  fact that I sat at a desk all day. Being married to a entrepeuner brought many wild jobs too. like fruit stands, running a fleet of Ice cream trucks and a lighting business... but I liked having a steady paycheck and entreupuneurship was so iffy... I went to work as a admin. assistant and office manager, but got layed off after two years with a builder.   So, I went back to school and got my degree in early childhood education.  I worked in preschool settings for MANY years, then opened up my own preschool for a few years before my husband decided to own a restaurant, so then... i sold my preschool and went to work at the restaurant.  That was rediculous.  The hours were not conducive to raising kids...I loved the restaurant business, but had 3 young kids at the time to care for.
So, I went back to working with kids and realized that was what I was good at so I opened my own home daycare, and did catering on the side.  For many years I was content.  I got a wild hair and thought it would be fun to own a papercrafting store... so I opened up a scrapbooking supply store and LOVED IT.  The business was successful, thriving and doing well and I ran my baby for 5 years until the lease expired and I decided to close it down as the rent was through the roof and I was never home.  Literally working 60+ hours a week.  At that point  I went back to work with Kids at the local elementary school. But this time as a Para-professional in a Autism program.  for 8 years. I worked with the most demanding kids ever.  Loving at times, and other times I would have chairs thrown at me, have to dodge a kick or a hit because they diddn't want to do their work.  I taught non verbal kids how to talk, read, write and how to do math.  I loved it... and tomorrow is my last day.  I am moving to Idaho to start a new life. Because I CAN.  My husband and I raised 5 awsome kids who are adults, live their lives and have careers and are in college.  We have always wanted to live in Idaho and grow our own  food. My days will no longer be filled with kids academic goals and/ or  meeting their demands.  It will be about us, growing our food. Doing what we want to do. I've allways wanted to learn how to play the piano, paint with watercolors.  I also want to fly fish, camp under the stars and stay up late and then sleep in.  I have  a chicken coop in my near future as well as growing the biggest vegetable garden ever.   Our new house has 2 aceres of land on which is ready for our creativity..... hard work and imagination.  Ohhhhh the possibilities.  I don't look at my life as half over... Its just beginning.  I have been so wraped up in raising a family, doing what was expected of me as a mom, as a employee... that somehow at times I think I have forgotten who mary is... but at the age of 52 Im anxious to find out who she is, what she likes and dosn't like and to create some amazing memories with my wonderful husband.   Retirement to me should be and hopefully will be about doing what we want to do... and not feeling guilty about doing it.  First thing, rototilling up the 1/2 acre vegetable garden plot..... then painting my art studio... then..... we will see.    Happy Retirement to ME.

A Letter to Grandma in a Bottle

Mothers Day Blessings.  Since I will be moving out of state to start up my homestead hobby farm projects.( A lifelong dream of mine) I decided that I wanted to get the kids together for a fun day at the beach.They are all adults and have life of their own, with careers, college, friends etc.  We usually get together once a month, but once I move it will be once every 3 months.  I will go through some seperation anxiety for sure.   At the beach we held a little memorial for my mother who died 11 years ago. It was her favorite beach that we went to.  We all shared memories of her and laughed as we released her to sea ( yes, we've been holding on for 11 years) my oldest daughter wrote her a letter on the day she died.She was 15 then. Now she is a mother of two and a Soldier in the Army.  Her wish was to throw it into the sea.  My mothers day blessings were to have all my three children  together and my two grandchildren with my sister and stay the entire day laughing as the ocean roared nearby.   I love days like this and my hubby promises a trip once every three months. With the hobby farm, we will be lucky to get away that often. Our lazy  day at the beach was anything but lazy. We laughed, shared stories, ate and of course went treasure hunting.  My biggest treasure was the memory we made together this day. 

Autumn is Digging in

The Fam-Bam. clowning as they always do

Childhood memory quilt

<p>Our son, youngest of 5 children, graduates this June. He is our younest of 3 boys, 2 girls. All our children have been active in team sports, scouting. I was always the team mom and girlscout leader, soccer,baseball and marching band driver while my husband was a amazing coach. I have been saving our sons team t-shirts since his very first t ball team at the age of 5. Soccer, many more years of baseball, swim teams, waterpolo teams and police explorer programs. There are a whole lot of memories and love put into this quilt. I hope he knows how much joy he has brought to us and how proud of him we ate. Next up for him is college. Hes going to be a firefighter and is already signed up to play on thd waterpolo team.

Paint something purple.

One old dresser, a old picture frame get new life for my craft room. I've had these two items for many years, have always wanted to paint them. Nervous and indecisive, I looked to nature for inspiration. So, from this........purple iris color combination and this old dresser and big old frame.  To this vibrant and fun combination. The frame will have a chicken wire backing and little clips to atratch various pictures, articles, clippings,works of inspiration for my craft room.
This was a fun project.

I love. Spring,

<p>Easter egg hunts<br>
Sweet baby boys

I love spring, for many reasons.

I love purple irisis so much that I decided that I want to paint my craft room these two colors.

Happy Spring

Today we took the boys out to show some  of the country that we live near, we drove up through Emmett, which is a beautiful little town, mostly farms. Then through Caldwell, we then took them to D & B farm supply store. And spring showed its cute little face. Happy Spring. These little babies made me smile

Barn sale finds

Today, Local friend Kim took me out to some great haunts. We went to a early hot yoga class, then to a lite brunch in a wnderful cafe that was decorated Victorian style. Then we hut antique shops, and a very special farm house sale. The farm house was basically set up as a antique store. Everything was color schemes. The sale is held twice a year, for only three days. Today was the last day until fall. I scored two perfect vintage luggage pieces and two Awsome tablecloths. I Did use a lot of willpower and not buy the antique windows,doors, or fencing. We also hit up a few incredible other spots, but that farmhouse sale was things that dreams were made of. Hope to come back in the fall. I just LOVE IDAHO.

Our FIRST SNOW.

We got up to our new house with the moving van this past Friday which was two days ahead of our schedule. We left early because there was a big storm coming and we needs to get up and over the Sierra's. We pulled in just in time to miss a horrible snow storm. My farmgirl sisterhood newfound friend and farmgirl soul sister KIM had arranged so
me teenage boys to help us unload the truck. They did it in two hours so of course the first thing I Did was work on the kitchen.  Then  KIM and her husband came over to see our new DIGGS. Opened our very first bottle of wine and shared some good laughs. It being ST. Patricks day, and me being a FITZPATRICK,  I was feeling weird that I had not made cornbeef and cabbage ( for the first time in years). Then Kim and Wendell invited us over to their house for the beloved corn beef dinner. It was delicious. Had a great time, the woman has more hobbies than me and a FULLTIME job. Got a grand tour of her farm and her beloved inspiration room. Let's just say we are very alike in a LOT of ways. Am sure we will be crafting a lot together,as well as gardening and the like. It also helps that our husbands hit it off too. Nice nice fun people. I am also Looking foward to meeting the ladies in the Nampa Idaho hen house.  This morning I woke up to snow, a soft blanket of white snow that was to relaxing to watch fall from the sky. I feel peace here. Can't wait to get the garden in and the chicken coop buillt.

Sold

To the highest and best offer. Moving home to Idaho in June. Summer kitchen, wide open spaces, organic gardening and adorable chickens . Oh yeah, let's not forget my Nampa farmgirl sisterhood henhouse. My friends  Kim and Wendell too........ It's going to be a country life for us.

House for sale

Well, one step closer to realizing our homestead dreams starts with selling our home that we currently own. It's been on the MLS for one day, and we already have 4 offers. Not. Opening any offers until Tuesday, realtor is having a open house this weekend and we want to give people a chance to see it. Our home in Idaho is painted and clean and ready for us.

Idaho here we come.

Our first truck load if boxes and misc. Belongings that we can live without for the next three months will be in the road to our new house tomorrow. We anticipate  two more loads not including the truck with the camp trailer. We will miss Brentwood, but are absolutly excited about our new life in Idaho.  We have a lot of work to do, but am ready to take it on. We have always wanted to grow our own organic garden. Firm believers in the homestead lifestyles.

Happy valentines day

I just love Valentines Day! It's my wedding Anniversary and I just love the whole Valentines, Cupid, hugs ans kisses kind of day. I also believe that everyday should be valentines Day. Don't wait for a Holiday to show,and tell those you love that yes,indeed you do love them. Allways, treat others as you would want to be treated and allways  tell those you love that you appreciate them.  As you know, I am a active member in Mary Jane's Farmgirl sisterhood. Pictured here are Valentines cards, Atc cards and a few tags I made for valentines Day. Like I said, I just love this Holiday. Happy Anniversary to my loving husband and best friend Ken.

Update on me and another Artist Trading Card ATC Swap.

Hi everyone, or anyone.. whichever the case may be.    I a m on the mend, was hit pretty hard with illness, but am on my way to a good recovery.  It's been 2 months, and I lost 34 pounds.   Strict diet from now on.   Every day is different as far as pain and recouperation goes... but Im determined and stuborn.   Just ask my kids.  Just greatful no surgery needed.

Lots to share today besides illness.  Lots of wonderful things... I love the Mary Jane Butters Farmgirl connection forum.  I love to participate in the many swaps that take place. Love making all the stuff, and swaping items with other women in the group.   One of my favorites is the ATC swaps.   Im posting a couple pictures of the ATC's that were in my mailbox on Monday, along with the cutest little atc holders.  

ATC Valentines  Farmgirl sisterhood swap

ATC Holders Hand Crafted by Farmgirl sisters and I was lucky enough to get them.

  Other swaps to post soon

Handmade Valentine Cards
Button Box
Mail Art.

Happy Crafting everyone.

                                                             

My cat wants to make me feel better. I

Well, I've been having a very serious health problem.  I'm laying here sick and my sweet cat wouldn't leave me alone. I had to go to the hospitol, ct scan, severe pain for over three weeks. Divertoculosis is not anything to mess around with. Looks like we caught it early and so far no surgery needed . I want to yell on the mountain anyone that will listen.  Eat healthy food, no processed foods if possible. Heal your guts by eating right. Believe me you don't want this.

Window washing from the inside looking out.

We have a two story house. Since my husband is not supposed to get on ladders because of his knee replacement surgery over a year ago,our Lucky son Blaine gets to wash the windows up high. I did mention the two story house right?

Valentines wishes

All lined up,drying and ready for the mailman to take tem accross this country .  Farmgirls watch your mailboxes.

Valentines village

I had souch fun making this valentines village for a farmgirl swap. Lovd them so much I wanted to keep them. But I didn't, I sent them.  Will post pictures of mine once I get them.

You're as cute as a button

I signed up for another maryjanes farmgirl swap. At first I was worried that I Had gotten in to deep. The challenge was to take a egg carton and transform it into a button box. The only requirement is that it had to have a valentines theme.
Of course my mind started wandering ,I wanted it to convey the valentines theme but wanted my swap partner to be able to keep it out all year to enjoy. Well, then as I was looking thru my craft supplies I found some truffle wrapers. Oh my, what's better than a box of buttons that look like a box of chocolates?