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Spring Woods Walk

This past Sunday Pete, Maddie & I went to Pilcher Park for a nice little walk in the woods.  I used to go for walks here as a little girl with my dad and sisters (and probably my mom too, but I think more often we went with my dad), so I enjoy going there now with my family.  It's a really lovely piece of land situated along Hickory Creek and it includes plenty of hiking trails.  We did the "Trail of Oaks" loop which took us through meadows, over creeks and through the forest.  A nice easy hike to get us geared up for the Spring.

As a kid, I remember my dad dragging us girls down into these creeks to dam them up (yes, he was a trouble maker, but he was fun).  There were these pretty blueish flowers in bloom all over the woods. 

And here is a view down Hickory Creek -- what a nice way to spend the afternoon!

In love with Philip Pullman

I've been reading a lot lately and need to get caught up on my book reviews.  Since I've read 3 Philip Pullman books, I'll write about all these together first.  And first up is Once Upon a Time in the North which is another side story in the Dark Materials universe.  It's a nice little story concerning the first meeting of Iorek Byrnison (the king of the bears) and Lee Scoresby (the Texan balloonist).  I loved it just as I loved Lyra's Oxford -- another side story.  These are pretty little books with woodblock prints and little extras thrown in -- like the board game in the back of Once Upon a Time in the North.  A must have for fans of the Dark Materials trilogy.

I also read the next two Sally Lockhart mysteries -- or perhaps a better word is devoured.  They were both excellent and I think everyone should give them a try.  I just love Sally and really enjoyed being back with her for a little while. 

And while I'm on the subject of Philip Pullman... I recently listened to an excellent podcast from The Guardian in which Philip Pullman speaks and answers questions concerning the Dark Materials trilogy.   After hearing him, I like him even more!

I really want to get a copy of Milton's Paradise Lost which includes commentary by Philip Pullman as well as engravings from the 1688 illustrated manuscript.  Wow!

I am a housewife.

As Maddie gets older and more independent I find myself with time to reflect on what has happened in my life and where I am going.  Lately I've been doing a lot of that and I've come to a realization that I have been denying for years. . . I am a housewife.

Sure, I have my two businesses and I like the extra income they bring.  But almost as much, I like being able to fill in that survey oval that says "self-employed" rather than unemployed, stay-at-home mom or what have you. 

And I also homeschool, which puts a spin on things, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm here -- at home -- pretty much all day every day.  (24-7 for you youngsters)

So what does that say about me, or in a broader sense society, when being a stay at home mom is something to hide?  And why would I even want to?  I love being with Maddie (I already fear the day she goes off to college -- yes I clearly have issues) and I love baking and cooking.  I love being the family nutritionist and keeping things running.  I love not having to go in to the office (but I miss it too -- especially being around other adults) and I like that I can work when I want and let things slow down when I need that.

I will say that I don't like cleaning -- I have a service for that.  But I do like tidying up and doing spot cleaning -- I like a clean sink, I'll tell ya!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have it pretty good -- whatever you want to call me.  I'm learning to enjoy myself in this roll and I really do cherish my days with Maddie.  I also know that this won't last forever.  As I said, Maddie is growing up and one day she will leave (god, that's difficult for me to write) and I will move on to the next phase of my life (which is exciting).

I always wanted to be an English Lit professor. . .

New Lawn Toy

The way we take care of our lawn has been evolving.  First we gave up the professional lawn mowing -- I mean, they used a big gas guzzling monster mower and had to drive a big truck to get it here.  Not very environmentally friendly.  After that we canceled the lawn service -- no more chemical herbicides, pesticides and fossil fuel fertilizers.  And finally. . . we got a new mower.  Not gas, not electric, just good old fashioned human power. 

We purchased it last night and today Maddie was very excited to see it in action, so even though there isn't much grass to cut yet, I took it out and gave it a spin around the back yard.  It is a good work out and I think I'll be able to give up the elliptical machine on the days I mow.  I also like that I can mow the lawn -- at my leisure -- without a lot of fuss.  There isn't any gas or oil that has to be added, there isn't any cord that I have to pull (I've never been able to start a gas mower!)  Oh -- and a reel mower is quite inexpensive.  We got the wider model (20 in.) because we have almost a 1/2 acre lot and it was just over $100 -- the smaller model was under $100 (and no gas or annual service charge!)

Time for a new project!

Just finished up Strawberry Garden!  It was a lot of fun to stitch and I will definitely be doing another Blackbird Designs project in the future, but next up is actually a Christmas chart from Blue Ribbon Designs called Poinsettias and Pines. 

Question for all you cross stitchers out there -- what do you do about framing completed cross stitch projects?  Do you do it yourself and if so is there any good tutorial on the web?  I haven't had much luck finding anything.  Or perhaps you leave it to the professionals -- if so, who?  Do you use the local frame shop or are there people who specialize in needlework framing?  I have two completed projects that I need to have framed, so any advice would be great!