Marsbarn Designs...

It only took us all summer...

Today Big E, little e, Sweetheart g, and I finally (we've been trying to do it all summer) ventured to the wilds of the Hillsboro to visit friends. The girls played with little k, a four year old boy who believes that all little blonde girls should want to hold his hand. Sweet g was game, but little e doesn't want to do anything that isn't her idea first. (I keep telling myself that this is a phase...) The day was beautiful, the company was grand, and the afternoon ended too soon. After our picnic lunch, complete with beautiful sandwiches made by little k's mom (Ever seen a pretty egg salad sandwich? I have), we explored a park near their home. We saw Touch-me-nots (one of favorite wild flower names) and at least 5 different kinds of rose hips.
I have been very, very lazy the last several days. It feels like summer is almost over. The weather people have promised me that the hot summer stuff is done, and cool fall temperatures are on the way. Sigh.. I can't wait.

Jello anyone?

I try to do projects with my girls. We make things...
like Little House on the Prairie Headbands
Occasionally we have themed dinners, like the Little House on the Prairie Dinner. We bake together; cookies, cakes, quick breads, etc. We do crafts, especially around the holidays. The girls play in my various scrap bags, and sometimes we sew together. And we've done science experiments together. Basic stuff about density and volume, and freezing water, or playing with dye.

But sometimes maybe its time to just say "No." Sweetheart G was given a "Gross Science Kit" for her birthday in February. So, here we are 6 months and more past her birthday, and we open the box.

I should have gathered something, when the directions said "DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING YOU MAKE WITH THIS KIT." And the even more fabulous, "IF YOU DO, WASH AND SANITIZE YOUR HANDS, THOROUGHLY." Sanitize? Oh boy..

Hey Look! We can grow bacteria in our own petrie dishes... First we make a medium with gelatin (let set 2 hours), and then we swab our noses and feet for "germination" material (hahaha), and let the covered dishes set for 2 weeks (!). Then, we look at the patterns the bacteria made as they grew. Germ jello anyone?

Okay the scientist in me thinks maybe this is kind of cool. It gives me ideas for science fair projects and what not... But then... I get to wash out the containers?! Ewwww! And I get to Sanitize them?! Ohhh man... Because the other, equally as germ warfare driven activities use the same conatiners.

Hey Sweet G, how about we make some cookies?

Safety Tip o' the Day

Little e's Safety Tip o' the Day:

Don't fight cats and dogs.

Sketchy? Maybe, maybe not...

When Sweetheart g and I were in Victoria, I splurged and bought myself a sketch pad and a box of colored pencils. I kept seeing these articles in Cloth Paper Scissors about keeping a sketch book, and I felt inspired. Inspired to attempt, if not succeed.. I have never been good at drawing from life. The best thing that can be said about my illustrating ability is that I can trace well, sometimes. But hey, I have never been one not to do something, just because I didn't do it well... as anyone who has heard me sing can attest.

Once in the store I was seduced by these pencils.. Inktense. They are like watercolor pencils, but when wet they turn bright instead of dull and bland. They were so cool! So I bought them. (Honestly, I was ready to buy anything that might make my doodles interesting.)

I have done a bit of sketching in my book, although nothing I feel the need to share. I did buy a book with heavy paper, so I could sew directly into the book. (That hasn't happened yet.) Last night I made this nifty organizer so I would use my sketchbook more. I am pretty sure there is a direct corollary between having a pretty holder for your book and having the book be interesting. (If there isn't, don't tell me.) As part of this validating process, I did make a Sketch in my Sketchbook of the organizer, before I made it. It was even useful.

lunar eclipse, shmooner eclipse

Sweetheart G: Mom! Daddy woke me up in the middle of the night! I got to see the lunar eclipse!
h.: Oh! Really? He didn't wake me up.
Sweetheart G: He took me outside and I watched the moon turn red. It was really cool.
h.: He didn't wake me up... (Snif)

Oh well. My husband and daughter watched the lunar eclipse, and all I got was this photo Big E took. Do they make T-shirts like that?

dragons above and below

Now, I did not make this today. (Although, I am working on a new project, but it is so 'in-progress' that I can't show it, yet. If I didn't work on something today, I was going to loose my mind.) I made this last week, while the girls were away. After I took this photo, I popped on a clear vinyl layer, and dropped it in the mail. I found out today that it arrive successfully. Voila! I made Mail Art!

Safety Tip o' the Day

Little e to Uncle Fozzy: "I have a Safety Tip for you."
Uncle Fozzy: "Oh, a 'Safety Tip'... what's that?"
little e: "Don't fall in the toilet."
Unlce Fozzy: "Oh. I'll have to keep that in mind."
little e: "I almost did once. But then..., I didn't." (With all the seriousness a 4 year old can possess.)

Crafters anonymous

"Hello, my name is h."

"Hello H!"

"I think I have a problem. I think I'm a craft addict. Its been 3 days since my last fix."

It has been over 72 hours since I've worked on a project, and I think I'm getting wonky.

A coast for all flavors

Dinner at the beach went well. Two extra guests brought the count up to 14, so it was a nice sized party. The weather was lovely and everyone got a bit of what rubs them right. There was everything from sunny weather in 80's to foggy coolness, with a bit of drizzle, in the 60's (my personal favorite). And that was just in the 36 hours Big E and I were there. Grand M has another week, without girls, before she comes home. ("Why would you do THAT?" little e asked. Mystified as to how anyone could have fun at the beach without her.)

Home again, home again

Hey ho, the gangs all here. Sweetheart G and little e are back where they belong. Big E and I returned with them tonight. The coast was beautiful as always. Tomorrow will be full of laundry, tired girls, and getting back into the swing of things.