The Heron's Nest

A New Face In Town......

We have a new neighbor.

I am not so excited about it,

but as long as he stays small, and doesn't bother me, I suppose I can learn to live with him. 

My only concern is that

he may have a few too many brothers and sisters hanging around. 

Should be a fun summer.  Bug and rodent free? 

                              

We have these WONDERFUL rocks, which pretty much support the bank which runs alongside our driveway.  I have always known that this would be the ideal home for a family of snakes.  A few weeks ago we spotted some very cute little mice running over the rocks.  That was a nice nature day.  Cute mice OUTSIDE.  Needless to say, I am not thrilled about the snake for he is very close to where we play, haul groceries out of the car, blow bubbles and ride trikes....I know I am supposed to be fine with this and appreciate what good he can do....but I just can't!!!!!!!  I am secretly hoping Mr. Hawk will take care of Mr. Snake!  Though I love our little house on our pretty little wooded lot, I do fear suburbia may be calling my name.  Last Fall it was a bear that threw me into months of pining away for a fenced in lot with a nice tidy garage......I know "I should be embracing nature", "there are snakes in the suburbs", "conquering my fear" and all of that advice.....but can't a girl just want a driveway a little less reminiscent of Grizzly Adams?

             

To some it may look like a messy (well, ok, TRASHED) living room, but we know that it is really a tropical island, which we sailed for many nights to reach, only to find out that, quite conveniently for the tired mama, it has a Dunkin Donuts!

Gnome's Garden

Gnome's Garden, originally uploaded by The Heron's Nest.

We were inspired by All Buttoned Up, and made our own little terrarium. So far everything is living, though I think our venus fly trap may not survive. My "oh so particular, not liking to get his hands dirty" son was stung by the bug I handed him to feed the plant. So much for having fun in dirt!.....I am working on another idea to get the boy dirty. I am thinking ant farm, mud pies or worm house....we'll see!

I Am Back!!!!!

I am back from an unintentional hiatus.  I didn't plan to take a break from blogging.  It just happened.  We went away for Easter and had some nice family time.  Ok, well the 12 hour car ride was not ALWAYS "nice" with the impatient four year old and the screaming toddler in the back seat, but you just can't beat that quality time together.  Upon returning, we did some major spring cleaning, and slowed down quite a bit.  It was in that little respite that I began to realize how fast I had really been going.

A few days ago, I bumped into an acquaintance at the playground.  She has had a baby within the last few months, and I have not seen her in about eight.  We were catching up, and I found myself making excuses for why I had not been attending playgroups and the like.  I heard myself say something of the sort of, "well, I have just been so busy, running everywhere for preschool, field trips, crafting...I needed to slow down and be".  The look I received was one of. "ok lady you are nuts, how can that be too much?".  But truthfully, it has been.  I have felt rushed constantly for last two years.  The house has been a wreck, and I have felt stressed out, which kind of defeats the point of "being" if I am totally not in the moment.  So, we have been going at a snail's pace around here lately.  If we have been late for school......oh well.  If we don't get to the gym, we don't get to the gym.  I have made sure the typical stuff around the house has gotten done.  Stuff that wasn't before.  If we have had an impromptu invite to the playground, we have gone, and I have been able to do it because things are getting done, and I am not rushing.  My plans for each day have been cut down tremendously.   Sigh.  I think this is the way it is supposed to be. 

Of course, my poor little blog has been neglected.  My ufo's are backing up and that can feel a bit defeating, but I have to remind myself that the projects will wait...my kids will not.  I received this book in the mail last week.  (Who wasn't waiting for that to arrive????) and was reminded about the need for daily creativity in my own life.  I tend to want to conquer a project in a day or two, and I am slowly realizing that this really isn't necessary.  Just the "doing" is really all that I need, and the enjoying, of course.

Egg Salad On Soda Bread Anyone??????

We baked this yummy bread and then promptly devoured it yesterday.  By the afternoon we were dyeing our eggs for Easter.  These holidays really came up on me this year.  It seemed like a funny combination in a number of ways.  I admire the natural dyeing techniques I have seen, but this year we went all out with artificial, bright, fun colors. 

We had quite a bit leftover, so I threw in some

silk scarves I had been saving from here, to soak in a Kool Aid bath.  These colors seemed close enough!  Judging by the amount of play they have created, I'd say it was worth it, and probably should have done it last year!

Oh The Ugliness.......

A faint yell from the downstairs bathroom was detected, one which could barely be heard over the intense screaming of the teething two year old (whose screams often hit a decible that even her loving mother can hardly bear).....

" Mom, there's a wash cloth in the toilet!" 

Need I say more?