52 Projects #34 - Writing letters...

I meant to write some letters a few months ago and I saw myself sitting yesterday, asking why I have not done that?  Surely I can find 10-15 minutes to at least start a few lines.  So, today I decided to sit my "rear" and write some letters that I meant to do.  There are 5 total.  The letter part is done, now I just need to do a little bundle for 3 of them.  Two of the letters are going to Honduras and Bolivia.  They are for the 2 girls that we sponsor through ChildFund if you are interested in help here is the link www.childfund.org  .  We had been part of this organization since 2007.  I get letters and updates from the organization and from them too.  It is nice.

The other letters are for my pen pals.  Each of them are very unique and talented women.  I wish we lived closer, but at least we are getting to know each other through paper.  I feel happy that I finally finished writing them, now my brain can keep repeating me to do another thing :)

52 Projects #33 - Fisherman's Bear's Friend

Arianna loves Fisherman's Bear from Little Bear.  He is Little Bear's friend and he goes to sleep with him.  I made a prototype which is not exactly like fisherman's bear looks, but the idea is there by using Fisherman's bear from the t.v. and a book that I have from Aranzi Aranzo. I still need to work some kinks and such, but I like my first try. Although the bottom part is a bit smaller than the top.  It looks like the bear is a body builder :)  Ari likes it though. 
On a side note, I'd been out of my crafty side - or fairy crafty as I was calling it, but my daughter's birthday is trying to get me back in the mood.  I missed it that is for sure :)

Gardwood Apple Farm and more...

Today we went to pick apples (mostly) and raspberries to Gardwood Farms in Indiana.  It was very nice weather wise, and all the family went.  Ari loved to pick apples, but she had the most fun at the raspberries bushes.  She kept telling me how little bear ate the raspberries and mama bear made pies.  It was very cute.

Getting ready to go.  We thought it was going to be cold (upper 60's) but it was actually hotter in Indiana than at home.

She was watching Little bear and Wow Wow Wubbzy.  Both are still her favorite shows (Little bear is the first one).

Walking to the farm.  We picked lots of apples.  Honey crisp, Gala and another one that looked like Pink lady, but I am not sure what it was.

This is the tractor/wagon that took us to the back of the farm where the Honeycrisp apples were.

All smiles in the wagon except for Ari.  It looks like she is not too sure...to have fun!  Well, she is very shy when other people are around.  But, when I asked her if she liked the ride, she said yes.

I loved the two pictures with Ari and Glenn.  They loved to pick apples from the trees and the floor.  How about the family picture?  I missed few people, but I loved it too.

This was Ari's favorite part: picking raspberries.  Maybe because they were smaller?  I mean raspberries bushes were prickly and she did not care.  I told her to be careful and she was very good.

Happy shot of Dad and son!

Lots of zinnias.  I love all the colors!

After the farm, we went to Wendy's.  We were very hungry and devoured all the food!  It was a nice family get together.

But, we knew it was time to go when Ari kept trying to lay down on the floor.  She was soooooo tired!
I still wanted to make a quick stop.  In LaPorte, they have an "antique" store with lots of goodies.  This is the only store that I still like.  Ari was a sport and since she loves the store too, we both enjoyed!
Look what she found.  She put the hat and I said you want a picture? She said yes!

Here are some goodies at the store, I wanted to buy this one for Ari, but she loved the top part and she said the bottom part was too prickly, and it was.  It is wool so she did not want to hold it.  Oh, well.  IT was cute!

Ari outside the store, they have these beautiful and huge planters!

The next pictures are stuff that I bought at Gardwood so you get an idea what they sell:

Raspberries!

Tomatoes, (other veggies that I did not get), peaches, buffalo sauce, lots of other sauces...

They have their own bakery as well.  My favorites are the apple cider donuts that are only sold on the fall, but the other donuts are very tasty as well.  I also bought a peach muffin and some apple chips!

Lots of colorful honey sticks!  They have lots of different honeys, marmalades, jelly, preserves, you name it...

The main reason why we went.  We bought a 1/2 bushel!
Now, here are the goodies that I bought at the antique store:

Buttons, cards, vintage books and card, and paper dolls...I guess I am in a vintage mood right now :)

And since Ari likes ponies now, I found these guys at a very good price :)
Then we drove home and everyone except me are taking a nap...well I think I am going to join them now :)

WPP#35 -Renewal of vows

This is the Chapel where Mike and I got married 9 years ago.  The same Chapel that my brother got married recently.  The weekend after celebrating my brother's wedding.  We had the honor of going back to renew of vows just like we had done in the last 8 past years.  We called it "recharging our energy for a full year".  It feels like that.  It is such a relaxing, romantic and spiritual experience that we get to enjoy with ourselves and in some parts with other couples that go as well.  They are our yearly friends.  We catch up in all the events: new pets, new babies, empty nesters, kids going to College, lost jobs, new jobs, retirements, graduation, etc... The news are very diverse and long.  But, the meal is wonderful and the conversations are very interesting.  We love to go there every year and so far we have make it.  Just being in the Chapel holding hands listening to the ceremony (which is very short and funny) makes my year every year and it is done when we sealed it with a kiss.  See you next year God willing. :)

WPP #33 and #34 - LOve and cuteness..

My brother got married last week... main reason why I forgot to post my weekend picture.  But, I thought this picture was just appropriate since love was in the air ;)  

This interesting piece of art belongs to the restaurant that sometimes we order food to go.  I found it to be somewhat ugly, but definitely a cuteness factor as well.

WPP#32 Arianna's 1st picture

Arianna's first picture ever!  So, she has known cameras since ever.  We took a lot of pictures that the phrase "Say cheese" comes naturally.  But this week she started to play with my camera and has realized that she can take pictures too! That was a big realization for her and for me since now besides posing and wanting to see the picture, she says to me " It is your turn (to pose)" so it is time for my little darling to get a camera of her own! 
Can you tell what was the first picture about?

Sometimes...why bother with toys...

when Arianna can find creative ways to entertain herself... Well, she still likes some toys (Balls, colors, pencils, littlest pet shop, little doll houses, etc).  But, I love when creativity strikes and she entertains herself for hours, even if I need to be holding the hanger for those hours...  Do you see her new love, the tape?