Can it be?

 

He turned 18 years old, he's graduating with his High School Diploma and an Associate in Technical Arts, he's now a certified welder, and he's moving to Arizona in three and a half short weeks!  That's 1500 miles away.  Aaack!  Where did the time go?!?  18 years wasn't enough!  For him, maybe...but not for this mom! 

But we couldn't be happier for him or prouder!

 

CONGRATULATIONS

JORDAN!

♣ Happy St. Patrick's Day ♣

Brooklyn needed a bit o' green this morning so we whipped up one of these cute four-leaf clovers out of leftover wired tinsel ribbon and some vintage white buttons and hot-glued a safety pin to the back.  We thought they turned out cute enough to make a few extras for teachers.  Wish I'd snapped a photo before they rushed off but, alas, I did not.  Jaeden's teacher got a shamrock with stem, and Brooklyn's teacher received one similar to this.  What do you think? 

I'm thinking that if I'm more prepared next year, we could make some really adorable ones out of all kinds of scrap bits 'n' bobs!

May you always have

Walls for the winds,

A roof for the rain,

Tea beside the fire,

Laughter to cheer you,

Those you love near you,

And all your heart might desire!

♥ The Hansens

♥ Happy Valentine's Day ♥

Wishing family and friends a very sweet

♥♥♥

Valentine's Day!

Capiz shell hearts that are hanging over the dining table.  This is the extent of our Valentine's decor this year.  Love the simplicity of them. 

 Wish I could send these pink tulips to you!  I've enjoyed fresh cut flowers lately - dreaming of a little spring.

Our youngest turns 10 today!  Two ten year-olds under one roof for a week.  Me-oh-my!  Time is a flyin'!

Ice Capades

Keith took Jaeden and Boo to the ice rink, for the first time, last Saturday.  This is what Boo has to show for it!  She was doing great, and they were almost to the end of the 2 hour open-skate session when she tried going around someone and fell.  Oops!

Jordan and I met up with them at the Urgent Care.  When I got a look at it and saw the swelling on one side in particular, it was pretty obvious it was broken.  Her arm was x-rayed and the radius was broken on a diagonal almost completely across just below her wrist.  A splint was put on till the swelling could go down. 

Today was cast day!  When the splint was taken off, we took the opportunity to wash her arm really well.  It doesn't take much to make Boo gag and she was already having a hard time not gagging from the smell after only 5 days!  The bruising has turned to an ugly yellow-green and there's still quite a bit of swelling.

Brooklyn wanted an aqua blue color and this blue was the closest they had.  The assistant came in to put on the cast and forgot Boo had asked for blue when she started putting on the pink.  When she realized her mistake, she told Boo she'd make a special, striped cast just for her.  I think it's great 'cause it tones down that bright pink!

Had to take a pic before it gets filled up with writing.  Big bro Jordan was the first to sign.  She goes back in 2 weeks for a follow-up x-ray.

We tease Brooklyn that this broken arm is her birthday present - she'll be 10 in a few days.  She tells us it's not funny!  :-p  We tell her that at least she has a good story to tell about how she got it.

Upcycled Window

While I'm doing 1,001 posts this morning, I thought I might as well show you what we did with an old window we've hauled around for 3+ years.  I saw the idea in a floral shop display in our little town.  Bingo!  What was once just an old window, hanging on the wall, is now a functional piece of art!  And the best part, it was all FREE.  I had these mini iron brackets we'd hauled around, in our many moves, along with a few pieces of old fencing and voilà!  Keith built me this totally cute shelf.  Like it?  Oh, and this is where the milk glass vases, I mentioned here, now reside.

Lefse

The kids and I were invited to make Lefse over their Winter Break with a lady whose grandparents came from Norway, I believe.  Being the amateurs we are, she had us make the kind using flour instead of potatoes since it's supposedly easier to work with.  I think we need quite a bit more practice, though.  None of ours were uniform like hers. 

See?

But we still had a great time!  They tasted good, too.

Coffee Stands

Here is something you might see next to a coffee stand here in the Pacific Northwest.

Located in Allyn, WA

Love driving along the Puget Sound!  The kids and I took a jaunt here over their Winter Break.  Most times I venture outside the house, I am smitten with how beautiful a state we live in.  I am so fortunate.

Upcycled Door

We've hauled this old door around for a couple of years now.  I thought it'd be fun to turn it into something useful so I showed Keith a few ideas of cupboards I'd saved and he built this wonderful piece to fit the door.  Need to seal it when the weather is better to preserve the wonderful chippy patina and rusted doorknob.  Want to possibly whitewash the rest of the cupboard or at least the trim.  What do you think?

I can't stand going more than a few days without decorating something, so of course this got the 'Anita treatment'.  : )  Found bits and pieces around the house that I enjoy and threw together some vignettes on the shelves.  Of course, I meant for this to be totally functional - not just decorative.  But for now, I'm enjoying the "pretties". 

The milk glass vases I've collected from thrift stores and Goodwill, have already found their way to our bedroom and the inside of the cupboard is currently sporting a more simple coastal theme.  But I'm thinking it'll revert back to garden-y very soon.  I'm already thinking I want this piece in a corner of the master bedroom to hold quilts and such.  Hmmmm....  I have ever-so-many projects in this mind of mine.  Now if Hubs just had the time required.  Gotta love him!

A Shelf

Jaeden, what are you building?

For me?  Awwww...thanks!

Target Practice

Brooklyn's dad got her a BB gun (she's a tad bummed it's not PINK) and so her older brother is giving her a few pointers.

 Having a big brother can have it's good sides.

Uh-oh ~ Mom has the camera out. . . .better put on the hood.  Maybe it'll dissuade her from taking pics. 

As if . . . .

Catch Up

Remember this post last Monday?  This is what transpired that evening.

Even though it was a school night, the kids (and dad) made good use of the snow by sledding late into the night.  Gotta take advantage of it 'cause you never know how long (or not so long) it will stick around! 

It did start raining early the next morning and the snow was ALL gone by the time the kids got home from school. 

White Flowers

Ahhhh...the hope of Spring.

 Hyacinths just starting to pop

Had to buy myself these mini tulips at the market yesterday.  Okay, it wasn't the market, but the grocery store.  Just love the sound of market much better.  The cashier asked if they were for someone else or me.  They're for ME, of course!  Every girl needs some fresh cut flowers in the house every now and again, right?!?  Especially when skies are gray - hence, the not so great lighting (I dislike using flash). 

The pretty flowers make me want to get outside and work in the garden, but it's so cold out still.  Can you believe the weekend is just around the corner again?  Where do the days go?  What are your plans this weekend?