The Library

I mentioned that I was going to have to make a separate post about our library. Well here it is. We live in such a small community that the library is very tiny. There is not even a librarian. You just go in and check out your books and file away the cards in the drawer behind the counter.
This morning Lulu asked if we could go to the "egg chairs". It took me a while to figure out what she was talking about.
This was our old library...

It was gigantic. It was brand new and it was simply breathtakingly beautiful.

In the children's section they had these chairs. The "egg chairs." So we are all missing our Indianapolis Central Library.

But our new library has some excellent literary choices. Like these...

Two brothers want to go to the circus but don't have enough money. Find out what they do to earn some.

"Unlike many books on death for the little ones, this one doesn't tell a story. Instead, it addresses children's fears and curiosity head-on." Booklist

The section titled "Ways to Remember Someone" was my favorite. It says, "Even when someone you love dies, you don't lose him completely- you still have your memories. That person can always be a part of you."

• Make a scrapbook about her.


• Play the game "I remember when..." with your family and friends.


• Look at his photograph.


• Keep practicing something he taught you.


• Write a poem about her.


• Keep something of hers in a special place.


• Visit her grave.


• Make a new friend who reminds you of her.


• Have a picnic to celebrate his birthday.

There are more ideas in the book, I just posted my favorite here.

I really enjoyed the artwork in this rendition. It is a classic tale that my mom use to read to me and I enjoyed sharing it with my own daughters.

What is that?

Here are a few fun pictures, take a gander at what they might be.
Photo #1

Photo #2

Photo #3

Travel the West

Just to prove that I can whip up a mean meal!

Lake Coeurd' Alene is amazing. On the left of the picture is Tubbs Hill. If you hike along it you can find your own secluded beach. It makes for a great pic-nik spot and lots of swimming.

This is Hayden Lake in North Idaho. I would love to own one of the houses on the edge of this lake. Just think of the years you could add to your life looking out your window at this everyday.

Flicker

When I first saw this bird I thought it was a confused woodpecker. Maybe he found the ground softer than a tree. Then I turned to Birds of the Northern Rockies and found out he was a flicker. He probs for ants and grubs rather than actually drilling wood like other woodpeckers do! Sorry for the shaky video, I couldn 't risk grabbing my tripod. (Warning: turn your volume down, loud clanking of spoon on bowl sounds of children eating breakfast.)

As clouds go by....

An amazing sunset just out my front door.

David, these cloud pictures are for you. I wish I had a little bit of artistic talent to try and paint them, but alas I don't think I got that gene.

Anybody home?

Fresh food always helps...

Here are some of the amazing wildflowers that we have been finding.

We bought this humming bird feeder the week we moved here but have had little luck with getting the birds to come to it. Then we went to the self check out library. (That's another post all on it's own.) We found a book about humming birds. It had a check list of things to do if your feeder is not getting much activity. We hadn't changed the food for about a month. That is where we were going wrong. Humming bird feed needs to be fresh. That means you change it every 2-3 days. Our feeder is in a really high spot on the edge of our roof next to our picture windows. You have to get a ladder, extend it out, and climb into the sky. But the work is worth the reward. Since I got them fresh food we have seen them at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We see a constant foray of little winged creatures. Now I have to get them new food everyday. Here's to hoping I don't fall off my ladder.

Here is why I haven't posted lately....

I have been making cherry jam! If you come to visit me I'll let you try some!

A few old photos from last year....

Which one is your favorite?

Eyeballs in a jar!

With soooooo many cherries on the tree I decided to try and bottle some. We may not even like how they taste. Sometimes the skin can get tough and rubbery. I felt like a mad scientist in a laboratory while poking out the pits. I could not, for the life of me, find a grandmother to loan me her cherry pitter. I ended up inventing my own using a shishkebab stick. When the final product appeared on the counter to cool my DH said, "Those look like eyeballs in a jar."

Picture This

Mountain Bluebird

Friends

Lake Roosevelt

Hi Ho Cherrio!

If your tree gives you cherries....




make pie!



Since I can't just go down to the grocery store and pick up a pre-made pie crust, which is what I usually do, I had to whip out my new Better Homes and Gardens cookbook that my brother gave me for Christmas and find a recipe. The pie turned out to be incredibly delicious.
If I can make a pie, anyone can!