Fox Propping.

Growing up, my Dad dabbled in taxidermy. He skinned dead animals. In almost all cases the animals died as roadkill. The pelts hung in our house for a long time, the bobcat resided above the piano and looked down with glass eyes as little fingers practiced below...I digress... Seeing dead animals in the back of my Dad's truck isn't too surprising. Or in his garage freezer where he kept the bear, skunk and last fox...again, I digress... People who know my Dad will, on occasion, call him if they have a dead animal situation which is what happened this morning. My Dad came over to fix a broken pipe, Ivy ran out to greet him and as I walked toward the truck I could see they were talking quietly and sadly but had wide-eyes and excitement was building. A friend had earlier called my Dad to let him know a Grey Fox had been hit by a car and died on his front lawn. There it lay in the bed of the truck, so soft and beautiful in it's winter coat. Ivy was upset knowing Savannah would miss all the excitement but my Dad needed to skin this fox pronto and couldn't wait for Savannah to get home from school hours later. So we did the next best thing...we did a little propping/photo taking/LARP-ing.



Tried It: Zip-Tie Heart Garland.

This article is in the February 2013 issue of Martha Stewart Living. Ivy and I decided to give it a go.

 

We found these neon zip-ties at The Dollar Store.

Close the zip-tie so the tail is on the inside. Basically you fasten it inside-out. Then pinch the bottom to make the base of the heart. Link the zip-ties together to make a chain. I had to shape a few of the inverted zip-ties to make it look the way I wanted (likely due to the quality of the zip-ties).

Ivy is a tinker-er. She sat and did this project for a solid hour making this "Tried It" Honey Hut approved.

 

 

Come What May.

(My favorite time of day; whenever The Littles sit down and play together. Here they are playing Silly Fun House.)

The Little Girls have the future all figured out...
When Savannah is President, I will live with her in the White House. She needs me to cook her favorites and snuggle her when she has had a hard day.
When Ivy is a Cowgirl, she will need me with her at all times to love on her and kiss her owies. Also, she will not be having children because it hurts too much.
They've both decided: if I need to be with one more than the other, Tim can fill in for me. No mention of Goo and what he might need. But as you can see in this (poorly focused and badly lit) photo,

Goo isn't worried about future stuff. He's still trying to figure out if he wants to be like Daddy or Mommy.

Happy Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend Honey Hutters? I'm looking forward to dinner tonight with my sister Deanna (beef stew, banana/blueberry muffins with lemon curd). She has a very important career at the state Capitol. I am always fascinated by both of my sisters' work environments (Shannon is a charge nurse in Labor and Delivery!), hearing the play-by-play is always interesting.
I am also finally ready to start real work on a sewing project I have put off long enough...it's time to bite the bullet.
Oh, and Book N Hookers is tomorrow night! We read this. I was spellbound to the. very. last. page. But I warn you: if you read this right before you go to sleep, expect some strange dreams to follow.
And finally, if the fog keeps up I will be making this until my ingredients run out. I am not a hot chocolate drinker. Surely being spoiled by a year's worth of Churros con Chocolate while living in Spain ruined me to powdery packaged (why?) hot chocolate. But this recipe is roll-your-eyes-back-in-your-head yummy and thick which reminds me of my 1997-98 Wanderlust.  
What ever it is you do this weekend, I wish you well and happy.

Cookie Sales.

The Little Girls are in Girl Scouts! They love it and are so proud of their little troop. I thought I'd share their video they sent via text to their family.

If you are local and would like to buy from two very darling little Daisies, please contact me in the comments below this post or shoot me an email. 

(here with their fearless troop leader Kari)

Rainbow Field Trip-Winter.

Yesterday Savannah's class took their second seasonal field trip to Rainbow Orchards. Farmer Tom taught the children the importance of and how to prune the fruit trees when dormant while The Donut Queen gave the class a tour of the barn and winter production (or clean up from a very busy autumn). My favorite part is how they opened the kitchen just for our visit in order to treat us with cider and donuts. The kitchen turned away customers who mistakenly thought they lucked out when they saw a full parking lot. The donuts at Rainbow are wicked good and hands down the best anywhere.

Ranch Kids.

When I say, "Let's go to Grandpa Dan's", three pairs of Littles' feet scurry to find shoes and rush back to wait by the door. Then Littles demand I hurry up...this behavior occurs for no other activity than going to The Ranch.

And...

we're back. I knew The Little Girls were leaving this flu behind when Saturday morning they woke up with energy enough to make the largest fort ever. Every pillow and cushion beneath this hut's roof was put to good use. And you know, it was down right HOT inside that fort. While the sniffles and coughs still linger, all fevers and whining are a distant memory. I am happy to report only spotting and discarding less than 15 used tissues today, HOORAY!

And The Goo is back to his usual silly self.

I knew he turned a corner when he loaded up his "trunk" with his lovies and favorite toys. This kid is going to need a man-bag/backpack/m-urse when he gets older...he has so many treasures he can't part with and he knows exactly where he last put them (channeling Savannah at his age).

I am so looking forward to a healthy, happy week. But I will admit, it was lovely having Savannah home from school and with us here at home. I am not looking forward to making up the homework/classwork she missed, but we are all happier when we are together. Without her here during the weekdays we feel her absence and anxiously await the end of her school day. Cheers to a new week of happy kids (and a happy mama too).

The Sick House.

My three Littles have the flu. The Honey Hut is currently a miserable sick house. We are in a constant state of snuggling, wiping noses, sleeping, drinking fluids, bathing and whining...oh the whining! Goo and Ivy each had the flu shot and they are definitely the sickest two of the three (Interesting, no?). Poor Goo has it the worst and for a week now, I've heard this flu is hardest on the little ones. Take care out there and I hope you are all staying healthy.

New At The Parlor.

Something exciting has happened here at The Honey Hut and at The Parlor. My friend Penny asked if I would like to sell my Bow Bracelets and Barrettes at her spa/shop. I am thrilled. I can't think of a more perfect place to display/sell these little sweeties.

Thank you Penny for the encouragement and opportunity.

Sleepaway.

On our mini vacation, all the Littles were excited about a slumber party in a hotel. I was too because this was our view. The best place to wake up in San Francisco is across from The Ferry Building on The Embarcadero.

How many Littles can you fit on a hotel bed? Apparently four maybe five if they sit real still.

Just look at Hank...isn't he delicious?

Dolores Park.

Just a few snaps continuing our mini vacation in San Francisco. The best things in life are free, for example playing at Dolores Park. The best playground and view from a park in the center of the city. Shear bliss was the expression on each Little's face at Dolores, which made us Mamas quite content.

These three...I hate to think there is a time in the future when Ivy, Jackson and Savannah don't hold hands anymore. It surely is the sweetest sight.

Mini Vacation.

While our guys have been in Florida, my sister-in-law Jenny and I took our Littles to San Francisco. Our Littles are artsy, so we took them to the Children's Creativity Museum. They loved it. The space is perfect for all ages. The Animation Workshop and Music Studio were a bit above our age range but our Littles were in heaven playing with clay, dress up and exploring the Imagination Lab (even the baby boys, Hank and Goo, could do this). But please, if you don't like to stay on top of your kids discipline-wise or want to create with them, then perhaps this isn't the place for you (or at least don't be surprised/annoyed/upset if another parent steps in and teaches your kid a lesson or two in manners/sharing/not dragging your baby down the slide by the neck of his shirt). Oh and don't you dare forget to ride the carousel if you go (2 looooong rides for $3).