I’ve moved:  http://dani3d.com/artfulthoughts or just http://dani3d.com will get you to my new blog.  See you there!  *smile*

Click to Download PSD File.

Double-Crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret and Cormorant

The little groundhog that lives in our yard.

 Click to view larger-sized photos.

Right Click to Save Autumn Banner & Stamp (PNG Format).

Top Row:  Quinn & Connor playing in the Puppet Theater at the Library; Connor, Momma, Daddy, Uncle Speedy and Cade at Uncle Speedy’s 80th Birthday Party; Aunt Liz and Momma sitting in the hammock at Birthday Party

Middle Row:  Connor & Cade swimming at Uncle Speedy’s 80th; Gifts I’ve made, Connor; Quinn & Cade petting a goat at Clark Elioak’s Farm.

Bottom Row:  Quinn riding a pony; Quinn Sliding; Cade and Quinn joining Jack and Jill…all at Clark’s.

Autumn Key Clipart in PSD Format - Click to Download

t was an absolutely gorgeous weekend.  The breezes coming off of the bay had a cool, autumn-y touch to them.  Yesterday I made dinner to take down to Momma’s of chicken BBQ on soft potato rolls, summer pasta (made with fresh garden tomatoes, farfalle/bowtie pasta, fresh mozzarella, minced garlic, fresh basil, olive oil, salt and pepper) and also a pound cake with melted milk chocolate glaze.  Momma made a crisp garden cucumber salad.   We all ate and then relaxed and had a wonderful time watching the kids swim.  The children were a bit hesitant about jumping in the pool (with the cooler nighttime temperatures here the pool water is a wee bit cold) but quickly got over it and my boys and my sister’s girls had a great time splashing about like playful seals.

I wish I had pictures to share but with all the food items that needed to be transported (and kids and kids’ stuff) I forget to take my camera.

My boys are getting so tall, tanned and handsome…growing up much too quickly.

~~~  .  ~~~

I finally got my parents’ 50th anniversary book (the one I worked on for so long last year) uploaded to Shutterfly and it should be here by the end of the month.  I’ve been promising them a printed book since last year!  I also decided to do one of the party and our vacation last year too…that’s a surprise for them.  I used one of the Creating Keepsakes books, the Year in Review template, and I think it turned out very nicely.  My goal is to do one for this year’s vacation too…when I can afford to!  *smile*  The books are not cheap, especially those that go over 70 pages.

~~~  .  ~~~

The twins have been doing half lessons of school daily…letting them enjoy the final days of summer.  Their Latin is coming along nicely too.  On Friday, they sang Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, complete with all the body gestures, to me in Latin.  *smile*

I’ve been thinking about purchasing the Waldorf inspired Oak Meadow’s preschool curriculum for Quinn.  He’s still not ready for kindergarten work.  The Waldorf philosphy of learning is a simple, nurturing, hands-on approach.

Our homeschool co-op’s first meeting/class is coming up too…need to get together with my friend, Lisa, to make the yearly welcome folders.

Click to View Full-Sized Image

Per a request for a closeup of the little fairy dragons.  *smile*

My Momma has been watching…I just view the highlights. Thought this little gadget was quite cool. NBC has a bunch of different ones (just click on “More Widgets”) if you’d like to add one to your blog too. *smile* (more…)

Click to View Full-Sized Image

Created in Photoshop - Click to Download

Click to view full-sized image.