Thank you Nancy~

Today I was honored with the award of The Attitude of Gratitude presented by Nancy of Nancy's Tidbits.    I love Nancy because every time I visit her site, it brings me back to a time in my childhood when I lived in Iowa.  I love the photos she has of herself as a girl and there is such warmth in her writing.  Thank you so very much Nancy~

The rules of accepting and sharing this award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude.

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they have received this award.

5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award.  Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude.

As far as my "attitude of gratitude", I think that each day I am more aware of how incredibly blessed I am with the life that I have.  The older I get, the more I understand what is really, truly important.  I feel that having four healthy, happy children and a husband whom I adore, there really isn't anything else that I *need*.  (Please don't confuse this will all of the fabulous lovely things out there I enjoy eyeing...)

I have *met* so many incredible bloggers, but will nominate the following ladies with fabulous attitudes~

Joyce at A Perfect Beginning

Kasey at Lola B

Maya at Mayamade

Ciara at Milkmoon

Nadja at Nadja Vol

Leaca at Simply Blogged

Laurie at A View From The Coop

Sherry Lee at Everyday Possibilities

Kristen at Twinkle Life

Ellie at The Twins Mama

Lissa at Humble Pie

Paige at Simple Thoughts

Rainy Saturday

We saw beautiful glass art at the Farmer's Market~

Of course I had to bring the blue one home...

An afternoon in the kitchen is one of my favorite ways to spend a rainy Saturday~

{and one can never go wrong with crepes!}

Saturday Plans

I truly do love Saturdays~  All of my boys home, the Saturday markets, and good food.

Today is opening day for the Redmond Saturday market.  Often during the summer, the boys and I will ride our bikes along the slough down to the market (30-40 minutes each way).  We pull #4 along in the trailer, and with my basket we are able to bring home all sorts of produce, flowers, and goodies.  Today it seems a bit blustery so I think that we will be driving over, as I don't want to get stuck in potential rain.  

We are also going to be working on the little boys' playhouse this afternoon.  It is in dire need of stairs to the loft (dire after #3 fell down the hole and scraped his back up a few weeks ago...). It also needs to have the front finished, and my darling husband is incredibly handy and able to do these sorts of things. (clearly a cheap attempt at flattery in order to ensure the job is completed this weekend...)  

As far as food goes, well, that is up in the air at this point.  Usually I would be planning this morning, but have instead been finding all sorts of fabulous reading online with many of my favorite blogs.  Sometimes they are just too inspiring for my own good!  

Last night we had a double date with friends of ours.  We had a picnic on Lake Washington in the sunshine and it was simply a divine evening.  There was a man playing his guitar not far from us which really took the movie-quality of the evening to a whole new level.  #1 babysat the wee ones and when we arrived home the babes were in bed, and there were chocolate croissants rising on the counter for this morning.  (insert self pat on the back for raising such an amazing teenager, so far...)

Have a fantastic Saturday, whatever you do.  

xo

Wandering through Bassetti's

If you asked me to choose one local place where I could go, with my favorite hammock, and a good book, or a magazine, or my camera, it isn't really a contest for me.  One of my very favorite places to visit on a beautiful day like today is Bassetti's Crooked Arbor Gardens here in Woodinville, WA.  Honestly, if ever there was a place that sang *May Day* (or Mother's Day, or my birthday, or any day for that matter) it is would be Bassetti Gardens.  Finn Henry and I just spent our morning there, wandering through the sun-warmed paths, taking photos of flora, and fauna, and finneas.  It is so incredibly peaceful there, with only the sounds of the birds and the wind blowing through the bushes and trees.  On a sunny day like today, you hear the bees buzzing and it smells like summer.

Finn Henry enjoyed himself thoroughly~

I love wandering through the gorgeous pathways~

They have lovely plants to see, and some for purchase as well~

If I am ever looking for fabulous garden art, this would be my first stop~

And finally, they have the most divine outbuildings~

I am dying to get this darling little blue flower to grow in my pasture lawns.  Would you believe Leanette just dug a patch up for me to try?!?  

They also host weddings there.  Makes me want to get married to the love of my life again Sigh...

Enjoy your weekend lovelies~

xo

happy May Day!

I remember May Day as a child.  We would make baskets out of paper, or cans, or decorated school milk cartons.  As I was a child of the midwest, I believe we had flowers in bloom to cut from our gardens (sadly nothing is in bloom on our property right now - I will need to be creative...).  My parents never helped us - this is something we did as kids, alone.  We would then go to the doors of our neighbors, hang our baskets, ring the bell, and run.  I remember it being so much fun.  

I guess, if I want to do it today, I will need to bring a child along, to make it appear that it was his idea...  Sometimes it is just so much more fun being a kid!

Happy May Day my friends~  I wish I could hang a basket on each of your doors!

xo

photos courtesy of~  photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4, photo 5, photo 6, photo 7

I love this feeling.  The one where you first wake up and notice that it is light.  It may be before 6 am but it is already light out.  And you peek out the window, and see blue, and look to the east, and see that the sunshine has arrived to spend the day with you.  

Absolutely love.