Splish splashin in the spica ...

First, add all sorts of toys into a bowl full of icy cold water

Then, let the splashin' begin

Ahhh...much better

Oh those eyes...

...and that smile...
(it would seem the temps in the 90's aren't the only way to make her mama melt!)

Showoff!

This profusion of pink recently exploded onto my neighbor's landscape.
It beckoned me and my camera,
with its flouncy, dress-like blooms and show-stopping shade of pink.
Azaleas are bursting with vibrancy everywhere around here.
This one just happens to be my favorite...
...sorta like a scrumptious
dessert for the eyes!
mmmmmm

It's my party...

...and I can pick two winners if I want to.
So I did.
Congrats to Gail at Aging with Grace
and Gretchen at Houseful of Critters
Thanks for playing along! (Uhm...nevermind that you two were the only players)
That's okay...just think of all the fun you will have spending your giftcards at Lowes!
Please send me an email so I can get them mailed out!

Shutterbug...

So it's not a Nikon with multiple lenses.
There's plenty of focus there.
And imagination. And a keen eye for detail.
And for those lucky enough,
Joy when catching a glimpse of our world through her eyes.

Get Your Gardening Groove On (Giveaway)

mmmm...raspberries!

minty fresh!

oregano...it's what's for sauces!

cilantro...here today, gone all too quickly

peter piper picked a peck...

strawberry shortcake anyone?

It's time to get down and dirty!
Dig in, and grab a fistful of soil.
Plant. Nurture. Anticipate.
And a bit later...
Enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of your labor!
How about a $30 giftcard to Lowe's to help you get things growing?
Share your favorite thing about gardening in the comments of this post.
It's that easy.
Winner to be drawn and announced Sunday, April 26th.

Ready! Set! Shop for a good cause!

From the good folks at Love without Boundaries...

Born In My Heart Art Auction

April 23rd through April 28th!

In nearly every orphanage in China, children in need of heart surgery wait to be healed. In an effort to help as many of these orphaned children as possible, Love Without Boundaries began the "Born In My Heart" art auction six years ago. This is an annual event that serves as our special tribute to the miracle of adoption, and also as a fundraiser to help us provide these essential operations to children who need emergency heart surgery.

Beginning Thursday, April 23 through Tuesday, April 28, you will have the opportunity to bid on some amazing items and forever change the lives of children with heart defects. As always, 100% of the proceeds go to fund heart surgeries.

Auction items will begin to launch at 9am (Pacific) on Thursday, April 23th. Over 300 items will be added throughout the day, and the auction will close Tuesday, April 28th (again, with items closing throughout the course of the day). We have some absolutely incredible items this year, all donated by LWB's fabulous supporters! Here are some items you won't want to miss: art from Caroline Young, Judith Stein, Darsan' Nitti, and some truly gifted "amateur" artists. Glorious quilts in many sizes and themes. Books by Grace Lin, Lisa See, Sherry Eldridge, Carol Peacock and more. Stunning lifebook layouts in both hardcopy and digital formats that will inspire anyone to get busy on that lifebook! Language series designed for age groups from elementary to high school. Chinese Cookbooks, a Sushi Basket and another Mother/Daughter apron set so popular last year. Darling "cottage boutique" clothes for little girls. Diaper Dude diaper bags for "cool" dads! Beautifully designed custom announcements. Care Packages from Blessed Kids. A gorgeous Asian design crib bedding set. A "must see" selection of dolls including "Going Home" Barbies and Corolle baby dolls. Tooth Fairy pillows, hand knit "Panda" sweaters, toys, home décor, 2008 Olympics items, embroidery, charm, jewelry, and so much more!

You will be able to access our auction from the Love Without Boundaries website homepage at: www.lovewithoutboundaries.com, or by visiting our eBay store where the items will be auctioned (click here) beginning April 23th (auction items are not available for preview).

You can also play a part in healing hearts by posting about the auction! If you have a personal blog, family website, Facebook or Twitter page, we would be so grateful if you would mention this event, as so many children are counting on us for surgery. Help spread the news that lives can be saved!

Thank you in advance for helping to make this year's auction our best ever!

Love Without Boundaries
Art Auction Committee

Springtime canvas...

"Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them."
-Psalm 111:2-

Argh!

Thanks to some pc pirates who managed to virally take over our pc, we were "out of order" for awhile around here. What humans will do to try to ruin nearly anything never ceases to disappoint. Anyway, we had a great Easter with family in Indiana. And yep, the Bunny managed to find us, so there were loads of treats and good times...Tummy time with Yi, Baba, and Lulu

Thanks Easter Bunny!

Cousins reading a good book together

Bubbles and sunshine...what fun!

The best GeGe in the whole world!

Happy Easter...

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..."

1 Peter 3

"A flower cannot bloom...

...without sunshine, nor a garden without love."- Chinese Proverb-

If only they were kidding...

You would think our elected officials in D.C. might have some other more important things to attend to right now, what with the world economies in shambles, and dictatorships tauntingly sending missiles overhead. However, it would seem that nothing is out of the realm of possibilities where our government is concerned. Take HR 875, which, if you did not know better, would think was an April Fools joke.

Amongst the details of this frightening piece of

legislation our D.C. pals have put together:

1. No more farmers markets

2. No more seasonal, fresh selections from your local farmer at your favorite restaurant

3. No more juicy fruits and tasty veggies from farmers roadside stands.

Oh, yes, there's more...read about it yourself. Then decide- do you want the government dictating what you are able to eat?

Be informed:

http://www.leavemyfoodalone.org/

Light for the world...

Somehow, reading the Sunday paper is just not as enjoyable as it used to be. One really bad story after another, showcasing our enormous human shortcomings. And so it helps to know and believe this...

"...I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of the life."

-John 8:12-

"Keep your face to the sunshine...

...and you cannot see the shadow."-Helen Keller

With temps in the 70's yesterday,

and the glory of spring

popping in Apple-Asia,

a walk proved to be

a very worthy

use of our afternoon.

Maggie loves to be outdoors,

and so does her Mama.

We count...trees, squirrels, bikes, cats, dogs...

We talk about colors...of the flowers, sky, grass, trees, cars...

Sometimes, we collect "treasures"...leaves, flowers, rocks, sticks...

But mostly, we just keep our faces to the sunshine...

and soak it all in.

Have a great weekend- find some sunshine!

No foolin, it's April...

Spring
by Celia Thaxter
The alder by the river

Shakes out her powdery curls;

The willow buds in silver

For little boys and girls.
The little birds fly over

And oh, how sweet they sing!

To tell the happy children

That once again 'tis spring.
The gay green grass comes creeping

So soft beneath their feet;

The frogs begin to ripple

A music clear and sweet.
And buttercups are coming,

And scarlet columbine,

And in the sunny meadows

The dandelions shine.
And just as many daisies

As their soft hands can hold

The little ones may gather,

All fair in white and gold.
Here blows the warm red clover,

There peeps the violet blue;

O happy little children!

God made them all for you.

...and we are in the spica-cast-home-stretch!

So thankful for all of your prayers, well-wishes, and encouragement.

So amazed by the progress to date...

and excited about what's to come!