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i loved her dress.

jennalee took julia out of the car and i said "OHHHH…i love that dress!!!"

it was the perfect choice.

you can't go wrong with a red and white polka dot dress.

Jenna

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you cannot know how hard it was not to grab her and give her a big zerbert right on that chubby arm pit.

her neck is absolutely kissble too.

she is just too sweet.

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we tried to do some with just julia….

and then just like that….she was DONE.

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and she was still cute!

thank you jeremy and jennalee….

she is so adorable i don't know how you get anything done but hug and kiss her all day long…

that's what i would do.

Grammie - Meg, those pics couldn’t be any more precious. Ok, so maybe I’m a little bit prejudiced 😉 Just want you to know that JuJu Bean IS so “squeezie” that I don’t get diddly-squat done all day because I love to give her kissies and squeeze the stuffin’s out of her every few minutes. Well, that and pull her out of whatever she’s into that she’s not s’posed to be into. 😀 Anyway, love your creativity!!!

robin bird - hey meg! i am lovin’ your header! i have to tell you….your photography is so awesome!! you have used you practice sessions well! i love coming to see all that you are up to with that camera. you are fast becoming a real pro at posing (when you do), keeping it sharp (when you can), and post processing goodness! i adore you as you know but still…you are good, very good!
XOXOXOX

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - The ones of her crying are just the best.

Rebekah - I tried to remember when my daughter was that age that there really was nothing in the world more important for me to do with my time than hugging and kissing her. All too soon they’re on the move and it’s all you can do to get them to slow down for a smooch! I say, “Kiss ’em while you can!!”
Gorgeous pictures!

Kathy - love that baby and her tears!

Cate O'Malley - Love that dress too! I have a similar one for my daughter and I call it her I Love Lucy dress. Just reminds me of Lucille Ball. Great pics!

Hannah - She’s so precious!! Those little tears on her face, my goodness, she’s cute!
Great pictures, thanks for sharing!

Sandy - Good point, Renee! I think from now on before Megan and family go on vacation she needs to let us know where she’s headed and the route they’re taking. That way anyone along the way that wants to have coffee, lunch, pictures taken, etc can schedule with her in advance and they can plan their vacation around it. 🙂 So…how soon will you be traveling through the highly popular *Ohio* for vacation?! It may not sound exciting, but you love Kansas so much and it’s really not much different. 🙂

Sarah - Why do I love that crying one best? Two perfect little tears! What a beautiful baby. Great pictures…are you sick of me saying that yet?

charlane - amazing how they can be like that! 🙂 adorable shots

Sarah - She is so kissable. So cute!!
Great pictures, love the one with her mommy and daddy in the background. Fantastic.

pve - you sure know how to put the “polka” in your photos.
pve

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - LOVE the shot of mom & dad smoochin in the background.

Keri ~ Forever Folding Laundry - What a cutie! The one of her crying is precious!

Jen - I love your mom-and-dad-kissing pictures. so nice.

purejoy - look at those adorable crocodile tears!

alice - funny how fast they get finished sometimes – lol! but, she is still beautiful even with tears in her eyes and on her face :), great pictures!

Renee - If you ever come to VA, you have to come to our house. I would LOVE to have you taking pictures of my kids! Awesome, thanks for sharing. xoxo

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beautiful day

have i said before that kansas is beautiful?

i think i have.

but i am saying it again.

 

yesterday i had 3 different friends watch four of my kids…lauren didn’t need a sitter.

thank you friends.

and drove for a peaceful quiet hour into the country to meet nancy and her family for pictures.

they were a really fun family.

i got to get in the water and a frog jumped on me too…it was an adventure.

 

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there are about 200 more pics to edit that i will get to in the next few weeks.

 

i snapped pictures all the way home.

i was the only car for miles.

it was 75 degrees…blue skies…the grass and fields are so lush and green as can be.

i felt so grateful to be right there in that moment.

thank you nancy for that opportunity on a thursday afternoon.

 

so here is some of what i saw.

i want to go back to get more….

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it was a beautiful day.

i had U2 turned up loud…didn’t have share my snack or drink…

no one got car sick from my crazy start-stop photo taking driving.

it was just me and the cows.

 

i think deep (DEEP) down i am a country girl.

not a hardworking-clean-out-the-barn-milk-the-cows-feed-the-pigs kind of country girl…

just one who likes to BE in the country.

i want to live there too….if someone else could do that hard stuff for me.

now i sound like a brat so i will be quiet.

 

have to take my kids to the dentist.

good times.

Liza - Love the road!

amber - I loved all of those country pictures. Wonderful! I think I wouldn’t mind the country either if I could just quilt a lot. Maybe make my kids be outside a lot – working. That sounds nice. I like your blog!

robin bird - i am loving this entire set! the family photo up top is so perfect it could make a mom cry…did she cry when she saw those beautiful girls of hers? i would have! and the long quiet highway capture is something i will try and emulate you can be sure of that! , the barn with the old truck and that cow looking over his herds shoulder to ask you; “hey, you looking at me?” are both perfection. you are on a roll honey!
XOX

Amy Walker - Megan, I laughed out loud when I read this! All your photography is great, I’d love to have you do our family sometime. I’ll have to get in touch with you, maybe sometime this fall when the tree’s are changing.

pinkmilkisyummy - I love the brown cow and the barn/truck shot. Fabulous!
My girls are nearly 4 and 2, and whenever they happen to fall asleep in the car at the same time, I do exactly this (provided I have my camera along!). My music on (currently Green Day) instead of endless repeats of High School Musical or Hi-5. Camera on seat beside me, and just mooching about the little country roads stoppng whenever I feel the urge. I had a motorcyclist nearly fall off his bike as he tried to see what it was I was standing on the front seat of my car, with my head out the door trying to capture.

erika - absolutely LOVE these pictures! Especially the one with the brown cow peeking her head up between the black cows- so precious!!!

Lori - I have never been to Kansas, but you really make me want to go there! Have you considered offering your photos in your Etsy store? I would buy some! (Color and b/w)

Vera - I LOVE love love love old barns… like I sometimes cry when I drive by them, thinking that this is something my grandchildren may never see, because they are disappearing so fast around here. Wonderful pictures!!

cre8ivegirl - “have to take my kids to the dentist.” Poof! Back to reality! Beautiful shots of the barns. Lucky girl to live in the country.

pve - Growing up in Kentucky, my Dad loves to “drive” and see the countryside.
There is something cleansing about seeing wide open spaces and as a Mom of 3, having a little time just to hear yourself think.
Thanks for the countryside tour, ahh.
pve

Kathy - Love your pictures! I think I could be a weekend country girl..but like you no hard stuff just fun! Have a great weekend.

Sally - Lovin’ Kansas! I, too, am a country girl at heart……without all the hard work.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Nothing better than some cow, barn and old dirt road pics. You are my kind of gal. Love the one of the brown cow looking directly at you…priceless.

Allison - I grew up in Kansas City and went to college in Newton. Every late spring and summer drive between the two was exactly like these photos. I can’t take my eyes off the prairie in the summer (which makes for dangerous driving, really). I got married in June and I *so* wanted wedding pictures taken in the Flint Hills, but didn’t get any.

Roxie's Mom - Love that “How Now, Brown Cow” shot. Classic!

Treemama - i have a drive like this too that i take every few months without the kids. it’s on the way to my best friend’s house, but i’ve always been in to much of a rush to take the camera along and take my time. may pencil in some extra time.
i love your cow photos!
there is something about the country that invited peace isn’t there?

Laura - I always want to be your neighbor when I look at photos of Kansas, or photos of your fun! this morning I was having coffee on my porch and a hummingbird hovered in front of me… if I’d been you I’d have had my camera ready!
Have a super weekend- Laura

wendy - I live in the country but I’m not sure this is where, deep in my heart, I belong. But it’s nice while it lasts I guess. My post today looks much like yours. Lots of country stuff going on. Glad you enjoyed your country drive. You got some great shots Megan!

jody - What great pictures…Reminds me of where I live…nearby in Iowa. LOVE it…I love the country life, too…but of course haven’t really lived it…it’s the simple, striking beauty…of land that’s loved and taken care of…I don’t want to sound bratty either, but it’s romantic and peaceful.
Your photos are always just amazing!

Dana - I love looking at your blogs. You inspire me to be a better mother, homemaker, and person. For that I thank you. I was born and raised in NorthWestern Kansas and I LOVE KANSAS. I moved to California when I was in Elementary School, but continue to visit my family every single summer. I still feel like Kansas is home. Thanks for the pictures, you totally made my day, I’m going to go call my Dad…

katy - I love the pictures you took! My husband and kids and I drove around this evening taking pictures of country life, it was GREAT!!!!!! I love living here in our small town, just a jump on the golf cart and we’re out in a pasture or dirt road amongst the cattle.
I’m hoping to get my pictures downloaded, but I’m pretty sure they’re not as wonderful as yours.

mary - love the brown cow looking up !

danyele - i really really want to go on a drive trip with you bc my fam won’t stop for me top shoot everything. i get some, but well, i would love it!!!

Erin - I always want to stop when I see things like this to take pics of but we’re always headed somewhere.
I’ll have to go by myself sometime here in NE – looks wonderful.

Julia - that cow sure looks like he has a lot of attitude.

LibraryGirl62 - I have pictures like that from my family home in KY~it just speaks to your heart, doesn’t it? I have an inner country girl too~I just can’t get out of Florida to cut her loose 🙂

emily :] - i love the picture with the truck 🙂 & i also think you and i are the same in that i like to pretend to be a country girl. i could never be on the farm, but being out there is just relaxing.

TRACI - Sooooo many do not appreciate the beauty of Ks. Glad you do and I know I DO.

Elma Riedstra - What beautiful pictures!!! Love the green grass and the old barns. What true country. Love the cows to. I love to see cows out in the fields. We live on the farm with 3900 milking cows and they are so beautiful:) Have a wonderful day!!!

Amber - Gosh every time you post pictures of Kansas it makes me wanna move away from city life. But like you said I’d be the one enjoying the country perks without all the hard work. And I almost spit out my drink laughing at that meth addicts part. 😉 God bless, have a good day.

Jamie Sampson - what a lovley afternoon. I love moments like that, where you just feel happy and like you are doing just what you were meant to do. Gorgeous photos, lov ehte old barns and the cows are pretty cute too.

Erin - Just curious I am a Kansas girl, where exactly were you taking pictures? The weather here yesterday was gorgeous!! I can only imagine how nice it was to drive down the country roads with the window down and the nice breeze blowing in your hair. I too wished we live in the country…we live in a small town but we are in a subdivision, I hope one day to be way out in the country with no neighbors.
So live in Kansas as well?

Jodi - Beautiful pictures. U2 makes everything that much more awesome. 🙂

Leah - The pictures of the road and field makes me think of the movie Twister. Do you guys worry about tornadoes?

jennifer - Those are beautiful pictures! My favorite is the one of the open road. There’s just something so peaceful about it.

Cate O'Malley - Love the picture of the long open road with nothing on it, and the cows. Oh how I love cows. Would love to have a big open field with cows just to look at and take pictures. And with someone else to do all the work that comes with them. 😉

purejoy - thanks for taking me to the country. i don’t think you sound like a brat. more like a realist. i’d like a big house in the country with all the animals and land. and an entire staff to clean my house and make mint juleps so i can sit and sip on the veranda. yeah, something kind of scarlette-y, but minus the drama. and the poverty. simple, yet provisional.

juliann brenner - Beautiful! Don’t you just want to “reclaim” some of the read barn wood for a project??

anna - oh. my. word. i l.o.v.e. those pictures! if i had a fancy camera, that is what i would take pictures of. i have a thing for old farms, farmhouses and old falling down bars.
thanks for sharing those pictures!

sarah - I live north of Kansas City and I agree- it is beautiful here. I always think the Midwest is underrated: no mountains or gigantic lakes or coastline, but beautiful all the same.

Carrie K - You make me want to live in kansas too!
gorgeous pics!! and good job on escaping the methheads…lol

Aubrey - That’s the kind of country girl I wish I were too. Sometimes I think it would be fun to live right in the heart of the city for a little tiny bit.
What’s the job market like out there? Because now I REALLY want to move to Kansas. 😉 I so love your pictures–every time.

anne - i love these pics. remind me of home (North Dakota) 🙂
thanks for the smile today.

evan - you make me laugh. the one of the old truck is my favorite. u2 loud in the car out on the road driving alone is THE BEST way to hear them. well, maybe it’s neck-and-neck with driving with u2 loud and your kids are behind you singing loudly. (but that one often gets interrupted when someone starts screaming behind you loudly) 🙂

erin j - I love Kansas: the big, open skies with the beautiful sunsets, the lonely roads, the cattle, the fields. Everything is so lovely. Your pictures make me homesick.

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - I’ve never been to the middle of the US, just the coasts. CANNOT WAIT to visit that beauty. (There may be a countdown involved.)

Sandra - Oh how beautiful — I love the pic of the Cow looking at you as if to say, “did you ask permission to take my picture?” Very cool.
Sandy

charlane - love the shots and I’m a girl that likes to be in the country during the day and a city girl at heart at night. I’m a brat too perhaps? LOL
I would love to be the only car for miles with no time limits.

sheryl - Beautiful moments. Beautiful pictures!

Lisa K in FL - What a gift you have, Meg!! I know darn well that if I took those same pictures they would look like boring shots of cows and farms. But yours are so very beautiful!!

Penny - I love the one of the three cows. The middle one looks mad. LOL Mad cow! Great pic’s. I am glad you were able to enjoy your alone time. I know I really enjoy being alone sometimes too. Sunday I am flying to Colorado by myself to deliver our last puppy to a family there. I will spend the night and plan to take a tour of Denver and then fly home. I am looking forward to the time to enjoy myself all alone!

Hannah - You take such beautiful pictures! You have such talent!
But yeah, good idea to steer clear of the Meth Addict barn. Eeek!
Good luck at the dentist! 😀

amy d - det. craig wants to know where the barn with the empty house is :)….and a vaca update, you & your camera would be sooo happy here in maine so pretty up & down the coast & in the middle too. BEAUTIFUL!!!

Anna Marie - Same here…I like to BE in the country but wouldn’t really care for all of that other stuff {or at least I don’t think so}.
I love old barn photos!
Glad you didn’t have a run in with the meth-heads 😛

Kristine - When I was 14 my family moved from the suburbs of hicago to the farms of northern IL (Belvidere). Like you, I just like to BE in the country. I love the sounds, the feel, the lack of buildings/people, and I think most, the simplicity.
Your photos brought me right back wo when I was learning to drive between the fields. Although, I never had the guts to get out and walk into a barn-let along a possible meth house (I don’t think Meth was even around then) ;). But, what do I know?!!?!
Great shots…!

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waffle’s play date

scott had a friend over…talby was at a friends' house…

why NOT let waffle have a play date too?

his sister bella stopped by for some wrestling.

waffle came running out the door when talby just started to come out.

and tackled bella to the ground.

he was so happy.

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a break. 

to pant…really hard.

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waffle looks small here…he is not small.

neither is bella.

waffle obviously got a fresh haircut.  

he is feeling like he's hot stuff.

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"what are you looking at?"

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"you are going down bella!!"

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i was sweating just trying to keep them untangled.

GB and Aaron were working harder than me to keep collars on and not choking them.

bella and waffle could care less…they were so happy to wrestle.

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bella is trained (or in training) as a therapy dog at my kids' school.

isn't that cool?

she gets to sit in GB's office and helps the kids feel better…she is comforting.

i think these dogs are perfect for that!

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"i love you man!!!"

then bella went across the street to play with marley…their other sister.

waffle came inside and nearly passed out from all that excitement.

thanks for bringing bella over to play GB.

Rita - I love dogs so this post is perfect for me. Both dogs are the best and the pictures terrific. I only have time for 1 dog but if I had more time I’d have several. They give so much love and entertainment. 🙂

Diana - ROTFL!!! I just had to get a Waffle-fix… little did I know! They are both so CUTE!! I can feel the heat of the summer in all that panting, LOL!

Jamie Sampson - can waffle come to my house for a play date??? so adorable.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Love those pics. Great playdate. Looks like they both got some energy out and made new friends.

Talia - What beautiful dogs! What bread are they?!

Sheryl - Oh, what precious pictures of Waffle and Bella!

Jay Bee - That is so cool!
I love that they are all still in contact!
Yaaaay!!!

anne - thanks for the 🙂
those pooches are so precious!

Tracy - That was funny…showed my husband he thinks you are as crazy as me!

Mindy - Your blog makes me smile EVERYDAY! I’m a little addicted. and I think I want a dog, and I don’t even want one that much.

Cate O'Malley - Oh too cute!

Amber - How cute! I’m so glad you posted this because I was trying to find an old post of Waffle. Is he a labradoodle? We’re trying to find a good house dog – we have two kids under six. I love labradoodles. I need something that doesn’t shed.

Staci - LOVE.IT!!!!!!

Janna - You’re blog is so lovely and fun! I love all the fabulous pictures of your home. A photographer friend emailed me a link to your blog. I’ll be coming back regularly! Can’t wait to try to make that rainbow cake!

Kristen - My friend Julie just sent me your site, and she thought I would like it because I’m a photographer and a crafty person (but not as good as you!!) I just finished drooling over your house pictures. Amazing. I can’t find where you live..still need to surf…but man, that house in New York would be millions!!! Absolutely gorgeous. You have a beautiful family! God bless, Kristen.

traci - how cute. gotta love dogs.

Sandy - I love Waffle and who knew he had such a pretty sister, Bella?! They are adorable! I just purchased a new puppy yesterday (comes home Tuesday)…I might steal Waffle’s name. Would that be ok? 🙂

Shanna Mead - This isn’t about this post but couldn’t find your e-mail addy anywhere. I just wanted you to know that I FINALLY made your Blueberry Buckle! It was delicious!!!! Made it for my and Russ’s mom’s birthday. It was so good with a dollup of DQ soft-serve. I had admired the recipe and photos of the finished product and finally made it. THANK YOU for a nice addition to my recipe file!

Gina - I just love that you have a dog named Waffle. Hilarious. If you ever want professional photos of him, we love taking dog photos at our studio! Especially when his curly hair grows back! 🙂 http://www.gingerootstudios.com

JerriR - Oh we just love all your posts but especially like to see Waffle!

Josh Patel - Soooo sweet, the dogs in pics posted above look very cute. And a lot of credit goes to the photographer also he has managed to capture not only their movements but also emotions.
Just stumbled and submitted your site to http://Viralogy.com/blog. Hope you get some great traffic from it. Your blog is here http://www.viralogy.com/blogs/my/9769.
– Josh

Elma Riedstra - What fun pictures!!! What kind of dog is he???

Lanny Stanard - omgoodness how cute… i love me some waffle thanks megan 😀
Lanny

Kat - Ha! Hilarious and adorable! Don’t you just love doggy playdates? They are literally just dripping with joy over all the excitement. It’s so funny to watch. Waffle is one handsome boy!

sarah w - They are both such adorable dogs.
Love all the pictures of their fun play date.

Melissa - I would love to know what type of dog Waffle is…

Kasey - Waffle is just adorable!

Kelly - I know you have said what kind of dog Waffle is before but I have to ask again because I don’t remember (sorry!!). He is adorable!!

Mrs Sitcom - Hi, Love your blog & your photos! These I can totally relate to — we did a version of the “dog dance” last night at the park. Couldn’t take them off-leash, but they kept trying to swim out to the ducks (who were taunting them, of course!:) ), ‘hanging’ themselves on the ends of their leashes in the process! Doggie play-dates are the best!

Ruth - he looks sooo different after a hair cut! fun times, fun pictures!

Angie - I am in love!!!

Christy - That is awesome! That Waffle is such a doll! I was lucky enough or maybe just crazy (jury still out) on bringing home two brothers, they are Labs, nearly 2 years old. They have the best time playing & wrestling with each other. So different from ecah other, but both are so sweet.

Laura Phelps - Great. You not only are good to children, but animals, too. I feel so inadequate right now. Think I will feed the cat.
Now…have you checked this out yet?
http://puppyartbybelle.blogspot.com/
YOU SHOULD ALL CHECK IT OUT…WAFFLE IS A BLOG STAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Waffle…you were a great interview….

Ivy Bettinger Smith - I LOVE Waffle!

Casey - Soooo sweet! Those two look adorable wrestling!

Penny - You made my day with a “Waffle” post. A bonus too, seeing his sister!!
Thanks,
Penny
another goldendoodle momma

Sherryl Mascarinas - Those two look like oreo cookies! So cute

4JJM - That’s just funny, I don’t care who you are.

Holly - So cute!

Amber - hahahhahahaa. i love that you told it like a story. 😉

CherryTreeLane - equal oppurtunity play dates! I love it. Dogs need some love too!!!

Jocelyn Stott - I ADORE dog pictures – all the time, no matter what. Thank you for the great start to my day.

Lorilee - Too Cute. I can even smell the slobbery dog fur!
Blessings,
Lorilee

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amber’s family

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with this new "job" as photographer….

(i use quotes because it doesn't feel like a job because it's very enjoyable and feels so natural)

i am meeting families for the first time in alleys and fields.

and i find that funny.

pulling into a parking lot and having a family get out of their car and i take their picture.

but i like it.

so that is what happened here…they were out of their car and i was clicking away within 2 minutes.

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i loved their color choices.

brown is my favorite.

aubrey was all smiles….the entire time.

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jace was too…but oh boy he is quick!

he was on the move.

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Amber

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thanks amber and preston.

they are adorable!

Sarah - Love them all…but especially the black and whites…great emotion!

traci - take away the quotes girl!!! you are a photographer and a damn good one!!

Lorilee - Wonderful photos as always. I would love to take more family photos. I do some for my family, but that is about it!I have been hooked on photography since I was in high school–a LONG time ago! I love the way the family wore brown. It is one of my faves!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Melanie - Your photography never ceases to amaze me. You somehow capture the very “essence” of children.

Debra Cripps - What a gorgeous family!

Tonya - cute, cute kiddos!
So, I totally, on accident deleted your email reply to my question about where the amazing sunflower field is…sorry! I’d love to have some sunflower pix to adorn the walls of my newly purchased home!

lydee - Ooohhh! gorgeous and lovely!

katie - i wish we lived close because your pictures are amazing!!!!

Lisa Liddell - I love these. That little boy Jace is gorgeoous. I love that name too. May store it away for my next boy.

TRACI - Seriously…how much natural do you do and how much “posing” do you do??? Your fabulous!!!

emily - i love the one where he’s looking under something with the adorable little smirk on his face. 🙂

Karen - Oh that third picture… what an absolutely adorable little girl!

pve - sounds like you are some sort of undercover top secret spy….must feel like that too but the photos look like you have known them forever.
great shots…
pve

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my weekend.

talby spent the week at my parents' house.

lauren was a camp all week.
i had only 3 kids for a couple days…such a change.

on friday i drove with 2 kids to pick up talby and stay overnight.
i took this shot of the sunflowers while driving 55 and not looking through the lens…funny.

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as soon as we got to my parents' we went to the pool.
then some fabric shopping at my favorite shop…sarah's.
i loaded up on yummy pretty HAPPY fabrics for pillows!

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i don't want to do anything but sit and sew.  
when will that happen?

we found caterpillars in their yard.

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my sister lorel was searching for more caterpillars for maya.

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my parents' garden is getting destroyed by rabbits!  
my mom even has a bb gun!

we ate a big yummy dinner.
then went out with my sister & my mom….ended up in a crazy bar with fake wind and snow inside.
we laughed and laughed.
my sister said i was a weirdo-magnet…it's true.
i got kissed by a stranger.
hugged by a different stranger.
it was a pretty wild night for this mama.

i took talby and sean school supply shopping.
why is that SO STRESSFUL???
and WHY do i bring them?
they don't need to be there…i could finish in a third of the time if they weren't there.
when will i learn?!
i bribed annie with a my little pony to keep her quiet…but still had to say many times 
"please don't talk to mommy for a little while"

the kids got to go to garage sales with grandpa, which is such a treat!

on the drive home i realized halfway there that we were going to get to the sunflower field at sunset.
i smiled for the next hour.

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they got out to see but annie stayed in the car…screaming her head off.

then the woman who lives here came out to introduce herself.
she was so nice.
i shared the blog address with her so she could see my interpretation of her beautiful flowers.

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that one in front is a bit deformed…LOVE that.

then carolyn let the kids have a sunflower!  
they picked the ones they wanted…they are so HUGE!
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if that was my yard…behind sean on the right…i would have a big party on the lawn.
or a wedding.
or a baby shower.

it would ROCK!!!

the best backdrop in the whole wide world.

so that was my weekend.
now we are about to have company for dinner…i tried pioneer woman's potato salad.
we'll see how it turns out. 

happy sunday.

Chelsea - I love Sarah’s on Mass! Probably the most extensive fabric store I’ve ever been to. Granted, I’ve only been to ones in Utah, Arizona, and now Kansas, but Sarah’s is my favorite by FAR!

julie - You make me want to move to Kansas. Please tell the sunflowers to hold out until September 20th.

Sara Cameli - Meg, the sunflowers are amazing…you have such a great eye. (eyes!) ha ha

alice - i wanna go next time! i love your sunflower shots – how gorgeous!

scrappysue - stunning photos

Ruth - amazing, beautiful sunflowers! i distinctly remember getting bribed with a my little pony at the doctors getting shots as a kid… but i still screamed, so no pony for me. scarred for life, huh 😉

Aubrey - your 55 mph pic makes me want an SLR more than ever and i resent that they’re out of my price range. 😉
i love all that fabric you bought–your taste is so cute and fun. somehow i manage to still come away from fabric stores with boring stuff–i guess i’m not very brave, but I’m working on it. 🙂

Christina - I love your commentary on your life!
And that field is absolutely stunning! Your pictures are wonderful.

Mary - What a post!!! Interesting and beautiful. What pictures!!!!

heather - i’m sure you get this all the time, but your photos are truly inspirational! having just moved from the mild climate and lush green of Wisconsin to the extreme climate and dead brown of far southern Texas, I find little these days to smile about. this post, however, cracked a smile and brought a little perspective to my less than sunny disposition. thanks. I look forward to stopping in to your blog more often!
cheers,
*heather*

Cate O'Malley - Love the sunflowers at sunset – so beautiful! Love the happy fabrics too! Sounds like a great weekend! (I think I use too many exclamation points, but so hard to give up)

Tonya - where is this sunflower field?

Hannah - I LOVE the sunflower pictures!
I came across your blog a couple of months ago and I’m just now getting around to commenting, haha. I love your pictures, they are so full of life!

Kasey - Gorgeous photos!

mom - What – You mention that I have a B-B gun, but don’t mention the trap??? Ha!
If I come across an “Owl” T-shirt, I’ll be sure to get it for you. Ho Ho Ho!

Julia - If I send a self addressed stamped envelope do you think you could send those sunflowers to me?

Aunt Becky - Lovely pictures! You make me want to be a better photographer.
Also? Congrats, yo. I won for best humor and you? You deserve it for eye candy. Because this is exactly what your blog is. Eye Candy. Rock on.

Linda - I love the sunflowers and that your able to take pictures of the kiddos with them. Here in Texas,we take pictures of the bluebonnets fields when they are blooming. Love them all!!!

Dani - I love Sunflowers! Absolutely beautiful pictures! I’m jealous that there are no fileds around here. I’d be there every morning when the sun rises to thank God for all His wonderful works!

Christy - Awesome, awesome pictures! The sunflowers are HUGE!
I LOL about the My Little Pony bribe & the don’t talk to mommy. Sometimes I think I come to work for a break. 🙂

Michelle B - love the sunflowers! Wish we had them in Iowa. I have only found corn 🙂

Wendy - Wonderful pics, Meg. Again…. you brighten my morning. 🙂 Thanks.

Laura Phelps - I want YOUR weekend. Mine was uninspiring, and I hate that.
I also am missing my sisters so much.
Be so grateful you are close to family.
I regret moving from mine so much
yet have to believe
that this is a path God put me on
and I need to trust in Him and that it will lead m to where I need to be
And that now…even so far..I am exactly where He needs me.

Sarah - The school supply shopping…I know how you feel…PLEASE stop talking so my brain can interpret some information, kids! I finally got smart (it took years and years of re-learning the lesson) and take one kid out at a time and throw a stop for icecream or lunch or ANYTHING in on the way. It’s just too much stuff…5 kids X a jillion things they need + the end of summer vacation = major breakdown by mom in Target.

Emily - gorgeous pictures! thanks for the reminder to always keep a camera handy and an eye open for great moments!

Logan - The sunflowers are wonderful!!! I enjoyed the pictures you took the other day, but these are even better. Please tell Annie that we missed seeing her smiling face with those of her brother and sister.

Rebekah - “Please don’t talk to mommy for a while.” Too funny. 🙂 And I can totally relate!

Debra Cripps - Hi
I just finished reading through your blog. You are the sweetest mom I have seen in a long time. Your children are gorgeous! My two girls are in their mid twenties now but I remember having all the same thoughts and feelings as you are now. You are not alone! I love your photos and love your love of colour! The best part is that you love God! I’m so glad I found your blog.
Hugs from Debra up in Canada

Renee - I love your posts. They make me feel like I’m not completely messing up this motherhood thing (like when you told Annie not to talk to you anymore — that’s totally something I would say!). Your pictures are so beautiful. Great story, too. xoxo

Anna Marie - Beautiful photos Megan! I also have a BB gun…got it for Christmas from my husband in fact :o) I use mine for raccoons, opossums and mean cats and dogs. It works! 😉
Take care and have a great day!

traci - wow meg, what a great weekend. love all the sunflowers. they are so beautiful!! i need to go check and see if ours are looking that good. i think the boys planted some.

Dana D @BoysMyJoys - The pictures are beautiful!
And the fabric… I can’t wait to see what amazing creations will be in your shop soon!
Love the camo- don’t all boy mamas?
Any chance you’ll decide to make camera straps out of any of that fabulous fabric? I’d be first in line to buy one!

Vicki - I just wanted to let you know I follow your blog and love your pictures. I don’t remember how I got over here (from who’s blog) but your pictures are always so amazing.
I just had to tell you that your sunflower pictures brought a huge smile to my face. I LOVE sunflowers (have a tattoo of one) – they are my favorite think to see. How I wish I could have stood in that field!! Thank you for sharing these pictures – I just loved them!!!

Leah - The rabbits are starting to nibble on our vegetable garden too! Darn little bunnies! I love that your mom has a bb gun for them! When i was about 10 I had a bb gun with a scope. Well, my dad said if I shot a bird we could eat it for dinner. Well, I spent all day outside trying to shoot a bird. I finally got one and it was the saddest thing ever. I will spare you the details. Anyhow, I was proud of myself and took it to my dad. I was crushed when he said we couldnt eat that kind. I didn’t know he meant quail and not any old cactus wren. I cried my eyes out and buried the poor thing. Thats I dont think I can bring myself to shoot a bunny…even if its taking a bite out of my garden. Im sure the men wont bat an eye though 😉

Sheryl - Loving your pictures, as usual!

Whitni - These pictures are so lovely. I did a tiny mention of you in my post today, just giving you heads up 🙂
I hope you find time to sit and sew, I would love to take sweet little Annie off your hands for a while but well you live in Kansas and I live in Georgia! Ha!
Hope you have a great week!
-W

katy - Wonderful pics, I love sunflowers…so cheery aren’t they.

Holly - Love sunflowers! Amazing photographs, as usual.

Jen - That fabric is amazing! BUT the sunflowers WoW!! What beauty, you captured it PERFECTLY!

Keri ~ Forever Folding Laundry - Love the fabrics (just bought a couple of those polka dots too) and love the rest of your weekend. Looks like you did summer justice. 🙂

liza - Yummy fabrics and incredible sunflower field!!!

sarah w - I just LOVE the sunflowers. I’m always glad I visit your blog, because your pictures are so heart warming.
and that caterpillar… beautiful.

Christy - 1 – LOVE the new header picture.
2 – Thanks for posting the caterpillar pictures. We had a field of milkweeds across the street from our house growing up and I used to spend all summer playing house with those caterpillars. I showed my 14 year old daughter and she said – who needs dolls when you have caterpillars?
3 – I saw you won Best Eye Candy Blog in the BlogLuxe Awards. I thought – WELL OF COURSE! Your blog and PW’s are the 2 I most look forward to every day. I love looking at your pictures. Especially the ones of your kids. I love your perspective. Do you crop them like that or is that just how you take them?
4 – How did the bar do fake wind and fake snow?

Amber - Wow. I’ve never seen a sunflower field like that before. Of course I’ve never been to Kansas either. 😉 Have a great day today!!
Amber

Heather - I would love to hear what you think of that potato salad recipe. I usually love Pioneer Woman’s Recipes, but the “mashed potato” salad seemed a little odd to me 🙂
P.S. The sunflowers and your kids are both gorgeous!

anna - i love the rows and rows of sunflowers. so pretty. my favorite time of day during the year is when the sun is setting in the late summer/early fall. i love the way the sun makes all the green crops golden. oh my goodness. that is a glimpse of heaven to me. (i grew up on a farm, so it also reminds me of home.)
super cute picture of talby.
and sean…so handsome.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I think Carolyn will surely agree – you did those beauties justice.

Lanny Stanard - I bet they hate to see you come up to the fabric counter LOL 😀 love the sunflower and love the picture of your son with the sf in front of his face very cool… tell Annie I missed seeing her by the sf’s she would of looked so cute! maybe next time…
Lanny 🙂

emily :] - i decided i want to get married in front of a field of sunflowers. i loved this post.

Heather Richter - Beautiful pics! I think Marigolds keep bunnies away(for your Mom). Love sunflowers. ~Heather R.

Patti - ok, i’m like having some serious fabric envy. like totally. for reals. looks like a fun packed weekend!

Angela - Amazingly beautiful. You make a busy life seem calm. 🙂

Brooke - love the sunflower pictures! oh and the fabric, the fabric is great. hope you find time to just sit and sew.

Penny - I love sunflowers!! You take wonderful pictures. I love your perspective.

Staci - What a GREAT weekend it looks like you had!! I pre-bought school supplies through our school this year—WHAT a lifesaver THAT is!!! I just let them pick out backpacks and lunchboxes…I’m so mean 🙂 I know you hear this alllll the time, but seriously, your pictures are A-MAAA-ZINNG!!!!!! We live on 30 acres…I wish you lived closer…I’d be amazed at the loveliness you’d be able to produce!!!! If you are ever just roaming through Edmond, Oklahoma…CALL ME!!!

adrienne - love the one with your son in the middle of all the flowers. amazing pictures!

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cute family

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quite a silly group of kiddos…lots of teasing between the older two…i can relate.

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she was so sweet…big brown eyes.

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i am pretty sure i said "how about a smile for….grandma?"  it worked.
i love that hair.

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she was a natural…and funny.  every time i asked her not to smile…she would crack up laughing.

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little guy wasn't too interested in me or my camera…and that's fine.
he said he likes Diego and Dora.

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thank you for asking me sandy.
it was fun.

***********************************************************************************************************************

last night annie woke up screaming.
i went in to check on her and said "what's wrong honey…did you have a bad dream?"
she yelled "WAAAAHHHHH!!!  emily's breath STINKS!  WAAAHHHH!!!"
emily is our cat.
and she wasn't even in the room.
i guess she was dreaming about that.
it was weird.

then this morning she said "did you hear me last night?  man…i was c'wazy!"
seriously.

Kameron - CONGRATULATIONS on winning thew best eye candy award!!! I do love coming over to see what you have taken pictures of each day!!

kris - Oh my gosh, that has so happened at our house (the stinky cat breath in the middle of the night thing). LOL

Sophie - Such gorgeous children!
And Annie is so sweet (:

pve - the cutest t-shirt arrived today! lurve it! 🙂
pve

A pocket full of posies... - Annie’s stories are my favorites!!!
One of your pillows is “starring” in my post today! you are also referenced and linked! (oh, maybe I should have asked first!- hope it’s o.k.?)
Blessings!
Jill
http://www.jmdesignandco.blogspot.com

Kat - LOL! Wow, Emily’s breath surely must have been super stinky for her to smell it from another room! Too cute!

Vera - Great pics. Oh gosh, Annie is SO cute!
Just FYI… you might have to make a trip to Arkansas later this year… I have a folder on my computer where I stick pictures that inspire me for decorating our new nursery, and today I realized that a good 50% of them are just pictures of your house and your Etsy creations – so maybe you just need to come decorate it for me 🙂

Jill Jones - Love the photos. The story is FAB! Hilarious.

Magchunk - Oh my gosh, that cracked me up. Reminds me of boyfriend’s pals the morning after a house party… but coming from a four year old it’s just precious.
Nice shots. I am lusting after your camera. My silly digital is such a joke.

Jess - Great pics, I wish we lived closer to you. I would so love for you to do ours. Gimme a heads up if you’re ever in South Carolina!!!
My kiddos have had some c’wazy dreams too. And I can think of nothing worse than poodle breath! Our little stinker could kill with his breath.

Kate - Your pictures are lovely. You always seem to capture the energy of the moment. I love that. Our cat has terrible breath, too. Your story made me choke on my tea!

Holly - Annie is too cute!

Lisa K in FL - I love that little Annie – she’s a hoot 🙂

Shelly DeBoer - Meg,
How do you get that lovely yellow glow like in the picture of the cutie with the big brown eyes. I believe I have the same camera as you and wondered if you do any certain settings or if it is a certain time of evening. I see it in alot of your pics and love the look. If you get time you can e-mail me at ms4deboer@yahoo.com
Annie sounds like she keeps you in stitches alot! It gave me my first laugh of the day.

Dana D @BoysMyJoys - ROTFL like c’wazy!!!
Annie gives you enough funny material to write a book!

Sharla - so c’wazy!

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feeling good.

a few things i am happy about.

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a little thrift shopping…
the quilt is FULL of holes, but will make some lovely pillows for the shop.  
makes me so happy.
here's what i did with the blue box…

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i can now throw out my old lady one from wal-mart i got 10 years ago.

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a little fabric shopping…and a full punch card.
sweet!

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my flowers from joy (my Illinois mom) are blooming! 
they are so pretty.  
the garden is so good this year…rain is a good thing.

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went to hillsboro yesterday afternoon to catch up with some friends from high school at the pool.
ended up seeing many friends…staying hours and hours at the pool…
staying in town for dinner…the three kids had a blast too.
it was such a great day.
i drove home with 3 goofy kids who were hyper and i was laughing at them really hard.
(the boys' were singing the beatles in opera voices)
it just felt good.
(except for my major sunburn today)

and i came across this.
i. can. NOT. wait.
parenthood is one my top 10 movies…and now it will be a tv show!!!!
i love shows like this and i will be hooked from the first minute.

hope you find somethings that make you happy today.

now…i have some dishes to do.
i will try to be happy about them.
try.

Jessica - I just found your blog the other day and saw this post with the Parenthood trailer… I am so excited too! It really looks to be a great show… and with so many good actors! Really hoping it’s a good one!

CrazyPeopleI'veWorkedWith - All your pictures are gorgeous, the colors are so vibrant and just POP!

Timalee - Hi! I’m a new lurker, stumbled on your blog about a week ago and am really enjoying the eyecandy! Just had to say that I would do almost anything for one of those quilt pillows, I actually have an identical matching quilt on my sofa right now that my mamaw made me a few decades ago. It is still in nearly perfect condition so I won’t be cutting it into pillows anytime soon, but I would REALLY love a matching pillow to go with it! 🙂

kristin - not sure where my comment went, so if you find it then you can ignore my rambling.
mostly i am writing to tell you that you’d enjoy knowing we’re on the illinois interstate heading out of chicago…and thanks to my phone as a modem i can catch up on line.
we love the hillsboro pool, i can’t wait for that show, the thrift shop is one of the first things on my list….ahhhh.

kristin - oh, and yes, i LOVE parenthood-type shows too!!!

kristin - oh, we love going to the hillsboro pool….
and thought you might enjoy knowing i am writing you from the illinois interstate…heading home from our trip.
thanks to my phone acting as a modem i have time to catch up!

jolyn - Parenthood is, like, my favorite movie ever. Thank you for sharing the upcoming series: who knows how long it would have taken me to find it otherwise!

Trina McNeilly - Oh yeah!!!! This looks fabulous!!!!!!!!! So many great actors.. I’m so ready for a good tv show. And that movie is classic! Have a great weekend!

Rach - Seriously… I want to go to YOUR fabric store!!! I love the stuff you get!

Christina - The happiness comes AFTER the dishes are done, then you can leave behind that clean sink and go about your fun, I mean, business.

Ashley Ann - Feel free to send one of those pillows to me! Lovin’ your blue box too. Your blog is so much fun!!

liza - Things that make me happy: my husband, our puppy dogs, and lots of cute blog posts everywhere!

wendy - OK, I can totally relate to that show. Especially all that teenager stuff. It’s now on my must see list! Thanks Meg. Is that your quilt or did you find it somewhere? Love it.

Jill - Can I have first dibs on pillows made from that quilt??? I am serious – love the colors! Wow! What a fun project and great use for a old quilt with holes – think of how much time and love went into it originally….

casey - oh my gosh I hadn’t heard of that show and it looks amazing!!!

Christy - The Parenthood trailer looks awesome! Thanks for posting it. I totally heart Peter Krause! Can’t wait!
Love the colors of your pics. I so wish we lived closer so you could capture my 6 yo. You also gave me an great way to use my old metal green tackle box. Hooray!

Amy - omg! omg! omg! omg! i cannot wait to see that movie!

Restless Mama - How fabulous that they’re making a show out of the movie – totally excited about this.
I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of months and let me just say it’s not only eye candy but such a lifter for my day.
Thank you so much for sharing.

Chiot's Run - I sure did, a lovely cool rainy day. Nothing makes me happier than a latte made my Mr Chiots 🙂

danyele - i really love the preview…and it will be so much fun. maybe i won’t feel like a slacker sometimes too. and i love love love the blue box!!! reminds me of my grandpa’s.

Toni :O) - I hope you were able to use your punch card before it expired on June 30th…..awesome finds. I LOVE thrift stores…so cool!

Trasie - Love love love it!!!!

Lazy Mom Leslie - I’m excited about Parenthood as well. I think it will be great! Have you seen the previews for The Good Wife? I love that both of those shows have ER alumni in them. And Mr. Big is in The Good Wife too. Fall is my favorite time of year. School starts, temperatures drop and the new fall lineup premiers! What more could a girl ask for?
Remember that the offer still stands for you to come live in my guest room and document my life in pictures. Not only will I pay you in margaritas (no salt) I’ll even throw in the chips and salsa! Great, now I’m hungry for Mexican food!

wesleyjeanne - You just made me happy telling me about the new show. I love love love that movie and show it to my LifeSpan Developmental Psychology students. I don’t have TV, but I’m hoping they’ll put episodes of the new show on the Internet to watch. Thanks for telling me about it.

Angela - Okay, I watched the video preview for Parenthood and it looks killer. They had me at “By the Writers of Friday Night Lights.” Do you watch Brothers & Sisters? Sigh… So good.
I will make your rainbow cake one day. When I get brave enough. And buy some of those round cake pans. I am so ill-equipped.

Kathy - Love the thrift store finds!

Dana D @BoysMyJoys - Having yummy cake in my new cake plate is making me happy today! Actually, I have cake in two cake plates today! I baked your rainbow cake, but didn’t follow your directions about cutting off the top bump of each layer. The top 3 layers ended up on the counter when I walked out of the kitchen for a minute! But, it’s OK! Now I have a red, orange, and yellow cake in one cake plate- and a green, blue, and purple cake in another cake plate! They are making me kitchen counters look very cheery this week! YUM!

A pocket full of posies... - Oh how I have SO many things I am happy about!!! But, one great big happy: My “whatever” shop goodies arrived today!!! I LOOOOVE them! and your too “sweet” to add a little chocolate! 🙂
Oh! and I can’t wait to see the pillows from that quilt! *swoon*!
Blessings!
Jill

Dana M. - One of my happy things was getting together yesterday! So glad that it worked out. Let’s not wait so long for the next gathering. Oh and when the kids go back to school let’s go antiquing in Abeline!! I mean it. 🙂

Vera - Saw my baby’s heartbeat for the first time today… can’t get any happier than that!!!!!! Glad you’re happy too – your pictures always make me happy!

Lori - Hi Meg, it has been such a crazy busy week that I admit I have been lurking and not commenting. But I couldn’t not tell you that I connected to your Proverbs 31 post. I did a bible study years ago that cleared up my being intimidated by the P31 woman. It is a yardstick that I use to measure how far I have come, and how far I need to go, with God’s strength and support. I am pretty sure I’ll be in heaven before I attain P31 status!
I hadn’t heard about Parenthood, the series. It looks great. I have two teenagers, and I think I will be nodding my head alot as I watch! Thanks, as usual.

Jill - My husband and I had marked that show as one we definitely wanted to watch this fall. I get all teary during the previews, so I can only imagine I’ll be a wreck during the real thing!

Jenn Thomas - Meg – I need to go thrift shopping with you – you always find such neat things.

Ivy Bettinger Smith - I have my happies on my blog today, too. Parenthood looks awesome! Cant wait to start watching. I love Ron Howard:)

Jess - beautiful things. i’m up to my eyeballs with laundry and a frog just escaped somewhere upsatirs…. this was just the break i needed! can’t wait to see that tv show.

katie - i LOVE the quilt!!!

Laura Phelps - already found something to be happy about.
this post.

Jocelyn Stott - Okay – I don’t know what is wrong with me but that preview for Parenthood just made me tear up and feel really emotional. I am 26 and not even close to having kids, but something about it just got to me. Whew – pull yourself together Jocelyn!
Thanks for the wonderful photos!

Jane Weston - Your pictures made me happy today :o)
The quilt looks amazing and I love how you will give it a new lease on life.

Kirsten - Yay – I love the “roller coaster” analogy at the end of Parenthood. I hadn’t seen this – can’t wait for it! And Monica Potter and Maura Tierney are two faves of mine. That quilt is amazing!!! Is it too snoopy to ask how much you paid for it?

Chasity - i’d be awful happy about that quilt and the old tacklebox as well….
i’m happy for a weekend with nature and family.
chasity

Aubrey - So many pretties…
I was sad this spring–I planted zinnia seeds, they were coming up, we had lots and lots and lots of unexpected rain and they all washed away. So I like seeing the pictures of yours. 🙂

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