Back from my favorite place to be.. Minnesota.

Don't worry I did not give up on the blog already.  I was away on our traditional family vacation that we have taken every year since I was born (my parents actually went before I was born)  And now in 2011 and 2012 Mason was able to continue on this wonderful tradition. 

This year also, my sister and her family were able to come back for the first time since she was a teenager.  So it was great to have them start this hopefully as a tradition as well.   

We all stayed in one cabin, which was a large cabin, but let me tell you.. I do not think any cabin would ever be large enough when you put 3 families under one roof :).  It does get a little stressful because we all have different rules and expectations of ourselves and others, so things can get a little out of hand.  But in the end, it was a lot of fun and we can laugh at our differences. 

For myself, the past 2 years I have not been able to fish as much as I would have liked.  As I get older, I enjoy fishing more and more.  I think because with life being so hectic, it is nice to get out on the quiet lake and relax.  However, as I have gotten older and now having Mason, I have to stay back and watch him so I get less time on the lake.  I also got to spend a lot of time with my neice and nephew who are from Michigan and I do not get to see as much as I hoped.  We played a lot of games and did a lot of coloring. It is fun to be like a big kid! 

Mason had a hard time adjusting to all the commotion and getting himself to sleep, so there was a few restless nights. He is also going through this phase in which he is not a fan of daddy.  Anyone else ever had this?  He is 14 months now.  Daddy can't kiss, touch, hug, feed, or wake him up. Mason will have a screaming fit under those circumstances. Weird.   Hope this passes soon. 

We are back in Iowa now, and all our flowers died in the heat, I am sick of the heat.  I want to take Mason to the pool but it is just too hot for that.  Back to the wreath making and starting to transition to fall wreaths already. 

Ben and I also had our first softball game last night.  We both enjoyed getting out of the house with other couples, playing a sport we both love, and having a few beers :).  I was a little sore today though. 

Here are a few pictures from the trip.  Enjoy!

My husband Ben and one of his many northerns



To the left is my nephew Tyler and to the right is my son Mason.  They are best buds!

Family Photo Cass Lake: 2012

Taking a stroll, Papa, Mason & Me.

A little whoops a little sarcasm

It is Friday!  Although this Mom does not do much on weekends anymore, it is still a relief that I made it to Friday for some reason.  Anyone else feel this way.  I am all caught up on orders, and I might, might just relax tonight.  I am not sure Mrs. ADD over here knows how to do that, but I will try :)

Side disclaimer:  If you have not realized yet, I use a lot of sarcasm.  So please do not always take me seriously. 

This week was interesting.  My son Mason had been struggling with an illness for some time.  Being the great Mom that I am, it only took me about 2 weeks to finally figure out what was going on.  After some numerous tantrums, I just figured I had a very strong willed/stubburn child (hmm does he get that from me?)  Turns out he had an ear infection.  Whoops!  Then he also seemed very warm, but heck it was in the 90's and we were staying at my in laws who did not have the AC on, so I figured that is why he was warm.  WRONG AGAIN, turns out he had a fever of 103 and now his throat is all red.  Whoops!  Ok ok, so we gave him antibiotics, and thought we finally had this under control.  Wrong again.  He breaks out in a rash, that looked almost like chicken pox all over.  Brought him in again, and turns out he caught the hand foot and mouth virus that is going around.  So since that is very contagious among other children, we are staying in this weekend. 

Any other mother's ever have that many whoopsies?  I think I am a good Mom, just learning still :)

Other than that, we are just getting ready for our annual fishing trip to Cass Lake, MN.  I have gone just about every year since I was born.  Have taken my husband now every year since we were dating, and this will be Mason's 2nd year there.  We brought him last year at only 9 weeks old!
So I am very excited as this is something we look forward to every year.  Below is the picture from 2011.

Fishing trip, MN 2011

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!  By the way, if you have suggestions for my blog, please let me know!!

Emily 

Art Festival? Dont mind if I do!

Happy Sunday everyone! 

I had a great weekend, I went to the Iowa Arts Festival on Friday AND Saturday because it was so much fun.  On Friday I went with my friend and her son, and on Saturday I decided to take Mason with me.  Of course I ended up struggling to find my car on the parking ramp and got yelled at by the parking police lady.  But that is besides the point ;)

I went to the art festival to see one of my favorite artists This Thing called Family - Things with Wings, I just love their work!  Ironically I first discovered them while shopping in Grand Rapids, MI.  Then I bought my first piece from them in Indiana.  Only to find out they are one hour away from where I am currently living.  They are based out of Iowa City, IA, how exciting!!  I felt like a kid in a candy shop, I was actually a little nervous and probably sounded like a weirdo, but I was very excited to meet the ladies behind this wonderful work!  I bought a few of their original pieces and could not be happier!  I will post some pictures below.  But be sure to check out their facebook page and blog!

https://www.facebook.com/thingswithwings?ref=ts

http://thingswithwingsartjournal.blogspot.com/

Interesting that I got to meet some wonderful Artists this weekend, because I was struggling with something myself this weekend.  I every once in awhile get complaints from customers because something was not "perfect"  or you could see glue, or there was a scratch, or this fell off, ect.  and I do feel bad, but I am a crafter, I am not an artist.  I just hope people understand that I put 100% of my heart and sould, time and money into a project and would never send out something that I did not think was well done.  When you buy something handmade, it is in fact, handmade.  My work is not factory made, it does have imperfections.  Isn't that the great part about buying handmade work though?  You can see and tell that it was handcrafted.  It got me a bit discouraged again and I wonder why I continue doing what I do.  Then I remembered that I really do not do it for others, although if they enjoy it GREAT!  I craft and create because I love to do it. 

I will leave you with the photo's of a few of the items I bought from Things With Wings, be sure to check out their stuff!

The pillow is also from Things With Wings: