Surrounded by nothing and yet everything fabulous, I celebrate my 27th birthday today. I had been feeling a little sorry for myself because I'm the only member of my immediate family celebrating a birthday in our rental. While Axel and Jahred both enjoyed their parties in our circa 1924 bungalow, it was not to be for me.

Although up until today I insisted that this birthday would be a terrible reminder of everything I am missing this year, it was just the opposite.

I have been dreaming of a greenhouse in our next back yard; somewhere I can admire beautiful things all year long.  Yesterday, to my surprise, Jahred transformed the balcony into just that. He built a lovely portable greenhouse of his own design.  There is room for a heating device, a grow light, plenty of plants and if I am really desperate, yes, I fit.  In our next home, it will become my seed starting shelter, but for now, it's more of a home than the other shared walls, used carpet and elephants that live upstairs.

In the company of my new tropical paradise I opened presents with family today.  Axel was pleased to blow out my candle, and although this year has been more "bitter sweet" than "sweet sixteen", I may just survive to see 28.

Thanks to my family for surprises and simplicity, just the way I like it.

Ok, really, this greenhouse rocks.  I wish you all could see it in person.

I less than a week I'll be blowing out candles once again.  I may just have to stick my candles in ice cream since I happen to be without an oven (lovely appliances they have in this rental), but none-the-less I will be celebrating.

Because I am on the downward slope to Jahred graduating and moving into our next home, it's time to clear out the stocks.  I have added lots of new items from my collection to the Etsy shop.  Antique items, yarn scrap packs, you name it, I'm ready to part with it.

In honor of my own B-day, I'm offering the following deals:
** ALL ORDERS over $27 (not including shipping) will be refunded 20%.
** ALL PDF SEWING PATTERNS are BOGO (buy one get one free...let me know at checkout 
      which one you would like GRATIS)!
** ALL DE-STASH items are 50% off (priced as marked).

Take advantage!  Sale ends at midnight, July 25th!  Supplies limited as everything is OOAK.

Balcony gardening isn't for the weak! Hauling the dirt and containers up stairs and through your living room takes a bit of commitment.  Yesterday I picked and ate this lovely tomato all by myself, because thats how I hauled all this stuff up here...by myself!

In the background of this photo are the broccoli and carrots I was told by a master gardner I could "never grow" on a balcony.  Well mister, while you are worrying away about your plant eating pests and small mammals, my balcony is free of everything but sunshine!  So EAT IT! Ok, maybe a little harsh.  But just to rub it in...I grew them organically!

While inspecting the fruits of my labor (I actually prefer labour...like blonde vs. blond) I noticed that Axel is getting a few freckles on his nose.  I asked him to show them to me so I could take a picture, when it occurred to me that he hasn't actually heard the word freckle! He thought for sure they were in his mouth!  How incredible it is to actually teach things to a child for the first time!

Forth of July this year was spent with Buzz Lightyear.  Having an animated child really has its benefits.  Last week when I saw that for a small mortgage payment I could purchase a set of life-like Buzz wings, I took Target up on their offer!

Jahred presented Axel with the flight pack just prior to a B-day party on Saturday.  As if on stage, Axel snapped into character immediately and without hesitation, he knew exactly how to operate his first pair of electronically retractable wings.  With over a 3ft wing span, hallways are a challenge, stairs are interesting, but any small ledge/rock/book to leap from is thrilling!  The box clearly states "not a flying toy", but says nothing about bounding, soaring, becoming a playground idol, or claiming to be the REAL Buzz Lightyear.

Perhaps the highlight of the weekend were the public flights with wings in full extension, lights blaring and hands reaching for the sky.  He made several passes through the crowds in Hudson as he watched his first "Fires", not really his first...just the first he could possibly remember.

I love this picture taken without flash on Grandpas lap.  It's so very vintage Atlantic City.  In complete awe, Axel took in all the Fireworks had to offer and then some.

...ok, I know this last photo looks like a professional fireworks photo, but I really did take it.  This is the raw image, no digital alterations!  Huh, I guess I even impress myself a bit.

In 2007 I joined the Cloud Appreciation Society.  Not because it was the cool thing to do, but because I was shocked there were other weather geeks out there.  I have always been fascinated by storms and in awe of their unharnessed power.  Clouds being the more unassuming element of weather are often the most mysterious.

This evening, one hell-of-a storm passed through.  It was the kind of weather that left me breathless on the balcony, and more anxious than my dog to get out afterwards.  The real secret of a Minnesota thunder storm is the tail end; clouds you can't imagine, and tonight a rainbow. 

Because I can't put into words the experience Oscar and I had encountering the rainbow, I won't even try.  Some moments are between a girl and her dog.

Clouds are the ultimate "had to be there" moment.  They just never look the same digitized! Hope everyone was sheltered from the storm...and that you all got a glimpse of that once-a-summer rainbow.

As a professional "mailer", if I said I didn't wait for the mail carrier to come every day, that would be lying.  I have been known to stalk, track down and meet my mail at the door.  The US Postal Service is my life line on long days of tantrums and PBS kids programming.

Every time you move houses, there is a significant lag in mail delivery.  The post-relocation flow is one, maybe two pieces of mail per day; not enough to keep an addiction at bay.  That was until yesterday.  THEY HAVE FOUND ME!  Like a marooned traveler out at sea, my new blonde mail-woman has thrown me a life line.

In individual slow motion the catalogs came tumbling out as I opened the tin door.  Nothing could have been more satisfying in that moment.  I retrieved them one by one from the ground.  To the Pottery Barn, I made the "I love beautiful things" face, to Pottery Barn Kids, the "kids don't need designer room decor" face, to Athleta "I wish I were still an athlete" face, to Garnet Hill "this is more my speed, stretch jeans" face, and to Sundance, the crown jewel of my catalog addiction, "I'm home".

I could hardly sit still while putting Axel down for a nap.  Missing a whole season of catalog meant two things.  One, everything would be "all NEW".  Two, the Spring collection pieces would already be clearancing on-line!  The second his eyelids closed, I was balcony bound with catalogs in hand.

Worth mentioning is the JCrew catalog which is not pictured.  I have learned from experience that JCrew needs to be put away immediately, temptations are to be avoided at all cost.  A catalog photo shoot would only be the gateway excuse to excess spending.

The week of rain has passed and we can now enjoy some Minnesota sunshine.  I did get some sunshine in the mail however and created a new batch of Louise Pleated Wristlets.  This fabric collection is called "Peaceful Planet" and the colors are divine.  Although the initial batch are almost gone from my Etsy shop, there are a few left...and I have a tiny bit more fabric stashed away.

Axel made use of the rain by practicing his contortionist skills.  Quite easy for a kid born breach.  Those legs bend in ways that frighten me!

Oscar spent his rainy days feeling sorry for himself.

Questioning faith is a life long journey for me.  I'm always looking for signs.  I have a questioning mind being trained as a scientist, and the questioning actually helps my faith grow.

In the last 2 years, license plates have been my signs.  In 2008, the month our checking account hit $0.63, the year we had a new baby and Jahred returned to school, Mankato's license plates from the DMV were printed with S-E-W.  "SEW 546" ; "SEW 081"; apparently the plates are printed alphabetically and somewhat by geographic location.  Nearly half the cars in Mankato had/still have "SEW - - -" license plates.  When I started seeing them, it occurred to me instantly that this was my sign, a way to remedy our finances.  "Sew" I did, and my Etsy shop began to grow. Sewing paid the bills, sustained our family and fulfilled my inner need to provide.  SEW may have been a random license plate assignment to some, but for me it was an answer.

Today, on our way home from the mall, I was questioning myself again, what? how? why?.  My answer was delivered at 55 mph, I was following a Chevy with the license plate "4 PAPA" (insert goose bumps here).  To my even further shock, the truck was red, Papas favorite color.  I NEVER carry a camera with me, but happened to have one in my purse this morning.  I snuck it out of my bag and yes, I took a picture while driving.  Having proof of a "pinch me moment" is worth the temporary risk of a moving violation.

Who is in charge at the DMV after all?  Or maybe I'm just in the right place at the right time.

Even stranger is the Arby's sign in this picture.  Thanks to Papa, we had a steady flow of "Beef 'n Cheddars" growing up.  Arby's will always be a special treat, and as Papa would say, they have the best coupons.

I grew up in a family with an unfair hate of bumper stickers.  While I agree that it isn't necessary to broadcast your opinions on your car, I do enjoy some comic relief during rush hour.

Even though I told myself upon purchase of my first car that I would slap on a bumper sticker, I haven't found just the right one.  Perhaps it's like anything else, once you start, you can't stop?! I have yet to break the seal.

After another weekend on the road, I'm inspired to try a few virtual stickers, get up the guts, and maybe someday wear my heart on my bumper.  These stickers along with THOUSANDS more can be found at Cafe Press.

From conception on, I have focused on having a creative child.  Most of our day is spent with the guitar (accompanied by full-contact egg shaking and rhythm sticking), reading (not always the words exactly on the page), creating snowmen from playdough, and/or watering our "gordon" (garden).  In-between times are often spent with crayon (the most sophisticated/washable art medium in the house).

Although I have NEVER stressed to color in the lines, and we mostly use blank paper, this child has somehow gotten the idea that one must stay inside the "box".  Perhaps part of our genetic code starts with following guidelines, and results in color contest winning.  I remember my brother actually winning a coloring contest (although I'm pretty sure I colored his page). It must have looked awesome for a 4 year old (the true artist being 8).  He won a gigantic gift basket from the local Hallmark store and I was so completely jealous that right then and there I quit letting other people put their name on my work.  Truly, thanks to the coloring contest, I never cheated in school.  Someone receiving a brilliant gift basket (or an A+) by way of me...I dont think so.

Upon completion of Axels latest coloring endeavor, I wondered if he may some day win a coloring contest.  From random scribbles in multiple colors to unprovoked concentrated scribbling in classic solids.  Although I prefer to see a child using his inner genius and not following lame sketches in dollar store art books, inner genius won't be posted in the window of the local Hallmark, they want their bunnies crayoned to perfection.

So ok, the kid wants to stay in the lines?!  Can I at least push for expansive, unrefined use of color?