Portland...

I headed out to Portland, Oregon (my home state!) for a conference.  There was lots of coffee, rain, bridges, beer, and blossoms!  Most importantly, there was an abundance of love from family and friends (my bucket is so full!).  It was an awesome adventure on many levels...

Adding to the flock...

Sadly, we were down to two hens around here!  So last week, we added four girls to the flock!  They have settled in quite nicely (it only took Salt and Roxie a few days to adjust... just some loud complaining for the most part).  It is nice to see a full coop again... and at least one of the pullets has even started laying!!

The current state of the coop.

Introducing Penny, Piney, Pokey, and Pixie!

Our first pullet egg... so delicate and adorable!!

First day of spring...

I have never needed a glorious, shiny, bright, sunny, warm day to mark the Spring Equinox quite as much as I did this year... and today totally delivered!!  We met up with some friends after school to play at a park... and one of the mamas brought a roll of duct tape so the kiddos could make Spring Bracelets.  It was such a simple idea... with such lovely results!  We basked in the sun while the children frolicked.... it was dreamy. On this Spring Equinox, I was truly in awe of the beautiful signs of spring abound. Thank you Universe!!

1st Day of Spring Bracelets!

Nothing says spring like "yarn-bombed" trees with cheerful colors!

Wild plum blossoms... oh they smell divine!!

And snap peas... need I say more?!

So many rubber bands...

My daughter has been making rubber band bracelets like crazy for the past six months or so... and I finally figured out what to do with them (because finding them strewn all over the house has been making me crazy)!  This doesn't mean that our floors aren't still covered in a layer of rubber bands, but at least I'm not stepping on the bracelets anymore... hurrah for small victories!  And I really do think this pop of color is a nice addition to the window sill above our kitchen sink...

Back in the saddle...

It has been a very long time since my girl had some good old pony time... and did we ever appreciate it yesterday (a pony lesson on a beautiful afternoon after so many days cooped up with the flu was dreamy)!  Rosy was looking especially beautiful with her fuzzy winter coat.  We love her... even when she is stubborn!