The So Soft Scarf

I just listed this scarf in my Etsy shop. Its been waiting a long time to get photographed and listed. This scarf is so soft in 100% wool. The yarn is one single chunky ply which probably helps make it so soft.


I knitted this scarf with a drop stitch which is what gives it its mesh look. This make it light while still being warm. I love long scarves because you can wear them all different ways. This one fits the bill at 76 inches not including the fringes. Such a beautiful model wearing the scarf as well.

Favourite Etsy Shop Friday

Favourite Etsy Shop Feature
Bear Creek Design
www.bearcreekdesign.etsy.com

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a farm girl raised on the Prairies of North Dakota. I have always had a love for animals since I was a young child. I grew up with cattle, chickens and sheep. After college I worked as a National Park Ranger and eventually came home to North Dakota, married and have 4 children that are now growing up on a farm with cattle, chickens and sheep.  My love for the fiber arts began when I purchased a few sheep for our family. This project led to spinning, knitting and eventually needle felting. The Romney sheep we own provide me with my favorite medium. I love the texture of the wool and how easily it blends together to make the animals come to life. I continually look for ideas for my sculptures – in the wild, in pictures and in my own pets and farm animals. I began sculpting animals out of wool in 2006. Mostly I use the wool from my own sheep and dye what I need to get different colors. I do purchase/trade wool with other fiber lovers in the area. This gives me different textures since each type of wool has characteristics all its own. I sculpt mostly realistic animals – but I’m developing more and more whimsical animals from my own imagination. The devotion of time spent on the face of the animal really brings the overall expression to my piece of art. To truly appreciate my work, one needs to understand the process of needle felting and the time that is necessary to create such detail out of wool.

2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?
I started selling my critters on Ebay with much success and then I found out about Etsy and it was a perfect fit for me. I liked the idea of having a shop where customers could always find my products and have a place they can come back to in the future. I also love that we all make handmade items and have made many friends through Etsy.



3. Do you sell your needle felted critters anywhere else?
I occasionally sell sculptures on Ebay but not that often anymore. I have developed a customer base on Etsy and have many return customers and collectors so I mostly list on Etsy. I also have a Website where customers can go and learn more about me and see more of my past sculptures. I also sell kits and some Sculptures on my Website. www.bearcreekfelting.com

4. How did you choose your shop name?
Our pasture that my sheep graze in has Bear Creek Running through it. Bear Creek Ranch is the name of our farm where we raise cattle, chickens and sheep.



5. What are your favourite things to do?
I have 4 children that I homeschool and I love to read books out loud to them. Photography was my first love, before felting. Spring time when we have new baby lambs and calves is my favorite part of the year. I also love to knit, spin and sing.

6. What inspires you?
Animals inspire me! Mostly their faces and the way they look at me make me want to run to the house and quickly felt that look.



7. Which creature do you enjoy creating the most?
That’s a hard question. I love making my “Bunnies in Dresses” mostly because I get to work with different colors when I put on their dresses. They always make me smile when I am finished with them and at times it is hard for me to close them up in a box and send them away to their new owners.

8. Which is your most popular item in your shop?
The highest selling items are the Snowmen and Bunnies. The top selling kits are the pumpkin and Snowman. The most popular Piece in my shop would have to be my Cow.


9. What handmade possession given to you do you cherish?
My husband is a welder and has made me very sturdy gates and pens for my sheep. They are better than anything I could have purchased. I cherish them most during lambing, they make everything go very smoothly for me!
10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.
1. My favorite shop on Etsy is Greenwood Fiberworks I love the beautiful colors of wool, and I often buy wool from her to spin and use for the scarves and hats on my snowmen.
2. Another favorite is Sunset Fiber I love to work with different types of wool and all the wonderful colors available. I use my own Romney wool for needle felting and buy wool for spinning fun!
3. sTuckintheCoop is another favorite. The funny thing is I don’t buy jewelry for myself. If I were to buy some this is where I would shop.



A big thank you to Bear Creek Design for being my favourite Etsy shop featured this week. All I can think of when I see these needle felted animals is how amazing they are. Such life like animals created from a needle and some wool would take such skill and talent. They are like works of art. I just know that you will be going to this shop to see the other animals she has created as soon as you are done reading this interview. You wont be disappointed.

A New Hat

I just listed a new slouch hat in my Etsy shop. I actually made it a couple of months ago but its hard to get my Megan in one spot to take pictures.


I love this pattern. Its slouchy but its fitted enough on your head where it wont fall off. Even more than the pattern, I love the colour of the yarn.


As you can see from these picture it is the middle of November and we're not buried in snow yet. Its been quite warm actually but at any time the snow could be here. Its pretty but I get sick of it by the end and I loathe shoveling.


Here is the back of the hat where you can see its slouchy shape. I'd love to see how this design looks in other colours.

Favourite Etsy Shop Friday

Favourite Etsy Shop Feature

SnW Creative
www.SnWeStore.etsy.com

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am 42 years old, married a Graphic Designer for 16 years, have a 14 years daughter and a "fat" Pomarian. I am a breast cancer survivor for 8 years now.

2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?
8 years ago when I had breast cancer, I am in deep depression that no one or medication can help. One day, my husband discovered a Chinese store selling origami paper, so he brought me some, I start to fold and fold and start to feel a little better. Meanwhile I daughter (she was 6 years old) learned her first origami crane with me during that time. We start to fold together, and eventually the house was pack with origami, so my daughter ask me if she can sell on ebay and use the money for her college fund (she always want to go to Standford, since little), so I agreed, business doing good, and we discovered etsy from an ebay customer, so we open a store.



3. Do you sell your origami anywhere else?
yes, at ebay (no much business now), artfire.com, and my own website and local customers.

4. How did you choose your shop name?
SnW Creative S- is my husband, W - is me, with "little" n -my daughter between us.



5. What are your favourite things to do?
Now my favorite is to created more items with origami....and go back to school...lol

6. What inspires you?
Anything can inspires, but I always go some crazy idea when I shop, I don't know why.



7. What is your favourite origami animal to make?
I like to folded butterfly, because there are many ways to fold, and each look different, very cool, I also like flowers, but it is too hard to ship, so mainly is for my local customer.

8. What is the most popular item in your shop?
Origami crane and butterflies may be the most popular for now, but the peacock is picking up (local and online)



9. Which handmade possession given to you do you cherish?
I have a wedding arch with origami flower lighting that is my favorite that I can't let go, so it is in my house now.

10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.
Have It Sweet - love their marshmallow, so cute.
your store KnittedForEwe, I can knit, but I can't knit animal, my hand some how don't like to knit animal...lol I can't think of the third store at this point, but I remember it is a jewelry maker use all wire only, but I forgot to add her/him to my favorite so I lost track, hope someday can find the store again, because I really love it, but too many jewelry store in etsy....



Thank you so much to SnW Creative for being my favourite Etsy shop feature this week. I never knew origami could be so beautiful. Who could imagine that just folding paper could be turned into such pretty things? I think my favourite are the origami lights. They are such a great idea with a wonderful effect. Check out this shop and you are sure to be impressed.

A Custom Order

Recently I got a request on Etsy to make this monster from the Bride Racing car seat logo. It looked simple enough and I was up for the challenge. I have never made my own toy pattern before. I have made up my own pattern for hats and bags but never a toy. I like to challenge myself in knitting every once in a while because I can learn from it and push myself to try new things. You just never know what you will get out of it. Well challenged I was and pushed myself I did hehe. This monster just about kicked my butt but I kept going because I knew I could do it. 4 weeks of going through alot of grid paper and starting and restarting, using the wrong needles and buying the wrong size needles and all sorts of little silly mistakes, I finally got on the right track and it was coming together. The customer hasnt seen it in person but he has seen pictures and I think he likes it. Take a look at the end result and let me know if you think I got it right. Does it look like this monster in the logo?


He is knitted with cotton yarn and his face is felt that I stitched on.


This is what he looks like on the back. Sorry the pictures arent brighter. The sun wasnt cooperating that day.

Nellie The Little Pink Elephant

A new little critter was recently added to Knitted For Ewe.Her name is Nellie and she is a sweet little pink elephant.


I just love pink elephants. They are so cute. There's just something about elephants when they are pink that make them so much sweeter.


This little one was knitted with a soft cotton light pink yarn and has embroidered eyes so she is safe for everyone to play with.


I love this pattern because the result is cute, they are quick to make and they are a great yarn stash buster. In fact I am actually working on another one right now. I think this next one is off to New York City.


Here is the essential butt shot. For some reason her tail doesnt want to sit flat but Megan says that adds to her appeal.

Favourite Etsy Shop Friday

Favourite Etsy Shop Feature

LittleSnowflakes
www.LittleSnowflakes.etsy.com

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a Stay-at-home Mom with three kids: 21,20, and 7. My family and I live on a small 1/2 acre Urban Homestead just outside of a small town in Texas. We garden, have a small flock of chickens, and live as organically as we can while teaching our children to live a self-sufficient lifestyle.

2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?

I have been creating in the kitchen since I was tall enough to reach the stove with a kitchen chair. I was about 4 yrs old. Put away the calculators! We don’t need to do the math, let’s just say it has been a LONG time (Smile) As for how my business got started: Well friends and neighbors found out about what I could do and the next thing I know I am creating goodies for Teachers, Schools, Churches, and local Realtors. My husband found Etsy and told me I should expand. And here I am! I have tried some of the other on-line venues but none of them have been able to compare to Etsy. These folks really know what they are doing!



3. Do you sell your treats anywhere else?

My primary focus is my Etsy shop. However I also give "special offers" to my Facebook Fans (http://www.facebook.com/littlesnowflakes) in my Facebook store. For my “local” customers I also make custom cakes, Wedding Cakes, and cupcakes. Of course recently at the urging of one of my regular Etsy customers, I started selling and shipping Cupcake Kits.

4. How did you choose your shop name?

I am from Texas and my husband is from Rhode Island. When our youngest child was born we called her "daddy's little snowflake". One day my husband surprised me with the domain name LittleSnowflakes. I built my business around the name.

5. What are your favorite things to do?

Family time is my favorite thing: watching movies, working in the garden. I love to create; painting, sewing, woodworking, AND cooking. When I have time I enjoy reading a good book.



6. What inspires you?

I would have to say that my Granny was the biggest creative inspiration in my life. That woman was AMAZING! She herself was a self-taught cook. She was faced with the task of raising her three younger siblings and had to learn HOW to cook so that they could eat. With her background she felt it was very important that I learn how to cook as well. However, her creativity lessons didn’t stop there. She also taught me sewing and painting. Believe it or not those skills have also helped me in the Edible Arts Field

7. Of all the different treats you make for your shop which do you enjoy making the most?

Lately my internet customers have been keeping me busy with Custom Fortune Cookie orders! I have been making them for Brides, Baby Announcements, and Birthday Favors. Who knew a Fortune Cookie could be so versatile?!

8. Which yummy treat is the most popular?

Next to the Custom Fortune Cookies, I would have to say that my Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles are the most popular. Especially as we get closer to Christmas.



9. Which handmade possession given to you do you cherish?

The oil paintings that my Granny painted. I have 4 but my favorite is a simple painting of a chicken yard. Even though it was one of her earlier paintings, I still think it was her best work.

10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.

Oh my ONLY three? There are so many wonderful artisans here on Etsy it is really difficult to choose only three :-( Ok, here goes:

Lucky Dog Treat Company

A Time 2Bee Unique

Ashley Jacobsen Photography



Thank you so much to LittleSnowflakes for being my featured shop this week. It was wonderful to hear about how supportive your family is of your business. You have to go to this shop and check out all the yummy treats she has to offer. I warn you though, there may be some drooling involved. If you are in the mood for something homemade, sweet and delicious and dont have the time or maybe your not so skilled in the kitchen, then you need to take a look at this shop.

Tricks Or Treats

This past Sunday we had the joy of having Halloween. Victoria and her Dad are big into Halloween. I like the treats and Megan likes the cheesy Halloween movies. So there is a little something for everyone. Usually Victoria has a plan of what she wants to dress up as for Halloween the day after the last Halloween. This year she really had to think about it when it came time to pick out a costume. Then it came to her and she was excited. She was going to be a Leopard. But my Victoria cant just be a leopard, nope she was telling everyone that she is Queen of the Leopards hehe.


This was actually one of the best costumes she has picked out because she could wear layers underneath and she was warm, it was easy and not alot of money. For some reason we couldnt find leopard print pants but she was happy with black. We found these leopard print mittens that have the flip top and turn into fingerless gloves in a discount shop and the mask, tail and collar all came together. A leopard costume wouldnt be complete without a Star Wars trick or treat bag, right? Hehe thats Victoria for you.


Lots fun was had on Halloween. Joe's friend brought his 2 kids out to trick or treat with us as they have for the past couple of years and Halloween just wouldnt be the same without them. Oh my how crazy those two kids are. Zach who is 6 every year starts off running to every house and by the end of the second street has announced that he is too tired to keep going. This year at every house he had to announce to the world what kind of treat he got and would tell the person if he liked or didnt like what they had given him. When we came to an unsupervised bowl of treats with a sign that said please take one you would hear him say oh man, just one? and then he would take forever to select just the right one. He cant wait to get home to eat them so he is attempting to eat and walk at the same time while being told not to eat the treats yet. Olivia who is 8 does the same thing every year. She wears a costume that she has issues with. This year her costume was not warm enough. She started out arguing she was not cold and didnt want to wear her jacket. By the end of the first street she was non stop complaining how cold she was and her legs were turning red and being itchy with cold. She and I made a deal that next year she would have a costume that was both warm and comfortable, something I have yet to see her do over the years hehe. It was definitely chilly as we even got some snowflakes as we were walking around.



Victoria convinced Joe to dress up this year. She was so excited at the thought that he just had to do it. We had both dressed up a few years ago so he already had the costume. This costume kind of freaks little kids out and impresses grown ups so Joe enjoys wearing it. I chose not to dress up this year hehe. Megan did dress up as a lady pirate and her boyfriend dress up as a boy pirate. We dubbed him Captain Red Beard as he has red hair. She just dressed up for school and I didnt catch her with my camera. She managed to dodge that one.

After trick or treating we did the traditional pizza back at our house and fun was had by all. Now that Halloween is all done it will be time to get into Christmas mode. Thats when our house really comes alive.

Favourite Etsy Shop Friday

Favourite Etsy Shop Feature

Not So Shabby Chic
www.NotSoShabbyChic.etsy.com

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a 33-year-old woman who loves arts and crafts, nature, and animals. I have been crafting for as long back as I can remember (with a few hiatuses) and my mother taught me how to do most of what I do now. The only things I have taught myself so far are needle felting and punch needling. I am a vegetarian of 14 years, and I will be for the rest of my life. My zodiac sign is Libra, and I am a Libra in each and every sense of the word. I am a germaphobe and I don't like shaking peoples' hands. I used to be a night owl but now I am a morning person.

2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?
I had been in school for a few years and didn't have time to craft. I finished up school and started working as an occupational therapy assistant, and I noticed there was something lacking in my life. Spiritually and emotionally I felt void. I realized I needed to pick up crafting again. So I started with Christmas ornaments and decoupaged boxes, but I had run out of people to give them to, so I decided that I wanted to see if anyone was willing to pay money for them -- so I decided to open up a shop! I chose Etsy because I had seen it before, having gotten gifts from there and then having checked out the sellers' shops -- I really liked the look and feel of it.



3. Do you sell your items anywhere else?
I do. I sell on a couple of other websites but I don't even know if I would call it "selling", because I never get sales there lol. I also just started doing consignment at a local shop that wanted to sell my jewelry and hair accessories. So far that is going well!

4. How did you choose your shop name?
My shop name just came to me one day when I was driving. I love the shabby chic style, and I also think my stuff is "not too shabby", so I came up with NotSoShabbyChic!



5. What are your favourite things to do?
As far as crafts go, I love knitting, going to my knitting group, going to yarn stores, crocheting, felting, painting, latch hooking, punch needling, and even the occasional sewing project. As far as non-craft activities go, I love going for walks outside in nature, bird watching, photographing nature, reading, watching movies, the occasional rock-scrambling adventure, and going to museums.

6. What inspires you?
I would say that nature inspires me the most. I love trees, plants, animals, and flowers, and I think this reflects in my work. I am continually amazed by the color palette that nature offers. I love color of all kinds and I strive for a colorful, fun shop.



7. Of all the items you make for your shop, which do you enjoy making the most?
This is a tough one. I love making most of my stuff and all in different ways and for different reasons. If I could choose 3 though, I would choose my knitted/crocheted work because it takes me to a zen-like place when I make it, my decoupaged work because it involves many different types of craft to complete one piece (designing, painting, gluing, glittering, gold leafing), and finally coming up with my needle felted critters for the first time -- this simply because it brings me joy to see the finished item and how it matches the idea I had in my head.

8. Which item is your most popular?
I would say my needle felted balls are my most popular item. They are versatile and people have used them for many different purposes: as beads, as home decor, as embellishments for clothing, and as eyeballs for knitted alligators just to name a few!



9. Which handmade possession given to you do you cherish most?
I would have to say my favorite handmade possession is a crocheted blanket that my old landlady made for me. It is heavy and warm and beautiful to look at. It was also most likely one of the last things she was able to make as she was starting to suffer greatly from Parkinson's Disease.

10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.
Oh boy this is another tough one for me -- I am a regular Etsy shopper and Etsy chatter and so there are MANY favorite shops for me. But if I had to choose three, I would choose these three lovely (and I mean that for each and every one of them) ladies:

Blushing Ewe -- amazing hand-dyer of wool rovings. Will also do custom work and also spins yarn from her rovings.

boygirlparty -- incredibly talented artist with ADORABLE products featuring her work. Loves to draw owls, cats, octopi, squirrels and more.

See Jayne Knit Yarns -- amazing hand-dyer of yarns; amazingly huge selection. I have been thrilled with each and every single yarn I have gotten from her.



Thank you so much to Not So Shabby Chic for being my featured shop this week. This shop has been a favourite for a very long time. I have also had the pleasure of chatting with this lovely lady in the Etsy Chat. I feel like we are kindred spirits as we find joy in alot of the same things. The pictures in this feature are just the tip of the iceberg with the wonderful items that are in this shop. With so many different crafts represented in this shop with such beautiful work being done you will surely find something for yourself or a special gift for someone. With Christmas being just around the corner this would be the perfect place to start your shopping.

Favourite Etsy Shop Friday

Favourite Etsy Shop Feature

Little Batch
www.LittleBatch.etsy.com

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Jen. I am a school librarian by day, mad scientist by night! Seriously, it's on my business cards. My husband and I live in rural Hunterdon County, NJ, surrounded by farms. I love to bake and Joe loves to eat cookies, so we're a perfect match. I also like to spend time in my mean little garden that we built together, with sweet raised beds and a deer fence... it's perfect for growing veggies and herbs that I can use in my soaps. We have a fat little black cat named Lily whose favorite pastime (besides eating) is sleeping.

2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?
I opened my shop on Etsy in order to have an online presence for my business, which is great for exposure and credibility. I collect vintage Pyrex, and I had stumbled upon Etsy completely by accident one day while researching a cool new piece I had snagged at an estate sale. It was kismet really... I was still too green to have my own standalone website, and there was Etsy.

Jen with her wares at the Hunterdon Harmonizers Fall Craft Fair in Flemington, NJ

3. Do you sell your items anywhere else?
Indeed. I sell the majority of my products in person, actually; home parties (like Tupperware parties but only more laid back), street fairs, craft shows. I've also launched my own website, which will soon include an integrated blog! Feel free to take a look: http://www.littlebatchbotanicals.com.

4. How did you choose your shop name?
It came to me instantly. Everything I make is done in small, perfect little batches, and every product is botanical-based... herbs, oils, butters, essential oils. There are some non-botanical ingredients (such as goats milk and french clay), but I'd say 98% of my ingredients are plant-based. The "Batch" part is also a shout-out to my love of baking!

What Jen smells like most days: a mixture of the yummy fall scents in her Sweet Autumn Perfume Trio

5. What are your favourite things to do?
That's easy. Spend time with my husband, doing anything. Make soap. Organize anything. Plant new things in my garden. Bake cookies. Walk outside and smell the air. Home improvement DIY.

6. What inspires you?
My loved ones inspire me, as does anything in which I can find beauty and solace.

It's always in her bag: a lil jar of her Head To Toe Salvation Hand and Body Balm... She uses it on her cuticles, elbows, and the backs of her hands

7. Of all your different products which one do you enjoy making the most?
Pumpkin Spice Soap! It's got real pumpkin puree and spices in it... smells awesome when it's cooking up.

8. Which is your most popular item?
Definitely the Cupcake Lip Balm; it really does smell like a vanilla cupcake. I couldn't find a lip-safe fragrance oil that did any justice to a cupcake, so I took several oils and blended my own. It's a fan favorite!

Jen's mom... her craft show partner-in-crime

9. Which handmade possession given to you do you most cherish?
My husband's grandmother knitted lovely blue blankets for us when we moved into our house. We called her Nonni; she was like a grandma to me and a real kindred spirit. At family functions we always sat together and had our own little conversations going! She passed away this spring, and I miss her dearly. So, my Nonni Blanket is my most cherished handmade possession.

10. Name 3 other Etsy shops that you love to visit.
What, No Mints?
Sasha sews these awesome little eco-felt lovelies that I think are just beyond adorable. My What, No Mints? collection is growing. Can't get enough of those birds! And my amoeba pin is definitely a major part of my wardrobe.

New Hope Beading
I bought Caroline's fine silver and gemstone leaf necklace as a gift for my best friend... and am having a hard time parting with it!

Tracey Gurley Bath And Body
Tracey is a great friend and colleague. Her shop is full of natural, handmade soaps, bath, and body products from mother nature to you. Like myself, Tracey uses no pre-made bases. We frequently like to bounce ideas of each other, or help each other out when developing new products. There's no rivalry --- just mutual admiration and respect. And that's nice.

One of Jen's favorite soaps, looking chic: Morning Joe coffee soap

A big thank you to Little Batch for being my favourite Etsy shop feature for this week, a great interview. I am a big fan of natural bath and body products. The scents that you find in Little Batch seem like there would be something for everyone. I havent purchased from this shop yet but looking at everything I think I will have a hard time deciding what to get first. If you love great smells, natural products and are looking for a gift for yourself or a friend then this would be a great shop to visit.

If Your Wondering

Its been a while since I posted anything. If you were wondering where I am, I am here to say that I am still here.
The past 2 weeks we have been painting and painting our kitchen. The first week I painted all the trim, windows and doors. The second week, last week is the start of the most exciting part. You see we moved into our house 4 years ago. As soon as I saw the kitchen I said I am definitely painting the kitchen cupboards as soon as I can. I took all the doors off which are alot. I think there are 16 doors in all. I promised my grandma in law they would be done by that Christmas and the promise went on every Christmas after that. Hmmm so pretty much since we moved in we have had no kitchen cupboards. There have been many people asking about them over the years and many people wondering if they would ever get done. Well I am here to say that this is being done. It has been a joint project and with much persistence things are getting done. Today we finished doing all the cupboard frames. The next thing is the drawers which there are 7 of them. There are actually 8 drawers but one has already been done. Once the drawers are done then the cupboard doors that have sat dormant for all these year in the laundry. We have all the handles and the hinges just purchased and ready to add.

I will definitely be posting a before and after shot once they are all done because it will be an exciting day. Everything we have been painting is semi gloss white so needless to say I am a bit sick of the sight of white right now hehe but its making everything look bright and clean. I told Megan that that is the secret to a clean house, just paint everything. She said something tells me its easier to just clean.

There has been some knitting going on in between all this painting. I am working on some custom orders that I recently got. They are going pretty well. I also have a few things that I need to take photos of to add to the shop. Where does the time go?

Oh Autumn How I Love Thee

This past weekend we went to one of my favourite places in the world, Allegany State Park. We try to make the trip at least once a year. We like to go at the beginning of October to see all the pretty leaves. Every time we go we talk about how we should come more often and how much we love it but for some reason it just doesnt happen. Its only a 45 minute drive so I dont know why this happens. But we went on Saturday and it was just as beautiful as always.



It is so peaceful and quiet here. Its like everything just stops. There are many trails that you can take so you could make a whole day of it if you wanted to.


Autumn is my favourite time of the year. I just wish it lasted longer around here. In a couple of weeks we will have some really windy days and all the pretty leaves will be blown away and we will be left with naked trees. I intend to enjoy it all while it lasts.


On this trip we went to the animal museum which Victoria just loves because they have alot of bird specimens that you can see up close. She just loves to bird watch and this is a way she can see them up close and learn their names. We also went to the gift shop where Victoria got a bag of quartz stones, Megan got some chocolate covered pretzels and I got what could be the best lip balm ever especially when it comes with a picture of a moose and its called Moose Lips. We had been smelling these yummy food smells in the building and decided to go upstairs to the restaurant to have a bite to eat. The funny thing about this restaurant is once you order they ask you if you would like some popcorn while you wait. They then bring you a container of buttered popcorn to munch on. Megan thought this was just great. We then took a walk around on a short trail. We should probably bring Victoria up there more often so she could learn the art of being quiet so you might see or hear some animals. She is a yapper but she did try and we did end up seeing some birds and a few critters.



Along the way on our walk the girls came across a ton of crunchy leaves and could not resist getting into a leaf fight. They had so much fun and it was so nice to see them playing and laughing together. On the way back they had to do it all over again. I think they could have stayed there all day if we let them.



This was also the day that we gave Megan her new Ipod Touch for her 16th birthday that we just celebrated last week. This was a present from Grandma, Joe and myself and she had no idea. We bought the Ipod while we were out shopping on this day. I couldnt wait to give it to her any longer so when we got in the car I said Hey Megan here's some of your chocolate covered pretzels, which she had asked me for. I said Hang on I dont want to give you those, I want to give you this instead and gave her the Ipod. It took her a second to figure it out and then she just freaked out. It took her about 2 minutes before she turned to Victoria and said Hey Victoria now that I have this Ipod would you like my old one? So then we had two girls freaking out in the car. You see Victoria has been pretending to have her own real Ipod for a couple of years now. She will tell you she puts songs on it and sometimes she is tired of those songs and removes them and even bops along in the car to her imaginary Ipod. So now she has a real one. She made her list of what she wants on there and we are working on getting some songs put on there. So we have two girls in Ipod heaven here. I dont think I have have seen Megan without hers since she got it. I am glad she likes it so much. I think she will get alot of use out of it.