i Iove this kid.

[doing her best squinty eye trick, while getting sprayed by the sprinkler]
Last night it was 90°F at 7:30 pm.  We had so much fun, we didn't even realize that Kya was up past her bedtime. I guess that is what summer is all about.

the green stuff

Here is a very quick yard update (which is already out of date). I promise I will take more photos tomorrow.


The rock "welcome mat" patio out our basement doors. It looks really neat but were not sure how it will hold up through the winter.


The back yard was seeded on Monday and there is definitely lost of green showing today (just five days later). Yay!


This is the northeast side yard. Our country grass is filling in quite nicely.

These next few photos are of the front/north side of the house.

~ MOM: help with perennial planting needed ~


The view from the gravel road


the front yard


more front yard


My grandparent's neighbors were digging out all their day lilies and irises. My grandparents made a quick decision to adopt the orphan plants and viola! I now have a truck and trailer load of plants to use. I think I will soon open an unwanted perennial home. Thank you for the fast thinking grandma and grandpa!

Kya and Rosie

I am the only one that gets to spend countless hours with Kya every day (and for that I am infinitely thankful). This post will not do it justice, but I want to share my sweet 16-month old toddler with you.

A little back story: Kya received a "Bitty Baby" from her Uncle (and God father) Matthew. Bitty Baby is made by the American Girl Doll company and has lots of outfits and accessories. In short, Kya loves her "baby Rosie."


She sleeps with her every night and plays with her every day. I love Baby Rosie too, she is a great babysitter. Thank you Uncle Matthew!

Last week, I watched (and snapped photos) as Kya played with her best buddy Rosie.


Story time.


Snack time.
"now where is your high chair?"


Off to find the high chair (Kya drags the little highchair all over the house)

Double check that Rosie is safely strapped in her seat.

(Kya had temporarily relocated the highchair to the front entryway)


Test the 'milk' to make sure it's just right.


Make sure Rosie gets enough to eat.


Burping baby Rosie.


Our blonde munchkin is an absolute sweetheart. She is caring, sensitive (and occasionally a wee bit sassy). Kya gives hugs and kisses away all day, everyday. She says lots of words, but "momma" is the best sound I've ever heard. Kya knows lots of body parts and loves to show off her "tongue" and "eyes," which she pronounces "ice." She seems to live for playing hide and seek. Thankfully, she also loves running errands and really enjoys the fabric store (which we are in at least once a week). She is a great little kiddo at play dates and isn't one bit shy around other toddlers, although after about 30 minutes of playing, she is very content to quietly sit in my lap. Oh and this kid loves to sleep (thank heavens). She is still on a two-nap-per-day schedule and asks to go to bed. Other things Kya likes: spicy food, all food, getting dirty and exploring outside, baths, milk from a sippy cup, anyone with the name grandma/grandpa/aunt/uncle, any container or bag that she can empty, and books. Above all else, it is obvious that the best part of her day is running to the door when "Dahda" gets home.

I'm so very blessed to be able to spend my days taking care of learning from little miss Kya. Momma loves you.

Harvest season

Some random Tuesday stuff. There is really no other way to describe it.


Harvest season is here and it's hard to not know it. Drive safely and watch out for all the tractors and combines on the road. I passed five of these big fellas when I was driving home on Monday.


Last night we had two bands of thunderstorms roll though. Lucky for us, we got the most gentle part of the storm (which was still about 1/2 inch of rain and lots of lightening and thunder). I say "lucky" because our lawn was seeded yesterday morning and I really don't want to pay to have it re-seeded if it all washes away. Note to self: need to update blog on landscape progress.


Also yesterday, Kya and I ran errands and stopped in the Mandan library. The library had a church pew for sale that was just like the one I had been searching for to go in our entryway. After a run to the ATM and a call to my grandparent's to help haul it, we were on our way home with this hunk of wood. Kya likes it too. I'm now searching for three baskets that fit under the pew, to store mittens, winter scarves, and slippers.

Bison Booties in the news

Bison Booties have been making headlines.
Such exciting times for this sewing mama.

Today Kya and I were filmed for the KXMB TV on the "Around Town" show. It aired on the 6 pm news. Read the story and watch it here.

A couple weeks ago I recorded a radio show for URL Radio. It was a segment for the "North Dakota Now" Pride of Dakota show, showcasing North Dakota products and businesses. The show aired the first week of August. In the near future, my interview will be available on the Pride of Dakota website. I'll update this when it is available online.

The beginning of May, I was interviewed for a Mother's Day story by the Bismarck Tribune. The story also featured Bison Booties and, of course, Kya. Read the story here.

Last weekend I was a vendor in my first art/craft fair. It was a huge success and will be the first of many fairs to come. I will post more photos and more stories soon.

Anyway, that's the press update. I'm on cloud-9 with all the positive reviews and comments I have been receiving lately (weee!) it totally makes my day week month year.

I'm taking a little break from bootie-making this weekend for landscaping projects.
Happy weekend!

Bison Booties on the Radio!

TUNE IN!

Bison Booties is the feature business today on the Pride of Dakota "North Dakota Now" show on URL Radio (an internet radio station). Tune in between 11-11:30 am CDT TODAY to learn more about me and Bison Booties. 

In the future, my interview will be available on demand, so if you miss this show, look for a catch-up link sometime in the next few months.

http://theurlradio.com/listen/
It's free - just click "play" on the above link, no registration required.

timber

This summer has been the summer of crazy storms.

Last night we had yet another severe thunderstorm. This one had 70 mph wind and rain.
As it rolled though, it took down lots of trees thanks also to the area's super-saturated ground (the river is still well above food stage).

My grandparent's lost two of their large pine trees:
One 80-foot pine tree cracked in half and fell in the yard.
The other 80-footer completely uprooted and fell over on the roof of the patio and garage.

It's sad to see these giant trees fall but we are so very thankful that nobody was injured in the process.


My Uncle Bob took this photo this morning before the tree was cut.
Photo taken in the back yard looking toward the patio.


My Uncle Bob took this photo this morning. Photo taken in the back yard looking toward the back fence. Less than one month ago we gathered under this tree for shade during our 4th of July celebration.

I took the following photos this afternoon after the top of the tree was cut:


Itty bitty Kya. Big tree.


The view from inside the patio. yikes.


The roots.

Oh and here is a bonus yard update:

Most of the mulch has been spread, thanks to Corey and Andrew for the work and Mandan for making the mulch available. Next up: plants.