Disney // as promised

So... let's start here.
Asha came to me about 2 weeks before our vacation and asked about getting "autographs" from all the Princesses that she was going to meet in Disney World. I chatted with her about "THE book" options and we decided on a home-made creation -- something chipboard with pattern & cardstock papers inside. Well.....what a hit it was with ALL the Princesses that Asha met on her adventures!!! (Made Mommy feel pretty special as well).
Now, I don't know if they say they like everyone's albums.....but they sure were bursting about Asha's. Cool!!!!! Asha was grinning from ear-to-ear. I'll show photos of it once we get all the photos in it.

Here's a few favourites from our visit to Epcot on the first day of our trip:

Asha & Mulan

Asha, Princess Jasmine & Prince Aladdin

So.....this is what my hilarious husband does on all our vacations. He picks up on these quirky, little things that would only catch the attention of a few and he embarrasses all of us.

Outside the China exhibit at Epcot, Ron stood for minutes on end spinning this plate on a stick -- something we had just seen by some cute little children in a show -- an actual show at the park -- not some Canadian 30-ish man who is trying to send his children running in the opposite direction. What a goof!!! And I.........I just get my camera out and snap!!! It was hilarious -- at least I thought so.

And then there's always this..............what else can I say?!? I was so enchanted by the Eiffel Tower at the France exhibit (France is my dream-vaca) and all Ron could do was try on ridiculous felt (PINK!!!!!) hats. Oh.....I keep falling in love with him more & more every year!!!?!!!!!

So......I'll share more photos as I get them editted and pick my faves. This is just a sampling of the fun we had.....for now!!!!!

{from the farm},

j.

these 3

Happy Father's Day (this weekend) to these 3 amazing Dads in our life.

my Dad: a goof, a "lover" -- not a "fighter", an example of faith & the strongest man I will ever know. Recently, someone compared me to my Dad (normally I am told I am "just like your mother" -- still very cool now that I am older). Because I had NEVER heard anyone say I was like my Dad, I was very happy & proud to have some sort of quality that came from him and reminder someone of my Dad, while talking to me......love ya' Dad.
my father-in-law: so incredibly kind, sincere & generous, one of Asha's favourite people in this world & the best father-in-law a woman could ever dream of having. Thank you, Dad for EVERYTHING that you do for our family!!!! It never gets un-noticed and we are truly grateful for the special bond you have with our children & with us. Love you, Dad.and my Rock, my everything, my pillar of practicality & reason. This guy needs special tlc & lovin' this weekend for EVERYTHING he does for our family. Thank you, Ron........forever!!! (insert sappy music here).

Check back on Monday to see what we were up to this weekend......big, BIG weekend for our family!!!!!

keep smiling {from the farm},

j.

beautiful AND talented

Our downstairs computer has been out of commission for a few months due to the lack of a descent monitor. So, I got it up and running again this evening because I wanted to work on some digital banners for my blog. Like the newest one? Nothing fancy -- just "playing" with some brushes & backgrounds that my sister-in-law borrowed to me.

Anyway... came across some photos that I haven't looked at for a while.

Found these photos of some canvas art that I created about a year or two ago.

This one is an inspirational canvas -- think it's actually still hanging in the Smalltown Scrappers store........hmmmmm -- gotta check on that.

I worked on these next 2 canvases for my niece's birthdays. Printed 3 great 3x5 inch photos of each of them, then used a variety of supplies to decorate the canvas: paint, stamps, pattern paper, crystal swirls, flowers, gems, Thickers, etc. Love how they turned out and I know that they both hang them in their rooms at home -- I've seen them there.

Very simple, but they both scream "teenage girl".

And so..... if you are still wondering about this blog post title and you are STILL thinking that I am talking about myself, you are incredibly and mistakenly WRONG!!!!!

I am referring to these two beautiful women (the same two that are on the canvases above): Sophie & Alyssa -- 2 of my wonderful nieces.

This coming weekend they will be performing in The Sound of Music at their high school. Alyssa is one of the nuns and Sophie, I do believe, is in the Chorus. I am sooooo incredibly proud of these two girls. They are so beautiful AND talented in both singing & acting. Their personalities are contagious and their smiles light up everyone's day. Although I don't get to see them as much as I would like, I think about them often and look forward to family gatherings & weekends when we can chat and catch up on what's happening in their lives. I must admit, there are moments when they scare me just a little -- as Daria, my oldest, is growing up way too quickly some days and will some day be talking about the things they are right now. Slow down, girls -- YOU growing up means your Auntie Jill is also getting older -- .

Anyway..... just know that I am sooooo proud of you girls and I am looking forward to Friday evening when we all get to see you on stage. Clapping already!!!!!

getting sappy -- hey, I'm allowed to; I'm the auntie {from the farm},

j.

Thanksgiving Blessings

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!! This past weekend, my family spent a wonderful {cold} time at a beautiful B&B in the smalltown that I grew up in. This has been a tradition of our's for the past four years and I have a feeling that we will continue this tradition for many, many years to come. My family consists of my two parents, my two sisters with their husbands, Ron & I, 4 grandsons & 4 granddaughters for my parents. This retreat is the perfect place for rest, relaxation, eating, crafting, sleeping, eating, hot-tubbing, games, hiking, eating & more.

Every year, "the girls" {my daughter, Daria included} bring a craft to do on the Saturday afternoon -- used to be while the kids were napping; but now it's while they run around. This year, I brought some pre-drilled Dominoes to create beautiful Alcohol Inked necklaces. I think it was a big hit, as we left only 4 Dominoes in the bottom of the container uninked. The photo above is the result of just a few hours of crafting & laughing together in the afternoon. Lots of messy inking, but a beautiful result.


I was also privilaged enough to have siblings that could grab my camera once in a while and snap a few precious photos with me in them. I love this one of Dare & me; just hanging out on the porch. I am sooooo lucky that my 11 year old is so cool with me lovin' her this much -- and in public!!!! I love that she is so helpful with her siblings & younger cousins. I'm thankful that she is so crafty and lOVES to be included in "the girls' afternoon" with us. I will cherish this photo forever.

Also lOVE this photo of me with my mom & my sisters. This is a photo I have wanted for a while now and we just never have the time to snap one. Well, this weekend Ron took a whole collection of them. Thanks, babe.

The kids spent a ton of time in the outdoor hot tub again this year. They had so much fun just hanging out in there, "practicing their swimming" (the little ones) and running in the snow around the deck with their suits on (the older ones). What a blast!!!!

Thanks to my parents for giving us such a lasting & precious memory to share together as a Family. We love you so much & are so incredibly BLESSED to have all of you.

blessings to all {from the farm},

j.

Fave Photo from Last Week

This is my beautiful & adorable niece, Erica.

Although she is not usually a drooly child -- I did manage to capture this little, drooly moment. Lucky me. :)

Love you, Ricki Dawn.

enjoy.

{from the farm},

j.