F-o-u-r

Four years ago today I gave birth to my enormous

11 pound baby girl.

I'll never forget the first time I kissed her soft squishy forehead.

I mean, really, what newborn has fat rolls above her eyes?

Mine.

She has since lost much of her baby fat,

though her chubby little butt cheeks are still

quite irresistible.

She knows not to walk upstairs in front of me.......

I can't resist a pinch or 5.

Our Gwenny-boo is such a joy to the whole family.

Addie gave her a card today that read.....

Dear Gwen,

Happy Birthday.

I love the way you laugh because it makes me laugh.

You are sweeter than any birthday cake in the world.

You light up the world with your giggles and love.

I can't live without you.

I love you.

Love,

Addie

And everyone said.........

Amen!

another case of the pixie pendants

Tee hee!

I love bright color

and funky paper

and glitter letters

and old chippy barn doors.

Just thought I'd share

these pictures

that make me happy:)

Predator vs. Prey

No, I'm not referring to that horrific noise that woke me from a dead sleep last night....

.......the sound of some poor creature squealing and yelping

as it was apparently tortured before becoming a midnight snack.

Eww. I feel sick just remembering it.

No, in this scenario I am the hunter.

Bargain hunter, that is.

And this is my PREY.

Some poor unsuspecting chalkboard left in the parking lot of the community center

where an auction was being held.

Have I mentioned my newfound love of auctions?

And auctioneers?

Something about them just makes my heart race.

So.......yup.

I was looking for something much like this for the bare wall in my kitchen,

but I really didn't think I'd be able to snag one for 5 bucks!

And then, still hungry for more,

I scoured the shelves of a nearby Goodwill

till I found

a KING sized Simply Shabby quilt

for $3.25!

Insatiably yours,

Joolee

And then there were 20

We are happy to announce the arrival of the newest members of

The Juicy Roost.

Introducing.........

1. Sarah
2. Candy
3. Dot
4. Peep
5. Flo
6. Charlotte
7. Virginia
8. June
9. Nameless
10. Daisy
11. Mabel
12. Stella
13. Gina
14. Molly Lou Melon

Juicy Roost

So, what do you think?

There has been talk that we should give our new acreage a catchy name.....
you know, like Sleepy Hollow or Green Gables or something.

With lots of blackberries on the property I thought maybe something like

Blackberry Barns.
But today something else popped into my lil old brain

as I was weeding yet another flower bed......
and I loved it
instantly.
I was able to picture it on business cards
and jelly jars
and on an old chippy barnwood sign
pointing people in the direction of our annual barn sale.

When I called Steve with my revelation I made him promise to think about it awhile before giving me his opinion.
He has a way of squelching any and all ideas that I think are fabulous.
Sure enough, he was unable to hold his tongue and immediately responded with,

"IT SOUNDS LIKE A SKANKY MOTEL!"

Whatev.
I still love it.

Though we don't have chickens quite yet, they ARE in the plans.
But even if not......

Juicy: temptingly appealing

Roost: a place to settle or congregate (for rest or sleep)

OK....honestly. Tell me what you think.

Let me just say.....I have big plans for Juicy Roost.....
Plans that may or may not involve

cute labels on jars of homemade blackberry jam,

healthy stinging nettle tea

(I am drying the leaves as I type)

homemade baked goods

(including delicious and nutritious constipation cookies)

farm fresh eggs

rustic barnwood signs

colorful repurposed furniture

with vintage paper lined drawers

altered art composition books

vintage fabric creations

wildflower bouquets in blue mason jars

and maybe even on-site event planning

(i.e. weddings and showers).

Have I mentioned I was incredibly tempted to bid on about 10 old banquet tables

that sold at a recent auction for ONE DOLLAR!!

Watch out people.....I have awfully big dreams for

Juicy Roost.

Don't stop me now.

Unless of course Juicy Roost really does

sound like a skanky motel.