I can’t remember a time I didn’t dream of owning my own home. I think that I most wanted that after I blew my mother’s inheritence in 12 months and was left with nothing but a pretty sports car and a baby on my hip. My first few years in adulthood were a learning lesson that most don’t see until later (if ever), after parents quit sheltering and paying the way. I never had parents who paid my way, and a small inheritance doesn’t last long when you’re without guidance or experience.

But we survived our youth, and in my late 20’s, we bought our first home. It was a hole in the wall when we bought it. But Colorado real estate ain’t no joke, so you take what you can get and go from there. We laid floors one month, bought new appliances the next, then tore down walls, then hung crown molding, paint, etc. until it became what it is– Home sweet home. And I love our little home– all the love, memories, sweat, tears, and whatnot that go with that. I can imagine growing old here, and thank goodness I’ll never have to grow young again.

This mother’s day was spent appreciating the things I’ve been blessed with– my healthy family, our strong connection, our cute little home, full bellies. When you read about all of the things going on in the world, you might realize how fragile it all is. The people in China didn’t love their children less than me. The people in Myanmar didn’t appreciate or deserve their sweet little homes less than me. God doesn’t love me more. And I don’t understand why things are the way they are… so I pray for the families in those places… and I embrace mine that much more.

We’ve spent every spare moment over the last week (including mother’s day) tilling, deweeding, reseeding, and giving tlc to our little yard. We’ve finally moved from the inside out and can now start really gardening and landscaping this year. Which has proven to be so good for the soul– sun on my skin, dirt in my hands, seeds between my fingers, hay in my nose (ahh. ahh. AH-CHOO!)= Life’s Goodness.

Here’s a glimpse at our week:

Bella helping mommy plant seedlings. Now I know what you’re thinking because I was thinking it too: “STEPHERZ, is that styrofoam you’re planting those seeds in!?” Yes, but I didn’t actually buy the styrofoam. They were leftovers from an office meeting 2 years ago and the guilt has kept me from using them or throwing them away. At least they are being put to good use before they enter the landfill!

Seedlings basking in the indoor morning sun…

A very handsome, green-thumbed, and helpful teenaged boy…

My little Boho Cowgirl…

A tuckered out gardener with his blankie…

And laying grass seed isn’t as much fun without a hay fight!

It’s also not much fun for mommas unless there’s a hott shirtless man running around the yard…

Now that the yard is tilled, the seeds scattered, and the garden started, we wait for Mother Nature and the goodness she brings…

In the latter part of last year, I stumbled across fabrics designed by Jennifer Paganelli– the Sis Boom Collection. I fell in love with every single pattern and it inspired me to learn how to sew. I had dabbled a bit with quilting, but upon seeing the Sis Boom collection, I decided to really get into sewing and creating. I asked for a sewing machine for Christmas, bought myself a few fat quarters from Jennifer’s collection, and immediately made (and you probably remember) Bella’s toddler bedding set (not bad for a beginner, eh?):

After I made her bedding, I ordered more Sis Boom fabric to make her a bigger quilt for her big girl bed (the famous Princess Castle Bed). I ordered some of the same fabrics, and a few newer fabrics from the collection. I couldn’t stop looking at the fabrics, drooling over them, etc. Last week I decided to use a bit of leftovers I had to make matching skirts for me and Bella. When I realized I didn’t have quite enough, I got right on eBay to order more of the Karen Scroll. I couldn’t find it anywhere! I felt a tingle of panic because… OMGoodness… What happens if all of the Sis Boom collection gets bought up by a greedy quilter and I can’t have it anymore? It’s a necessity… like air… and water… and macaroni and cheese or powdered doughnuts! I’d have to steal and loot to get it– with a Nooskers strapped to my back and one hand in Bella’s, we’ll go into every fabric store in America and STEAL their Sis Boom! Ok, I know. I’m being silly.

But I did stumble upon Jennifer’s personal blog while trying to find the Karen Scroll, and left her a little comment. She visited my blog and commented the very next day and then again today! I was so psyched, I felt like a celebrity had shook my hand! Yayyy for Stepherz! What’s more is she is SUCH a lovely, sweet, talented lady!

I didn’t find anymore of the Karen Scroll, although I’m still looking. But I was able to make a skirt for both of us with what I had. I didn’t have a skirt pattern, I just made it up as I went. Here they are:

I had to do our trims a bit different because I was short on fabric. Bella’s skirt came out super cute and she dances around like a twirling ballerina in it! Delicious, scrumptious, beautiful fabric.

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What does a stay-at-home Stepherz do on a windy, cloudy, cold Spring day when the gas costs $3.90 per gallon? She does just that: Stay-At-Home. What do we do in a tiny house to keep from yanking one another’s teeth out?

We clean the house so that we can spend the day tearing it back up…

We play and learn on starfall.com (thanks Jenica!)

We take our own picture and wonder how it’s possible to have adolescent breakouts and aging crow’s feet at the same time…

We use our new RE9 Arbonne system to battle those crows feet and flaws. (My MD gift from Jeremy):

We play with Barbie (damn that beeyatch for having no crow’s feet) and her naked headless friends. (Methinks these girls have been dabbling with drugs. Such a shame. Never trust a girl who never eats and manages to wear a smile all the time):

We play with our loyal pup who ain’t nuthin’ but ugly (RE9 can’t help her) but she sure is sweet…

And we make cute things for Etsy…

Is your sky sunny and warm? If not, what are you doing to keep your teeth?