Q is for........Quality vs. Quantity

Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow.
- Author Unknown

It is that time of year again. The time when folks head out into their yards and start preparing the earth for planting. Seeds, seedlings, sprouts, and young plants are purchased. Dreams of beautiful flowers, and delicious fruits and vegatables are on the minds of these nature loving souls. I have longed to be one of these people, but as you might have read this week, gardens and I....well we have issues.



Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil,
getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time
to soak up a little peace and serenity.
- Lindley Karstens

Have you ever wanted to be someone you are not? Wanted to like something that you don't? Wanted to excel at something that you just aren't equipped to handle? Well, that is me.....and gardens. Ever since buying our house 12 years ago, I have WANTED to like gardening and yard work. I would love to have an amazing yard, full of beautiful flowers, but when it comes right down to it....I despise everything that takes place AFTER the planting. I thoroughly enjoy the planting part of the project, but I can not handle the upkeep. I WANT to like it....but I just don't. Weeding has to be like the most boring activity ever. UGH! I find no joy in taking care of my flowerbeds. It is work, plain and simple. I wish it weren't so....but it is.




The man who has planted a garden feels that
he has done something for the good of the world.
- Charles Dudley Warner

Until last summer I hadn't even the inkling of a desire to plant a vegetable garden. I had SWORN to all that was holy that I would NEVER.....EVER have a garden. But......then came Sugar Bear. As much as I despised working in our family garden when I was growing up, I somehow have this feeling that Sugar Bear would love it....at least while she is young. These photos were early last June. We were up visiting my parents one weekend, and my mom needed to replant some beans. There were some bare spots in her rows that she wanted to fill in. Instead of running out and doing this task in a quick 10 minutes, she invited Sugar Bear along. What would have taken my mother a few minutes, took that pair a good half hour, but I am certain my mom understood the impact that experience had on Miss Sug. As you might have guessed.....she loved it.


Watching those two slowly make their way down the rows blessed my heart, and warmed my soul. It was the first time in over a two decades that I found a reason to smile in a garden. Observing the precious connection of grandmother and grandchild, as they gifted the earth with life, blew me away. The patient and gentle way in which my mom let Sugar Bear help reminded me that it isn't always about rushing through a task. Sometimes it could just be about the task itself. Sure....she could have planted twice the seeds in half the time, but it wouldn't have been near as fun as those special moments with a young child. It was Quality over Quantity.



Gardening is any way that humans and nature come together
with the intent of creating beauty.
- Tina James, 1999

There was a particular moment when I watched my mother struggle to make the hole in the ground, as Sugar was literally hanging from her arm. I wondered how her back was not aching, and why she didn't ask Sugar to just let go. I nearly hollered out a gentle command for Sugar Bear to release Grandma's arm when I realized it was Grandma that had a hold of Sugar, not the other way around. Grandma was embracing her young helper, and sharing the knowledge of many years.....passing down the family gardening tradition. It was QUALITY TIME.....and QUANTITY TIME. Not only was she gifting my Sugar Bear with patience and understanding....she was making a deep connection. She was sharing a part of who she is.


I have found, through years of practice, that people garden in order to make
something grow; to interact with nature; to share, to find sanctuary, to heal,
to honor the earth, to leave a mark. Through gardening, we feel whole
as we make our personal work of art upon our land.
- Julie Moir Messervy, The Inward Garden, 1995, p.19

It was too late last summer for me to throw in the towel, and end my mental battle with Gardens. I resigned myself to reevaluating it this coming season. Now that it is here....I'm nervous. I WANT to love it. I WANT to share the fabulous experience with my daughter, but I am nervous. The past has shown me, that I don't love it....I don't enjoy it one bit....but can it be different this time? Would there be a way for me to see past the WORK and embrace the gifts? Can I get over the Quantity (time laboring) and enjoy the Quality (time with my daughter)?



I took baby steps earlier this season, and we have planted some flowers together. I lifted our spirits out of the winter doldrums. I am currently struggling to keep our little blossoms alive however. I don't have the greenest of thumbs. This worries me, but I am still toying with the idea of making a small garden this year.........and when I say small, I mean small. Maybe two tomato plants....and some carrots.....or something like that. Start SMALL. It is Quantity that scares me. Maybe....just maybe if I start small, I'll be able to keep the focus on Quality......time that is, cause I'm not guaranteeing anything will actually grow.

In the heart of a seed,
Buried deep so deep,
A tiny plant
Lay fast asleep.
"Wake," said the sunshine,
"And creep to the light."
"Wake," said the voice
Of the raindrops bright.
The little plant heard
And it rose to see,
What the wonderful,
Outside world might be. ~Author Unknown

P is for.........Painting!

"Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us." ~ Roy Adzak

Nearly a year ago, I wrote a little about my process of finger painting with my Sugar. Since that day, we have been blissfully happy art partners. In fact, Hubby built us an Easel last summer, and ever since, the art has been flowing in the house of Living and Loving. I fully intended on share more of the 3000 photos I took of her painting at her easel, but I have neglected to get them all edited. Yes....I know! Shame on ME!



Over our Spring Break, I tried to have a few activities planned to keep us from killing each other being bored on a daily basis. I find it helps when WE have something to look forward to, and it seems to break up the day a bit. I try to have no preconceived ideas of how it will go, or ultimately turn out. I just give us the opportunity to experience something different.

"We work not only to produce but to give value to time." ~ Eugene Delacroix



It is always a treat for me to see the excitement in Sugar Bear's eyes when I say, "Hey Sugar, you wanna try something new?" She lights up, and immediately starts asking all sorts of questions, trying to guess what it might be. I have yet to disappoint her. That is a beautiful thing. Even the most simple little things are amazing to a child. Practically EVERYTHING is new. Until that day, she had never seen Marble Painting, so to her....it was a thrill.


There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. ~Walt Streightiff



"We are in the business of making the kids feel good about themselves and reinforcing self-confidence. Sometimes that little positive reinforcement is enough to change a kid, or at least guide them in a direction towards creating more and more art." ~ Susan on Long Island

Sugar Bear loves to create new things, and proudly shares her ART with anyone she can find. I love to hear her explain the process she took to make her masterpiece. Hearing her interpretation of the event can be a learning experience for me. Sometimes, I walk away thinking, "Well, that wasn't all that great.", only to hear her telling Hubby about it later, and realize how much she appreciated it.



In this particular case, she found it a little frustrating to get the paint on her hands while retrieving the marble from the paint. I personally found that interesting, because she loves to finger paint. However, I find that my girl, can be somewhat anal about things, and since we were not using our hands as the tool in which to put the paint on the paper, the paint ought not be on our hands. To remedy her concern, I just brought a wet washcloth over for her to wipe her hands on after retrieving the marble. This worked for her.



There were many lessons to be learned in this form of art. Coordinating her muscles in her hands and arms to rock, roll, shake, and tilt the box without losing control and flinging the marbles across the room.



She spent a great deal of time trying to master keeping the marbles from simply rolling down the edge of the box without crossing the paper. It was intriguing watching her learn from the experience, and applying her newly found knowledge.



"Fill a space in a beautiful way" ~ Georgia O'Keeffe



To keep it simple I only set out Yellow, Fushia, and Blue paint. On her first painting, she proclaimed it complete as you see it above. She has yet to master the tilting, so the colors hadn't crossed each other too many times. They basically remained un-mixed.



Her next few paintings were much more actively "shaken", so we got the opportunity to discuss what happens when you mix colors. We got some Green, Orange, and Purple effects. It was delightful.



“The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.” ~ Plato



Towards the end, it began to matter less that she got paint on her hands. I find that once she is fully engaged in the process, the little details seem not bother her as much.

"It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a
child." ~ Pablo Picasso



Of course the wash cloth was never far, so she took full use of it from time to time.



Sometimes the project veers off in a different direction, and I strive to remain open to this. Sugar Bear began to get intrigued by the process of coating the marbles with paint, and then washing them off with the wash cloth. I had to literally sit on the "cheap and thrifty" part of my being that wanted to stop my girl from WASTING the paint. Over and over in my head, I was repeating, "It's the Process.....not the product.....It's the process...not the product!" The paint was NOT wasted....it was just used in a different way.



In case you are wondering, yes, I did take like 1000 photos of her throughout this activity, and yet, I was completely there and in the moment with her. Our conversation was lighthearted, yet purposeful. At one point, I asked if I could give it a try, but she was reluctant to share her painting box. Next time, I'll make sure I have one for me as well. She let me play for about 2.5 seconds, but couldn't get past the thought that I was painting her picture for her. If I had my own box and marbles, I feel she would have been excited to see what Mama's painting would look like.



In the end, we both declared it to be the "bestest thing we did all day!", and we look forward to trying it again soon!



"A painting is never finished-it simply stops in interesting places." ~Paul Gardner

O........Is for Oobleck!

Ooooooowhat? Oobleck! YES....Oobleck. The ever awesome Carolyn reminded me the other day of this super fun substance. Thanks girl! I had not only been searching for the perfect post for the Letter O (yes, I am horribly behind in my ALPHABET SERIES), but I had also been in serious need of a fresh idea for Sugar Bear. You see.....last week was Spring Break for us. I was off work.....Sugar Bear wasn't attending Day Care or preschool.....and we got a bit stir crazy. I am used to adult interaction, and she is TOTALLY used to playing with her friends four days a week. The fact that we were home sick for the two weeks prior to Spring Break only added to the feeling of complete and total cabin fever.



Anyhow, I had become familiar with this fabulous substance back in my college days while doing my practicum for my Early Childhood Education major. Somehow, over the years(oh my has it really been 12 years?) I had forgotten. Like I have said before....I have forgotten way more than I'll ever remember. tee hee



The other day, Sugar Bear and I set out to making some Oobleck. All we needed was 2 parts corn starch, and one part water. We added a few drops of food coloring for interest. Sugar Bear chose blue.....one of her favorite colors.



Surprisingly, Sugar Bear showed some reluctance to get her hands into the gooey mess. As you may know, I have worked hard to encourage Sugar's appreciation of all things. I am constantly giving her opportunities to try new things, and build her confidence. She rarely shys away from anything. I was really caught off guard by her recent dislike of getting things on her hands.







After stirring in the blue dye, she wanted to be done. She hadn't even experienced the MAGIC of Oobleck yet, so I put the camera down for awhile, and jumped in. I played and played while she observed. I worked hard to describe my play, and pique her interest. Within 5 minutes she was hooked, and couldn't resist getting in on the game.



After a quick rinse of my hands, I was able to photograph her process of discovery. The great thing about Oobleck is the fact that when you push hard and quickly on the surface of it, it will be a firm substance, but as soon as your hand stops moving it quickly turns to a liquid. It is really, really fascinating. It is emparative to not that Oobleck must be kept in a container while playing with it. It is not in anyway like play doh.



In the end, Sugar's favorite activity was grabbing a bunch of it, then letting it ooze all over her other hand.....or better yet....my hand. It has a cool temperature and feels funny on the back of your hand.



Her only complaint was the smell. I am not sure if my corn starch happened to be stale, or if large quantities just has a strong odor, but it smelled awful. I kept wondering if the consistency would be altered if I added some peppermint extract. I may have to try it next time.



All in all, it was a great little project. I have kept it in a Tupperware bowl, and we have just added a bit of water a few times to re-play with it again. I have a hard time wasting so much cornstarch on a one time activity. Yes....I am cheap like that.

N....Is For Naughty or NICE?

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance. ~Franklin P. Jones

Recently I have run across several discussions on Toddler Tantrums. Lis Garrett posted a lovely article on her blog, that really got me thinking about this subject. Then The Nap Warden reached out for advice. Reading comments on such posts intrigues me. I am forever amazed at the vast difference in parenting there is out there. The different techniques out there opens my eyes and gives me a chance to reflect on my own parenting style and try to articulate why I do the things I do.



One of my favorite questions for other parents is "WHY?" Yeah, I know....it isn't like they never hear that question from their children. However, I enjoy challenging people to articulate WHY they are parenting the way they are parenting. Often, I find, that parents stumble around at a loss for explaining their line of thinking. I am not saying that folks aren't thinking when they are parenting. I am saying that often we just don't know WHY we are doing things they way we are. Maybe it is just how they have seen it done....or how they were parented. Maybe they are just trying out things they have read about. Possibly they are just going with their gut. Any case.....it is always advisable to take a step back, and really think about WHY. In this....we must truely analyze who we are, and who we want to be.

I'd like to share one of the most inspirational quotes I have read in a long...long time.

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher

WOW! Read it again.

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher

Oh my yes.....that says so much. It touches my heart. I see the relevance of it in our world. As non-judgmental as I TRY to be, I often fall short when I see children being treated without empathy. Young children are just like you and me. Their body runs the full range of emotions. Each day they may feel happy one minute, and extremely discouraged the next. We are not born knowing how to express emotion. It is through interacting with adults that children learn how to identify emotion, and how to appropriately express those feelings.



As a parent, I find that when I consistently handle my daughter with the care all humans deserve, and empathize with her challenges, I come the closest to getting it right. I believe that most of our difficulties are based on the fact that she is a normal human being with the full gamut of emotion, and it is MY job to help her successfully deal with those emotions. It is MY job to take her by the hand and lead her in the right direction.



I parent by the golden rule. I treat Sugar as I would like to be treated. To achieve this, I have had to dig deep and identify my own feelings.

-I do NOT like to get in trouble for things I didn't even know was wrong. Children are not born knowing the rules. They must learn right from wrong from others. It is OUR job to successfully lead children in the right direction. I try to think of how I would feel if I entered a new job, and no one told me what I was supposed to do. I was just let loose on the job, and then suddenly without warning I was reprimanded for the things I did incorrectly. I try not to inflict such confusion on my child. I set clear boundaries, and steadily work at making sure she understands them. Most young children will not get it right away. It is through consistent follow thru on the parents part, that they begin to understand and follow the rules. It is my belief that the majority of the time, children WANT to do the right thing. They may have impulses and desires that are inappropriate, but that is due to their developmental age....NOT because they WANT to be bad.

-I do NOT like to be yelled at. In fact, when I am yelled at, I shut down. I can't not listen, or learn in this situation. I have fear, and anger. It is especially hurtful when someone I love and trust yells at me. Knowing this about myself, I apply it to my dealings with Sugar. 99% of the time I refrain from raising my voice. If safety is involved, I may shout out to get attention, but other than that, I use a normal tone of voice. I like being able to get down at her level and say, "Oh my....You are yelling. Remember....we don't yell. Mama doesn't yell at you....and you don't yell at me. Can you tell Mama in your normal voice?"

-I do NOT like to be physically hurt. I know this is touching on a really tough subject, but I am simply stating WHY I chose not to physically discipline MY child. I try to imagine what my world would be like if every time I made a mistake someone hit me. I don't care if they had warned me....or if it was unexpected, I would be so fearful. I am certain I would NOT work in a job where the boss had the right to hit me every time I messed up. We can all agree that it isn't a healthy relationship if my partner has the right to hit me if I forget to take the garbage out. I am fairly certain that respect isn't garnered by physical punishment. Fear should not be mistaken for respect. I respect hundreds of people who never laid a hand on me. Knowing this about myself, I practice a "hands off" parenting style, even when safety is involved. I am ever mindful of the message I am sending my child. I believe ALL humans have the right to be free of physical violence. (Please know, that I am respectful of other parenting choice, but it won't stop me from asking you WHY, and hoping that you can articulate your answer.)

-I do NOT like being completely without choice. Seriously....can you imagine having NO control of your life? I can not. I like having choices. I don't always have all the choices, but it is nice to have some. I parent keeping this in mind. I may not be able to let Sugar choose when bedtime is....but she certainly can decided which jammies she gets to wear. I make it a habit of offering her a choice as often as possible, so she has a greater sense of control. "Would you like to put your shoes or your coat on first before we go?" "Do you want the blue or the red cup?" "Do you want to brush your teeth or take a bath first?" "Which book would you like me to read?" The possibilities are endless. Then when something comes up, that just isn't a choice I say, "I can hear that you don't want to take a nap right now, but this is just not a choice. It is nap time. How about AFTER your nap, you can choose which game we are going to play?" I always try to offer a replacement choice.

-I do NOT like it when my feelings are disregarded. When I say, "I'm sad!", I certainly don't want to hear, "I don't care!" When I am frustrated, it doesn't help to be ignored. Often if someone can just empathize with me....it helps. Keeping this in mind, I ALWAYS acknowledge Sugar's feelings. It is perfectly okay for her to be angry, frustrated, sad, happy, or excited. She just may not be expressing it appropriately. I acknowledge her feelings, let her know if the way she is expressing it is okay or not, and offer an alternative if needed. "Oh dear, Sugar...I can see you are very disappointed. You don't want to leave the park. It is okay to be sad about it, but remember we don't yell at each other. Maybe when we get to the car, you can snuggle your blanket for a bit. That might make you feel better." or "Sugar....I see that you are very angry at mommy. I am sorry that you can not watch another episode of Dora right now, but you can not hit. Remember we have a rule about NO hurting. Can you use your words and tell mama how you are feeling?" I believe it is okay for her to say, "I am mad at YOU!" as long as she isn't yelling it at me. I then say, "Yes, I can see you are mad. Sometimes we just get mad at each other, but that is okay. We still love each other. Maybe we can come up with something that will make you feel better." I do NOT give in. She does not get to do whatever it was that started the anger, but I am not opposed to helping her feel better. Don't we like others to try to make us feel better when we are upset? You'd be surprised how quickly some children feel better about things when they are sure you understand them.

On a whole, I practice the whole "reward good behavior and prevent misbehavior" technique. Most parents understand and practice the first part of that statement, but the last half is often misunderstood. I like to believe that I parent using a good Offense. I do my very best to stay in tuned to my child, and predict her feelings and moods. As Lis stated, when Sugar is tired, or hungry she is more likely to have a meltdown. Knowing this, I go into it prepared to prevent the tantrum. Instead of saying, "it is time for bath" when I know she is likely to get upset, I say, "Sugar! When we jump in the bath right now,do you want to play Ice Cream Shop or bubble beards first?" She is tricked into focusing on the exciting things she will get to play, and totally forgets that she really didn't feel like taking a bath in the first place. This technique sets the child up for success....and isn't that what it is all about?



Children are born, and placed into our arms. It is our mission to embrace them, honor them, respect them, teach them, and love them. It isn't easy, but they are counting on us to do the right thing. You decided what is right for you, and yours.

M is for......Mama!

I don't think it will come as a surprise to hear that I consider myself very much "The Mama!'" I understand many women's desires to be someone other than just "The Mama", but for me, there is just nothing else I'd rather be....in this moment....in this precious, precious moment. I have no idea how long, I am meant to be on this here earth, but I consider my life successful, because I made a difference in the life of a child.....MY CHILD.

Just this evening, I was holding my Sugar Bear close as she slept. Usually, as soon as she is asleep, I gently tuck her in her bed, and slip away, so that I can have some "me time." Tonight was an exception. You see, she had missed her nap, and invariably she fell asleep on the couch much too early. it was 4:30 to be exact. I decided to let her sleep for about 45 minutes and wake her, so that it wouldn't mess with bedtime.

I sat at my computer, some 10 feet away, constantly glancing at the perfect person quietly breathing on my couch. I admired her face, hair, and hands. I absorbed her peaceful aura, and wished I didn' t have to wake her. When the time came, I went to her and started stroking her face and hair. I whispered "Sugar.....Sugar Bear......wake up." She slowly moved her face from side to side....but continued to sleep. I gently lifted her onto my lap, and held her close. She sighed....and snuggled in. I figured.....I might as well let her sleep a little longer, as I silently justified holding this sleeping angel.

As we sat there, the thoughts.....and feelings began to overwhelm me. Much to my surprise I began to cry. This child of mine....so perfect in every way. How on earth did I get so blessed? The tears came quickly, and I found myself pulling her so tight, she moaned in her sleep, and moved to a more comfortable position. My mind raced.....

-Three years.....where have they gone?
-Will the next three years go so quickly?
-I never knew there could be a love like this.
-Our relationship is so genuine and true. I can count on it.
-I am so worried.....
-Will she soon be too "big" to hold when she sleeps?
-When will she stop wanting me to hold her?
-When will she no longer look to me for everything?
-I know people say it only gets better, but does it?
-My own relationship with my mom is not like this...how can it be?
-My relationship with Sugar will never again be like it was when she was a baby....and soon not even like it is now.
-The dynamic simply changes as she ages....I don't want it to change!
-I'm scared.

And on....and on....it went. I thought of my own attitude towards my own mother. You see...I have a fairly normal relationship with my mom. I see her often. We speak on the phone at least 5 days a week. I love her......but I don't need her, like Sugar needs me. Of course...I mean that would be weird, right? How does a mama let that go? How can I look to the future knowing that someday....and it will happen.....Sugar will no longer be my little love bug. She will have a mind of her own, and she will make choices....and many of those will not have anything to do with me. I know I sound selfish, but I don't want to give up what we have now. To me...it feels perfect. Is it wrong of me, to not want it to change? I often say that if I could push pause on my little Sugar I would. I'd keep her just the way she is right now......forever.

This past Christmas, I found myself having to tell my own mother that I would not be seeing her on Christmas Eve, nor spending the night, like I have for so many years. I would be seeing her on Christmas Day, but I just wanted to start my own family traditions for my little Sugar. I knew that my mom was going to be disappointed, and my attitude was, "Geezzzz what does she expect? I mean, it isn't like I never see her. She just needs to get a grip." ( I know...I know...shame on me)

Tonight, I have a different perspective. Tears stream down my face at the thought of Sugar choosing to not see me.... or to do something without me. My imagination drifted to a day when I am older, and Sugar is on her own. I saw myself having to hope and wish that she will choose to come see me. WOW...how does a mama survive that? How do you go from being a child's EVERYTHING, to their SOMETIMES, and only when it is CONVENIENT? Holy cow, people! That is so scary to me. Scary, and depressing. Sigh....

So for tonight, I held her....I let her sleep, so that I could cherish this moment of closeness. I didn't worry about bedtime, and whether she would be off her schedule. I just lived in that moment, for I know...it is fleeting. I don't want to ever regret missing something so beautiful. I pushed away my worries....and just lived....and loved!

*** oh and don't forget I'm on Top Momma!


CLICK HERE!!!!! You know you want to. Click it a few times in fact. I get a referral each time you click the link, and a click each time you click on Sugar's sweet photo. Isn't that fun? I can't think of a single thing I should be doing today other than clicking. Can you? ***

L Is For........Lights!

This time of year I find myself drawn to a fabulous Botanical Garden that features a really breathtaking Holiday light display. The history states that a community tradition was born in 1987 when some community members decided to "string a few lights" to help celebrate the holidays. That first season, 6,000 miniature lights, one Christmas tree, and the decorated Garden House drew 9,000 visitors. Now, more than a quarter million lights - both holiday and landscaping - many Christmas trees, lighted sculptures, entertainment in the pavilion, and a beautifully decorated Garden House draw 40,000 to 50,000 visitors each season. Numbers vary with the weather. It is really amazing.



This is one holiday tradition I refuse to ever let go. Rain or chill....we'll be there. In fact, my favorite visit there was when it was lightly snowing. It was incredibly beautiful. At that time, I had only been a few times. From that year forward I made it my mission to get there every year. In fact, a friend and I volunteered there for about 4 years. One year, I was HUGE pregnant, and the next I spent four hours carrying a nearly 11 month old Sugar Bear in my Mei Tei front carrier. She helped me greet guests, hand out brochures, and pass out cookies and apple cider. It was wonderful.



The past two years though, have been the best. Sugar is old enough to be completely and utterly amazed by the lights. I adore following her around the garden, and pointing out the displays. She has great joy, lots of excitement, and sheer delight. What a blessing to share such Holiday memories.





Being that it is located on the coast, the theme is obviously Oceanic. There are large sea life sculptures made of lights. Some of which feature animation. Sugar Bear is really taken with the ones that appear to actually move. There is a leaping frog, that jumps from a lily pad in the pond, high in the air, then splashes down in the water. This is one of Sugar's favorites. I am not sure if it is the frog, or that fact that it is incredibly hard not to stand, stare, and be mesmerized by all the lights in the bushes surrounding the pond...and then....oh then...ther is the REFLECTION. I am not certain I have ever seen anything so beautiful in my life(besides Sugar Bear of course..wink wink).



In the pond, year round, there are two bronze crane sculptures. Nothing compares to the sight of those two figures bathed in the lighted beauty. One of these years, when I don't have to worry about Sugar Bear falling into the water, I'll be able to bring my tripod, and get a proper shot of this incredible scene.





Of course one of the best parts of the evening is heading into the garden house, and warming up with hot apple cider, and a cookie. YUMMO! For kids, and those not wanting a hot drink, there is also apple lemonade. Sugar and her cousins gave this part of the adventure a big thumbs up.





Inside the garden house, there are four differently decorated Christmas trees, and some really creative holiday decor which includes a fun Santa Doll taking a big bubble bath in the upstairs bathroom. Don't worry...there are LOTS of bubbles. No X-rated stuff here. This year, I fell in love with the ocean themed tree in the main room. Very natural shell and fish ornaments, and white and blue lights on a flocked tree. Stunning!



One of my favorite displays is the large grey whale. The big white spout is animated. I love the bright blue and white against the tall dark fir trees. This year, I managed to catch a bit of the beautiful night sky in the top right corner of the photo I took.



In my opinion, this trip was certainly one of the best yet. The sky was clear. Sugar Bear was excited. It wasn't over crowded. We had a great time. Each year, I learn more and more about photography, and I look forward to a few years from now, when I can let Sugar roam around with her cousins, and some responsible adult (tee hee), and just take my time photographing everything I see with a tripod, to minimize shake. In the mean time, I think these photos get the idea across. My SIL blessed my heart by snapping a quick shot of the Sug and I. I am not at all certain what I was doing with my eyes in this photo, but I am quite certain my heart was FULL.