kitten and crow

Kitten and Crow - who would ever guess they could be friends?

Fun in Cochibamba!

Here's a comment I read on Jen and Andrew's blog. It was under their most recent story, so you might have missed it. I loved it!

Blogger Andrew and Jen said...

This kid was only the start of our troubles. During our first shift, one staff person left and said that her replacement would arrive in a few minutes...she didn't come until an hour later. It wasn't a pretty sight by the time she arrived. The kids (15 of them between the ages of 4 and 11) knew we were new and all alone and took full advantage of the situation. You would be proud of me though, I didn't beat any children and I still told Jen that I loved her at the end of night...despite the fact that she convinced me to live in a city and work with small children as opposed to living in the mountains and working with farmers. The next day we did a 6 hour shift with 15 babies (ages 1 month to 3 years) in a 12' by 12' room. This was actually much easier than the night before...they move slower and don't talk as much. I haven't changed any diapers yet, but I held slobering, smelly babies for a long time. I'm still trying to decide if in the end I will like them (they are pretty cute) or if this will be a life long birth control experience. We have a couple of more 6 hour shifts this week, but this weekend we have two 12 hour shifts (Saturday & Sunday)...Dios me ayuda (God help me). - Andrew

Bella Vie pour mes enfants

I think that Ben and Amy have found the nicest place to have little baby Dalgas. The Bella Vie birthing center is just lovely. Here is a link to their website. It is near Ruthie's friends, Kasey and Katie Kula, who have the organic farm in McMinnville.

greenhouse going up

Here is the partly completed recycled greenhouse. (You can see that we still have snow on the ground. I think I will plant peas anyway.) These windows were salvaged from the old school in Chelan. We have been planning to use them for a long time. The first greenhouse we ever built was in Corvallis when we lived in the little house on Greenberry. I wonder if it still stands. It also had recycled windows, as well as a recycled brick floor. Gary is as spry as ever, walking the rafters as balanced as a ballerino.

Sock Monkey Appears with T-Rex

Since I couldn't go to Jessi's, I went to a 3 year old's birthday party yesterday! Tristan is a very fun, smart little guy and a regular at storytime, and Gary and I babysat him once. He forgot his toy dinosaur here, so when I wrapped up the sock monkey I made for him, I put the t-rex in its arms. Tristan seemed curious at how monkey had his dino! He was very nice to pose for these pictures before he ran off to play in the blowup castle! I made the cap too, so it would go with the book - "Caps for Sale", which was also in the box.

Happy Birthday Jessi!

Today is the youngest Dalgas girl birthday - Jessi!! Hope it is fun and that Natie makes you a delicious dinner. We love you and think you are the nicest and most lovely daughter we could ever ask for. Happy Birthday Jessi!!

Amy Maternity

Of course, Amy's belly won't be lumpy like my stuffed mannequin! I'm excited to make some dresses for Spring and Summer that will fit in our Maternity collection. These shirts and Ben's hats went in the mail today!!!

President's Day

The definition of "cheesy" is me trying to strike a ballerina pose, and then making everyone visit all of the old haunts of Gary and my early years. I even made Geoffrey ride on the old toys he doesn't quite remember. We had fun! It was wonderful to see all of you as well as Faye, Taylor, Josiah and Lynn and John and of course Ruthie and Cam. You are the best family and friends. Sorry we wore everyone out on the planetwalk! We love you!!!

Spring Planting

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Originally uploaded by lady_dalgas

We have peas planted, yes we do!
We have peas planted, how 'bout you?

We are trying a little square-foot gardening this year and our first spring crop is peas. In a couple more weeks, we will be planting a variety of peppers and in April we will add herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers and some flowers. We will keep you posted on the happenings of this new venture.

We're home!

Thanks for a wonderful weekend kids and Lynn and John!! We had a wonderful time seeing you. I will post pictures tomorrow. Hope for sunshine!!
love,
mom and dad

Happy Valentines Day!

I love you a bushel and peck
A bushel and peck and a hug around the neck
A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap
A barrel and a heap and I'm talking in my sleep
About you, about you

Cause I love you a bushel and a peck
You bet your pretty neck, I do
Doodle, oodle, oodle, doodle, oodle, oodle, doodle, oodle, oodle oo
I love you a bushel and peck
A bushel and peck though you make my heart a wreck
Make my heart a wreck and you make my life a mess
Make my life a mess, yes
A mess of happiness
About you, about you

Cause I love you a bushel and a peck
You bet your pretty neck, I do
Doodle, oodle, oodle, doodle, oodle, oodle, doodle, oodle, oodle oo
I love you a bushel and peck
A bushel and peck and it beats me all to heck
Beats me all to heck and I'll never tend the farm
Never tend the farm when I wanna keep my arm
About you, about you

Cause I love you a bushel and a peck
You bet your pretty neck, I do
Doodle, oodle, oodle, doodle, oodle, oodle, doodle, oodle, oodle oo

beautiful dress by Ruthie

Here is another creation in the making by Ruthie Nicklaus! Her model/client is an accomplished violinist who performed in the dress this last Sunday. The picture was taken at a fitting, and so there are still a few pins in the bodice, but as you can see it is lovely! Go to ruthies uniform blog to read the whole story.

Angela and Adam in Paraguay

Angela (Mallon) and her husband Adam are working as peace corps volunteers in Paraguay. I am including a link to their blog here so we can follow another adventure in a remote part of the world.

Angela and Adam's Paraguay blog

I am so impressed by all of the many wonderful ways that young people give back to the world we live in. Each of you have such good hearts.

Trip to California

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Originally uploaded by lady_dalgas

Well, vacation is over and we are all headed back to reality, but we had a lot of fun while it lasted. We made a dragon to celebrate Chinese New Year at the preschool, we made overall bibs and skirts and we made a trip to Ojai to visit Rob, Steph and Kiya. We celebrated my Mom's birthday and got to know Kiya while we were there. It was such a wonderful trip and we hope to all be together again soon. You can check out the album on flickr for more pictures from our trip.

As for an update on the house in Denver, we are in a holding pattern until we hear back from the insurance company. It is a bit frustrating, but thing have not gotten any worse, so that is a blessing. Hopefully we will have word soon, so we can get on with the repairs.