He promised.

As we spent our day at the beach, the day wore on, and Matthew laid his head in my lap.

I asked him, "Matthew, will you always be my baby boy?"

And without hesitation, he said: "Yes, mama"

CANNONBALL!

There's somethinga about children and water. Joyous times with my son.

The Holt Farmer's Market does not even COMPARE with the Lansing City Market

FYI: I am getting TONS of emails and comments regarding the Holt Farmer's Market.

Kevin and I are now at the LANSING CITY MARKET, where we are selling, along with our glass and silver art, organic produce, free range chicken eggs, organic canned goods, granolas and dip mixes.



If you are looking for a FANTASTIC market, whether you are a customer or a vendor, we recommend the Lansing City Market. Come on in and check it out. The Lansing City Market is open 5 days / week, as opposed to the Holt Farmer's Market, open for 5 hours on Saturdays. We have 4 full service restaurants where food is prepared ON sight in LICENSED kitchens, not served from warming trays, our food is local and fresh, not purchased from food auctions, a full service florist, a massage therapist, a dessert chef, organic produce, free range chicken eggs, gluten free foods, food co-op, gift shops, specialty meats and cheeses, organic garden fertilizer, and handmade soaps and lotions. But, my PERSONAL favorites include community services and excellent LOCAL management, and no "Gill" the fish made of garbage. Seriously.

These are just a few pics of the Lansing City Market...aren't they grand?

KAYAK!

On Sunday...this Father's Day...we KAYAKED!

What fun! Even Matthew, as small as he is at age 9, was able to maneuver his own little kayak...I was very nervous about this at first, because we have recently had some pretty heavy rains, rendering the current in the river much faster than normal.

But, Matthew was a little trooper and was EVEN able to figure out how to eat some chips and sip a Big Gulp AND KAYAK all at the same time. That's my boy!

I think this may be my very favorite picture of him ever.



I love this picture, too. It's just proof to me that the memories in a little boy's childhood have nothing to do with TV or Wii, or Playstation or XBox. They are found in the quiet and tranquil times, when we stop everything. As Kevin has, every day, to be what is known as a parent. I'm so happy with our new life.


It revolves around our art, our children, our home, and our friends, and has absolutely nothing to do with the Joneses, chasing the almighty dollar, 3 piece suits, Blackberries, business meetings, or fakes.

It's truly a dream come true, and the benefits are evident in pictures like these.

The rat race is loaded with rats.

Peace.

Lansing Gay Pride 2009

This was absolutely incredible.

For the past 6 years, I have been one in the crowd, which was mad fun. But THIS year, I am fortunate enough to be a member of the Great Lakes Pride Band, and, I was seated upon the steps of the Capitol during the rally. I had a front row view of all of the speakers, and, best of all, the Commitment Ceremonies. (This is the BACK of our Mayor, Virg Bernero).

The rally,parade, and festival were all just absolutely amazing and fun and peaceful.
Even the protesters had not much to say. It's time for equal rights for ALL of us, and our children who are suffering in the foster care systems. Everyone deserves peace.

BE the DIFFERENCE. Be ACTIVE. BE INVOLVED.

500 new friends...*bok bok bok*

We visited an organic farm yesterday, and our new friend Jane, who will be supplying us with organic, free range ( and I mean FREE range) chicken eggs.

This farm was so fabulous. Chickens EVERYWHERE! We also visited the greenhouses and gardens, where Jane grows ...well, you name it, she grows it.

I am so excited to bring new, fresh organic produce, eggs, and a vast variety of other products to the Lansing City Market...along with my glassworks, of course.

Peace and chicken eggs...

Karen

He Played All Day

...and it was fabulous.

We had an amazing time at the Turner-Dodge Mansion on Sunday. We made lots of sales, lots of new friends, and seeing my children play on the grounds, and on the stairs, and in the Grand Ballroom, was just magic.

Now, on to more big adventures!

I am throwing a HUGE party this Sunday for my darling mother-in-law, who will be celebrating two milestones, turning 60, and 5 years cancer-free.

This Saturday, I'll be marching in Lansing's Pride Parade with the Greater Lansing Pride Band and about 50 of my closest and proudest friends, and Friday, we are having our grand opening of Bella Harvest, our new booth at the Lansing City Market, offering up fresh organic free range chicken eggs, lovely produce, mixes, nuts, and granolas.

Overextended? Yes. Happy about it? Ecstatic.