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hump day nuggets: three cheers for three years
March 17, 2010

hump day nuggets: little bits of the season in photos and words about the last week

Been ‘dig this chick’ online for three years now. Really? Really. I look back on that first post, the only intention being to keep an effing garden record that I could actually locate the following spring, and I feel like a mama looking back on her kid’s first solid run through the abc’s. Is it weird to feel proud of your former self?

I fell the afternoon of that first blog post while on a run and voila. A blog post wrote itself as I writhed in pain, wondering if a mountain lion would eat my sorry ass on the side of the trail up the Rattlesnake.

My ankle is still messed up from that day. I think I actually broke it. I fell just a few hours ago. Andy said, babe, how can you just fall for no reason? See the impact blogging has had on me?

Seriously though, I had no idea I’d grow so much here. When I started dig I was off to graduate school at SAIC, in Chicago. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to have kids. And then SURPRISE I was pregnant and then I gardened some more and then I pushed Margot Bea into the world.

And I did all of it with y’all. Never woulda thought I’d be a Blogger. But it’s cool. Been three years, yo. And I like it a lot.

Ok so on to nuggets. It’s very spring round here. I just drool over spring. Even the word spring is delightful.

:: Ruby rolls over both ways. She rolled over at three weeks old. I don’t think people believed me and then she did it in front of our doctor at her first post-hospital visit. The doctor said, well the hospital staff mentioned she was feisty in their charting. I don’t think ‘feisty’ is a strong enough word.

:: Got this idea from a friend and Margot loves it. Her little body outline is still taped to the floor and she adds belly buttons and armpits every day.


:: theyarnbox is a dig sponsor this month. This Missoula business makes, among other things, dryer balls. What are these?, you wonder. Let me tell you because you need them.

They are balls made from recycled wool. You toss them in the dryer to reduce drying time and soften clothes. Our household is the perfect candidate to really test their power because we have a decrepit dryer that can only operate on the low heat setting or it smells like our house is about to burn to ashes. So, if we dry a load, start to finish, in the dryer we have an average drying time of 100 or so minutes. Horrible. And with these dryer balls, a load only takes 65-70 minutes! We love them.

They are beautiful and come in a sweet, handmade little net bag. Thank you, theyarnbox!

:: Andy’s birthday was last weekend. We of course made pancakes and meandered through an overcast day. Really nobody can rock knee highs and flip flops like Andy Cline. Happy 32 baby.

Margot is a good pancake helper although she neglected to point out that I forgot to put the three tablespoons of butter in the batter…

You could see the cool, gray day in my pool of syrup.

:: That afternoon, Margot and Ruby gave their dad his birthday present: they both napped at the same time. Oh sweet salvation when that happens. And when it happens and Andy and I are together? Yesssssssssss. We went straight to our studio and had two solid hours of creating and talking about adult stuff.

There’s something sweetly soul-fulfilling about threading the needle of my grandma’s sewing machine (yes, that’s a martini back there).

I admitted guilt at one point because I felt like I should be in the kitchen making an Epic Birthday Feast but he said no way, let’s keep working. And so we did. He started a new painting and I cut into a new fabric stash.

And so Epic Birthday Feast, including Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, will happen some other day. That night we ate big salads and box cake. Kings Cupboard box cake, which, for a box cake mix, is AMAZING. And when you add the unreal buttery Kings Cupboard frosting, well.

:: We skied on Sunday where the brilliant, warm weather detracted from our lame snow pack.

And wow what a workout to cram a ski clothed-kid into a backpack, skate around, ride the rope tow, remove kid from back, ski down while bent over and do it more again please mama. And again. So fun.

And Ruby just chilled. Little peanut.

Hot chocolate and diaper changes in the lodge of course.

:: I’m not going to post this gross photo, but I heard that the rubber ducky-type bath toys that suck water in, you know the ones our kids make out with, are festering with black mold and other raunchy stuff. I cut into one of our toys and we promptly got rid of the rest. Gross. Click here to see the inside of our stork bath toy.

:: My good friend pushed a baby out of her body Monday in the early morning quiet of her home. I met the new babe and just cried. Totally amazing. That nine and a half-pound baby was in my friend last Friday. Amazing. Welcome to the world, Ophelia.

:: Ruby and her wacky tongue.



:: Margot loves to sit on the front steps and waits for her papa to get home from work. She intently watches up the street eagerly searching for his car. And when he arrives, you’ve never seen such pure joy.

So, my girls and I are hopping in the subaru tomorrow morning and heading east, to south central Montana. To Red Lodge, where my husband was born and raised. Where I spent childhood summers, with my cousins, in the cool waters of Rock Creek, on the shady trails of Silver Run, around the pig racetrack in Bear Creek and on the sun-warmed deck of the Roscoe Bar. Red Lodge. Should make for some good nuggets next Wednesday.

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34 Comments


TM_Erin
March 17, 2010 at 12:32 PM

OH. HOLY SMOKES. That bath toy has me totally heebed out. I’m chucking mine as soon as my girl wakes up.

Happy blog anniversary. Your blog has truly enriched my life.



Ann
March 17, 2010 at 12:55 PM

we have those bath toys! the best part about them is spraying my husband. those girls are just too cute!



Cindy S.
March 17, 2010 at 12:58 PM

Bath toys. Yeah. So nasty. Discovered that revulsion a few months back and, since, only buy bath toys that don’t have holes. Eeew.

Happy Blog Anniversary! Three years. And, truthfully, the blog is probably the least of the amazing things you’ve done in that time.



Malissa
March 17, 2010 at 1:03 PM

Good morning! Just curious…what were you inspired to pursue at grad school? Love the last shots of Margot on the red stoop! Oh, have so much fun in Rock Dodge. I love that little town. My hubby’s cousin (Clancy’s niece) has a cabin there and we meet them for the 4th of July rodeo, parade and all of the good stuff that goes on there. Happy St Patties Day!



Sarah { bee house hives }
March 17, 2010 at 1:28 PM

have a blast in Red Lodge & happy birthday to Andy.. LOVE the socks and flip flops.
can’t wait to read about your trip. what a great time of year for a road trip, i will be thinking of you all.



sarah
March 17, 2010 at 1:45 PM

ahh! i just reread your first blog post as well as your first comment: mine! very exciting. weird to think how much i’ve changed since then too. wow, life. ok so i am planning a trip to missoula early this summer. ok? let’s talk dates.



j.j.
March 17, 2010 at 2:04 PM

How long are you in RL for?!?!? We are headed there too…home (!) on Friday and will get to spend spring break there!! Maybe, just maybe…we will cross paths once more? Hope so. LOVE the nuggets! xo



Talitha
March 17, 2010 at 2:24 PM

LOVE the doctor’s comment about Ruby… so true! And yeah, nasty bath toys. I had to figure that one out on my own years ago when the stinkin’ duck changed colors on me. EWWW!

Happy Blogiversary!



Stone Art
March 17, 2010 at 2:26 PM

Congratulations! And a happy St Patrick’s day from stone art’s blog here in Ireland



Katie (Mama May I)
March 17, 2010 at 2:31 PM

Wow Nici~~I totally remember reading your first blog post!

Happy Birthday to Andy. Eric and I so very much enjoyed reading his blog the other night~~he’s truly amazing. You both are.

Ah RL. Miss it so latley. Have promised myself that we’ll get there this summer. And hopefully can make it happen with you guys, Furbers and JJ.

Safe travels..xoxo



Pam
March 17, 2010 at 4:02 PM

Oh my! Well, the star of this post (even given generally COMPLETELY unbeatable competition), is the lovely Andy Cline. Ole, I am so sorry to hear that you fell – but because I can hear the calm incredulity in Andy’s voice saying, “babe, how can you just fall for no reason?” there was almost coffee all over my keyboard. The pic of him with his … See Moretwo girls, TOTALLY carrying off the knee socks/flip-flop look is beautiful but the picture to end all pics is Andy and Bug having hot chocolate – heart-warming enough that I fear I might risk having a couple of my stents rub together and create a fiery conflagration. Margot looks SO grown-up in the picture of her on the slopes and it’s a treat watching Rubes begin to come into her Rubyness. Have a GREAT trip to Red Lodge and safe travels. xoxo P



jen
March 17, 2010 at 5:28 PM

i think you just reminded me that blogs have birthdays and i think mine turned two. oops. (at least i don’t miss the kid birthdays. jeesh.)
happy 3 years here … and a happy b-day to andy! enjoy your time away!
and icky bath toys? i know. i just tossed ours too. ugh.



Erika
March 17, 2010 at 7:56 PM

Happy Blog-day! I get so excited to read about your adventures! Here’s to another three years + !
xo



Judybusy
March 17, 2010 at 8:03 PM

Happy Anniversary! Unlike many commenters, I don’t know you personally, but get such a kick out of your blog. I found it via Garden Rant for the gardening, but am hooked on the stories of family life, too! That is quite a feat–I am not usually particularly interested in kids unless I know the parents….That speaks well of your writing/photography skills.

Congratulations on the blog and building a life you love!

Jodi in Mpls.



6512 and growing
March 17, 2010 at 8:43 PM

Anniversaries are sweet reminders of all we’ve done even if it seems like time flies through our hands and we’ve just been wiping butts and tidying up all this time.

The napping at the same time is the best trick ever. What a bday present.

Thanks for sharing all the love in your world.



Conny
March 17, 2010 at 8:50 PM

Happy 3rd blogiversary!! That is so cool. I began reading and commenting on your blog just a few months ago – didn’t realize it went back almost 3 years. Now I feel compelled to read from the beginning. :>)

Sounds like your weekend will be great fun. Have a wonderful time.



booksNyarn
March 17, 2010 at 9:00 PM

Happy Blogiversary! And congrats on the new “toy”. (I’m a techie-librarian, so computers are definitely in the “toy” category). 🙂

I haven’t been a follower from the beginning, but admit to going back and reading. It is pretty amazing how Life grows not only on your own personal Path, but on this online one also. Thank you!



Kelle
March 17, 2010 at 9:01 PM

So much I want to say on this post. “Gush, gush” on the pics. Beautiful. And congrats you beautiful blogger.

But mostly on this post I’d like to say…Tell your man Touche on those long socks and flip flops.



Mama
March 17, 2010 at 9:06 PM

Your pic rocks. Margot on the steps is an awesome capture of, no doubt, Andy’s favorite part of the day. Andy’s socks are Luke’s favorite part of this post. “Happy Birthday, Cline,” he says.

Oh, Ruby Jane let’s get you rollin’ beside Olive June…

Thanks for the link to me. Our flat selves are taped to the wall, currently.

Happy Birthday to your blog. I remember reading your first one – all about your new adventures as a green thumb. Wow. You’ve come a long way, baby. I missed my blog’s birthday. I’ll celebrate its forth with more good things, I hope.

Wish we were going to see you in Red Lodge. Ditto to what Katie said. Ahh, compound reunion…

xoxo



anne c
March 17, 2010 at 9:10 PM

Happy Anniversary, Digger!

Only you could make a moldy stork look beautiful.

and have a great time in the homeland!



Melissa
March 17, 2010 at 9:48 PM

I am a broken record, but your girls are just so beautiful!!

And I also love your man in his socks and flops.

Happy birthday to your blog–so inspiring! xo



FinnyKnits
March 17, 2010 at 10:40 PM

I love so many things about these Wednesday nuggets, but this week my favorite things were Andy’s feet in the flip-flops and socks – HA! – and you skiing down the hill with Margot on your back, wearing her skis.

You’re a friggen champ and those kids will be all the better for it.

Good job, man. You’re just plain rad.



Kelly
March 17, 2010 at 11:23 PM

Those ski pictures are to die for! And the ones of Bug waiting for daddy? It doesn’t get much better than that! 🙂



MoonstruckinMontana
March 18, 2010 at 5:29 AM

Congrats on 3 years! Geez and to think if you hadn’t needed an easily available garden journal, I wouldn’t have my Wednesday nugget fix. One more reason that gardening is good for everyone 🙂

Hope you have a lovely trip. I’ll be heading that way myself in 2 weeks. Off to our next assignment and can’t wait.



abbey bernardi
March 18, 2010 at 3:33 PM

Hi Nici, great post!!! what kind of shoes are margots orange ones ??? they are so cute and look comfy!!



*Wesley*
March 18, 2010 at 4:21 PM

I grew up in Columbus, MT – right over by Red Lodge!! Our school takes us up to Red Lodge several times each winter to go skiing, starting in 4th grade. My dad loved (and still loves) taking us up there to go up the Beartooth Highway and hit up the candy store and the Red Caboose for onion rings. Love Red Lodge!

I learned about the nasty mold in bath toys while babysitting some kids here in town (Missoula). While giving them a bath they started squeezing a little toy that shoots water out of its mouth and this black stuff came spilling out and was floating all over the tub. Gross.



Heidi
March 18, 2010 at 4:37 PM

okay, lots to say…happy 3-year blogging. so important, so life-changing–everyone should do it!

those photos of ruby on the green blanket with her tongue…i want to eat her up (i love her so) *wild thing movie, couldn’t stop*.

bug in the urban shots…LOVE!
andy’s socks and flops…happy b-day to him! oh, and those dryer balls…amazing! i’m going to look into getting one!

love your photos more and more. oh yeah, the syrup shot with reflection. cool.

xoxo



Dirty Girl Gardening
March 19, 2010 at 3:10 AM

fabulous pics! and your banner pic is adorable… are those buff orpington chickens?



kis4s
March 19, 2010 at 12:59 PM

I’m a frequent reader (are there points for that, like frequent flyer miles?) but not a commenter. This post was my favorite “nuggets” yet – so I must comment!

Thank you for my weekly “trip to Missoula.” We moved to Butte a couple of years ago – some days I feel like we moved to the moon (and even more so now that my oldest officially entered the Teen years).

Luckily we’re much less than light years away from home.

Again, thank you!
Alison



Andersons
March 20, 2010 at 8:13 PM

I love reading your blog and seeing my cute dear friend in her incredibly pregnant state because she’s been a little busy being pregant to post on her own blog 🙂



TRB Holt
March 23, 2010 at 2:11 PM

Margot Bea & Ruby Jane~Hey my little sweet peas!
I seem to have “Gram writer’s block” this week, so will make this short & sweet…..

Let’s talk about spring, my upcoming trip to visit you & the Easter Bunny!….Yup, spring has sprung! I love this time of year when little green sprouts pop up with promise of rebirth. Just 3 weeks ago icehouses dotted Lake Minnetonka & now deep blue water is peeking through the transparent ice; won’t be long now until sailboats & speedboats rule the waves! I am already getting my suitcase packed with goodies for both of you…I leave 1 week form tomorrow to see you…I can hardly wait! It has bee 3 months too long since we were together. We will cuddle, laugh, read, swing, have fun baths, go for walks, bake cookies and anything else your little heart’s desire…I am yours for one whole week! AND we will color eggs for the Easter Bunny to hide! OH how your mama loved Easter time….an egg-cellent time ahead! See you soon!

I love you Bug…A Bushel and A Peck AND Rubes…You Are My Sunshine!

xoxo, Mom/Grammy~Gram

ps…Happy Birthday Dig!



molly
March 30, 2010 at 9:05 PM

can rk and i come live with you and the girls and andy, please?!

how DO you do it all?

it’s inspiring!



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dig this chick
July 14, 2010 at 3:47 AM

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    I’m Nici (pronounced like Nikki) and I live in western Montana where I raise kids, vegetables and the roof.

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