Who Knew???

This Sheep simply couldn't have asked for a better first day of summer than the one Mother Nature saw fit to kick our way. Sun, warmth and a lack of the spirit-wilting humidity that has been wreaking havoc with my hair...Ahhh!!! What a way to ring in the first day of vacation!

Speaking of my hair, today was the day that I agreed to meet Amy The Scary Stylist for a day of yarn shopping in order that I might begin work on her requested project. This meet'n greet had me a tad tense for a variety of reasons not the least of which being a fear that she would disapprove of my interpretation of her cut. I had visions of her sitting me down in the middle of some parking lot and re-doing the whole thing whilst publicly chastising me for my ineptitude with her work of art. Amy can be something of a bully, although in the nicest of ways. I take it because she is always right and my hair just looks better if I shut my Sheepie mouth and do as I'm told.

To my relief, she wholeheartedly approved of my method of tending the locks and even praised my efforts. (big "whew!" on that, lemme tellya!) And, like so many of us, her persona outside the workplace is really quite different. We had a lovely time picking out her yarn. I tried quite hard to steer her towards a cashmere blend, but she wanted the acrylic boucle. I figured that I was one ahead with the whole hair triumph so I didn't push it. Other than a somewhat odd (although it didn't feel that way at the time) discussion about our preferred plastic surgeries over lunch, there were no anxiety provoking or scary moments at all. I guess I'll have to come up with a new name for my stylist. And for the record, I'm planning on a tummy tuck performed stateside while Amy is looking at eye work in her homeland of China. I may actually consider the flight over since it appears that it will be significantly cheaper to get my crumply tummy tacked back into place in the Far East. (relax...I'm not heading under the knife any time soon.)

I did have a couple requests for the directions for Mr. GrassHead so I shall wholeheartedly oblige. Please feel free to come up with a new name for your little feller, though. I will completely understand if you don't want your child calling Grandma with the news that Mr. Grasshead is their new best friend.

Materials:
Nylon knee high or leg of pantyhose cut to a similar length
Grass Seed
Potting soil
Plastic cup or the container of your choice
Paper towels
Face-Makin' Stuff (I used the foam shapes purchased by the bucketful at the craft store)
Glue (Mine has held up with white school glue, however some of the kids' did not fare as well. I might use a washable fabric glue the next time)

Directions:

Place about a tablespoon of grass seed in the toe of the stocking. Fill stocking with potting soil, stretching the stocking as needed for shaping and to pack the soil. My finished product was about five inches in length and looked disturbing like a baked potato. Adjust as needed to accommodate the container. Tie off the stocking.

Glue on facial features or use small pins. Let dry.

Place paper towels in the bottom of the cup. These will help to raise Mr. Grasshead up a bit and will also hold water. (Just scrunch it up and stick it in the cup.)

For the first few waterings I ran Mr. Grasshead under the tap (avoiding his little face) to hit the seeds directly. After they were established, I generally just put a bit of water in the cup and let it wick up.

The cool thing about this is that the root structure will be kinda visible. This is a great way to talk to kids about how plants feed. As an added bonus, the nine million times it gets knocked over won't make you want to kill Mr. Grasshead as it is entirely self-contained. No dirt in the carpet! And if the "do" gets long, shaggy and most uncool?

Mr. Grasshead says, "The ladies are loving my new haircut!!"

SA