Mary's Musings

An Open Letter to My Daughter

2010-07-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

When I was the same age as you, someone (we shall not place blame or impugn family) decided it would be a great idea to cut off the long tangled rat's nest that was my hair. I went from hair down my back to sixty year old grandma. I hated it. I hated everything about it. My soft round face was not flattered by the sudden absence of hair. To me the shearing of my hair represented loss. The loss of a mother who was available to comb the aforementioned nests out of my hair. My mother had spent an entire year fighting to stay alive. She succeeded, but my hair was not so lucky. A casualty of war. When my mother recovered I'm not sure what went through her mind - as an adult I can only imagine she now had a greater urgency of getting on with her life - living for herself. As a child I perceived it as madness, because I went from having no mother to an upwardly mobile mother. From where I sat it did not feel much different - I must admit much of that was my own doing as I made some unconscious choices to detach - not to love so much. But my hair, well I am sitting here a grown woman with a knot presenting itself in my throat as a write because the hair was a symbol of what I lost. Someone to sit and untangle. Someone capable and willing to find bows that matched and fuss with curlers. I am a girly girl. I'm not ashamed to admit it. Yes, I climbed trees, and caught reptiles, swung from kudzu, and brought home countless wild creatures but I did it all while wearing a dress and red shoes and curls blowing in the wind.

So imagine my chagrin, dear daughter, when at the exact same age as I, you announced you WANTED to cut off all your hair. I tried being passive. When you oohhed and aahhed over Mia Michael's hair I stated quietly that it was not my cup of tea. I being the pleaser, just knew that would rain on your parade. But who am I kidding, you are NOT me - so very NOT me. You have a deep care for those you love and yet you are never moved by wanting to be a people pleaser. You decide what you like and what you don't - and that is that. So I helped you find pictures of the exact kind of haircut you wanted and I emailed them to your ever so talented Aunt. But I was a coward and made your father be the one to take you.

I love who you are my daughter. I love everything about you. I especially love the parts that are so completely foreign to my make-up. Where you get the inner strength and determination you have is a wonder to me. I love that you could careless that every tween star has long locks of shiny hair. I love that you have not noticed that not a single girl you know has short hair - pixie hair. I love that you decide what makes you cute and that your identity is not braided into every silken lock. I love that you are brave and prepared for the comments that may or may not come from the peanut gallery of life. When we discussed the possibility that you might get called that dirty three letter word... a "boy" you didn't even bat an eyelash. I love that my brokeness is not your brokeness. As Marty always said, "Be original. Make your own mistakes!" So although I am not inclined to follow, I salute you for your brave new do. And besides, it was about time I dealt with all this anyway. Thanks for the jump start.

Always and forever your biggest fan,

Mom

All my crafty friends won't want to miss this...

2010-07-11T06:15:00.000-07:00

Go to this link and check out an amazing give away! It's a digital cutting tool. The possibilities are endless!

Little Offerings Everywhere

2010-06-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

This sweet little girl loves to make sweet nothings for me and leave them when I least expect it. Here is a collection of just a few of the latest offerings.

Oh the joys of thrifting

2010-05-27T13:11:00.001-07:00

I ventured out today to my favorite thrift store. My niece is having a baby and I wanted to make some projects from Amanda Blake Soule's books to welcome the baby. In her latest book, The Handmade Home, Soule gives lots of creative ideas for finding materials that have been gently used. One idea is using men's extra large t-shirts for fabric for kids shorts, leggings, etc. I made Jman an entire wardrobe of shorts last summer with just that. So with a small list in hand I headed out... Little did I know the treasures that were waiting for me! First I wanted to find some men's dress shirts for fabric for the baby bag. My niece is using pinstriped baby blue (like a men's shirt) and navy in the nursery. So I scored with these...

Which turned into this bag from one of Soule's books...

Next I came across these nubby wool blankets...

Which will become versions of this at some latter point..

We love Mommy's Little Monsters! The striped roll in the front is wallpaper. It is still in the plastic. I will use it to line my bathroom cabinets. Then I came across this...

Loads of vintage fabric scraps from a failed quilting attempt plus some felt and canvas. I use all of these all the time in craft and sewing projects. Felt is so easy to work with and the vintage scraps make nice appliques and accents.Then I found something I wasn't even looking for but I just had to take home...

Aren't paper dolls just the best!!!!! This package had never been played with. My daughter and I love to play paperdolls and this set even came with that neat backdrop, score! Then I stumbled across another surupise....

That is a bowl full of rubber stamps. Lots of animals in the mix. My kids will use these in their creations and later I can use them in the classroom! What did I come for again?

I'm doing the happy dance. Since I was already on a roll I decided to stroll down another aisle. Which is where I found these vintage glasses...

So cute! They will go great with the vintage drinking glasses I already have. Next came a soap dispenser which I wanted for my bathroom.

Then I hit the jackpot. Obviously a local stationary store had discontinued a couple of lines of greeting cards, one of which happened to be one of my favorite illustrators, Mary Englebreit. I scored a shoebox full of greeting cards for $4!!!!!!

Finally I got this out of date calendar for FREE. It has prints from vintage military posters. I'm going to use one to make a card for my Dad this Memorial Day.

Well there you go! Hope you are just as lucky in your thrifting excursions this summer!

You LIttle Sew and Sew

2010-05-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

Recently my daughter discovered a gift card she had overlooked in the mayhem that was her birthday sleep-over. The gift-card was to a store in our local mall geared toward tweens. Last night we decided to check it out. There was everything a fashion diva like Miss T could want. Outfits and accessories galore. Unfortunately, one would need to make diva dollars to shop there on a regular basis. T was shocked to discover that her $20 was not going to go very far. She decided on a cute pair of earrings and a necklace.

I kept looking at everything thinking ,"even I could make that"! So today I woke with a bee in my bonnet and headed off to the fabric store. I came home with this.

All fabrics for $1 to $2 a yard. Then I got busy making this skirt...

And this vest....

Both which were remakes of stuff we saw last night. Let be clear, I am no seamstress. No one ever taught me to sew. I just decided to get a little inexpensive machine and go for it. There are no patterns when I sew and lots of trail and error. But in the end I was so very pleased. I cannot wait to tackle that mountain of fabric in coming weeks and make more clothes for Miss Priss. I have so many ideas floating around in my head!

Tiny People are Healthy People and Other Lies I've told myself.

2010-05-21T05:43:00.000-07:00

There is a myth about tiny people that says size equates with healthiness. I must break the code of silence and tell you nothing could be further from the truth. As a tiny person I have done more than my fair share of eating-out this semester of school. I only put on around five pounds but it all seems to be concentrated like a floatation device around my mid section. My husband brought home Jillian Michael's 2010 Challenge for Wii yesterday. I decided to give the circuit training a go - you know just for kicks. Even though I started out on the easiest possible setting, I was definitely winded when the workout was done. Also, I need to mention that for the first time in my life I bounced when I ran - jiggled really. To a tiny person never having experienced this sensation I must say it was rather traumatic. But just the kind of wake up call I needed. I may be tiny but I am VERY out of shape. So when the last Oreo disappears from the pantry I will say adios to processed food indefinitely. And that my friend is a fact.

Spring/Easter swap

2010-02-26T07:27:00.000-08:00

My friend over at Through the Eyes of a Yak is hosting a Spring/Easter swap. I know many of us are feeling a little tired of all the cold, snow, and gray everywhere. In anticipation of spring why not participate in a swap with another family? Details on the swap are here . You will make or purchase something spring inspired or Easter inspired or specifically for Easter basket... and send it to your swap partner. They in turn will send you a surprise in the mail! Participants will be matched according to interest and the number of kiddos you have. You can sign up for the swap by clicking on the email link at the end of her post. Hope you will join the spring fun!

Being content

2010-01-30T17:32:00.001-08:00

It's snowing here. That's big news in the rural south. I was enjoying watching the snow gently fall this morning as various song birds visited the feeder on our deck. I couldn't help but think of the many times I have sat at my kitchen table staring out the french doors at the beautiful birds who visit our home. I love watching the birds. It brings me such joy. In that moment I thought I never want to leave this home. I love my home. My home brings me joy. I must confess I am not always so content. On more than one occasion I have looked longingly at someone's yard or play room or office or gourmet kitchen or large laundry room or bonus room or.... you get the picture. I have looked at what others have and wished I had that too. I have compared and envied and wished for more or different or change. Often I justify the longing with "We need" or "If only" as in "We really need an office space" or "If only we had a laundry room instead of a laundry closet".

What I realized this morning was that I have so much to be grateful for. What if I looked at my spouse the way I do other things in my life. What if I was constantly comparing him to other people's spouses and wishing he cooked more or made more money or was more laid back or had blue eyes? That seems ludicrous but the reality is that if I coveted other people's spouses I probably would never find true happiness with my own. I could spend countless hours thinking about what I don't have rather than focus on all the wonderful things I do possess. In our Western culture it is so easy to want what we do not need, to compare unjustly, and to always be discontented. Our consumerist mindset teaches us to always be looking for the next great thing. I want to be like Paul who was content in all things. I have so much to be truly grateful for. So today I give thanks for the joy in my life and say thank you for all my blessings.

From the mouths of babes...

2010-01-20T06:06:00.001-08:00

My sister has come to my aide this semester and picks up my kids from school two days a week. Yesterday, while talking my son (who is very much like his Aunt in temperament) and my sister said the exact same thing at the exact same time.

To this my sister quipped, "You know what they say 'Great minds think alike'."

To which my brilliant son replied, "No, great minds think like no one else!"

Touche!

2010-01-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

Psalm 119

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.

¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

¹² Praise be to you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.

¹³ With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.

So after seeing Julie and Julia I have been inspired. No, not to cook my way through 2010 , but rather to live my way through the Word this year. Throughout the end of last year I could not help but consider how much of the Bible just seems ignored or non applicable to Western culture. From my perspective it seems that my Christian experience is a far cry from Biblical mandate. For years I chalked it up to the great cultural divide - you know, believing things don't apply to us because we live in a different time and space. While I do believe that the Bible holds great symbolism and everything shouldn't be taken literally, I also believe we conveniently opt out of a lifestyle that would be less than comfortable for us as Westerners.

I'm not sure what this will end up looking like - I never claimed to be a Bible scholar. I don't plan on growing my hair out to my waist and I cannot fathom going without makeup but I don't think that is the point. Take for example the ten commandments. Most Bible Belt Southerners would concur that the ten commandments are a good thing and that they should be followed. However, what is the Sabbath and how many of us keep it holy? I was struck today when I was reading through them to discover the clear instructions

"No working on the Sabbath; keep it holy just as GOD, your God, commanded you. Work six days, doing everything you have to do, but the seventh day is a Sabbath, a Rest Day - no work: not you, your son, your daughter, your servant, your maid, your ox, your donkey (or any of your animals), and not even the foreigner visiting your town. That way your servants and maids will get the same rest as you." Deuteronomy 5:12-14.

I have not had to work on a Sunday in many years. However, what about giving the others a chance to rest as well? If my family and I insist on going out to eat, getting groceries or gas, or going to the movies aren't we insisting others work on a day intended for rest. I'm not trying to convince others I'm right. What day the Sabbath is on is up for debate. I'm certainly not trying to make others feel bad if they disagree or make other choices. I am trying to make one small calculated effort each day to live by a biblical mandate. I am hoping many small steps will find me in the way of David in Psalm 119

³³ Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end.

³⁴ Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.

³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.

³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.

³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word. ^b]">[b]

³⁸ Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.

³⁹ Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.

⁴⁰ How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness.

Here is to a year of walking in the Truth. Precept by precept.

New Year - Same Old Moi

2010-01-08T05:19:00.000-08:00

People tend to always want to reinvent themselves around the first of the year. Isn't that what resolutions are really all about? Casting a wish for betterment out into the Cosmos and hoping somehow that will bring about the change we so desperately desire? Don't get me wrong. There is plenty about me that I want and need my Creator to daily transform. But lately I have just not been myself at all. Do you know that feeling? Feeling like you are walking around in a bad dream as someone else? Well that is how I have felt anyway.

School per usual took over my life last semester. What I am slowly realizing is that it is not all "schools" fault. I am a perfectionist and also tend to focus on one thing at a time. So whatever is taking up the major chunk of time in my life tends to be where my focus lands. Sounds appropriate unless you realize that I have two kids who are rapidly morphing into people all together different than the ones I brought into this world. And a very patient husband... and a ninety-four year old Grandmother who was like another mother to me. Sigh, do you see my dilemma?

To say it rather rudely, I just suck at balance. When I used to homeschool my kids and bake bread from scratch and make every meal from fresh organic ingredients (I only know this because I recently found my entire life in pics from 2007 in a random place on my computer), I felt rather smug, as if I had it all together. It seemed good and right because I spent 100% of my energy on my kids/family. What I know now looking back is that my friendship with my husband was sorely neglected and I had no time whatsoever for myself. Balance - why must you allude me so?

I am of the belief that part of this is strictly nature - genetic inborn temperament, while still other is nurture. My Dad is exactly this way. Well actually, my Dad and my Mom. My Dad in a more helpless way like myself. He simply can't juggle. Plod away at one thing well and let all the other balls land where they may. I swear we don't even notice the cacophony of balls ricocheting around us in deadly fashion. We are just that focused on the one ball we have in motion. Proud of it really. My Mom, well she can certainly hold more than one thing in her mind at a time (and does). She juggles. She just tends to put the lion's share of energy into the task she deems most valuable or necessary at that juncture. Makes sense I guess - unless you are one of the other smaller less important balls.

But I digress, this is not a session with Freud nor are these challenges I face my parent's fault (sheesh now I know where my son gets this from). I just need to allow Creator to realign my thinking and make some changes. He's done it before - I know He's the man for the job:) All this silly rambling really leads me to my point that I am celebrating feeling like myself once more. Not some solely obsessed she-devil - but M.E. I never knew how fond of M.E. I had grown;) I am so grateful this new year for the holiday's that afforded me time to slow things down significantly. I am so grateful for the Arctic blast of air that has turned my rural town into an ice rink for the past week - and afforded me time to snuggle up with the ones I love most in this life. I am thankful for a Creator who gave me a husband with the patience of Job - at least as far as I'm concerned. I am thankful for a niece who prays mighty prayers, a brother-in-law who doesn't view church as a one man show, and the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit. I am full of gratitude to feel spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically more myself than I have in over a decade.

So this - I welcome change that is eternal - not temporal. I thank Father that the wilderness did not kill me and that in fact it allowed me to see the miraculous lengths to which God will go in order to preserve His children. I am grateful for fourteen years of marriage - seven years running away, seven years working in sobriety. I realized the other day it has been like Leah and Rachel. We want the Rachel but we need the Leah. Gratitude for the Leah years - and so excited to see the many "children" that will be birthed over the next fourteen years. God is good - all the time.

2009-09-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

The church I attend is like any other church I suppose in small town America, the growth ebbs and flows. There are times when our little building seemed to ready to pop like the finger play (here's the church, here's the steeple, open it up and see all the people). While other seasons it seems like there are more empty seats than full. My church is like any other church in small town America, some times I agree with the Pastor and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I like the worship and sometimes I don't. The thing that makes my church going experience unique is that my Pastor is my sister's husband. In fact my entire immediate family with the exception of my brother who lives hours away, all attend this church.

Yesterday I spent the entire afternoon with my sister and her family. It was an impromptu, fun filled afternoon. It was great. We hung out, we ate food, we talked, we shared, we caught up. I have known my sister my entire life. I thought my life would surely cease to be when she moved out to get married. We attend the same church and we live fifteen minutes from each other and yet, I learned all kinds of stuff about my sister yesterday. This got me me to thinking about what it really takes to know a person. You have to spend time with them. You have to talk to them. You have to listen. You have to be present. I can't just show up on Sunday's and stare at the back of my sister's head and really know what she is going through. Those of us who perhaps have been around the western church for any amount of time know this analogy has been used about our relationship with God. You can't just show up on Sunday and know God. You have to be present with Creator. You have to cultivate a relationship.

But the same holds true for all the people, be they fifty or 250, that sit around me every Sunday in service. I can't expect to have relationships without getting to know people outside those four walls. And if I don't know anything more than the back of their hair and what they said that drove me nuts, well then I'm not prone to really like them much am I? But what if I knew that they said that really annoying statement because they talk when they are nervous? And what if I knew they are nervous because their husband is losing his job, their children are giving them a run for their money, and they too feel so, so alone in this great big sanctuary? Maybe instead of muttering under my breath that I am the last sane person attending church, I might empathize. I might cook a meal and take it over. I might send a message of encouragement on facebook or gasp even in the mail. I might offer to babysit so they can get a break.

I just think it is amazing that after 37 years I still find out things I didn't know about my sister. I'm no extrovert but I love people one on one. God help me know more about your children than how they part their hair and what their political views are.

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

13.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

16.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

17.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians (NIV) - bold mine:)

Everyone Has a Story to Tell

2009-09-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

I have to make this a really quick post today because in just a few minutes I am going to pick my kids up from school and take my oldest on a date to see the Half Blood Prince. When all the hype started coming out for the new movie I told my kids with no apologies that NO ONE in our family would be seeing this movie until they read the book (in case you didn't know a main character dies). Well Jman finished this week, took an AR test at school on it and made a 100! Since I am pretty sure this is the last day the film will be running in our area I decided to make some arrangements for Miss Thang to go with my Mom and J and I are going to dinner and a movie. So much fun!

But that is not what I wanted to blog about today. I wanted to share some links to three different sites that allow anyone (especially children) to write their own stories. I think storytelling is a great learning tool. How better to learn about the English language than to create stories? It also engages that creative side of the brain and allows kids to share their ideas.

The first site is meddybemps. This is a great learning site for kids in general. They can play all sorts of games but the link should take you to The Young Writers Workshop. This activity gives the children a story starter and they complete the story. If you have a class of new writers or you homeschool and have not done much writing yet, well this is a great place to start. It's fun even to do as a group, allowing each person to tell the next part of the story. How fun would it be to print and post a collaborative story your class or family created! I do want to note for those who care that this site uses imaginative creatures including a kindly witch. If this offends you keep reading... there is a site for you!

Next is tikatok. Tik a Tok allows you to create a story all your own. You can scan in illustrations of your own or use ones found on the site. But the greatest thing about this site is you can order a bound "published" copy of your child's story. How neat is that? Think about what a great gift to give a little one. I also think this really helps validate children in their own creative process. So good!

And the newest guy on the block is storybird. I found out about story bird from Lovedrunk who is an amazing writer herself. I jumped right into this site and created a story you can read here. This site puts a new twist on storytelling. Basically the site gives you access to amazing original artwork from all kinds of different artists. You then pick a picture and tell a story with it. The art inspires the story. Again, what a great tool to use with kids. Allow them to work in groups or work at home as a family to create an amazing original story. The stories are then posted where other storybird users can read them. I was as excited as a little girl when I got my first comment on my story!

Whatever avenue you use, I hope you will tell your story and teach your children to do the same!

Snapshots of the Mind

2009-09-09T05:31:00.000-07:00

I realized this morning as I was grumping around straight from my grumpy slumber that there is a great disparity between the thoughts/ideas/memories I tend to want to capture on film and the ones I am constantly capturing in my head. I was loading some pictures from my cell phone onto my computer when I started looking through a whole slew of photographs from the last two years. You know what I noticed? Every single photograph was an attempt to capture some aspect of goodness in our day to day life. Why then do I insist on capturing less than pleasant memories in my daily thoughts. By that I mean, why do I choose to mull over and meditate on the very things that drive me crazy, make me mad, etc.?

If I had taken a photograph of my face this morning as I sludged through my disgustingly dirty kitchen it would not have been a pleasant sight to behold. Do I really want my kids to have to look at that first thing in the day? Now in my head I am grumpy because everyone else is grumpy. Kids have allergies and colds, nobody wants to get up, Dad is sick and stressed, house is a wreck, and the list goes on and on and on. But why do I want to capture that energy as my own? Could it be possible to smile, as if this moment the paparazzi of my heart were lurking somewhere outside my kitchen waiting to capture my tude on film? And what if that smile causes someone else's day to get a little brighter? I know mine did just looking at the "happy" moments we have captured on film. And even if everyone is still schlepping around in their own misery - maybe just maybe - I'll feel better if I just smile. Think Happy Thoughts. Capture the moments in my heart and in my head that are worth being there.

Moments Worth Remembering This Week:

Playing dress up with the kids while being chased through the neighborhood.
Finding an even more perfect flower girl dress.
Getting all my money back for the first flower girl dress.
Hubby finishing laundry that would have taken me another week to finish.
Kiddos helping neighbor.
My car starting every day.
Tomatoes from the garden in the pasta.

Philippians 4:8 (The Message)

^8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

2009-09-06T15:02:00.000-07:00

Today I have spent doing what should be accomplished on any good Sunday, I have rested.

Yesterday however, I am proud to say, I spent the better part of the day cleaning out the mountain of chaos in my garage also known as my sewing/crafting/decorating "stuff". DH and I have been slowly plodding away on organizing the garage. It used to be home to most of my grandmother's worldly possessions and therefore was a magnet for all the junk we accumulated but did not know what to do with. Periodically we would donate items or have a garage sale but then it will just pile up again. This time we invested in some inexpensive shelving and bike racks to help keep the clutter tamed. We have tried to purge everything we do not use. So all the camping, repairing, painting, recreational, musical, and other stuff used by the entire family now has a permanent place. But that still left my mountain of mess which I was hoping would somehow organize itself.

Once I resigned to the task, I managed to fill an entire trash bag with fabric scraps not big enough for another project as well as a trunk full of things to donate. I discovered I had enough clothes that needed mending to fill and entire laundry basket (that's tomorrows project). I placed all like items together and was amazed at how many materials I have to use. I have been fortunate to inherit much of my mother's and grandmother's sewing supplies and really had no idea what all was there. I found some felted Christmas stockings my mom had started and never finished. There are four, one for each person in the family I have created, (which also means my mom most likely started that project before I was even born...I'm 37 uhummm). I plan on finishing them and using them in some fashion in our Christmas celebration this year. Fun!

I feel very grateful to have so many materials at my disposal. I also realized that materials are worthless if you cannot find them easily when you want to use them. For example, I found three measuring tapes yesterday. Just last week I was wrecking the house in an attempt to uncover the one measuring tape I knew I owned. Well I never found it when I needed it and resorted to measuring with a plastic ruler. Then yesterday, not only did I find mine, but obviously my grandmother's and mother's measuring tapes as well. Now they are all safely tucked in their new home, a little organizer tray for the sewing stuff I use regularly. I also had just purchased elastic for some of the many pairs of t-shirt shorts I made for my boys this summer from The Creative Family by Amanda Blake Soule. Much to my chagrin, I found enough elastic to fill a gallon size ziploc bag. The bad news, if I had organized sooner I would not have had to purchase new materials. The good news, I have lots of elastic for future sewing projects and I know exactly where to find it. Probably my favorite discovery was the vintage lace and trims I uncovered from my Mom's and Grandmother's sewing baskets. I'm not sure just how I will use these lovelies yet, but when I do, I'll be sure and share them here.

With all these amazing materials at my disposable I am anxious to create something fabulous in the near future. I am hoping I find the time to craft and sew amongst the busyness of this season of life. Which brings me to another point I really stopped to think about as I was discovering "new to me" materials in my mother's sewing stuff. I had never paused to consider how invested my mother had been to creating things during this same season of life (thirty something). It made me wonder why she stopped and if I too will stop one day. I must confess the idea made me more than a little sad. I hope to always be doing something creative.

And while I am typing this, my ten year old has decided to don a makeshift Batman ensemble along with lego created Batman weaponry. I am happy to see that ten has not squelched his creative need to play dress up. Maybe I too will stay forever young:)

Pats on the back...

2009-09-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

So today I am proud of myself for finding a flower girl dress for my little T bear and paying cash for it! My niece is getting married in six weeks and my sister has been more than a little stressed trying to get everything done. To help out I offered to find my daughters flower girl dress. I am notorious for putting off tasks like this. I'm a longtime procrastinator and not a huge fan of the mall. But my b.f.f. from Telford (and mother of the other flower girl) and I forged ahead and fought the good fight. We braved the mall and survived. Not only did I find a dress for T Bear but also one for myself and did I mention I paid cash! So, kudos ME, for helping make your sister's load a little lighter,while not accumulating new debt! And thanks be to the Provider of the Universe for keeping me in perfect provision and peace in spite of my universities constant blunders with financial aid.

Oh and for those of you who are wondering, the wall art with the awesome motto is from Gracious Designs.

Positivity my dear

2009-09-03T09:44:00.000-07:00

Perfectionist, idealist, melancholy, artistic, sensitive, moody. These are all adjectives that have been used to describe me on more than one occasion. I know I come off all cute and bubbly but it's just the shell holding in all that dark brooding;) Anyway, regardless I tend to be one of "those" people that focuses on what is not "right". I have learned after many years of practice not to always share what I am thinking, but the majority of the time the mental track running for me is a running list of all that is not right with the world. Because of this thinking, it is really easy for me to start feeling overwhelmed or even downright depressed. I had an epiphany recently about the overwhelmed thing and decided my motto for this season of life was going to be "simplicity first". (Wow is it just me or am I becoming that annoying girl from the nineties who keeps throwing up air quotes?) ...Well I decided today along with my new motto I am going to try and post daily a personal kudos or encouragement for ONE thing I did "right" that day. These will range from the profound to the absurd, but regardless I will try and find at least one thing I did well each day.

Today's Kudos...

I went to visit my grandmother who has been on loan from heaven for the last 94 years. She is a hoot and lives across town which makes it really challenging sometimes to visiting. I try and visit at least once a week. I was able to see her over the weekend and I really wanted to see her today. So I got ready before the kiddos had to be at school, dropped said kiddos off for their mandated education, and headed on over for a brief visit before my classes began. I am happy to report that she was more coherent today than on my last visit.

Kudos to you, MaryEl, for planning your work and working your plan. Instead of thinking of the millions of other projects and people you did not invest in today you made time for your grandmother and followed through. Those other people and plans will see their day in the sun, I just know they will! Why as Scarlet herself said, "Tomorrow is another day!"

Mothers and Daughters

2009-09-01T05:27:00.001-07:00

When I was eight years old I experienced a serious disconnect from my mother. Serious as in - change the choices I made as an adolescent, send me to therapy for years, kind of serious. My mom became very ill and worsened to the point that she was on death's door for the better part of that year. She spent most of the year in the hospital where I was only allowed to visit once (because everyone back then knew that kids have cooties that will surely usher the feeble and sick on into Glory) and only then when my father disguised me as a patient and snuck me into her room. He was in fact sure it might be the last time I would see my mother and so we went covert, Vietnam style baby.

At one low point when my mother was actually home "recovering" twenty miles from the nearest hospital, I witnessed her unconscious, lying in a deep pool of her own blood. Family screaming, panic palpable. In retrospect I think that was the moment the disconnect occurred. See in all my eight year old wisdom I knew that I was losing my mother, and I also knew that it hurt like hell. My solution, just don't love her anymore - or at least don't get too close, and then my dear- problem solved - you don't ever have to hurt again. My story has a happy ending. My mother slowly recovered and at nineteen I finally recognized the unconscious decision I had made at eight and decided to reconnect. I am happy to say we managed to reconnect quite successfully (my husband might even say too successfully).

I share this here because the other day my daughter confided something in me that almost made my heart explode with happiness. She said she was talking to a girl in her class at school who is "dating" (my daughter is eight - thus the irony). Anyhoo, she was explaining to this classmate that she didn't date yet when her friend volunteered this information : "Oh you can date whenever you want as long as your parents don't find out." My daughters reply? Well that's what made my heart burst. She said, "Are you kidding? My mom and I can talk about anything. I wouldn't ruin that for the world!" The little girl seemed shocked and conceded that she did not feel she could tell her mom "anything".

I will be the first to admit, I have more days as a parent when I mess it up than when I get it right. But I have spent more than a few hours stretched across my daughters bed allowing her to spill her guts and ask me the most embarrassing of questions (at least embarrassing for me). These are not always convenient times for me. These aren't scheduled talks. These are, "mom I need to talk to you and I want to do it right now" kinda moments. I have two thoughts on this :1) I never want to miss an opportunity to hear my kids hearts - I mean come on, parenting is hard enough as it is and if the only gauge I have on their emotional and spiritual health is their heart, I had better pay attention. 2) I always want to be as honest as possible in our discussions. It is a subtle art telling the truth in a way that is appropriate to your child's age. I have been asked things I never thought I would be asked by a six, or seven, or eight year old. I take long pauses to think about how best to frame the truth they seek. But I don't lie. I don't tell them babies come from heaven or kissing. And I don't shut them down - "We don't talk about that," or "We'll talk about that when you are older,". Listen my theory is if they are asking then they are thinking. I would much rather them know the truth and our family's values on the matter versus allowing them to hear all kinds of cock-a-mamy ideas from their peers (which for the record - my kids have shared some of the ideas they have heard and there are some crazy ones).

So I celebrate healing today. Healing between mothers and daughters. I pray that though our relationship will evolve and change, my daughter will always feel like she can tell her momma anything!

2009-08-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Just two weeks left until school starts back. I am always amazed at the parents who cannot wait to send their kids back to school... I don't know, it just comes across rather like the kids are a disease or something you want to get rid of as quickly as possible. I on the other hand mourn as our days of freedom together draw to a close. Ah summer, I love you. Kids, I love you more.

I had this funny (melancholy wonky funny - not funny haha) word picture the other day. I was driving down a small road and admiring all the wonderful wildflowers. Then I began to think how sad it is that the city road crew comes through and without a second thought mows them down. I understand the purpose - to keep things tidy and visible as you drive along. It's just a shame. "Consider the lilies of the field..." That refrain rang through my head. And I thought, is this what the Western Church has become? The road crew of God's kingdom? Keeping things nice and tidy and making sure everyone is safe? I like the wildflowers. I like wild things in general. And I don't want to tame them or replace them with something safer - say pansies planted in perfect rows perhaps?

So this whole western church dilemma has been vexing me. Then I read Ephesians 1:20-23 in the Message translation:

All this energy issues from Christ: God raised Him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from His rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which He speaks and acts, by which He fills everything with His presence.

Oh my, my heart is arrested! I certainly don't have that view when I hear the word church. The same God who is keeping all the galaxies in perfect order rules over the church - it is the embodiment of who He is! Praying that my view becomes one with His.

2009-07-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

Feels so good to be back on here. We have been on vacation, I have taken a short business trip with my Mom, and then my browser was malfunctioning and would not connect to blogger. Anyway....I am using safari browser now and connected just like that! Cannot wait to read the thousands of updates I have missed and be inspired!

Thanksgivings

2009-06-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

1) Working in the garden. Endlessly weeding with a boy who seems to be turning into a man child before my very eyes. A man child, asking deep questions, about the eternal and the beginning of time.

2) The first fruits of labor. Broccoli, fresh from the stem - debugged and carefully washed, then gently steamed into deliciousness.

3) A cup of Keurig coffee, steaming hot with just a touch of honey and cream.

4) Morning meditations rediscovered in the words of The Message. Gospels come alive, speaking clearly, reaching across the chasm of cultural differences.

5) Finding a new favorite book - The Secret Life of Bees.

"When you are unsure of yourself," she said, "when you start pulling back into doubt and small living, she's the one inside saying, 'Get up from there and live like the glorious girl you are.' She's the power inside you, you understand?"
Her hands stayed where they were but released their pressure. "And whatever it is that keeps widening your heart, that's Mary, too, not only the power inside you but the love. And when you get down to it, Lily, that's the only purpose grand enough for a human life. Not just love - but to persist in love."

Right up there with To Kill and Mockingbird and I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings. lovely, just lovely.

Thank you.

Catching up

2009-05-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

This has been the most glorious spring for birds around here. Perhaps it is because we have had the windows open for a month now, but it seems like I can hear so many more birds this year. I don't know if there is anything better than a quiet cool house and the sounds of birds singing in the background.

Made muffins this morning using this recipe. This time however I used strawberries that were just about over ripe. I omitted the cinnamon and....drumroll please....I substituted the 1 cup milk for 1/2 cup organic vanilla yogurt and 1/2 cup organic milk. Ohhhhhh they are so scrumptious if I do say so myself:)

I am laughing at myself. I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut off and yet when I get ready to blog I think, "my life is so boring. I have nothing to share." That was until I just uploaded the May pictures. Wow I will have to do a whole post tomorrow on things to do in East Tennessee.

Right now, as the boys snooze on, I am listening to the quiet chatter of a girl playing in her dollhouse. "Room service...we have spaghetti, eggs,...." The dollhouse was something my grandmother started but never finished before Alzhiemers took over her life. Noone else in the family seemed interested in taking on the project of restoration of the beast and so, my little brood received the honors. Several years ago I began working on the crumbling house for my daughters birthday. You can view the pictures of that project here.

And while we are sharing, let me share our "grown up furniture"!

I have always dreamed of having a red overstuffed couch and chair. Imagine my happiness when I showed up to help my sister price for a yard sale to benefit her family's mission trip to Peru. There sat my dream couch (someone had donated it to the sale). When she told me the price, I immediately called my husband who graciously agreed to come over and see the dream couch. My husband agreed it was a purchase we could make and voila! my dream became a reality.

The new furniture led to an update of artwork above the piano. Excuse the photography (I was using my cell phone). These paintings were done my beloved husband as a project for his color theory class. I just loved them. They really served to change the feel of the room.

Hope your day is warm and full of adventure!

2009-05-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

Everyone is so sick of the rain here. But I must confess, I love it. I am content. All is right with the world. I finished my last exam yesterday. Spent today planning meals, grocery shopping, and planting trees in the yard. It has started raining again. I think I might go throw some flower seeds in the ground before I call it a day. Ahhhhhhh.

Tollipop giveaway!

2009-04-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite blogs is celebrating her one year anniversary and as a way to celebrate, she is giving away three, count em THREE, of her fabulous prints. As you can see from the picture above, these are the sweetest little ladies on the block. Click here to enter this fabulous contest! Good luck.

Note to Self

2009-04-14T10:02:00.001-07:00

Dear Precious Daughter,

You are more than what you do. You are valuable even when your hair is a wreck, your bathroom filthy, your legs unshaved, and your car a landfill. You are more than an A on the last paper, test, presentation. A's do not define a person. What about the P's? Positively present! It is better to be present with the ones we love than doing mindless dribble we will not remember in a year. What is most immediate is not always most important. Some things can slide.

You are lovely, and beautiful and precious. No need to worry. No need to fret. Give away your worries, cast aside your doubts and fears. Release them in pray and meditation. Give them to the Source for He is more than able.

I love you,

ME

Spring Salutations!

2009-04-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

Here is some of the Spring/Easter decorating we've been doing around here. We enjoyed several really warm days and now they are calling for snow again! Not to worry, if the ten day forecast is to be believed, the temperature will be back in the 60's by Sunday!

Chicks and bunnies from here.

Spring time mantel.

I love these little bird nests. They are actually napkin rings. I got them last year at my moms shop in Jonesborough, TN.

This was my great grandmother's view master. This card with the little girl in her bonnet just makes me smile:)

And on those pretty days... my little gardeners have been busy. They were all excited about a garden inspired "prop box" I had put together for one of my classes. When I was done with the project they got to play in the box. Thus the hats, gloves, etc:)

2009-03-29T09:24:00.000-07:00

Things I am realizing...

to love does not mean to never experience displeasure with others choices
to cherish does not mean you always agree with others opinions
feelings come and go and do not define reality
ignoring anger, frustration, disappointment does not help anyone and leads to toxic build up emotionally

Feeling very unsettled in a lot of peripheral relationships right now. Trying to sort through. Realizing I have not taken time to meditate on His unchanging truth. Love is patient and kind and long suffering... which does not mean the absence of opportunity to be impatient, unkind, and short tempered (which has been my faulty thinking). If I "feel" mad or think unkind things or want to snap...then I am not loving. What a lie! I am loving if despite my feelings I choose not to snap, not to say the unkind things, or pour out my wrath on the nearest victim. But I must acknowledge and release the emotions or they eat away at me.

2009-03-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

March seems to be a wee bit confused in my estimation. It came in ever so gently only a few weeks ago and now I would not be surprised to find my house has joined Auntie Emm's somewhere over the rainbow. Shew!

I have only five short weeks left in this semester which means projects, papers, observations, and tests are keeping me hopping. That and the nasty little strain of Influenza that decided to come for a very extended visit at our home. Yuck!

I have some Spring pics I want to share but am in no hurry since Spring has only just officially begun.

I would rather spotlight the biggest happening in March: our littlest family member turned eight! How can that possibly be so? T, you have turned into such a lovely creature. I find myself staring at your otherness from me. Gawking is rude, I know, but it's so hard to be mindful not to stare at someone as captivating as yourself. These days you tickle my ears with endless stories of your daily happenings, always punctuated with great dramatic flair. I love the stories you write, simply for your own pleasure. The latest you shared with the family, Slave Love, actually has all the makings of a positively wonderful piece of historical fiction. Nothing pleases me more than your ever incresing love of reading. The books get longer and longer but the theme remains the same, animals. I love your consistency, that for five years now you have not wavered from your declaration of "When I grow up I want to be a vet!". I wince sometimes when you tell me of your latest friendship woes, and how truely wrong you think everyone else always is. I pray in time you will learn to see your own place in your story, good and bad. I love our long talks, sometimes in hushed whispers lying side by side in your bed, door closed so "the boys" don't hear us. I revel in your honesty. Your willingness to tell the truth, even when it might get you in trouble. I laugh when I see you climbing on everything, precariously balanced, rolling in the grass with the dog, because it reminds me so much of the girl I once was. And I gasp sometimes, one hand over my eyes, barely wanting to look as you peddle your bicycle full force DOWN the biggest hill on our street. I never was a risk taker. You get that from your Daddy. I admire the modesty from with , it seems, you came from the womb (you always shrieked whenever you had to be undressed)! I repsect that, and I pray you rub off on the girls you encounter on your journey through life. You are an amazing gift and we love you so much.

Glimpses into Girlhood

Six years old

Seven years old

Eight years old

The Short of It...

2009-02-27T10:43:00.000-08:00

my husband has Crohns disease
he had a flare up last week and we ended up spending the week in our local hospital
the kids have had a record number of snow days ie: days they are out of school but alas I am not
I am approaching mid terms at school and trying to catch up from a week being MIA

"You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can. " Jimmy Carter

This quote is on my bulletin board above my desk. The mantra running through my head at all times: "Put one foot in front of the other". Missing you all and dreaming of catching up on all the lovely postings I have missed reading.

Valentine Vignettes

2009-02-12T14:41:00.000-08:00

My daughter just loves holidays. After reading Manuella's blog

I was inspired to decorate our house for Valentine's Day. Nothing could have thrilled my daughter more! We were going to make a tree to decorate but alas, life has kept us busy and no ornaments have been made. We will definitely aim for that next year. Here is what we accomplished.

Our front door.

My mom had these sweet brambly and button wreaths at her shop.

A Valnetine platter a friend gave me years ago, and our cookie cutters:)

This is a shelf in our entryway. The sheet music is for "I Love You So Much It Hurts".

...and the fireplace. The running joke is, it looks like cupid threw up:)

Hope your Valentine's Day is full of love!

A Winter Walk

2009-02-05T08:44:00.001-08:00

Snow is a rare thing here in our little valley. We would be remiss to not venture out and enjoy all that she has to offer. With mittened hands grasping cameras we set off to explore the woods near our home deep in Winter's grasp. All of the pictures (with the exception of the ones I took of the kids) were taken by my nine and seven year old. It fascinates me to see the world through their vantage point.

This is the path from our house to my parent's home next door, all made by little feet. I loved the circular route. It speaks volumes of how children journey through life.

A pine cone nestled in the snow.

A neighbor's barn.

A quaint birdhouse.

A portrait of mom.

Journeying into the small wood.

I didn't even see this little habitat when as I walked along! What a nice little home for mouse, mole, or rabbit. Although I'd rather like to think of a large gnome family living here!

This I didn't notice right away either. My son spotted it first and did an amazing job of capturing the futility of winter.

The clearing coming out of the wood.

Let's stop and make snow angels. Notice my son has brought home a treasure (beside him in the pic) someone long ago abandoned in the wood.

Now that is beautiful.

His view of his treasure... some sort of metal box.

And my perspective as they journey home...

So grateful for these moments.

2009-02-03T17:10:00.000-08:00

I have been blissfully rolling along with life, reading everyone else's blogs, but having little motivation to say much here.

The kiddos and I took a wonderful walk in "woods" near our house today in the snow. That was a great adventure. It occurred to me recently that my kids are missing out on many of the things I enjoyed most from my own childhood, foremost roaming outdoors with no supervision. I don't know if it is fear of random acts of violence or the impending doom that rushes past with each vehicle, but I just cannot see letting them play out of my sight in this day and age. I don't know if I was any safer, living in an era gone by in the middle of no where, with no traffic, but it felt that way. Anyhoo, I wanted them to experience some that sense of exploration and so I decided to escort them on a walk off the beaten path. They chose the route which hopefully gave them some sense of independence in the whole experience. I will try and post some pics they took along the way tomorrow.

We are experiencing some snowfall for the second time this year. So much fun for us. Unfortunately, the kids are on snow day number four which is not the case for the local University I attend. It leaves me scrambling to find last minute childcare, ughhh.

On a completely other than note...I came home from a small get-a-way weekend with my Mom and sister to the most wonderful surprise ever. My family had cleaned out our garage enough for my car to actually park IN the garage. Especially with all the recent weather, it has been such a huge blessing. Best present ever!

On Baking Therapy

2009-01-27T15:01:00.000-08:00

I've had this basic muffin recipe for several years. The other night I was feeling like breakfast for dinner so I started a quiche. I don't know why but I simply cannot eat quiche without something sweet. I was all out of the usual suspects when it occurred to me I had a bag of apples slowly going the way of the cross in my crisper bin. Apple cinnamon muffins it is! Now let me warn you, these contain no nutritional value. They are just sweet and serve to calm my nerves. Baking brings order to my very chaotic life:)

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

preheat oven to 400 degrees
lightly grease muffin tins or line with cupcake papers
2 cups flour
1 TBSP baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 eggs
1 cup milk (I used buttermilk but sometimes I use sour cream)
1 cup sugar
8 TBSP of real butter
1 tsp real vanilla
1 to 2 tsp cinnamon (I just eyeballed it)
1 to 1 1/2 peeled, chopped apple

Mix first four dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar together. Fold into dry mixture. Add eggs and milk and blend. Add remaining spices and fruit. Stir until just blended. Fill muffin cups almost to top. Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until fork comes out clean. Enjoy!

Like I said this is a basic muffin recipe. You can delete and add spices and fruit to your liking. I like to make them with blueberries when they are in season.

Weebles Wobble but they won't fall down...unless boiled in hot water!

2009-01-27T05:08:00.000-08:00

When I was a little girl my parent's bought their first home: a gorgeous, rambling, Victorian, fixer-upper. I loved, loved, loved, that house. I have fantastic memories of playing hiding seek with my siblings, which was quite a challenge with all the nooks and crannies that house held. I remember sliding across wooden floors, basking in a sunshine filled room (there were literally two walls of windows), and eating in the breakfast nook off the kitchen. I also remember opening the pantry on any given occasion to small bugs colonizing our dry goods. My parent's referred to them as weebles. I'm unclear on their scientific name. I remember eating more than one bowl of cereal half way before realizing there were weebles drowning in my bowl. Ahhh, childhood.

Needless to say I was more than a little chagrined last night when I had slaved over from scratch beef stroganoff over whole grain brown rice, only to discover there were more black flecks than usual in the rice. Never mind I reasoned, I did use the pepper grinder. Until I saw legs, yes, I am pretty sure those are legs. By this time my apparent scrutiny of my stroganoff had brought the curiosity out in the rest of the family. "What are you doing , Mom?" my son asked as he shoveled his second helping of stroganoff in his mouth. (I had only begun to eat, as the movie The Christmas Story so truthfully proclaims "my mother hasn't had a hot meal in years".) Then my very squeamish husband began to ask questions while at the same time reassuring everyone it was just the flecks in the rice. Until our son loudly proclaimed, "It's got legs! It's not rice. It's got legs!" At this point my darling husband got up to insect, excuse the Freudian slip, I mean inspect the bag of very expensive uncooked organic all natural rice. At first nothing, until he dumped the entire bag on the counter top. "Um, everybody stop eating," he said calmly. "Is it bugs?" I inquired. "Yeah, it's definitely bugs. They're still moving around in here."

So we all scrapped our plates, put on our coats, and headed for taco night at our favorite Mexican restaurant. "You know this only serves to confirm my aversion to cooking," I calmly informed my husband. "Yeah, I know. Thanks for all the meals."

Yes, this is what 36 looks like

2009-01-22T11:28:00.001-08:00

Dear Twenty Somethings...or for that matter Dear Teenagers:

Yes, this is what 36 1/2 years of living looks like. Do not look at me like I have two heads or just dropped the F bomb in class. I am becoming accustomed to your raised eyebrows and dropped jaws when someone who is still young enough to ask others how old they are pops the deadly question. I am resigned to the fallout that occurs to all other college students within hearing. Thirty six is great, I hear forty is even better. All my pieces and parts still work as good as yours, some even work better, although out of politeness I shall not name them here. I did not have my babies when I was still a baby myself, 36 explains the nine and seven year old, don't you think? Please don't ask me to get out my driver's licence. Really? Have you ever heard of anyone lying to make themselves older???!!!! Thirty-six is just that, a number. You are as young as the body God gave you and the sense you have to treat her gently. So remember me on the eve of YOUR thirtieth birthday. Don't buy black balloons. Thirty is no occasion for tears or fears. Thirty is wonderful. It's like getting all the perks of being twenty but without being quite so, ahem, stupid.

Sincerely,

For me...

2009-01-19T09:38:00.000-08:00

I would be a liar if I said I wasn't more than a little disappointed with my feeling of isolation writing this blog. One of the things I enjoy most about blogging is reading other blogs that inspire me. I always try and leave comments or small encouragements. Perhaps it is the fact that I am such a "words" person, nevertheless, the lack of comments on this blog have left me feeling a little lonely out here in cyber space. Is there some way to check to see who if anyone is even reading this blog? I'm still trying to learn my way around blogger domain.

I try and give myself the pep talk, you know the one that says: "It takes time to establish a community anywhere. Give it time."

"You are not writing here for the approval of others. This is your own record of your own journey. This is a gift for yourself and your kids one day."

Still, it's disappointing. I like feedback. I like comments. I like feeling as if I'm not speaking to the wind.

All right, pity party aside. I wanted to be sure and record what's happening in our little corner of the world. We finally got the snow we have been hoping for all winter long. We live in the Appalachian mountains, but far enough south that snow is a rarity. We have watched longingly as different cold fronts have moved across the nation, hoping, just hoping they might drift a little farther south and kiss us with snow. Today was the day. We woke up to a soft dusting and gentle snow falling. The kiddos are so overjoyed and have been sledding, building snowmen and generally frolicking. Thank you kind winter for this gift.

A fun project

2009-01-19T09:01:00.000-08:00

Here is the collage piece I put together for my Mom's birthday. Art is kinda weird for me. There is always the idea in my head first. Sometimes they just randomly come to me, and other times I am inspired by something I see. In this case I was inspired by Atlanta artist Paula Joerling who was featured in an old issue of ME's Home Companion magazine (sorry I'm unsure of the issue). There was a picture I had clipped of small dresses Joerling had created from book pages, sewing materials, and then dipped in beeswax. I wanted to incorporate this element into an entire piece using the nursery rhyme "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary". Although my mom is far from contrary, her nickname for years has been Merry Martha and something in the merry/mary-ness of it all, it evoked this project in my head. The garden to me, being the children and grandchildren she has been so careful in tending.

I made photo copies of some poems that reminded me of my mother from very old poetry books I have. Then I set about cutting dress patterns from the paper and sewing them together. I then added some vintage trimmings I had in my sewing supplies. The lace is beautiful but not enough for a real dress so I was so excited to find somewhere to use it. Finally I dipped the whole sculptural piece in melted candle wax. I think I went a little overboard on the dipping. Next time I do one of these dresses I won't dip it quite so fervently!

And voila here is the finished project. Sorry I did not take any pics before I framed the entire thing, so the quality through the glass isn't the best, but you get the general idea.

Give, release, and breathe

2009-01-14T17:01:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. The time when the holidays have left us, and a new year has begun. This is the perfect time to clean out your closet or other areas in your home that may be a wee bit cluttered. I like to clean out my closet about two times a year. The general rule I use is: if I haven't worn it in 6 months give it away. Sometimes I make exceptions for classics or sentimental favorites...but otherwise it goes on to someone else who might actually use it! The six month rule works for me because a) I don't have so many clothes in the first place and b)I keep only the current season clothes in my closet. I've been working on it some this afternoon, actually cleaned out my dresser as well, and so far I have two bags of items to donate. Now I can breathe and release. Let's exhale together, shall we?

Inspiration, failure, and other musings

2009-01-13T05:56:00.000-08:00

I have been inspired by this blog from the Pleasures of Homemaking and this one from Happy Foody to create more meals from what we have on hand and waste less. I hate waste. I try and compost and recycle and it still seems we waste. The worst for me is when you buy fresh produce and then because of poor planning it rots in the refrigerator before you can finish it. I certainly do not have money to burn and am resolved to do better in the fresh department. Anyhoo... along these lines I created a Shepherds pie of sorts last night. It was not on the schedule of meals I had planned out before shopping but carpe diem and all that.

We had on hand...a mass amount of leftovers from KFC lovingly sent home with us from the in laws. The chicken, for all intensive purposes had been dutifully consumed, it was just all the sides hoarding space in my icebox. I also had half of a red onion not used from last week and a pea/carrot combo. I sauteed the chopped onion in a little butter and then added some ground beef. Then I dumped in the peas and carrots, some green beans, and a wee bit of KFC gravy. For good measure I threw in a can of cream of mushroom soup - which any good southerner will tell you we always keep on hand. I sliced KFC biscuits in half and lined the bottom of the pan with them. Then I poured the meat/veggie mixture over the bicuits. For the grand finale I topped it all with the leftover KFC mashed potatoes. My crew kept asking what was for dinner and I kept saying SURPRISE CASSEROLE! My son announced before dinner he was NOT eating any of it and Ewwwwww... and then he proceeded to eat two bowls at dinner. Not the healthiest recipe on the planet but resourceful n'est pas?

This morning I tried incorporating some more leftovers into breakfast. I had some steel cut oatmeal from yesterday's breakfast leftover. I found a recipe for scones using cooked oatmeal and whole wheat flour. However the scones never perked up much in the baking process. I think perhaps my baking powder has lost its potency or I added too much flour as the recipe got rave reviews from others. I still have a wee bit of oatmeal left. I might try a batch using yucky self rising flour just to see what happens...maybe throw in some dried cranberries...ohhhh my I'm getting hungry.

Other less edible inspirations include the marvelous stories and drawings found at tollipop. I'm like a kid opening a present every time I see she has posted a new one. If you haven't popped over to her blog you really should. Tres amusing.

Here on the home front I have been busy straightening the nest before chaos returns like the cyclone it is to our peaceful sleepy home. I start back on Thursday as a full time student. I am working desperately to complete my degree in Early Childhood Education. My nerves are all a twitter as I have to go before the Board this semester. I know it will be fine it's just the act of doing one more thing that seems daunting. I felt this same mix of dread and anxiety just thinking about returning to school. Alas I must summon my best little engine that could..."I think I can. I think I can. I think I can."

Projects here include covering the beast of a man chair my husband dragged home (love you babe!). I will concede, the chair is delightfully comfortable, but that does little to detract from the horrendous eye sore that it is. I made a slip cover for it, and the accompanying ottoman from some grey fabric I had purchased on clearance years ago and had never done anything with. The result is a hulking, grey, slip covered mass now instead of the aforementioned behemoth. Not much better, only slightly so. It really has to do with the lines of the chair (yes, honey I am obsessed with the lines of everything...dancers and furniture). But it is a small price to pay for his cute little bootie to be all snuggled up in it every night. I love having him around more!

Other projects include creating chair cushions for the kid's dining chairs, a case to keep my new phone in, and an art piece for my mom's birthday this week. For me, creating art always starts in my head. I have these ideas, it's just getting the visual to translate from what I see in my mind's eye to an actual piece of art. The project I am working on for my mom, I am not quite sure how to put all the elements together yet. Today I will hopefully work it all out. Below is a pic of the phone case. I moved all of my sewing supplies after Christmas and I could not find my embroidery thread, so I just improvised. It is soft and will due, again not exactly as I had envisioned. I have a thing for birds...

Hope your nest is feathered and full today!

My Word for the Year

2009-01-11T13:44:00.000-08:00

Several of the blogs I read have been discussing choosing a "word" that is the theme for this year. In years past I have noticed such themes as love, and straight (as in make my paths straight). I didn't choose those words, they just seemed to be recurring themes in certain seasons of my life. This year I think the word is refreshing.

This verse just really spoke to me for 2009: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you." Acts 3:19

After recently reading the book The Shack , this verse really takes on a richer meaning for me. If you've read that book perhaps you understand what I am talking about. Just the essence of sin being those things that keep us separated from really experiencing a loving relationship with our Creator. Sometimes we do not view our own misconceptions of God as sin, but when they keep us from fully experiencing Him, that is truly what they are. Repentance then, is recognizing those things and choosing to let them go. We are powerless in and of ourselves to change but when we acknowledge the truth of our brokenness and yield it to God, He is more than able.

So this idea of letting go of my hang ups and then experiencing a refreshing, well that is just beautiful to me. That's what I want in 2009.

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25

99 Things You Should Know About Me Before You Die

2009-01-07T08:20:00.000-08:00

I was reading livinglearningandlovingsimply when I ran across this. Thought it was a fun get to know you. Feel free to play along. The items in the list in bold are some of the exciting and not-so-exciting things I have done.

Started your own blog
Slept under the stars
Played in a band.
Visited Hawaii
Watched a meteor shower
Given more than you can afford to charity
Been to Disneyland/world
Climbed a mountain ( that was actually how I got over my fear of heights)
Held a praying mantis
Sang a solo ( shocking, I know - lots of times as a child in church)
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris (oh how my heart longs to go)
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Taught yourself an art from scratch (art is subjective right?)
Adopted a child (Compassion International, but I'd love to add to the fam in residence)
Had food poisoning (Gag, more than once)
Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Grown your own vegetables (every year)
Seen the Mona Lisa in France (again, I wish!)
Slept on an overnight train (This is a family dream...maybe to Portland one day?)
Had a pillow fight
Hitch hiked
Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (in a former life)
Built a snow fort (my kids love this!)
Held a lamb
Gone skinny dipping (college)
Run a Marathon
Ridden in a gondola in Venice (can we squeeze that in with the France thing?)
Seen a total eclipse
Watched a sunrise or sunset
Hit a home run (I've hit the ball, just never that far)
Been on a cruise
Seen Niagara Falls in person
Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (kelly is taking me on that trip)
Seen an Amish community
Taught yourself a new language (un petite peu)
Had enough money to be truly satisfied
Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
Gone rock climbing (I've repelled down rocks)
Seen Michelangelo’s David
Sung karaoke (God help us all)
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
Visited Africa (one day)
Walked on a beach by moonlight
Been transported in an ambulance
Had your portrait painted
Gone deep sea fishing
Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (rub it in already!)
Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Gone to a drive-in theater (another family favorite)
Been in a movie
Visited the Great Wall of China (Yes, please)
Started a business
Taken a martial arts class
Visited Russia
Served at a soup kitchen
Sold Girl Scout Cookies (not cookies, but I've sold the heck out of cubscout popcorn!)
Gone whale watching
Gotten flowers for no reason (I have the best hubby)
Donated blood, platelets or plasma
Gone sky diving
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
Bounced a check (it was a sad, sad day)
Flown in a helicopter (and two seater plan with my Grand Daddy)
Saved a favorite childhood toy (the dolls my Grandmother made me)
Visited the Lincoln Memorial
Eaten Caviar
Pieced a quilt (I have dillusions- one day)
Stood in Times Square
Toured the Everglades
Been fired from a job
Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
Broken a bone
Been on a speeding motorcycle (my father would kill me)
Seen the Grand Canyon in person (another life long dream)
Published a book
Visited the Vatican
Bought a brand new car (HAHAHAHAHA)
Walked in Jerusalem
Had your picture in the newspaper (Keep America Beautiful Baby!)
Read the entire Bible
Visited the White House (I've tapped at the White House...ok I tapped danced on the tour!)
Killed and prepared an animal for eating (I grew up in the rural South)
Had chickenpox
Saved someone’s life
Sat on a jury
Met someone famous
Joined a book club
Lost a loved one
Had a baby (natural childbirth Baby, hear me roar!)
Seen the Alamo in person (Pee Wee's big adventure doesn't count..."This is Pablo!")
Swam in the Great Salt Lake
Been involved in a law suit
Owned a cell phone (progress is forced upon me;)
Been stung by a bee (so many red wasps, I ran a fever and was in bed for a day or so)

My new favorite thing...

2009-01-07T05:38:00.000-08:00

My hubby gave me the most wonderful present for our anniversary this year. I am now the proud owner of a pair of wrap boots from TOMS shoes. Are you familiar with TOMS shoes? They are a casual, earth friendly shoe and for every shoe you purchase, TOMS gives a pair of shoes to a child in need. Read more about TOMS here. They also come in other colors like the sassy red pair, pictured above. Here I am sporting my new pair of shoes.

As you can probably tell by the name, these boots actually wrap around the leg. That way they fit each person perfectly...which for me is a plus since as you can see, I have scrawny little legs. Plus they are super comfy. I love, love, love mine! And I love that someone else who REALLY needs a pair of shoes now has a pair. You can't go wrong with TOMS.

This is a really great blog about a trip TOM's volunteers took to give out shoes to children. The pictures alone are priceless! So what are you waiting for? Order some TOM shoes today! And if you live in our area stop by Bettyejanes and check out the TOMS shoes there!

Soup's On!

2009-01-07T05:22:00.000-08:00

I love it when I discover a new recipe that I want to make over and over. This is my new favorite recipe. It is warm, yummy, goodness in a bowl. I discovered this recipe when I purchased this book. I needed to plan some meals ahead for those busy months I would be in school. I have been very pleased overall with how all the recipes we have tried have tasted. However, THIS recipe is my most favorite.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 T. oil for sauteing
2 lbs chicken, cooked and shredded
14 oz. can diced tomatoes
5 oz. can RO*TEL tomatoes
1 - 14oz. beef broth
1 - 14oz chicken broth
1 - 10oz can tomato soup
1 1/2 cans of water (use soup can)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce

Toppings (optional)

grated cheese
corn tortillas cut in strips and fried in hot oil or corn tortilla chips
avocado
sour cream
diced tomatoes
chopped fresh cilantro

Saute onion and garlic in oil. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 35 minutes.

Yummmmmmmmmmmm! Enjoy.

Who knew laundry could be so sexy?

2009-01-07T05:05:00.001-08:00

Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2.3-4

What's this you ask? Well, my friends let me tell you. This is the sight of three, count em, THREE empty laundry baskets. I have never seen them this way as I am wholly incapable of having all the laundry clean and put away at any given time. In fact, I would argue, I am one of the worst laundresses on the planet. I had no idea of my inadequacies until I went away to college and my roommate enlightened me in the ways of wash. Who knew there was more to it than cramming things in the machine at random, selecting cold water, and dumping in some soap?

But I digress, the reason I have this beautiful picture of THREE, count em THREE, empty laundry baskets is in thanks to my husband. My darling husband, the servant of all servants, used his time off to magically make all the dirty clothes disappear. He was not asked, cajoled, or even threatened. He just saw the need and did it for the family. Talk about taking one for the team.

So thank you dear husband for leading through serving. I will follow you wherever we may go!

Simplicity

2009-01-05T07:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why its called the present.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Today the little birdies left the nest to return to school. In classic T fashion, I heard the clomping of small scuffed boots at 5 am this morning shuffling into the bathroom. I groaned as I threw on my robe and went in to check on her. What I discovered was a girl experimenting with hair options, already fully dressed. "It's still three more hours until school starts!" I whined. "I know," she replied confidently. "Get back in bed!" I demanded. She hoped in boots and all and to my relief fell back asleep for a couple more precious hours. J managed to fall out of bed all night - which on a side note it must be some sort of miracle that Daddio was able to lift him from that position each time without hurting himself! I wondered after the last thud if this wasn't some new way to amuse himself...I rather think it is. And even though he was up and dressing when T's alarm finally woke the dead, I found it rather curious his own alarm never went off, especially since I personally double checked it last night per his request. I think the little saboteur was busier than the shoe elves last night.

The house is eerily calm and quiet. I am enjoying hearing her breathe. I find myself inexplicably dreading the return of mayhem to my life when I start school once more next week. And then I mentally scold myself, "fun sucker, enjoy the quiet, peace of this moment...tomorrow has enough worry of it's own".

She has a certain joie de vivre!

2009-01-03T12:48:00.000-08:00

"Joy is not in things; it is in us."

Richard Wagner

I glanced out the kitchen window to the sight of my daughter joyfully jumping her guts out while singing a little diddy of her own at the top of her lungs. The only verse I caught was:

"I wanna be like Abraham Lincoln. What were they thinking!???"

Golly, I love that kid something fierce:)

A Little About Me

2009-01-02T15:45:00.000-08:00

Hello, I'm new to the neighborhood. And as the newest girl on the block I thought it only fair to share a little about myself.

What I'm doing right now: Cooking dinner and reading new blogs with a warm cup of joe and the fire roaring. I am savoring the smell of the last of the zucchini from our garden this summer.

Things I enjoy: Decorating my nest, nurturing my kiddos, learning, reading, organic gardening, eating healthy, creating/crafting, laughing with my hubby.

Revelation of the new year: That I am more than just a wee aversion to intimacy in ANY relationship.

New Years Resolution: To get closer to those care about this year.

Guilty Pleasures: Touring others homes via the Internet, reading Stephanie Plum novels, and the occasional glass of wine:)

If you were my best friend you would know: I say quirky things like "fresh" when I mean back talk or mix up sayings like "too many kings and not enough Indians".

If you stopped by on any given morning unannounced: You would find the dishes from the night before still sitting in my sink.

Websites I have under my favorites:

You should know: I'm very Irish...or as most people say deeply loyal and defiantly stubborn!

Well that is just an introduction. I hope you'll stick around and we can find something in common.

Bonjour Petite Amies

2009-01-01T14:46:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year all. We have spent the day unwinding from a late night and doing my most favoritess of things...absolutely nothing. All this down time lends itself well to day dreaming and creativity. T was up first and had already composed and illustrated an entire book by the time I awoke. It is entitled, If You Were In My World. My favorite page says: "Instead of a schoolbus, there would be a unicorn with wings". Ahhh, girls and their dreams:)

I spent the day catching up on favorite blogs, clipping inspiration from a year's worth of Home Companion magazines, and dreaming up projects of my own. After reading this post on soulemama's blog I was inspired to drag out some of my favorite aprons and create a spot for them. I am tres content with the results. Tres jolie, n'est pas?

When we took down the Christmas decorations in the living room I decided it was time to freshen up some of the wee vignettes. Below is the mantle a la New Year. These are a few of my favorite things, central to room to produce maximum happiness.

I love birds.

And this is the revised piano top. The portrait is oil pastel of my mother as a child.

Much to my good friend Jocy's delight I am sure, I finally finished reading The Shack. There has been so much buzz about this book and I was just not impressed when I first sat down to read. However, once I got into the book I was mesmerized and could not stop reading. Now I understand what all the hooplah is about. If you have not read it, you really should. Just be sure and read the prologue before beginning. It makes much more sense if you do:)

And finally mon petite amies I would like to leave you with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt:

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

Eleanor Roosevelt

Dream beautiful things this year!

Lucky 13

2008-12-31T10:11:00.000-08:00

So today is my beloved and my thirteenth wedding anniversary. The crazy thing is, we have known each other for over twenty years now. That just seems crazy. I barely feel twenty on any given day, how can I possibly have had a relationship with someone that long?

It seems most of my reflections happen in the presence of running water. I don't know if it is the meditative noise running water makes or the sheer boredom most tasks involving running water produce... whatever the case I think my deepest thoughts around water. So this morning as I was washing dishes in the sink I was thinking about thirteen years. I feel so lucky to have Tim in my life and can truly say this last year has been one of the best for us.

Which led me to ponder some of the less than stellar years, at which point I gave thanks for them because they are the stepping stones that led us to here and now. Without the tough times we have shared along the way, I doubt very seriously we would have achieved the level of intimacy we now enjoy. Those times are the affirmation to love that says, I've known you even on your worst days and I still love you to the very core.

Don't get me wrong, we are far from perfect love. What we do possess is stick-to-edness. For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, till death do us part. I truly want to see him happy and the feeling is reciprocated. We truly enjoy one another's company. I could not ask for a better friend. There is certainly no one on this earth I can think of at this stage in the game who knows me quite so well. These are the rewards of stick-to-edness. That and some others I won't mention in print;)

I cannot say what it is like to be married twenty, thirty, or even fifty years but I do know thirteen, lucky thirteen as it seems. For those of you a little closer to the start of your journey, take this advice for what it's worth - stick around a while - even when the going gets rough... ignore that other adage about the tough get going. It should say, the tough stick together!

We got muscles baby, and we aint afraid to flex em!

Art from the Heart

2008-12-30T13:37:00.000-08:00

This year I received original art from each of my siblings. J'adore both immensely. The first is a watercolor from a local artist named Jenny Wall. My sister heard me admiring the original at my Mom's shop and was kind enough to procure a print for me. It's tres jolie, n'est pas?

My brother gave me a mixed media piece that he purchased at a gallery in Nashville. I love the chicks, and the sock monkey, and the quote across the bottom.

2008-01-17T13:24:00.000-08:00

Well after reading all my pretty friend's pretty blog's on blogspot I have decided to try it out for myself. It is going to take me a while to figure out how to do everything I want to do on here but alas I am willing to try. Out with the old in the with new!