Holiday Cheer!!!

WELL FINALLY!!!!!!!

I have not even cared to think about, much less decorate for the holidays ...at least not until today!

It's hot and muggy, and I didn't hear a single Christmas song- so how did I get so cheerful about it??

No-I don't drink, so that's not it. :)

I think it was the company of good friends!!!

We were more like school girls on the playground than women, tired from the difficulties of life-

Today we were happy, able and yes, we were a bit tired but the terminal illnesses, recent losses,sadness and pain were all packed neatly away

for the day and we just lived the "right now" for a bit.

I feel refreshed and inspired- just having been in the company of good women!!!!

I came home and trimmed the fresh greenery and placed it on my living room inside windows.....

and a little more greenery around my fun industrial looking holiday thingy that I love...
...added greenery to the twinkle lights on the back porch....

HAPPY TODAY!!!!!!

Spend time with friends....... it's good for the soul!!!

Familiar "old things"-

I don't think a single piece of ribbon could have been added to this box!!!It was fairly bursting at the seams!!!!

To top off a productive busy day like yesterday(as if the symphony were not enough) I had a package waiting for me.

I didn't remember ordering anything,so I had no idea what it was.

As I read the return label , I had to smile. I mean really smile!!!

It was from a long-time Farmgirl friend that has been so good to keep u

p with me. She has watched as my outlook has gone from HATING to make clothing (especially traditionally made) to looking for a new way to make every outfit special-and actually have other folks like what I do enough to spend their money on my creations!

A couple of years ago ,I had asked her to make me something, because I soooo disliked making clothing-she pointed her finger at me(all the way from Colorado) and said,"NONSENSE"-

-and she sent me a great dress! :)

I asked Bonne about wool-which is my second favorite fabric/texture because I knew she did a bit of spinning-and one day a box arrived filled with everything I needed to try my hand at spinning!

SOmehow, having another person share and talk about trying new things opened up a part of me that wanted to be more inquisitive about things-less afraid to try and fail and more willing to fail than not try at all.

Somewhere in that time I began,quite without knowing it , to "do my own thing".

I had been subtly released from the "traditional" sewing/crafting rules and turned loose into my own ideas...

Of course many things and people, along the way have shaped what I do now,and I hope keep shaping me as time goes on.

I'm FAR from an artist but whatever it is that I am, I owe a great debt of gratitude to the people who have nudged and encouraged me along the way~

~who kept me from giving up easily on things that I have come to enjoy.

~those who have come to every market I have been in and supported me both emotionally and financially(buy purchasing my little creations)

~those who have been honest enough to say-"nope-thats not workin for me"-and especially ~those who refuse to let me give up easily-but know when I need to.... and let me!!!

I'm having a great time!

Thanks friend!!!

New friends and old buttons…

 

For the past few months I have had the extreme pleasure of participating at a local Flea Market with my good friend Marilyn. We’ve had so much fun-designing,creating, re-creating and starting all over again! At the end of every market weekend we are both ready to give it all up-almost! But neither of us can quite throw in the towel-it’s just to much fun-once we get rested.

I think the most enjoyable part has been meeting new friends that share our interest in  ….well whatever our interests are!!! ***I’ll be the first to admit that we are a bit odd in our mix-eclectic ,I’d say.              

  e·clec·tic (-kl k t k) adj.

1. Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles

One of those new friends is Tanya, and recently she stopped by while I was working to brighten my day with a lovely gift!

It was an Inspiration Bundle!!!

A lovely linen jumper(that will be redesigned),wonderful flat eyelet lace,a collar edged with fantastic cotton lace and  a lovely blue shimmer fabric,that will reappear as  a shabby flower corsage,hopefully-and it was all wrapped in a narrow lace with the lovely old buttons attached  to top it off!

I hardly know Tanya, but how well she seems to know me-all my favorites wrapped up in one small parcel!!! SWEET!!!

As this July Market date nears the inspiration seems to be building(as always at the last minute!!) and time is growing short-as always!!! I can hardly wait to get set up again –visiting with our fun new friends and selling our wares to help pay for making more of them!!! Come see us if you can!!

July 10th & 11-at the Sulphur Fairgrounds on Lewis Street.

Speed-crafting!!!

I never heard of it either!!!! 

But necessity is the mother of invention, right????

Marilyn and I had a visit planned today  and part of our goal was  to inspire each other in our artisitic endeavors. But as life would have it there were interruptions- little details of life that just demanded the attention of our otherwise creative spirits.
Marilyn had some errands that were time sensitive and I did too- we also wanted to get a visit in at the hospital where her dad is recouperating from surgery- the answer????

SPEED-CRAFTING!!!!
Here's how it went- when I arrived she was organizing the kids to get them where they needed to be while she plopped a load of magazines down for me to peruse as we talked.
I brought my projects that needed a **bump*** of inspiration and we talked and experimented with ideas at the kitchen table.
She pulled out her GORGEOUS suitcase/ art box and I just got all googly-eyed looking at it!!!She has some beautiful pieces of unique jewelry !!!!
Yep! It was working! I was getting inspired!
We tossed ideas and craft show dates around- drank coffee and loaded up in the car for our deliveries!
Got Dan to his spot- Emma to her place and off to the hospital!!!!
We had a wonderful visit with her mom and dad and we were off again!

I'm sure by the time we arrived back at her house she had to start the pick-up routine . I had more errands and then dinner to get done- but thats ok- I came away inspired!!! Ready to get in my fantastic art room and get to work!

So now you know HOW to speed craft!!! Just be sure to find a friend you love and beautiful things to share and it's a sure thing you'll have fun!!!!

Thinking........

I've been thinking a lot lately...about a lot of things.

The world is so big...and I want sooo badly for everyone in it  to be happy....
Not a bad thing but a bit naive and simplistic .
I have a rich full life...yet my heart aches for some that don't....I want to "fix" things so they can be happy!
I know it's not my job- but I struggle with it and have as long as I can remember.


I guess I started thinking about all of this during the loss of a friend, recently. He was probably near 70 and he was a spirited guy, full of fun and happy!

As we gathered at Robinsons Funeral home to say farewell,  I saw people I hadn't seen since I rode the school bus. That was a Looooong time ago! I realized how many things we had all done,seen and lived through and yet  here we all were again.
Life had been hard on some of us- but still we were here. Life had been good to others and they seemed to glow with success and happiness-
Even in that packed room I realized that all of us really are alone-in a way.
 I mean there are no repeats of people in creation- we are each unique and special in different ways. The things that make me happy would bore most people and vice versa.
I wondered how many of those people in that room were happy- truly happy.

I sometimes find myself trying to make someone's life happy and suddenly realize that MY HAPPY is not THEIR HAPPY!
I have to remind myself that God is perfectly able(and willing) to  take care of His own creation. He really doesn't need me to worry or fret for them- or myself.
People make me happy-seeing them live,overcome,endure and press on- all of it makes me happy.
The really fine thing is that He has given me an abundance of people-I don't exagerrate when I say ABUNDANCE either- and if I can encourage,help or cause one of them to smile and endure to the end and press on-my day is better. I pray everyday for wisdom to "just do my part" and trust God to do the HAPPY-MAKING.

I think God has given me the most precious gift in the world by sending the people I see day to day into MY life!
I thank God for YOU!!!!!!! You are one of the abundant blessings I enjoy!!!

If you catch me trying to "make you happy" remind me to let God do that!
                                                    *****

My friends have come unsought. The great God gave them to me. -Emerson
                                                     *****

Life is sweeter, stronger, fuller, more gracious thing for the friend's existence, whether he be near or far. If the friend is close at hand, that is best; but if he is far away he is still there to think of, to wonder about, to hear from, to write to, to share life and experience with, to serve, to honor, to admire, to love. -Ben

Growing older together.................

If you're thinking the salesman is trying to sell this bike you're wrong- it's already sold he's just sharing his special ideas for touring on it!!!

Saturday morning as I dropped Luke off at work I saw lots of bikes in town and realized it was a POKER RUN SATURDAY- (a fundraising event).



I was wishing we could be out riding on this beautiful day but.........wait a second...we COULD be out riding!!!! Luke was working and we would be home alone for the first Saturday in memorable history. I picked up my cell phone and called my sweetie and asked him if he wanted to go for a bike ride-we both decided a good destination would be the bike shop- the seat on the bike is uncomfortable and neither of us can take more than about 30 minutes .

Age has it deficits!!!

Well, we found the perfect seat- and this bike was attached to it!!!!

Notice a back rest for ME!!!! Besides that it's a little bigger motor and so much more comfortable - it's a touring bike- made for comfort!!!!!

And yes~ we rode most of the day- it was a good day!!!!!! After a fun day of bike riding I stopped at a birthday party for a very special boy-Joe!

My good friend Liz planned and executed a fantastic party for her boy! He LOVES FoodNetwork, so that was the theme for the party-she had fixin's for all the kids to make pizza and cookies! It was very well done and the kids had a great time.

The theme was complete with judges!!! I'm not sure who won but I think everyone had a great time!!!

Except that this yummy dessert didn't get served until I was gone!!!! No fair!!! Isn't it just yummy looking!!!!? Somebody else will have to tell you how good it was- I never got a taste. :( Life has taken on a very different look lately. I have time alone from time to time and school is far less difficult for me, since Luke is in his final year and needs little instruction. I'm responsible for more around the house since he is also working part-time.

I've had time to "think-my thoughts" and boy have I thought them!

I guess that's good- but it gets a little intense too- I have to adjust!

One of the things that has blessed me lately is the realization of the journey some of my friends have taken WITH me.

Funerals,births,illness, kids gardens, disasters,weddings ...on and on it goes- we've done it together.

None of us have the luxury of visiting often in person but we are together none the less- for years and years and years.

Some of us are watching our kids raise their kids with each other now and it is priceless! Seeing them do the things we did so many years ago somehow validates those mundane day to day events and catapults them to almost inspirational proportions!

One of the songs that plays here on this site is all about finding out who your real friends are-it's a beautiful song and it says eloquently what I struggle to say .

I just want all of you to know that this journey has been nothing short of phenomenal!!!

Even the growing older together has been fun- I can only hope for more of the same, girls!!!!

Ec 4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

They who have loved together have been drawn close; they who have struggled together are forever linked; but they who have suffered together have known the most sacred bond of all.-Anonymous

CHAI Tea by Ashleigh

Not only did I get to see my kids while on vacation, I got to meet some of their friends. One of Lacey's friends,Ashleigh made a wonderful treat for us and I wanted to pass along the recipe!

This was a completely new thing for me and I loved it!!!!

Give it a try! I'm gonna make some as soon as I get Lacy to do some WORLD MARKET shopping for me!!! :)

CHAI TEA

1/2 cup water 1 bag black tea

cinnamon stick 2 cups milk

2 Tbsp raw sugar 1 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp ground ginger 1/8 tsp cardamom

In small saucepan combine water,tea bag and cinnamon.

Bring to boil- remove from heat and cover.

Let stand for 5 minutes

Discard tea bag and cinnamon stick

Stir in milk,sugar,vanilla'ginger and cardamom into tea.Cook, stirring over medium heat until heated through. DO NOT BOIL.

Serve in warm mugs- preferrably with good friends and quiet conversation. :)

It would be great with some of Lexi's dipped animal crackers, don't ya think???

Thanks so much for sharing this fantastic treat with us Ashleigh!!!!

The last of the green.......

This is it- the last green thing around here! We have had so little rain that it's no longer even feasible to water the garden. Only the fruit trees and berry bushes are getting water- hopefully they will make it through this long, dry heat.
We are all a little wilted...

Meanwhile...life goes on....................

Abby celebrated her third birthday with her friends out in the pool.
Bekah puts on a great party...here's her clever idea for the ice cream toppings....sand buckets!!! Genius, don't you think?

Rust is a good thing!

My good friend Liz always has a beautiful yard and now she's adding some architectural pieces to her home and I just love them!!!!

Vintage rusty tin, accents the underside as well as the sides of the new awning.More pieces are planned but I'm thinking this is looking GREAT!!!!

I keep telling her we are gonna do a full photo magazine on just her yard and house!!!

She is a "Tasha Tudor" with a dash of spice!!!

I had a brainstorm last week so I figured I'd share it with you. I collect(more like hoard!!!) old vintage linens. I can only display so many pieces without getting too cluttered so I am always trying to think of new ways to use and repurpose them.

Last week it was a purse,stitched out of a heavy crocheted table runner, trimmed with OLD rusty safety pins I found tucked in my grandmothers dresser drawer. There was even an old garter clasp so I stuck it in there too.

Finally I added some tattered lace,ribbon and yarn for fun- and voila'! I'm planning on adding more ribbon,lace and yarn but I have been on the run so I haven't had the time!!!

Temporarily interrupted....sorry!!!!

Sorry~ no updates coming till I feel better. I'm down with a sinus infection and don't make much sense yet!!!So...for your entertainment........ a poem!!!

How Am I You Ask?

How am I you ask? Well I must say
I'll be fine as soon as this pain goes away
I'll be fine when I lose a few hundred pounds
and my cough isn't really as bad as it sounds

The sight in my eye will return they say
as soon as this pain in my head goes away
I guess I'll be able to hear again
but the doctor can't really tell me when

My teeth are ok all the bad ones fell out
And I could be walking if it weren't for the gout
but other than that I really feel fine
if only they'd fix this curve in my spine

How am I you ask well I'll tell you real quick
I was fine till you asked me but now I feel sick


Copyright; Donna Vickodil

http://www.funnypoets.com/poems/howamiyouask.htm

A fantastic Friday!!!!

I got to spend most of the day,Friday, doing what I love - sharing and learning needle arts!!!
On the last Friday of each month our Bible study group has some type of demonstration/class and we bring our Freecycle items to swap. It has become great fun for all of us!
This month we focused on fibers-all kinds!
Gwen & I worked at tatting a little ,while she shared her memories of her greandmother tatting.

Shannon and Bekah talked crochet and baby hats~

Linda shared crochet patterns,inspiration and techniques.....the whole day was lots of fun!!!

When I got home I had the coolest surprise waiting for me in my mailbox!!!

I participated in an apron swap recently and mine arrived Friday!!!

If you can't tell from the picture- the sweet young lady that did this compiled pictures of my entire family...yes, grandkids too!!!...and designed the apron around them all!!!

I can't tell you how blessed I was---and still am- every time I look at it!!!

Thanks so much Laura Marie!!!!

SpRiNg ShOwErs!!!!!

No~ it's not raining~


This spring has been busy with the births of several babies already! On Thursday we celebrated the birth of Lillian Joy, Heather's 6th ! What a wonderful thing to celebrate!!! And we DID ,too!


Lots of goodies~ Black forest Cake(a la Rebekah), cookies,dip,brownies and dip.
She also made a yummy Iced Tea Punch! MMMM! (I only had a sip-I'm still dieting so I took everyone's word for it that the food was yummy)
The fun I experienced Firsthand!!!!

Fun SprInGy decor too!! Isn't this cute???Bekah brightened the place with lots of great color and creativity! Go check out Heather's blog to see the adorable dress made with some vintage linens!!

http://kslmyjoy.wordpress.com/- it's the little yellow dress.

Heirloom sewing

My mom made the most beautiful layette for Wendy-these picture do no justice to the dresses,bib and bonnet.

One of the dresses has a scallopped hem,tiny pin tucks and hand embroidered rosebuds sprinkled on the lower portion.Sheer beauty!!!

The bib is an old design that ties around the tummy and neck- what a good idea!

Speaking of BABY news better go check out Bekah's blog

http://pumpkinseed-unscripted.blogspot.com/

FREE-CYCLE Friday a success.........

Well..... if you count sunshine, a cool breeze, good friends, young and old , food and plenty of laughing and talking .... and by the way we did bring our "stuff", traded and swapped  it, and then hauled off the leftovers to Care Help!

It was almost TOO MUCH FUN!!!!!! I can't wait till next month!!!

(The next Freecycle Friday will be October 31- same place-weather permitting)

(Click on a picture to enlarge )

 

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