Did an update and well…..gotta bit of messy mess going one here..bear with me. I’m trying to fix it.

Potholders!

I use to love making them when I was little. I bet you did too!  Did you know you can make a jump rope out of these?  If I would have known that growing up, I’d had the most color jump rope of the block.  Jump roping was another big favorite when I was a kid. Us girls loved trying to get all fancy with dutch jumping, of course we didn’t get far with it, but we sure tried.

It was funny to see the kids faces when I told them that I loved making these pot holders as a kids myself. From there reaction you’d think I was an extremely sheltered child, that came up for sunshine once in a while.  But it was so much fun sitting on the couch, helping with there first go at it, watching the excitement over something so simple. I knew they would enjoy it, but I wasn’t expecting the reaction I got. Let’s just say the large bag of fabric strings are all gone but a couple. A couple that are patiently waiting for more to arrive. More patient that my kids who are a little bit disappointed that the supplies quickly disappear. You know, I think the old things are sometimes the best things. Really.  I’m quite sure of that.
I think the kids are enjoying filling up the kitchen drawer. Added their touch in that room. I’m glad they are too. I’m look forward to a whole pile of them soon.

My store window, to my Etsy shop. I’ve updated it. Yes, it has been dormant like the flowers in winter for a while. No more, let it shine. Doing a little make over this week. These pictures are also a little peek into my studio if your wondering. The vintage post office that I so tickled to have found. The deal that I got it for was a shock. I snatched it up right away. I think it was a shock for the sellers wife too when she stepped outside and hear what I bought it for. I thought for sure she was going to hand my money back and say “sorry there was a misunderstanding.” I’m so glad she didn’t. Do the happy dance.

This is what I was working on, before I was needed here and now in life. This is what I wanted to share with you guys. The idea was started by window shopping.  I’m always fascinated to see some of the creative ways they design them.  How fun would it be to create them, set a theme, a mood. So, I did a little playing around myself.

My theme was more toward the longing. Long days of late winter when the trees are bare brown and white snow still lingering in accent piles among the landscape. Two colors I’ve always thought seem to fit hand in hand. How being caged up inside with our nose pressed to the window longing to be in a faraway land. Visiting with a dear friend, the warm sunshine, which by the way has finally graced us with her presents. It sure can make a girl smile. Making time for those more serene acts like the lost of art of handwritten letters to those dear ones of long ago.  Letting day dream fly as I wait for signs of new life sprout up from the frozen ground. I think it’s those moments that make us truly appreciate spring and rebirth of it each year.

Well hello there stranger!

These are a couple dish clothes that the kids and I made several months back. They have washed many dishes and been washed many time since and still holding up quite nicely.  I never posted about them, but now they seem to fit perfect with the last month.  It’s as if they were waiting for the moment of need. When it really matters, more of purpose than I could even predict. At the time I made them, I was wanting to keep a good feeling about keeping house instead getting a feeling of yuck, more dishes. Caring, loving, being instead of chore. So these remind me of just that. It really does work…it’s all in how you receive the moment. A blessing or work. How I want my kids to look back and know that I loved them even in the little things. How I want to look back and know that tried. Don’t get me wrong, something the crumbs on the floors, muddy shoes and pile of clothes can get overwhelming. But over all, I want to learn to keep positive. Good vibes. So now that I’ve conquered the dish, on to the other chores..LOL

So today, kiss, tickle, hug your loved one. Little and small. Old and young.  Read them a book, give them a wink, squat down to their eye level and listen, curl up with your hubby, pick them flower by the road, slip of post note with smile on the steering wheel, leave a voice mail saying there on your mind, call a friend that your been meaning to talk with, visit your neighbor, send a card, give a smile to a stranger. Cherish the moment, let others know your think of them and that they do mean something to you. You never know when your final good-bye to them will be. Then. There. Gone. No going back. Love your family. Make sure no words are left unsaid and No “I wish I’d let them known how much they meant to me” still hanging in the air. 

Ok, off curl up with my crew of kiddos, eating stir-fry and shrimp,  watch the Fantastic Mr. Fox while the rain drums against the windows. 

And Yes, more back to blogging! See you tomorrow.

Thank you all for your kind words and your shoulder a girl in the dumps can lean on. Breathe I say. It gets me through some of those more grayer days. But…..
The sun is out! Literally. I say that as I picture myself outside twirling around. It’s still very chilly, but I’m O’so happy to see Mr. Sunshine pay us a visit. The best medicine if you ask me.

That also means yard sale season is just around the corner. More flea market trip and more goodies by the curb. I’m quite excited about it all. Really! Last years finds were wonderful. I get all giddy just thinking about it. I’m hoping this year will be even better.

I found an older pictures on my computer of thrifted cup I acquired but haven’t shared yet, a picture on flickr that I haven’t blogged about and a dresser that was one of last years finds. Snapped a photo of it earlier today. A little this and a little that.

Dresser was a free by the road find. I wish I had taken a before picture. You would appreciate it so much if I had. It was horrible. When my husband brought it home. I wasn’t very optimistic about it being revived. The veneer was peeling all over it, one drawer was broken and it was marked all up. It looked like it should have been sent to the burn pile. I guess it was a good thing I wasn’t the one that found it. But…..with all of us working to scrap of the peeling wood, A good heavy duty sander, wood putty, and bit of carpenter know how on my husband part. A functioning dresser was born again. Bound for my daughters room, where a dresser was much needed. Hence, the white color. If I had a choice, it would be wearing a beautiful mustard tone. I promised to step back from decorating her room. So, white it became.

Then this fabric, which I just think is so beautiful. It makes me think, no wish of RV’s, road trips and colorful dreams. I’ll say no more. Don’t want to cause something to fall through. I’ve learned the hard way that some things are best to be revealed at the grand opening,(if it makes it to grand opening) not during work in progress.  No good to expect fireworks and only get dudes. My kids always make that sad..ahhh when we get those. So no ahhh here today..hee. Nope, sunshine thoughts.

A set of saucers, cups and bowls from The Second Thought thrift. A hidden gem tucked in a quaint little corner. These say comfort of Grandma’s embrace and warm belly of her chocolate gravy to me. I know I’ve said this before, but such a fond memory for me. Never gets old. She had a set similar to these when I was growing up. Her’s were a bit chunky and bigger. Bigger servings could happen.

Back to work. A friend of mine has offered to take the kids for the day so I can get some work done. I’m really excited with what I’m working on. It’s one of the things that has kept me busy and my mind off unpleasant things. Nothing like pouring yourself into something. What’s that saying, Idle hands is devils play? I probably have it quoted wrong, I think I read it in one of Tasha Tudors books years ago. I’m going to photo it before the sun set any further.

Happy Day.

I very rarely post on give aways, but for some reason something pulled me toward one on Soulemama’s blog.   The photo’s by susannah conway were beautiful and class on healing with a journal and camera I think would do everyone wonders. We all have our battles. I posted, not really thinking about getting anything or winning. I just felt a pull to say something that was all. Have you ever been there. Did something, simple and it turned out for a reason? Like not turning down a road that you would normally take, only to find later there was a huge wreck that took place and it was around the same time as you would been passing thru.

My pull to post was one of those moments. I was picked to receive the pictures. I was delightful and surprised. They came in the mail the other day. Beautiful photos. Full of softness and simple but speaks volumes. I was hitting bottom, I’ll leave out the details. But I broke, a heap of tears that was spending more hours crying than not. And not a thing I could do about the problem but weep.

Wishing I could remove the knife of hurt and let scar tissue cover it. The same knife has been there before. I’ve heard the more your cut, the bigger, thicker the scar tissue becomes. Like a shield of armour. In some ways they are good and others not. But really..I don’t want my shield of armour to be made out of numbness, because repeated exposure to grief has dulled the senses. That’s my greatest fear and sometimes I see it slipping up and wanting to take over. I see anger wanting to replace determination. I see resentment wishing to rule. But that’s not me, never has been. I refuse to let it take me now.

You must be thinking what is going on? I assure you it’s not something uncommon. You’ve experienced a time or two or more in your life. Mine seems to constant trickle however, a never ending battle. And really all I want, All I have ever really wanted was gentle words, love, happiness, encouragement. Joy in my kids laughter, working as family, peace, feeling you get that makes you want to skip through the house, a sense of togetherness. The over flowing feeling when you curl up in a blanket with a loved one on chilly night. No strings attached, no feeling of cringing like a scared animal, Solving problems as a team, working with respect. Those are the things that matter the most to me. I work to have them, to keep them but sometimes it’s like paddling against a current and my arms get weak. I wonder if I can still keep fighting on for those things that I hold so dear to my heart. I know deep down I’ll never give up striving for them no matter how weak I get, but still the hard tears sometimes came. I often feel I will be fighting till the day I die and there such a strong feeling of weight that I don’t know if I can bare. But I try to stay strong. These pictures couldn’t have arrived at a better day. Heal, keep moving forward, fight for what you need and believe they said to me.

Sorry to hurt your ears. I usually like to keep it light and simple here. My place away from the turmoil that sometimes stirs, but sometimes the pitcher spills over and letting it out is needed. I do hope you understand. My sister is coming over tomorrow. Hi Sis! She’s my cruch when I need one. She makes me laugh, dance and dream. I’m so glad to have ya!

You know the old saying..”Life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Well, I guess I took it to heart. All this snow, while beautiful and fun for awhile, it does tend feel like the very thing keeping you stuck in the house. A love hate relationship. This time of year is trying for all of us. I know I’m not alone. So, instead of falling deeper in the cabin fever rut, we decided to enjoy the snow while being stuck inside. If you can’t beat it..join it or at least try to not think of it as your enemy. (which I’m having a bit of trouble with) 

Making snow cones, with drink of your choice. The Kids picked kool-aid.

Making snow ice cream. While Ben & Jerry’s has no need to worry about the “snow” cream becoming competition. It’s still fun, adding what every flavor your tongue craves. The kids love it and anything to keep them happy in February is worth it.

• 1 Cup of milk
• 1/2 Cup of sugar
• a couple drops of vanilla
• FRESH & Clean snow.
• Add snow to liquids, stir, keep adding snow till you get your desired thickness.

options: chocolate syrup, strawberries, peanut butter or whatever else you want.

I’m a chocolate ice cream, fudge & pretzel kind of gal, but if it’s vanilla ice cream, a scoop of peanut butter with it. You’ve never tried it? You must!

Last year the kids put a little table by the road and sold some of the tomatoes. It was actually a big hit. My faith in the honesty of public was reinforced as well. It was all by the honor system and the ones that stopped definitely deserved a honor badge.  This year the kids are eager to start a garden, design a farm market stand and even go set one up a few times themselves. I have to admit, I like a small garden. If it gets to big, I loose the enjoyment in the large amount of work it takes. In short, the weeds. But the kids have me excited about planting a garden this year. Filling it full. Maybe it’s the sense that it will be our little community garden. All the family members working together, enjoy it together. Maybe that’s what I’ve needed all along.

First things first. The planning stage, deciding on the seeds.  The world is a classroom. We have already gathered several books from the library, pulled out our seed catalogs, taken favorite books off of our shelves. My little one picked the packs she liked the most. Everyone put in there two cents. We all put our ideas on paper. Now the only thing we need is the soil…but I think that will have to wait for a few more days, at least till some of the snow is cleared away. A clear path to garden center is a must.

Here’s a few of my favorite garden spots….

Chiltern Seeds

Seed Saver Exchange

Dave’s Garden

Park Seed

Baker’s Acres

Palatine Roses

So what kind of garden to you grow?

Hope you all had a Happy New Year!

I always feel so energized this time a year. Beginnings, fresh starts. I guess it’s the starting point in a timeline that seem so much more tangible to me.  Finding pleasure and peace in the little things to come. Letting turmoil of life past go with the flip of a calendar page. I don’t really make resolutions but I do reflex on goals, desires, achievements and what has worked in the past. Building on those stepping stones.

I guess becoming a better mother is always on top of my list. Ways of learning to deal with little spats between siblings. How to handle situations where my kids want to grow, need to grow but finding a way to let them and still provide that hidden safety of hands till they have mature enough to let them go. Guiding them in their interests, cooking better meals, learning to run the house of little smoother so that my time can be spent more on them and myself. One of the things my daughter and I were talking about was creating every day no matter how small. Sometimes during the work in progress of a big project, you can feel like not much is getting accomplished. So the small things are a great salve to the confidence, creative spirit of artist, mother, people as a whole. Seeing, holding and knowing something is complete. It was funny that during our conversation. She slipped in the teacher role and I become the student. She was wanted me to post all our creative things on my blog. A keepsake for her and journal for me. I felt during that moment that she became my partner of this blog. A support I didn’t even know I had. It was a bitter sweet moment, bring me completely full circle with letting them grow.

I guess that’s sort of my word for 2010. Complete. It seems to just fit and feel right to me. It can be used for any aspect of life. Complete……

So as requested my little partner, who ideas will grace more of my pages to comes.  Apple crisp, the requested dessert of New Years Eve.  Funny, I would have thought they’d want cupcakes with bright colored icing. This was made in the evening as you can tell by the poor lighting of the pic. I figured we’d take a picture of a baked apple crisp piece in the morning….but it was completely gone by the time new light of the day had risen over the horizon. I woke up to see my husband eating that last piece.

And the picture above is pin and hair bow holder. I used an old belt of mine. It was part of sweater jacket I once had. It ended up at the thrift store, but the belt I guess didn’t make it. While cleaning out my closet..a new years tradition for me. I found it. It was either throw it away or recycle and reuse. I felt better about the second option. 

So what are some New Years traditions, resolutions, goals or just favorite 2009 moments you have?