I was doing the dishes the other day and looked over as I was finishing up, the colors caught my eye. It was all unplanned or staged. I thought you know, everyone even if you do it now, should work at finding beauty and goodness around them. If you do it now, work at not letting that slip, forgotten. Everyday there is something to be grateful for. And to think doing dishes did that for me…ha, those dirty dishes, which by the way was once my most dreaded chore, has been inspiration to me more than once…whodathunk.

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.

Did you know that a four toed dinosaur is a  plant eater and 3 toed is a meat eater?
I didn’t either, until she told me. Amazing what they learn on their own.

We have a blue eyed Blondie who loves pink & purple. All the girly stuff for her..except one thing. She loves lizards, dragons, worms, turtles and dinosaurs. It’s really quite funny.
So, I decided to start her a bag. Theme bag. Filling it with books, puzzles, games and such. All easy to grab and go. All in one place. The bags has some fun silly flowers on it, of course a Brachiosaurus was needed to complete it. That being a long neck with a bump on it’s head. One of her favorites.
See thinks it’s placed on the bag just perfect, eating the flowers. They have four toes by the way. Wonder if those were the ones that Fred Flintstone used at work?

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.