Our new on the go bag to fill up with library books, bottled water, sleep over clothes, craft supplies, food, an umbrella or what ever it needs to transform into for that day.

Like pulling a piece of bread out of bag and having it smile back at you.

or watching my kids make popcorn garland, listening to someone tell me about a dream where they crammed their feet into Mountain Dew pop bottles, playing in my ribbons and buttons, pulling out clean and wonderful smelling sheets, purple boots at the store, watching a fat lazy cat sleeping practically on it’s back, listening to upbeat songs, sitting with friends at a restaurant while we chatted and drank mocha, taking two little girls shopping, not having to make supper tonight, silence of a rare day alone, a new lunch box idea I have in my head, Indian ink pens, smell of oranges, eating a carrot cake cupcake with cream cheese icing, holding my camera in my hands, that we don’t live any further north.

What makes you smile?

update…bought a new replacement battery for laptop. I ordered the correct number given to me by HP, but the battery doesn’t work. But still smiling, I have a sister who doesn’t mind me high jacking her computer (again) for a few minutes.

Lights are out. Stumbling in the dark.

We’ll, if I angle the computer screen just right, have my brightest lamp held high behind me, and squint really hard, I can see you all. Black screen most of the time.

Thought I’d stop in to say “Hello You” and wipe a few of those cobwebs away from my little spot. I always enjoy pictures with a post, so here are a few. I’m on my sisters computers and found a few of my own pictures on it.

Have a lovely day!!!

The girls and I experienced a pioneer camp about a week ago.  Stepping back in the “little house on the prairie” days. They loved it. The candle making, the games, the log cabin, making butter. I loved the apple biscuit made over an open fire. Rolled in a cinnamon and sugar mix. They turned out scrumptious.   It was so peaceful up on the hill, even with all the kids running around exploring. You really did feel like time slowed down, your body and mind relaxed and just be in the moment. So with this spark still lite, we are looking for activities to do in the time- gone -by era. Looking for list and ideas on blogs. Found some here, and here. But still looking for some other great ideas.

I’m thinking about getting Little House Social Studies Curriculum Guide, and I’ve heard some good things about The Prairie Primer: from other moms.

I’m not trying to rush the autumn season..oh no not at all. But soon the gift giving time of the year will be here. If your thinking of making handmade gifts, a little before labor time is needed. It’s a bit stressful to try turn out several little handmade goodies the night before…I know, procrastination at it’s best.
These bags are simple totes, but can be turned into a “green” gift bag. I think it’s a great idea. Making the gift wrapping & container even usable.

This little guy I machine stitched on a canvas bag. I’m liking his silly little self.

You know how I love the machine stitching, quilting thing. I seem to always find ways to add it into a project. Hot pads no different. Machine stitched kitchen accessories on them. I’ve been getting ready for another attempt at a craft show, so not much cooking is going on but when I do…these will be ready.

The evenings are getting really cold here. So when it was still warm at dusk, we couldn’t help but stay outside enjoying it. The kids running around, rolling down the hill, weaving in and out of the apple trees, climbing. I couldn’t resist this beautiful scene as the kids played on the hill. Beautiful to me.

Do you have moments as a mom where you can actually see your child evolve and grow right before your eyes? That a spark in them has been lite and you can see it in their eyes. Hear it in the voice. Even their personality and attitude seem to shine a little brighter.

This was one of them. I watched six very excited but nervous kids hop on a horse picked for them. This wasn’t the first time for any of them to be on a horse.  It was the first time for my children to go on a trail ride. No one holding the lead, no arena to contain them. No shelter of the barn walls. No parents. Just them, the horse and the guides.  We watched them walk out, a little uncertain of themselves. They came back with a new confidence.  

I had locked my keys in the car and had to wait for my husband to come rescue us. Surprisingly the time was well spent. The kids chatted and talked about the whole experience. Silly things that the horse did, the beautiful woods they walked through. The scary moments, that they conquered. Bouncing on the balls of their feet, wondering when we can do it all again. I think I enjoyed watching them, seeing them, feeling the positive energy coming off of them more than they enjoyed the ride. And that’s saying quite a lot. I’m marking that moment in my mental calendar as a day I will cherish. A day I actually seen them grow.

It’s good to be a mom.

Work in progress…….

She informed me that she’s making snake necklaces………

Last of fall harvest, fruits and veggies………..

Another rainy day idea….shrinky dinks. You can never go wrong with these.

My daughter’s friends birthday is coming up soon. These shrinky dinks gave us a cute birthday idea or at least a cute tag to embellish the bag with. BFF charms. We ran out of paper, so a quick trip to the store before the party is needed. We are going to decorate it with things that represent the girls, their friendship, their interests and each others feelings. Make it far more personalized than one you can buy at the store. Then we are going to cut it in two pieces, hole punch each side. One customized charm for each girl…dinky style. Handmade gift from the heart.

The sun has come out today, warming our bones. The last few days have been chilly and damp. Perfect for curling up and reading. The kids being stuck inside pulled out their knot tying book, and practiced them by making leashes for their pet rocks and lassoing each other with duck tape and ropes. Quite comical watching kids walk through the house each happily dragging a rock behind them. Imagination at it’s best. 
A few books I have been flipping through.

Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials

Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures

In Handmade Home, the letter holder is a must on my list. Perfect for having a spot to place all the letters, cards and hand written keepsakes. In hopes of encouraging more writing, including myself.

A plastic sack holder was inspired by Sewing Green. I don’t remember seeing it among the pages, but the book motivated me to make one. I had one of these years ago, but “cringing” and whispering.. I threw it away because I thought they were ugly. I still think that they are not on the prettiest side, but it’s most definitely green (in more ways than one) and the sacks I reuse whether in my home or taking back to the grocery store to be recycled. This is the most efficient way to store them. Stashing them under the cabinet always resulting in them popping out like springs when I opened the door, which is kind of embarrassing when you have company. Now they have a home, tucked neatly up and out of the way.