stitching under oaks

whatcha thinkin about?

2012-01-28T09:57:00.000-05:00

I had a hard time sleeping last night. I just couldn't shut my mind off. It's easy to get caught thinking about things that just don't do me any good. Anyone got some worry? fear? uncertainty? indecision? If so, you know what I'm talking about. Later I was reminded that what I think about can change my day. or my week, or my life. "Will I meditate on His Word or my worries?" Ann Voskamp from Holy Experience posted about the importance of memorizing scripture. She has a yearly memorization plan set up for memorizing the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew in 2012. (Matthew 5, 6 & 7 - 2-3 verses a week)

Last year I committed the book of Colossians to memory by following her dated plan. I carried my little memorization booklet with me just about everywhere I went. Some weeks I doubled up, some weeks I played catch up. As my memory book became stained, so did my heart....God used His word to do some amazing things.

* Colossians became my book....whenever I would hear a reference from Colossians or read a verse from Colossians, I was like..."hey that's my verse, I know that verse!" When you wrestle with something long enough, it becomes yours.

* I grasped those committed verses in a more meaningful way because I had to learn them...and remember them, so I tied them into previous verses and thought about what they meant and somewhere along the way they got deep into my heart and anchored themselves there.

*I found myself less focused on my stuff and more focused on the Word. Heck, I had to be in order to get it memorized. And that was good, because God's word is so much better than my stuff...my worries...my off target wanderings.

* Scriptures from other passages seemed more familiar and tied together more easily after I'd connect them with something I'd learned in Colossians. God's word really is amazingly intertwined and affirming.

...so I'm really excited to be committing another year to learning another section of scripture. I know it's going to be hard....the good things always are. But I know the beauty that comes from having the Word hidden in my heart and I'm ready to get some new thinking embroidered into this heart of mine....

...just a couple of weeks without memory detail has shown me how easily I can get caught thinking about things that do me no good at all. So, whatcha thinking about? Feel free to join me (and many others) as we commit God's Word to our thoughts, our hearts and our lives....you won't regret it!

to read more about the plan and the making of the booklet click here.

*** don't feel like it's too late to start...join in any time. I'm starting a couple of weeks behind, but that's OK...you're never behind when you're committing His word to your heart.

10!

2012-01-19T14:03:00.000-05:00

My youngest turned 10 today! I can hardly believe it....I know, all moms say that don't we? These past 10 years have been a blur of blessings....he's such a great kid! He's creative, funny and helpful. He makes me smile and brings joy to all of us....what a wonderful blessing he has been in our lives!

We're celebrating pretty low key today and have plans in the works for a 'friend' birthday party. I realized that I just don't have the gumption to try and pull off an at home party for a bunch of boys (I'm not that brave)....we're hoping to hit the gym next weekend and wear them out with some basketball! In the meantime, he's requested chicken enchiladas for dinner and he'll open presents after basketball practice tonight.

Back before Christmas, I made a celebration banner and his is the inaugural birthday for using it! I followed Jodi's tutorial and it turned out fabulously. I used some store bought bias tape for the string.

It was the first thing John Samuel noticed when he got up this morning. (see, I told you he's a pretty special kid!) I've been wanting one for a while and now we'll have one to use for all the family celebrations! Our birthday wreath is also proudly on display so that everyone knows there's a birthday to celebrate.

We're taking it lightly with school today...another benefit of homeschooling (at least in the elementary years...your mom can take away some subjects for you on your birthday!) Hope your days are full of celebrations as well!

clean slate

2012-01-14T17:55:00.000-05:00

I spent some time last week cleaning out my craft ~~room~~ studio. The word studio makes me laugh...it's really just a spare bedroom turned into a work space for me and my crafting tendencies. It also doubles as a guest room, holder of all secret presents, winter home for plants and a laundry drying area. I guess I come by the need for a creative space honestly, as my mom always had a craft space when I was growing up. Her space is a closet that she turned into a sewing room. She has a counter, shelves, filing space and a board for inspiration. She doesn't sew as much as she used to, but she can still sew circles around me.

(all fresh and clean)

Anyways, back to my clean space. I purged and reorganized and made room for my computer back on my desk. I didn't do any major furniture moving, but a few simple shifts and the entire space feels new to me. Isn't it funny how a couple of little tweaks can make all the difference? Before I had space issues when I sewed and now just moving the bookshelf down a few feet has opened up much more room for me to sew or scrapbook or blog.

(before the reorganization)

I've also been working on my project 365 scrapbook for 2011. All the photos are taken (one for each day of the year), printed and slipped into their spots. Now, I'm just working on writing out the journaling cards. Stink...if I'd just done it a little bit all year long, I'd be done. But I do have to say, I'm enjoying the detailed look back at the year. Writing out the cards and looking back over the photos reminds me of all the blessings that 2011 contained. This is my 3rd year of doing 365. You can see my flickr photos here, here and here.

For 2012, I'm planning to revamp my approach to project 365. I'm taking photos as usual, just organizing them a bit differently. Instead of doing weekly spreads, I'm planning on doing thematic spreads. For example, one will focus on John Samuel's basketball, one on a week in the life of our homeschool, one on vacation....you get the idea. It'll allow me a bit more freedom with pictures and hopefully the new approach will re-energize me with my photography. I found myself waning at the end of last year.

That's all that's going on here if you don't count school and basketball....We're dribbling our way through the winter....we had 7 games this week. (it's not hard with 3 players and one coach under the same roof). Hope all is going well with you and your family...any reorganizing going on at your house?

goodness sakes

2012-01-10T15:17:00.001-05:00

I can't believe it is 10 days into the new year already! I took a little break from the blogosphere over the holidays and the next thing I know it's mid-January! We started back to school this week, so last week was spent putting away the Christmas stuff, cleaning the house and reorganizing for the new year.

Don't you love the gift of a new year? I was thinking back over last year and all the intentions I had at the beginning of it...how some of them have become habit and some of them are going back on my list for this year. But that's ok...I'm not beating myself up over the little things that didn't happen because a lot did happen! I memorized the entire book of Colossians, I read over 25 books, I learned to lean hard on the Lord during the tough times, I was given ample opportunities to forgive and be forgiven and I stockpiled blessings as I gathered my 1,000+ gifts.

I love how every year brings with it new growth, unexpected changes and endless opportunities. But I am only able to love those things because I know that the Lord is working all things for my good. (Romans 8:28) The ability to look back allows me to see areas that need refining (or in some cases blasting) and in turn I can see buds of new growth in places where there was nothing before. God is so good and I'm so thankful that at the start of this year, He promises to be just as faithful as He was last year!

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations " 3:21-23

I hope your new year is already off to an excellent start and that you're able to savor the blessings that come your way in 2012 and that you discover growth and new opportunities amidst the challenges that the year brings as well! Happy New Year Friends!

where are those elves?

2011-12-24T12:43:00.001-05:00

The elves are missing in action! I'm busy in the kitchen today, getting food ready for our Christmas celebration, and I wanted to pop in and wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. It's the season of preparation and giving, a very busy time of doing and going, but in the midst of all your preparing and wrapping and baking, my prayer is that you take time to enjoy the gift of Christ.

"But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as his very own children."^{Galatians 4:4-5}

^{It is because of His coming and His sacrifice, that we can enjoy fullness of life as His children..... Merry Christmas Friends! We have much to celebrate....}

^{even if those elves never show up!}

free printable: here

closing in on Christmas

2011-12-16T07:46:00.000-05:00

As we get closer to Christmas, I find myself trying to snatch away moments for savoring the season. I'm certain that the hours fly by faster in December than in any other month. In between school, basketball games, and practices we've been:

***learning how to play chess....John and John Samuel have been challenging each other as often as time allows (this is a teaching set and it shows you the moves and directions you can make for each piece...very helpful for me!)

***putting finishing touches on my decorations....this little tree was blank and boring so I hot glued wooden hearts, gingerbread men, candles and pine cones to it. I tied some homespun fabric to the branches and now it's perfect!

***cracking up at our dog....the kids found her laying on the remote, looking at the TV and they said she was watching Animal Planet! (I think this whole scene interrupted our math one day! )

***adding Christmas lights to more and more corners of our house....it's just so magical with all the beautiful lights. It's so special to check on my boy and finding him sleeping in the glow of his Christmas lights. (I always unplug them before I head to bed :))

***reading mysteries and taking notes as we go...after listening to Andrew Clements' Room One, my boy decided to solve the mystery of his chapter book in a similar fashion....works for me, I just like to see him reading and having fun at the same time

***for book club we read the light-hearted book: A Redbird Christmas...perfect for holiday time! One of the ladies at book club gave us each a box loaded with an assortment of cookies that she prepackaged and labeled for us in little cello bags! What a work of love...a delicious work!

And I've been knitting some little last minute gifts....dishcloths and toasty fingerless mitts....nothing like watching TV by the glow of the Christmas tree and knitting. Some of our DVR'd favorites include: NCIS, Person of Interest and Blue Bloods.

So how have you been savoring these days before Christmas? I hope you're finding time to enjoy the moments before they fly by! It's closing in on Christmas...stay merry!

celebrate everywhere

2011-12-06T14:03:00.001-05:00

I love this time of year, when the house is all decorated for Christmas and the lights bring such warmth and coziness to everything. We decorated right after Thanksgiving and have been enjoying the magical feeling that the house takes on during this time of year.

I took a ton of pictures as I decorated so that next year I might be able to 'recreate' my decor more easily next year. I tend to be a fusser. I put something somewhere, walk away and then return to move it around until I get it right where I want it.

I figure if I can look at pictures I might save myself some fussing next year....right!? I'll let you know how that works out.

We are an artificial tree family....Maggie and I get awful allergies and sinus infections from having a real tree in the house, so I've learned to find the positive in our 'boxed tree'. One things I hate though, is the stem that shows down at the bottom.

It's long and skinny and looks really ugly. So, I hide it with our wrapped presents. It looks so much better with all the gifts piled around the bottom. (this also helps motivate me to wrap my gifts early)

I also love to decorate our outside. I put pine and boxwood in baskets and watering cans and create little vignettes of beauty along the way.

Whether I'm bringing in the mail, welcoming guests or looking out the kitchen window while washing dishes I get glimpses of beauty that make me smile. (and when it snows...they even look prettier!)

How about you? What do you do to transform your home during this magnificently wonderful time of year? The Savior has been born....celebrate everywhere you can!

****Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts on my last post....you guys are hilarious! And just so you know....I've decided to keep the sausages for myself.

the scarf dilemma.....yes or no?

2011-11-30T19:27:00.001-05:00

When we went to the beach this summer I found the best knit shop....organized, loaded and full of inspiration! I bought the yarn for this mohair scarf with plans for it to be a gift, but as I've been knitting it, I've been questioning the 'giftability' of this particular scarf.

It's a bit off beat as far as scarves go. I like it. It's soft and the colors are very fun. But when I've shown it to some of my friends and family I get a mixed reaction.

They've made comments like : "Oh, that would be cute on someone younger...I think I'm too old for that style"

or "I like it, I'm just not sure I'd wear it, but it looks cute on you"

or my favorite: "It kinda reminds me of sausage links"

So, what do you think? Go ahead...be honest, I can take it.

ready and thankful

2011-11-23T20:07:00.001-05:00

The cranberry sauce is cooked and is getting happy in the fridge

The turkey is awaiting its moment of glory

The platters are ready to be filled

The apples are sliced and the sauce is perfect

The table is all set

We've been getting the house cleaned and the food ready....it's been a busy day....

Well, for most of us....(you just can't get good work out of some folks)

We're ready for our Thanksgiving celebration...it's one of my favorite holidays.
It's been a week full of mixed blessings...some testing and much grace. I'm ever thankful for His grace - for my Heavenly Father's unconditional love. I'm thankful that my Hope is in Him. I pray that your Thanksgiving day is full of blessings and wonderful times with family and friends. That each day is a celebration of thanks! I'll be back after the feasting with some fun, festive ideas....Happy Thanksgiving friends!

stitches and stuff

2011-11-14T17:00:00.000-05:00

Working on a bit of this and that....enjoying my days

~a camera strap cover using this tutorial

~reading this with my boy....it started out slow, but now we can hardly put it down

~working on a secret project...it's so fun, like sewing rainbows

~gearing up for the basketball season

~working on Christmas gifts

~slowly working on this knitting project and trying to decide how I feel about the way it's turning out

`~watching my favorite coach....as the shots that won the game went through the net!

Hope your day is filled with happy stitches, fun stuff and game winning shots!

saturday sewing

2011-11-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

I had some sewing time last Saturday and it was just what I needed. Some people shop for therapy. I create for therapy. It's a good thing when I get some sewing time....You know that saying about mama being happy? Well, when this mama is sewing, it's all good in the house! You'd think they'd be pushing me into my sewing room but no, I've got to wait it out and carve out sewing time here and there. When I get a whole day...it's like Christmas.

OK....I'm not complaining...just being silly. My family is fabulous about allowing me some time to create and they are always wanting to snatch something that I've made. Especially these pretties.

Jodi from Pleasant Home has a fun Etsy shop with patterns and fabrics. It's like a perfect storm. Just the right amount of goodness ready for a day of sewing therapy. I purchased these patterns and some fabric from her and after a day in my craft ~~room~~ studio. I emerged triumphant and giddy.

I'll be making some more of these wallets as gifts for my girl's friends. I think a gift card inside one of these wallets would make a sweet little gift.

Out of the two patterns I thought the wallet would be the hardest, but I think it might have actually been a bit easier than the note holder. Neither of them was hard though. The directions were clear and easy to follow.

The note holder is similar to the mini notebook covers that I made earlier, it just has a bit more pizazz to it! There's a tab to keep it shut and a handy little pocket in the front for notes and stuff.
I love how it turned out but I think it could benefit by being a bit sturdier. I think the next one will get some heavier interfacing for stability.

These projects would both be a great way to use up some scraps and try out some new color combinations. I've never been a big pink and red girl but I love how the fabrics and trim all worked together to make this so fun and girly. I also love the red and turquoise combo....I'll be using those colors together again.

How about you, do you have a favorite color combination that you love use? I'm loving the fresh look of these two projects and it's got me thinking about some new color combos.

the soup bowl

2011-11-07T16:21:00.000-05:00

I'm hooking up with Jodi for a soup swap. The idea is that everyone who participates, posts a delicious soup recipe and we're all blessed in the sharing. Click here to find the links that will take you to all the recipes.

My soup is a fall favorite. My mom's church served this every year for the Mother-Daughter Thanksgiving tea. I begged the lady who was in charge of the menu for the recipe and apparently it was the recipe on the evaporated milk can. No matter, It's got the perfect blend of savory and the pumpkin adds a hint of sweetness underneath all the flavors.

2 Tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped onion
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons of curry powder ( LOVE this stuff!)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper (I don't have white pepper so I just use my regular pepper)
3 cups chicken broth
1 15oz can pumpkin (make sure it's plain pumpkin and not the pumpkin pie pumpkin with spices)
1 12oz can of evaporated milk

Melt butter in large saucepan over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Stir in curry powder, salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and pumpkin; bring to boil. (keep an eye on it while it's coming to a boil) Reduce heat to low; cook stirring occasionally for 15-20 minutes. Stir in evaporated milk. Transfer mixture to blender and process in batches. (Be sure to leave a vent hole when processing hot liquids....trust me!) Blend until smooth. Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Enjoy! And thanks to Jodi for hosting the Soup Bowl....we'll be having lots of soup in the coming days!

a little bit of bling

2011-11-04T14:46:00.002-04:00

This simple cowl was a freebie pattern from my lys. The pattern calls for 1 skein of "Nuna" by MIRASOL, but I had this luscious Wenslydale yarn from Amanda of Joli House that was perfect for this project. In addition to the main yarn, you hold a strand of "Lazer FX" alongside when you knit every 6th row.

The sequins add just the right amount of bling to a rather ordinary knit. You don't even have to cut the sequin yarn, you just let it run on the back side and it hides itself wonderfully. I used size 8 needles and knit until it was about 7 1/2 inches tall....easy enough!

It seems like cowls are the thing among knitters these days. I see them all over the blogosphere and on Ravelry. They are fun, fast and make great gifts, but what I really want to know is, "Do people who aren't knitters wear them?" Let me know what you think....I've got some on my list to knit as gifts and I'm wondering if they are going to be received with joy or that "ooh, how nice! (what was she thinking knitting me a neck tube)" kind of reception. You know what I mean? Sometimes I wonder if my knitting gifts are as appreciated as I hope or if they're received like that scratchy sweater your grandma knit you in bright green and orange acrylic yarn when you really wanted a curling iron......maybe that's just me.

from strength to strength

2011-10-27T13:07:00.000-04:00

Sipping my morning coffee and reading the Word, I came across Psalm 84:

"Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion." (v. 4-6)

As I read the phrase "they go from strength to strength" I found myself praying...."Lord, help me to journey through life from strength to strength. I sometimes feel as though I'm going from crisis to crisis or prayer need to prayer need."

You know what I mean? It seems like certain stretches of road have me going from drama to drama (maybe that's because I have teenagers) or concern to concern. Don't get me wrong. I count my blessings every day and I know my cup runs over with abundance, but when I hit those places in the road where things are tough I find myself wanting the gentler road...the one without all the mud and all the mess. That's when I long for the pretty path with flowers and paved roads.

And then I quietly heard in my heart the Lord whisper to my spirit, "It's not your strength that you go from, it's Mine. In those times of crisis or trouble or drama, it's My strength that you land on and take off from." That Valley of Baca is a reference to a place of tears. As I walk through the places that make me cry (and I will walk through those place...we all do), I find comfort and refreshment in Him. He is the source of my strength.

See, I was backwards in my thinking. (again) What I was really wanting was 'cake walk' to 'cake walk', but I know enough to know that during those hard times, that it has been His strength that I've encountered and that has supported me and held me up. It's particularly during the hard times that I find myself leaning in to Him. It's His strength that gets me through one trial and onward in my journey. If I didn't have to pass through those Valleys of Tears, I wouldn't know His strength the way I do. I'm so blessed. I have been all along. He reminded me that I have been walking from strength to strength.....not mine. His.

In the end, it doesn't matter what condition the road is that I find myself traveling on...

just that I am found traveling in Him. I've set my heart on pilgrimage and I'm so thankful that He supplies His strength for each mile of the journey.

the bliss of autumn...outside and in

2011-10-22T17:11:00.001-04:00

We're right in the middle of peak foliage for our state. It is beautiful outside. Ordinary yards are transformed with brilliant colors and the woods are just magical. Today John and I took a drive to our favorite heirloom pumpkin stand.

This is one of my favorite places to visit each autumn. I always take loads of pictures....the place is pure eye candy!

I saw these cheese gourds and took this picture specifically for Jodi. (check out her squash edition..it's very helpful!) The tag said that the Long Island Cheese was perfect for pies and stored well over a long period.....I think one of these would make a really big pie!

These peanut pumpkins were really fun and unusual. Two ladies came by and picked one up without any hesitation....they were on a mission and apparently it involved unusual pumpkins.

We lingered around the stand taking pictures and watching the chickens and then we took the long way home through the creek. It was a great little getaway!

Inside, I've been decking the house with these great fabric pumpkins. These were made from a Patchwork Pumpkin pattern that I bought from RetroMama. There are three sizes and I made several of each.

Kim did a great job writing this pattern. It is chock full of tips and tricks and the photos helped so much. They were so fun to make. I held myself to using fabric that I had on hand. (a self imposed challenge....and it helped use up some of my fall scraps)

I ended up making 6 pumpkins. After the first one, I had the hang of it and they went together pretty quickly. My favorites are the two wool plaid ones which were made from an piece of fabric leftover from a vest my mom made many years ago.

I gave one to my mom and she showed it off at book club this morning. All the ladies want me to make them one now!....they are really cute! I have a feeling I'm not done making these pumpkins.... but for now, I'm going to head out and enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery!

Hopefully you'll find some time this weekend to enjoy the scenery around you....Happy Fall!

just a pumpkin peek

2011-10-18T15:28:00.001-04:00

I'm caught up in a pumpkin patch of sorts. Making these pumpkins is too much fun!

Be back to share soon! I'm off to the store for more stuffing. Hope your days are filled with autumn delights!

ADVENTuring

2011-10-11T17:48:00.002-04:00

My ADVENTure has been on vacation lately. The start of school and three birthdays in September seems to have knocked all ADVENTuring to the back burner, but this weekend I was able to get in some sewing. It was a great Sunday afternoon full of football and sewing. The windows were open and the sun was shining. I had a hot cup of coffee and I was ready to go!

I made some mini notebook covers for my book club. These are so fun to make! The book club is a mother/daughter book club - I'm a daughter which is weird because I'm so used to being the mother these days. We've read some great books and it's been really good to get me out of my comfort zone with literature. I tend to pick the same genre over and over again. Some of my favorite book club reads have been: To Kill a Mockingbird, Jane Eyre, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. We've worked through about a dozen books so far. I'm the oldest of the daughters which makes my mom the ~~oldest~~ most mature mother (in the book club). It's a great mix of ages...30's to 70's.

I tried to pick fabric to coordinate with the personalities in the book club. Can you tell that we have some free spirits and some whom might be more easily labeled as traditional? The diversity makes for great discussion! They'll probably all get their notebooks and want to swap with each other for a different fabric choice! What do I know!?! (Remember how you used to do that in elementary school? The teacher would pass out folders and you'd be nudging your neighbor to trade colors with you...)

I found the tutorial for this mini notebook cover on blogger a couple of years ago and I couldn't find the blog to link to it anymore. (it came from a blog called "knitting after hours"). The covers each take a fat quarter and they sew up pretty quickly. I bought these little notebooks in packs of three from Office Depot. I'm sure you can find them in any office supply store.

As I was taking photos of the notebooks, my boy came riding up on his bike and after checking it all out, asked if I would make him one. I told him that I'd be glad to after I bought some more interfacing. I mentioned that we could pick out a boyish print and he'd have a notebook for doodling. He bent down, picked up the striped notebook and said, "This one looks like boy would carry it...can I have this one?" After hearing yes, it immediately went into his back pocket and off he peddled. Hopefully my book club members will pocket theirs with just as much joy.

So, before it's my turn to choose our book club read, do you have any favorites you'd recommend?

vite cowl

2011-10-06T21:24:00.000-04:00

Vite is grapevine in Italian....I know because I looked it up. Until I knit this infinity scarf/cowl, I'd never come across the word before. But that's the great thing about knitting...it's expanding my horizons...even if I never set foot in Italy. Designers often choose ~~peculiar~~ clever names for their patterns and so I'm always learning new words.

In addition to the vocabulary lesson, this was a fun, fast knit. It took me longer to find a sunny day for photos than it did to actually knit the entire scarf. It was knit on huge needles (size 15) with a chunky yarn (cascade magnum). Kristi has the pattern available as a free download on Ravelry if you're interested. (thanks Kristi!) You can wear it long or doubled up....it's fun and versatile.

The Magnum yarn is one ply 100% wool. It's almost like knitting with roving. I love this color (Lake Chelan Heather) and it is so very soft. Since it is wool, it is also decidedly warm.

I think this is one of those scarfs you could wear doubled up around your neck when you're outside and then let it out and wear it long when you get inside where it's warmer...it'd still give you some indoor style without all the warmth up around your neck.

Here's the knitty gritty:

Pattern: Vite Cowl by Kristi Johnson

Yarn: Cascade Magnum (1 skein, knit until it's gone)

Needles: size 15

Modifications: none

in my line of sight

2011-09-30T17:15:00.001-04:00

Thanks for all your well wishes on my eye wear! I'm making progress, slowly but surely. I had to laugh on Sunday when our Pastor's message was about vision...don't you know I'm apparently enrolled a series about life lessons for those needing vision correction!

Speaking of sight, I finally changed the scenery around here and we are in full Autumnal mode. In other words, I decorated for fall. Here's a peek:

entry way wreath from TJ Maxx - last year. I left the kids in the car while I ran in to get it, and when I came out, the car wouldn't start...dead battery! They'd played the radio and drained the battery...I swear I was in and out in under 15 minutes! honest.

hand stitched pillow- made by me several years ago

my new acorn cookie jar...it was just too perfect to pass up! (another TJ Maxx find)

this little guy, made by a friend is peeking out of a willow basket in our main bathroom

the living room mantle...still tweaking this one...but that's how I work..it evolves over time!

I love scarecrows for autumn...this guy is on a shelf in our kitchen. The candle is from Tonya, I can't bring myself to burn it, it's so pretty!

the dining room hutch...this changes too...depending on my mood. I like it. for now.

Here's my new lamp that I bought to cozy up the kitchen. My sister in law had one on her counter when we stayed in her beach house and I adored the look that it cast around the room. But I'd like for you to weigh in -which shade do you like better? It came with the drum shade (#1) and I had the burlap shade (#2)....I think I need a softer bulb for sure.

Well, that's my view around here.....how are things looking at your house? No matter the view, I hope your focusing on the blessings in your life! Happy Fall!

focus

2011-09-23T19:28:00.000-04:00

I've been wearing reading glasses since I was in college. It's been no big deal...I put them on when I'm reading or stitching...or when my eyes would feel tired. But lately, I noticed that I was putting them on more often and leaving them on longer. So when Mckenzie needed her eyes checked, I thought it would be a good time for me to go in as well. (it'd been 5 years since I'd seen my eye doctor). Well, he nicely informed me that I'd hit that stage of life when lenses dry out and eyes become less elastic and he went on about my prescription needs having changed...really it was all downhill from there. So I got these new glasses.

They are progressives. They have a section for distance vision, a section for reading and a middle section for the in between stuff (like computer work and dashboards). They are not like my reading glasses. I am getting adjusted to how they work and where I need to look to see whatever it is I'm trying to see. I'm learning where to focus and it's been tricky. I've been feeling a bit off balance.

It's all gotten me thinking though that this adjustment process with my progressive lenses is a lot like life. I'm in a season of my life (aside from my eye glasses) where I'm adjusting my focus. Life is full of opportunities for me to readjust my focus. (new roles, changing seasons, kids growing, forgiving wrongs, trusting more, worrying less, letting go of wrong assumptions....I'd better stop while I'm ahead) But no matter what the area, I need to be patient with the process. Just as it's going to take time to get adjusted to these new lenses, when I'm in a refocusing season of my life, I need to be patient with the process. It takes time to readjust your focus. When you're used to looking at something a certain way, it requires purposefulness to redirect your gaze. It takes time to know where to look for what. I might feel off balance from time to time, but I know Who my anchor is. As long as I keep my eyes on Him, I can sharpen my focus. "I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 15:8.

have you any wool? or notebooks? or framed prints?

2011-09-20T16:06:00.000-04:00

I love checking things off of a list. Sometimes I'll even make a list, just so I can check things off of it. Over the weekend, I finished up some projects. -and I checked them off of my list! I finally framed my wool stitchery. This is from Wee Wonderfuls and it is just the perfect little piece of needle work. It stitched up quickly and for right now I'm enjoying it in my craft room. I bought the frame from Joann's when they were having a 40% off sale. And I matted it just like Kristyn's. I loved the figgy pudding fabric that she used, so I shamelessly copied it!

I also finished a couple more notebook slipcovers. The blue and yellow one was meant to be for a mini binder, but I measured wrong and so it ended up being a spiral cover. I used a hair band as an elastic closure.

I covered the mini binder with an alternate fabric combination. It holds my church notes. Every week we get a handout that is hole punched and ready for a notebook and now, I've got one!

The last little project that I completed this weekend was to print off one of Becky Higgins' comfort prints. (thanks Becky!) I simply printed off a 5X7 size and popped it into a frame. I love this quote. Don't you agree that home is just the best comfort?

So, I don't know about you, but I'll keep on marching through this week and see what else I can check off the to-do list. I hope that you're enjoying the comforts of home this week as we enter into autumn! (and I hope your list is getting shorter along the way!) Happy days to you all!

seashore shawl

2011-09-12T19:06:00.000-04:00

I finished my Seashore Shawl about a week before summer ended. My timing is impeccable! I saw a shawl similar to this when we went to North Myrtle Beach in July. (thus the name "Seashore Shawl" pretty original, huh?!) The owner had it draped over a chair and I kept going back to paw at it and try it on. I bought the yarn at the local yarn shop and the shop owner was kind enough to give me the 'pattern". I love this yarn so much. It is so soft! And it's machine washable due to the fact that it's a cotton/acrylic blend.

I think I could wrap up in this and take a nap. (if I were a napper that is....I'm not a napper- it's a shame.) The color is pale enough that it works almost like a neutral. The color is called Matcha. (?) I'll be enjoying this for a few more weeks until it gets cold enough to bring out the wool....it's perfect for throwing over my shoulders in church or warding off the morning chill when I do my quiet time on the deck.

The cast on edge starts off with ten stitches so you don't end up with a triangular point...it's gentle and it has a nice drape. I used two skeins of Berrocco Weekend and it ended up the perfect size. It's so easy....Cast on 10 stitches using a size 13 needle. Increase at the beginning and end of each row until you have 8 inches - from then on, increase at the beginning only until you have 140-145 stitches. Bind off loosely and enjoy!

Now, you can make your own Seashore Shawl....just in time for autumn!

slipcovered

2011-09-02T19:12:00.000-04:00

Gingercake has some great patterns in her shop. I made some Lola the Owls back in the spring and I've been eyeing her notebook slipcover for a while. When Kristyn came into town for a visit, it was the perfect time to try it out.

We headed to the fabric store for our supplies and after a couple of days of following two little boys around and playing, we got started. I have to say that I am so glad to have had Kristyn here for this project. In addition to being so much fun.... She is meticulous. She is careful. She measures accurately. She is so neat and careful. I am not all of this....(at least not all at the same time). I'm more of a "wing it and hope it works out" kinda girl.

We talked through everything, because there were many numbers and measurements to figure out. (I'm not saying it was hard, but you did have to be aware of each step as you measured and cut and went along.) We helped each other think through the process as we went.

We had so much fun making these slipcovers. I even learned that my sewing machine has a thread clipper built into it! (who knew!?!) When we got to the step where we were sewing the entire thing together, we had our fingers crossed. And it worked out!!! (I love it when that happens)

The notebooks were transformed from ordinary to extraordinary. I'm using mine as my everything binder. It holds my grocery lists, address book, gift idea lists, daily dockets and calendar.

A couple of days ago, I made another cover. This one was for my holiday planner. The snowflakes and Christmas material were so fun and festive.

I've got a bunch of other noteboks that could sure use some sprucing up and I really think these slipcovered notebooks would make great gifts for friends or even teachers. After making the first slipcover, the second one was so much less taxing on my mind....it was easier and went together much faster. (although it was 10 times less fun without Kristyn here!)

Maybe this weekend will find me some more time for sewing and recovering... I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend and that you spend some time doing something you enjoy! Oh, and I want to shout out a special thanks to Virginia of Gingercake for a great pattern! Check out her blog for tons of great inspiration.

vine lace vest

2011-08-29T15:27:00.000-04:00

I purchased some green cotton classic yarn about 2 years ago from a clearance table in a yarn shop in Lancaster, PA. It's been waiting for the right pattern/project/time to come along and call its name. At the beginning of July, Maggie was playing basketball in a tournament at Penn State and I figured I'd have a lot of knitting time in between games - so I pulled the pattern for the vine lace vest and loaded up my clearance yarn in my knitting bag and we headed to State College, PA. I think I knit 2 rows the entire week....

It was a start however and I continued working on it throughout the summer. It became my traveling summer project. It went to State College, Pennsylvania, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Hershey, Pennsylvania as well as several lakes and swimming pools. My biggest dilemma was that I only had 4 skeins and I knew I was going to be pushing it to have enough yardage. But in the end it all worked out.....I added some extra length to the body and omitted the ribbing on the sleeves.

This is a great pattern for those of you who like very little seaming. It is knit in one piece starting with the back and then splitting off for working each front side.

When you are done with knitting the body, you seam the sides and pick up for the front bands and arm bands. It's a freebie on Classic Elite's Website which makes it even better!

Here's my knitty gritty:
Pattern: Vines Lace Vest
Needles: sizes 6 and 9
Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic, 4 skeins
Size: Medium
Modifications: I added an extra 3 inches to the length of the vest. I also seamed the armholes up a little more than the pattern indicated. I left off the ribbing around each arm.

Thanks to Maggie my crazy photographer...there's a reason all of these photos are headless. In most of the photos I looked like this or goofier! She gets me laughing so hard....

*** Thanks to everyone who checked in with me here regarding our week of weirdness. We definitely felt the earthquake but everyone was safe and no damage was done. Irene blew through here on Saturday night and left a mess of leaves, sticks and branches in the yard...but thankfully that was all. I hope this finds everyone safe and sound. Here's to a week of sunshine and clear skies!

right around the corner

2011-08-23T18:29:00.000-04:00

I've got some recently finished projects to share....soon. Really, they are just around the corner and if I could just turn that corner, I'd get them posted. But we're switching gears and heading into our school time routine and for some reason that just seems to stall me out. It's all part of easing into the new routine. Eventually I'll get moving again and when I do, I'll show you what I've finished up. In the meantime, I'll leave you with some photos of our summer's end.....

[Kristyn came to visit. Whoo Hoo! We had a wonderful time catching up and making new memories- here we are heading out to dinner and to see the movie The Help]

[beautiful veggies from Kristyn's mom and dad ~ Thanks Jo Ellen and Howard.

We've gobbled them all up!]

[John Samuel and Connor scootering down the street~ John Samuel was thrilled to have Connor here!]

[boys in shopping carts at the fabric store....a new project was in the works]

[a day at Greenbrier lake, playing and paddling]

[measuring and cutting...sewing, measuring and more measuring]

[tubing on Lake Meade....that's Maggie and her friend, Michelle]

[sunset on the lake and a very wonderful summer]

So, that's how we've been wrapping up our summer days.....I hope your summer is ending on a beautiful note as well and that you turn the corner into autumn with plenty of grace!

to market, to market and home with more bags

2011-08-09T18:23:00.000-04:00

I have an overabundance of plastic grocery bags....they are like rabbits. Despite the fact that I grocery shop with reusable bags, I somehow still end up with a plethora of plastic ones. I actually like to have some of them on hand for wastebasket liners and for bagging up things here and there. So I've been stuffing them in a bigger bag and keeping them in our laundry room. They started to take over my space. I am certain that they were planning a coup. They looked unassuming, but I could tell...they needed to be dealt with. So I did.

I made this adorable grocery bag holder. It has elastic at the bottom so you can pull out one bag at a time. It has a great big opening at the top for stuffing in more bags. And it holds a lot of bags. Whatever it doesn't hold, I've decided I don't need to keep. I'll take them back to the store and recycle them at those big bin.

I also like it because it's make out of cute fabric and it makes me smile. It was super easy to make and because it's quilted, it seems to be pretty sturdy. I didn't quilt mine quite as fancy as the tutorial suggested, but I like how it turned out.

I used this tutorial (thanks AnneMarie!) and made it from material that I had on hand. I think it would make a pretty nice gift....in a practical, kind of way. Not sure that a grocery bag holder has the same appeal as a piece of jewelry or a candle does in a gift giving situation, but still. Since I was ambivalent about the gift-ability of the bag holder, I only made one. for me.

flubber fun

2011-08-04T09:27:00.000-04:00

Looking for something fun to do the other night, John Samuel and I found ourselves in the kitchen looking for specific ingredients. I didn't have enough cornstarch to make play dough. We were all out of heavy cream, so homemade ice cream was out. Then I remembered one of the girls having brought home some flubber from science class one time.

We googled the directions and were on our way in no time concocting and discovering. We used this video and got perfect results the first time. (it helps that I use the borax for our laundry detergent....that's the only odd ingredient involved)

This was the perfect activity for my creative boy....he played for a long time with the flubber and was delighted to show his sisters when they returned home. (they were pretty impressed) And although it looks messy...it really was quite contained and relatively 'clean'.

We just used regular old dollar store glue and added some food coloring before mixing. The trick is having two bowls...one with borax and water and the other with glue, food coloring and water. You pour the glue mixture into the borax mixture and after some mixing....voila!!

We're already planning on a repeat performance when Connor comes....it's so much fun!

If you're looking for a fast, fun project that keeps you out of the heat...I highly recommend flubber. Even the name is fun!

....and his daddy discovered that when stored in a small container...it can be squished around to make totally cool sounds that boys will especially enjoy!

needle little love

2011-07-29T08:13:00.001-04:00

I could probably list at least 20 things that scream summer to me and the majority of them would probably be on your list too....I'm wondering though, how many people would have cross stitching on their summer activities list? Anyways, cross stitching is one of those quirky things that definitely make my summer things list and it goes all the way back to when I was in high school. On the days when I wasn't at the swimming pool, my best friend, Kristi Evans and I would sit in my backyard in white Adirondack chairs and cross stitch the day away. We'd pick tomatoes and grapes from her backyard garden (which conveniently backed up to mine) and eat them right off the vine. I'm not sure there were too many other high schoolers stitching during the summer, but I could be wrong.

25 years later and I still love to start a stitching project each summer. This year, Kristyn sent me the patterns from Wee Wonderfuls. They are the perfect summer project - fast and fun! I finished the apples and the eggs as Christmas gifts.

I loved how Kristyn framed hers with some fabric around the motif, so I copied her! (imitation is the best form of flattery, right?!) Don't you love the punch the fabric gives to the finished project?

without fabric

with fabric

The only thing I didn't like about these patterns was the absence of my dear friend....for the past couple of summers, Kristyn and I have stitched several projects during our summer visiting and in thinking back it has become a part of my special summer memories collection. So when I needle little love, I pull out my stitching and remember all of the great memories spent with friends throughout the summer over our cross stitch hoops. What's one of the quirky things that you love to include in your summer? I hope you're making time for it while the days are still long and lazy.

ETA: I'm linking up with Kristyn's ADVENTure post....more goodies added to my Christmas pile!! yeah!

I'm loving....

2011-07-23T07:56:00.002-04:00

It's the simple things that make me smile....
My favorite afternoon treat - iced coffee. I used Pioneer Woman's recipe. I like mine with breve and Truvia. ( I learned that breve is the cool way to say "half and half"...the Starbucks barista got me up to speed this week with java lingo.) Anyways, this iced coffee is fabulous and I highly recommend you keep a stash in the fridge.

Speaking of the fridge, I am loving my new juice pitchers...they fit my top shelf perfectly without hogging up the whole thing. I got them at The Container Store. That whole store made me smile! (That container with the blue lid is my coffee concentration - yum!!)

I've been organizing and tidying up my drawers and closets and that in itself just makes me grin from ear to ear.

Working my way through Emma - she's a hoot.... I think I know some of the people in this book - for real!

Centipede on my ipad. I love the game, but I hate those spiders...every time one gets me, I have to holler at them.

My new perfume - Le Bohemian from American Eagle...and that card from K made my day....mail from a good friend always makes me smile.

New school calendar/organizers....for $1 each. (one for each of my kids) I'm not ready to really think about school, but I can always get happy about new school supplies.

Fun, summer nail polish...Kenzie and I got these on vacation and the Fruitie Patootie is my favorite, although the orange is on my toes right now.

How bout you? What's got you grinning? Whatever it is, I hope your days are full of summer smiles!

7 days

2011-07-19T12:16:00.000-04:00

I've been home a mere seven days this month....that's not much time for getting things done, so I've got some catching up to do around here. My reason for being so absent around these parts is that first, Maggie and I went to Penn State for a basketball tournament and then the entire family went to Myrtle Beach for a much needed vacation. Here are some photos that highlight our recent trips:

I have some knitting started and some stitching done....and as a family we finished 5 books (collectively) making a new family record and in addition (or maybe because of) we came home relaxed and rested. In the meantime, I'll get some grocery shopping done, laundry attempted and I'll be back soon to share some projects with you. Hope your summer is full of all the things you love. Have a wonderful week!

last of the baby knits

2011-07-11T08:50:00.000-04:00

I finished the last of my baby cycle knits....the baby raglan. Beth sent me this pattern from a Debbie Bliss collection. It was easy to knit with plenty of stockinette.

This sweater was knit in pieces and then seamed together. I haven't done too many sweaters that required seaming, so this one gave me some much needed practice in seaming. I used this video to help me with the raglan seams. If you're wanting to work on your seaming techniques, this is a great little sweater to give you some practice.

I love the feel of this yarn....so soft and silky. I used just over two skeins to knit the 3 month size. Because the front and back are identical, I added a tag to the back so that it was obvious which side should be the front. (I thought the raglans were a bit more precise looking on one side than on the other) I also did a single crochet around the neckline to stablize it and clean it up just a bit.

That should do it for a while on the baby sweater front....although I do have enough yarn left over that I might be able to squeeze out a hat to go along with each sweater....we'll see!

treasure found

2011-07-05T08:30:00.001-04:00

I've been cleaning like a wild woman. Purging cupboards and closets, organizing cubbies and crawlspaces. We made a big trip to Goodwill this weekend and donated many boxes and bags of 'stuff'. It feels so good to have some space in my spaces. Last week, while I was going through boxes upon boxes of baby clothes that I'd saved, I found a treasure.

This little quilt was my doll quilt when I was a little girl. I haven't seen it in years. My grandma made it for me and I remember having it in my room and playing on it as a little girl. I obviously stored it away and had forgotten all about it. What a wondeful surprise! I gave it a good wash and hung it outside to dry.

There are some quirky things about it....the edges are puckered because it was stitched with a wool yarn that has obviously felted. The back, which looks like it was made from sheeting, has a couple of stains on it that I'm hoping the sun will bleach out.

The flowers are amazing. I am guessing they were hand turned and sewn on piece by piece. (No wonder under on this quilt!) I can't imagine the work that went into this little quilt. So much love. I never remember having to be careful on it...I was just allowed to play with it and enjoy it.

That seems huge to me now that I understand all the time and love that went into it. My grandma made many quilts over the years. She had a huge quilt frame in her back room for all the hand quilting. I'm on a treasure hunt now to find all the beauties that she made.....I'll share them here as I find them.

flying by faster than I can...

2011-06-29T08:01:00.001-04:00

These summer days are flying by faster than I can frog a baby sleeve...

...which I had to do last night. I totally skipped the direction that mentioned casting off three stitches for the next two rows on my second sleeve. That made attaching the sleeve to the body quite tricky. I'm knitting the Raglan Baby Sweater by Debbie Bliss. It was going along great and I was seaming my sleeves to my fronts and backs. When I went to seam the second sleeve, I realized I didn't have the angular little corner that I needed to make the seams join accurately. Rip, Rip went my second sleeve...and I'm working on re-knitting it according to the directions.

I did however, successfully finish a second Pretty Baby Sweater. This one is knit in Universal Yarns Worsted. The color is Primrose and it is my favorite baby yellow. After purchasing a second skein of yarn, I've got enough to knit up a baby hat as well. These baby sweaters are fun and fast, which fit these summer days perfectly.

Hope your summer days are filled with great things and that your needles are always full of stitches....whatcha knitting now?

like dandelion seeds

2011-06-15T09:36:00.000-04:00

I can tell we're settling into summer because the days are just floating by so quickly. Like dandelion seeds...these summer days are so magical. We've got some upcoming camps and basketball events that make the next three weeks a bit busy, but these past few days have been just what I love about summer....unhurried. Here's a peek at what we've been doing to kick off the summer:

~I've been cleaning the house and summerizing it with shells....

~Finally have finished up the last of the report cards and sent them off to our umbrella group which keeps all of our paperwork for home schooling. The kids all had great school years and we survived Chemistry and Physical Science...whoo hoo!

~Jammer finished up baseball in the midst of a heat wave....temps over 100 at the ball fields. whew

~We've been enjoying meals outside on the deck.....I feel like I get an extra room added to my house each spring/summer as we spend so much time out on the deck.

~Taking time to just play and create and let our imaginations go free.

~Totally devouring our new read aloud....such suspense!

~Lunching and shopping with my mom and finding my new summer purse for a super crazy price!

~Watering our plants....almost daily

{Marveling at how fast these plants are filling out...the above picture was taken on May 23, 2011, the one below was taken today (June 15th) Wow!}

~Keeping track of the gifts along the way!

I hope your days are magical ones...enjoy the special blessings of this season! They go by faster than dandelion seeds on a breeze!

batches of baby love

2011-06-07T08:10:00.000-04:00

I've noticed that I tend to work in batches. One month I'm knocking myself out with dishcloths, the next I'm whipping out owls and right now I'm smack dab in the middle of a baby sweater phase. Who knows what July will bring? But, the sudden urge for baby sweaters is practical in nature because there are several babies who will soon be making appearances and I thought it would be fun to knit some sweaters to welcome them.

The very originally named Pretty Baby Sweater has been in my knitting binder for several years. I am not sure why I waited so long to knit it, but it is a gem. It knits up quickly and the seaming is painless and easy as the pattern calls for a crochet slip stitch.

There is no need to cut the yarn, you simply seam the sleeve and keep on knitting. Genius! It is knit from the yoke down and when you're done you only have two tails to weave in. (your cast on tail and your cast off tail) I knit this green one from some Ella Rae Classic. I was able to get an entire sweater out of one skein.

This heather green one has already been given to my friend Michele who just recently had her fifth baby....a precious little girl. She loved it and I'm sure it will keep Elizabeth warm when those Kansas winds start whipping.

Because I was able to knit an entire sweater from one skein of Ella Rae Classic with some left over, I wrongly assumed that one skein of Universal Classic Worsted would suffice for my second baby sweater. Wrong! I'm stalled on this precious yellow one until I pick up another skein to finish it. Good thing this baby is not due until September.

Oh well, that was just excuse enough for me to cast on for a third baby sweater...this one for a precious little boy. I'm knitting my friend Beth's favorite raglan sweater.

She sent me this pattern (and several others a while ago - thanks again Beth) and I found the perfect denim blue yarn. The yarn is Plymouth jeannee and it is so soft and perfect for a baby knit. I'll work on this until I get back to my lys to pick up my additional skein of yellow yarn.

In the meantime, I'll be plugging away with my newest fascination....how about you? Do you work in batches or are you solely passionate for one project at a time? No matter what your M.O. might be, I hope you find joy in the process. Have a great day friends!

embrace life

2011-06-01T08:10:00.001-04:00

Summer is here! I've been wanting to make a summer list; you know things that need to get done, things we want to do for fun and just some extra special things. Thinking through what should go on that list can be overwhelming to me, but while I was reading and doing my quiet time this morning, I found the perfect summer (really all year) list already composed.

"Whoever wants to embrace life

and see the day fill up with good,

Here's what you do.

Say nothing evil or hurtful;

Snub evil and cultivate good;

Run after peace for all you're worth.

God looks on all this with approval..." 1 Peter 3:10-12 (The Message)

That was just what I needed to get my mind wrapped around what I really want for our summer. So friends, I hope that you'll join me this summer embracing life and filling up your days with good. Happy Summer!

wrapping it up and kicking it off!

2011-05-31T15:59:00.000-04:00

Lots of pots have been on our stove lately....many of them threatening to boil over. This weekend, we pulled a couple of pots off the burners and I'm thinking that space is a good thing. Maggie performed in the drama, 12 Angry Jurors this past week. The cast of 14 had been working on the production all year long. They performed to a sold out crowd and received much deserved praise. Maggie did a fabulous job and we're so proud of her in so many ways.

Our school days are just wrapping up...only a Chemistry final left to seal the deal. I'm looking so forward to some relaxing days of just being. We've had a great but very busy school year (just like everyone else) and summer couldn't come at a better time.

I've finished up a couple of projects over the last month of sitting at baseball games and with all of the busy-ness, I just haven't had time to post them....

First up, a shoe bag - turned into a brush bag. I realized that when we travel, I take along a crazy amount of hair brushes. One for straightening, one for curling and one for just brushing. They don't fit in my toiletry bag and usually I just shove them in my suitcase. But now, I've got a home for them. This size of this shoe bag is perfect for all my brushes and combs....and any other stuff like gel and spray.

Next up is another pair of pleated ballet flats. These are knit from Brooks Farm Yarn, Riata which is very yummy and soft. I love how the variegated colors show up so nicely. I think I have enough yarn left to knit another pair....these flats are so nice as they really don't use a lot of yarn. You can splurge on some extra soft yarn and get several pairs from the skein.

And finally, I've gotten into making my own laundry soap. I'd seen it awhile ago and was intrigued by the simplicity of the ingredients. It is so easy to make and because you purchase the ingredients in such big quantities I always have soap on hand. I was forever running out of my store bought laundry soap and there would be a pile of dirty laundry growing by the day. This stuff works great...and it is so cheap to make. My son is very sensitive to heavy soaps and this has been perfect for his laundry needs as well.

I grate my soap with my Pampered Chef grater. It has a small grating blade that allows the soap to be grated very finely. My regular grater was way to big and I found bits of soap not dissolving in the wash. So, make sure you grate your soap very small. You can also use a food processor to get it chopped up really little. Here's the recipe that I use:

Each batch yields approximately 32 ounces (between 32-64 loads based on how many Tbsp used per load).

•1 bar of shaved bar soap (Ivory, ZOTE, Fels-Naptha)

•1 cup of borax

•1 cup of washing soda

Mix all the ingredients together and store in a air tight jar. I used 2 Tablespoons per load.....super easy.

This website helped me a lot when I was determining what ingredients I needed and how much to use.

So, that's what's been happening around here. I hope that whatever is wrapping up or kicking off at your house is filling your days with joy and gratitude.

little corners of my world

2011-05-24T21:48:00.000-04:00

When I haven't been running kids to basketball, play practice or baseball games, I've gotten some time to work in the yard...gardening and pruning and planting. One of my favorite sounds is the sound of the shovel scraping through dirt. There is something really rich in the way it sounds to my ears. I don't even mind pulling weeds.

It just feels good to be out in the sunshine and see an area transformed by some elbow grease. Last year we did a lot of work in our yard and put in some new beds. This year, I just want to enjoy what we've got.

I love to stroll the yard, poking around and watching the changes in the plantings. It's fun to see empty spaces filled in and blooms where there was nothing.

I put out a lot of planters and pots around our deck...they make me smile. They're little vignettes of beauty. They start off looking rather tame and by the end of summer they are out of control. Every year I tell myself that I'm not going to over do it with the potted plants but then I get to the nursery and can't help myself.

John built us a raised bed for some veggies. This year we're keeping it easy with cherry tomatoes and herbs. Since our yard is mostly in the woods, we just don't get enough sunlight to produce anything bigger than a cherry tomato. I think I got one cucumber last year. (That's our bed in the background with the marigolds sitting in pots.)

So, you'll find me outside whenever I can be, digging in the dirt...transplanting plants and trying to make this little corner of my world just a bit prettier. And now that school is just about done, you might even find me sitting on the deck with some knitting....aaaah summer!

Just come on around back and join me!

setting aside smallness

2011-05-11T07:58:00.000-04:00

This morning, I was praying for a friend and wondering how to handle a situation that might not even be a situation.... Usually when something like this happens I revert into protection mode. Assuming that there's something wrong, I start thinking through my options to keep my heart from being wounded. I've noticed that self protection is never 'other people' minded. So, as I was sifting through these thoughts, I came upon this quote in my morning reading:

"Whenever we treat another out of Christ's greatness and not our smallness; we free them." Goebel

I realized that my self protective stance was small and petty and binding. I desire to pour blessings on those in my life. Obviously in order to do that, I need the greatness of Christ, because my human tendency is to be small and shielded. When I treat others out of my smallness, I keep them (and myself) bound by whatever it is that stirred up that self protection instinct. But, when I trust in the greatness of the Lord and allow his grace and mercy and unfailing love to pour through me, freedom is the result. So, I'm determining to set aside my smallness and to settle into His greatness....I know there is more than enough to go around.

"And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And He will be their peace." Micah 5:4

lola x 3

2011-05-05T14:35:00.000-04:00

Only two weeks late ...but, I finished the kids' Easter owls this week. For Easter morning, I laid the cut out fabric pieces under their baskets, so they knew there were owls waiting in the 'wings' for them. They were thrilled when they saw the fabrics I had chosen for each of them. I have to say they stayed vigilant in asking me about the progress I was making on their stuffed friends. I made each of them to suit their personalities and bedrooms....

for Maggie ~ my dramatic, fun loving, vibrant first born

for Mckenzie ~ my pink loving, friendly, happy go lucky girl

for John Samuel ~ my steady, hard playing, still loves to cuddle boy

Each of the owls has a pocket on the back for secret love notes and hidden treasures.

These were so fun to make and give....Virginia did an exceptional job writing up the pattern and it's a fun way to try out some great fabric combos. All the owls have found new nests on each of the kids' beds and as I went in to kiss John Samuel last night, I found him fast asleep, holding his owl under his arm....perfect!

enjoying

2011-04-27T14:08:00.000-04:00

Everything is sprouting and budding and reaching and blooming around here. We've had a stretch of some nice weather and I've been stalking the yard, poking around and seeing what new beauties have popped their heads up.

I love this time of year, the bugs aren't bad and the humidity is low. We brought the outdoor furniture up this past weekend and I've been enjoying my quiet time outside all week long.

I enjoy having my morning time on the deck for as many months as I can...it just feels like a sanctuary when I'm outside in the early morning hours. The birds are singing, the trees are slowly swaying and for just a while, it's a piece of heaven.

I've also been enjoying my pleated ballet flats. They are so comfy and perfect for skitting about the house. I've been toying with adding suede soles or puffy paint on the bottom for traction, but so far it's not been a problem to just wear them the way they are with nothing on the soles. I run around all winter in my socks and this feels just the same to me. Thanks to everyone with their help on my 'hole' issues.

It was the wraps that were tripping me up and this time when I came around to them on the heels, I hid them and all is good! I knit this pair in Ella Rae classic wool and that was a great choice as they were experimental and I didn't want to screw up an expensive yarn. So, far they have held their shape and aren't stretching out at all. It may have been a good choice for durability too! I barely used one skein and so I'm thinking that I could double the yarn on the soles for a bit of cushion and still get two pairs out of one skein. I'll keep you posted...I've got another set on the needles now.

Oh, and they fit perfectly in my crocs, which is what I keep by the door for slipping out into the yard when I feel the need to poke about! I couldn't resist taking a garden shot while I was out traipsing the flower beds. I checked to make sure my neighbors weren't around...that's all they'd need to see - me taking a picture of my slippered feet in the garden. Well, I was so busy checking for my neighbors that I totally didn't notice the garter snake who slithered right by me in his hasty escape. You should have seen me! Now, that would have really given my neighbors something to talk about! oh. my. Have a great week friends and don't forget to check all your surroundings before attempting any photo shoots!

this and that

2011-04-18T12:09:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that it's been over a week since I've been in this space (almost two!) - This is a busy season...we've been busy with baseball,

Mckenzie's junior high play (she was fabulous...simply fabulous),

and Maggie's AAU basketball season.

It's been a whirlwind of activity. I'm enjoying being present no matter where I find myself. This is a new thing for me. The calendar which has typically stressed me out is slowly losing it's fear factor. Instead of worrying about what's coming next, I'm learning to enjoy where I am. When I look ahead at all of the filled in squares, I breathe a prayer of thanksgiving for the abundant life with which we've been blesed.

A couple of weeks ago, I found a bit of time to sew some spring mug mats. You might remember that I made some of these back in December and they were a huge hit!

I was in need of a spring one and so I made up a couple of extra ones for birthday and thank you gifts. These are a great way to use of scraps and feel good about completing something.

I am also hot on the heels (get it?! ) of finishing my pleated ballet flats. I have one foot done and I've learned so much. I LOVE knitting on two circular needles. This is so much faster than trucking around on 4 double points. Watch this video and you'll get the gist of how it works. I'm always amazed by people who can blaze a new trail with knitting....I'm simply a trail follower.

I still have a bit to figure out with these flats because on one side I keep getting 'holes' where I hide my wraps. I'm not sure what is happening there, but I know when I figure it out, I'll have learned something else new in regards to knitting. It's a good thing I'm working on these now in spring....I might have them figured out by fall just in time to knit up some Christmas gifts. Sheesh.

I have a couple of Lolas cut out waiting for some sewing time....but that's about it. My creative time has been swallowed up with driving to practices and rehearsals and games....but that's ok. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! I hope that wherever you are, you're able to enjoy the moments that make up your days! Have a great week friends.

today

2011-04-06T12:52:00.001-04:00

a glimpse into our day. today.

We are working on school....that involves every room of the house. John Samuel is doing math fact practice at the dining room table, Maggie is writing a speech in the school room and Mckenzie has been reading in the craft room, studying science in her bedroom and doing spelling in the dining room. She doesn't stay still long enough for me to get her picture.

Someone is being tempted by cookies....I did manage to capture Kenzie as she was trying to sneak a cookie. She is my carb lover. I've gotta keep the cookies hidden or she'll snarf them up. We bought these sugar cookies yesterday and they are almost gone..

These are the kids current literature reads. From top to bottom-Maggie, Mckenzie and Jammer. We don't typically have all biographies going at the same time, it just worked out that way. Maggie and Mckenzie are both taking literature classes and their books were assigned by their lit teacher. John Samuel's was from his reading curriculum. I'm currently reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. It's my next book for book club - I started it at baseball practice the other night, but didn't get very far. I kept getting distracted watching hitting and pitching practice.

I've got dinner in the crock pot. It's a chuck roast and the family will enjoy it without me. Tonight is girl's night out!! I'm meeting some friends for dinner and can hardly wait to see them all. We try to get out once a month but we missed March and so it'll be fun to catch up with everyone over dinner.

Molly is loving the sunshine. She wants to be on the deck all day long, watching the squirrels and sniffing the air. I don't blame her, I keep poking around the yard too, watching for the signs of new life in the flower beds.

I'm puzzling over the pattern for Pleated Ballet Flats....it was written assuming that the knitter knows how to knit from two circular needles and how to do short rows and hide the wraps. I do not know how to do either of those things. I've been watching videos and looking up information on those techniques. I will figure it out....I'm determined. (I have to admit it's fun in a challenging sort of way) I'll keep you posted on my progress.

I'm wishing I had a pussy willow tree...I bought these at the grocery store and I love them so much. They are in a crock on my hearth. Sometimes I find the kids picking off the little fuzzies....stinkers!
I hope that whatever is going on in your life today that you find yourself blessed by the ordinary beauty that surrounds you.

along the way

2011-03-29T18:34:00.000-04:00

Have you ever walked through a season littered with lessons? I'm there. right now. Sometimes the lessons are delightful and I relish the new things I'm learning and other times I'd really rather look away than deal with the reality that is my ugly heart. I've been deliberately crawling through this winter headed into what will inevitably become spring and I anxiously await for the new growth to show up on the trees and in my life.
Along the way I've been learning:

~to open my hands to whatever God gives...

~that I want to live fully not empty

~the height of my joy is found in the depth of my thanks

~hurry always empties a soul

~my hope is not in a calm, perfectly planned schedule-my hope is in Christ

~life is dessert and I need to savor it - life is not an emergency

Many of the lessons I've been learning have correlated perfectly to the reading that I've been doing as I work my way through Ann Voskamp's book, one thousand gifts. I'm so thankful for her insights and her honesty...If you have some time for cultivating new growth in your life I highly recommend her book.

I'm so thankful for seasons of learning and new growth...even when the lessons come hard. How about you....What are you learning right now in your life?

settling back in

2011-03-23T20:30:00.001-04:00

Settling back into a regular routine has been delightful. There's just something good about being back in your own bed and being able to make your own breakfast. I can only endure continental 'eggs' for so many days.

The basketball trip was a huge success....everyone who went (60+ parents, coaches and athletes) seemed to have a great time. It's always fun to get to know the other parents in such a unique setting....you learn a lot about other people when you're schlepping from court to court and cheering your brains out until 11:30 at night. It's quite the bonding time.

Both Varsity teams competed hard in their brackets. The girls took second place and the boys placed third. It was a week of perservering and learning to dig down deep. (for the adults as well as the athletes) I'm so proud of all the kids, they displayed such character and handled the grueling days and nights extremely well.

Thanks for all the well wishes on my thumb ...I survived the week without knitting a stitch. It's probably a good thing I didn't take any knitting, considering the lack of sleep that occurred, knitting may have proved quite dangerous. My thumb is feeling better and now that it's baseball season, I'll have plenty of knitting time at the ball field!

I've got the laundry almost caught up and we haven't eaten our meals off of a tray in three days... It's so true - there's no place like home!

Flying the nest...

2011-03-15T13:32:00.001-04:00

We're heading to a basketball tournament in Lynchburg, VA. It'll be a week full of hoops, friends and lots of memories. Molly and Barbara are holding down the fort while we're gone. I've got our bags packed and the water is loaded into the back of the van. And guess what, I'm not taking any knitting! {gasp} Apparently knitting all those dishcloths (5 in one week) gave me a case of tendonitis and I've got to rest my thumb for a while......extreme knitting, who knew!?! So instead of purling my way down the highway, I'll be taking pictures and doing a little bit of reading.

As we fly the nest, I thought I'd leave you with some pictures of my lastest sewing project. Lola.

Isn't she adorable? Gingercake has the cutest patterns and I made Lola the owl for my god-daughter. I'm not sure whether she'll be gifted for Easter or Christmas....? I already have requests for three others. The directions and the pattern were easy to follow and I loved the fact that once I paid with Paypal, I received the pattern right to my computer. She's got a cute little pocket on her back, perfect for tucking in secret love notes or gift cards. With less than a yard of fabric, I've got a great gift and I'm certain there will be more feathered friends in my future. Have fun checking out Virginia's website, it's full of great projects and patterns and enjoy the remainder of your week - 'Owl' be back soon!

my boys couldn't get it done..

2011-03-10T19:13:00.001-05:00

My beloved Mountaineers couldn't pull out the win over Marquette in the Big East conference tournament. It was a heart breaker.

photo from Big East.org

Even though my team is one and done....I'm sure not. I started knitting dishcloths at the beginning of the tournament and I've been knocking them off almost as quickly as the Mountaineers left the big Apple. Three down and two more rounds of action to go....

I had an hour and a half to myself the other night. Nobody was home except Molly the dog and me. I was talking to my mom and she asked me what I was planning to do. "Watch basketball and knit" was my reply.

I love this time of year and it doesn't even really matter to me who is playing. (Although I'd prefer for it to be WVU) I love all the action. I've been watching the wins and losses and counting the dishcloths as they pile up.

Even though my boys couldn't get it done...it won't stop me from getting the dishcloths done. Let the March madness continue! (although I may need to make a run for more cotton yarn....in between games of course!)

Gotta go...it's tip off time!

blessing stockpile #1

2011-03-05T15:42:00.000-05:00

I've been working on my ADVENTure bit by bit. Thinking through my gift list and planning out some projects to work on ahead of the holiday rush might sound a bit over-achieverish...but I know that the reality is that I'm merely trying to get ahead of the curve and enjoy the process. This first blessing stockpile is a January/February combo. Some of these gifts took weeks to actually materialize. (precisely why I mentioned the whole bit by bit detail)

Teacher pencil pouches:

These are gathered clutches by Noodlehead. One is slimmer than the other because I didn't have enough of the pink fabric. (Don't let things like fabric amounts deter you...just make due with what you've got when at all possible). I really enjoyed Anna's step by step tutorial until I got to the final step and had some trouble getting the little zipper thingys to look right. Eventually I caught on to the fact that YOU CAN'T SEW THROUGH THEM...you must sew BESIDE THEM. (those capitals are my note to self)

I lined them with some fun pops of color. I plan on giving these with some Ticonderoga pencils (my favorite) and a gift card for the teachers in my kids lives.

Feather and Fan dishcloth

This is my favorite dishcloth pattern. I love to use varigated yarn with it as it always turns out so pretty. However, following on the heels of my Diamond Cable Gilet...this little dishcloth was almost my undoing. I frogged it 5 times. Hello....was it worth it? By the fifth time I was merely showing it who the boss was. I won. There will be more of these. I have at least 4 people that I'm planning on gifting dishcloths and fancy soap.

Dropped Stitch Pattern Scarf

I love how this turned out....but I didn't enjoy knitting it. There are a lot of yarn overs and it required me to pay lots of attention. Apparently I didn't want to give it all the attention that it required and it just made me want to get it done. Now that it's done, I like it a lot. The pattern wasn't hard...just picky.

I used one skein of Araucania, Ulmo Multy, in color #704 and size 7 needles.

If you haven't started your own ADVENTure yet, I highly encourage you to join the fun. Slowly, bit by bit you too can stockpile blessings that will make the holidays a lot more enjoyable. Kristyn has even set up a flickr group where you can find even more inspiration.

Diamond Cable Gilet

2011-02-27T21:38:00.000-05:00

I completed my Diamond Cable Gilet...Before starting this project, I did not know that a gilet was a sleeveless jacket or vest. Apparently they are to be worn as an outer layer of warmth. Every time I knit a new piece I learn something new. This vest was no exception. Other than learning what a gilet was, I learned to keep track of when I began decreasing for shoulders and for the neck. (Trying to eyeball it just was not cutting it) My seaming skills also improved while putting this piece together. This site really helped me a lot.

I really enjoyed this hand knit and I've worn it a couple of times since I finished it and after wearing it, I like it even more. Whew, that's always a relief. Knitting is a bit gamble in so many ways. Don't you hate when you finish knitting something and you really don't like it? That's happened to me on more than one occasion.

But, I guess that's the thing with knitting and life....it's the process that matters and what you learn along the way. The shaping that happens is what makes it all worthwhile. However, sometimes that shaping requires much patience and many attempts. Ahhh, but enough philosophizing...

Here's the knitty gritty:

Pattern: Diamond Cable Gilet from Sirdar Winter Glamour booklet 339
Needles: US 9 and US 101/2 circulars
Yarn: Sirdar Click Chunky; cobble I used 9 1/2 balls.
Size: 32/34
Modifications:none

This yarn is a wool blend; it knit up wonderfully and has a great softness to it. The price made it perfectly affordable as well. I found the button at Michaels. I thought it was just right. (and it meant that I didn't have to run across town to the sewing shop! bonus!)

I have about 5 more projects in the Winter Glamour book that I'd like to make. Now, it'll just be picking the yarn out.....and finding the time. How about you, what's in your knitting basket right now? Whatever it is, I hope you enjoy the process as much as the finished project.

undefeated

2011-02-23T15:27:00.000-05:00

I tried to come up with a clever title....

The Middle School girl's team that Mckenzie plays on and that John coaches finished their season with a conference record of 17-0 and a banner for winning playoffs. It was a great season. Not just because they had a winning record, but because they made new friends, worked together as a team through good and bad times and they shared the good news everywhere they went.

They really were a FORCE this year. Mckenzie was named to the all-tournament team and I think she was as surprised as anyone when they called her name. She played great this year and I couldn't be more proud of her than I was when I saw her reach down and help another player from another team up off the floor. She's got guts of steel and a heart of gold.

And my vote goes to Coach Quick for Coach of the Year! I figured out that he's coached 36 middle school games this season. That's a lot of jump balls! Anyways, I'm so proud of both of them. They are both winners in my book!

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing FORCE is from God

and not from us."

2 Corinthians 4:7

a corner in my world

2011-02-16T12:06:00.000-05:00

It is sunny in my corner of the world today. I was so thrilled with the light that I went around capturing it with my camera.

I even discovered some daffodils peeking up through the leaves and mulch. Isn't it amazing how powerful sunshine can be? It reminds me to spread sunshine into the lives of others. Sharing light is always a powerful thing.

While I was taking photos I captured this corner of my craft ~~room~~ studio. The sun was beautiful in this room and then I remember that just last week Tracy had shared a corner of her world.

I really enjoyed seeing pieces of her reflected in that one place. So, I thought I'd share a corner of my home with you. This is the place where I have my therapy sessions. I sew, stamp, block, blog, craft and create in this space. The desk and drawers and shelf unit were given to us from our neighbors when they moved to Arkansas. Can you believe that?? For free...and they fit this space perfectly. The lamp was made by my husband when he was in high school. I love that his mom gave it to me. The printer trays hold about half of my rubber stamp collection. I really enjoy them as art on the walls. The snowman plate rack holds all the yarn that I'm 'planning' to use in the near future. Some of it has been in my 'plans' for over a year.

My knitting books and sewing books are on the shelf and the baskets and boxes hold my ribbons, cards and tape runners. I keep my fabric and yarn stash in the closet....that is going to be a spring cleaning project. I need to organize and purge that whole area. All those magazine holders are where I house my scrapbook/art papers. And as you can see I've got a couple projects in process. I love that I can start and leave something out. When I have time I can come back to it. This room is the spare bedroom in our house and it has the best light...the sun just shines right into the room most of the day. It's where all of our favorite friends stay when they come to visit. It's also the perfect place for creating. I feel really blessed to have this space. If you've got a special corner in your world...feel free to share it. Spread the sunshine.

ramblings

2011-02-09T10:44:00.000-05:00

Thanks so much for all the virtual hugs and well wishes. Everyone is fever free! Inhalers are still being used and we're finishing up the antibiotics but we're knee deep back into our lives again.

And that means lots of time at the basketball court. We are a basketball family. John coaches, I help run the book, take the pictures, pack the dinners, keep the schedules......you get the idea. Maggie, Mckenzie and John Samuel all play - on different teams. That means lots of games and even more practices.

So, to say that I feel a bit distracted is an understatement. In between running here and there and shouting from the bleachers; these are the things that are dribbling through my mind:

* I finished knitting my vest and am ~~frantically~~ patiently searching for a time when I can seam it and block it.

* I really need to come up with a plan for our entry way...this is what I look at all the time as we're coming and going. Coats and shoes are everywhere.

* Sandwiches for dinner are getting old....I'm longing for lasagna and crusty garlic bread

* Valentines would be so fun to make and send, but I'm guessing my family would prefer that I go grocery shopping instead.

* I'm thankful for John Samuel's workbook time as that's when I sit with him and work on some stitching....some days it's the only time I get to stitch/knit/sew.

* I wish Chipotle's chips and guac weren't so good....I like them way too much!

*Why does it take Molly so long to go to the bathroom when everything is snow covered and iced up and I'm certain it all just smells frozen?

So...there. Now you know the inner ramblings of a basketball mom who is longing for warmer temps and some time at home. What's going through your mind lately?

98.6

2011-02-03T20:48:00.000-05:00

The past week has seen plenty of this:

I've got two kids on antibiotics and the third is running around with Lysol spray. She requested Clorox wipes and masks when I went to the pharmacy. She is trying her hardest to avoid the germs.

It's been one of those weeks that press hard on a mother's heart. We've spent lots of time resting, watching movies, listening to books on CD, and checking temperatures. I'm thankful for 98.6. It's one of those numbers that you just take for granted until the thermometer reads otherwise. I hope your week has been healthy and fever free! I'll be around to check in and say hi after the dust settles. Until then have a great end to your week.

snow busy....

2011-01-26T15:07:00.000-05:00

Today is a snow day and I'm so thankful for that as our calendar has kept us hopping lately...

In between basketball games and basketball practices we've been:

{doing laundry (of course...that never stops)}

{stitching some wintery goodness}

{turning nine!}

{meeting new (tall) friends}

{playing (but obviously not cleaning up)}

{knitting warmth (a new sweater for me!)}

{traveling to new places}

{investigating (thanks to a special session with our botanist friend)}

{making lists and storing away treasures}

I hope that no matter what your calendar looks like that you're able to enjoy the moments in your days. (and since a snow day always helps.... I hope one comes your way soon!)

I've got a plan...

2011-01-17T08:36:00.000-05:00

....well, actually Kristyn has a plan and I'm latching onto hers. If you followed Kristyn at all last year, you probably saw her ADVENTure posts. Throughout the year she would update us on her preparations for Christmas. She was purposeful in thinking through what she wanted to create, gift and enjoy throughout the year so that when December came she wasn't harried, frazzled and cranky. I watched and cheered her on...but I didn't join in due to a road block in my mind.

You see, I had this notion that Christmas inspiration wasn't really Christmas inspiration unless it struck me from October on. I felt like I had to wait closer to the day for the real inspiration to hit me. What if I made a gift in February and then in November - THE PERFECT GIFT IDEA came along? What would I do then?

So, I've been thinking through my ideas and what I think really makes up the perfect gift and I've come to realize a couple of things:

1. the thought that goes into the gift is more valuable than when that thought occurs (it doesn't matter if I think it through in February or November)

2. I will enjoy gifting much more if I don't have deadline pressures on myself (anyone ever finishing a project in the wee hours of the morning know what I'm talking about?)

3. I can wait for inspiration on those gifts that need inspiration, but for those that I can, I'm going to knock them out ahead of time and leave myself some room for when the inspiration happens (I can make my teacher gifts in the summer and my book club gifts don't have to wait until November)

4. If I keep doing what I've always done, I'll keep getting the results I've always gotten (I'm always wanting more creative time and more time to relax closer to the holidays - perhaps with some pre-planning I can achieve that this year)

I may be a bit slow to catch on, but once I'm on fire watch out! I went through and made a recipient list and jotted down any gift ideas that I already had. I'm keeping this list where I can update it and add to it when I get a gift idea. (and yes, I'm giving my mom something in addition to the gift tags that I listed by her name, but she liked mine so much this year, I thought I'd give her a set early in December that she can use on her gifts)

Then I went through and put a stickie note on each page in my calendar. On these stickies I wrote some projects that I want to work on for gifts (and for myself) this year. I have three people who I want to give dishcloths to, so I wrote dishcloth on the stickie for three different months. I left myself plenty of room for last minute inspiration and personal crafting.

There are plenty of weeks for me to enjoy the seasonal ideas that come along and plenty of time for me to stockpile some of the gifts that I really do want to give at Christmas (or for any holiday/special occasion). I've already got some tags ready for giving next year...check, check...smile, smile!

So, that's my plan...I'm stockpiling blessings for next Christmas....how fun! If you want to join, jump over to Kristyn's and check out her post, it's full of great inspiration and it'll get you started on your own ADVENTure!

with eyes to the east

2011-01-14T08:08:00.000-05:00

I'm so very thankful that His mercies are new every day. I'm grateful for a brand new day....a new start and a new supply of grace.

May your day be encouraged by knowing that He is faithful and His mercies are fresh for the picking every morning.

the knitting wrap up: a hug, toasty and slippers

2011-01-07T11:25:00.001-05:00

I enjoy knitting. I tell everyone that it's my therapy. They laugh. I laugh. But it's so true. I get a lot of things sorted out while I knit. I also get a lot of praying done while I knit. Whenever I knit a gift for someone, there's a lot of prayer knit right into their gift. I knit several gifts this year. Some of them I already posted, but the gifts for my three sneaky kids had to be kept secret. They actually read my blog (well, the girls do...)
For Maggie:

Gaia Shoulder Hug- she's already worn it to a couple of parties....she wears it backwards like a big scarf...it looks great on her. I typically wouldn't have chosen to knit this for a teen, but she modeled one I made earlier and she loved it...begged me to keep it. That one was for someone else, so I made her this one in her favorite colors.

For Mckenzie:

Toasty- She's been wearing mine and asking for a pair since the weather got cold. I actually started a pair in a different color to match her winter coat and then we realized the sleeves on that coat were too short, so we took it back. I switched to these colors and they are so Kenzie...she loves them and now all of her friends want a pair.

For John Samuel:

Felted Slippers- His daddy has a pair and I've often found him wearing those...he loves them and we had so much fun felting them together. I gave them to him unfelted and he knew exactly what they were and how they would change after their hot water bath. {For these I used Patons Classic Wool and they have felted rather fuzzy. They remind me a bit of Cookie Monster...not sure if I like that look or not. On the other ones I used Plymouth yarn and it felted a lot more smoothly, not nearly as fuzzy.}

These were some of my favorite gifts to watch being opened on Christmas morning. It was pure joy to see my kids eyes light up when they received their hand knit from mama. Who knows how long they'll still want me to knit for them? I've got to soak it up while I can. And the bonus is that all of those gifts were stitched with lots of love and prayers, which makes them the perfect gift.

reflecting

2011-01-01T15:35:00.000-05:00

New Year's always makes me a bit nostalgic. In my reflecting, I went through my project 365 photos and chose just one photo for each month. This was harder than I thought it would be....I really had a tough time narrowing it down to 12 images. But when I think about it, it's good that it was so tricky to pick one per month, because it means life here under the oaks is full and overflowing. It was fun to look back over the year and see all the reminders of God's goodness during the last 365 days. Here's my snap shot of 2010:

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

So...goodbye 2010...hello 2011! It's going to be a great year....it's already full of possiblities. I hope that your new year is so overflowing with blessings that they can't be contained in 12 photos either! Happy New Year to you my friends!

odds and ends....and a Christmas wish (at the very end..)

2010-12-22T14:03:00.000-05:00

We're on our break from school and most of the big list items are checked off so I've been able to enjoy some of those little things that make the house and the holidays special. We made this snack mix for Mckenzie's basketball teammates. Lip gloss tied to each bag was the perfect teen gift.

John Samuel and I finished his art project together. We simply tied strips of fabric around a coat hanger circle and added a bow at the top. His art teacher had the kids make these in class and that was the day that my guy was sick, so she saved him a set to work on at home. He found the perfect hanging spot for his Christmas wreath. (my bedroom!)

I wasn't liking the veggies prints in my family room for Christmas. The carrots sort of clashed with the pine and the angels, so I made a quick cover up!

I printed out the letters to spell NOEL on some craft paper and cut them to the size that I needed. I simply taped them to the glass right over the offending veggies....wa~la....Christmas art! (After Christmas I'm planning to print the letters for SNOW- the veggies can re-appear in the spring)

I always like to take something homemade to our neighbors for Christmas. Some families are getting this snack mix. It is always a hit with everyone and it mixes up very quickly. I packaged it up in quart mason jars and added a tag and a bow.

and some of our neighbors are getting these cookies....

The nice thing about these cookies are that you make up the dough and roll it into logs. I store the dough in my fridge and when I'm ready to bake cookies, I simply roll a log in some colored sugar, slice and bake. I love that we can have freshly baked, homemade cookies at a moment's notice! (note: I only baked mine for 10 minutes instead of the 12-16 that the recipe calls for....otherwise, they were way too crispy!)

I've found that these pretzel bags make great treat bags for cookies...the size holds just the right amount of cookies to bless singles and older couples! The tags came from eighteen25...feel free to link up and print your own.

Anyways....thanks for sticking around through such a long and rambly post....I'm going to take a break and finish up some secret Christmas knitting and enjoy the days leading up to Christmas. I'll be back after Christmas.

I'm so thankful for each one of you who visit and take the time to comment and share. I'm so very blessed by your friendship. I want to wish each of you a blessed and peaceful Christmas. I hope that your homes are places of joy and wonder as Christmas approaches. May you find time to abide as the shepherds did many years ago and may the Christ Child change your life as He has changed mine. Merry Christmas friends.

mug mats

2010-12-13T07:47:00.000-05:00

Kristyn was here over Thanksgiving and she brought her Christmas quilt with her. She did a fabulous job on it. I drooled over it, I stroked it, I took pictures of it. It is stunning. It is inspiring. It made me want to make a Christmas quilt.

I looked at my calendar and came back to reality. Although she had to eventually pack her quilt up and take it home with her, she did leave me some scraps (thanks girl!) ....and that was all I needed to make these mug mats.

Have you seen these around blog land? It seems like lots of people are making them. They're the perfect little vehicle for holding a cup of coffee and an afternoon treat. I made mine with 2 inch strips sewed together and then quilted them with straight lines.

In the middle is some warm and natural. I used 2 inch binding and attached it with my machine. Paired with a mug (from Target), a candy cane and a gift card, these make a great gift.

I also made some tags to go with them so that the recipients would know what to do with them once they took them out of the package. Nothing like blank stares to ruin a gift giving moment. Oh and they make great candle mats too!

Today,we're off to our co-op classes and these are our teacher gifts....I'll let you know if they invoke any drooling!

How about you, do you have a favorite gift that you give to teachers or co-workers? Below is the gift tag I placed in each mug with the mug mat and gift card...feel free to copy and print them as you need. I simply printed them on white copy paper and adhered some scrapbook paper to the back. Stay merry!

amidst the hustle and bustle

2010-12-07T08:14:00.000-05:00

The end of November and the beginning of December seem to be just going by at the speed of light. It's been a flurry of activity here at our house. From basketball games to holiday preparations, our days have been full. When I look at the calendar I can't believe how close it is to Christmas. I want to slam on the breaks and slow things down, but I know that realistically that can't happen.

I was reading in my quiet time this morning about the importance of tending to the inner fire - of making sure that the important doesn't get lost in the urgent. This is a season of 'preparing Him room'. This is the season of 'Immanuel, God with us'. But sadly for me, too many days go by where I've 'prepared my room and asked God to keep up with me'. Christmas will come and go and I don't want to have missed tending to the most important things. I don't want to be the innkeeper with the inn that's too full to allow the Messiah residence.

"To prepare Him room is to make time to enter the stillness, to embrace the quiet, to listen for that 'still, small voice'."* I'm purposing to set aside some time each day to be still. To reflect and listen and pour over that which really matters. I want to intentionally seek the Messiah during this season just as the wise men did long ago. My quiet time each day will be those moments when the activity stills and I turn my heart and focus on the greatest Gift that was given.

I encourage you to find time each day to tend the inner fire as well, so that when this holiday season is over you and I won't have spent our earnings on trinkets and baubles, but on eternal treasures that carry into the next year..

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;

and the government will be upon His shoulder.

His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

*Christ, the Light of the World - A Devotional by Thomas Kinkade

catching the drips

2010-11-30T08:22:00.000-05:00

Our Thanksgiving was great. My dad was here this year; it was so nice that he wasn't traveling with the WVU basketball team. I can't remember the last time he's been home for Thanksgiving. His presence was a real treat. The meal was delicious, although I thought the turkey was a bit dry - but that's why we had gravy!

My aunt made the best pumpkin upside down cake and the kids all played a game of football when the weather cleared. The day was spent visiting, eating, napping and doing dishes. As the mountain of dishes was washed we used my newly sewn dish mat.

I made this dish mat for all those dishes that aren't allowed to go into the dishwasher. I typically have used tea towels and they would end up very soggy. But this dish mat worked great....it caught all the drips and stayed absorbent til the last glass was put away. The back of it is an old bath towel that I re purposed and it works much better at catching those drips than a cotton tea towel. And it looks pretty!

I made two...one for us and one for a gift. These would make great hostess gifts over the holiday season. You could make them in a Christmas/winter theme or coordinate them to match your hostess's kitchen. They are fast and satisfying and they made dish washing a little bit more fun. I've got a couple more to make for Christmas presents....I just need to round up some more 'out of commission towels' to reuse. This week we're putting away the turkeys and pilgrims and pulling out the Christmas decorations....I hope your week is full of new inspiration as well! happy last day of November.

much

2010-11-24T15:19:00.000-05:00

The kids have been hounding me about decorating for Christmas. They are wanting to get the tree up and pull out all the trimmings that go along with it. We're on break from school this week and in reality it would be a great time to get the big holiday decorating done....but I just can't do it.

I actually went downstairs to our storage area to pull down some boxes, but I just left them on the shelf. I'm not in a hurry to get to the next holiday. I want to savor this holiday. I don't want to miss Thanksgiving in the rush to get to Christmas. That's not a blanket statement on my feelings about decorating pre-season. I'm not opposed to decorating early - as a matter of fact, some years we've had Christmas up while enjoying the turkey....but this year I want to sit and marinate in the current season.

The Christmas boxes will come out soon enough. Right now though, I'm enjoying not having to get ready for the next big thing. There is so much to be thankful for and I want to have the space, mentally, to enjoy those blessings. I hope that this Thanksgiving finds you with some time to reflect on your blessings....Happy Thanksgiving! May it be a day that turns into a season of much gratitude for you and your family.

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34

I couldn't make just one....

2010-11-19T17:24:00.000-05:00

My mom wanted a pencil pouch to carry her pencils with her to church....so I made her this:

It's very basic. Nothing fancy or overly creative. However, I needed some help with how to put in the zipper and while looking for directions that would work with my simple plan, I found this pattern. Which led to this:

So, now I'm set with some gifts for the holidays....isn't it funny how one things leads to another?!

Special thanks to Vanessa who blogs over at Little Big Girl Studio for the free pattern. She did a fabulous job with the directions. These little pouches were so fun to make.... I guess that's obvious, by the fact that I couldn't make just one!

baby love

2010-11-09T10:01:00.001-05:00

Showers tend to go in phases....wedding showers by the handful and those are usually followed with baby showers by the dozens. It's been a while since I've been to a baby shower and my friend Jennifer is having her fourth baby. She's my age and her youngest is 13. I have been so blessed to watch her walk through this pregnancy with grace and joy. In all honesty, to be starting over with a little one would be quite the upheavel to life as one knows it. Her oldest is graduating from high school this year. Do you get the picture? I'm sure that she feels pulled between two worlds. However, in talking with Jennifer, you'd never know it.

She is glowing as she waits for this new little life. She's been a great example to me in trusting God with the details of life. Resting in His plan has brought her peace and acceptance in a powerful and exemplary way. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 She glows because she's trusting in His plan for her life. That has been so powerful to watch.

So....I had to knit this new little person some cotton sweetness. Beth sent me the pattern for the sweater and my favorite baby hat was the perfect topper. This was my first baby sweater and it was so quick and fun to knit! Thank goodness for Ravelry pictures though, because if I hadn't been able to see how this sweater was to look before seaming it might have turned out to be a straight jacket. But that's the great thing about knitting (and life)....you learn even through the mistakes.

Here's the knitty gritty:
Sweater Pattern: Ribbed Baby Jacket
Needles: size 7 and 8
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease - less than 1 Skein
Size: 0-6 months
Modifications: Instead of adding a buttonhole, I added the button to the sweater and crocheted a closure for securing the sweater.

Hat Pattern: Simple Baby Hat from Itty Bitty Hats
Needles: size 7
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease - the remaining part of the skein
Size: newborn
Modifications: Instead of binding off and pulling the yarn through the last stitches, I continued to knit those stitches for about 3 inches. Then I pulled the yarn through them, and knotted the top.

I highly recommend both of these patterns...they were great baby knits. (they received lots of ooohs and aaahs at the shower) Do you have a favorite baby knit that you love to stitch and gift?

justifiable sewing

2010-11-03T07:59:00.000-04:00

As you walk into our house, you'll be greeted by piles of shoes, slippers and flip flops. I try my best to keep them corralled, but they seem to have a pack mentality and no matter how many times I neaten them, they always re-assemble themselves into a big gnarly pile. If you look up and above the piles of shoes (be careful not to trip!) You'll notice my knitting bag. It's hanging on one of the hooks right in the entry way. I keep it there so I can grab it as I'm heading out the door or when I have a rare moment to sit and knit at home.

I love the idea of a knitting basket, but so does Molly the dog and she seems to think that my knitting is her dog toy, so a hanging bag is much safer. My knitting bag hasn't changed for about 3 years....it's been the same Vera Bradley bag. The perfect size and shape. The other day though, I noticed that it didn't really match anything around it. It's pink and black and my house is khakis, reds and greens. I know, that sounds crazy, but when I stopped to think it through, I realized that my knitting bag hangs on that peg about 90% of the time. It's part of the room. It's what you see when you ~~trip~~ walk in the door. I knew then that I needed to make it right. (justifiable sewing is what this is called - try it! it works!)

My mom gave me the gift of a couple of hours all to myself the other week and after I finished singing and dancing through the house, I used that time to make a new bag. I made an autumn bag....I used some fabrics that Larissa had sent me months ago and I couldn't be happier!

It works great when I grab it and head out the door. I used Larissa's tutorial for the deputy tote and added 2 inches to the overall size. A wonky flower was added to give it some extra snap. I sewed a pocket to the inside to hold all my little things like scissors and tape measures. It really is a great tote!

I love how it looks as it spends most of its time on the peg in my entry way! Did you realize that Christmas is only 52 days away!? I'm sure that I'm gonna need a holiday version when we deck our halls....you know what I'm sayin!? Maybe I'll deal with the shoe issue in January!

ginger gems and pumpkin dip

2010-10-26T13:25:00.001-04:00

Do you have seasonal foods that you only seem to make at certain times of the year? I tend to have an collection of desserts and dishes that I only make in the autumn. Pumpkin cake, pumpkin curry soup, and pilgrim cakes, just to name a few.

Ginger gems are one of those cookies that just scream autumn to me. They are ginger snaps that you dip in a creamy pumpkin dip. The crunchy/chewy cookie and the creamy sweet dip are perfect together.

I gathered this recipe from a friend many years ago and it's one that's stood the test of time. (thanks Beth Ann!) I go back to it over and over again. When I made them to take to a meeting, my guy asked me why I didn't make them all summer. I was trying to explain to him that they were an autumn treat. "Mom", he said, "These are too good to be just for autumn time. Make them all year." Well. There you have it. I guess we'll be enjoying these year round.

Here's the recipe in case you'd like to try them:

Ginger Gems

*3/4 cup shortening *4 TBSP molasses *1 cup sugar *1 egg

*2 cups flour *2 tsp baking soda * 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

*1/4 tsp. nutmeg *1/2 tsp allspice *1/2 tsp. cloves

*1/2 tsp. ginger

Cream shortening, sugar, molasses and egg. Add dry ingredients. Chill for 1 hour. Roll into balls and then roll in sugar. Bake 10 minutes at 375 until edges are light brown and middles are soft. Serve with Pumpkin Dip.

Pumpkin Dip

*15 oz. can pumpkin pie filling (without the spices)

*1 8oz. block of cream cheese, softened

*2 cups powdered sugar

*1/2 tsp. ginger

*1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix and chill.

y is for yarn

2010-10-19T18:26:00.000-04:00

I'm typically a one project gal. I like to knit one thing at a time. I figure that my chances of finishing a project are increased exponentially if it is the only thing I'm knitting. However, I have three items that I'm currently working on. Don't ask me how that happened. I have no idea. Obviously, my self control is lacking at the present.

In my knitting bag:

gaia shoulder hug #2

a dropped stitch scarf (pattern compliments of Kristyn)

a super sweet baby sweater (pattern compliments of Beth)

What this means is that I won't have any knitting to show for a while and then all of a sudden I'll look like I'm cranking out the handknits. Feast or famine. Actually, this weekend should bring some significant progress to my projects. John and I are headed over to Morgantown for the West Virginia/Syracuse game and I'll be knitting my way over the mountains. I won't be able to knit during the game...I'm way too into the action. (sorry Jodi, I'll be cheering for the Mountaineers!) In the meantime, I'll keep rotating my projects and adding more items to my queque on Ravelry. oh. And making dinner and doing laundry..... What's in your knitting bag?

you really can go back...

2010-10-12T15:55:00.000-04:00

Twenty years ago I left this place and headed off to 'start my life'. I was a fresh-faced young thing heading to the altar and then off to a new teaching job. I remember the drive home - my car loaded down with posters, sweatshirts, a big stuffed dog, a typewriter and 4 years worth of memories. My parents followed me in their mini van carrying all the rest of my stuff. We weren't even on the turnpike and my mind was already thinking about the future.

Fast forward twenty years plus a couple of months and I walked back onto campus just amazed. I'm amazed at the changes that twenty years has brought. Changes not just on campus but in myself. Those 4 years were some of the best years....I made life long friends, I worked through fears, I discovered who I really was (and who I wasn't), I took stands, I ventured outside of my comfort zone, I didn't back down, I learned to like coffee, I laughed until I cried and I moved on to the next season of my life a whole lot better for having been there.

This time back on campus, I had a daughter who was taking it all in with eyes that wondered if she'd be sitting at those same cafeteria tables, walking those same walks, sitting in those classrooms learning and soaking and growing. I watched her wondering the very same things. I tear up when I realize how close she is to being off on her own and learning those lessons that seem like they happened to me just only yesterday. I'm thankful to know that the same God who walked me through all my lessons will continue to walk my daughter (and all my children) through hers as well.

It was a wonderful weekend reconnecting with friends. We met for our twentieth reunion. The weather was gorgeous, the food was better than I remembered and more memories were added to the trunk of my car. I realized that you really can go back....although nothing is ever quite the same. but that's o.k.