Weekend Plans

Oh, I am soooooo looking forward to this weekend! I don't know how long it's been since I've been this filled with this much longing for the weekend!

Would you like to know what I have on my agenda?

Well, first of all, I'm going to spend considerable time flat smack dab in front of the computer screen enjoying Teresa McFayden's new E-Zine on freestyle embroidery. She calls it "embroidery where you can break the rules." Oooh, sounds like my kind of handwork. Look at some of her beautiful work:

(source)

And then when I've had my fill of that, I'm going to sit in my comfy leather chair and read some more of this book that I'm really enjoying:

And then I'm going to approach this pile and see what I can make of it. Maybe something fascinating, challenging, and slightly edgy . . . like a couple of crocheted dishcloths. ::sigh::





It's going to be a weekend full of creative endeavors and quiet contemplations.

"Wait a minute, didn't I hear that Youngest Son has an end-of-season basketball convocation this weekend?"

Oh, wow, that's right. Okay. Well, still . . .

"And didn't Oldest Daughter say she needs you to go buy Office Professional 2007 for her computer labs on Monday?"

Ah, yes . . . ahem . . . I do have to do that.

"And didn't Youngest Daughter say her pajamas were getting too small, and Oldest Son has run out of deodorant, shampoo and toothpaste all on the same day, and Middle Son has no pants to wear to church tomorrow that come down any longer than the bottom of his calf muscle?"

Yes, yes, yes, you're right. All that does need to be done . . . this weekend.

"And didn't the Man of the House say he has circus tickets for Saturday night and you'll get home about 10:30 p.m."

(silence . . . followed by a large, resigned sigh)

Oh, I am sooooo looking forward to next weekend! I don't know how long it's been since I've been filled with this much longing for the weekend.

Would you like to know what I've got on my agenda . . .

Inspired by Spring

It just wasn't fair.

Over the weekend we had heavy grey cold skies; thick, bone-chilling air; and 4 inches of snow. And the lot of you were e-mailing me everything you were looking forward to for spring. Oh, my goodness! It just about drove me to distraction. The wonderful, fresh pictures you painted of just exactly you were dreaming of, anticipating in the coming of spring.

So, turn about is fair play. I was totally inspired to show you what everyone was looking forward to! This will probably prove a little too painful for those of you in Minnesota . . . or Nebraska (sorry Lori and DoJo) who have about 2 1/2 months of winter yet!

Rebecca is looking forward to warm sun, cool, wet dirt, and the smell of upturned earth in her garden. Mmmmmm!:

(source)

Gena escapes to the beach in April!!





Sherry wants those Florida breezes blowing through the house. And Laura wants open windows and fresh air. (Does this look like your front porch??)

(source)

Missy is waiting for the campus of Furman to burst with blooms:

For Lori, spring is blooming trees:





Lacey doesn't want to have to constantly bundle up the kids:






And Gerry is sick of bundling up herself. Is this more how you picture yourself in the spring, Gerry : ) ??

source)

MCA can't wait to get to the Cincinnati Zoo.

(source)

Serena wants to be out hiking (only I don't think she has a husband and 2 kids . . . don't mean to freak you out there, Serena!):

(source)

DoJo just wants the snow to finally melt:

(source)

And Jan is ready to see daffodils:

This is a cute one. From Missouri, Anna Marie just doesn't want to have to warm her side of the bed up with an electric mattress pad! How's this as a bed for spring, Anna Marie?

(source)

Paggre has a unique spring wish. She's waiting for the fragrance of grapefruit blossoms. Now I've never smelled a grapefruit blossom, as far as I can remember, but doesn't that sound just heavenly? Lucky Floridian.

(source)

And finally, since there has to be at least one in a crowd walking to the beat of a different drummer, there's Debra down in Australia. And you know what she's looking forward to in that Land Down Under, down in the southern hemisphere? She can't wait for autumn leaves!

And now may we all cheerfully return to our grey skies, bare trees, and icicles and wait patiently for spring. ::sigh!::

And hopefully, while we're waiting, we'll even find a haunting beauty in the stark chill of winter.

Valentine Vignettes (And Giveaway Winner!!)

It's 10:00 p.m. here in the Eastern time zone, so I have exactly 2 hours to post the winner of the Giveaway and still keep my word to post today : ) !!

But first, I'll show you a little peek into our Valentine's Day.

Piped chocolate hearts ready to be popped into the freezer:

So that even strawberry jello can look festive:

The Valentine I made for the Man of the House:

Favorite pink tulips for the lunch table:

A Valentine's place setting:

Youngest Daughter's handmade cards for her friends:

Aaah, yes. And therein lies the beauty of blogging. I can show you all my sweet, romantic, happy pictures.

And I don't have to show or tell you that I had to get up at 6:00 a.m. Sunday morning to get the bathrooms and kitchens company-presentable. Or that I completely forgot to buy napkins for dinner and when I mentioned that we had no napkins to my sophisticated dinner guest all the children chirped up, "But Mom, we never have napkins for dinner!" I also don't have to show or tell you that I had to stop at the grocery store on the way back from church because the entire household had run . out . of . toilet . paper! Or that the Man of the House and I had words . . . words the night before Valentine's Day . . . that sacred day of all that is loving and sweet and tender. Not nice words.

Nope, I don't need to show you all of that. I can just show you the sweetness and light and beauty and romance.

But of course you know the messy and the imperfect and the struggle are there. Just like at your house : ) !

That's where we all are. Cleaning the messes . . . enjoying the flowers . . . speaking the truth in love . . . making chocolate hearts . . . letting love cover faults . . . gluing on sparkles and glitter and sweet sentiments . . . hurrying to buy toilet paper before the guests arrive . . . receiving warm hugs and kisses . . . living with imperfection.

And that's where the joy is. Not just enduring or slogging through or muddling along but living! Always and only with His grace . . . always and only!

And now for the winner! The Random Number Generator tells me it's #5, which is

Sue@MyArtsDesire

Check out Sue's blog. It's beautiful! Send me your address, Sue, and the package will be on its way.

Thanks so much to all of you for participating! Here's to another fun year!

A Very Happy Birthday (and another Favorite Things Giveaway)!!

"Happy Birthday to You!"

"Happy Birthday to You!"

"Happy Birthday, Dear Little Blog!"

"Happy Birthday to You!"

Yes, one year ago today I pushed "Publish Post" for the first time with great trepidation. And 170 posts and one year later, I'd have to say it's been an equally wonderful ride!

So, to celebrate, let's have a giveaway. I'll call this a Favorite Things giveaway because there's nothing more fun than sharing your favorites with your friends.

Here's what you'll find in your package should you win the Giveaway:

A 24-bag sampler of The Republic of Tea's wonderful teas.

It has 17 different flavors in it . . .

including my all-time favorite, Ginger Peach.

aaaaah!

Luscious Herb Garden soaps made right here in town.

All natural, nothing chemical-ish at all!

I picked up Kiwi Kicker, Lemon Sugar,

and White Tea Ginger for you!

mmmmmmmm!

The Egg and I by Betty McDonald.
A hilarious book first published in 1945
about the reluctant wife of a chicken farmer.
Sweet, funny, and heart-warming.

ohhhhhhhhh!

No, I didn't knit these myself. They're from
the Firefly Farm shop. Deb blogs at
http://www.homespunliving.blogspot.com/.
These are the absolute best knit dishcloths
on the planet! I'll send you 2!
(no, vintage sugar canister not included!!)

oooooooooh!

A sweet little quail egg nest.
No, it's not real. It's from a favorite
gift shop in town, Satter's Creek.

wowwwww!

The way I see it, this is the perfect package to get one of you sweet things through the last of the winter: hot tea to warm you up on a grey, drizzly day; delicious, sudsy soap for a long bath; a book to curl up with under a blanket; a bold shot of color to wake up your kitchen some morning when you wish you could see anything but grey out the window; and a little nest to remind you that spring truly will come . . . and soon!

Just leave a comment and tell me what you're most looking forward to about spring and I'll enter you! Winners announced on Monday, the 15th!!

And thank you to all of you for such a fun first year!

So, What Did You Do During the Super Bowl?

Just wondering if you are football fans, football-phobic, or somewhere in the middle!

I've tried to like football . . . I really have.

I didn't grow up with football on TV . . . on the front lawn . . . at my school. Nothing.

But I quickly caught on that many in the male species were particular enamored by this sport.

In college, I thought it would help my conversational abilities with said species if I knew a little about the game, so I checked out a book from the library (my solution for most of the problems of life).

I read it. I tried to understand it. I tried to care. I could not.

Reality check: (If you have to check out a book to understand football, you are way too geeky to even be going down that path. Stop immediately. Retrace your steps. Run for your life.)

One of my first "dates" with the Man of the House was on New Year's Day. We hung out at another buddy's bachelor pad. There were 3 TV's playing 3 different games. I sat there and attempted to watch and feign interest for 10 straight hours. Yep, me and 4 sports-crazy guys. I was wishing I had snuck in a book . . . like something by Jan Karon. But, of course, I didn't want to appear . . . ahem . . . uninterested . . . or weird . . . or, uh, geeky.

And, well, that's just as far as it's gotten. Any time there's a big game, I usually look at the 2 teams, note the colors of uniforms, pick my favorite color, and claim them as my team for the night. I'm sorry . . . I'm sorry. I know that makes any football fans among you feel slightly nauseous.

So, last night was the Super Bowl. Everyone was in high spirits. Snacks were prepared, blankets were tucked around toes, seats were "claimed."

Youngest Daughter danced into the kitchen.

"This is a very special night!"

"Oh, really, why do you think so?"

"Because we've got all this really good food."

"Oh, and by that, you mean the 3 different varieties of Cheez-Its and the strawberries dipped in mounds of powdered sugar that you have on your plate?"

"Uh-huh!" Eyes glowing, feet dancing, smiling ear to ear.

Football. Very special night. I've lost them all . . . every last one of them.

So, what did I do on Super Bowl Night? I made a fabulous apple pie for them to enjoy.




See, I may not like football, but I'm not a spoil sport. I'll make your snacks, tuck your blankets, and serve you apple pie a la mode to die for.

Just, please, don't make me watch!

"Sweet Friend"

A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.

King Solomon

I told you how inspiring I found Rebecca Sower and her needlework and her buttons. So, I decided to make a little collage of sorts of my own and attached it to the front of a card for a dear friend for Valentine's Day.

It was so much fun to stitch away on this and think of the ways she makes me laugh . . .

and reads my true heart no matter what my mouth is saying . . .

and bears her own soul without fear . . . or pretense.

I have to believe (although I don't know but such a small part of you, as we comment back and forth) that you, dear readers, are much the same sort of people.

Yes, just very much the same.

Sweet friends.

Some Imperfections Just Can't Be Lived With

Remember this cute grocery bag?

Adorable!

I've been working away on it for far too long and finally finished it up this weekend when the snow brought us the delicious, quiet, can't-get-out-the-driveway days.

As soon as I had finished off the last stitch, I immediately stuck in a large bunch of bananas and imagined myself walking the aisles of the grocery store, pondering my purchases.

It was a lovely mental image. A problem, however, immediately became evident. Because of the stretchy nature of this bag, the bananas immediately sunk almost to the ground in their new springy green hammock.

Having a hard time picturing this? Here let me show you.

And this stretch is just with one apple, one orange and several bananas.

Just saying . . . if you have to hold your market bag up around shoulder level to keep your produce from dragging along the floor as you maneuver the aisles of Earth Fare, there may be something amiss with the design of your market bag.

Let's look at that original picture one more time.

Aha! Exactly as I thought! They don't show the bag tossed over a shoppers arm, hard at work bringing home her food for her family. No, the bag is resting on a bench . . . clearly hiding the stretch that would make this design unworkable.

Grrr!

But, no, I'm not bitter.

The great thing about crochet is that you can unravel it in a mere fraction of the time it takes to put it together and immediately set about to planning something different to make of this soft . . . organic . . . celery green . . . cotton.

::sigh!::

Green spaghetti, anyone???