A Smile on a Gloomy Day

Good Sunday morning friends.  I slept in today and when I woke up the sun was shining in the window.   That is a real special treat.  It hasn't been around much this past week.  It means it will be colder today but that's perfectly fine with me.  I'd rather have cold than cloudy.

Yesterday was one of those days.......we all have them once in a while.   Gloomy.....it was pouring rain most of the day, I had two sick kids, bad moods were about, and we were just stuck inside.  I did go out to the mail box though and for the first time that day I had a real smile when I opened it up.  A rainbow trailed me all the way home.  Linda sent me somthing so, so, special.  

Earlier she asked me to tell her something I have imagined and she would create a pattern for me.  How fun  to have something custom made.  How talented and creative she is......just look at what she sent me.

That's my home and my family.  Our last name is on the pillow too:)  I just love the trees and the sheep. 

Thanks again Linda.

When we lived in Alaska a few years ago, I found these animal bells at a local gift shop.  I scooped up what they had and waited for more designs to be put out.  They never were.  I haven't seen them anywhere else.  I tried to find them on the internet but was unsuccessful.  Does anyone know anything about them?  I would love to add some more to my collection.

Thanks for visiting.  I hope everyone has a sunny Sunday.  

~A Friendly Winner

This giveaway was special to me.  I wanted to have one that would almost ensure a loyal visitor and friend would win but not exclude any new comers from having a chance to have thier name put in the can.  As I was cutting up the names to be drawn today, I was smiling the whole time.  I knew each and every participant and would have been happy to have drawn any one of your names:)  Thank you each and every one of you great friends who entered.  I have so enjoyed blogging back and forth with all of you.  Christine from Preferably Prim is the lucky winner.  

Random Goodness at My House

My house is never dark.  At night I have night lights in each of the bathrooms, one in the kitchen, a small ever tree with white lights on it upstairs, and now......a new light for my entryway.  I was the fortunate winner of this light from The Olde Country Cupborad.  I love it so much.  I needed a light for that corner:)

My DH is a sourdough connoisseur.  He has worked for years to get the starter just right.  Now he's on to making bread with it. I, however, cannot make bread no matter how hard I try.  The cast iron loaf pans are his.  It's a manly way to bake.  

I confess.  I ate the whole bag in less than 24 hours.  Conversation hearts are my single most favorites next to the chocoalte orange!!!  I am going to pick up two more at the grocery store today.  Good thing I have a dentist appointment scheduled for two days after Valentines Day.  

Really, I am loving this winter.  It has been so mild here and we have been to the park several times already.  The kids do want the snow though and we have to have lots more if I am going to be able to water my lawn at all this summer.  The city has us all on water restrictions as it is.  This is all we got last night.  

Who can ask for more pets when you already have plenty of them running around already?  Aren't bats and frogs the best?  They make me smile everyday.

Thanks for being a part of my random goodness today.  I think I will end with a little thought.  I have been very sentimental today.  Thinking about life, my part in all of it, and the peace I feel inside when I do.

"We beleive in being honest, true, chaste, benevolant, virtuous, and in doing good to all  men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- We beleive all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.  If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things".

Take care friends......

The Design is Done~ Hooray

Somehow I pulled it all together.  Getting out of the Christmas laziness was hard for me.  I just wanted to keep on going in my p.j.'s!!  But, finally I got it all back together.  Besides, my chocolat is all gone now.  My home is coming along nicely.  It is simple, just the way I like it.  I thought about switching stuff around as I was putting it all back, but I liked the way it was so much before that I put it back that way again.  So, if the pictures seem redundant, oh well, they may be:)  I can't help it, it like constant things.

 I did figure out how to grunge my big fat candle that I had sitting in my lattern.  Rolling it in cinnamon and ground coffee made it "beautiful" ~ the exact word my 6 year old used.  A proud moment for me!!

Virgina is closing her eyes as she tries to steal the last few bits of my Christmas chocolate hoard.  She hopes I can't see her.  

 Ta Da!!!!!  I did it.  Remember my earlier post of items I was going to use to create my very first and very own Valentine's day design?  Well, here it is.  I am so prouf of myself.  It took a lot of courage.  There were times I just didn't think I could do it.  Wondering if I was using too bright of colors, too many patterns, not enough grunge,  etc.  But, then I decided I didn't care.  It was what I liked.  I did have to peek at the internet just once to see about the doll's dress but that was it.  I am so thankful for all you you who have taught me how to grunge with coffee and cinnamon, how to stitch, and how to make things look just right.  I have spent a lot of time studying your blogs and asking questions. 

I must love bags because that is what I kept coming back too.  The strap is three strands of burlap twine all braided together.  I love those little touches of feminine.

 Here she is out of the bag.  I love her apron.  I was wondering if her bonnet was going to be too bright but in the end it all pulled together.  I had to bleach the fabric to soften the color then stain it!!

And then the back of her.  Every bit of the fabric (with the exception of the dark brown) ~including the burlap~ has been coffee and cinnamon stained and then baked in the oven.  The dimensions of the bag are 4 1/2" tall x 6 1/2" long.  The doll is 7'' tall.  She is hanging in the first picture in my entry way to give you an idea.

So...anyway... for those supportive blogger friends who have made it all the way to the bottom of my post......I am giving her away on Jan. 19th.  That is just one week from today.  That should give my most faithful friends time to visit, read, and comment.  Please don't post this giveaway on your blog.  I really just want it to be a simple giveaway to those that have been so supportive of me over the last 7 months.  I appreciate everyone who has ever vistited and made a comment and to all those who have extended an extra hand of friendship to me.  So here are the rules.....just leave me a comment saying you want to be entered, and of course ( I do have to add.... be a follower).

A Clean Canvas

Finally, Christmas has been put away in the crawl space for another year.  I can't beleive how much stuff I had to decorate with.  This is all that was left after it was taken down.  My kids commented that they think it looks like we are moving.  My oldest gives me a hard time about having to much decor.  So, I told her that I wasn't going to put it all back and I was going to leave it bare like this just for her.  She just laughed at me and decided I should redecorate and that she would like it better that way.  Problem is, it takes alot of time to put it all back together and it is going to have to get done in bits and pieces.  I just love having a clean canvas to start over with.  

Our family has been using plastic dishes and and an old ceramic set I got 13 years ago for our wedding.      

I have had others here and there, but with kids they get broken and mismatched.  We asked our parents for new dishes for Christmas.  I finally broke them out of their boxes this morning to wash them up.  I was super impressed with the colors.  How beautiful they are and I love the shape of the plates.  I have a cup of hot chocolate every night and the mug size is perfect for that.  I am so happy to be able to have had the opportunity to have less and to do without.  Otherwise, I would never be able too appreciate such beautiful dishes.  

Take care......I hope you all have a wonderful Monday.  For family night tonight we are all going roller skating.  Now, that's an amusing time.  I may need a heat pack and some Tylenol tomorrow.  

Valentines Day Design~ Thank You

Someday, hopefully soon, all this will turn into a primitive Valentines Day design.  I don't know what yet.  I have always looked to others for ideas and patterns, but this time, I am going to try it on my own.  It could be anything.  I am nervous.... and excited to see what my mind comes up with.   Wish me luck.  

I also wanted to express many heartfelt thanks to so many of you who have been so encouraging and friendly towards me this past year.  I love having blogging friends.  It may be hard to imagine, but without having all of you to visit and talk with, I would be pretty lonley.  It's nice to be able to share my love of primitives and crafting with others who feel the same way.  So, again, thanks for all your visits and comments and friendships.

Living The Abundant Life~2012

I have been challenged to undertake a quest, of sorts, for an "abundant life"~ filled with success, goodness, and blessings.  Just like learning to read, I am going to start with some ABC's  to achieve that goal this year.
A~ Have a postive Attitude.  
Friends, this is something I have got to work especially hard on!!!  It doesn't come naturally to me and it has to be on the forefront of my mind at all times to make it happen.  "So much on life depends on our attitude.  The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference". -Thomas S. Monson


B~ Believe in myself and those around me and in the principles I have been taught by my parents. 
Everyday can bring an onslaught of things that can ultimaltly make you feel inadequate.  I need to remember not to limit myslef and not let others convince me that I am limited in what I can do.


C~ Face challenges with Courage.
I love this quote.  "Courage becomes a worthwhile and meaningful virtue when it is regarded not so much as a willingness to die manfully but as a determination to live decently".-Thomas S. Monson
It is noble to be courageous in times of death but, it takes just as much courage to live a virtuous life that is full of honesty, and morality, and to stand up to something you think is wrong in the world.  Challenges will come this year in many forms but I can have courage in myself and faith in the Lord.


I have many goals this year.  That's what I do, make goals.  Small everyday ones and big ones for the year.  I have high expecations for myself (this could be a downfall) and chanllenge myself to rise to the occassion.  I hope to achieve some of these goals and find and abundance in life by starting with the ABC's.  


I hope everyone had a funfilled and safe New Year holiday.  I can't wait to see what another year of blogging brings.  Take Care:)

"Abundance"

Courtesy of the Internet