Gratitude Continued

Moments of calm

Moments of chaos (the fun kind!)

Nature’s

endless
display
of

beauty
Generations of love

Silliness
Simplicity
Complexity

...and a loving Heavenly Father from whom all blessings flow.

One Word

This little guy made my heart turn summersaults last Saturday when he said, "Mimi" for the first time! He's quite the little charmer! Sometimes it only takes one word to make your heart sing.

Vintage Finds- Weekend Bargains

I hit a really good yard sale a couple of weeks ago, and scored some great buys. I knew when I looked at these plates that they were something nice, but I almost passed them by anyway. However, I just couldn't and besides they were $2 for all 10! I came home and looked them up online. I could only find one site that had a cup and saucer of the same pattern. It was listed at $80, so I'm thinking I got the deal of the day.

Another find at the same sale was this pretty little biscuit barrel for $1. I bought four pieces of fabric for 10 cents a piece, and two wall pockets at $8 for the two along with a few other small things. There were several other really good buys, so I really did practice self-control and not buy things just because they were bargains. I'm trying to decide if I should start an Etsy shop. I love the hunt of vintage bargains, but I don't want to end up on the Hoarders tv show. Anyone know how much record keeping for taxes and such is involved in an Etsy shop. I wonder if it would be worth the time it would take.

Harvest Time

Every year

when I see this

it always reminds me of

"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. John 4:35"

and it remind me that it is time.......we must get busy! So many need us to share God's amazing love with them. So try to remember this week, it's harvest time.

Baby and Baby Quilt

I have had this quilt made for a while, waiting for this special little boy. He is so cute! Just look at all of that hair! I finally got to meet him and wrap him in his gift and rock him for a little while.

He has two brothers who were very happy to introduce him to me, as were his parents of course. Such a sweet family.

I made the quilt on the serger with a pattern I found here. I omitted the ruffles of course. It was a really neat way to make a quilt and quilt it as you go.

I'm a Lucky Dog!!!

Okay, I don't really believe in luck at all, but I was extremely fortunate enough to win Ruby Jean's giveaway for a $50.00 gift certificate to Precious Pastimes.

I choose two pieces with my gift certificate, and they both came in today! The packaging was so charming I almost didn't want to open them. Thankfully, my camera was in my purse so you can see what I mean.

Inside the package was darling too, but best of all the craftsmanship (Is there such a thing as craftswomanship? Oh, never mind.) of the pieces themselves is wonderful.

I am drawn to vintage things, and the incorporation of old typewriter keys is what I love most about these two pieces. If you like them as much as I do you should visit Precious Pastimes. Who knows you might find someone on your Christmas list something really special. There are so many different pieces. Go look around and see which one you like best.

If you like winning things as much as I do you should check out Ruby Jean's blog. It seems she's always giving something beautiful away.

She has an Etsy shop as well with the most amazing aprons, skirts, bags, and various other items that you just might want to add to your Christmas wish list. It is getting to be that time you know. Here is a sampling of just one of her darling aprons:

More Fall Sewing

I finally got around to finishing these little outfits for the girls. I made Belle's earlier and wanted to get the rest of the girl's finished before autumn passed us by. The fabric is some I bought at least two years ago. The pattern for the dresses and for Belle's top came from the patterns in the book Little Girls Big Style The book has several different dresses, tops, and ruffled pants patterns.

I didn't make the pants by the pattern in the book because I had another pattern already cut out, so I used it. The book however was very easy to understand, and the instructions were very clear and easy to follow, with pictures of almost every step. I plan to make several more pieces from these patterns. I love that with a few pattern pieces you can make such a variety of outfits.

Angry Birds and Birthdays

Spidey is our only October birthday, and we got together to celebrate.

His mom made the cutest Angry Birds cupcakes, and they tasted divine!

Spidey asked me the other day, "Mimi, can you believe I'm already six years old?" Of course, I can't! This roller-coaster of life seems to be picking up momentum with every second.

Aren't these angry critters just too cute?

It was Spidey and Angel Eyes who had to explain Angry Birds to me a while back. I was hooked for a time, but I have too much going on to play very often, so I have to steer clear of these diving feathered creatures. If you don't watch it they can steal your whole afternoon, and besides, it's okay to let one of these little ones win, but it's frustrating to be totally whipped in a game by your grand-children when you are really trying to win.

Weekends

Weekends are for riding around the dirt paths, fishing, and playing in the dirt.

Weekends are perfect for finding dandelions and getting to make a wish,

...and for giving the fish a little love before you throw him back...

for coming back to Mimi's and playing with the train,

or pretending you are a lop-sided deer...

or just kicking back in a rocker on the porch.

Weekends are great for a lot of things, but mostly they are great for enjoying the love of family.