Summer Preservation Project

This summer I have taken on a preservation project. My daughters “NeeNee” has become so frayed with love that she is in danger of, dare I say it? Becoming extinct. So I am attempting my hand at quilting. So far it is a very rough and amateur attempt. However the good news is I think it will do its intended job and protect NeeNee.

My inspiration was to make a quilt using pretty fabrics on the top and then to sew the NeeNee onto the back. This way my daughter can still see her and feel her NeeNee. I am hoping that by sewing her directly onto the backing she will be girded up and won’t fall apart.

Now NeeNee can live forever…can you hear the fairy music?

I know that when I am feeling worn and frayed it is a good hug from my hubby and the word of God that grids me up, reassures me and steadies me on. The word of God also talks of sowing seed could I be so bold as to interpret the imagery of that to a different picture? How about, sewing the seed of His word onto my heart? Aaaahhhh I feel an art inspiration coming on! Oh happy day….

I will post the end results when I am done with the art and the quilt.

Thank you Lord for your word and the gift of words your inspiration is astounding to me. Lord I hope I will always bring you glory with my creativity. You are the song I hear in my heart and the colors by which I create. I love you Amen.

Fighting with Ourselves

Today I say my youngest fighting with himself. The inner battle of pride joined with independence and determination. I had asked him to move some lumber that had been sitting in the yard and to stack it neatly until we could get to it. After a while, the bad attitude coupled with lots of raw emotions, displayed with fist of frustration well, it started to really grate my nerves.

My first inkling was to quickly chastise him for his outburst and poor attitude, but then it occurred to me, that all he really had to do was ask for help. As he tried to untangle this heap of wood and boards by himself he got more upset and more frustrated and more determined to show it who was boss. Tears came and went, soon grunts and groans. Pouting in defeat. All the while I kept praying please just ask mama for help and I will gladly come help you...

Oh how I know this place.

If you threw in a few cuss words that could've been me! Not such a pretty site mind you, especially when you are 40 something and striving to live a life for Christ...there is no secret I fall short more often than not.

It got me to thinking about how so many times my heart would have been spare so much discouragement and frustration if I had only asked the Lord for help.
In my pride and determination to be independent I learn the hard way.

So, here is the lesson, it is much easier to be interdependent than alone.

Lord I pray for my son today, it was difficult to watch him struggle. It must be difficult for you as well Lord, watching us struggle as we so often do. Give him courage today to die to self and ask for help from someone who loves him. Lord I pray that he will come to you first with all that he has in him, that you would work mightily in his little heart and teach my son your loving ways. Amen

Rites of Passage

Isn't this a beautiful picture? One generation leading the next. You might see dirty, grease-caked hands but I see something beautiful and oh, so precious.

I see ...a father teaching his son a valuable skill,

time well spent together,

a living example of fatherhood,

teamwork,

a job well done,

something new was learned,

a father's love for his son,

I see...

a rite of passage.

Lord thank you for this man, my husband. Thank you that you gifted him with many skills and a mind and heart that teaches his children. Thank you Lord that through the drudgery of fixing a car you orchestrate something beautiful and fulfilling. I am grateful for this man who lives a life carrying out your commandments to teach them diligently as he sits in his house and walks by the way and when he lies down and when he rises up... Bless them Lord bind them stronger and closer to one another, and to you. Amen

My Quote of the Month

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."

~Woodsworth

Big Blessings in Small Sweet Packages

I have been maneuvering past lots of life bumps and emotional potholes on my path recently. Lately, it seems like the weight is draining my joy. I hate it when that happens! I write this with a bit of tongue and cheek in mind but, I really do hate it when I lose my handhold on joy! I find it most irritating because I am a fun loving creature by nature. I just am not me without it.

But grace is new every morning and this morning was no exception. I woke rested, physically refreshed and ready for the day, this was

Big Blessing numeral uno!

As I went about my day I had clarity of thought, and diligence in action. It was a good day of tying up loose ends and accomplishments. Out of the corner of my eyes I kept getting glimpses of two little impish elves(two of my kids) flittering about the house.

What were they up to?

Oh ...stay on task, Heather.

Stay focused.

Pretty soon, as I came into the kitchen I noticed this on the counter:

Big Blessing #2

Then a sweet little boy of mine told me with a twinkle of delight, to check in my bedroom, "there was something on my bed!" Well, that's strange because I hadn't made my bed yet. And this is what I found on my bed:

Big Blessing #3

Sometimes God sends me small sweet packages filled with Big Blessings. Tiny collections of trinkets, little bits and pieces of love tied with ric rac.

This was one of those days where my children were the bearers of God's kindness, the messengers of encouraging words to a tired mama's soul. They were just the map I needed to avoid the bumps and potholes and find my trail back to joy again. They lead me straight to the foot of the cross and the refuge of a loving Savior.

Oh Lord, you are such a wonder to me, who am I that you are mindful of me?

Thank you Father in heaven for your refining fires that I may count it all joy. Amen

Tea Time Celebration Favors

Spring is a time to celebrate Easter, Mother's Day, and Spring Teas! It is a time when we start to linger longer outdoors in the evenings because it is still light out. It is also a time when it rains and winds blow in tumultuous clouds and spring storms. But I have the solution for the rainy, stormy, spring days.


Make some celebration favors. I used Layers of Color Flower Child stamp and dressed up this pre-punched purse from K&D Company. Add some glitter, antique buttons, paper lace and crocheted trim and voila! Cuteness!

Girl Time Tidbit #11- Our Mother's Day Tea

Centerpiece of our round table

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
1Peter3:3-4

My daughter deciding how things would look best

My younger daughter and I have been busy planning for our traditional Mother-Daughter Tea at our Church. This is a wonderful celebration of womanhood and motherhood, it is something we look forward to every year. This year I have decided it is time to give the responsibility to my 11 year old daughter. So this year she is in charge of the table decorations and favors. I was really excited when she said yes with such enthusiasm! I have enjoyed training her and making suggestions along the way, but ultimately the final result has been hers.

The first step is to decide on a budget and color theme
She was given $25.00 as her budget. She came up with the idea of using some pretty paper products that we already had. By doing this she saved money on her budget and was able to utilize that money for something else, goodies for the favors. The paper products also became our color theme.

Step two: Designing a center piece for the table
We started gathering things that we have in our home already and that fit with our color theme of light pink, raspberry pink, apple green and bright white. We pulled out antique linens, silk flowers, a small porcelain tea pot, ceramic bunny vase, crystal votive and tea light candles, picture frames, a tea book and milk glass along with everyday white tea cups and saucer. We will also used a sign I made for my daughter's room because I used the same napkins. I love the verse from above which is also on the sign. It is what we strive for in our home for our children. Let the fun begin! Here is what she came up with: isn't it just lovely!

Step three: The Favors
She wanted the favors to be unique and pretty but was limited by her 25$ budget. So I asked her if she would like to use some die cut paper purses that I had in my stash and wouldn't you know we had exactly eight in just the right colors, isn't the Lord gracious! She was able to find some cute sticky notes and pens at the Dollar Store, and we got fun tea and chocolate to go with it.

Favors were the purses, aren't they cute!

I am looking forward to sitting at my daughter's lovely table. It will be so wonderful to hear the other ladies encouraging her and giving her accolades on her efforts. I love watching the Lord's providence working out details blessing her efforts as we both yield to His gentle guidance.

Post event: We had a lovely time! My daughter was praised for her creativity and for the care she took in creating a table. What fills my heart to over flowing is the love and kindness ladies young and old showed her as they noticed how she placed things and what she brought to the table and how economical she was. They were so thrilled to see the tradition being passed down.