Day 3 Joy Dare

3 Lines you overheard that were graces...

You can have the last piece, my daughter says to her younger brother at the breakfast table. That is hard to do when bacon is your favorite.

You are such a good artist. One student to another in my art class during show and share time.

The prayers of my children.

Light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely...

This morning as we are driving to co-op. It is misty and the clouds are purple-gray with power and as morning starts to awaken an orange glow penetrates the gloom and rims the clouds with brilliant reds and oranges and all I can manage to utter in awe as we quietly drive is thank you Lord...

Joy Dare Day 2

A gift outside, inside on a plate...

This winter has proven to be a gift outside for me. Here in the Pacific Northwest the long gray days can wear on a girl. But this year God has been so kind and orchestrated many days without rain. Days with blue sky and crisp cold. I will take these even the overcast days with no rain any day of the week. I am so grateful it has allowed me to be outdoors more which is good for my overall peace of mind, health and spirit.

Inside, a gift we have had for many years is our wood stove. It is beautiful. And gives us such a warm cozy feeling. I am always content with the wood stove and a cracking fire inside.

A gift on my plate is nutritional food. I am so grateful to live in a country with so many food sources and options. To be able to provide good wholesome food to my family is a wonderful gift and one I often overlook.

Three Graces from people I love...

Today I was late getting my daughter and friends. They were so gracious even the hostess who had them late was cheerful and gracious to me and my lateness.

My husband is so kind to me. His love language is acts of service and I am so grateful for all the skills and now-how that God has given to him I don't believe I have ever had to call a repair man of any kind to fix things in our home.

The grace of prayer. I have many people in my life who pray for me and my family. Nothing is better than that.

Taking the Joy Dare

Oh dear I am getting a late start... not that unusual. I have decided to use the prompts of Ann Voskamp's Holy Experience Blog. When you visit, scroll down till you see One Thousand Gifts in 2012~ the Joy dare for the month of January. You can print this pdf for yourself and you too can get into a good habit in this new and promising year of 2012. I am going to do 2 a day until I am caught up and on track.

Joy #1:3 things about myself I am grateful for.

• I am a creative thinker. I don't like looking through the same lens as most people. I feel that life should be lived in full color and out loud with lots of laughing, preferably at the beach.

• I am a resolution seeker. It is difficult for me to function in life if a problem is not resolved. I don't sweep things under the carpet easily... now if you were to actually look under my carpets you would find plenty of dust and treasure but that is a different story

• I am an adventure finder. I love to travel and I am always up for a day trip somewhere. It is getting everyone else to board my boat that is the hard part. I don't mind change because I know it is good for me and gets me to grow in other ways, like getting out of my comfort zone and going somewhere new.

Today's Joy #6:One thing in my bag, my fridge, my heart

• I am always trying to dance the dance of the purse. Keeping it functional, with enough room for all I need, when I need it, but then again, not loading it in such a way as to throw out my back. With that said, I have my sons's Hot Wheels car cam-recorder in there because you just never know when I will get the chance to do cool skateboard trick and need to record the bird's eye view of it! See I am already on my way to the Chiropractor...

• Eggs. Colored eggs. Home-raised eggs. We have a flock of 12 girls who have been very good to us. So good, that we have started an egg route in 2021. I now have 4 folks on it.

In my heart...all silliness aside. One thing that has been on my heart is how to navigate parenting high schoolers gracefully. I want to transition into the mentor/encourage-er role and leave the high-alert, duty filled, character training, over-protective, worrier mom behind. I want to let go and enjoy my older kids. Make memories, have adventures, get to know the person emerging. The days of hard-core parenting are fleeting and I am not sure I am acclimating well to the new job description. I am so glad that God's grace is new everyday. And that I don't have to do it alone. He is the greatest parent there is and even knows who and what my children will become. He has plans for them. To prosper them. Plans for their future and their hopes. So what am I all worried about? This promise is for me as well.

Out with the Old and In with the NEW!

Life is full of changes. New year. New Journal. New ways to spend my time.

Things are changing...I am changing, which is a good thing. I am shutting down my website, The Patchwork Heart, Co. at the end of the month. She has been a constant friend and wonderful creative outlet for me through many of my own growing years. Those years where you figure out a bit more about who you are and who you are not.

I feel as if I have come to a place of change. It is a curiosity for me. I often feel in my deep places a sense of unrest without the knowledge of its cure. But over time I see the pattern form and I keep ruminating on it until I am ready to move ahead. Carpe Diem. That day has come.

I want to thank you for your patronage and the years of support and friendship. I can still be found here on my blog and what I have left in product will be sold willy-nilly on Etsy. The final close date for the website will be the end of January. Happy New Year!

Simple Woman's Day Book Nov. 2011 Entry

eFOR TODAYf

Nov. 2, 2011

Outside my window...It is an amazing day here in the Pacific Northwest the air is cool and crisp the sun is shining. I feel the nostalgia of the Fall season.

I am thinking... about how it has been so long since I have blogged. That life is full of unexpected changes and that there are many, many gifts that I am grateful for in my life.

I am thankful for...Hot apple cider in big mugs. Our wood burning stove with firewood chopped and stored. The last of my home grown tomatoes- farewell…till next summer. Lots of art supplies. My bible.

From the learning rooms... we are trying to work through colds and sniffles not so fun. We are accomplishing some work so I can’t complain.

From the kitchen... This is the time of year for homemade soups, turkey barley and lentil with kielbasa are on the menu this week for lunch.

I am wearing... the usual comfy clothes with socks to keep my feet warm

I am creating... not much these days. I am trying to sketch at least once a week and I am currently partially done with a sketch called Falls treasures with things I found on a walk one day.

I am going... to see the movie The Help tonight with a friend

I am reading...Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby, The Scarlet Pimpernel.

I am hoping...for a spiritually meaningful holiday season

I am hearing...lots of coughs, sneezes, moans and groans from my loved ones, I don’t like the cold and flu season

Around the house...we have been upgrading, fixing, and puttering around doing all those little things that at some point add up. It feels good to cross things off the list as the winter season approaches.

One of my favorite things...my morning time with the Lord and my husband.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I hope to attend a theater production of Pride and Prejudice at a local playhouse and have a dinner with my brother and his family

Here is picture thought I am sharing... wonderful Fall scene

Mention my blog and offer a link back to the main page of my blog. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Proctor Arts Fest 2011

Yep! It is that time of year again. I am busy getting things ready for the Proctor Arts Festival

this coming Saturday, Aug. 6th, 10:00 am-6:00 pm

located at N. 26th and Proctor, Tacoma

This is a great local festival and there is always fun for everyone! Great local artists, juried art exhibit, the farmers market, food, music, pet parade, fun fest and family stage just to name a few. Do you need more reasons to come? That right there is the perfect Saturday for family fun!

Here are a few pictures of my booth from last year of

The Patchwork Heart, Co.

I hope you will stop in and say hi!

My Oldest and my helper for the day!

Some artwork and wares

More re-purposed little pretties!

Simple Woman's Day Book July 2011 Entry

For Today July 26, 2011 ...

Outside my window... It seems that the day hasn't quite decided what to do, should I rain, or shine my sun, or be cloudy? I tend to pay no mind to such days.

I am thinking... about all the ways to be grateful in my life- 3 of us were recently in a car accident and I am so grateful that all involved were not injured seriously everyone walked away.

I am thankful for... This fragile and fluid life the Lord has given me. That the seasons of my life change and I am growing and learning. Thinking and seeking. I pray I never become stagnant.

From the learning rooms... a bit of math and a bit of summer reading to catch up and get positioned for next year’s studies. For myself I am learning about eco-dyeing and natural fiber paper making. I also am learning about watercolor journaling and art journaling.

From the kitchen...I am learning to remake jam that didn't gel ugghh two batches one strawberry and one peach-lavender good grief couldn't get it right to save my life. I also have been picking snap peas like crazy.

I am wearing... yoga pants and cotton tee the standard

I am creating...a few bits and baubles for my upcoming Proctor Art Festival, painting, and thinking about some artwork for our family room.

I am going...to the farmers market on Saturdays for fresh produce that I don’t have in my own garden.

I am reading...I just finished the Ditch Diggers Daughters by Dr. Yvonne Thorton and I am going to start Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I am hoping...That we are able to take some time to vacation this summer on the boat and finish up the house projects especially the patio in the backyard.

I am hearing...sweet quiet while the kids are at camp but I am missing them all the same.

Around the house...Things are starting to feel more settled, as if everything is finding its way back to its resting place, its own living spot. It is so good to reorganize life after a long stressful couple of years.

One of my favorite things...my new dutch door at the back of the house and our six new baby chicks.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Dinners out with my husband and some relaxing walks along the shore

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My new dutch door I really feel like a true urban farm girl now!

Mention my blog and offer a link back to the main page of my blog. http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/