It's THAT time of year again!

In my family it's THAT time of year. Time to make gifts for all of our fall birthday's and Christmas too!

I confess that we purchased many of our gifts for this year at after-Christmas sales LAST YEAR! So I don't have as many to do as I normally would. However the dollhouse we bought for our daughter isn't even started!

This year is an extra special treat because it's an even year! on even years my extended family gathers at the old family homestead and we make applebutter! It's about so much more than that a shiny 50 gallon copper kettle that magically appears from it's super secret hiding place and all the things that go in it! It's about family and seeing loved ones that you haven't seen in 2 years. Reflect on that a little and then think about what your heavenly homecoming will be like if you've chosen the God of the Bible as your God. What a reunion!

I'm also working on my next needle painting project "burgundy rose bud".

It will take a few days. I really like it though. I was hoping to finish it in time to enter it in the state fair but I think the entries have to be in on September 10th and that is too soon, I think. I'm thinking on trying to get it in though.



 I have a  HUGE mass of baby clothes that I'm going through. I have all of Sparrow’s clothes. Because she has reflux they are stained but I've found a way to clean them. It's a lot of work on a lot of clothes. I think it may be months worth of work and all of it being out in my parlor at the same time makes me feel cluttered and uncomfortable but it will be worth it.

I tried to dye a skirt today. Suffice it to say that I will not be wearing it, and if I ever post that I want to dye something with Rit dye - please flood me with posts not to attempt it!

Serenity

   Our little family went to my cousin's house for the weekend. We enjoyed and treasured the serenity that surrounds her. Bird song, the whir of wind through drying leaves. Her house has that homey feel that a person isn't able to describe in words. Some of this can be attributed to her decorating style within and outside of her walls but, not all of it. There is something more that refuses to be explained in mere words. Our Lord blessed us with strikingly beautiful weather! Sunny, with puffy white clouds decorating the sky. Cool enough to enjoy the out of doors without being so chilly that you were chased indoors to warm up. Perfect for a cup of hot apple cider.

    Everywhere you look there are things that catch your attention and delight your eye.

 She has a way of tucking things around her park er, yard so that you don't notice them until you are surprised at such a cozy nook being there. For instance you might walk up to a bush to look at the leaves and then notice that there are chairs and a table waiting for you behind the bush and it's friends. Things made by man don't bully their way into your view distracting you from what God put there first. Also there is the splash of the whimsical to keep your smiles coming. Do you see the pink flamingos in the next picture?

She is blessed with the gift of hospitality and we are thankful to her. More than that we are thankful for her. It's the lady herself who makes the surroundings feel that way. Joy and enthusiasm for life are hers, and she shares them freely with us. She makes us feel welcome.  She herself is what comes through all the beauty that surrounds her.  It's her beauty blended with God's that makes such a pleasant ambiance.

   Thank you T, for having us. We love you.