i have to say...

small things

My days are filled with small things:

***Making granola

***A watermelon-lovin' dog

***Aubry's plans and designs for a store called Fresh-Squeezed Flowers

***Cleaning--but not quite spring-cleaning

***Weeding the garden (it only takes me a few minutes at this point in the year!)

***Baking bread

***Sewing aprons with a friend

***Josiah telling me all about the exciting book he is reading

***Organizing things for my fabric store (I haven't even gotten the fabric and I am unorganized!)

The small things are where memories are made...

...and I wouldn't have it any other way!

miscellaneous

Many thanks for all of the sweet, encouraging comments yesterday!  I was very nervous about unveiling my little plan, but your response made me glad that I did.  When it comes to hatching plans, I can handle it, but actually doing things is another story, because I obsess over the possibility of failure.

Tell me I am not the only one who does that!

This has been a lesson in patience for me, because everything has taken twice as long as I figured!  Getting the fabric is not happening fast either, but I did manage to place my orders late yesterday and I am hoping the ladies I am dealing with will be able to fill my order before they leave for Quilt Market.  If they can't, I will have to wait another week.  I hope they realize that I want my stuff NOW!  (Read that last sentence in your best Veruca Salt voice--with all of the attitude!)

"...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self‑control."Ephesians 5:22

Things are starting to grow around my house and I love it!  This is the most exciting time of the year for me because it seems so full of promise.  All things are becoming new!

As you can see, Maddie is becoming a beast.  She is going to be the size of a small-ish bear, I am sure of it!

Have a great day!

***I updated my shop with some hostess aprons.  Click here to see them!

something new...

I am embarking on a new adventure and it is about time that I share it here. 

Writing these words feel so scary because it make this SO REAL!

What is it?

Well, I am opening my own online fabric shop.  (Gosh, I have butterflies in my stomach right now!)

When will this happen?

ASAP

I have everything ready to go except for the fabric.

I know, the fabric is a foundational part of the whole thing, but I am so excited that I need to give you a peek NOW!

Fresh-Squeezed Fabrics

It's empty, but I think it is so cute!  I can say that because I am not the one who designed the super-cool banner and logo.  pixelbypixel did.  She does great work and she is very patient with people like me who think they know what they want, but in reality they don't.  Once I let her decide what I needed, things were fine.

I should be up and running in about 2-3 weeks, and of course I will let you know when that happens.

And I do promise that I won't turn my blog into an ongoing advertisement for my little store, but I will have a sidebar link and I will have occasional posts to keep anyone who is interested updated.

Oh my gosh, writing this makes this thing SO REAL!

I can't wait!

a mother's day wish for you...

I hope that all of your days are filled with smiles and laughter and wonderful memories.  Mothering is a tough job, but the benefits are amazing as the kids grow and mature.

Lately, my job as mother has felt especially difficult in relation to one of my kids.  It is truly heart-breaking to watch a child stray and to feel as if there is nothing that can be done about it.

I am thankful that mothering is not a job that I do alone.  I have a wonderful husband and the love of my God to guide me each and every day. He will see us through.  I am sure of it.

Being a mother is a work of endurance.  Keeping up during the hard times helps to build strength and wisdom, even during those times that feel impossible.

Do you have too many dirty diapers to deal with?  A wayward teen?  A child struggling with schoolwork?

Hang in there.  You are not alone.  Seek Him...

Happy Mother's Day to all of the lovely mothers who pass this way. I hope your day is special.

the new issue is out!

Click here to get it!

setting him loose

My son loves to bake, among other things.  For the longest time he has been asking me to let him do something in the kitchen all by himself, but my perfectionist nature hesitates to let children in the kitchen by themselves due to messes and mistakes, but I decided to set him loose anyway.

There was much mixing and scraping and laughing and I stayed on the sidelines when the eggs were cracked.  He took it upon himself to check for shells in the batter which made me very happy.  Is anyone else grossed out by the texture of egg shells left in food?

The pouring was perfect and he even remembered to spray the pan with oil to avoid sticking.  Aubry was selected to lick the potato masher, a utensil I wouldn't have chosen, but it seemed to do the job just fine.

"Mom, do you have to take my picture eating the bread?"

"Absolutely, Son!  I want to post your handsome face on my blog for all to see!"

I love his "smirking bite" in the photo!

Here's to lots more time in the kitchen for him!

making paper dolls together

You can find me hanging out at me and my girl today.  Hope to see you there!

my baby girl is 20 today!

20 reasons my girl is awesome:

1. if you need help, she will be there for you

2. smarts.  my girl is one smart cookie!

3. she has an inner drive that will get her where she wants to go in life

4. respect.  for herself and others.  people matter to her.

5. this is one brave girl.  she will try just about anything.

6. she takes her role as sister very seriously.

7. loves God.  knows who she is in Him.

8. knows how to listen.

9. expects respect from guys--and lets them know it!

10. encourages me daily.

11.eats ice cream as if it going out of style.  doesn't gain weight.

12.wants to adopt a small passel of african babies someday.  plans her school/work plans around this goal.

13.doesn't get caught up in fashion, but still manages to look adorable all the time.

14.her laugh.  makes me smile every time.

15.gets along with people of all ages.

16.studies like crazy because she wants to get into vet school.

17.has wisdom beyond her years.

18.acts like a little kid quite often.  knows how to be silly and have fun.

19.has thoughtful opinions on a wide range of topics.

20.because she is my baby!

Happy, happy birthday, sweet-pea!  It is such a joy to be your madre.

The Recipe Box Swap

Welcome to The Recipe Box Swap---Bars and Cookies!

If you have a recipe posted on your blog, please leave your post URL in the auto-link waaaaay down at the bottom of this post.  Otherwise, just enjoy your visit and feel free to search the recipe links below.

I love to make bars and cookies!  My family loves to eat them!  One of my/our favorites is Lemon Squares, a recipe handed down from my mom.  The funny thing is that my mom is not a great cook, but this one recipe that I have of hers is great! 

Honestly, if I am in the right mood, I can eat most of these by myself.  Of course I regret that later, so I don't recommend that practice, but I do suggest that you try these:

Lemon Squares:

For the crust mix together these ingredients:

1 cup flour, 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup sugar.

Blend until smooth and press gently into an 11"  X 7" baking pan.  Bake in a 325 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Combine these ingredients for the top layer:

1 cup sugar, 2 eggs (lightly beaten), 1 tsp. grated lemon rind, 3 TB. lemon juice, 1/4 tsp. salt, 2 TB. flour, and 1/2 tsp. baking soda.

Stir until well blended.  The mixture will become slightly foamy as it sits.

When the crust is done cooking, pour the lemon mixture over it and then bake an additional 25 minutes.  Cool completely in the pan and then sprinkle with powdered sugar.  Cut into squares and enjoy!

I promise you will love these!

links, links, links!

***Jump Up and Down has put together a tutorial for making ruffled pants for your little one.  All you need is a pattern, some fabric and you are on your way to cuteness!

***Polka Dot Creations shows how to make a skirt out of a bedsheet.  Saves money AND looks good!

***Ribbon headbands are sweet and simple.  Aubry will love these!

***How to sew a linen apron?  Pleasant View Schoolhouse shows you how to make one from a thrifted dress.

***Made by Rae is offering a free baby dress pattern. Check it out!

Don't forget about The Recipe Box Swap tomorrow!  Bar and Cookies, Girls, Bars and Cookies!