i have to say...

friday things

This has been a good week for learning new things!  I can now operate a serger, which by the way, is a little scary with the knife cutting the fabric just inches from my finger.  So far, no injuries, only nice, clean seams.  I must get one of these someday!

Also, I figured out how to produce a full-sized pattern on the computer.  After my last set of patterns, I was unsure whether or not to comtinue, because the options were so minimal, but now I can go ahead with my small business.  Hopefully next week I can give a preview of things to come.

This week I came across a simple post by Hannah about Trying Vs. Training, and it got me thinking about an issue I have working on with my boys. They argue.  A lot.  I am sad to say that this comes from the overall know-it-all attitude that permeates our family, so I know it is something that we all need to be working on.  I have been telling them for weeks to "work it out" instead of just sitting there repeating why they think they are right, but I realized after reading Hannah's post that I have neglected to give them the tools to make the change.  I am hoping that some of the things we have been talking about this week will begin to make some changes in their hearts and we will be able to get through an hour without contention.  I think it can happen...

The mailbox yielded a sweet treat the other day: a kitty bag from Hurrayic.  How cute is this:

Aubry has pretty much claimed it as her own by adding her small collection of coins and a Lipsmacker to it.  And if you still have snow in your area, you might consider this fun craft (on her blog) for the kids before it all melts and gives way to sunshine.

Just for fun, I leave you with a blast from my past:

Have a lovely weekend!

stepping outside...

i dropped a few hints...

...and I ended up with this:

Craig and Micah spent most of Saturday making a potting bench for me.  I have wanted one for a couple of years now--every serious gardener (and wanna-be, like me!) needs one--so when we found this how-to and some scrap wood, it was a "go".

I love watching my hubby work with the boys.  He is very skilled in doing home-improvement type projects and I am glad that he is passing that wisdom along to the boys.  In case you are wondering, yes, he passes the wisdom along to the girls, too.  I have a nineteen year-old girl who could tile your bathroom or put hardwood in your living room as long as you provided something to eat and good music. 

The bench is supposed to go outside, but for now I am keeping in our "green room".  (Any guesses on why we call it the "green room"?)   Seed starts and some herbs will be making an appearance any day now, and when the time comes, I am not sure that the bench will make it's way outside.   Since it is my bench, I can keep it wherever I like, right?

The thought of getting my hands dirty and watering plants is like a dream!  I am sure that I have said this too many times this month, but I am so ready for spring to be here.  A pair of capris coupled with flip-flops sounds like the perfect combination these days.  Is anyone else tired of winter clothes?

Have a lovely day!

weekends

I love weekends.

My hubs works hard all week long, leaving him tired on most nights.    Saturdays and Sundays are our time to reconnect and talk and plan and just be together. 

This Saturday we started off early with a trip to the Riverwalk.  Things are perking up slowly but surely around here, and Spring is popping her head in more often, letting us know that she will be moving in permanently very soon.

The buds on the trees are swelling, the willows are taking on a yellow blush, and the birds are everywhere, signing their favorite songs.

No leaves on the trees makes it possible to see what is hiding in the branches.  Lots of interesting little homes up there.  Is it a beehive?  A nest of some sort?

(A couple of dark, blurry pics ahead!)

We had to rush a little at the end, because the wind seemed to be threatening to bring the snow our way.

The best part?  We saw a newborn calf.  For me, this is THE SIGN that spring is traveling our way.  She is almost here!

list o' links

***Did you know that you can have a three column Blogger template? There are lots of other great how-to's on this site, so be sure to click around!

***Two new blogs:  One is written by my dear friend and Karate-mom, Michelle.  The other one is by my super-cute cousin, Katie.  Won't you pop in and say "hi" to them?

***Instructions and a pattern for making a strawberry needle-book can be found here.  Thank you, Happy Zombie!

***Alicia has free, download-able dishtowel embroidery patterns here.

***If you want to make a banner for your blog, but you lack a program to do it, just click here.  (Thanks to Big and Little for the link.)

***Love owls?  Click here for an adorable felt ornament to make.  I am going to use this pattern for my homeschool co-op craft class.  The girls will love it!

Enjoy your day!

sunshine = inspiration

All it takes is some sunshine to get me crafting again!

For some reason winter is a non-creative time for me.   I do spend time making Christmas gifts, but only because I have to.  Once the warm weather comes around (and the bright, new spring fabrics!) I am ready to sew, sew, sew.

My weekend trip to Joann's was partly successful because I bought new fabric for upcoming projects (this is success), but the fabric was not exactly what I wanted (this is unsuccessful).  Apparently I have been spoiled from buying fabric online. The online stores offer collections of fabric that all mix-and-match and make purchasing really simple--plus the patterns and colors are amazing.  I am, however, happy to go forward with what I have.

Upcoming projects include new goods for my small store as well as a new pattern in the works.  I am so excited about the pattern, but a little afraid of it too.  (Can you tell I am a bit conflicted right now?)  There will be lots of learning that I need to do in order to produce it and, when it comes to computer learnin',  I am really, really s-l-o-w!

I don't like slow.

But I must press on.

The weather around here has been beautiful this week which translates to my kids going outside to play in the afternoons.  Yessss!  If you are looking for me at this time, you will find me banging my head against the computer.  Or sewing.  Whichever strikes my fancy at the moment.

Have a great day!

prayer request

I have a wonderful friend, Ruth, who is a mentor to me.  She has 5 homeschooled children who are a little  older than mine, and I look to her quite often for encouragement to keep pressing on.  Her family is amazing.

Ruth's oldest daughter is presently a missionary in Serbia, and if you have been following the news headlines you may know that events are taking place in that country that are of great concern.  She has been in contact with her daughter and all is well at this point, but I would like to ask you to pray for her daughter's safety and that she would be wise in making decisions.  Also, that she would be in tune to what God might be leading her to do.  Prayers for Courtney's team members, as well as Ruth and the rest of the family would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, friends.

going bananas!

My post over at The Heart of Matter is a sweet one and it contains an idea for what to do on "one of those days"!

"We were having "one of those days" when I realized that we needed to shut the books, put away the paper and pencils, and have some fun together. These days are usually few and far between, but I have found that making a mess in the kitchen is a great way to fix things up. Adding chocolate to mix only enhances things!"

Have a great day!

Also:  The Homeschool Lounge is up and running.   Click over to take a peek!

a post without a picture

This week I have gone over my maximum of 3-4 posts, but I figure if I do not include a picture, that is OK, right?

My boys both won a prize for their boxes!  They put a lot of time effort into them and it was nice to see them rewarded.  Josiah's received lots of chuckles on his toilet and one lady mentioned she wouldn't mind taking it home to her plumber-husband.  We had to decline, of course, because Josiah wants to keep it in his room as a decoration.  Sheesh! 

And by the way, I do know that my guy will be a great man someday in spite of his potty-inclinations, and I know this mostly because he got the toilet idea from my hubby, who himself is a great guy!

Aubry, however, shed a few tears because she was the only one in the family not to win a prize.  We had a little discussion about being happy for other people when something good happens to them, and then I gave her a piece of chocolate and things were fine.  If only all of life were that easy!

If you live in the area, our Karate School is having  a grand re-opening on Saturday from 9-12.  It is going to be a fun morning with games, prizes and such, and it would be fun if you could come by.  Call me or email me for more information! 

See you all next week!

happy valentine's day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all who visit here!  You certainly make my days sweeter!