The Child's Paper

Love One Another...

2012-02-01T22:12:00.000-08:00

(Photo by Marilee)
Love one another just as Christ loves you.

Nope...No Snow Here.....

2012-01-27T21:13:00.000-08:00

Freckles got all bundled up today for our walk to the park this afternoon to enjoy a little exercise, fresh air and a picnic in the great outdoors. Though it's not snowing here...She wanted to sport her Winter wear out today. So sweet, she is. Exciting news for her this year she will be attending her very first Winter Camp next month...She's going alone...(Sigh). If you have ever met my daughter you would know that she is very shy..Which partly worries me and partly makes me thrilled for her. She is also a big time Mama's girl. I can't believe she actually wants to go. There will be a few girls from our church going as well, so hopefully she will feel comfortable. I really pray for me...I am a big ole' worry wart. I trust where she is going... Since my son has gone several times in the past few years. He's actually going again this year but, for the HS~College group. So he won't be there to look out for her. I will be driving her up and dropping her off for three days. Three whole days without my little girl. I hope I can stand it and won't be home sick for her ( I know I will ). I hope she will be happy. She seems to be really looking forward to it. And preparing just how she will be dressing when she's up there...And she's hoping and praying for Snow.

Well, one month to go and I will let you all know how it goes. On another note...We had a fun time at the park today...had a picnic basket lunch nd sat on our picnic blanket while people watching.

Our dog Missy loves going to the park too...
So much so that she was rolling in the grass with glee (grin).
Oh look she's making grass angels...
Since we don't get snow here, that is the next best thing.
Funny doggie girl. We spent a while at the park then walked back home.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

You Is....

2012-01-25T17:51:00.000-08:00

I worked on a collage painting today. It was a quiet day as my boy's were out of the house and my girly has been getting over her cold.....So thought I would steal away a couple hours and make something happy. So Here ya go. The pics. are not all that great...Sorry...The lighting was bad due to the sun going down. I will be making these into prints which will come out clear....And this canvas piece is available for sale too.

Available Here in my shop.

Have a Happy week.

Loving Rainy Days...

2012-01-23T20:36:00.000-08:00

Been a little quiet around here...Sorry. We ended up with colds AGAIN. Feeling better now...eating better this past week and a half....and got exercise three times last week. WooHoo... On the road to better health in the new year. I have been hitting rock bottom with headaches, migraines, chronic tiredness....So I am making more efforts to getting well and hopefully stick to it without fail. Pray for me. Okay so here's my bedroom again. I just love my newly decorated room. I found a big colorful patchwork afganny thrifting for a few bucks...So had to put it on my bed of course. It's been raining this last week...Much needed rain I must say. Perfect kind of days for cuddling in a warm bed and ganny.

And though these days have been gloomy and rainy...My room is filled with happy colors...Mismatched vintage pillowcases and sheets and patchworks. colorful dolls, globes and embroideries on the walls...pictures, art and things that make me smile.

Here in Cali...We don't get much rain....But when we do...I enjoy it...Reminds me of home in Washington. Now, I am off to cuddle down in my warm cozy bed. Have a wonderful week.

Through His Eyes..(i phone)....

2012-01-20T01:11:00.000-08:00

My son Maestro....What a gift, what a joy. We wouldn't trade him in for the world. This young man of mine was a little boy not so long ago. He will always be my little boy of course...Even though he is growing up so fast. We are very proud parents...I can boast right? In just a matter of five months he will be 18. I can't believe it. He has been home schooled almost his whole life up until this year. He started college to finish his senior year off as well as earn college credits early. They call it a dual credit program and ttechnically he has already graduated from the 12th grade this Winter..Woot Woot.... We are going to have a big celebration coming this Spring....So exciting. We will be taking his Senior pics and getting him a diploma. Now he is on the road to becoming a music major. He has been a talented pianist since the age of 7, writing his own compositions since. He has written a music score for a short film his talented friend has written and directed last year. So many wonderful gifts God has granted to him. We pray that he will fulfill his dreams of using his gifts in music some how in his future. Okay...pass the Kleenex.

This school year thus far has been a wonderful growing experience for him in so many ways. He has also captured some great artsy photos off his i phone as well....So, I thought I would share just a bit of his college experience so far...Through his eyes (i phone).

Oh yeah...He would also like to invite you to come by his new blog where he will record his thoughts, goings on in life and love for the Lord and music etc...Please stop by and visit him, perhaps become a follower and please keep him in your prayers. Your support will surly be an encouragement.

The Scoring Of....

Have yourself a wonderful weekend.

A Lovely Valentine....

2012-01-15T04:14:00.000-08:00

I couldn't sleep because this was swirling in my head...

So I got up and started painting till the wee hours of the morning....

She is also available in

My Shop.

Just in time for Valentines Day.

I may have to turn this into some prints too. I love these colors together...Don't you?

Well, I am off to catch a few winks.

Have a blessed day.

Old Fashioned Taffy Pull....

2012-01-14T16:59:00.000-08:00

Our Literary Tea Group got together today for fellowship, fun, tea and Taffy pulling. We didn't get together for Christmas so decided to make it sort of a party this month. The girls exchanged tea and made taffy. Well we attempted to make taffy. It was more like Taffy Mayhem... We cooked it like the recipe said...let it cool...blah, blah, blah and tried getting into a taffy stage by pulling and rolling, but it was more like goo. We ended up refrigerating it for about 30 minutes just to get it to a consistency where we could cut it and wrap them. It seemed to be fine at that point.

No matter.. The girls still had fun making a huge sticky mess. And they still had some candy to take home even though it was smooshy. Oh well..They didn't seem to mind one bit, and that is a good thing.

They had a good time and that's all that mattered. I decided not to give out this recipe, since it was a complete flop...If anyone knows of a full proof good taffy recipe, please send it our way. My daughter is determined to find one that will work so we can try again.

Morning Ponderings....The Reason I Wake Up Everyday...

2012-01-13T10:43:00.000-08:00

This post will most likely be a bit of babbling... This last week has been a quiet week for the most part. I went to my moms house and cleaned for her on Tuesday...Worked on my own a bit. Had a few friends over for tea on Wednesday which was very nice. I am working on cutting out the carbs...so here is breakfast....A nice bowl of white peaches which I canned this last Fall. So nice to go into the pantry and have yummy fruit for the Winter. We finished off our pears and applesauce...Yet, have just enough peaches left for the remaining Winter season. These peaches mind you are so good...they taste like peach pie without the crust.

This is what I made for Christmas... a mug from Shutterfly...cute as can be. with my kids picture on the other side. I made one for my hubby too...which I wrote a Bible verse on....He loves it and drinks his coffee from it most mornings, when it is clean of course. I wrote "the reason I wake up everyday" on my mug. It is a wonderful reminder even on days I don't feel like getting out of bed. My God given gift is to be a mother and wife and to take care of my household. Truly these things are gifts to me.

My kids are growing up so fast...before my eyes really. It amazes me everyday I look at them. Though they are growing up, they still very much need us. These have been some difficult times for them as far as friendships and such. We have dealt with pain and tears and hurt feelings. We have had many talks, many hugs and breakthroughs as well. I am thankful that they come to us and not bottle it up or go to their peers for advice. We have always been a close family and these sorts of things have brought us even closer in so many ways. I am thankful they trust their parents. We are grateful to be their parents.

I keep praying this year will go well. As a church this New Year we have already lost a friend to brain cancer, yet have seen a little blessing be born....Just a few more months down the line, my dear Mr. Darling will graduate from Seminary...It is exciting yet scary at the same time not knowing what God has in store for our new future. My hubby will soon be a Pastor and I a Pastors wife, my kids PK's ( Pastors Kids). Where will we end up moving, where will we live? So many questions...I try with all my might not to let it worry me. I try with all my might to give all my cares, concerns and worries to God. Please pray for us. I'll keep ya all posted. Now the next question is....Do you think I can get away with eating chocolate for breakfast?
Have a blessed weekend.

Miss Smarty...Cherry Doll

2012-01-09T02:35:00.000-08:00

She was put on the back burner long enough, and finally finished.
This sweety is in my
Etsy Shop...
It sure feels good to complete a project.
I think I am startin' up the New Year pretty well so far....
More to come.
Have a Cherry Day...

Our Little House Got A New Look....

2012-01-06T16:45:00.000-08:00

I have been a busy beaver this week. Since cleaning up Christmas, I have been purging and organizing as well as preparing for future possible move after Mr. Darling graduates in May. I happily donated 9 big black trash bags of clothes, and 7 boxes of old stuff, some left over from our garage sale last Summer. We even went and recycled all the bottle and cans we have been collecting. Extra pocket change is always nice. I also sold some stuff on Etsy this week so thought it was time for a fresh look. Our son saved up his money and bought the family a new t.v.... So it needed a new place...

(One of my favorite children's books...Found last Summer for $3.00)

We took our armoire upstairs to our bedroom and put the old T.V. in there...Then I had to come up with some wall art for the living room where the armoire was. I got this cute Family Rules canvas for Christmas from my parents. The star was free from a garage sale, a little red paint does wonders...Then I used some letters to spell out PRAY. I had the A and the R...so found a P...

covering it with sheet music and found the Y at Michael's.

I found the T.V. cabinet thrifting...it was an ugly boring brown...(forgot to take pictures) Once I got paint in my hands, I couldn't stop to take pics. I painted it Sea Breeze Blue for just a few bucks a can. ( I used 2) Then I took some handy sandpaper and gave it a little aged look. Then I put two mismatched door pulls on each door. The Open was from Michael's for $1, the polka dot one was from Hobby Lobby for $1.25. ( YEP...HOBBY LOBBY is here...Just opened a couple months ago..."GRIN") I love how the cabinet turned out as it has added some charm and a pop of color that goes with all my reds so nicely. I had some red paint so decided to paint the little chair I have had for the last few years...

It needed color and a monkey to sit on it of course.

Okay Okay...I couldn't stop painting stuff...I painted our wooden candlesticks holders which were black in the left over blue I had... I love how it added a splash of color and coordinates with the cabinet.

In the picture above...You can see the alcove where I put my children chairs, doll and old globe....That is where our old T.V. was. I love the change. It has been two years in this house without changing it much...I love change sometimes. This was a good change for me.

Oh yeah...Remember the bottles and cans I recycled? I bought this with the money.

It was half off at Hobby Lobby...(woot woot). I pray that the Lord will continue to bless our home with much love and laughter this new year. Anyone up for a movie nite? Come on over I'll pop the corn.

In The Kitchen....

2012-01-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

Dusting, washing, wiping after Christmas and New Year celebrations....
A fresh, clean kitchen is alway's the best kitchen.

Happy REDnesday to you.
Linked to : It's A Very Cherry World

Fun Hot Find...

2012-01-02T21:24:00.000-08:00

While thrifting...I found this Lily weaving loom with 4 bags of Lily Loops... Three of the packages never opened. As far as I know the Lily weaving loom and loops are from the 50's. Have they really been sitting in someones attic that long? Well, for a couple bucks...I picked it up. I love the old looms and loops...Unlike the ones that are for sale these days made of plastic and nylon. The old Lily loom is metal and the loops are jersy knit. I had fun with them too. I made 2 hot pads so far.

Look at the prices from back then...and the inflation of prices now...youch. A bag of loops now a days would be at least a few dollars or more.The loom has a price tag of 59. cents. Years later I got it for about the same price from back then in the thrift store.
I thought that was a pretty hot find for making some cute hot pads.

I like a bargain....Don't you?

More Art This New Year....

2012-01-02T00:40:00.000-08:00

These fun pillows and some of my art work is available on Etsy. Check my side bar to enter my shop. I will be working on more projects and art this new year. I will also be adding in some vintage goodies to purchase in my shop...coming soon. Looking forward to a more creative year to come.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T02:06:00.000-08:00

We rang in the New Year with our friends, yummy food, drinks, games, music and horns & poppers and a wonderful devotion time with reading scripture, and singing a hymn. We have so much to be thankful for this last year...Looking forward to the New Year ahead of us.

Happy New Year everyone.

Reflecting on The Past Year & New Year To Come...

2011-12-28T22:47:00.000-08:00

As I reflect on this last year which flew by faster than the wind....Looking through the past years pictures... I am grateful and blessed by the many blessings God bestowed on our family. My children are thriving and growing up by leaps and bounds, I am so thankful for them. My dear Mr. Darling is almost finished with his 4th year of seminary soon to get his masters degree...what an accomplishment. My son was able to make a wonderful trip to the Czech Republic for three weeks this last Summer, he started driving, got a job and going to college to major in music. We have created some wonderful things, baked and cooked some great food, canned many sweet delights and sewed some fun projects. We look forward to what God has in store for the coming year. My hubby will graduate in May as we will then have a chance to start all over again with a new career and home. Just having the privilege to watch our children grow and share many moments and make memories we will cherish forever. I can't even imagine or fathom what is in store for us... I am so excited as I am also looking forward to creating more and continue making a happy home for my family.

My wish for you this coming year 2012 will be a blessing to you and your family.

I will see you all in the New Year

Bedroom Decorating For A New Year....

2011-12-27T23:10:00.000-08:00

It was about 8 years ago I fell in love with my cherry wood sleigh bed...My room was warm and meant to be a bit masculine for my husbands sake. Not because I had to, but I wanted to make it his too. We had a earthy tone floral bedspread that worked well for the both of us. Over time and living in the rainy, gloomy state of Washington..The dark colors started to get to me...The room was dark. I couldn't just change it around for we spent a lot of money on that bed. So the years went by and I tried to stay content. It moved with us to California 4 years ago. I had no muster in me to even decorate my bedroom. It was too dark...too depressing, even a sweet quilt couldn't cheer the space enough. I didn't even hang pictures on the walls until this Summer. I finally told myself when the New Year rang in I would get a new bed and redecorate our space. So I saved up my money from sales on Etsy... and got a little white bed. It was just what I needed to lighten up the room and motivate color. Now to put my bed on Craigs list. I also kicked out my dark bookcase oh yeah... Freckles also decided to change her room a bit and wished to use her dresser when she was a baby...which will need refinishing after I painted it pink many moons ago. So, she gave me the white dresser in return. I am thrilled for I love that dresser. I collected some fluffy feathered pillows on thrifting escapades... added the embroideries on the wall which I have also found thrifting. And hung the sweet reminder to always kiss me goodnight...a gift from my dear Mr. Darling.

It's amazing what a bit of color and lighter furniture can do to a room. My hubby was in shock after I did it all and surprised him with it. He was pleasantly surprised and happy with the room, even though it looks a little more on the cute feminine side. I love how my quilts pop in the room and the little splashes of red that I love. I have been hanging out in my room more too...like flipping through magazines, reading and heck I am

snuggled down in my fluffy bed as I type. I really like being in here.

A few more embroideries are now on my wish list to complete the wall, perhaps another quilt, and some window treatments. I really needed this change. I am so thrilled to have bright colors and cozy feelings to wake up to and motivate my creativity and start my day off with a little smile. Sometimes change is good. Now I am ready to ring in the New Year and change more things around in my life as we will soon be focusing on our new future once Mr. Darling graduates in May.

There will be a lot more good things to look forward to.

Here's to a wonderful New Year.
Linkin to: Wow Us Wednesday
It's A Very Cherry World

Wrapping Up Christmas...

2011-12-26T20:46:00.000-08:00

We had a nice quiet Christmas together this year. Just Me, Mr. Darling and our kids. Christmas brunch was made, snacking on goodies throughout the day and Christmas dinner...What is it about holidays and food? We are always eating. I can't believe Christmas has come and gone already....Now to pack it all back up for next year. There is lot's of dusting and packing ahead of me.
It's always nice to get a thorough Winter clean after all the festivities.
Happy cleaning....

MERRY CHRIST~MAS....

2011-12-25T20:54:00.000-08:00

May your Christmas be filled with the love of Christ and the

blessings of family & friends, from my family to yours.

Christmas Goody Gifts from The Pantry....

2011-12-23T02:19:00.000-08:00

I am just finishing up some last minute gifts. Homemade gifts from the kitchen are sure to be pleasers. You can't go wrong with the gift of food. I thought I'd share a few quick gift/recipes to throw together in jars.

I got the Gooseberry Patch Christmas magazine for inspiration. Here is a recipe for Carrot Cake Jam. It is said this jam tastes like Carrot Cake....Really simple to make...perfect for toast or scones...Here ya go:
***
Peter Rabbit Carrot Cake Jam
***
1 1/2 cups finely grated peeled carrots
1 1/2 cups chopped cored peeled pears
1 3/4 cups canned pineapple, including juice
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 package regular powdered fruit pectin (1.75 oz.)
6 1/2 cups granulated sugar
***
1.Prepare canner, jars and lids.
2.In a large, deep stainless steel saucepan, combine carrots, pears, pineapple with juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat, cover and boil gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and whisk in pectin until dissolved. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently. Add sugar all at once and return to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and skim off foam.
3.Ladle hot jam into hot jars, leaving 1/3 inch head space. Remove air bubbles and adjust head space, if necessary, by adding hot jam. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip-tight.
4.Place jars in canner,ensuring they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil and process for 10 minutes. Remove canner lid. Wait 5 minutes, then remove jars, cool and store.
If you don't have a canner...prepare as directed but refrigerate, up to three weeks.

***
Snicker~Doodle Coffee Mix
***
1 cup sugar
1 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup vanilla-flavored non-dairy powdered coffee creamer
1/2 cup cocoa
3 tablespoons instant coffee granules
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
1.Combine all the ingredients together; store in airtight containers.
2.Instructions: add 3 tablespoons coffee mix to 3/4 cup boiling water; stir to dissolve.

Lastly I made some White Chocolate & Cherry Fudge...
Ooh La La...It is delightful and so easy.
***
White Chocolate & Cherry Fudge
***
1 1/2 lbs. white baking chocolate I used white almond bark
1 (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped candied cherries
In heavy saucepan, melt white chocolate with milk; remove from heat. Stir in salt, vanilla and candied fruit. Remove from heat. Spread evenly into wax paper lined 8 inch square pan. Chill 2-3 hours or until firm. Turn onto cutting board; peel off paper and cut into squares.
Store loosely covered at room temperature or refrigerate..

Next I am going to candy some orange peels...make scones for the jam and I will be done. I have already planned out my menu for Christmas Eve. I am so excited to make Christmas French Toast with an Italian bread loaf and granny smith apples smothered in butter and maple syrup. Can you believe Christmas is just two days away???? Wow it came fast. Hope you all are enjoying your families. Happy baking.

Jesus Is Better Than Santa....

2011-12-22T02:09:00.000-08:00

I was so excited to receive this sweet gift from one of my Bestest friends ever in the mail the other day. A sweet plaque, a reminder that Jesus is the gift. This reigns true in my home. Yes, I like to collect all the fun Christmasy decorations and Santa stuff....But none of those things compare to the real gift, the real reason why we celebrate Christmas. Christ is my Saviour. I am not ashamed to tell the world this truth of the gospel...The good news. He is truly a gift to me and my family hands down. He is and will always be the center of our home on Christmas and every day throughout the year. This star is now one of my favorite Christmas pieces...from a dear friend... I cherish it & will hang it in my home every year with pride. The words itself means the world to me....a wonderful reminder to us and all who enter our home.

Jesus is Better than Santa
****

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.
Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
****
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christ~mas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.
May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas 2011
And may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year.

Merry Christ~mas Table Setting 2011...

2011-12-20T21:50:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our home. Today I put together our little Christmas table setting for Christmas dinner. Every year I make potato pancakes, ham with apple sauce and sour cream topping. It has been a tradition in our home for the last 18 years. My Gramma and mother have made it ever since I was a little girl.

I used my little white kitchen Christmas tree for the center, decorated with cute food/kitchen type ornaments. I love the colors from red to green to white to robin eggs blue, a touch of yellow and whimsy of course.

Underneath the Christmas tree you will see there are a few boxes of candies....

I used Christmas recipe cards as place cards with our names on them.

There is a special place at the table for Jesus...

And a birthday candle which we will light and sing Happy Birthday, Christmas day.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your time here.

Please do come back and visit. Have a wonderful time preparing for your Christmas festivities.

***

Linking up With:

It's A Very Cherry World

A Stroll Through Life

Savvy Southern Style

Ivy & Elephants

Let The Christmas Week Begin...

2011-12-20T03:03:00.000-08:00

We are making merry this week....I decorated another tree in my house.

I got a little white tree for 8 bucks and set it up in the kitchen....

So glad I did...It looks so cheery.

Right now....We are lovin'

She & Him's Christmas album....

We have been playing it over and over while baking and making merry memories.

We made Christmas Root beer Floats in some fun tall Christmasy Glasses from The Dollar Tree.

Whip cream, sprinkles and yes, a cherry on top.

A wonderful Santa gift came in the mail all the way from

New York City, for little ole' me.

This little guy was sent to me by

My sweet bloggy buddy Viv.....

Oh man...this little reindeer is the sweetest thing I have seen in a while.

I am so excited she sent me one. He is so stinkin' cute and so tiny, he fits in the palm of my hand.

He will be cherished for many Christmas' to come.

Okay, so we have been having some fun family game nights too....

We played Cranium the other night. It was loads of fun and laughs together. The boy's ~~lost~~ won....

There will be a re~match though...so, they better watch out.

Okay, so I couldn't resit.....

I had to show you this little guy one more time. Just adorable....Absolutely

A~D~O ~R~ A~ B~ L~ E...

I love him.

Hope you have a fun filled week with your family.

We are counting down.

Christmas Cookies~

2011-12-19T18:15:00.000-08:00

The kitchen was bustling with baking and decorating cookies today...

Christmas is almost here....

Gingerbread Roll & Fun Christmas Vignette Boxes

2011-12-17T01:21:00.000-08:00

We were invited to a Christmas party and I had to come up with a dessert.....Did a bit of searching and decided to make what sounded right up Christmas alley....Gingerbread Cake Roll...oh yeah. I am familiar with making pumpkin rolls which are divine mind you. I found a recipe so simple ....It was a hit of the party too...Oh yeah....So I thought I would share. Listen to this. The filling is made with cream cheese and egg nog....How festive it that? Okay so here ya go...
***

Gingerbread Roll

***

1 box Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cake Mix

1 cup pumpkin puree

2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

1/2 cup water

1 8 ounce cube cream cheese

5 tablespoons butter, softened but NOT melted

3-4 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup egg nog

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
***

Directions~
***

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

1. In a large bowl beat together the Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cake Mix,

pumpkin puree, oil, and water together until smooth.

2 .Generously grease and flour a large cookie sheet. Spread batter into a thin, even layer on cookie sheet.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 9-10 minutes, or just until the cake has set.

4. Allow the cake to cool just slightly. While it's just a little bit warm to the touch, quickly invert the cookie sheet with the cake on it on top of a large, thin clean dish towel.

5. Roll the towel up gently from one end, rolling the cake into a spiral with the dish towel wrapped up in the spiral as well. Rolling the cake in the dish towel allows the cake to cool completely in a spiral shape, which will help avoid cracks and tears in the Pumpkin Roll during the final step.

6. Allow cake to cool completely at room temperature.

7. In a stand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, egg nog, and vanilla. If you don't have egg nog, you can use milk, but will need about a tablespoon less, since it's a thinner consistency than the egg nog. Whip all ingredients together until fluffy.

8. Once the cake roll is completely cooled, gently unroll the towel. Spread frosting on top of the cake, then gently re-roll the cake into a spiral. Use the towel, if needed, to keep the cake securely together. Place the cake in the refrigerator and cool for 1 hour, or until ready to serve.

Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

So I'm in Wally Mart passing through all the Christmas goodies and boxes for goodies as I ran into these cute lil boxes made for homemade cookie gifts. So I picked up a couple for a $1.00 each with one thing in mind. They are not only cute but they have little clear windows...

I came up with these fun vignettes to use in my kitchen

Aren't they cute? I just took some cotton, sprinkled a bit of Vintage Mica Snow over the cotton snow and made a little scene with some of my Christmas decorations.

This would be a cute way to give a gift too. I love it. Don't you?

Can you believe Christmas is a week away? Are you ready?

Just a couple more things to do on my end and we are ready. I love Christmas.

Hope you have a merry weekend.

Happy St. Lucia's Day & A St. Lucy Ornament Tutorial

2011-12-13T14:49:00.000-08:00

Happy St. Lucy's Day.
We celebrated by baking and making a craft. It was a fun filled day inside as it is dark and gloomy out today. This tradition has become quite special to us...something that Freckles and I really look forward doing for her daddy and brother. Sadly today our guys had to do finals today so they missed most of the day. We will still have some fun later tonight and play some games, eat our cookies and St. Lucia cake.

We made Swedish Peparkakor Cookies
and decorated them with white icing...so fun, simple and yummy.

The past several years we have made
St. Lucia Buns...
But, this year we decided to try our hand at making a
St. Lucia Crown Cake.

It was very good. it takes time to make but worth it...
It is quite tasty with a cup of hot tea. We will definitely do the crown cake again.

The candles were aglow, our little St. Lucia served the cake...It was really delightful. Then later today we made St. Lucy ornaments. They are so cute...I thought I would share with you how we made them.
So here you go, a tutorial.

Ingredients:
White yarn, red yarn, a piece of green yarn, wooden bead for head,
yellow paint, skin color paint, pink paint for cheeks, black permanent fine tip pen,brown or red pen for lips,glue, and hot glue, sturdy cardboard pieces.
****
1. I cut out a couple cardboard pieces to use for wrapping the yarn around. Cut one cardboard piece 3 1/2 X 4 for the body skirting and one 2 1/2 X 4 for the arms. Take the cardboard piece for the body and wrap the yarn around the board 25 times. set aside. Do the same for the arms except going around 15 times. Take two 3 inch pieces of white yarn and tie and knot off each side of the arms to create the hands.
See picture # 1 and # 2
2. Now take the wrapped body piece off the cardboard carefully and insert the arm piece right through at the top. See picture #3. Tie and knot off the top section securing
the body and arms together as shown in that picture.
3. Now cut two 6 inch red lengths of yarn and tie it right around the waist tying it into a bow in the back. Cut strings to desired length. Now cut the bottom of the skirt straight across so there is no longer a loop at the bottom. In picture # 4, this creates your skirt.

Now it's time to paint your head.Picture #5... Draw with a pencil lightly how you wish your hair to be. Paint the hair yellow, let dry. Paint the face section in skin tone color, let dry. Paint on pink cheeks, let dry. Using a permanent fine tip black pen make dots for your eyes. draw a small u shape nose. Draw lips with a brown or red pen or you don't need to have lips or simply make a happy face. This is really up to you how you wish her face to look. We even dotted some freckles in her cheeks with a brown pen.

Now in picture #6 glue on a piece of green yarn around the head making it a crown...Let dry. Hot glue the head to the middle of the arms on top. We then cut a 6 inch piece of thick thread and tied it to the back of her dress through the yarn strings, cut to desired length, tying it off so we can hang it on our tree.

She was hung on the tree in all her light and glory...She is simply sweet.

We ended our afternoon with a big cup of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows a big candy cane and a delish cookie. We got our fill of sugar for the day, that is for sure.
It was a fun filled day which memories were made.
Wishing you a Happy St. Lucy's Day.

Preparing For St. Lucy's Day....

2011-12-12T17:20:00.000-08:00

This is a two part post for St. Lucy's Day ( St. Lucia). The past 4-5 years we started celebrating St. Lucia's Day. My daughter loved reading The American Girl books. One character know as Kirsten is a Swedish girl who in the" Kirsten's Gift" book celebrates that special day. That is when it became a tradition for us. My daughter has dressed in a white dress and red sash with a greenery crown and candles every year since. Each year we have baked St. Lucia''s buns and made coffee and cocoa as she would serve her daddy in bed that morning. It has been an occasion we have fondly fell in love with and look forward to every year.

This year she wears her white nightgown and will be serving
St. Lucia's Crown Cake.

Let's look at my sweet little girl several years back.... This was our first year celebrating St. Lucia's Day. We made the buns and served coffee to her daddy...I will never forget how scared she was walking down the hall holding the tray of goodies and hot coffee with a lit candle. Thankfully she didn't spill it over...
My hand was there just in case.

Then last year we put a wreath atop her head with candles in it.
I didn't light them though. I just can't bare to think of my baby girl getting burned on accident.
We had found the dress for her while thrifting...It was perfect.

So we're off to bake our crown cake for midnight, St. Lucy's morning.

Christmas In Coronado....

2011-12-11T12:46:00.000-08:00

We spent a wonderful evening with our friends this weekend. They graciously invited us to a nice festive dinner and walk around te Hotel Del Coronado.... Beware though...I did not bring my camera so the pictures you are about to see are dark and grainy from i-phones...

I am still happy we were able to snap some memories with our friends. The Hotel Del was built in 1888...With all it's splendor and beautiful lights....What a sight to see and walk through. The lobby was decked out in Christmas lights and a huge Christmas tree right in the middle of it all. We window shopped the shops and sat outside drinking coffees and cocoas. The best part though was the company. Our friends...who have been there for us these past several years. It has become a tradition spending some sort of holiday cheer with them. Memories we will forever cherish.

Do you have any special traditions you share with friends during the holiday season?

have a wonderful week....It's raining and chilly here....

Merry Merry MOUSE~mas....

2011-12-09T22:20:00.000-08:00

I found a few more Christmas decorations...Which happened to be mice...Through the past couple years I have picked up Christmas mice and realized I now have a little collection of mice now...It was an accidental collection of mice....I just giggled. I don't purposefully go out searching for mice for any reason...It just happened. So now I thought I would share with you my merry mice.

My favorite though has to be the Annalee Christmas Mouse....It is a stocking with the little head and tail popping out....It is the cutest mouse I have ever seen. Do you have an accidental Christmas collection...Or do you purposefully collect something special for your Christmas home?
Inquiring minds ( like mine) would love to know. Please keep my Gramma in prayer...She was put into the hospital a couple days ago with pneumonia...something we fear with her recent heart attack and emphysema..... Thank you dear friends, your prayers really do mean a lot....
Hope you all are having a wonderful start to a wonderful weekend.

Christmas In The Kitchen...

2011-12-08T15:31:00.000-08:00

Freckles made her gingerbread house last night....She did it on her own this year....With a bit of a struggle with the piping of the frosting....It still turned out cute. Now the kitchen looks extra festive.

Next we'll be baking gingerbread cookies and sugar cookies like we do every year. I love Christmas traditions. I know my kids do too...They look forward to it all. There will be lot's of baking and cooking in the kitchen this Christmas.

Have you seen the special edition vintage Coca~Cola bottles? They are celebrating their 125th anniversary so, they brought back their circa 1899 "Hutchinson" bottle, the first bottle that was embossed with their Coca~Cola trademark. They are pretty cool. I will probably fill them up with flowers.
I found them at Wally World Mart if anyone is interested.

What are you all baking this year? Do tell...
Have a Happy Day.

Cozy Quilts....

2011-12-07T02:53:00.000-08:00

I love quilts...This is the perfect time to dig them out, wrap yourself up in it's cozy warmth and extreme cuteness. My recent thrifting finds are these quilts ( And they were very inexpensive). One is finished completely by hand and very old as there are a few blocks that are very fragile. I am always amazed when I see a quilt that has been hand sewn....How long did it take them to do all of it...The simplistic patchwork with all the quilted detail...I love it.They are works of art. The thicker one is perfect for Winter evenings and chilly mornings.

The second beauty I found is unfinished...The top is Dresden style ( flowers and stars in multi colored patterns)....so sweet and purty...I knew I could finish it off as a project this Spring...The colors are happy just waiting to be quilted and snuggled in. It's a wonder though what happened...Why was it not finished? All the hours and work and stitches put into it then left unfinished for who knows how long. Thank God I know how to sew...It's gonna be a beaut when it is finished.

It just makes me appreciate them all the more.
Do you love quilts?

Hope you all are keeping warm out there....It is still pretty chilly..
The perfect quilt weather that is for sure. Have a toasty day.

Baby It's Cold Outside!!

2011-12-05T00:53:00.000-08:00

28 degrees...is pretty chilly for S. Cali. Last night it was colder than that. It is the perfect weather to drink cocoa and tea or coffee.....mmm mmm... We have been layering and bundling up...The afghans are in use and the fireplace heating up for the first days of Winter. And what do we find on our windshield in the morning? Ice...pretty ice crystals...Really...in California. My son snapped the shot of ice crystals on the windshield this morning... It's so beautiful. Hope you all are keeping warm and cozy...I have read many of my bloggy pals out there are getting rain and snow....Snowman time.....Have a cozy week and treat yourself to a nice hot cup of whatever you fancy.
P.S. Here's a shout out to my little Niece Mila who just turned 6...Happy Birthday darlin'.

Celebrating 80 Years....

2011-12-04T02:08:00.000-08:00

We celebrated my Gramma's birthday this last weekend. She is 80 years young... Family and friends gathered together to celebrate her life. We had the opportunity to share special past memories of our times with her, and I shared a poem I had written her a few years back...It was a special day in which our family was blessed to share with her. With prayers she will have many more years ahead of her. The past several visits with my Gramma have been meaningful as my children and I have made it a point to really sit down and talk to her about her life in Latvia and here in America. With the small family we have she has expressed her love and fulfillment has been nothing but her family. I am ever so blessed to have her as my Gramma.

She blew out one big candle this year...for I am sure 80 candles would have winded her. My Gramma has emphysema, which she has to use oxygen for much of her day at home....This Summer she also suffered a heart attack... I have one thing to say to people...Please don't smoke. It really can hurt you or kill you. Now because of the issues she has it is always a concern if she were to get ill or pneumonia...for they have almost taken her life on several occasions and surely could still take her in a heartbeat. I am grateful she is still here now...And cherish the moments we have with her. She is my only grandparent left...for I pray she will be with us for many more years, to see my kids grow up and perhaps see her Great Great Grandchildren. The party went smoothly and she enjoyed herself and had a bit of fun too. My family loved so much the idea of a photo booth set up like I did for My Dear Mr. Darlings birthday last weekend, so we decided to do the same for my Gramma's birthday. I set up a little corner in my parents backyard to take pictures of the family...These pictures will then be made into a special book for my Gramma to always remember. Here are just a handful of some of the snapshots I got...Everyone had a blast doing it.

Hope you al have a wonderful week ahead.
Cheers to my Gramma...
She is very much loved.
XOXO

Red & White Christmas & The Small Tale Of Rudy Reindeer...

2011-12-03T00:51:00.000-08:00

Our family room is definitely filled with red and white Christmas decorations. I just love red...what can I say. This year I hung red wool stockings...simple, yet bold. My mantle is also less cluttered this year. I like to change it up a bit. I like the simplicity of it. So does our new friend Rudy Reindeer. Yes, I found him thrifting. With Salvation Army's 50% off day...I got him for $2.00. He was lying there on a shelf amongst a bunch of hmm hmm...junk....Our eyes met and I saw a twinkle in his. I really did. I swooped him up looked him in the eye and said " your comin' home with me" and at that very moment he smiled. I clutched him in my arms and merrily pranced over to the checkout, handed over the money with pleasure and gleefully took him home. True story. Doesn't he look happy to be in my home? I promised him, he was a keeper.
Have a wonderful weekend.

The Christmas Trees Are A Glow...

2011-12-02T13:21:00.000-08:00

We spent the last couple days putting out all the Christmas decorations and two trees this year. Whew, that is a lot of work... I have 7 bins of Christmas stuff...It was fun though...We love Christmas time...Opening the boxes of ornaments, reminiscing on where we got them or who gave them to us. Thinking about all the wonderful things God has blessed us with...and why we celebrate Christmas.

I'm just sharing a few pictures of ornaments from my tree, cause if I showed you every single one that would be kinda boring wouldn't it. These are just a few of my favorite old vintage ornaments I saved from thrift shops. I am unsure of their age...But you can surely tell they are worn
and have seen many Christmas mornings.

Like this little snow gal...She has surely seen some better days.
I love her though she is tattered...I am sure she will share many more Christmas's with us.

I have several old German glass ornaments as well...I have treasured these for many years. Unfortunately a couple have broken through the years of moving. I try to package them up all snug and cushy throughout the year...Some of them have also been around for a long time.
It amazes me that they are still around since they can break so easily.

Ahh yes...This is one of several mischievous little elves we have....they hide throughout the season and can be found in the strangest places...We are always on the look out for them hiding in the bathroom or in Mr. Darlings study found in his desk drawer...Sometimes they even hide in the refrigerator, sneaking a midnight snack.Little stinkers. You have to watch out for them I tell ya, no one likes an elf tickling their toes under the covers in the middle of the night while your trying to sleep.

This year will most likely be our last Christmas in this house, before we move on to a new home as soon as Mr. Darling graduates from Seminary this Spring. This will be our second Christmas here...We are very blessed and thankful for the home the Lord has provided us for these past seasons. I pray this will be yet a glorious Christmas to remember and cherish always.

Do you have your Christmas trees up yet?

Santa Baby !!!

2011-12-01T16:17:00.000-08:00

Hello December...

Today I unpacked all my Santa's. I have been collecting these sweet Santa's for several years now...It just keeps growing. Most of them I find thrifting of course. I take home the unwanted Santa's and vintage Christmas decorations that people don't want anymore.

I am continuing to add to this collection as I can...Along with vintage snowmen...

Though I have more Santa's then snowmen, it is a slow growing collection

. I thought I would give you a closer look at my humble collection.

Mixed in my Santa's are newer pieces as well. I usually pick up what I really like best...Not just any Santa will make it home with me. I have decided as with everything I collect...I have to love it before taking it home...If I don't love it, then it doesn't come home with me. If I took everything home...

I would be a pack rat.

This Fall I found several new Santa's to add to my collection. A couple Santa dolls and a Lil Santa candle holder...Which I filled with mints. I don't spend much on these pieces..The dolls and candle holder along with some Santa face mugs were only .50 to $1.00 each. I go to the Thrift shops often as they always get new stuff in...I keep my eyes peeled for what I like the best and usually know what I am looking for...

I usually score. (GRIN)... I keep this shelf in my kitchen..it cheers up the space well.

I found this sweet couple last year... For a couple dollars they flew into my cart. Sometimes I will spend a few dollars more like the Jolly Santa below...I spent 5 bucks on him while we were in Central California last Fall...He had to come home with me and was priced a lot lower than some Santa's online.

So now, perhaps you wish to start a collection of your own...Start thrifting, yard saling and shopping online you will surely find some Santa's of your own that need a loving home to be adopted in. Starting this collection was very easy...Yet can take some time to find just the

right pieces that catch your eye and your heart.

Happy Collecting...

The Last Day's Of Autumn....

2011-11-30T01:57:00.000-08:00

I have spent the last week with the flu...or a bad cold. (SIGH) It got so bad I lost my voice.

Day's later my voice is still squeaky and the cough...oh that cough will not go away. I pulled off my dear Mr. Darlings birthday while sick, then just crashed for the remainder of the weekend. I thought I would share the last of the pictures from last weeks field trip of our roaming around the old ranch during the Civil War anniversary.

Today we say goodbye to Autumn...Hello Winter time. We got out all our Christmas boxes and put up the tree and added another tree this year...Our friends from church gave a big pre~lit tree....What a blessing....So now we have one in each room~ Our family room and living room. It was fun getting all our things out, though it seems like we just put it away. Time sure has flown this year. We have a little more to finish up...and hang the lights outside, then we will officially be ready for Christmas Time.

Farewell Autumn...Until next year.

have a merry day.

Mr.Darlings's 40th Vintage Birthday Party...

2011-11-27T02:42:00.000-08:00

Today was the big shindig for my dear Mr. Darling...Who celebrated his 40th birthday this last week. We had my parents come up and a bunch of our church families joined us and blessed us for his special day. We had a lot of fun. I decorated the party with a bit of a vintage theme in mind... We set the party outside in our backyard...My favorite though was the photo booth area I put together to capture the memories of the day.

We are just a bunch of goof balls...really. The above pictures are of my kids...
Mr. Darling and well, me too.

Here is my Mom and Dad..

Here are my kids with my Gramma.....Their Great Gramma....
She will be celebrating her 80th b-day next week...Wooh Hoo....

My kids are just a bunch of hams...

Here are our friends...The Young Taylors...as we call them...Since there are three Taylor families in our church....We call them young because they are still in the middle of having kiddos. They are fairly new to our church...We hit it off right away. They are soon expecting another member to their family....It's a girl...Yay...How sweet is that? I just adore them for their loving hearts and so very humble. They are keepers in my book that's for sure.

Here are The Smiths...What a sweet couple and very dear friends to us. I have posted my friend Marmie a few times here...I have taught her how to make and can jam and apple sauce this last season... She is always such a sweetheart to be around and whom I consider to be one of my closest friends. We were also very blessed to be able to have Thanksgiving with them this year.... I feel like we have known them for YEARS...though it has only been a couple years since we became friends. They are like a brother and sister to me. For that I am blessed.

The next family is also a Taylor family...We call them Sherriff Taylor..(long story). Another delightful family we have known for the last several years....Each one of their beautiful children were adopted...And what wonderful parents they have been given. They will also have a special place in my heart.

Introducing The Bennet's minus their daddy. This sweet family are also here on a journey through seminary. Her dear hubby had to stay behind to write his papers for mid terms. These folks are very special...Young, loving and soft spoken and that baby....oh my...He is such a happy boy...He didn't look too happy here...But that's only because we were trying to put the funny glasses on his face. I pray to always have their friendship...To share our journey in our future ministries...what a huge blessing.

Mr. Seaman...He came by all alone...His wife had to finish up on some things back at home with the kids. This guy is one of Mr. Darlings good friend from Seminary. They have grown to be quite special to us as well. They are just real down to earth genuine people...Which is really hard to find these days. He was such a good sport to take a photo without his family by his side.

The Bekkering's... We haven't known them as long...Last year they left their home from a different state to start all over in Cali for work. They have been such a joy to get to know as a family. They are a bunch of fun lovin' people. Another family that is really down to earth...Sweet , sweet family and very fun.

The Hooks are simply wonderful...We sit right across from them in church and always give smiles to one another... We have said if one was missing on Sunday for any given reason that it just isn't the same without one another there..Just to look over and have such sweet smiling faces can really brighten the Lord's Day even more. With their tender, quiet dispositions...A smile goes a long way...It really is like a breath of fresh air...They make you always feel so loved.

And here is our Other Taylor friends. We simply just call them The Taylor's...for they were really the first ones we got to know. We have had many wonderful times with this family...They are truly near and dear to our hearts...They are one of the kindest, loving and giving people I know. Our family gets along so well with them for we have the same sort of humor and lives. Our son and their daughter are really good friends...and our daughter loves her like she was her very own sister. They will always be considered my forever friends, whom I love very much. They are such gems.

It was a wonderful night of fellowship with our friends and family...Mr. Darling enjoyed his day...That is the biggest blessing to see...He has been working so hard these last almost 4 years, always mentally challenging himself...It was just great to see him have a day that was just for him to enjoy and share with people he cares about and those who care for us. I couldn't ask for anything more. Hope you all have a spectacular Lord's day.Blessing to you all.

The Barn Dance

2011-11-25T22:13:00.000-08:00

After last weekend's Civil War days we went to a good old fashioned barn dance. I was so giddy that my son stepped up as a sweet big brother to dance with his sister all night. It was so fun and yes even I participated in a couple of them. Mr. Darling couldn't come along since he has been writing papers for school. Poor dear....someday he will be able to enjoy things like that with us.

They had a table set with lemonade and old fashioned cookies. We felt like we were back in the olden days. I wish towns would have these dances more periodically. It was so much fun.

And.....Leave it to my son to find an instrument to play...He got up and started playing the bass with the group for a couple songs. It was awesome to listen to it. So this is how Laura Ingalls felt in her day. Well, tomorrow is the big day for my dear Mr. Darlings 40th birthday party.....See ya later.

Give Thanks....

2011-11-24T02:47:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Birthday Mr. Darling.....

2011-11-23T04:27:00.000-08:00

Today is My dear Mr. Darlings birthday. Today he turns 40.

I thank God for him everyday. Happy Birthday to my love.

Today I am thankful for:
96. My dear Mr. Darling being born.
97. Mr. Darlings dimples
98. His sweet XOXO's
99. Mr. Darlings loving heart
100. He is a man of God.

Back In Time....

2011-11-20T16:40:00.000-08:00

This weekend we went back in time to the days of The Civil War. Where President Abraham Lincoln was President and we were at war between the North and the South. A time where ladies wore big gowns and hoop skirts with their hair up , where men wore button ups and trousers and children went to school in little one room school houses. We hopped on the stagecoach to be a part of a special 150th Civil War Anniversary Event at the HistoricVail Ranch.For the Re-enactment of the discovery and arrest of the Showalter Secessionist Party in November 1861.There were Displays, costumed soldiers, camps, and demonstrations...With a Barn dance that evening which I will blog about next time.
We met soldiers dressed in their uniforms, holding their rifles and pistols as they shot off many rounds for the spectators. There were lovely ladies in full gowns and pretty hats making braided ribbons, selling their goodes at the merchantile and roaming around with parasols.

We also met a very talented artist who was working on his little peg soldiers...His drawings are brilliant and depicted the era with fine skill, and brought everything to life. You can see his love for American history in detail and passion. If you love or know someone who would appericiate Historical art from that era or bygone days be sure to click the links.

We learned much about the history of the Civil War to our very own history in our town during that period. It was quite fascinating really.

They also provided yummy homemade cookies and apple cider to keep us warm as it was a chilly afternoon. We enjoyed conversation with many of the people among us learning as we went along and trying to grasp the time at hand...We felt as if we were truly in the past for just that moment.

The firearms were shot off periodically which would make you jump when you least expected...Yet only gave the feeling of that day even more authenticity. It was really a delight to step back in time hearing the sounds and smelling the cool air while taking in the sights with our own eyes....It was almost magical since we are really into history. I love anything that brings history to life and this just cut the cake.

Another memory we will cherish of that day was a visit with this man...His name is Malcolm Barnett....He has lived in our town his whole life as he is a 4th generation member of his family who truly has roots and knows all the history of our little town. He sat with my kids and I for some time showing us pictures pointing out his great grandfathers and even pictures of himself as a young boy from a book that was written with all the history of our city. It was so sweet. He was the sweetest soul .....

My visionary taste buds were on full tilt. It was a day that really in many ways blessed us. I am not sure how many spectators felt the way as I did this weekend...But I sure did appericiate the effort and time that was put into this weekend...As they work to preserve our history through these means.

If you ever have a chance to do something like this in your own town...I encourage you to go and feed your family some history come to life...it is a fun interactive, hands on way to enjoy the fruits of the past.
***
Today I am thankful for:
91. History
92. My town
93. Re enactors
94. To touch, to feel and to see wonders
95. Our freedom

The Next Best Thing....

2011-11-19T17:56:00.000-08:00

Bonjour....
This morning my girl and I went to France....Okay maybe not France...But the next best thing. We went down to Old Town to have French Crepes and cocoa. We learned that The French usually eat a small breakfast containing a pastry or crepes with hot cocoa or coffee.

Freckles wore her little beret...So French...
We enjoyed a lovely morning together at the Bistro sipping our hot cocoa together....Just her and I.

We watched them make our yummy crepes filled with Nutella, bananas and strawberries...
topped with whipped cream, sprinkled with powdered sugar....
Oh my...it was so good, so sweet....So fattening.

Our study on France thus far has been really fun. I can't wait to do Italy...
We will surely be eating Italian food somewhere.

Later in the week we will be baking some French pastries
and try our hand at making a dinner.
****
Today I am thankful for:
86. Nutella
87. Warm crispy crepes
88. Sipping cocoa in a Bistro with my girl.
89. Special moments spent with my daughter, just her and I.
90. Learning some new words in a different language.
Au revoir....

Passport To France....

2011-11-18T21:30:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. This week Freckles started out ill again with the flu and fever. Poor dear couldn't stand to keep her head up with her head pounding and sore throat. I pretty much gave her the week off to rest. By the time Friday rolled around she was still a bit under the weather...yet, she had a little more spunk in her. I was planning on starting our unit studies on France earlier in the week...But since she was ill we held off....Until she felt better. We started it Friday....And love it...I ordered the Passport to France unit studies through Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett. We spent the morning by making our passport and watching video clips, geography lessons and cooking.
We cooked up one of our favorite things to eat...CREPES...

Freckles spent the rest of our day creating her first lapbook on France...Filling out maps, learning French words and numbers and drawing The Eiffel Tower. Then we went to the Library to pick out some books to read up on more facts and fun in France. This has been a really fun way to get creative while learning. We have already decided to get another Unit Study on Italy. We have lot's more to learn and add to the lapbook next week...Saturday morn we will make a special trip down to the Patisserie for some authentic French crepes and hot cocoa.

Today I am thankful for:
81. Being able to Home School
82. Fun lessons
83. The Library
84. Books
85. New things to learn about and be blessed by.

Just Playing Around Today....

2011-11-15T12:27:00.000-08:00

In just less than two weeks we will be celebrating my sweet Mr. Darlings birthday. He will be the BIG "40"....In his honor I am throwing him a birthday party...with some vintage fun included. Just like me...he loves old stuff...So I am going to be decorating the backyard with old stuff of course. I thought it would be fun to make a photo booth set up for our friends to enjoy...I will be taking their pictures for memories. Today I thought I would play around with my ideas and came up with this little number. I recently found the little chairs at a garage sale for pennies...These will be painted before his big day. I added some photo frames our old typewriter, books, pillows, clocks and old records.

Mr. darling also loves old music...I found some old records thrifting....I will be setting up the record player and play The Glenn Miller Band, Frank Sinatra, Billy May, music from the 30's 40's and 50's....Perfect for the setting. I have more ideas up my sleeve...But will have to leave you in suspense until his party.
I can't wait.

Today I am thankful for:
76. Imagination
77. Dreams
78. Make believe
79. old stuff
80. Decorating
***
Have a great day.

800...

2011-11-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

Can you believe...I have reached 800 blogging posts? Crazy. I started this blog in 2007. The Child's Paper was a way to share with family afar, friends and fellow home schoolers. I had kept my art blog separate a year or two before starting this blog which has grown through the years into more...This has become a place to share everything about our family. From home schooling my children to everyday things, decorating, cooking/baking, collecting, thrifting, canning, homemaking, my art, crafting/sewing and photography. My personal thoughts, feelings and prayers have been expressed through words and pictures. As many of my readers know...I am a lot more visual...Pictures are like little pieces of art...through my eyes or rose colored glasses, I am able to express who I am ...and the wonders and blessings that God gives us. I am considered shy in nature, quiet and soft spoken with few words...But my mind is filled with dreams, pictures, color and texture...My heart is big, my quiver is full and I am content. Through the years I have made some very special friends some I have never met face to face, few I have had the honor of sharing time with. Blogging has been a blessing, as reading other blogs has given me inspiration...I love that we can share our lives with like minded creative souls...I have found so many beautiful, genuine people in the blogging community...Many have been so supportive...I hope I have been the same for them.

I pray that The Child's Paper would be a blessing for others...I hope you find inspiration in some of my thoughts, my life and pictures. I hope you will stick with me for another 800+ posts. It has been fun getting to know y'all. Even my lurking readers...I am thankful for you too. If you ever get the courage to say hey...Leave me a comment some time....let me know you are there. ;)
Dearest Family, friends and loyal readers. Thanks for always being there...For always being so sweet and encouraging. If it weren't for you...I probably wouldn't have kept this going for so long. I am just tickled that you all find something you like here.

Today I am thankful for:
71. YOU
72. For cameras...I love taking pictures, that is for SURE.
73. Blogging
74. sharing
75. words

Sunday.....

2011-11-13T21:02:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for:
66. Church
67. The Bible
68. The Lord's Day
69. Singing Hymns
70. The Lord's Supper

Good Morning....

2011-11-12T00:03:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for:
61. Giving God all the Glory
62. A nice cup of hot tea
63. Brisk Autumn mornings
64. Happiness
65. Beautiful colorful flowers

History....

2011-11-11T22:23:00.000-08:00

Today we remember those who served in the military and to those who lost their lives to war for our country. We also remember those who are serving now so that our country is safe to live. I am thankful to all those who fought for our freedom and to those who died for it...It reminds me of Christ who ultimately died for our freedom of sin. What a sacrifice. I am thankful to my family members who served...My father was in the Vietnam War, My step father served in the Army, my Father in law served in the Marines, my brother in law served in the Marines, my cousin is currently serving in the Marines...and the many friends also currently serving in the Marines. Our Pastors son who was hit with a IED a couple years ago is doing well now, Our friend who is currently in Afghanistan ministering to the soldiers, sadly had to watch a young man die today due to being hit by an IED. Thank you to those brave souls who serve.
I am thankful for:
56. The veterans and brave soldiers who serve our country and willing to lose their lives for our freedom.

57. For the way's we are able to read, listen to or watch what is going on around us through the paper, the television or the radio. News travels fast.

58. For cameras. Just being able to capture an image is truly amazing. Long ago you had to have your portraits painted or a professional could take your picture...Then came along film...you had to wait a week or two just to get pictures processed...Now you can take an instant digital photo and upload it to a computer....that is really spectacular. I am a visual person...I really love taking pictures...
that I am so thankful for.

59. I am blessed to know my Gramma. Just to sit an listen to her share her life in Latvia, when she had to flee her country during the war. She had to leave her own Gramma behind and stayed in Berlin with her father then had to go live with an Aunt in Germany. Her life was hard. She talked about her and Grampa coming to America and how she was reunited with her mother then reunited with her Gramma many years later. My kids and I enjoyed the evening just listening to her voice. A time I will forever cherish.
60. I am thankful to be her Grand Daughter.

Our Day....

2011-11-10T19:53:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for:
46. Morning sunrises

47. Hot Cocoa in the morning

48. Prayer time

49. Quiet afternoons reading

50. Making pillows for a show

51. Going through my vintage goodies from the garage.
( It's like Christmas)

52. The good ole' American Tootsie Roll

53. Classical music

54. Evening walks

55. Dinner with my family around the table.
***
Today was a good day.
Linking up with: Ten on Ten

Home....

2011-11-09T21:50:00.000-08:00

My last picture here of the collage I made say's it well. I have moved so much in my life...I have made home wherever I have roamed...And have much moving still ahead until eventually my home will be in heaven.
Today I am thankful for:
41. A place to lay my head at night.
42. A roof over my families head.
43. A cozy sanctuary filled with peace.
44. Pictures on my walls.
45. A door I can shut the world out with.

Missy....

2011-11-08T23:40:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for:

36. Fluffy pups

37. Our sweet loyal furry friend

38. Wet kisses

39. Playing fetch

40. Canine Cuddles

Happiness Is.....

2011-11-07T18:11:00.000-08:00

Rainbow Pancakes

I am thankful for:

31. God's rainbow in the sky.
32. God's promises.
33. Color
34. pancakes of course...and yes, you can make these gluten free.
35. maple syrup...the real kind.
***
Make these yourself with your favorite pancake recipe, adding food coloring to it...I used several mixing cups full of batter adding individual colors...Have fun making them...they will bring sunshine to any cold gloomy day and a smile on your kids face.

My Greatest Joy...

2011-11-06T01:17:00.000-07:00

One of my greatest joys is being a mother. From the moment I conceived and felt them within my womb, my love grew for each one of my babies whom I didn't even know yet. That love is so strong...By the time they were brought into this world hearing their tiny cry, I knew they were mine. The first look into their big eyes the love became more real...I was mesmerized by the miracle of the tiniest being knit in the whom created by God and gifted to us. Each day that has passed I am still in awe and wonder when it comes to my children, even on their not so good days. I am blessed to have the name mom....Given this opportunity to raise these children to live for the Lord, to see them grow into the beautiful people that they are.

We have always been an open family... We pray together, talk together, sort out difficult issues and rejoice in blessings. We have shared much hurt, sorrow and tears yet have enjoyed laughter, joy and comfort. Everyday we say good morning and always say goodnight, and we always, always, always say "I love you" at least a million times a day. Okay, maybe not that much...But we do say it quite a bit.

We have worn our hearts on our sleeves and let out the biggest giggles anyone has ever heard.... I just couldn't ask for anything more or less than the gift of motherhood. I am always sure to tell my friends who are newly parents to be sure not to blink. for they grow up so fast. Yeah, it kind of bothers me a bit. I just wish they would be little for just a bit longer... Clearly that isn't going to happen. I will always cherish the times I have spent and get to spend with my children, I can tell you I will and do not regret one single thing...and look forward to what is to come...It's like waiting for a big Christmas present.

Today I am thankful for:

26. Spending quality time with my children.
27. Sharing dreams with my children.
28. Praying with my children.
29. hearing the laughter of my children.
30. Seeing my children smile.

Rain....

2011-11-05T01:45:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for:
21. The rain on my face
22. Rain tapping on my window
23. Singing in the rain
24. The smell of rain
25. Splashing in Rain puddles
***
We have rain.. Who knows if it will last. I can tell you this much...We really needed it. Makes me miss our old home in Washington, where it rains all the time. I am hoping it will rain all weekend...just a nice change from hot scorching sun. have a wonderful weekend.

Thankful Even On Sick Day's....

2011-11-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

Today will be a short post due to illness running a muck through our household. As the week went on my daughter and I feel worse...With rest and fluids we are spending our days taking it easy watching a few movies. Yesterday felt like Summer...blue skies, too warm to do anything and today it's dreary, gray and raining. Go figure. We are cozy inside wearing our p.j's all day, drinking hot chai tea lattes to sooth our throats. Here are a handful of blessings today.

16. I am thankful for these special sick girl days...Just me an my daughter hanging out watching movies.
17. I am thankful for the dreary day that forced us to stay inside snuggled up in p.j's and blankets.
18. I am thankful for hot tea and ice cream....Each soothes a sore throat.
19. I am thankful for my sweet friend who brought over chicken soup.
20. I am thankful for warm pajama's all snugly and soft next to my skin.
***

Friends....

2011-11-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

Growing up...we moved a lot...Not because my father was in the military...Many of the reasons I am unclear. My dad was known as a dreamer of sorts. He would get an idea in his head and move the whole family wherever that was. Yet, it took a toll on us, especially the kids. My sister spent many of her growing up years with my Gramma...So most of the moving around was with my brother and I. It was difficult to start a new school, make new friends and then get uprooted. It usually wasn't hard to make the friends...It was hard leaving them and not being able to stay in touch...and having to do it all over again the next school year. I was born in Washington, moved to Oregon, Colorado then across the U.S to Florida and back to California by the time I was 7. Life was still unstable from then on. We moved from city to city, changing schools, uprooting our lives and eventually breaking the family apart by the time I was 13, I can't even count on my fingers how many places I lived in all my years growing. up. My years of moving wasn't yet over...

These were lonely times for me. Yes, I had a brother...But he wasn't really into me...So most of the time I was a loner of sorts...I used my imagination a lot. I would spend many hours playing outside or with my animals. It was really the animals that helped me get through all the loneliness I felt. Here and there I had a neighbor kid to play with. But then we would have to move....Funny thing is after all the years that passed I have actually found many of the girls I played with on Facebook. Though we are friends on Facebook, we have totally different lives, we truly don't know each other or what is in our hearts. In my later years and as a married gal...We still have had to move due to unforeseen roadblocks. We left California for Washington for almost 11 years before we ended back to California for Seminary. I have built few really good friendships with woman I consider to be the truest of true. Though the states keep us apart...We still stay in touch. Coming back here was very hard for me. I have made a few friends I am sure to stay in touch with...yet, there have also been a few that have really hurt me.

It has been very difficult to fit in here... Once you move into an area as an adult...many of the people you meet already have their group of friends that they have known for years...I have seen clickiness with so many, it has been hard to fit in and feel like your wanted. I truly am okay with that. I am kind of used to it. I have a wonderful husband who will always and forever be the best friend I have ever hoped for...I have two beautiful children and a family who fills those empty gaps. When I am at church on Sunday...I am usually the one to greet the new comer...why? Because I know what it's like to come to a new place and not have a friend in the world...I am the one who will befriend them...Through that I have also built some sweet relationships with the younger married women...Inviting them to my home to teach them how to can food. It has been a Titus2 ministry.

After all the years of tears...that I didn't have any friends...I am over it now and completely content with what I have. My family a few true good friends and God by my side is all I need.

11.I am thankful for the few good lifelong friends I have.
12. I am thankful for the love I have been shown through the years.
13. I am thankful for the friends who have stuck by me through thick and thin.
14. I am thankful for the young ladies in my church who wish to learn the art of homemaking.
15. I am thankful for my best friend in the whole world~ My husband.
***
True friends are hard to come by.
Be thankful for the ones you have.

Gratitude...

2011-11-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

For the simple things in life and for the big ones too. Often we can become overwhelmed by the kindness of others, including God, those times are the best times to show your gratitude by offering up prayer to God for the blessings in our lives. I have much to be thankful for. The many people in our lives who have stepped up to help my family through acts of generosity and kindness, that got us through some difficult times. There was a season where after losing our second child, my husband also lost his job. We couldn't afford food for the holidays ahead, let alone get gifts for our three year old son. Yet, God's people came forward bearing gifts of food for Thanksgiving and Christmas along with necessities such as laundry detergent, toilet paper, cleaners etc. That year was one of our hardest years...we were still new to Christianity and only have been married a few years. God showed us the many acts of kindness through His people...We were amazed and grateful and in awe by their compassion and love towards our little family. That year someone came by with a Christmas tree... the tree was full of toys and clothes for our son.....Each gift was picked out specifically for him... And when we thought we wouldn't be able to make a Christmas for him...It was one of the best Christmas' we ever had. And of course his wonderful Grandparents made sure he had something to enjoy under the tree. Someone else even made sure that our electricity, water and heat were paid so they wouldn't turn us off during the holidays. I couldn't even tell you who these strangers were...
for everyone acted anonymously
God works like that.

Everyday I am grateful for those loving souls who took it upon themselves to bless our family that year...I will never forget those many acts of kindness for as long as I live... I am indebted to them.

6. I am thankful for God's people who have such big hearts and compassion for those in need.
7. I am thankful for the Church...For you will find so many people that walk in the way of the Lord.
8. I am thankful for those who blessed us that year...only God knows their names.
9. I am thankful for the little things and the big things in life...I am grateful for this life.
10. I am thankful for all selfless acts that were bestowed to us, for that was truly a gift in itself.

Blessings & Thankfulness....

2011-11-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

Happy November. This is the month where we celebrate Thanksgiving. A month I thought would be fitting to write down some of the many things I am thankful for in my life. So everyday this month I will jot down a handful of blessings, gifts, and thankful thoughts... I owe all to God.

1. The first and foremost gift I am ever so thankful for is God Himself. For taking me out of the darkness so many years ago. For saving me from the fiery road to hell. He has convicted my heart and restored it with hope, faith and promise of eternal life. How could such a gift be overlooked? Everyday I wake, I am thankful for this particular undeserving gift...thankful that I have this life here and now and the ultimate gift to live forever when I pass from this life on earth. That is the ultimate gift one could ever receive. One so humbling...I wonder sometimes why me? I am a nobody....But truly I am a someone in the Lords eyes.

2. I am grateful for the tender man given to me. My dear Mr. Darling. The first man to love me like no one ever has. Who knows who I really am inside and out and takes me the way that I am. God knew I needed him...patient, loving, God fearing. He is my better half who keeps me going, always encourages me, who cheers me on when I feel I can't move on. He tells me I'm beautiful even when I wake up with hair tossed to and fro. He is my best friend who knows all my secrets, feelings and thoughts that no one else but God knows. He is my everything...I couldn't and wouldn't ask for anything more.

3. I am thankful for my son. He was a bouncing bundle of 9 lbs. 10 oz. baby boy. Always sweet as could be, never gave me guff or heartache. Even now as he is fast approaching young adulthood, he is one of the kindest, loving, caring souls one would ever know. He is open about his feelings, shares with us what's going on in his life, always gives us a hug and kiss goodbye/hello or goodnight. I am thankful for what he is becoming...One who loves the Lord, who wants to do things that are right in God's eyes who respects his parents...what more could a parent want...really. He is my blessing.

4. I am thankful for my daughter. God knew I needed her. After the loss of our second child...I though my world would end...though I kept going because of my wonderful husband and little boy who encouraged me to move on....several years after that loss I became pregnant...a gift for real. She was a surprise...I found out new Years Day 2000, I was expecting. For some strange reason...I didn't want a girl. Perhaps I was comfortable with the already 6 year old boy I had and felt I wouldn't know what to do with a girl...Yet, when we found out we were having a girl, my heart softened and looked forward to her coming. A long pregnancy, illness and almost losing her more than half way through she came into our lives as fast as she got there. She struggled in her little self for many months...depending only on me. She was a lot more strong willed...a will that was tamed with patience, love and on going lessons. She is a sweet, shy spirit... my little shadow always by my side, a giggling, happy child who adores her family and growing into quite the young lady. God surely knows what is best and what we need even when we don't think we need it...She is my blessing in disguise.

5. I am thankful for the gift of having children...when there are so many in this world who will never have the experience of carrying a child in their womb. Many reasons we may never be able to fathom. Yet, for many God has given the gift of being able to feel the growth of a child within their womb, an experience and feeling that is so hard to explain....and so amazingly extraordinary. I am thankful for having the opportunity to have carried my babies, feeling their little bodies move about and grow and giving birth to them. A feeling I can't explain...but ever so grateful to have experienced.

This concludes my first day of blessings and thanksgiving. I hope you enjoyed the first handful of my thoughts. I hope this too will encourage you to think deeply about the many blessings you have to be thankful for. have a wonderful week dear readers.

It's Farm Time!!!

2011-10-29T22:46:00.000-07:00

Every Autumn Season I have taken my children to a farm...It is one of the highlights of our year. This year it was just me and Freckles...My son hurt his neck somehow and didn't feel up to going. Poor guy. Yet, Freckles and I had a fun day petting the animals, listening to some Folk music, watching pig races, roaming through a corn maze, eating a lemonade slushy,
walking around the farm and enjoying our day outside in the country.

This was a treat...these guy's were pretty good...
So I made a snippet video of what we heard.

I know there were a lot of pictures...But, it was so hard to choose which ones to choose...so I posted a bunch of what I liked from our fun day out at the farm. Hope you enjoyed your time here.

Blessings to you all.

Project Touch...Reaching Out To The Homeless Community...

2011-10-29T01:55:00.000-07:00

Our Churches Youth Group has pulled together to serve in our own community, reaching out to the many homeless souls, blessing them with a meal once a month while other community churches also come forth to give a gift homemade comfort food. I love the idea of our young to serve....Especially in our own community. Several families teens got together and pitched in various food items and helping hands to make a dinner for 70 homeless people. It was surly a blessing to our family to be a part of something that is meaningful...Which will also plant seeds of giving, sacrifice, serving and humbleness in my children.

"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said,
'It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Acts 20:25


If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests,
but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:1~4

I know for me it has been a struggle with trusting people I don't know and hearing the stories of homeless people taking advantage of good hearted people and the system...Some may be true...Yet there are other circumstances that we may not know or realize that people are going through..Hard times, no work, no family, those with children. Perhaps some of them like you and me had homes and jobs, a car, and money..But lost everything due to the economy or other things we couldn't even fathom. I know that not all people are scoundrels...there are people really in pain, suffering and lonely..There are many without a Saviour. My heart goes out to them...Even in the Bible you find Jesus Himself sat and feasted with the homeless, the less fortunate, the tax collectors...Because they needed a Savior. And the Pharisees just didn't like it or get it. I have sympathy and empathy for those who are in hurt and in need....I have only tasted a little of what that would be like...When I was at the tender age of 13 my father left my mom, my siblings and myself...From that moment of heartache...our lives were ripped apart...a family broken and no home to go to. We had to live in a Motel room for a season until my mother could get on her feet...We then stayed with a friend living in a drug/gang fested neighborhood for about a year...It still wasn't our home, a place to call home..In many ways...we were homeless. It was terrible...we were poor yet grateful we had a roof over our head. Things then eventually turned around with my mom remarrying, we had to start over. That I pray for these many homeless folks in our community.That they would seek the Lord and be able to find work, a roof over there head and be able to support themselves.

You look at these faces and think...They are just like you and me...They are broken, they are lonely and many times they are hungary.This lady here has a name and a story which I don't even know...and she showed up this day for a warm meal and people who care. It humbles me and reminds me of the provisions God gives many of us..some don't ever have to worry about it at all. And so many take it all for granted. I need to remind myself too, to be thankful, especially that I am a child of God.These are BIG life lessons I hope and pray to instill in my children..To seek to serve and give all the love they can out...For that is exactly what Christ did for us.

As Each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1Peter 4:10~11
***
P.S.
"There are more shelters for animals than for people"
pretty sad. Please pray for your homeless community and encourage your family to reach out and give your time, make a meal, give them a blanket this coming Winter...For Heavens sake...They are people too!Blessings to you...

A Funky, Colorful Art Class....

2011-10-28T10:36:00.000-07:00

Last week we learned about James Rizzi a Pop Art Artist of our time who creates childlike, colorful, funky pieces of work with faces and buildings and buildings with faces...Some you may find pretty strange and wonder what the heck is in this guy's head. We found this art class project on Deep Space Sparkle for 6th graders...Yet, I am pretty sure kids younger can do this very easy painting.

Freckles enjoyed this project so much that she kept drawing different faces throughout the week on her own. This project was again, very simple with simplistic black lines and color with added whimsy giving each quirky character their individual funky look. I choose several artists each year to study and do projects on...Just to expand the horizons a bit. It's just plain ole' simple fun and learning.

I even did one along side Freckles...It was fun...even old people like myself will enjoy playing around with the lines and. color from this project.
Happy Colorful Day To You....

Blessed Are the Children Of Quilters...For They Shall Inherit The Quilts...

2011-10-27T00:53:00.000-07:00

Well my Mom was not a quilter...so I have to rely on the next best thing. I found these sweet cutter quilt pieces...all hand sewn mind you. I have a simple vision for them for future endeavors. Isn't it brilliantly colorful, cheery and happy? Doesn't it make you want to smile?

They are like little pieces of art. The shapes,
the patterns, the colors. I love them so.

Okay so here is my thoughts. There is a Vintage Flea Market in my area that is held every three months...so I thought perhaps it would be fun to get back into doing shows again. That's how I started many moons ago with my dolls. It will be a lot of work...So I am going to spend the remainder of this Fall and Winter in hopes to make a bunch of goodies to sell in the market by Spring. In the meantime, I am going to collect some items that would be fitting to re-sell and sew and paint and create my little heart away.

So, probably the next time you see these sweet quilted blocks
of goodness they will be transformed into something new.

And...I am keeping one for myself...since this one is so me and my colors.
Have a Happy Autumn, colorful kind of day.

Good Things...

2011-10-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

Today after schooling, we spent the late morning/afternoon making good things...like good wholesome healthy snacks. The past couple years i have made dried apples,bananas and strawberries to snack on...I decided to make that and try my hand at fruit leather. I am so happy I did. It turned out delightfully yummy. We made pear and apple fruit leather....no sugar, no preservatives all good.

I had Freckles make gluten free granola bars...since we are cutting out wheat and as much processed foods as possible...I found a recipe but switched it up a bit to our liking. We used gluten free all purpose flour, gluten free oats, cinnamon, honey, my homemade applesauce, cashews and almonds,dried cherries and raisins, some cherry chocolate my son brought back from Czech, Almond butter, and apple juice which I juiced myself with our Juiceman.

My little me helper mixed up all the ingredients, poured it onto a foil lined
cookie sheet and spread it out evenly....

We baked it on 375 degrees for 30 minutes just as it was lightly browned...Cut them into bars while they were still warm, storing them in an airtight container for snacks or a quick breakfast on the run for my guys.

We were pleasantly surprised with the flavor and consistency of the granola bars. I always thought gluten free stuff is kind of bland and the texture would be gross...But no...It was really good...and that's a good thing.

I love that they are healthy for us too...Hope you get a chance to make them...
Your family will really enjoy the wholesome goodness.

Owl Costume....

2011-10-22T00:21:00.000-07:00

I finally finished putting together Freckles costume for the Hoot, Howl and Prowl at The Ecological Reserve Field trip we're going on Saturday evening....I designed her outfit using several different wool fabrics from old clothing and a coat which I turned into the cape....The wool feathers are sewn on an old black dress...with a hoop skirt under extra skirting giving it a round, plump look. We then added stripe stockings and Maryjane's. A black feathered boa is tied around her neck and the ears are wool pieces attached to a head band. We got the idea for owl glasses on Martha Stewart's site...
It turned out so cute....It's quite the hoot.
Linking to:
Life made Lovely
One Artsy Mama

This Week...

2011-10-21T00:55:00.000-07:00

Here in California...at least in my neck of the woods...The weather has been a bit finicky. One day it's cool, the next it's hot...Then it's cool again..I am so ready now for one of my favorite seasons...Autumn of course. I am well prepared with quilts and afghans...ready to snuggle in and relax. Last winter we found this sweet old sleeping bag for Freckles. I found it thrifting one day for 3 dollars. So cute.... and so colorful. Shes looking forward to using it for girlie sleepovers.

It was a nice crisp day. We got a lot accomplished and even enjoyed a lovely brisk walk through the neighborhood. It was chilly enough to wear a little sweater. I love days like that.

I captured this sweet shot of a humming bird in my friends backyard...I showed Mr. Darling and he says.."So they really do have feet"...Yes silly..they do. We laughed. You know it was just a few months ago when he realized that dogs actually have eyelashes too. I love that man.

We have many visitors in our garden right now. This pesky guy was laughing at me..Can you see it?
He thinks he is quite cleaver. I don't think so.

We also made some BIG changes with our diet. I went through my cupboards and took out a bunch of processed foods, grains and most carbs & dairy. We are hoping to see more wellness in our home rather than all the allergies and illnesses we always get hit with. Plus we plan on losing weight. Freckles and I are exercising everyday and walked 2-3 days a week..There's still so much work ahead of us...Just can't wait to see some long overdue results.

I am happy to say I can still have my herbal tea with a touch of honey and coconut milk creamer...I have been using my trusty emergency mug lately...Isn't it just adorable? I found it thrifting for $2 buckaroos.
Happy dance. Now I need to focus on that owl costume I'm making Freckles for the 1 mile Night Time hike at the Ecological Preserve this Saturday. I am hoping to get it done tomorrow. Then we'll reveal. have yourself a merry Autumn day.

Speaking Of Blooms..Blissful Blooms That Is...

2011-10-19T13:38:00.000-07:00

There are many blessings through blogging. One of which you meet the sweetest people. Sometimes certain people connect more than others, and when they do....You find that you have much in common and build a friendship. Recently I met a sweet gal named Amy. She is a fellow believer, home school Mama, and she crafts and collects vintage stuff. She makes the prettiest blooms....I loved them so much I told her so...and she came up with..."hey let's swap". I love to swap goodies...so of course I was in. She loved my Spend Wisely checkbook covers...one in particular was sold to a bloggy friend of mine....So, I told Amy, I could make her the same one. The rest is history....We swapped. I received my bloom in the mail last week...I love getting mail. I was thrilled to see she had chosen a reddish color for me....You know how much I adore red.

It is so nicely made...I love, love, love it...and she made it to where you can clip it in your hair or pin it to your sweater or scarf...Ingenious. Since she lives far away from me...I had to at least take a picture of my own self so that she could see me enjoying my bloom. I am not a fan of my own picture being taken...A bit self conscious I guess. But I did ...so here ya go. I love it in my hair...I felt so cute.

Then I pinned it to my sweater...adorable.... I even wore it pinned to my scarf. I think I will be needing more colors. Amy does esqusette work...She hopes and I sure hope she will open an Etsy Shoppe...I think they would sell like hot cakes. I believe she has sold them in shows and The Farm Chicks Show....So, I just know she will do well online. If there is anyone reading this that Fancy's these sweet Blissful Blooms...I am sure she would be happy to do a special order.

So let me introduce to you...
Amy from Blissful Blooms.

Please do stop by and say hello.
Amy...You are one sweet friend. Thank you so much for my Bloom...
Have a Blissful Bloom kind of day.

Bloom Where Your Planted....

2011-10-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

So she's in the middle of that "in between stage" Still a little girl and becoming a young young woman. I am not sure why this is all happening so early...Perhaps it is only early for me. But, with God this is the right time.This last Summer my dear little girl has bloomed in leaps and bounds. Changes everywhere have only been the obvious. We have had many talks and many hugs during this time in her life. It is such a privilege to see what God is actually doing with her. The hardest part for me is seeing her stuck between two worlds of being a little girl who plays with dolls and the other part seeing her mature and blossom in places your just not ready for at such a tender age. For there is still a part of me who wishes to see her enjoy her dolls and play for as long as she has her childhood...(no rush), yet, there is another part of me of course who wishes to see her bloom into the beautiful young woman God has meant her to be. I am not the type of Mother who gives in to the worlds thinking of "oh this is a terrible tween stage" With emotions and physical changes within her, I try to understand the root and the heart...If it is a problem, I nip it in the bud...
(I try to at least) Then God takes care of the rest.

It is true we have our days of battle...with whatever sin it is that day. Perhaps she grumbles or comes of rude at times. We draw her in...talk about the issue at hand, why it is not appropriate for a young lady to act as that. She quickly turns the corner with a sunnier disposition once reigned in by love,compassion and patience. Above all we ask her if she glorifying God when she acts in that manner. Every time it is a no...And that is where she thinks about her actions and changes her mood. I just don't believe that such behavior should be pushed aside as" it's a stage" No, no, no...This is a heart issue that needs to be taken care of immediately or surly they will never change...And you will be a very unhappy mother. I gaurentee your home will be a happier, pleasent place to live if you just take the time to work out their heart issues immedietly.

I am quite excited to see how God is working in my daughter. Our daughters are surly designed by God to be unique." Bloom where your planted" means to grow and become all you can be, no matter where you find yourself in this journey and glorifying God in all that you do. So, even though she is between a child and a young woman...she can enjoy her calling. Being a child of God, a daughter, a sister, a friend...to enjoy her playtime and embrace the wonderful gift of girlhood/womanhood. There is no rush to get rid of the dolls just yet. She is content in her skin....knowing there is changes within her....She will only continue to bloom...And I am so happy for her.

When I became a mother, I pledged to be the best I can be to them...I promised to be there for everything and endure everything that God put my way. Some days are harder than others...I must say, I am grateful for even those hard day's for I can also grow by them...I guess you can say we are all blooming together like a beautiful bouquet. Dearest readers whom are Mothers....This is a wonderful journey...Just remember to be patient with Lot's of love,prayer and faith in God is so very important in a healthy home. Take what God gives you, embrace it and help your children to bloom....And may you also Bloom.

A Mommie's Helper....

2011-10-13T14:19:00.000-07:00

Not only did my son get a job this year...My dear Freckles got a job too... Over the Summer she took a certified class on baby sitting, first aid and CPR. She has been reading all about babies, children and baby sitting for quite sometime now. She loves babies. On Sunday's after church most of the time you know where to find her...she's holding a baby. A sweet opportunity came up for her. Our friends offered for her to come to their home once a week to help out the Mama...So she can get some things done.

For a nursing baby, this is a great start for both the baby and Freckles. Freckles will help out any way she can so that our Mama friend can get things done or run an errand. Freckles is ecstatic to say the least. She loves it so far. This scenario works well for a new mother and a young baby sitter to be a Mommies helper, before taking on babysitting alone for longer periods.

This will give my young maiden some experience with babies... For she expresses often she wishes to be a Mommy someday. This makes me a very proud Mommy too.
I am so happy for them.

Gatherings....

2011-10-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

In the midst of all the canning, baking and preparing for the Literary Tea this last Saturday...I failed to take any pictures of the event itself. Boooo on me. I got a few pics. before hand...And that's all I got. It was a nice afternoon as we had apple spice tea and Madagascar vanilla tea. I made a pumpkin roll, spinach and cheese tarts, and ham tortilla rolls...yummy. The girls all brought some goodies to share...a couple salads, muffins and veggies and fruit...It was a nice spread indeed.

I decorated the table...and made this fun bunting with brown crumbled coffee filters and book pages strung above the table...It turned out quite charming I think.

Of course there was candy corn and pumpkins...What would the Autumn season be without those things. We almost finished the Little Threads book which we started last month...just a couple more chapters to go then on to a new book. I am already planning the menu for next month...We have loved having these special teas with our friends. I hope they too find it a blessing. The remainder of the weekend was great. We had a lovely Sunday at Church then we had a gathering of several families over for fellowship for the day in our home. I made honey hamm and swiss sliders, sweet potato~ potato salad, served with jello, watermelon, salad and a delightfiul colossal caramel apple trifle...all was wonderful and filled our friends bellies...It was wonderful. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend too.

Apples & Banaynays...

2011-10-08T01:54:00.000-07:00

I wish I can say I went and picked this big basket of apples...But, I didn't. Yet, a few friends of mine and I are hoping to get to the apple orchard to do so...Hopefully. I just couldn't pass up the price at Fresh And Easy ( a supermarket here). At 49. cents a pound...I bought almost 20 pounds of Galas to make our apple sauce. Then next week I am teaching a few of my friends from church how to make and can apple sauce themselves...I knew that my kitchen would be a very busy place so...I got mine out of the way so I could devote my time to my friends. I love this time of year....makes me think of our wonderful day with my friend Susan who taught me ~n~ Freckles how to make yummy applesauce.

We set up our work stations...cut and cooked down all the apples as Miss Freckles here got to do the funnest part of all. Yup...she got to put all the apples through the food mill. And that's just where all the magic happened. It was glorious I tell you.

Not only did we spend time making applesauce...we also sent banaynays through the food mill and canned them for future use in banana bread and perhaps a shake or too...Why can bananas? Well, it's just fun and in case I don't have a nanners on hand...I know I have some in my cupboard waiting to be used in something.

After that...we didn't stop there....We also made Banana Butter...Yes, Banana Butter. It is cooked down just like jam using banana, pineapple and Marrichino Cherries with a package of liquid pectin. It will be used on toast and scones. We labored for about 5 hours. Then I made a pumpkin roll for our Literary tea. Finished about 10 o'clock at night....getting the last minute details together for the tea...then off to bed.

Canning has brought me joy. I am so thankful to God for these delightful foods in which He provides and makes available for us. It is wonderful knowing my family has some fresh, delicious food in the pantry to last us until next Spring...Then the canning starts again.
Happy Canning.

Nature Autumn Walks...

2011-10-07T00:36:00.000-07:00

It's officially Autumn...One of my favorite seasons. Yet, this is also the time where we seem to pick up those nasty colds and flu's. And, again my family got struck with it. Just as we thought it was all past us a couple weeks ago, we were hit again for a second time last week. A lot of vitamin C, water, rest and time...We are finally on a mend. Freckles and I started taking little walks around the neighborhood last week for a bit of exercise and fresh air...Most every time we find leaves and seed pods etc...lying around and bring them home...It is fun to collect God's beautiful works of art.

Yesterday we went out for a brisk nature walk around, picking up all sorts of pretty items. Leaves,twigs, pods, dried up berry looking things...all in an array of Autumn colors. Just, simply majestic. We live in the subs...which isn't like the best place to take in a nature walk....but surely even in the burbs or a city, you'll find a tree or something to marvel at....Even if it's in your own back yard. We are getting really excited... in a couple weeks we are going to the Hoot, Howl and Prowl at Blue Sky Ecological Reserve for a mile hike adventure to see some critters ( we are hoping owls) in the evening hours...And Freckles gets to dress up as a wildlife character...Oh yes she is....So we decided to make an owl costume for her to wear. Can't wait.

Okay, so back on what I was talking about. Oh yeah....Nature walks in our neighborhood. We collected some sweet things to decorate in our home for Fall...So we came up with this little darling floral arrangement using the nature finds we gathered from our walk... in a tea cup
( which my Gramma gave me the set)
I love this set. Isn't it just adorable?
I really love how something like nature finds can be so simple, yet beautiful in a little vignette.
It just looks so charming and warm. Well, I am off...I have some preparing to do for our Literary Tea on Saturday.... We just love our tea and books. Hope you all have a lovely weekend ahead.

Pray.....

2011-10-06T00:44:00.000-07:00

Sewing Class....

2011-10-01T23:43:00.000-07:00

Happy October!
We finally got around to our sewing class. I intended for Freckles to start with a doll...But with much thought I decided to do something a little simpler first. A project that is more straight lined and only takes a couple days. We found this great pinwheel doll quilt tutorial on the web...So decide this would be her first project for her dolls. The fun part was picking out the fabrics from the sowing box. This would be a little bit of a challenge for us since I have never made pinwheels. We sat down and cut out all the pieces needed for the quilt, cut and sewed all the little pinwheels together with some help of course. I think they turned out pretty darn good for being our first pinwheels. Just don't look too close.

I then let Freckles put her color designs together in their rows...Then she settled into more sewing. Each row was sewn together pretty nicely. I am so proud of her...It was a little difficult for her to keep the foot straight on the fabric line and she was speeding on the pedal...I had to slow her down a bit before she got a ticket. I got behind her a few times biting my tongue and trying really hard to let her do it on her own...So I helped her hands guide the fabric along the foot, keeping it as straight as possible.

After the blocks were together we moved onto sewing the remainder pieces onto the sides... It was taking shape and looking so cute. It really helps to have a receptive student and a patient teacher. We decided after the several hours we put into it, that we would take a break and finish off the quilt with the batting, binding and machine quilting this weekend. I am so thrilled that we got this far in one day. Freckles will soon be on the road to sewing very well, following instruction and completing projects all on her own. We will be sure to show you the finished dolly quilt soon.

Happy Dance....Happy Sewing...

My Heart Is In Latvia...

2011-09-30T23:37:00.000-07:00

It's in my blood... a heritage I long to know, family in another country I have never met in person, their my people. My heart is full when I think of my Grandparents life in Latvia. They prospered on farms, lived fairly well, was hit with war, separation and broken hearts. My grandparents met in a displacement camp in Germany. My Grandfather was a soldier, my Grandma a stage actress. It wasn't love at first sight for Grams..Until my persistent Grampa sent her letters and kept calling on her. Eventually they fell in love, got married and expected their first child in 1950. They got on a boat bound for America, gave birth to my mother and lived in Seattle, Washington for many years. They had not seen their home for years even before coming to America. My Grampa left for the war at age 18 and never set eyes on his family again. He past away 17 years ago, never having the chance to go back home and hold his siblings in his arms once more. Through pure blessing his son was the first to go back in his honor and went again a second time. My Mother also went back for her second visit just this Summer. My sister also. How wonderful to see our family from afar and touch our heritage. They each came back saying it was truly like home. Though I have not had the opportunity to go back, I cherish my heritage very much. I have collected many items from the old world... which remind me of the family I have there. As I long to see them someday.

While we lived in Washington for 11 years.. I was able to get in touch with a Latvian group that my Grandparents were once a part of when my mother was young. My sister remembers it too. This group would have a bazaar once a year and sell their handmade, baked, items from the hands of young and older Latvians who came from abroad so many years ago.Much of the items were brought back from Latvia to sell. They, to this day keep their arts alive through beautiful pottery, linens, silver, jewelry , amber, stitchery and foods. And every year we would go and visit, buy some pottery or linen and eat. There were a few older Latvians that remember very well, my Grandparents. It was as close as I could get to my heritage every year...Every November we saved n extra bit of money just for the affair
. I miss that now that we are in California.

It has also been so nice to be given gifts from our family. I have received a couple really sweet pieces of table linen and pottery which I adore.

After my sister returned home from her trip she gifted us with some lovely tea, handmade egg cups, a little bit of this and that and a Babushka doll from Russia. ( Since I collect those too)

My mom brought back handmade soap, candy, perfume, amber cross necklaces, some animal pottery whistles, a wooden whistle, a lovely linen table topper (in picture above doll)), this sweet lil folk art peg doll in this picture....

She also brought me these two pottery pieces in the pictures above...Each say "Ligo" which means happy sort of celebration. My Gramma had a hard time explaining for the word was more like an action. I love my newest pieces so very much. My Mom also bought me a beautiful silver ring which I will share...Now I have four Latvian rings. The next few pictures are pieces I bought years ago from the Latvian Bazaar.

These are just a few of the delights I have...Each animal you see above is a pottery whistle. An old Latvian lady would bring them every year to the bazaar...where I fell in love with them. Each year I bought one or two. My first was the Caterpillar in the background. Each one really whistles. The rooster in the picture above is also a whistle. My mom was so excited when she was out shopping, she found a couple in a little shop and brought them home. They are not pictured here...I will have to make another post with my other pieces so you can see them.

I was blessed this last year to learn a couple recipes from my Gramma. She remembers just how her Gramma cooked and baked. I made pierogies...which is a little roll filled with onion and bacon & Frikadelu Zupa which is this Latvian soup ( meatball soup) above...This is a favorite in my home. I just know if I had the chance to visit our homeland, I wouldn't want to return. For the first time this Summer my Grandfathers eldest sister Zelma was able to skype with me for a brief moment...she cried out my Grandfather's name, Edgar, when she saw me on the screen...and wept...For she thought I looked like her brother when he was young. It was a very emotional time...one I will forever keep in my heart. She is quite old now...someday I wish to hold her in my arms and kiss her and just tell her how much I love her.

We Couldn't Resist....

2011-09-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

Today was art class. Another very simple project...yet quite fun. Through the years of home schooling...I have slacked in the art department. Go figure...since I am an artist. Now that my son is attending college classes during the day...Freckles and I have more time to sit down and do art projects. She is a talented little girl...so I decided to start out with elementary lessons to give her a feel of different mediums an techniques. This project was meant to be free flowing, quick, sketchy with scribbles and such. I wanted her to fill up the page with oil crayon shapes and squiggles. This part just takes a few minutes.

Next we added black water color over the whole piece. See how the oil crayon resists the black paint? After the piece drys completely...We took a black permanent marker and quickly traced over the colored areas...The nice thing is, it can be sketchy like. We added a little extra detail such as lines, dots and squiggles. So fun, easy and whimsical.

She did a great job. So simple. I did one right along side her.
I had fun doing it too.

Happy Painting.

HONEY BEES

2011-09-29T00:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been a while since I have dropped in. I spent the last week doctoring myself from the flu. Thankfully it was a shortened illness. I was loading up on a ton of vitamin C. Still a little out of it, but surely on the mend. School has resumed. This semester we are finishing up on our nature study on Botany. One thing we find very interesting is pollination through God's littlest creatures. One being, The Honey Bee.

I spent about 20 minutes taking pictures of these marvelous creatures swarming in our little orange tree. Freckles stayed inside for fear they would sting her. I stayed pretty still, as not too disrupt their pollen hunting and nectar sipping. It was quite amazing though...I must admit. Even though I was a bit frightened of them myself. I captured some pretty decent shots...shared them with Freckles and talked about them.

Honey bees are our friends of course. They are definitely very important to our little world. If you haven't studied much about these little critters...It is a must learn for everyone. They are spectacular for sure.
Happy Learning.

Sock Monkey Portraits....

2011-09-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

(Freckles Sock Monkey)

(Mama's Sock Monkey)
*****
Supplies:
■12 x 18″ colored Tru-Ray Sulphite paper (construction paper)
Or thick white paper
■Black oil pastel
■Palette of brown, white and red tempera or acrylic paint
■colored yarn, ric-rac, pom-poms, googly eyes, painted paper or paper scraps, buttons…anything decorative!
Step One: Drawing the Monkey
No need for elaborate instructions as you can see the drawing is really easy:
***
1.Draw two dots for eyes
2.Below the “eyes” draw a large ovals on its side. Then draw another larger oval around that. Add a line in the middle for the mouth.
3.Starting at the outside oval on the left hand side, draw a line up and around to the other side of the oval. This will become the head.
4.Draw a curved line at the top of the head to mimic toe reinforcements.
5.Add two ears to the side of the head.
6.Draw a simple body and skinny arms.
Step Two: Painting
Using white tempera or acrylic paint (do not wet brushes), paint the mouth and the top of the head with white paint. Let dry slightly and then paint over the white area with brown or black paint.
Finish painting the body with brown (use the double-load technique with the black and white paint).Then, use an oil pastel to trace over all painted black lines.
Step Three: Decorate your Sock Monkey
Set out embellishments and demonstrate a few easy ways to decorate the sock monkey.
This is truly the best part of the lesson...The process of experimenting and coming up with the most unique sock monkey. We added pom poms,googly eyes, papers and lace...

We found this project on Deep Space Sparkle
This was a simple yet fun project to make.
Easy enough for any child that can draw...or any Mama, like me.
Happy Painting.