Where does the time go?

To all the young moms out there: kiss your babies lots and lots, 'cause they really will be grown before you know it. As they grow, cherish the late night heart-to-hearts. Soon enough, their heart may belong to another. Cheesy, I know, but as I've said before, this is my blog and I can wax sentimental if I want to.

In a few days, my family and I will be flying to the bottom of the world to witness our darling girl marry the best guy ever and begin their new life together in New Zealand, the land of the long white cloud. God is faithful. We have a twenty-some hour journey to our celebratory destination. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Back in a while with pictures--yaaaay!

Thank you, Mr. Dekker

"To awaken each morning with a smile brightening my face; to greet the day with reverence for the opportunities it contains; to approach my work with a clean mind; to hold ever before me, even in the doing of little things, the Ultimate Purpose toward which I am working; to meet men and women with laughter on my lips and love in my heart; to be gentle, kind, and courteous through all the hours; to approach the night with weariness that ever woos sleep and the joy that comes from work well done - this is how I desire to waste wisely my days." Thomas Dekker

Counting blessings

177 - buddies

178 - Sunday morning baptism - O happy day!

179 - watching our wood elf hone her elven skills

180 - rain-washed tiger lilies

181 - rainy morning lie-ins with a good book and a cozy quilt

182 - goodies for baking on the pantry shelf

183 - happy arrangements

184 - meeting Rupert, my in-laws' pet squirrel...seriously, they open the front door and call "Rupert!", and he comes running!

Come and sit a spell

Some people bring home stray animals. We bring home stray chairs. Being as our house is not that large, we have to keep this weakness in check. So each chair has to meet certain criteria before entering our dulce domum: (1) must have some age; (2) must have character, i.e. Wow! that chair looks like it fell out of a Dickens' novel!; (3) must be inexpensive; (4) must be sturdy; (5) must be homey; (6) must be able to withstand sticky-fingered babies, kitty cat claws, and friendly folks of all shapes and sizes.

The other day I found an old windsor style chair with a rush seat at a thrift shop down the road. Usually when purchasing anything bigger than a bread box, I consult with my better half first. But the darned cell phone would not give me any service in that place, so I made an executive decision, and purchased it. Heck, it was only a few dollars over twenty, and for all I know, it could be the real McCoy, which may one day bless our children's children when they lug it to the Antiques Roadshow :)

I'm happy to report that when sweetie came home from work and saw it, he was pleased.

Pretty, no?

An old kitchen chair I brought home from my mom's. It belonged to my great-grandfather.

Old oak desk chair found at an open-air flea market near Denver, PA.

Ornately carved. Hand painted. Five dollars.

Found living at an apple orchard before we adopted it.

Hundred year old wicker rocker - comfortable to tall and short alike.

1920's piano stool

Found sticking out of a dirty snowbank on a trash-filled curb. What's wrong with people?

"The spirit of delight comes in small ways" Robert Louis Stevenson

Counting blessings

171 - pre-rinsing

172 - discovering a big pot of orange mint that survived the winter in our unheated garage

173 - bicycles built for two

174 - bandanas

175 - the slap of a screen door

176 - WE are...

Over the moon

CLICK picture to enlarge

Please forgive an overly excited mother-of-the bride, but this is so adorable I had to share. Our eldest daughter and her handsome fella designed their own wedding RSVP. GAAAHH - so clever. Love it, guys!

Guest Blogger

Today I'm turning my blog over to Bronwyn, our youngest daughter and resident wood elf. She'll be sharing with you highlights from a delightful day with like-minded fair maidens.

1. Last Saturday was the best time ever. You see, I was invited to a French Medieval dinner, hosted by Meg, the one wearing the red vested gown. I might add she made that gown herself, out of a pair of Ikea curtains! How clever! Scarlet O'Hara would be so proud!

2. What really amazed me was how the girls really went all out with their costumes and hair! Not everyone wore Medieval clothes, but all were in period dress and looked absolutely beautiful.

3. Meg's mom, Mrs. L, set a beautiful table where we would sit and eat a yummy 7 course meal. Haha, one girl was joking that pretty soon we'd probably be holding all the food for this photo!

4. A few of us were meeting each other for the first time; being shy, I was slightly nervous. But because everyone was so friendly I felt immediately at ease. Our common interests resulted in some great conversations. Notice the gown worn by the girl sitting on the foot stool. That was sewn by my friend Fiona. It was gorgeous! You are going to help me finish my Narnia gown, right Fiona?

5. Two younger sisters were supposed to play the part of servants, but I think they had more fun playing imstead ;)

6. The youngest among us volunteered to be jesters. They told us some very funny jokes during dinner; one even played the guitar!



7. Mrs. L showed us how to make tussy-mussies and she also taught us the language of flowers. For instance, white roses meant "Enternal love" while scented geraniums meant "Preference". It's a very memorable keepsake for such a nice evening. Thanks, Meg!

Thank you for our freedom

In remembrance of those who paid the ultimate price in service of our country. We remember their valor and honor them this day. Because of the sacrifices they made, we and our children can continue to count our blessings.

Counting blessings

165 - family history - the clipping featured my great-grandfather who was one of the oldest surviving Civil War veterans in Pennsylvania. The article states that "at 95, he was able to relate with remarkable detail the incidents of Antietam and Gettysburg, where many of his comrades fell".

166 - my favorite colonial work jacket...just putting it on makes me happy

167&168 - double dating


169 - window box surprise

170 - pocket planters