cracking a window

It is that time of year.  The sun is out a little longer, the days are warm, the nights are cooler and the windows are open.  This is actually a big deal to me.  It is not because I am a Summer lover or anything. It is a big deal because of the windows being open.

I have a secret.  I have a fear of leaving my windows open. Yep, it is true.  I don't feel "like a breeze" when I keep them open, I feel a bit insecure and cautious.  I love the sound of the birds at night, I love the cool breeze, I love the free feeling of the window open.  What freaks me out is the fear of someone intruding on my home. Someone ruining that one special thing about having a window open.  That being said, I have another confession.  For the first time in years, I feel OK with having them open from time to time.  I have moved so many times I can't even count them.  But for some reason, in this spot, I feel OK with having the window open a bit.  I know I would never have them open all night or when I am not home, but while I am home, I do enjoy the breeze a little more.  I suppose I am letting that fear of mine lose and the possibilities of enjoying myself win.

It may sound silly or a bit strange, but we all have our vices.  Mine is the insecurity of home invasion because I decided to enjoy my windows.  But hey, it is Summer, right? So, before I turn in, I will enjoy the fresh breeze.  Then, I will brush my teeth, put on my PJ's and make sure my house is locked up like Fort Knox.  Ah, here is to a peaceful night's sleep.

-Blessings and Good Night!

A good week

It was a week that feels like it has had at least two weeks in it...

But a very, very fulfilling and rewarding two weeks...

First let us start with the Flea Market...

It was a GORGEOUS day!! I was able to meet and greet so many wonderful people, catch up with friends and make new contacts with some extremely creative artists..  My favorite part?  Well that is easy...

I got to share space with my Dad! It is our tradition to do the Macungie Flea Market together..and we always have a lot of fun.

I didn't sell any skirts, but I have never handed out so many cards! Positive vibes...good things...and lots of love...

Yes, that was a great start...then a Mother's Day Celebration hosted by my two favorite people and a field trip to the Mack Truck Museum in Allentown, PA....just a great weekend...and to top it all off, I was asked to vend at another festival in August! I am so pleased about this and I can not wait to get started! 

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day and a great weekend...these are the things that keep the good in life and the good in us...

-Have a great week and blessings to you

Carnival in town

Good Morning World! Today is one of those crisp Spring mornings that make you want to breathe in deep and enjoy the sunshine. The garden is looking healthy and the rhododendrons are blooming.  The birds are singing and the bunnies are hopping in the backyard...luckily, not in the vegetable garden.

In the front yard, the Azaleas are showing off and....oh, wait...what is that I see from my front porch?  Oh! The carnival at the fire station that is only a block from our home! Yes, every year the carnival comes to town and we have a front row seat.  No, I am not complaining about this.  It is FUN. It is a great time!   It is also, it is PURE TORTURE for a five year old to have to wake up every morning and go to bed every night knowing there is a fair with in walking distance from your home.  It would be like living at Disney World and you have no control over when you get to go.  Every day the questions of when we are going and how long will it be here and the excitement of the rides is overflowing and congesting our home with carnival traffic!  The enthusiasm meter is WAY off the charts and all we, as parents, can do in this home is wave a white flag and say, "Don't worry, we are going soon.".

Now if only I could get as excited about things.  The glorious energy that comes with a five year old's anticipation.  The giggles, the laughs, the clenching of fists under her chin because she can't bottle it up.  As annoyed as I may get, I know that it is precious.  In another five years, this element may disappear or become more "cool". Going to a carnival with her parents may not be as fun.   So that is what we shall have tonight. FUN! Rides, games, hot dogs...all of it...then, when we come home, I can take down the white flag and tuck it away until the weekend. 

I think the excitement is contagious!

-Blessings on your day

Benefits of home

One of the best things about being home with my daughter is this...

As I was sewing this morning, my daughter came upstairs and asked if she could sew as well. I said absolutely and so she took some of the scraps from my "scrap tote" and began to cut and pin.  Her imagination began to take off and she wanted to make pillows for her Barbies.  I showed her how to pin the material.  Then she put the pieces together and I sewed a little on the machine. After I sewed the edges together she sat on my lap and I showed her how to stitch for the first time.

I spoke quietly to her, making sure she didn't catch her fingers with the needle.  She was definitely concentrating as she was curling her mouth a bit and breathing quite heavy.  It felt so right teaching her this little art of sewing.  Something she can do for the rest of her life.  There it is...the best part.  I was able to show her a little something that may carry her along.

I think everyone has that ability.  Everyone has their talents and treasures to pass on.  It is in the simple moments that these things happen.  It is so precious and should never be taken for granted.

On that note...here are the pillows for the Barbies! They are some lucky dolls! 

- Blessings

Sun-Day

Today is a BEAUTIFUL DAY!  The sun is shining, the birds are singing and there is not a cloud in the sky!  Ah, yes, what could be better for a Sunday? Wait, I know, Farmer's Market! 

I am so looking forward to the farmer's market this morning. I can't wait to get my hands on some fresh spinach and kale.  I am also quite curious as to what else is coming out of the greenhouses during this cooler weather.  Outside our garden is really staring to pick up speed! The peas have just about reached the first twine tiers, the broccoli leaves are starting to get big and the potatoes are pushing through the ground quite well!  Good things..

Also, there is some sewing on the table!  I have some lovely material that I am so looking forward to putting together and I definitely have a creative urge this morning.  More pictures of that to come....

Here is to a good day...with sunshine, growth...and creativity!

- Blessings

 

stomaching the laptop

I had a rather upset stomach earlier.  It could have been the sweet potato fries, it may have been that I did a lot of driving today, or it may have been the fact that I can't seem to comprehend why people have such a hard time accepting and loving one another.

You see, I went to a great family party today.  Nothing too crazy.  Everyone was happy, mellow, loving and accepting of one another.  It was beautiful.  Children played, adults laughed, memories were shared.  On the way back from the party I had to drop off my Mom.  We got into a wonderful conversation about our views on faith and religion.  We both came to the conclusion that respecting, loving and caring for one another, as human beings, is the most important aspect of any form of worship.  That is the best example and that is the best thing to teach our children.  Well, that with a little fear of the unknown and respect for elders.  So, I felt rather good after dropping her off.  My daughter was happy, I felt at peace and I came home to my husband who had been working all day.  It was so great to see his face. 

As I settled into the routine of making dinner, unpacking the car and so on, I decided to check the news on the internet and see how my Facebook friends were doing.  I opened the laptop, logged onto MSN news and the first thing to pop up is a speaker who offended people and was extremely harsh, the second is about a poor Mother who was asked to leave as a den mother for being gay, the third was about people who abused their children and the list goes on and on.  So much anger and hate. So much bigotry and malice. So much greed and envy.  It literally made me sick to my stomach.  As I looked at this I could hear my daughter asking for me and I felt even sicker.  How can you protect a child from such awful things? How can I, as a person, deal with all this malice?  It was rather disheartening.  It was rather sad. Unfortunately, it was rather real and raw.

I finished dinner, managed to get the wee one to bed before nine and decided I needed to relax.  Hot shower. The best remedy for anything.  I appreciated the water as I realized that there are so many without water.  I appreciated their sacrifice as I indulged.  I felt guilty.  After the shower, I realized that I had to write.  Not for any other reason than to find a sounding board.  So here I am. 

After this I am going to bed.  I am going to pray for better days, for the health of those I know and those I don't.  I am going to ask for tolerance and peace.  I suppose when I ask the question, "what is it that I can do?".... there is the answer.  I can pray, meditate, ask, seek and never stop trying.  I am a Christian, not a very good one, but I am.  So I will say this.."Love one another as yourselves.  Love your neighbor.  Do this." . 

Love one another..that could possibly change the headlines when I open the lap top tomorrow...

-Blessings..no really..Blessings...

House of play

I think it is imperative that I never forget how much fun it is to have a home full of toys.  Think about it. As a child, all I ever wanted was a fort full of toys and sweet things.  Well, here I am!  I have Barbies and stuffed animals, games and coloring, paints, DVDs, dolls and Star Wars action figures. There is chalk and stickers, air hockey and dress up and best of all....I have a friend to play with all the time! Sure she is 33 1/2 years younger than me, but she is so fun! Her energy never runs out, she loves to try new things and use her imagination!  I feel so lucky!

What I have to remember though, is that this little girl will be growing up before I know it.  The Barbies will start to fade and the air hockey may not be as fun.  She doesn't know it, but I do. I know because I saw my Mom go through it when I was young.  But I have a promise to make to her.  I will never be without toys or dolls or stuffed animals.  My fort will always be here for her and I will always be ready to play.  I will keep myself young at heart so she always will have that to come home too.

So, instead of typing away, I think I am going to go and enjoy a lovely viewing of the movie "Tangled" with my daughter.  I am so grateful for this time.  I plan to use every moment of it. 

GO PLAY!

 - Blessings on your day!