The Value Of Cheerfulness

{ January 10 on 10 }

2012-01-12T01:14:00.000-08:00

Annabelle's Grannie Annie desk in the morning light, displaying some of the oh so charming artwork of her said darling namesake.
Lucy, bright eyed after her morning nap.
she's so cute, that I can't stand to only post one from this set
Jack " reading" in the sunlight
the master to-do list (mostly home improvement projects). Interesting side note: I love David's handwriting so much!
first thing on the list: clean out basement. I can't believe I am posting a picture of my scary basement on my blog. Thank you 10 on 10 helps for keeping it real around here.
a family hike, we needed some fresh air after having been in the dusty musty basement all afternoon
Annabelle's all smiles as we race home to put on the tea kettle
the only way to drink hot chocolate, learned from the Candy Man ( but you might know him better as Mr. Happily Ever After himself)...who has seriously mastered the art of improving + enhancing among other things: popcorn,strawberries, and hot chocolate by adding the right candy too them. Are you curious now? Sorry but it just wouldn't be fair to give away all his secrets now would it?
scrub a dub dub, happy baby in the tub

{ you too can be a millionare }

2012-01-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

"  Many people in ordinary circumstances are millionaires of cheerfulness. They make their neighborhood brighter, happier and a better place to live in by their presence; they raise the value of every lot for blocks around them.

The world is beginning to see that people who can radiate sunshine and carry gladness and good cheer wherever they go, although they may be poor, are of infinitely greater value to society than the millionaire of money who pauperizes everything he touches, and everybody who comes in contact with him ,by his close, contemptible methods.

Largeness of the heart and generosity of the soul make millionaires of character who are worth more to the world than mere moneyed millionaires.

The time will come in the progress of the world when we shall not have to depend on rich furnishings, costly tapestries, and gold plates. Character will become so enriched in the upward growth of the world that the surroundings, however costly, will be considered but a cheap setting of a precious life-stone. Cheerfulness is a potent factor of success."

 -Anonymous

{ Bittersweet}

2012-01-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

{ source }

So many thoughts and feelings kart wheeling around in my heart these days. I have been avoiding typing this post up for well over a week now and it makes me cringe and my eyes fill with tears, to type out the words, words that say that Grannie Annie is no longer in this world with us. It seems at times to be both unthinkable and impossible. And our grief is deep and yet tender as our memories of her are such sweet ones. Without her, all feels even less right with the world than it did before. Of course we are so glad for her, as my Annabelle said so sweetly the morning I told her that Granniebelle's was now in heaven with Jesus, " Mommy now there is one Annabelle here and one Annabelle in heaven and someday there will be two Annabelle's in heaven...and how happy it is for Granniebelle to get to be young again."

Words feel inadequate right now. But if ever there was a memoir that deserves to be written and read
by many, it's hers. Rachel calls it Grannie's "essence" and to capture that in words would be such a beautiful thing. I can see here in my minds eye right now sitting in her little chair on Blue Jay Corner, sipping half cups of coffee and snacking on cheese and black licorice, with that sweet sparkle in her eye and something funny and encouraging and wise to say. She'd never let you go without a hug, a kiss and a " I love you honey." She had the gift of loving unconditionally. She was a life giving person. She choose joy. And found that joy in Jesus. She was a beautiful artist, and embodied so many of the qualities that I hope and pray I will over time grow and mature into. Thankfully from what I hear not everything always come naturally to her, which gives me hope. She was lovable in every way. We even wrote a little book about it.
And I dearly love what David's Mom said was one of the things she loved about her Mama, taken from the 90 Reasons We love you book: " I love the way you call life bittersweet, and while you acknowledge the bitter you chose to dwell on the sweet. "
It is my wish to pattern my life after her dear heart.

2011 most of all was a year to say both hello and goodbye to two who I hold in dearest places of my heart. And to marvel at the beautiful circle of life. I am in awe of our faithful and good God, as I dance my way into this new year. But more about that later. It has to do with my New Years Resolution, and I am certain it's one Grannie Annie would be proud of.

{ baby's first Christmas }

2011-12-22T13:40:00.000-08:00

She's the sweetest thing under the Christmas tree imaginable.

This post is especially for Lucy's Aunties.
I hear they are missing her and her chubby, kissy cheeks.

She loves to sit below the Christmas tree and play with the tags on the presents and gently bat at the ornaments just like a kitten would. 8 months is such a precious age to be experiencing Christmas for the first time. Lucy love, you are the Merry to our Christmas this year.

{ Legacy }

2011-12-20T10:36:00.001-08:00

Today has been emotional for us. We've had tearful phone calls and cried in Lowes and cried as we held each other and prayed. Lots of tears and prayers for our dear Grannie Annie who is desperate with longing to go home to be with Jesus and her Rogie. We just heard that she was singing " I come to the garden" in the ER tonight. And she told David's sister Deb when she left her side on Sunday, " Okay honey, goodbye. I'll see you in heaven. " It's so hard to know that she is suffering as she begs to go to heaven. My Annabelle is named after her and I pray often and fervently that Jesus will infuse her with the sort of heart for others, for her family, for Him, for beauty + joy, that our Grannie has. And with her quiet wisdom, her creative eye, her ability to love unconditionally, and listen well to the hearts of her loved ones, for her funny bone, for the sweet gift of encouragement, for her glass half-full perspective on life. I know of no one who is more admired or adored than our precious Granniebelle's. That's what makes this possible goodbye so hard and especially tender...I count knowing and being loved by her as one of the greatest treasures of my whole life. And we can't and won't stop praying for her, crying for her until we know that she is resting in the arms of her precious Lord. Or for a long time after.

It will be worth it all, just for one glimpse of His dear face. Precious Grannie, soon you will get to hear that resounding sweet " well done"...for faithfully giving God the glory in the good times and the bad throughout more than ninety years of life and for your truly beautiful legacy. And when you finally get to go to heaven, please kiss Jesus, Grandpa Roger, Papa and our angel babies for us. We will miss you every day and speak of you with laughter and the greatest fondness, as we do our best to follow in your darling footsteps.

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God's eternal day.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We're tossed and driven on , no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav'n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem - just go to Him in pray'r.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,
We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ

And while we are talking about legacy, this sermon spoke to + stuck with me like few others have in the past year. I think a big part of that has to do with the fact that David's brother Mark spontaneously jumped up from his seat to be baptized at the end of the service. We were so thankful and excited to be there to witness his public confession of faith.

If your married, I highly encourage you to take the time watch this sermon. If you are not married but hope to be one day, I highly encourage you to take the time to watch it as well. I walked away from it convicted, challenged and changed by Jesus.

Grannie Annie Update: The latest report is that Grannie has a much rosier outlook on life this morning. That is a huge answer to prayer as we dearly want however much time she has left on earth to be spent as comfortably and sweetly as possible. 

{ 10 on 10 December }

2011-12-10T23:33:00.001-08:00

Highlight's of the day:

cream of rice with agave + cinnamon for breakfast/o.j.

brown paper packages, tied up with string

bright eyed Lucy, and her two cute teeth

many cups of hot tea

pretty cookies, made with love by dear friends

vintage Christmas packing

birthday soup( that's what we call it...otherwise known as Chicken Tortilla Soup ) made for me by this dear friend + my cozy new slippers, brought home along with a big stack of Christmas cards for me from Costco the view from my front porch looking in

drive thru nativity

Sleeping under the Christmas tree

Not pictured:

the new back porch and steps my husband whipped out over the last 48 hours

yet another batch of almond roca, which deserves a post all of it's own

piles and piles of tissue

Jack's face covered in blue food coloring. Did you know that you can scrub away at the nasty stuff with soap and hot water with hours or tooth paste will take it off nicely.

{ kitchen dreams }

2011-12-03T15:38:00.000-08:00

Several years ago I had checked out this magazine from the library and scanned the pictures from this kitchen that I love. I just ran across the files the other day and had to share. Isn't it cheery?

Call me crazy but I may or may not already be planning the next kitchen in my head.

{ Grace List }

2011-12-02T13:28:00.000-08:00

I am keeping a grace list. A collection of the unending gifts of goodness and joy, just for me, from Jesus.

This is what my list for November looked like:

203. Really good conversation + dialog over the beginning of Philippians.

204. Seeing Sean and Deb

205. Seeing Me Ma + Grandpa

206. Heart to heart over coffee with Nikki

207. Front row at opening Sunday at Mars Hill Bellevue

208. huge light bulb moment for me as Pastor Mark was talking about love + respect between a husband + a wife

209. tears and repentance ( see # 208)

210. More tears over Mark's spontaneous baptism.

211. making lists, big lists

212. stocking up on snacks at Trader Joes

213. all David's help in getting us out the door

213. getting a good early start

214. David chasing us down in the truck for one last kiss

215. the three beautiful little faces in my rear view mirror

216. palm trees + sunny skies

217. Lucy peeking out the corner of her car seat at me

218. making good time

219. only two poopy diapers all day

220. good report to Daddy. Kids were absolute troopers after 12 hours in the car.

221. someday I want to come back and explore Bend Or.

222. traveling mercies

223. feeling so prayed for

224. getting so close

225. Apple Izze

226. easy rush hour traffic through LA

227. pulling into the their driveway with Rylan jumping up and down in the front yard

228. hello hugs...especially Leslie + Lucy's

229. my strawberry + avacado salad

230. talking into the early morning hours

231. the way our kids became instant best friends

232. Cade's "yay!" everytime we called them for food.

233. hearing Annabelle tell David all about her day on the phone

234. the way Rylan said Annabelle with a southern accent...emphasis on belle

235. seeing them all lined up in a row at the counter.

236. party preparations

237. presents with strange numbers attached coming in the mail

238. dynamite shrimp

239. surrounded by piles of presents in the craft room at midnight

240. slippers and scarves and being ding-dong-ditched in the middle of the night by #26

241. for the gift of true, encouraging words that brought tears to the eyes of our dear birthday girl.

243 shopping the attic for pretty party props

244 watching movies on the wall while the Mama's slipped away to shop

245 really yummy popped in coconut oil popcorn

246.for four little ones who were so good and let us rush around getting things ready for the party

247 for making it out of Costco with all 5 kids, alive

248. for whispered giggles in the shadows by flashlight from the tent in the living room

249 the girls in aprons helping me back g.f. s.f. happy birthday sugar cookies

250 Leslie wore leggings

251. giggles + cuddles over Pillowtalk

252. for hylands teething tablets

253. getting to meet their dear friends

254 for flirty emails sent and received

255. for the boys running miles of circles around the back yard

256.for getting to help Nick pull off the prettiest date night picnic + a movie/ 30th birthday party in their back yard.

257. . Cade + Jack, Rylan + Annabelle = inseparable

261. reading quotes, really good, hitting-home ones from Sacred Marriage

262. really good g.f. panini's for lunch

264. our cry/pray spot on kitchen floor

265. prayers while I went to not get Andi at the airport

267. playing dr. with the girls

268. Aunt Terri's corn and zucchini chowder ( which I've now made twice since we got home)

269. H+M

269. Andi's Trader Joe's taffy obsession

270. Nick vacuming out my car

271. stawberry's dipped in powdered lemonade

praying and crying together before we left

272. driving through Hollywood

273. surviving Redding CA.

274. two days of nonstop talking in the car

275. it's really true that we've never run out of things to talk about

276. the pillowcases L sent for us, stuffed with gifts that were a huge lifesaver with the kids

277. singing along to Matt Hammit, Rosi Golan + JJ Heller's Deeper

278. Annabelle's excitement as we got closer and closer to home

279. singing "Hurrah for Daddy" as we pulled into our drive way

280. a sweet + happy homecoming to David

281. having Jenny back in Spokane

282. a fun happy birthday dinner for Andi with dear friends at Twigs

283. an amazing, amazing concert with Jenny + Tyler, Audrey Assad + Sara Groves
284. " your only labor is to trust..."

285 two hours of pure + beautiful worship to Jesus

286. laughing till our stomachs hurt

287. SB's caramel brulee lattes

288. Opperation Christmas Child

289. Lucy finally saying Dada.
290. Happy baby to be news of a dear, dear friend...and it's their first!
291. The movie, The Tree of Life

292.the green pea coat that I got on sale for %75 off.

293. tucked away in a row of bookshelves over coffee and tears with Roo

294. Twenty sweet, sweet minutes with Grannie Annie

295. That she remembered all our names
296. Singing " There's not a sweetheart anywhere" to her...
297. Jack's sweet kisses and snuggles with her
298. Lucy getting to meet Grannie Annie + Aunt Lynne all in the same day.
299. Daddy telling stories in the car
300. Me laughing so hard at his clever + funny rendition of Goldilocks
301. sister/cousin time
302. the happy chaos of Thanksgiving day at Mor Mors
303. a second Thanksgiving dinner with my parents
304. A really special visit + time with them
305. seeing Nate so happy
306. the best pumpkin pie ever that Nana made especially for Jack
307. Jack + Hallee's goodbye kiss
308. 80% of my Christmas shopping done and it's not even December 1st
310. bedtime snuggles and stories and giggles with Annabelle
311. the anticipation of December days + Advent and snow.

{ Just to love you this way }

2011-12-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

Phew! November was a big month. It included a ten day trip that the kids and I made to see oh so missed + adored friends of ours.We actually met through blogging six years ago and hit it off in person when she flew up on a crazy whim to meet us + bless us by taking our pictures, just before Jack as born. Long story short, we hit it off. In fact we enjoy each others company so much that we are pretty much always planning the next big trip one way or the other. Seeing each other has become an annual tradition. One that I am happy to continue quite frankly, for the rest of my life.

Here's a little slideshow I put together of our ten days together:

{ fall treasure hunt }

2011-10-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

I wanted to hurry and post up a little something fallish, before we leave on our big, big trip tomorrow morning. The kids and I are driving down to So. Cal and will be gone until the middle of Nov. Most people have called me crazy/nuts for taking three children under the age of five, by myself, driving 20+ hours in two days. One friend was sweet enough to say that I am a super woman. David and I have joked about that since then...We are pretty sure that was a typo and she meant to say stupid woman.
We are positively giddy about getting to spend 10 whole days with these super dear friends and be there to celebrate her turning 30 years young. And then to have this sweet + lovely friend of ours join us for a few days and then get to road trip home together. This morning I am praying over all of it and checking off my list of road trip essentials: fun snacks, enough to feed a small army, a little stash of dollar store toys to hand out along the way, a ipod full of new to us recorded books, and stacks and stacks of books and movies and silly songs...Wish me luck! I am determined to make it as pleasant an experience as possible, because as Helen Keller said, " Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. "

In the meantime here is a peek at what we have been up to the last couple weeks. And a fall treasure hunt for you to go on, if you are feeling so inclined

Look For:

Acorn or other nuts
Animal hole in the ground
Animal tracks
Ant
Apples
Beetle
Berries
Bird
Birds nest
Blade of grass
Clover leaf
Dead tree
Deer
Deer tracks
Dew on a flower or leaf
Feather
Fern
Frog
Hay
Hole in a tree
Evergreen tree
Ladybug
Leaves: Red, Yellow, Orange, Green, Brown
Moss
Mud
Pine cone
Pine needles
Pine tree
Pumpkins
Rainbow
Seeds or seed pod
Spider
Spider web
Squirrel
Small pebble
Smooth and shiny rock
Snail
Stream or creek
Unusual shaped leaf
Vine
Worm

Listen to:

__ Leaves under your feet
__ Wind in the trees
__ Sound of a bee
__ Birds singing
__ Cricket
__ Water running in a creek
__ Noises in the woods

Feel:
__Tree bark
__Prickly plant
__Wet mud
__Rotten wood
__Wind blowing on face
__Texture of various rocks

Smell:
__Pine tree
__Flower
__Mud
__Green grass
__Fresh air
__Cedar tree

Watch:

__Animals eating
__Leaf falling to the ground
__Spider web w/insect
__Ant moving something
__Wind blowing the leaves
__Fish jumping
__Clouds going by
__For something funny
__For something unusual
__Sunlight coming through trees
__Sunrise or sunset
__Stars in the sky
__Reflection in the water
__Trail markers
__Animal homes or shelters

{ 6 month Lucy }

2011-10-21T01:29:00.000-07:00

Here you are at six months. Our little bright eyes. And by little, I mean that figuratively because you're not exactly what I would call little for your age. You have rolls on your thighs that go on for miles and I can't get over how much I love them on you.

You are just starting to crawl, sit up, eat porridge, say " ma ma" " hi " and wave at us. Of all those things I just listed I am pretty sure it is safe to say that eating porridge is your favorite. Annabelle calls you her Chubby-Whubby and says that her baby sister is her very favorite thing in the whole wide world. I am hoping she still thinks that about you in ten or fifteen years.

Lucy you are a darling and easy baby. You're a good eater, sleeper, pooper, etc.

You have been since day one.

In fact I don't think I could exaggerate just how purely delightful you are.

Daddy is crazy about you Lucy...I have heard him tell perfect strangers in the store that you are his ray of sunshine. And Daddy is not usually mush-y like that, at least not with strangers.
Your face lights up when he walks in the room. It's obvious to me that you worship the ground he walks on. But then again we all kind of feel that way about him around here.

You two have something pretty special. I hope and pray you always do.

Oh and did I also mention that he calls you his " sweet note..."

You keep me company from your purple bumbo perch while I am working in the kitchen and I think I might tell you a hundred times a day that you are cute.

So cute that I can hardly stand it.

So cute that I have to grit my teeth.

And speaking of cute, meet your Great Grandpa Roland. He's Nana's daddy. We were able to spend a couple precious hours with him this past summer.

He was rather taken with you. The feeling appeared to be quite mutual.

Lucy Wren, we love you. You light up our world baby girl.

And there is not a day that goes by that I don't thank Jesus for the beautiful and perfect gift that you are.

P.S. Andrea you won the favorite things giveaway.

Pretty please email me at seachellegirl@msn.com with your address, dear girl.

And then sweet Dawna can you send me your address as well?

I have a really, really good book to send to you.

List No. 4 - My Favorite Things (one last giveaway + a list of winners)

2011-10-18T22:22:00.000-07:00

blue mason jars full of garden zinnias*
Grannie Annie ( please pray for her if you think of it...she's had a rough last few months )
Lucy's thighs
red barns, red shoes, red chairs, red doors, red doors, red accents etc.
Chocolate*
This man with his literal red neck + work stained hands, who loved us, who is strong and good.
Jack's quilt that Fairlight made him
polka dots
One Thousand Gifts *( it's changed my life )
Mrs Meyers* ( it's a Spokane thing )
my home team ( read the book ...giving it away on Friday)
baking bread
iced coconut lattes
birds nests + robins eggs
color
Spotify ( good music*)
Annabelle's giggle
Listening to sermons
my sisters, who are technically sister in laws but only in title
kisses from Jack
October Afternoon*
David's smile
reproduction feedsack * fabrics from the 30's + 40's*
P.F. Changs
buntings*
Trader Joes* ( our store is opening here this Friday, Oct. 28th, whoo-hoo!)
old houses
vintage anything*
children's books*
this ( it's my way of cheating on this list)

And as a last hurrah I am giving away a box wrapped in brown paper + tied up with string full of things off of my favorite things list. See asterisks for a clue.

To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment telling me about a random act of kindness that you have either heard of, have done, plan to do, or have had done to you.

Winner to be chosen and announced Friday, October 21st.

Good luck ladies.
And now for that list of winners...
Winners chosen using Random.org.

Giveaway No. 1: A pretty pair of earrings from Crystal B. -Deborah said: Her style is beautiful!Very sweet.

Giveaway No. 2: $20.00 Store Credit from K.Walter Vintage -Fairlightday said: Oh! What loveliness in her shop! I would probably pick one of the tables clothes (since I can't have enough!) or that darling cake saver!

Giveaway No. 3. $30.00 Store Credit to Out of the Blue - Miller Family said: I LOVE the CHRYSANTHEMUM BLOOM necklace!! And also the Baguette Clutch :)

Giveaway No. 4. Fall Leaves Tee from Nostalgic Graphic Tees -Nancy said: This is such a sweet gift! I love the ballerina and the girl with the leaves. I liked and favorited.

Giveaway No. 5. Art print of your choice from Gus + Lula - Katie said: Love her! And I love #3 on your list...reminds me of "a clean house is the sign of a wasted life". :) and I forget whose it is right now. Happy happy day Chelle!

Giveaway No. 6. Black + White Family Rules Art Print -Andi Mae said: Love love love this! So much! And I love that it is something that I know Erik would like too! :) Favorited the shop + how could I not? Everything in it is so lovely!

Giveaway No.7. Lovely Vintage Moleskin Quote Journal - Becca said: Yes everything Courtney makes is amazing. I also love collecting quotes. Her house should be in a magazine! Oh and of course her shop is already a fave!

Okay, now that's what I call fun! Thank you for playing along ladies. If you won one of the giveaway's please email your mailing address to seachellegirl@msn.com and I will make sure it gets into the hands of the right person. And thank you Etsy friends for sponsoring these six wonderful giveaways. What fun! And if you haven't won anything yet, keep trying, there are two more giveaways ending on Friday. :)

{ List No. 2 - Books + another Giveaway }

2011-10-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

Image, via Pintrest

Books I am reading , want to read or re-read this year: 

{ * Books I want to read this year, ** Books I am currently reading, *** Books I want to re-read this year .}

Leave your comment here with a book recommendation for me to enter your chance to win a copy of...Bittersweet, Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way by Shauna Niequist. It was one of my very favorite reads of the past year. Here are a few quotes to give you a idea of just how good this book is:

“Use what you have, use what the world gives you. Use the first day of fall: bright flame before winter's deadness; harvest; orange, gold, amber; cool nights and the smell of fire. Our tree-lined streets are set ablaze, our kitchens filled with the smells of nostalgia: apples bubbling into sauce, roasting squash, cinnamon, nutmeg, cider, warmth itself. The leaves as they spark into wild color just before they die are the world's oldest performance art, and everything we see is celebrating one last violently hued hurrah before the black and white silence of winter.”

“When things fall apart, the broken pieces allow all sorts of things to enter, and one of them is the presence of God.”

“I believe that suffering is part of the narrative, and that nothing really good gets built when everything's easy. I believe that loss and emptiness and confusion often give way to new fullness and wisdom."

“We sometimes choose the most locked up, dark versions of the story, but what a good friend does is turn on the lights, open the window, and remind us that there are a whole lot of ways to tell the same story.”

"..sometimes the happiest ending isn't the one you keep longing for, but something you absolutely cannot see from where you are.”

Side Note: Pintrest is my favorite way to catalog and keep track of books these days.

Also, if you haven't already you have until to tomorrow evening to sign up for these fun little happy-birthday-to-me giveaways.

A pretty pair of earring from Crystal B.
$20.00 Store Credit from K.Walter Vintage
$30.00 Store Credit to Out of the Blue
Fall Leaves Tee from Nostalgic Graphic Tees
Art print of your choice from Gus + Lula
Black + White Family Rules Art Print
Lovely Vintage Moleskin Quote Journal


Winner of the book to be announced on Friday, October 21st. 

{ Giveaway No. 7 + My First List }

2011-10-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

You might already know this, but I have a slight obsession with collecting quotes. I call them borrowed words. And my darling friend who I love + admire, and who is nothing short of a domestic goddess/creative genius, and who has the happiest house/etsy shop ( see picture below for proof ) ever, made this custom journal to give away toone of you!

To enter this give away please go and favorite her shop, A Cottage Life

and then come back and leave a comment including a quote that you are loving recently.

And then maybe, just maybe it will be your lucky day and you'll win this sweet little note book, that to be perfectly honest, I am going to have an awful hard time parting with. But in the chance that you do, maybe you'd like to borrow some of my borrowed words. Be my guest. This is the first list in a project I am doing this year for my 30th birthday. 30 lists of 30 things. Here are thirty quotes that I love.

Winner to be announced on Tuesday, October 18th.

And yes, the rest of her house looks just as much like something out of a magazine as this does.

Stay Tuned. More giveaway posts will be up in the next couple of days.

Keep scrolling down through the posts as there are 6 other Happy Birthday Giveaways for you to enter below this one.

{ Happy Birthday Giveaway No.6 }

2011-10-14T19:16:00.000-07:00

Giveaway includes one 20 inch x 30 inch art print of black + white family rules displayed in a subway art style design.

A little bit about Ryan Alexander:

Graphic design and photography are my passion.
I love to create.
I am meticulously detailed except for when it comes to cleaning my car.
I am a mix of complete jock and nerd at the same time.
I am drawn towards clean lines and modern design.
I believe photos should not need to be fixed in photoshop, and if they do you should never be able to tell.
I am laid back and easy to get along with.

To enter this giveaway please go and favorite his Etsy Shop, Alexander Creative.

Winnner to be announced Tuesday, October 18.

{ Happy Birthday Giveaway No. 5 }

2011-10-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

I oh so love the "art prints for a happy home"
over at Gus + Lula. 

And here is a little more about the creative genius behind this amazing little etsy shop: " I'm Britt, wife to one very patient man new adoptive momma of two  precious babies from Ethiopia, whom we affectionately refer to as Gus  and Lula.  This shop is a small expression of my love for design &  all things pretty, and a much-needed creative outlet!" 

Britt is giving away the print of your choice to the winner of this giveaway. 

 She is also graciously offering 20% off on any orders at her shop.So even if you don't happen to be the lucky winner, please feel welcome to use the Coupon Code:CHEERFUL upon purchase.

To enter, leave a comment, naming your favorite print at
Gus + Lula.But I will tell you right now, it's not going to be a easy decision.

 And please make sure to add her Etsy shop to your favorites.

The winner will announced on Tuesday October 18.

{ Happy Birthday Giveaway No. 4 }

2011-10-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

It was so sweet of Elizabeth at Nostalgic Graphic Tees to jump in on my little birthday party and give away a Fall Leaves Tee. He shop is jam packed with the most darling silhouetted tees. And I just love what she says about " Seeing my children grow and develop their imaginations made me feel nostalgic of some of my own childhood memories. I remembered the joy in picking a flower, playing on a see saw, twirling in a tutu, catching that first firefly of the summer, looking at clouds against a blue sky, blowing bubbles, fishing in grandaddy’s pond, riding a bike. I loved reliving those simple moments with my own family and wanted to capture them in some fashion."

As a side note, Elizabeth and I have something very dear in common. She also has a 5 year old daughter named Annabelle! Isn't that fun!

She is also offering offering a coupon code: FALLFANS15 for 15% off purchases from her shop.

To enter this giveaway please join her Facebook page
and add her Etsy shop to your favorites.

Winner to be announced on Tuesday, October 18th.

{ Happy Birthday Giveaway No. 3 }

2011-10-14T07:52:00.000-07:00

Jerin from Out of the Blue has been ever so kind to offer a $30.00 credit to little Etsy Shop in honor of my birthday, as well as a 30% discount at her shop through the end of October. Coupon Code:CHEERFUL.

In order to qualify for this giveaway, please like her Facebook page and favorite her Etsy shop.

Then come back and tell us what lovely bauble you would use your $30.00 credit towards, in the happy event that you were to win this lovely little giveaway. And while you are at it, please with her a Happy Birthday. Hers was yesterday.

Winner to be announced on Tuesday, October 18th.

{ Happy Birthday Giveaway No. 2 }

2011-10-14T01:51:00.000-07:00

You can visit Nancy's lovely little Esty shop here.

She is best known for the quality and pristine condition of her linens.

As she is out searching Estate Sales & Flea Markets, she is very discriminating

and will choose only items that best represent the integrity of their original condition

Her niche is the 1940s and 1950s linens and kitchenware. My favorite.

Take a glance and " like" her at K. Walter Vintage on Facebook.

And then hurry back and leave a comment here for a chance to win a twenty dollar gift certificate to her shop.

A winner will be drawn and announced on Tuesday, October 18th.

{ Happy Birthday Giveaway No.1 }

2011-10-14T01:49:00.000-07:00

Pretty vintage earrings like these, are my go-to birthday gift for friends.

And Crystal is ever so nice to be giving away a pair of her lovely fleur earrings,
valued at $16.00, from her sweet little shop.

And Her website is too pretty. Go see for yourself.

To enter this giveaway, please join her Facebook page ( if you have Facebook, that is )
and leave a encouraging note for Crystal about her lovely work!

Winner to be announced, Tuesday, October 18th

{ List No. 1 - Borrowed Words }

2011-10-14T01:46:00.000-07:00

" Charm is a glow within a woman that cast a most becoming light on others." J. Mason Brown
" Let the wife make the husband glad to come home and let him make her sorry to see him leave. " - Martin Luther
" At the worst, a house unkept cannot be as distressing as life unlived". - Rose Macauly
" Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life." - Brian Andres
" I strongly suspect that if we saw all the difference even the tiniest of our prayers to God make, and all the people those little prayers were destined to affect, and all the consequences of those effects down through the centuries, we would be so paralyzed with awe at the power of prayer that we would be unable to get up off our knees for the rest of our lives." -Peter Kreeft
" Humor is the spiciest condiment in the feast of existence. Laugh at your mistakes but learn from them, joke over your troubles but gather strength from them, make a jest of your difficulties but overcome them." -L.M. Montgomery
" One reason we struggle with insecurity: we’re comparing our behind the scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel.” -Steven Furtick
" The most important work you and I ever do will be within the walls of our own homes. "-Harold B. Lee
" The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely." -Louisa May Alcott
" I like light, color, luminosity. I like things full of color and vibrant." Oscar de la Renta
I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string. -L.M. Montgomery
" Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed. -Mary Oliver
" When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow. - Shauna Niequist
" All earthly delights are but streams. But God is the ocean." -Johnathan Edwards
" Some people are so much sunshine to the square inch. -Walt Whitman
" It is impossible to give thanks, and simultaneously feel fear.” - Ann Voskamp
" Mere colour can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways." -Oscar Wilde
" The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do. " Andy Warhol
"All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming. " Helen Keller
" Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done." C.S Lewis
" Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God." Madeleine L’Engle
"People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone." - Audrey Hepburn
" And I learned what is obvious to a child.That life is simply a collection of little lives,each lived one day at a time.That each day should be spent finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals.That a day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered.But most of all, I learned that life is about sitting on benches next to ancient creeks with my hand on her knee and sometimes,on good days, for falling in love." -The Notebook
" It was love at first sight, at last sight, at ever and ever sight." -From Lolita
" We are all ordinary people. But even an ordinary secretary, or a housewife, or a teenager can within their own small ways turn on a small light in a dark room." -Freedom Writers
"Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity. -Joseph Addison
"Let us all hope that we are preceded in this world by…a love story. " -Sweet Land
" Ah! Life grows lovely where you are." - Mathilde Blind
" Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same. " -Flavia Weedn
" Joy is the gigantic secret of the Christian." -G.K. Chesterton

{ Thirty Things }

2011-10-13T00:04:00.000-07:00

In three days I will be thirty.
It also happens to be Lucy's half birthday...6 months ago, our family was forever blessed with her and her perpetual sweetness. There is absolutely no way she could be any more dear..
And to celebrate turning thirty I am throwing a big party here.
Also, I am challenging my self to write thirty different lists of thirty things over the course of the next year.
I am surprised about how excited I am to turn thirty.
Although thirty never sounded so young.
I keep hearing from people that your thirties are really the best years of your life.
Going into my thirties I feel like maybe some of my insecurities have faded a little bit .
That I've done a lot of growing up over the last decade.
That I don't feel quite so much like I am " faking " being an adult, as much as I used to.
I feel more comfortable in my skin. Laugh lines, gray hairs, baby weight and all.
I am more accepting than ever of who Jesus made me.
I am looking forward to putting down roots, and going deeper in my thirties.
To watching my children grow + change and to dedicate myself to the nurturing their minds + hearts.
To working on being better organized.
To laughing a lot.
To remember how important it is to have a healthy balance as a parent, wife and friend.
To celebrate life. Especially the magic found in an ordinary day.
To continue to let Jesus love on me and encourage + enable me to live in His freedom.
Instead of fear.
To hold my family and others to a standard of grace, and not perfection, including myself.
To flirt with my husband like I did in my twenties.
To being silly with my kids.
To learn how to dance.
To the pursuit of joy.
To giving thanks in all things.
I am about to change the subject just a little.
The only thing makes me happier than getting presents, is giving them I am a firm believer that it is in fact more blessed to give than to receive.
So bless me by coming back on Friday the 14th to enter a lot of really lovely giveaways.
Happy Birthday to me!

{ 10 on 10 }

2011-10-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

7:10 am -Jack In the Bath
8:10 am -Auntie Roo pops in for a hug
9:10 am -On our way to our Doctors appointment for Jack
10:00 ish -Annabelle doing school
11:00 ish - The pretty bouquet of flowers that I picked up at Green Bluff
Noonish - Lucy snacking on a Rice Rusk
1:00-2:00 ish : Annabelle getting ready for ballet.

3:00 ish: Working on autumn buntings for my Etsy shop + upcoming birthday giveaway.
4:00 ish: Homemade bread, just out of the oven
9:00ish: Heart to heart time with this darling friend. Including coconut frozen yogurt + coffee.

My very first 10 on 10. Really love this way to document once a month, our every day life.

{ flashback }

2011-10-03T23:16:00.000-07:00

One month ago, we woke up to another moving day.

The other day I caught his eye as the words to this song filled the kitchen and spilled out the back door to where he was working. And as it hit us, we laughed until it hurt.

Leaky faucet, creaky floor
We don't even own a bathroom door
The sofa set is nothing to be jealous of
We don't have a lot but there's no shortage here for love

All the pennies in the wishing wells
All the diamonds Tiffany's could sell
All the riches put together
All the sunny

California weather
Could not make me love you any better

This is my life in a song.

And what was he hard at work on you ask? Why, putting in our bathroom door.

And yesterday it was the shower.

We are slowly making progress around here.

And every time we move, which has been six times in the last two years, my heart skips a beat when I come across this love note he painted on the bottom of this bookshelf he built for me.

Oh how he loves me.

{ all is grace }

2011-09-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

All is grace.

Even when life feels cattywampus.

Maybe especially when life feels cattywampus.

All is grace.

Especially when you cringe to hear your children cry because they want their Dad.

And I stop to give thanks and remember how many children go to bed every night without a father. Nearly 40%.

All is grace.

Especially when he leaves for work at 4:30 am and still isn't back by 11 pm.

I give thanks because what takes him away from us right now is driven by his love for us, to provide for and make a sweet home for our little family.

All is grace.

Especially when you are in between homes.

And I stop to give thanks, thinking of how many people have lost their jobs or homes or both, in the fallout of our economy or through some other tragedy.

All is grace.

Especially when I fail to respond to my children with grace. They forgive so quickly and freely.

And His grace covers my sin.

All is grace.

Especially when life isn't fun.

Like when all three of my children are crying at the same time.

All is grace. And I give thanks and think of the longing of so many would be mother-hearts, who would give anything to be in my place and see the fulfillment of their dreams as they ache for a baby, or another baby.

All is grace.

Especially being without a phone. And I give thanks that for now there are less distractions and more time to pick up my Bible, and be nourished by those life-giving words of His. And in the last week we have been to the library 3 times and checked out over 100 books.

All is grace.

Especially with all our school stuff packed away in a box.

And I give thanks, especially for this sweet friend who has been my school fairy and done so much legwork for me. Without her help, Annabelle would not have been able to start school this week.

All is grace.

Especially when we feel the stress and strain and we feel so unsettled. We give thanks, as what we are going through right now is so far from a real crisis and we remember how blessed we are and how "unfair" it is that we have our health, we have our love for each other, we have three beautiful children, and we have Jesus, when so many others don't.

All is grace. Especially being moved out but not in anywhere. And I give thanks that we have been so lovingly taken in and given a place to stay in the meantime...and for family who would always and gladly take us in.

All is grace. And " He makes all things beautiful in it's time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil -this is God's gift to man. " Ecc. 3:11-13

This song has been playing on repeat in my head the last few days.

It is the inspiration behind this post.

( picture source found here )

{ playing dress up }

2011-08-21T21:26:00.000-07:00

Annabelle + I are having so much fun playing dress up with our little real life baby doll.

Sundresses. Swim suits with ruffles. Floral button up shirts.

And little green fairy costumes.

This very beautiful + dear to our heart little friend, told her mom,

before Lucy was even born that she wanted to give this little Tinker Bell suit to

" the baby in Chelle-Chelle's tummy." It was entirely darling + thoughtful of her!

The bumbo and chewing on her clothes also happen to be two of her very favorite things right now.

We compliment her with great admiration every day by telling her that she's..." pretty and she's fat and she's oh so pretty fat."

She's rather poured into it.

Delicious little rolls spilling out everywhere.

Loving Lucy at four months.

She's all giggles and open mouth kisses and sweet baby hums,

starting to get up on all fours and playing with her toes.

And we don't know how we ever got along without her.

{ three guesses }

2011-08-08T23:26:00.000-07:00

As to where the kids and I will be for the next three nights?

Here's a little clue, courtesy of our beautiful, resident 5.5 year old:

Want another clue? It's one of my very favorite places on planet earth.

I am determined to enjoy every drop of this little summer vacation with my little trio but it sure hurts to be leaving David behind. He's staying home to work and then work some more, on the house, while we're off with his family to play in the sand, chase down waves, kiss on the nieces and nephews and laugh our heads off.

I would switch places with him in a heartbeat this week...if only I could.

{ Preview }

2011-08-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

So it's not much to look at yet but a certain Mr. oh-so-dear-to-my-heart is working all hours to make this house that we bought on June 24th 2011 into a lovely little home for us.

By the end of August.

We just found out that we have to be out of our rental by the end of the month.

It looks a little daunting, I know...but let me assure you, this house + our time crunch, well it's no match for his super powers. You'll see.

And what an adventure it will be...as long as we remember to look at it as that make the most of it.

The plan is to set up housekeeping upstairs while the downstairs gets finished. It's crazy to think that we will be living here in just a few short weeks.

the front

kitchen

dining room + built in

and pretty archway David built

dining room + window seat

living room + fireplace with built in bookshelves

bathroom

stairs ( this was the day David and David " leveled out the floor + stairs )

downstairs bedroom

peek-a-boo through door to downstairs

side view

upstairs landing and smaller bedroom ( with it's first coat of paint )

kids bedroom (upstairs )

I think we might have our work cut out for us.

And boy are we ever excited for the end result.

But for now, after putting in another long day

he's come home.

Annabelle says that root beer floats sound good and I couldn't agree more.

A love song for...

2011-07-21T16:25:00.000-07:00

you. xo

More often than not, he's up by four and out the door to work.

And then after a long hot day at work he goes to work some more, on our work in progress house.

We just found out today that we have to be out of our rental by the end of this month.

He so doesn't need all that extra pressure right now.

But I know he'll make it all happen.

He carries quite the load on those handsome broad shoulders of him.

And more than all, I adore him.

{ these days }

2011-07-20T02:19:00.000-07:00

I have had the best intentions...for days that have turned into weeks, I have meant to get back here and dust off this little corner and start writing again. I really want to get back to blogging more than once every three months but the truth is that I have yet to find an easy daily rhythm + feel on top of things here at home. I wonder how long this is going to take to figure out how to juggle everything again, and I feel guilty that by now, three months later I don't have more of a handle on life. Which is silly because I feel like we've had the easiest possible transition from two to three. I am not even kidding, and some of you are going to hate me when I say this but Lucy has more often than not, slept through the night since the day she was born. I know.
And ( so far ) it's rare for her to go to the trouble of crying about something. She truly is a wonder and very the best thing that could have ever happened to us. I tell her on a daily basis that she really should be too good to be true. She get's that from her Daddy. It's been two and a half months since she graced our family with her sweet little self, and our are hearts currently brim full and then some. She's has the sweetest disposition and rolls on her thighs.

And she has cheeks that go on for days. And a signature cough since day one, that we all know means she's most politely asking to be fed. Oh and she's worlds best baby to snuggle. She melts right into you. When she's not sleeping or nursing or pooping she's beaming. And yesterday she started sucking her thumb That's our little Lucy Wren. And I could go on gushing about her for hours if I didn't have so many other things to catch up on around here.

These days I am trying to let it sink in that Annabelle is about to be a kindergartner. That yesterday she rode her bike all around the park without training wheels and read a book to me. That these days I am so proud of her + that she grows only more beautiful to me.
~~Even~~ especially when she makes a mud puddle with the hose in the back yard and smears her brother and herself from head to toe in it.

And these days I am more head over heals than ever for my Jack boy. Not that we don't frequently have hard days/nights with him. He is two after all.

Right now he's in the middle of a serious obsession with all things fireman, that has grown out of his adoration for a certain favorite uncle/person his. He is has the blondest little head you've ever seen. And a tender heart. Two of my favorite things he says right now are..." Mommy love me, right? " + " Mommy nuggle me! " These days it's so hard for me to watch the hot summer sun take a toll on his fair skin, as I pray for his little body and for wisdom on what to do to help keep his eczema from getting out of control.

These days I am working on the layout and design of another project house (going to post before pics soon, I promise) as David works around the clock to get this most recently purchased old home of ours renovated + move-in-ready by the end of summer. The house had eleven other offers on it, and they accepted ours so we feel pretty sure it's where God wants us right now.

These days I am longing to grow closer to Jesus, to love my family better, to treasure the blur of days that are turning so quickly into years, to embrace change + to stay flexible, to be less selfish, and not forget to thank Him for his countless daily gifts + goodness to me.

These days I am singing this song as a prayer.

These days, I am blessed, and I know it.

{ Ours }

2011-04-17T00:23:00.000-07:00

As every prayer prayed for us was so beautifully answered

Lucy Wren

Arrived ever so sweetly at home, on April 14th, at 6:40 am

8 lbs. 14 oz. + 21 inches long

The timing couldn't have been more precious as Jack + Annabelle woke up Thursday morning to her very first cries.

Annabelle is flying high, with a baby sister to hold, sing to and dote on. She climbed into bed with us this morning looking for Lucy with a sleepy: " Mom, we just adore her, don't we?!"

As you can see Jack is pretty tickled with her.

He calls her baby or just "whaaa.." for short.

Him with her.

Melts me hardcore.

She's really, really sweet and soft and she smells like heaven and at three days old we've hardly heard her cry. And when she does it's sounds more like a chirp.

We fight a little over who gets to hold her next...as we soak up + drink in her newness and the pure miracle of love, of joy, of life. Of the gift that she is to us, straight from the heart of Jesus.

{ Date Due }

2011-04-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

That day has come and gone.

And little Lucy girl of mine, I just want you to know that I have been waking up every morning for the last three weeks, with my heart skipping a beat, wondering if this is the day we'll finally get to meet you...of course I would be lying if I said that by the end of the day I am not fighting off a little tug of disappointment or that I don't ache a little harder for you to be here
Is there any way to tempt you out of that quiet, safe and snug little cocoon that you have called home for the last 9 months? I get that life out here is loud and crazy and sometimes full of hurt. But it's every bit as beautiful and worth it as it is those other things. And baby girl, if you only knew how loved you are..If you only knew how many people are praying for and excited about you. Some day you will.

Also, if only you knew that we are quite literally ~~going insane~~ beside ourselves in anticipation of you. While praying for patience, and attempting to give thanks and trust in the middle of the mess and the tears and hormones gone wild, even though I am doing such a bad job of it, that Jesus knows what's best for you and when and where and how.

Take a look at all the pretty things that have been made with so much love and so many,

just especially for you:

by her

and her and her

and her again

and her.

Only one thing is missing from your sweet little corner and our very arms right now...

and we know all too well baby doll, just who that might be.

And just for the record...you are worth the wait...times ten, little one.

{ bliss filled days }

2011-03-16T22:23:00.000-07:00

{ source }

I apologize for vanishing like that after typing up my last post, giveaway and all. We do infact have a winnner. ( see the end of this post for the details on that )

March, even though we are only two weeks into it has turned out to be sweeter than I ever imagined possible. Baby Lucy doll and I were spoiled beyond words + so overwhelmed by the love made visible of a dear, dear group of amazing + gifted friends . It was truly the loveliest baby shower of all time. The atttention paid to every single pretty detail, made me feel so treasured + loved.

Then somehow magically ( due in great part to our loving, giving, super wonderful husbands ) this past weekend we were able to pull off, in true March tradition, for the third year in a row..a weekend visit from this oh so adored lady. Darn it that she caught me, I almost booked her to stay until May.

And now the question remains...as we wait with baited breath to see if March will include getting to glimpse and cuddle this sweet baby girl that we have fallen so in love with.

And now back to the giveaway results. The ever lovely Jessica at Living the Swell Life was the lucky winner of One Thousand Gifts...Keep an eye out for it in mail as it is shortly on it's way to you dearie.

It is my sincere wish + hope that March has been and will continue to be oh so good to you, my friend. xo

March is for...

2011-03-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

March is for reading beautiful books + counting gifts. And for giveaways. To enter your own copy of Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts leave a comment with a book recommendation or current good read of your own. Check back on Friday to see if you won. I am so very excited to start our study of this book with dear friends on Thursday morning.

" Thanksgiving creates abundance; and the miracle of multiplying happens when I give thanks - take the just one loaf, say it is enough, and give thanks - and He miraculously makes it more than enough. I have beheld suds in sun, and I have known miracles like that. "

March is for cheerful primroses to brighten up the gray, snow-melting days.

March is for baby showers, thrown by amazingly artistic + precious friends.

Is that not the sweetest little invitation you have ever seen? It's been hanging on my refrigerator and making me smile all week long.

March is for...wearing cute hats.

March is for...enjoying the swirl of pretty colors in Annabelle's birthday fish in their vintage green mason jar "fish bowl."

March is for homemade waffles on the weekends

March is for stacks of pretty fabric + sewing up quilts.

What is March for to you friend?

{ Interview with the Birthday Girl }

2011-02-23T10:08:00.000-08:00

Last year we started a couple new birthday traditions. This one and the following, the birthday interview.

What is your name? Annabelle

What are some of your nicknames? Anniebelles, Sugar Plum Fairy ( that's what Daddy calls me ), Twinkletoes, Lovie + Sugs ( that's what Mommy calls me )

How old are you? Five

Where do you live? by Audrey's house

What are your favorite things to do? Go to the park, go to parades, smell flowers, dance, color + paint, pick bouquets of flowers, play dress up

What are your favorite foods? bacon, rice, shrimp, sushi, strawberries, birthday cake

What do you want to be when you grow up? a ballerina

What do you do on your birthday? go on treasure hunts, play with balloons, open presents, blow out candles

What are your favorite colors? red, purple, pink, green + blue

What is your favorite thing to wear? dresses with tights

What would be the best thing someone could give you? ballerina slippers

What do you do all day? play with Jack and my stuffed animals

What is your favorite toy? Winnie the Pooh

Who loves you the most? Jesus, Daddy, Mommy, Jack + baby

What is your favorite book? Twig

What is your favorite song? There's Something in the Water

Where is your favorite place to go? to the toy shop and the pet shop

What makes you happy? surprises, kisses, dancing

What makes you sad? hitting, when I hurt myself

What was your favorite thing about your 5th birthday? Getting two pet goldfish with Poppy + Nana...one is mine and one is Jack's. I named my orange goldfish Petunia. Jack named his white goldfish, Big Tool.

What's something that you want to do this year that you've never done before? Go to the circus.

What are you most looking forward to about being five? doing bigger things, my baby sister being born, starting ballet

What do you think is the most important thing in the whole world? for God to rescue us

{ 5 }

2011-02-23T01:37:00.000-08:00

{ Her to a t }

2011-02-18T16:44:00.000-08:00

" Some people are so much sunshine to the square inch. " - Walt Whitman

Happy last day to be four.
Happy almost five years old.
Happy you. For you find delight in all things great + small. Especially the small.
Happy us. That you are ours.
Happy all the way around.

{ my little craft room }

2011-02-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't dream of a pretty room to call their very own?

A room for the express and sole + purpose of creating...

For years I have been wishing for a craft room...

and with this remodel those dreams came true,

thanks to a certain Mr. Dream Come True Maker of mine...

And here it is, complete with lettuce green walls, scallop-trimmed work table+ vintage sheet stash:

{ goings on }

2011-01-20T00:45:00.000-08:00

Life this month, has been super sweet albeit ~~a little~~ a lot on the crazy side for us. But if you look at our track record, that is nothing new.

We are giddy over this sweet up and coming girl-baby of ours. Take your pick on what you'd like to call her for now anyway. She has multiple nick-names: Tulip ( started by the P's ) Paprika ( what her uncles call her) or Buttercup ( circa Auntie Roo ) and she is going to be here and will be needing a proper name before we know it...and we are beside ourselves with anticipation.

Oh and our house sold. Just like that. We are still sort of reeling over that one. The first couple to walk through, obviously fell for it and made an offer the next day. And I win " the bet " as I had been telling David for months..." I really wouldn't be surprised if the first people to look at it, buy it babe. " I have had many mixed feelings over all of it. At the time I promised David that it was okay with me to go ahead and list the house for sale, I was in a rather energetic stage in my pregnancy...that of course came to a screeching halt, just as soon as we'd signed the papers for the sale of our home sweet home and I have since then quickly transitioned into the highly emotional~~wreck~~/nesting phase, also known as the third trimester. But as always, God has met us with all the grace we could possibly need, and His love has pulled us through...on my dark doubting days, on my how is it ever all going to work out days...as we face the coming months of change. He has blessed us with such a beautiful community of family + friends who pray us through, who refrain from calling us insane ( to our faces anyway ) and who love us and take our children and offer to help in any way we might possibly need. And we are feeling humbled and overwhlemed once again by His daily goodness and blessings.

After looking at twenty some houses, and making an offer on one, that wasn't accepted...as much as we hate the thought of moving twice, we've switched gears and decided to rent and were able to find a really sweet little house ( God bless Craigs List ), for a really sweet little deal on which we only had to sign a 4 month lease. That will take off a whole lot of pressure to buy on such a short time-table. We really didn't want to just settle for anything short of something we love for the next little place to call home, and this will get us settled in plenty of time before Tulip/Paprika/Buttercup/ arrives. Oh and here is an interesting sidenote, we close on our house exactly a year to the day we moved in, Feb. 28th. Isn't that wild?

Upon the sale of said home sweet home a certain very generous/smoking hot husband of mine, has promised me a camera. And not just any camera but one that I can get serious with in pursuing some of my photography dreams...and a get-away to the ocean for a few days on top of that...And yes, for the record I am feeling utterly spoiled and a little guilty about these luxuries.

I was really longing to go into this year with lots of time for reflection and well just with more intention + focus about so many things...heart + soul sort of things mainly. I really wanted to choose a word for the year. But I am still waiting for one to grab me...and I haven't even had time to think about making resolutions... But as we slip away this weekend, I am looking forward to quiet time, and reading a whole stack of books, and kite-flying...and playing and laughing and resting... for time to listen, to be with Jesus, for sweet time together, for time to just breathe a little.

Going to wrap up this way too long post with these two pictures from yesterday afternoon of Annabelle and Jack dressed up as bride and a groom...I couldn't get over how cute they were.

{ Excerpt }

2011-01-17T13:51:00.000-08:00

By the deep + luminous Ann Voskamp .

{ Huge Crush }

2011-01-07T23:40:00.000-08:00

Oh Jack-Jack, how many times a day do you make my heart swell in happiness + delight until it feels like it's about to pop.

The way you say " yay " instead of yes...

The way you squeeze me with both hands all way around my neck when you hug me

How you always asks first thing when you wake up in the morning, " Where's Dada? Where's Sister ?" And how after I tell you, you always says..." oh."

The way you are instantly sorry and try and comfort me, after you've pulled my hair again.
That you always say "muahhh" when you kiss
How your twinkle-blue eyes, blonde widows peak and back of your neck make me coo-coo brained.
How much you loves looking at books and making us laugh
The way you tromps around in the house your overalls,
And the way you love to help.
Your all contagious belly laugh.
The way you say "bo-mp," being half bonk and half bump...when you get an owey.
Your whole miniature boy lingo... " Iwannawa "...( I want a waffle )
With the majority of your vocabulary consisting of truck, tool and food related words.
Oh and how can I forget how you unmistakably whispered into my ear during church last Sunday in the sweetest possible way..." I love you..."

Seriously you guys, I am a total goner.

{ House Tour }

2011-01-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

For Christmas I made David a book with before + after pictures and a detailed description of our start-to-finish house project. I thought you might like to take a peek. If you ask me, it is beyond dream house material.

All after pictures taken by the ever amazing Andi Mae Photography.

And I just shot off an email to Country Living. I would be so happy to honor some of the very dearest people in my life, in at least attempting to get our little house into a magazine. I know, I know I dream big. But there's no harm in trying.

2010-12-22T07:55:00.000-08:00

1. so had to try this...., 2. Pom-pom garland, 3. Vintage Bottles, 4. Untitled, 5. candy shop, 6. merry and bright, 7. G I V E , 8. Wood hanging, 9. Sleigh Ride, 10. Untitled, 11. the lady of the house, 12. Holiday Lights, 13. Untitled14. Not available15. Not available16. Not available

2010-12-15T17:12:00.000-08:00

{ source }

Today...

I love the smell of:the piney perfume of our Christmas tree, floating upstairs.

I love the sound of: this beautiful Christmas Carol

I love the taste of: baby oranges

I love this thought: " We need to think of ourselves as gifts to be given and to think of others as gifts offered to us. -John Powell

I love the sight of: my littles splashing together in the bathtub

I love the feel of: this baby girl tumbling around inside of me

{ source }

{ A touch of the Merry + Bright }

2010-12-10T11:42:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to hang our stockings up on this pretty mantel!

Our first fire in the fire place, we celebrated with yummy orange rolls +

Trader Joes Cinnamon Vanilla Black Tea ( a current favorite of mine )...

Loving the sight of my little vintage winter village,

given to me last Christmas by my Mom,

who is the best ever present giver!

Annabelle's little *purple* Christmas Tree, a advent gift from Mommy. She'd been asking for " a pink tree + colored lights."

Sledding with Daddy...the kids were in heaven .

Annabelle couldn't stop gigling and all Jack could say was " wheee" !

The ever so dear + lovely Jess of Living a Swell Life was so sweet to feature my Vintage Christmas Garland Tutorial on her Hoilday By Hand Mini Series today over at her gorgeous, little, better-than-a-trip-to-Anthropolie-blog.

"Christmas renews our youth by stirring our wonder. The capacity for wonder has been called our most pregnant human faculty, for in it are born our art, our science, our religion." - Ralph Sockman

Wishing you sweet, sweet December days my lovely friends...

{ a good cry }

2010-12-03T00:12:00.000-08:00

" The Value of Cheerfulness " being the title of my blog, I normally choose to focus on writing about joyful, happy things.
And I try to keep a thankful heart.
But in the spirit of keeping it real around here I just have to say that things are often far from rosy and perfect, as my blog mostly portrays. Take yesterday afternoon for example, out of nowhere I broke down sobbing at the kitchen sink. Just because. Sure I was feeling really discouraged about a couple things...The main one being Jack's skin condition, which has become more + more severe in the last couple weeks, even though we've got his diet down to only the foods that are the least allergenic. Anyway the whole reason I am writing about this, ( besides the keeping it real part :)is so that someday I will read back over this and remember that as I stood there, dish towel in hand, crying my eyes out... God met me right then and there...in my messy state of heart...as my legs were instantly wrapped up by little arms and sweet pats came from my beautiful daughter and tender hearted son as they hushed and comforted their Mommy. They both had such concern in their eyes. Which only makes me cry again to think of it.

I am beginning to realize that it's not only okay to give myself permission to come unraveled but that it can be really good, and even healthy for me to be that honest with myself and with God and my family when I am feeling sad or angry. Maybe this is the very best and safest place for me to be in. After all healing comes out of hurt and redemption comes out of loss, so that we may comfort those with the comfort with which we've been comforted.

" I will have nothing to do with a God who cares only occasionally. I need a God who is with us always, everywhere, in the deepest depths as well as the highest heights. It is when things go wrong, when good things do not happen, when our prayers seem to have been lost, that God is most present. We do not need the sheltering wings when things go smoothly. We are closest to God in the darkness, stumbling along blindly."

Madeleine L'Engle

Hello December...

2010-12-01T22:27:00.000-08:00

( source )

We have snow. Record breaking amounts of snow even. Every day we notice new evergreen wreath with bright red bows and twinkle lights, sparkle at us from the front doors and porches of our neighbors. David and I have been spelling out secrets to each other which leads to lots of giggles as we see the wheels turning as Miss Annabelle Lucy trys so very hard to figure out what we are talking about. And I am so excited about this little ditty that I learned from my sweet friend Andi, in regards to our family Christmas gift giving this year. " Something you need. Something you want. Something to share. Something to read." And to that I have added, something homemade.

But most of all this December I am looking forward to celebrating Advent, for the very first time. I have been working on a advent calendar that is going to look a lot like this one made by an amazing friend of mine. So far I have five pockets sewn on and my first number. Hoping to get that finished, filled + up on the wall in the next couple days.

We tucked a very special surprise for Annabelle into this first day of December...her very own tiny ( violet colored ) Christmas tree for her room. It makes the sweetest night light. She and Jack are just enchanted by it. And I have to admit, so am I.

I've been pouring over the Advent posts of this dear, dear friend... I am so inspired and wishing to follow her example of the beautiful + meaningful traditions she + her family hold dear.

Excited about going through this ( free downloadable ) daily Advent Devotional. We read it together tonight as a family. It was so, so good.

" The spirit of Christmas needs to superseded by the Spirit of Christ. The spirit of Christmas is annual; the Spirit of Christ is eternal. The spirit of Christmas is sentimental; the Spirit of Christ is supernatural. The spirit of Christmas is a human product; the Spirit of Christ is a divine person. That makes all the difference in the world. "

-Stuart Briscoe

Abundant.

2010-12-01T02:39:00.000-08:00

" I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10

I've ran out of time to finish up my 30 days of gratefulness like I would have liked to. But tonight my heart is overflowing with the beauty of the goodness and nearness of our great God. Take my heart dear Jesus, as I pour it out in thankfulness and praise to you...more than words can say.

{ Jenny & Tyler - This Is Just So Beautiful }

Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.

-Madeleine L’Engle

{ 30 Days of Gratefulness: # 16 }

2010-11-16T22:43:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for:

( source )

Our beloved Mama B. (David's Mom) who's birthday is today. I doubt there has ever been a dearer soul on this earth. ( Except for maybe her mother) I cannot even begin to tell you the blessing she is in our lives or how much we adore + admire her. She's makes Nov. 16th a beautiful, beautiful day!

Making headway on cleaning the house.

Sweet phone calls.

That I was able to get Annabelle out of the dining room closet quickly, after realizing and bursting into tears that she had locked her self in.

Dryers Limited Edition Peppermint Ice Cream. It's seriously, dangerously good. Thanks a lot Andi. ( it's her favorite and I hold her completely responsible for my addiction to it :)

This really, really good sermon on Fear + Anxiety and Jesus. I did not know until today that Jesus said, " fear not..." more than he said anything else.

Annabelle's precious bedtime prayers to: " Dear Jesus, please fix little baby Ella's body so she can live."

The man of my dreams, who just called down the stairs to me, "Chelle, bedtime."

Thankfuls ( last weeks )

2010-11-15T14:39:00.000-08:00

( find this free Thanksgiving printable here )

I have neglected to post an entire weeks work of daily thankfuls, haven't I? Not because there is a lack of things to be thankful for by any means, but it's been extra busy around here this past week. David is home from work now, as paving season is over for the year. We are all as tickled as can be about that, and love these special days with him and plan to make the most of them while we have with him here at home with us, during the lull between paving and winter work.
So in looking back on this happy little week just gone by, I am grateful for:

How Jack soaks up time with his Daddy's and watches David's every move around the house as he puts finishing touches and touch ups on things around here. All day long Jack carries around his " tool-tools" hitting stuff, and I am thankful for our dear little man in the making, even if it means two cracked + broken windows, two days in a row. We are seriously wondering if he has a arm of steel, as we've puzzled over how a little person can break windows with three swings of his plastic toy hammer?

So very thankful to our sweet Jesus for the miracle of little baby Ella, born earlier this week. For the outpouring of prayers and love for her and her dear Mommy, Daddy and two big brothers. And for the sweet hours spent together with really special + gifted friends this week, praying our hearts out and sewing up a little a baby quilt for precious Ella.

This E.Elliot quote: " Of one thing I am perfectly sure: God’s story never ends with ‘ashes." ( taken from These Strange Ashes )

Getting so close to checking off, " hang pictures on the walls " from the to-do list.

Asking Annabelle what her favorite thing of the day was: " the little pink christmas tree with lights that we saw at the store mommy! "

Jack and Annabelle's melt my heart baby crush on this scrumptious little baby boy that we are all so in love with.

Havarti cheese ( my #1 pregnancy craving ) in my fridge to snack on, a gift from previously mentioned " scrumptious baby boy's" nice + pretty Mommy .

Tea partys and matching hoodies and darling little friends.

Sunday morning fresh out of the oven cinnamon rolls before church.

Steaming cups of Trader Joes Vanilla + Cinnamon Black Tea with honey + cream.

Annabelle's adorable new nick name for Jack: Dinky.

This pretty little spot that's: " a shared collection of ideas + links + inspiration for creative, crafty, party throwing, homemade gift loving, and sometimes homeschooling mama/artists... "

Big pots of Potato and Ham + Ham and Bean Soup. Obviously I am on a ham + soup ( with homeade bread ) kick.

{ Thankful : Days 5 + 6 }

2010-11-09T08:59:00.000-08:00

Friday, Nov. 5th :

Making cookies with Anniebelle's to raise money to for our Operation Christmas Child project...

A impromptu date-night of fajitas + flirting...

Anniebelle's fun sleep-over with Auntie Roo...

How David always says to Jack..." oh, he was a good little monkey...but always very curious..."

Saturday, Nov. 6th:

The golden kaleidoscope of leaves out our windows, spinning downward in a morning sunburst

A entire two hours spent in the craft room. While Jack napped and Annabelle happily cut and pasted a clown and I worked on BLESSED banners.

David stashing a little bag of chocolate covered gummy bears in our cart and kissing me right in the middle of Winco.

( source )

Watching this " Random Act of Culture " with tears streaming down my face and some serious goose-bumps. And the email I got back from Grannie Annie after she'd watched it too..." That was SO beautiful! Oh my, I hope that catches on! Oh, I hope they do this here! I think that is a lovely, lovely thing to do and I hope it catches on! It was delightful, hallelujah! Pass it on! It really was delightful! IT's worth your effort!"

Jacks new love: tilapia. He's on a 30 day elimination diet right now. A really strict one and he can only have turkey and white fish for meat. On top of his already, no gluten, dairy, eggs sugar, soy, nuts, most fruits and some veggies, our try-to -figure-out-what-this-kid-isn't-allergic-to diet.

Pouring out thanks...

2010-11-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

Nov. 3rd :

For Jack's appointment with a new doctor that was a total answer to prayer and that gives me hope for getting to the bottom of his allergy/skin issues.

Craft night...which included a bunch of wonderful, creative ladies, busy with a fun Advent project, yummy treats, yards and yards of burlap and laughter + chatting until well past midnight.

A vase full of colorful leaves.

For a little shop update.

Sweet baby flutters.

Nov. 4th :

For a sweet Bible study time this morning. I think our little group is starting to feel a little more brave and safe to take things to a deeper, more honest + real level. For a lot of conviction on my part as we read through the chapter in our book: Profile of the Lukewarm. I wanted to jot down some quotes here but after I'd scoured the house for it, I realized that David must have taken it to work with him, which makes me so happy and thankful to know he's been reading it on his own.

Delighted in these three beautiful little girlies and their matching pig-tail braids...another one of this sweet + darling friend's, 1000 + 1 talents.

The silly telling of a bedtime story by Anniebelle's to her Daddy that started like this..." Once upon a time Daddy there was a rabbit who had a tail made out of cheese. And who walked on his ears. And had two bellybuttons for eyes..."at which point they both dissolve into silly, silly giggles.

Thankful especially for this day because it was on this very day 29 years ago that this most amazing + beautiful lady was born. Struggled all day understanding why God would allow her birthday to be turned upside down by something really scary happening to her just as amazing + beautiful little daughter. All day + evening I worried and ached for them and for other dear friends who are hurting...and then came David's gentle encourage-ment to " not doubt God ...to just trust that He knows and allows what's best for us and those we love so dearly. And by last night the prayers of so many were already being sweetly answered, worries stilled and from the sound of things, it has been a really happy, normal, celebrating + making up for lost time, sort of day for them.

{ 30 Days of Gratefulness}

2010-11-04T01:04:00.000-07:00

Thankfuls:

Novemeber 1st -

That afternoon I had bought a 50 lb bag of flour at Costco and somehow managed to get it into the back of my car...and then later called out the door to my just home from work husband..." hey would you mind bringing in the flour in for me" as he magically pulled not one, but two bouquets of flowers from behind his back. Talk about perfect timing. You can imagine my shock... and my delight. Today I cannot see them without smiling and remembering with particular fondness, the giver of my yellow + orange spray roses.

A evening family walk in the rain to stalk up on "Wa's" ( waffles) for Jack. And thanking Jesus for gluten free, dairy free, egg free breakfast food that I can just pop in the toaster.

Snuggling + three hundred bedtime kisses from our littles...

This quiet little space to stash away bits of beauty + wise words.

November 2nd -

That it was warm enough this afternoon to leave the back door open and let Jack play happily out in yard for over 2 hours.

For two huge loaves of homemade bread that perfume the entire house.

For ~~miles~~ piles of clean laundry, because it means we have clothes to wear.

For an ugly disagreement ( because are lives are far from polished and perfect )turned to forgiveness, humility and tear-stained kisses. That make me think of the words to this song:

" Well “I Do” are the two most famous last words
The beginning of the end
But to lose your life for another, I’ve heard, is a good place to begin‘Cause the only way to find your life is to lay your own life down
And I believe it’s an easy price for the life that we have found

And we went dancing in the minefields

We went sailing in the storms

And it was harder than we dreamedBut I believe that’s what the promise is for "

taken from Andrew Peterson's, Dancing in the Minefields

The cute letter Annabelle wrote today for our little baking fundraiser:

" Dear Everyone,

Would you please like to buy cinnamon rolls, bread or cookies for shoe boxes for children who don't have many things? These children get really excited when they open their Christmas shoe box. And it's fun to make them happy.

Thank you very much.

Love,

Annabelle XOXOX "

Oh, how I love her heart!

Saying Goodbye to October...

2010-11-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

One of our very sweetest + busiest months of the year so far.

Now for some pictorial proof:

( our first school outing, apple-picking with dear friends )

October just wouldn't be October without:

making caramel apples

autumn treasure hunts

finding heart-shaped leaves

wagon rides

cute pumpkin faces from Grannie Annie...

and being spoiled x 29 for my birthday, some really, really special visits from precious friends family of ours, lots of hot soup + homemade bread, finally getting to hear that little baby heartbeat, stacks + piles of books about apples and Abraham Lincoln and acorns and butterflies,birds and babies and fun preschool projects, a really lovely group of bible study ladies, the trio of pumpkins and vase full of amber/orange leaves on my dining room table, Annabelle reading a book to David with 22 words in it, a fun + yummy early Thanksgiving dinner with good friends , the birth of this dear to my heart baby boy, the kids "sledding" down our stairs, havarti cheese ( oh dear me ) my daily pregnancy craving and the culprit, I fear of more than a couple extra pounds, a entire hour of quiet to spend with Jesus on Thursday afternoons, Jack's funny faces and " WoW's!" ( usually in reference to a big truck ), the splendid sun spilling over the leaves + trees outside, glowing like the colors from a stained glass window...all the Annabelle + Jack adventures we've had this month, great and small, makes me think of this sweet song ,and the great anticpation of the joy+ love that's yet to be...

{ catchy }

2010-10-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

Today I cannot stop singing/dancing around the kitchen to this song. It's my new favorite. And it makes me happy from head to toe. And yes, it's a love song.

And this is my favorite line of this very sweet little song..." But I'll take less if more means having less of you..."

It makes me think of and so thankful for a good, good husband who works so hard every day to take care of us, who even shys away from hobbies if it means great amounts of time away from us, a man who has chosen to prioritize his life + work so that even though in some ways it may look as if we have less...it's because he believes and lives that it's more important to have less (financially speaking) than more at the expense of not being together. And David, from the bottom of our hearts, your little family thanks you so much for that.
In case you haven't noticed lately, we pretty much adore pretty much every single thing about you.

{ long time, no blog }

2010-10-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

I think it's high time I dusted the cobwebs off the corners of this little blog and started posting again don't you? After such a sudden and lengthy absence you may have started wondering if:

Did she quit blogging for good?
Did her squirrel-y, nearly 1.5 year old son pour a full mug of hot cocoa all over her lap top and end it's life?
Or maybe you've done the math and simply guessed that she is pregnant?

A little unintentional blogging hiatus, mixed with high volumes of company over the last 3 months, plus yours truly sleeping during normal blogging hours ( from 8 pm to 8 am ) every chance she gets and we've got a 3 month gap in the goings around here. And the thought of trying to fill in the blanks of the last few months has been enough to stall me on posting for weeks. It's too overwhelming. So instead I am going to start again, here + now, at today.

It's Tuesday. 2:00 pm. Jack just woke up from his nap and is surrounded by his favorite things right now in the library trucks and books, Annabelle is watching this DVD about Benjamin Franklin, I just got out of the shower, dinner is made, school done ( which included Annabelle reading to me from the BOB books, she is on her third one now and can I just say that hearing her read is sweet, sweet music to my ears... ), the battery is dead on my phone, there is a giant pile of laundry that still needs to be folded, we are going on a treasure hunt to collect leaves and other fall prettys. A sweet + normal everyday sort of a day to be sure, full of books + art + making + cleaning up messes and food love + laughter with a few fits + tears thrown in here and there to even things out, on this Tuesday in mid-October.

I love homeschooling for many reasons beside the fact that we can do school in mismatched pajamas with marker smudged noses, and be creating wonderful things like this little village that was all her own idea. I love these happy, " hey Mommy, I have an idea!" moments...and I love all that you can do with a stack of colorful popsicle sticks.

Really love this is most recent portrait of our family that Annabelle just brought to me. And if you didn't already, take a closer look to see the tiny, up-and-coming, one-day-in-early -April, much loved + looked forward to, the sweet + smallest member of our family, to-be.

{ show and tell + a winner }

2010-06-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

Annabelle picked our winner out of her little silver baby cup.

She hold is up for me to see but the winners name is upside down...

And by now you've probably realized that the show and tell I mentioned is of Annabelle's bedroom.

With it's apple green walls, her antique daisy light fixture, her vintage paper lanterns and her flower garden alphabet cards, it is the most decorated room in our house.

And not unlike her sweet little self, it is sparkly, bright and enchanting.

Oh and in case you were unable to read that tiny upside down writing on the little slip of paper,

June giveaway congratulations go to...Aminta!

{ a little bit longer }

2010-06-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

**** EXTENDING THE GIVEAWAY UNTIL WEDNESDAY MORNING**** We are home after a most wonderful time with loved ones, new and old in Alaska, but must to run to ID and fetch that very dearly missed daughter of ours. See you then.

{ June Etsy Feature: Down Shadow Lane }

2010-06-23T00:33:00.000-07:00

Jen has a wonderful little Etsy shop called Down Shadow Lane. And her 15,000 + sales, make it a highly successful one at that. Jen sells fabric. Lot's of it. And by lots of it, I mean 57 pages ladies. I have gotten lost in the virtual aisles of her shop, on more than one occasion. And her clearance section, remnant packs and bundles are really great! And she's agreed to do a fun summer giveaway here, for the bright + summery fat quarter bundle we put together that 's pictured below...we thought maybe it would add a fun splash of color to a summer sewing project or two.

And now for the lovely interview with our featured Etys shop keeper of the month:

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I'm married to a wonderful supportive husband and a stay at home mom to 3 kids (ages 13, 12 and 7) and I didn't start sewing until I was 30 years old. I hired a lady to come over and show me how to use a sewing machine and then I hired a girl from our church to come over and show me how to make a bag. I started making quilts right away (I loved straight stitches) and caught the bug then. I have always loved crafting and was crocheting when I was a little girl. My passions are still crochet and needle work of all kinds. I can't stand to sit in front of a t.v. without my hands making something so movies with the family are a big ordeal, first I have to gather some yarn or hoop and needlework or hand quilt something before we can start the movie.

Is there a story behind the name of your shop?

I started Down Shadow Lane Fabrics with a friend from church and she lives on Shadow Lane so that's where the name came from (my street name wasn't so cute). I run the shop alone now and it's been a full time job that I really love.We just added on a studio to our home and I have custom built selves and cutting table to make the process much faster. I like to call this my therapy room as well because it's my own little escape from the real world and I'm surround by wall to wall selves of fabric and color.

What advice do you have for those of us who are new to or interested in or already do sell on Etsy?

Etsy has been one of the best places for me to sell my fabrics, I haven't had any trouble or complaints about the site. I had my own .com web site but no traffic and with etsy I have tons of great returning customers but I also have tons of new etsy users as well. My advise to start selling is to find the right time of day to list your item. Know your customer base and think like they would (things like what time of day are they on browsing, are they stay at home mom's or are they at work searching the internet while the boss is away? LOL). The biggest and best piece of advise is in the pictures, the better the picture the more likely it will sell.

Do you have a favorite fabric designer or line?

I have a few favorite designers but I will have to say that Denyse Schmidt is at the top. I was lucky enough to go to Connecticut and take a 5 hour quilting class from her at her studio and it was amazing (She's amazing). She showed us her Hope Valley line before it was released and she also showed us her amazing quilts. If you ever get the opportunity to take one of her classes it is worth every penny!!

What do you love best + least about selling on Etsy?

What I love about etsy is the traffic it brings to my shop, there's no way I could bring that much business to my own .com site. I also love how easy it is to list and up load a item. If I had one thing I wish they would add is the ability to search through my sold pages by the name of the fabric and not just the date.

Tell us what a perfect day in your life would look like?

A perfect day in my life would be to have all orders cut and shipped by 10 a.m. and then the rest of the day to browse flicker and be inspired to sew the night away! Oh yeah and my kids would be perfectly dressed, fed by their father and their rooms clean without me telling them to do it! (daydreaming)

Do you have a favorite Etsy shop/source for inspiration?

I love all the shops on etsy and I get so inspired by the craftsmanship there! I have recently found flicker (better late than never) and I can't seem to pull myself from there! I love browsing everyones favorites and I have started quilting and crocheting like crazy since I found it!! I also love to see some of my customers on there and all the great creations they have made with the fabrics they buy from me!! It's my new addiction!!

It was so nice of you Jen to do this interview and giveaway for us, thank you so much! And if you can't wait to win your own splash of summer f.q. bundle, you can certainly find one for purchase here. To enter this giveaway is leave a comment at the end of this post, telling us what you'd like to make with this fabric, if you were to win it.
This giveaway will be open until a winner is announced on Wednesday morning, June 30th.

*David, Jack and I are off to Alaska tomorrrow for four days.David's brother Jay is getting married to a wonderful beautiful girl this weekend and of David's 10 siblings, 8 are going to be there, as well as a half a dozen or so friends from ID/WA. I think that's a pretty amazing turnout and says a lot about how loved Jay is, especially since Alaska isn't exactly next door. Debs, Becca + Minta, you will be m.i.s.s.e.d greatly! I still feel like one of you girls should have had my ticket. Thanks for staying home with the new babies + kidlets. I promise to take lots of pictures.

{ the best thing }

2010-06-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

Daddy dear, we pretty much think your the best thing since ( thick ) sliced ~~bread~~ bacon.
Only way better. And we are excited to celebrate you today. And that starts with letting you sleep in, while Mommy is down in the kitchen whipping up a special breakfast. You aren't really into being doted on but we'll see what we can do to make today a little bit extra nice for you. Because you're the best and you deserve it, and not just today either but all the other 364 days of the year too.

( having the three of them in my line of vision, it's my favorite view )

Happy Father's Day to my babies Daddy, to the man of my dreams come true.

XOXO's,
Your little family

{ I love you, Dad }

2010-06-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

" Her father never let a day pass without reminding them that all goodneess came from the Lord, all love, all beauty. And failure and fault instructed us in the will of God in the very fact of departing from it. Then there were grace and forgiveness to compensate, to put things right, and these werer the reatest goodness of God, after creation itself, aso far was we mortals can know. Her father's rapt delight in this belief put it beyond question, it it was so instrinisic to his nature, and they loved and enjoyed his nature, and laughed about it a little too. "

Quoted from, Home by Marilynne Robinson

Happy Fathers Day!

{ there he goes }

2010-06-16T15:36:00.000-07:00

Jack-Jack , you are adorable.

To watch in the last few weeks as you have taken off on your own two little feet, first to toddle across the room , and then around the whole house, has been such a joy. For a while there you had two black eyes and it looked like you had been in a war with the floor, because, well you had. But your balance improves a little more every day and our faces light up in pride as we see yours light up and when you squeal it's as if you are saying, " hey guys, look what I can do." It's really sweet. We cheer and clap and you go for it!

We are loving these days with you. You are at such a fun + charming age. With that melty sweet as syrup grin of yours that you are always so quick to use...You'll do anything to get a laugh out of us, including banging your head against the wall, and more than once. You love to be tickled and held and wrestled and thrown up in the air...I love how you wrap your arms around me and hold on for dear life after I get you up out of your crib...and then come the three little pat-pat-pats on Mommy's back. Every time.

You are quite fond of saying uh-oh. My guess is that you say it close to a hundred times a day. And you always say it through your nose. Another favorite word is crack (long pause) er. You ask for a crack-er anytime you want food. And it's so fitting too, because we call you Cracker-Jack.

I love all your boyish quirks. I love that you are my little all American boy. I love that you are known for always being dirty and smudged in your overalls and bare feet. And stinky. And for always have a new gash or scratch of some sort...And I lets not forget your reputation for having a hefty appetite. Especially if the meal includes meat of any sort. Seriously some nights you eat for an hour straight.

And here's and intersteing fact about you, at 13 months you have already been on three big plane rides ( HI, CA. and (next week) AK.) That's farther than Mommy had gone in the first 25+ years of her life.

Thank you little son, for all the ways you light up our days. As the saying goes..." Some people are so much sunshine ( and silliness) to the square inch." You most certainly fall into that category, my sweet boy. We thank Jesus every day for adding you to our family and we dearly love to watch you change and grow.

Ever Your,
Mommy, who loves you

{ we have a winner...}

2010-06-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

Nikki, Annabelle picked your name!

Now all you have to do is pick something out from Chouettes and let me know what it is and I will pass that information, along with your address to Lily. Thanks for playing everyone and thank you Lily for your lovely generosity.

Stay tuned for another great giveaway, is coming soon.

The Value Of Cheerfulness

{ January 10 on 10 }

{ you too can be a millionare }

{ Bittersweet}

{ baby's first Christmas }

{ Legacy }

{ 10 on 10 December }

{ kitchen dreams }

{ Grace List }

{ Just to love you this way }

{ fall treasure hunt }

{ 6 month Lucy }

List No. 4 - My Favorite Things (one last giveaway + a list of winners)

{ List No. 2 - Books + another Giveaway }

{ Giveaway No. 7 + My First List }

{ Happy Birthday Giveaway No.6 }

{ Happy Birthday Giveaway No. 5 }

{ Happy Birthday Giveaway No. 4 }

{ Happy Birthday Giveaway No. 3 }

{ Happy Birthday Giveaway No. 2 }

{ Happy Birthday Giveaway No.1 }

{ List No. 1 - Borrowed Words }

{ Thirty Things }

{ 10 on 10 }

{ flashback }

{ all is grace }

{ playing dress up }

{ three guesses }

{ Preview }

A love song for...

{ these days }

{ Ours }

{ Date Due }

{ bliss filled days }

March is for...

{ Interview with the Birthday Girl }

{ 5 }

{ Her to a t }

{ my little craft room }

{ goings on }

{ Excerpt }

{ Huge Crush }

{ House Tour }

{ A touch of the Merry + Bright }

{ a *good* cry }

Hello December...

Abundant.

{ 30 Days of Gratefulness: # 16 }

Thankfuls ( last weeks )

{ Thankful : Days 5 + 6 }

Pouring out thanks...

{ 30 Days of Gratefulness}

Saying Goodbye to October...

{ catchy }

{ long time, no blog }

{ show and tell + a winner }

{ a little bit longer }

{ June Etsy Feature: Down Shadow Lane }

{ the best thing }

{ I love you, Dad }

{ there he goes }

{ we have a winner...}

{ a good cry }