this and that...

A friend gave us tickets to Sesame Street Live on Saturday. I thought perhaps she might be a little passed the Sesame Street phase (boo hoo), but not at all. She was mesmerized through the whole show. She loved it!

I must admit, I also found it quite enjoyable.

Yesterday, we participated in a program at the County Park entitled, "Wildflowers in Winter".We scouted out different wildflowers in winter seed or pod stage. The kids had the Naturalist opening every birdhouse along the way in search of wildlife...

There was a whole family of mice in this one.

It was great to get out in nature and get some fresh air. It was cold, but we dressed for it so we were fine.

Then, we stopped at one of my favorite general stores. This store is in the area where the terrible tragedy occurred a couple of years ago in the Amish Schoolhouse.

It was crowded but we were able to find a parking spot. A true General Store with cheap fabric, and a large assortment of trims. I was able to pick up some white pom pom fringe. The stuff I use on everything. It's getting much harder to come by at a reasonable price. I got what they had because I have learned the hard way that when you see something at these stores that you need, get it then, or it will gone next time you go.

It's also fully stocked with housewares, dry goods, toys, books, etc.

The store is owned and run by Amish folk so everything is orderly and plain, nothin' fancy. This is in the heart of downtown, ahhh... small town America...

love this...

I saw this little idea, I love it!

I want to put this together too.

She has plenty to keep her occupied, especially after getting some new toys for Christmas. But I think this is a fun way to direct her to a new activity when she needs a little direction.

I just don't know what I would do without mason jars, I use them for everything.

Have a great day!!

Happy New Year!!

A quiet but lovely new year for us...

Went to Heather's last night for a few hours. It was lovely. I got to hang with my celebrity friends!! As promised, Heather broke out an old video of her exclusive debut as a champion game show contestant. It was great! It was an old kids show on Nickelodeon that she was on and won!! A very smart cookie back then as well.

Then Beth reluctantly let us see a music video she starred in with one of her bands back in the day.

I gotta tell you girls, I expected these videos to be hilarious and something I could hold over your heads in the future but honestly, you were both great!! Heather, even back you were pretty calm, cool and collected. And Beth, you have such a beautiful humility that still shines through today.

Thanks for sharing...

I'm not necessarily into resolutions, or about to make any proclamations or promises in this post today. But I do love the clean slate of a new calendar year...

My thoughts on the coming year are mostly about becoming more simple. I have a lot of stuff that needs to go. I'm looking at ways, to spend less, have less, need less and to be and give more.

I will once again try to develop and employ the revolutionary concept of eating only when I'm hungry....Wow! How's that for an inexpensive, healthful new diet plan?

This past year we have implemented a nice time of morning prayer before the teenagers go off to school. It is not always easy, but it is good to be together in prayer before they go off for the day. Good for all of us, but I think it's essential for our youngest one. In many ways she will probably become more and more like an only child, as 2009 brings us to big brother's high school graduation and big sister's senior year. I want to savor these fleeting moments that we are all still living under the same roof.

Anyway, somewhere along the line of building this wonderful prayer time into our lives, I have let my personal prayer time become less of a priority. Not good. I really need time with the Lord first thing, as I believe we all do. I have been reading Kimberly Hahn's book, Graced and Gifted and in it she reminds me of ways to make this time of prayer more effecient.

I am a very early riser so having the time is not ususally an issue, for me, not getting involved in laundry, sewing and the computer is. I have to do this first, before those other important things or it's just not going to happen. At her suggestion, I have put together any materials that I might need during my at least 30 minutesor so.

This is my usual spot to pray/journal/read...

The living room is usually clean and pretty uncluttered so me and my ADD self do well in a spot like this. The less distraction the better.

That little tote is filled with my Bible, The Word Among Us, the Catechism, my jounal, rosary beads, current spiritual reading and a notebook to jot down those little details that seem to constantly pop into my head as I am trying to quiet myself. If they are important things I write them down to address later so I won't forget and get back to the business at hand.
This tote bag idea seems to have been divinely inspired for me. It has made such a difference! It really simplifies things for me. Everything I could need is with me.

My daughter just came back from Florida yesterday from visiting my mom and dad and my sister and her family. She brought me a new prayer journal from Anthropologie.

Love it!! Of course I have to finish the one I am currently using first.


I know this post is way long for me, just some thoughts I wanted to share.

May God bless us and each of our families in this new year.

it's been warm here...

It was the last couple of days anyway, it's much colder today...

Here is Daddy's little helper assisting in suring up the greenhouse. Last year in early March, we had hurricane force winds come through and shred the greenhouse and destroy most of the seedlings. This one has already survived some pretty big winds so hopefully we'll be alright this year.

While they were doing this, I was sweeping and vacuuming inside. She only came in with these boots on once. I guess I should be grateful she remembered to take them off the rest of the times she came in.
I can never stay mad at her for more than a second.

have you seen this...

I came across this blog recently. I'll I can say is wow...

Her words are really inspired and inspiring...

If you get a chance stop by and read this post...

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2008/12/mothers-work-model-for-true-work.html

silly me...

I know, I know, most people will look at this and think wow, she really needs to get a life...

My little one wore this pretty hand-me-down red wool sweater just last week. I accidentally shrunk it down to about 25% of it's original size. Our dog Molly was groomed recently and has been so cold since her new haircut. These days we can usually find her hunkered down under a blanket somewhere in the house....

Early this morning as I was beginning to sort out my "studio" and I came across some pom pom fringe scraps and here you have it....

One warm very festively clad pup.

Our Christmas Miracle Part II...

I had to share these pictures I just got of my sister, brother in law, niece and there foster child, (my foster nephew?) at the adoption...Did you ever see such sheer joy...

And here is Grandpa (my dad) with his newest grandaughter...

Merry Christmas!!