she plays...

My daughter got it in her head that she wanted to play guitar. So she went out with her Christmas money plus some hard earned cashola and purchased this beauty and a how to teach yourself guitar book. She'll do just that too. I can't help thinking about when she taught herself to ride her bike. She just wasn't "getting it" with our instruction. She insisted that we leave her alone and let her figure it out. A couple of hours later she had it and was happy as could be on her new "wheels" and newly found freedom. It his her determination and stubborness that has already proven to be among her finest attributes.

This is something I always wanted to do myself, I'm inspired...

The picture was taken by her little sister and she edited it.

Happy Saturday!!

We are having guests for the weekend from NY.

I better go get myself pulled together.

snowy day part II...

A fun day, where should I begin, I guess I'll start at the end and work my way back...

We made the yummiest lemonade...

Because we had lemons sitting in the fridge that needed to be used up...
and somebody got an idea in her head from this book...

It's a really cute book, an oldie but a goody...picked it up at a yard sale.

We went to the Pennsylvania Farm Show today. We just love those farm shows...

We were making our way around the tractors, science fair projects, vendors and came across a small crowd gathered around. We went over and low and behold it was Governor Rendell. The really strange thing is that although the show was packed with people in other areas, apparently hardly anyone knew the Governor was there, so we got really close. The small crowd dispersed and all that was left was the Press. I got right up close, almost mixed in with the Press (where is this guy's security-lol) I felt like a reporter, it was totally fun...

He was getting annoyed with the reporters grilling him about the incoming Presidential Cabinet choices while the country is in the midst of economic crisis. I was trying to think of a question to ask (just for the fun of it). I asked the photographer next to me if anyone asked him what he thought about the ridiculous amount of money being spent on the inauguration.

He said "not yet, go for it"!

So I yelled out my question just as he said no more questions and started to leave. For a brief moment a couple of reporters looked at me and started moving towards me with microphones sticking out and then the whole thing broke up, just before I thought I would faint.

Here are some of the other highlights...

A shuttle from the off site parking, pretty exciting for her.

Static...

Yes, this is in a bathroom stall, I'm sorry I thought it was funny...

Note to self...next time let her go on herself.

Merry-go-rounds aren't as fun as they used to be at my age.

snowy day...

This is what I was greeted by when I opened my eyes this morning. One little girl fully dressed for the snow. I don't even know how she found her boots, gloves and snowsuit, they were not readily available.

I couldn't get this picture to rotate. I tried a couple of times and then I thought, well, this is more authentic because this is actually (kinda, sorta) how I saw her when I opened my eyes.

The headband was the finishing touch.

Her "Little Flowers" leader (that's like Catholic girl scouts but better) made these for the girls as a gift. It was especially appropriate since we watched Daisy Head Maisy by Dr. Seuss for the first time this week.

Hey Mrs. Ellis, I saw these at a boutique recently, you could go into business.There wasn't too much snow but I'm all for a 2 hour delay when there is any snow on the ground when my son is driving.

I helped out at Little Flowers the other day with the youngest group of girls. Each time they meet they discuss a virtue and a saint, and how that particular saint lived that virtue.

We made tissue paper peonies. The Peony, also known as the "Christmas Flower" is dedicated to St. Agnes.

Here is the larger group, headbands and all having their "Epiphany gift exchange".

"my studio"

I have been doing some major cleaning out since Christmas. One of the areas that was screaming for attention was my "studio". My family still laughs at me for calling it that. When will they start taking me more seriously-lol...

Anyway here we go, it's in the basement along with the laundry area, hubby's workbench, storage, etc...I won't be showing all the stuff that it is surrounded by. Just my little space.

This is an old kitchen table from our last home, we were no longer using and it fit perfectly between hubby's workbench and the storage shelves. I found the shelving unit at a garage sale at a home of a teacher, it fit perfectly and provides lots of vertical storage space.

I have old tablecloths hanging up as curtains to cover up the storage. I am not using the chair in the living room the moment, so it was put to good use down here.

This table is extra long about 8-9 feet plus another sleeve I'm not using right now, another super cheap second hand treasure. It's great as a cutting table. I put this pretty floral vinyl covering on it, that I found at the Amish general store the other day. It makes cleaning up messy crafts quick and easy.

This little teapot is from my Mom. I think she gave it to me over 20 years ago, she had it forever before that. It is from Donegal, Ireland, where she was born and raised. The mason jars are filled with yo yos made by my mother in law that I have used for various projects.

There are little reminders of what is important to me all around, pictures, gifts, a crucifix...

My mom treated me to this dresser we found at a yard sale years ago. She said it was too nice to pass up, she was right. It holds lots of sewing supplies.

On the other side of the basement we have my daughter's "studio",

It isn't quite pulled together yet.

I am so excited to have gotten this space together. I look forward to sharing it and enjoying it with both of my creative daughters.

Dd16 and I just sat down there enjoying it last night for a while. As she once again brought up the topic of her dream of traveling the world starting in Ireland. Yikes!

Will I ever be ready for all that letting go??

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.