Unique Finds

Unique LA was full of tantalizing treats! It was great to see the talent of creativity out there. I was able to get a few stocking stuffers. Much fun. I'll definitely be back.

13 stories up! He liked the view.

The kids just wanted to be free to roam the universe, but then they'd get their hands into everything.

Happy times with sassy Helen, and the sweet-talented Danni (oh.hellofriend).

Thrifty Finds

I found this globe on one of my thrift store endeavors, and was absolutely enthusiastic when I found it for my sons room.

One day this world will be made again, and be just how it was meant to be...What a glorious truth!

Christmas Time Is Here!

Christmas time really does make people feel gitty, I sure am! We've been decorating and getting some crafting done this year.

The kids loved decorating the tree, and frankly, so did I.
This year, I made stockings for all of us, including the little girlie in my tummy. The front side is made of potato sack material, and the other of various fabric that distinguishes itself from the others. Can't wait to start stuffing our stockings!

Thrifty Finds

I found these lovely wire egg baskets, and knew they were coming home with me. Thrifty finds are grand!

We're Having...

I'm so excited we're having another girl! My husband really wanted a boy BUT he is thankful that we are being blessed with another baby girl. She already has her own stocking hanging by the fire place :)Can't wait to meet you!

Thanksgiving

I was thankfully able to put something together for my Key, despite my long Christmas gift list, and my list of Christmas decorations awaiting there turn for "the machine of wonders." I'm VERY excited for the turkey and all the fixins! Oh, and I'm equally excited to get our home ready for Christmas! YAY!!!

Thrifty Finds

I found Miss Molly (the name I gave her), and I was so excited to see this beauty on someone. Since I'm preggie, I will give this dress up, but I definitely won't mind if it stays in the shop ;)

Naughty or Nice

This year in an attempt to try and save money, and give thoughtful handmade gifts, I realized I needed to start early on the crafting. I've gotten a handful done, but I still have many on my list unchecked! As I thought about gift giving, I was struck on the idea, "What if people really did receive gifts based on behavior?" I took it a step futher and began thinking of us human beings and our innate view of rewarding people based on. At times this works quite well in arenas such as the workforce, and school. We also take the good vs. bad scale into our moral values, and to the extreme end, we take it to our relationship with God (or a higher being). I know I did. Maybe you didn't. Or maybe you agree with that concept...interesting. I hope this is not a downer, but I just wanted us to take a second, and think about what we really believe in regarding good vs. bad, who decides, and where that leaves us. Any thoughts?
Have a great rest of the day! Much love to you.

Don't Forget Your Fruits and Vegetables

I initially cut the apple shape out and left my idea stranded. I actually got back to it, and made a little cute apple. It was suppose to be a brooch but decided to make a hair piece.

Just a friendly reminder to eat your five a day! We need to fight the nasty viruses and bacteria going around. My son is sick, and other church families. Let's keep fighting these sicknesses with prayer and love :)

Thrifty Finds

Hand held mirrors are just darling. I've purchased a couple from ebay, and I'm always looking for cheap, adorable treasures. I'd love to have a mini wall of beautiful, interesting, hand-held mirrors. I must say, I like mirrors in general.
For some odd reason my household is being plagued with sickness. My son Rock was sick, then my daughter Key, then myself, and now my son Rock again! There really is joy in everything, even when it doesn't seem like it. In everything give thanks (1 Thess5:18).

Maps

I have this fascination, and love for maps and globes--new maps, old maps, foreign maps, local maps, big maps, small maps, etc. I've tried looking for a really big old map (or new, depending how it looks) for a good price, but have not yet stumbled upon that big treasure. I did buy a big map but have not framed it, or figured out how I would, since it's a good size.

I thought I'd decorate Rock's room with various maps (and globes). He does like looking at them. We also thought it would be good for him (and the family) to know the various people around the world. With that said, I started collecting maps a year ago, and I finished framing five of them. I still need a couple more, but I'll see when I can get to that. I like the way they turned out, and amazingly it cost me nothing!  The maps I got for free at AAA (we're members, but not sure if anyone else can walk in and ask), and the frames were old baby wooden frames that Rock outgrew.  I simply cut the map according to the wood block frame, and then pasted it on.  I also want to make a map banner out of the maps (I'll be sure to post latter).

I made some of places we visited, lived, and where we live now. In June, hopefully we can set one up for Seattle! How exciting.

"Hello Joleen"

I finally had the time, and the encouragement (congrats again!) to set these cuties up in the shop. We'll see how it goes...but God is still good and he is always in control.

(visit here to see the adorable doily clock giveaway)

Thrifty Finds

So I'm back on with the incredible adventures of thrifty finds! It's really exciting when you do find little treasures. I wasn't blogging because of my pregnancy, it really made me icky...all day long :( But I'm feeling a whole lot better. I will be officially four months the 17th, and I am big and showing since the egg was fertilized...no lie!

Anyways, I saw these two adorable fighter planes many months ago. Once I saw these two I knew they were definitely coming home with me .

Displaying the flag of France.

They shall be displayed in my sons room.

Where the Wild Things Are

...After Max steps off his private boat tumbled by the ocean, he begins exploring.
Max hears some rustling of leaves...
he turns to see if anyone is following...
someone or something is lurking in the forest...
the unknown wild thing wants to befriend Max.
she begins to follow him
Max sees the wild thing!
So, she roars her terrible roar...
Gnashes her terrible teeth, rolls her terrible eyes, and shows her terrible claws...
But Max says "be still!"
She fears this creature, and declares Max to be the king of the wild things!
Max the king, exclaims "let the wild rumpus start!!!"
...

What a splendid wild rumpus.

Sick-and-Seat

With the swine flu pandemic, I've been more cautious of Rock and Key. Which is a step towards insanity, since I'm already a bacteria freak. Rock began with the sniffles, which I started to suspect we were heading down the route of boogiemonters (the assigned name to his runny noise friends), coughing, sneezing, etc. Two days later with a full blow flu, he began wheezing. I phoned the nurse and she got me an appointment the same day. After the doctor ran some tests, she determined he had slight pneumonia. He now has two medications, plus med's for his breathing nebulizer.

With Halloween around the corner, we'll see if he'll join in festivities. I was so excited for him and Key to tour the town in their costumes that I made, but I don't want to hold on to it too tightly. If he doesn't go trick-or-treating, and has to sit out this year, perhaps Key will just go all by her lonesome without her partner :(

Lord help Rock get better, and most importantly help our faith in you and in your goodness get stronger. In Jesus Christ name, amen.

Practicing our howls

A Fun Scoop

I recently tried the fun ice cream of Scoops. It's an ice cream parlor with a bit of eccentric (read more here). They serve a plethora of selections such as: strawberry balasmic vinger, brown bread, raspberry pomegranate, salted caramel, pistachio cinnamon, bacon caramel, and orange tiramisu, are just to name a few. In case you mosey on over, be mindful which day you go, because the menu changes daily, except for brown bread, it's a neighborhood favorite.
My scoop of brown bread (bottom), and another of raspberry pomegranate. I enjoyed the first, but not so much the latter. Scoops is a must try!

Too Cute and Dainty!

Oh how I LOVE Rice! I even love there music. There things are too cute and adorable. I wish, I could buy it all. It's a Denmark based brand, and oh how dainty :)

That tea table is just too cute.
Love the owl! Great idea, I have so many ideas bursting in my brain from Rice.

It's hard...

to be joyful when you don't feel good. I've felt not only sick, but even sad that I feel this way. God is continuing to remind me of others who suffer because of the same morning sickness or even worse, for the sake of the gospel. Others who willingly sacrifice their lives to tell others of the surpassing beauty, and attainable love of Jesus, through what Christ did on the cross. It's also been allowing me to reflect on the irony done on the cross--the unimaginable pain, and the sweet love of the Father! Thank you Jesus.