Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Time to Pack up the Bunny!


Just finished sewing on the buttons in time to pack it up for Little Man's first Easter.  I know... I know... The Velveteen Rabbit is really a Christmas story; but, it was my favorite story... and, it goes with the bunny.  =)


I have to confess that I would have shredded Little Man's sweater when it got down to weaving all the ends of the color changes back in.  Thanks to the kind, generous, sweater-saving help of Michelle Hudson at Rose Path, Little Man will get an intact garment.  Thank you so very much, Michelle!

Hoppy Easter, Ya'll! 

He is Risen.

This is wonderful... for anyone who has ever loved a child... go READ this.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

A Seriously Bad Photography Day...


Sticking with my "plan," Evan went to Wal-Mart early this morning and purchased a new bicycle pump for us and aired up the tires on our bikes.  It was 49 degrees with a "feels like" factor of 42.  Now, the bad photography day is due, in part, to my choosing poor settings for today... I mean an ISO of 100 while the wind is whipping the plants around and I am without tripod... well, you get blurry photos.  Then there is the issue of getting twelve shots (most of which are unusable) and the message: Card Full.  All user errors.  Oh, well.


It was fun getting out.  I was able to check off the bike ride for the week... though I hope to have more.


For an update on the Azalea Trails, Christine this is the 51st Anniversary of the Trails.  There are over 14 miles of gorgeous landscaping highlighting the azaleas.  I have a link on the side to photos from last year.  This year.... the blooms are way behind schedule with the cold weather we have had. 

These tulips are beautiful, but note the azaleas in the background.  They are JUST beginning to show some color.  We had people from Dallas yesterday doing the Historic Home Tour for the first time because there were no azaleas to see!  Good for us at the Tour.  Sad for them they missed the spectacular views they were accustomed to seeing.  Good news is that they will be back next year for both the Home and Azalea Tours.  Hope all of your photo sessions go better than this one! 

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Mission: THRIVE IV


For those of you who may not know, for the past four months, my daughter and I started on a mission to thrive.  We had both been in spots less than optimal for awhile.  Those less than optimal spots were not spots we were accustomed to and we wanted change.  Each month we have set goals for ourselves with the intent to thrive again.  Our progress has been rewarding.

I hate writing these next words.  I have had a setback.  As a matter of fact, you could accurately say I have been in survival mode for the past five weeks.  On February 20th I had the most incredible run.  Muscles, breath and heart all propelled me along with perfect rhythym and ease.  I took five minutes off my usual time for a three mile loop.  (If you run at all, you know that is a big change.)  It felt good.  So good that when I came through the door, I gleefully shared with Evan how running had brought me back to the place I had been seeking... a place of thriving.  I felt like I had come home to myself.  My best self. 

Ironically, I ordered a two year subscription to Runner's World magazine and a training log that morning.  All the while trying to continue to ignore a left knee that was protesting loudly.  By bedtime, the ache keeping me awake was hard to deny.  I rested the next day.  Tried to rationalize that it was only my increased pace that had cause the ache... while the little voice in the back of my head was trying to tell me the same thing I had been ignoring for a long, long time.  I even posted about it last year... the stiffness, the ache that was different than an injury... one that is best served by stopping high impact activity... by stopping running.  On the 22nd, I went out for my run.  I made my loop, but the denial was impossible.

So, I know it sounds ludicrous to the majority of folks who may read this, but I am deeply saddened by this.  Running has been a tool, a crutch, a victory, a friend, a place of prayer... that I just hate to part with.  I thought I would run with Little Man (though none of my children were ever convinced to drink the Kool-Aid of running).  I feel like I am in a pit with a lion on a snowy day... Tara, thank you for the direction to the book by that name.  It is by Mark Batterson.  I'm reading it and loving it.

Bottom line is that attitude shapes everything.  I'm working on mine again.  I am trusting that when one door closes another will open.  I am trusting that everything is just as it should be and that for every thing there is a season.  But, since I am survival mode, it is back to the lists.. the goals... the one foot in front of another until you are up and running (figuratively this time). 


  • I am thinking that letting go is a big chunk of the lesson I'm working on right now so... for 15 minutes each week for the next month, I am going to throw away "stuff".
  • I will work one half day in the yard each week.
  • I will get a bicycle pump, air up my tires and ride my bike at least once a week.
  • I will find quiet time to worship the Lord.  I will give thanks.  I will ask for the eyes to see and the ears to hear and the heart to feel His desire for my life.  I will listen.  I will look.  I will be open.
  • I will get back on the path to thriving. 

I hope you are all on your own path to thriving... Life is both to short and too long not to get all out of it that God has intended for us!   I'd love to hear about your journeys.  Thrive on, Sisters!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Poised to Pop...

The sun is out and temperatures are rising.  Looks like sping again.



The jasmine is blooming.



The camelias are winding down.



Lots of beautiful pots...



adding splashes of color.



But, our azaleas... they are poised... but, not popping.  Yet...



Couldn't resist the morning sun on my little "heart" plant.  =)  Have a sunny day, ya'll!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

In Like a Lion...


Spring roared in like a lion.  Friday was sunny and 76.  Yesterday, there was a chilling, gray rain with the temperatures plummeting.

This morning we woke up to a light flurry of snow that is supposed to continue throughout the day.

The Azalea Trail officially opened Friday... The blooms were not open yet.  Tour buses of folks were disappointed by no flowers.  The Azalea Trail Craft Fair hunkered down in a cold rain yesterday; and, now have this to look forward to today.  Our little guys are hiding under this blanket hoping to hang on until Monday when we are supposed to be back to 63!  I'm sure hoping for better weather for our Historic Tyler on Tour next weekend!  Let's hope Spring goes out like a lamb. 

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Early Morning Treasure Hunt


I hustled out the door this morning to make it to the first hour (7 AM) of the first day of an estate sale by Divide and Conquer, a.k.a. Martha Dunlap, organizer and estate sale person extraordinaire.  I had banned myself from going to Martha's sales because of just this...


This makes my fifth one of these little boxes.  Could I possibly need another set of tarnished silverplate?  No.  Do they irresitably call my name?  Obviously.


I think I need an intervention.  I did tell Martha, that when I die, she will have these to sell again.  =)


And, then there was this... It is a beautiful hand embroidered, crochetted bedspread.  So much work.  Beautifully done.  It makes me sad to see pieces like this, so lovingly created, with no one to appreciate it... Where is the family of this incredible hand-worker?  Was there none or did they just not care? 



I hope she knows someone admired her work today and brought it home to love. 
The silverplate, that's just sick.  Off to the next adventure...

Monday, March 15, 2010

Beware The Ides of March

Isn't it interesting how a date will stick in your mind.  Every March 15th, I remember Caesar being forwarned to beware the ides of March...


and the subsequent, " et tu Brute..."  I probably needed to beware the Too Much Chocolate Cake this weekend!  LOL!


I'm still working along on the Bungalow makeover... a preview of things to come... Have a good ides!  =)

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Crazies!



The past month has been a crazy whirlwind of activity.



While racing into Home Depot to procure a SECOND kitchen faucet while the plumber was waiting... I snagged this beauty off the display for the garden club!




I love the "heart" and the red. Just couldn't resist; I am so ready for spring.



There have been weddings and funerals... Made this cake for Evan's daughter, Audra, and her love, Brian, as a groom's cake. Had a few problems with Bevo's right horn... I'm just sayin'. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception much fun. They were glowing. I am very happy for Audra.



Made this one layer little carrot cake while Barbara was here for a visit. Love my little cake stand from LaurieAnna's!



And, over the weekend, the delicate, pink flowers popped open!



Spring is knocking on our door!! I say, "Come on in!"

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Letter to Noni and PopPop

Noni and Pop Pop,

This morning my mommy asked me, "Are you excited that Noni and Pop Pop are coming for a visit?" Please see the attached photo for my response. XOXO.

29 days and counting,
Little Man





I'm counting, too, Little Man!!! Noni loves you bigger than the sky! XOXOXOXOX
PS Please try not to strand yourself on the crib rail until Noni gets there... Mom is practicing some tough love! ;)

(Just kidding, Mom... well... sort of... lol.)

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Knitting Olympics 2010


I'm celebrating my first participation in the Knitting Olympics headed up by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee at Yarn Harlot, her blog. She is a Canadian, so obviously very excited about the outcome of Sunday's hockey game, not to mention the other 13 gold medals Canada garnered!! Congratulations to all!

Stephanie's writing amuses me; her knitting amazes me. While I started and finished this little bunny during the course of the Olympics, she started and finished an incredible sweater! I was also amazed by the projects started and finished by the over 4000 knitters who participated! That's a lot of knitting!



This was Bunny right after his head was sewn onto his little bunny belly.




Here he is all finished.




Ready and waiting for Easter...
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Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.