I Ran Away Today

On a whim, I decided to run away today. Just, Me, Myself, and I.

Oh what a good time we had.

If I lived nearer my Mom and two sisters, I would have begged them to come away with me for the day. We would have found a yard sale or two. Probably visited the Christmas Tree shops. Possibly stopped by the UCONN Barns before stopping at one of Kat's favorite places for Sushi, or one of Mom's favorite watering holes....

My journey started by delivering an order...followed by dropping my daughter off at school since it was business day. Couldn't have her break the precious chocolate pops they made for their year end business project.

Next stop was dropping Lil Man off at his Kindergarten Exploration class he has on Friday mornings before school. Today was Kindergarten Olympics ~ as you can see the kids were thrilled!

Next stop was the Franklin Food Pantry. Such a good feeling making a difference!

While driving through the small town of Franklin, I tried to overlook the poverty and despair and only see what must have been a town filled with hope and inspiration at one time.

The Old Log Cabin Post Office, sits along the river.

The train still runs through the town.

I was most impressed with the homes that sit across the river, listed on the National Historic Register, I could almost envision what they must have looked like over 100 years ago.

I walked down River Street holding my head high, pretending I belonged there!

I strolled along the river without a care in the world.

I would love to learn more about the artist that painted incredible murals on many of the buildings throughout Franklin. The attention to depth & detail was breathtaking.

Doesn't this make you want to belong to a simpler time?!

Main Streets and Steeples always peak my interest.

I almost stopped traffic trying to capture a picture of the farm equipment...thought my brother Mike would be so proud of me for noticing!

I had originally planned to have lunch on Main Street, but, couldn't bring myself to sitting alone in a quiet little bistro. So I stopped in at Dorothy Lane Market in Springboro. I love DLM. It's not only a fabulous market for fresh produce and endless baked goods, the upstairs of the market is set-up with tables, chairs, a fireplace and a baby grande piano! I picked up sushi for the road.

By this time, my feet were getting tired. Perfect time for a pedicure.

I love having pretty toes. I'll need to wear pink all weekend!

Upon my return home, I felt completely refreshed. I was home 2+ hours before the kids' bus arrived so I took a power nap & tidied up the studio. Tomorrow, I'll need to play catch up, but, I can assure you, I'll have a skip in my step and a song in my heart after running away for the day.

So Sorry Daddy

When we lived in Florida, our favorite saying was, "Ahhh, another day in paradise."

Well, the weather in Southern Ohio the last few days has been divine. The kind of weather in which you find every excuse in the world to step outside, even if only for a few minutes.

Although Daddy is in Dallas, we couldn't resist....corn on the cob and barbecued chicken out on the deck.

Talking about our day and planning for tomorrow is always better on the deck!

Don't worry Daddy, we'll have a do~over soon!

Such a Good Feeling to Give Back

Last week was LB's first fundraiser to benefit the local Food Pantry. The Franklin/Springboro Food Pantry supports 1,000 families every month. During the holidays, we donate non-perishable items to the food pantry. However, I felt we could do more throughout the year.

I had oh so much fun preparing for the open house. Our dining room was transformed into LB's store front for the day.

I had no idea what to expect when I opened the doors at 9:00 a.m.

I was overwhelmed with the response. I was accepting food donations and taking orders from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with only two 10 minute periods without anyone here!

I proudly gave out over $150.00 in LB's Bucks for my customers to use towards their purchases. Additionally, a percentage of sales was donated to the Food Pantry.

I was shocked over the number of grocery bags being donated to the food pantry! The kids decorated a large box for the food donations ~ we were all amazed how quickly it was filled!

I'm still grinning from ear to ear knowing, together, we can make a difference.

Don't Blink, Life will Pass you By...

Now that both of my kids are in school, I feel overwhelming periods of anxiety when thinking about them growing up too fast. Do you ever feel this way?

Fortunately for me, Kindergarten in our area is half days so Lil Man still keeps me company in the morning.

A day does not go by without him making me smile and me thinking ~

SLOW DOWN, DON'T GROW UP, YOU'LL ALWAYS BE MY PEANUT.

Today was dress-up day at school. He strutted into the studio

and gave me this look

When I asked him what that look was for, he replied, "I'm your boss, and you need to

get back to work!"

This son of mine stole my heart from the start, but, his humor keeps me on my toes!

I will try to inhale deeply and wrap my heart around his for awhile longer ~ he'll always be my peanut, my Lil Man!

It's all about the Little Things...

This is one of those weeks in which I've enjoyed the journey. Nothing life changing. No exciting stories to share or jokes to tell. Just events that I oftentimes take for granted. This week, I counted my blessings.

Before my son fell asleep tonight, he came out of his room to give me another hug, "because he just had to hug his Mommy again," he told me.

It was Muffins with Mom's at my daughters school all week. We chose to go on Wednesday. Unexpectedly, two of our favorite friends were there. It was delightful sharing our time with such wonderful friends and their special girls.

My feet were happy to be in the garden for a few hours this week.

The weeds were above my ankles. I pulled and pulled and pulled.

Every few minutes I would glance down the hill and appreciate the splendor of Mother Nature. The sky was clear, bluer than blue, felt as if I had washed the windshield and could see clearly now. Do you ever have those moments?

After watching my daughter struggle at her softball game the night before, I almost cried when she got two hits and scored two runs the next night. She also pitched her first inning ever ~ 1 hit, struck 2 out, and no runs on her clock! I was so proud of her! I had to keep my sunglasses on so no one would notice my tears (of joy).

While having lunch with my son. Our neighbor came to our back slider, bringing Lil Man a few HUGE strawberries, knowing how much he loves strawberries. It warms my heart to have such wonderful neighbors!

Look how big these babies are!

I dipped them in milk chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate. Although they came out heavy and clumpy, the kids devoured them in 2.4 seconds!

Now that winter has passed, and we are approaching the end of the school year, I allowed myself a moment or two to daydream about summer with my peeps. Best part of my summer is the carefree days with the kids.

The highlight of my day was when my hubby walked through the door after traveling this week. Love having my family together.

Sew for One, Sew for All?

Have you ever noticed, sometimes one does not excel in their specialty within their own lives? Clearly, this is not always the case, so please don't let me offend you. It is however, personal. You know exactly what I'm talking about....

Why does a mechanic always have his car up on blocks? Shouldn't it run without being tinkered with every Saturday morning?

Why does an accountant have a shoebox full of his/her receipts waiting to be logged & analyzed?

Why does the meticulous landscaper have overgrown shrubs out front?

Why does the seamstress avoid sewing for her family & friends?

O.K. there, I said it out loud. My true confession. It is sew true. I love to sew. I've sewn over 1,000 items for local and on-line customers. Yet, the thought of sewing for my family or closest friends, leaves me with sweaty palms and heart palpitations.

I've sewn numerous aprons for my darling niece. However, she's Freckled Hen's daughter a.k.a. my sister, an incredible seamstress. So her aprons are here reminding me of this flaw of mine. And there's my brother Carl from Dadman Diaries. He's asked me to make blankeys for his boys when they were babies.

And then there's my dearest of friends that would probably love a new little cosmetic bag or girly girl wristlet, or for me to make something for their children.

Looking at this picture of LB's orders recently shipped, should give me the confidence I need.

Sweaty Palms. Racing heart.

Until today. Lil Man asked me to make something for his friend's birthday party. The Birthday party is tomorrow. Gulp. Swallow hard. How could I say no? Just look at that face!

So we started with the fabric selection...

I've never met this little boy, nor his Mother. Yet, my heart was racing

through the entire process.

Once the kids were in bed, I watched a trashy show on my laptop while sewing.

I won't mention which show....

Time for the finishing touches. I love grommets. They used to intimidate me. After designing a backpack for the studio last year, I went grommet crazy.

I did it. I did it. I did it. I did it. I did it. I did it.

A personalized backpack along with a colored pencil roll & coloring book

for a special little boy.

All packaged and ready. Can't promise I'll start sewing for family and friends on a regular basis, but, this certainly made one Lil Man in my life happy.

Happy Sewing!