A Fresh Start

Our family was attacked by numerous bugs during the month of December. Yes, I'm still a little bitter since all of LBs orders were done earlier this year, to allow for some fun with my peeps.

As many of you know, I'm a germ-a-phobic. My kids are questioned daily about their hand-washing practices while they are at the germfest a.k.a. school. There is one thing I learned during the month of December, no matter how many times you wash your hands, nor how many vitamins you take, nor how well rested you are and regardless if you use your own pen to sign all sales receipts and open all public doors with a tissue, it doesn't really matter - you are still going to catch a bug or two.

This Christmas will go down in history as the, "remember when we were all sick" Christmas. In the two weeks the kids were home from school, our house has been fever-free 2 days. We have had high fevers (105' is now our family record high-ugh) the adenovirus, double ear infections, strep throat, sinus infections and conjunctivitis.

We cancelled our annual Christmas eve party; mommy missed L singing in the church choir for Christmas mass, cancelled Pepere & Grandma's New Year's visit from Atlanta, cancelled several sleep-overs; skipped a few parties; cancelled several play-dates; 5 visits in 2 weeks to the dr's; and, most importantly, we all felt a little robbed for having spent our entire winter break at home with someone on the couch fighting a high fever.

But, today is New Year's Day ~ a Fresh Start. Although my sweet daughter once again woke up with a fever, she was feeling a wee bit better. After pumping her with fever reducing meds, she let me coerce her into stamping cards while we watched the Rose Parade.

The living room was completely overtaken with stamps, ink pads, glitter, glue, & paper. Yes, she was a little quiet and not her perky self, but, it was still such a delight working side by side creating our own little masterpieces.

Wishing you a happy & healthy 2011!

Make Hay when the Sun Shines

Make Hay When the Sun Shines.

I've heard this through out my life and think it makes good sense.

My take on this farmers cliche is....Make Totes at Christmastime.

I have been buried beneath fabric filling orders 16 hours a day for a few months now. I confess I miss the blogging world. I miss my family, miss calling my Mom & Sisters and oftentimes miss the spirit of Christmas when I'm locked in the studio trying to meet deadlines.

But, there is one thing I know for sure. These two peeps make it all worth it. This year, during the busy season, I've tried to take "Cocoa Breaks" to enjoy the kids for short bursts of time. I'm not sure if they've even noticed, but, I know I cherish these few minutes of love & laughter in the kitchen. Today while sipping his cocoa, Little Man told me, "Oh, I really need this 1st cup of coffee today." Yea, me too.

Bit of a Funk

I've always dreamt of owning two homes. One would be a condo in a sky-rise in a major metropolitan city with a view of the bay. The other would be a historic victorian sitting atop rolling hills, surrounded by pastures, and a big red barn for my sewing studio, of course. Hubby and I have talked about this on occasion and he's never quite had the same vision as me. The hard work and disruption to our lives during remodeling wouldn't be worth it in his mind. Hmmmfffff.

Well let me tell you, he is so right.

Today is the first day in two weeks in which we do not have contractors in the house. I've always recognized the fact I need a routine, I need my house in order, I need to have supper planned and prepped before lunch and I despise people who can function with spontaneity.

I thought the sheer joy of having our flooring projects done would surely supersede the overwhelming feeling of losing control. NOT.

He is so right.

The P word is a four letter word in our house. I begin each morning with the question, "What is the plan?" In fact, each day, week, month, year is measured in terms of having a plan.

So you can imagine the funk I've been in by having my fridge & stove in the middle of the kitchen and having toilets in the bathtubs for 2 consecutive weekends. My poor kids would tiptoe down the stairs each morning and cautiously look at me to see, "is Mommy still in a funk."

The projects are complete. I feel myself beginning to thaw, to decompress. I've set aside my dreams of restoring an old victorian for now and will appreciate the fine craftsmanship of our recent home projects and not Plan another project unless it can be done while I'm away.

Happy Sewing

Welcome Home Autumn...

Crunchy Leaves Underfoot

New England Clam Chowder

Nana's Apple Pie

Country Roads all Aglow

Pumpkins & Scarecrows

Hayrides & Apple Cider

Mums & Gourds

Cheesy Potato Soup in Bread Bowls

to name just a few

We are so happy to see you!

I walked in on my Husband.....

........while he was looking at bedroom sets on-line. Can you imagine? Every girls dream! He informed me he would like to give me a bedroom makeover, new carpet, paint, linens, update our bedroom set, add a free standing fireplace, for my birthday/our anniversary.

He was hesitant to mentioned it as he wasn't sure if I would be happy about it. Are you kidding me?!!!! This was a few days ago....THAT is all I'm thinking about. Our bedroom is approximately 17x20....I've sat-n-stared and redesigned our bedroom 100's of times in my mind. After all, it has the original mint green paint from when we purchased the house....eeewwww.....no offense original owners, just not my cup of tea.

Which leads me to this post. I think it's only fair to share our last little makeover. While I was busy sewing, consumed with my little home studio, darling hubby did all of the research to upgrade our appliances.

Out with the old....

Just look at this fridge. Do they even make 'em like this any more?

In with the new...

I think he did a fabulous job, don't you?!

This is the look Sir Earl Grey was giving me while I stood on the kitchen table to snap the pictures....good thing he can't tell the kids!

These are the Moments that Define Us

The Quiet Times

Celebrating Nature

in Awe over our Surroundings

We send them out into the world to become fully functioning young adults, yet, it all starts right here, at home, celebrating our own faith, family & love.

We pray, as Mom's & Dad's that our decisions today encourage them to grow up to be compassionate, charitable, trustworthy and happy.

Quick Fix

As we get acclimated to the new school routines, I have been diligent about being in the kitchen while the kids do their homework at the bar each afternoon. Once dinner is prepared, I've been finding busy work for myself in the kitchen while they finish up their studies.

Today, I needed a quick fix for the junk drawer. Do you have a junk drawer...is it just that, j-u-n-k? Does your husband rummage through the junk drawer on a weekly basis, unable to locate what he's in search of - and you feel like you are failing as a stay-at-home mom (with a full-time sewing business) because you are losing control over the clutter?

Well, I've seen pretty organizers in the stores, but, am too frugal to upgrade mine since they are fully functioning organizers.

In less than 15 minutes, I transformed my organizers with 2 sheets of scrapbooking cardstock.

I love my junk drawer!