Summer Summer Summer

I am giddy with excitement when I think about Summer. Summer is so much more than balmy temperatures, salty air, moonlight & fireflies.

I am overcome with a sense of calm & tranquility when I daydream about summer during the cold winter months when our lives are consumed with school, homework and activities.

Now it is here and I am in my glory simply enjoying my time, with my precious peeps.

Happiness is a picnic supper in the park after Saturday evening Mass.

Happiness is weeding the flower beds alongside your peeps.

Happiness is breakfast on the deck without any other commitments.

Happiness is going to the library and seeing the excitement in your peeps' eyes as they devour a new book.

Happiness is watching your son ride his bike in the cul-de-sac 100 times, grinning from ear to ear each time he races over the curb into the driveway, waving up to me in the studio window.

Happiness is having your daughter recommend a book to you and actually enjoying it!

Happiness is realizing it's the 12th day of summer vacation and the kids haven't asked to watch t.v. or play a video game (!)

Happiness is sitting on the front stoop talking about all of our summer plans.

Pinch me...it's Summer!

My Love Hate Relationship with Designing....

One of the biggest challenges with owning a homebased sewing business is saying, "NO".

Although, no, nada, can't do it, not interested in doing it, can't justify the time doing it, races through my head, I will hear my voice saying, "absolutely, would love to, let's make it happen!"

I have a customer that has become a friend that loves to challenge my designing capabilities. It is always an adrenaline rush working with her. One year, I was blessed with sewing for her entire extended family.

I too love my latte. So I genuinely enjoyed designing this purse.

I usually spend a few days looking at the fabrics. I'll walk by and rearrange them as if I'm mussing with my son's hair in the morning. Then, WHAM, it will come to me and I hold my breath until the project is done. I have to remind myself to breath while I'm sewing!

Happy Sewing!

It all started with Mother Hen of the Hen House

Those that know me, know I am NOT a camper. Simply, I don't like bugs, odors or noise. All of which are a big part of roughing it.

So when our Girl Scout troop voted on camping at, Marmon Valley Christian Farm, for their annual overnight trip, as you can imagine, I was not thrilled.

I volunteered to drive which gave me a sense of relief knowing I had an escape plan. I knew I was in trouble when I met with the other Mom's and I was teased for wearing my sketchers and not my sneakers, for wearing my white jeans jacket instead of a sweatshirt and for wearing my bling. To my defense, most of my attire was purchased at Goodwill and I felt like I was 'dressing down'.

During the 1.5 hour drive through the countryside, I kept my smile on and tried not to think about the....

Restored Hen House = sleeping quarters = bugs

Horse Trails = manure = odors

Organized Campground = rambunctious kids = noise

What I didn't expect was the opportunity of a lifetime to watch my daughter grow. To see her for the young woman she is becoming. As my first born, I can't help but Mother Hen her and always feel the need to hover & protect.

I promised myself on this trip I would observe, rather than hover & protect.

This is what I learned.

1. During the team building challenges, she demonstrated many strong leadership skills. Yet she was also able to sit and listen and learn from others.

2. Although she has never been around a horse, she was not intimidated by their size. She was eager to learn from Wrangler Matt, groom the horses, talk to the horses. She didn't hesitate to walk amongst the horses, as if she'd done this 100 times.

3. I learned she is not afraid to stand up in front of complete strangers. During the outdoor cowboy church service, when asked if anyone has a favorite song or hymnn they would like to share, she stood up and sang, "Sing Alleluia" to +50 strangers.

4. I learned she is no longer the little girl that hides between my legs begging me not to make her participate. She held the bunnies in the bunny house. She giggled watching the goats play hide-n-seek. She explored the barns.

She walked the tight rope across the creek and eagerly scaled the rock wall.

5. I was most impressed with her ability to observe her fellow girl scouts and slow down enough to encourage someone a little apprehensive to try something new and/or cheer on someone meeting their own goals.

I met my goal. I did not hover & protect. I stood back and observed.

I came home with a happier heart for it.

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!