This month has been filled with many ups and downs, like most months I guess.
Last week we said goodbye to my friend Karen's mother, a feisty woman who upon meeting you, you became family. I created 3 sympathy cards, one for her dad, one for Karen, and one for her daughter. The service was sweet and it was nice to see some familiar faces.

While it was nice to get into my room and create, it was strongly on my heart why and really wanting to convey some beautiful, heartfelt sympathy. Does that make any sense?

I was able to use my cuttlebug and I must say that some embossing folders brings a sense of elegance to a card as I feel that this one does. I wanted simple and I think I did well.
For Karen's daughters card I wanted something that reflected her and her grandma so added yellow to it. On the inside I put a quote,
I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. Leo Buscaglia
Have you ever been around someone that just makes you want to be a better person? That was Grandma Jean.

I was back again in my craft room later last week working on making the table place signs for our church banquet. I think I hit the nail on the head with that one. The signs matched the room wonderfully and I wished I had taken a better picture .
I actually used a cricut cart for this one! I pulled out Fancy Frames cricut cart  and selected the second frame. I sized it on my gypsy but the outside of the frame is an 8x10. I even used the photo stand from the cart that I glued onto the back to get them to stand up straight. I had thought about cutting out the easel from the cart but that seemed a lot of work and I only needed 11 of them. Still, they garnered lots of compliments.
It has felt great to be crafty and I have tried to get my room more cleaned up and organized. My lovely friend Julie gave me a 4x4 expedite bookcase and wouldn't you know it it is 2 inches too short to fit where I need it to go. No worries, I talked Rob into letting me put it in our hallway. I will fill it with pretty boxes to hide some of my craft supplies and hopefully make my room more manageable. My craft room is around 8x11 and literally jammed packed with stuff, so much so that I have a very narrow walkway to get to my chair. So imagine crafting and having some companions. Three of my four dogs lay along the path and if I need to move or get out its like herding cats. No one wants to move up or out, or they want some attention and all converge on me keeping me stuck in my seat. Before anyone asks to see a photo the answer is no. I'm just a little bit too embarrassed to show how bad the room looks. I will say that I have made a mental commitment to myself that I will get the bookcase in the hallway and get that room more organized, especially since I plan on going to Phx in April and visiting the scrapbook convention and IKEA. insert evil laugh.

20 random facts about me

To get back into the swing of things I decided to post 20 random facts about me. These are in no particular order, just as they popped into my head.

1. I love mushrooms, sliced, sauteed, stuffed
2. I like grilled cheese sandwiches, the more gooey the better
3. I love most any kind of chocolate, Dove, Hershey's, Lindt
4. I enjoy a good romance novel, especially with some suspense. My favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood, Catherine Coulter, Debbie Macomber
5. I really enjoy traveling and wish I could take my kids more places
6. I like to fish, granted I haven't fished since I was a kid in Michigan but I enjoyed it.
7. I like to roller skate not roller blade. When I was a kid, I used to teach the neighborhood kids how to skate. I love it now when the kids' schools do skate night.
8. I like big purses, I'm tired of black and on the search for bright happy colors that fulfill my needs.
9. I like to make casseroles, serious casserole queen here, thankfully the kids are now willing to try them.
10. I am creatively hesitant. I want to make stuff but hold back because the process is either too long or I'm nervous about trying it.
11. I LOVE flowers, especially the kind the don't grow in the desert.
12. I adore bright girly colored shoes, very hard to find in my size, but for Christmas Rob got me these and I love them

     

     
13. I love office supplies, staplers, paper clips, file folders, thank goodness they are now making them in colors and patterns, even more enticing yumminess
14. At one time I wanted to be an entertainment reporter for entertainment tonight
15. I wished I would have continued playing the viola
16. I enjoy listening to most kinds of music, except gangsta rap and death metal
17. I love to learn and understand new things
18. I'm a romantic
19. I really like football, when I was a kid my parents got me a record player and one of my first records was the Houston Oilers fight song along with Queen's, another one bites the dust. I was 7 or 8.
20. My nicknames as kid were; carrot and care bear

*Carrie*

I'm not sure what has brought about this lack of blogging and to be truthful it is really bothering me. I have even gone about searching on how to make my blog more inticing or topics to talk about when I am having a slow period. I'm also thinking about planning some of my blogging
The last couple of weeks I have been working on a couple of crafty projects. One is the black Harbor Freight spinner. Now my dream scrapbook room has happy bright colors and the black sure doesn't fit in, sooo I purchased bright yellow enamel spray paint and went to town. Over the course of several days and several coats, I finally thought I had enough coverage that the paint wouldn't chip off. Alas, I put my first chip on it yesterday when I was cleaning my scrap room. Such a bummer.

In other crafty pursuits, mom bought me a bunch of yarn the other day because I wanted to start making pom poms so that I can string them up around my room. I've made pom poms before but they were all small and the kids had fun with them. This time its all for me. bewahhhhh. I'm in a slightly crazed, happy mood.
Last Friday I picked up the new issue of Creative Spaces Vol 2 . Pure eye candy sure but for me its so inspirational and I love seeing how creative we women are in our spaces. It sure has kick started my desire to get my room clean enough to start making stuff again. It also has helped me to find solutions to a few of my crafty problems, like where to store punches and 6x6 paper pads, oh and my new washi tape collection.
This past weekend was the CHA, craft and hobby association trade show. I get all excited to see what some of my favorite companies are coming out with and how their designers used the product. Mom has asked if we are going to the scrapbook convention in April, gosh I really hope so. I'm learning how to use some new products but they're not cheap and I would like to stock up on other items that I've always bypassed because I felt they were too expensive to purchase. Now if God would just provide the funds, lol, it will be all good. lol
I'm getting more excited because the newest issue of Where Women Create is due to come out soon. I can't wait to see whom they have featured. I'm also on the lookout for their other new magazine, Where Women Create Business.
Now, I must be off, I have to do my bible study for the day and the day is getting away from me.
*Carrie*

Starting a new year is like making a big wish, there are so many possibilities, so much optimism.
This year hasn't started out fantastic. I threw my back out last Friday and I finished up all my muscle relaxers and when my Dr.'s office was closed I went to our local minute clinic at CVS. After waiting for two hours I was told that they couldn't help me. I can't afford the extra cost of going to the urgent care or ER so I waited till my Dr.'s office was open, only to find out that my Dr is out of office until next Monday. My back is still hurting but as long as I take it easy I can get around.
On to the new year.
This is going to be a great year.
I'm working on writing my retreat course and learning and understanding more about me. I will make more time to be creative, I have to because my spirit is just screaming for my creative time. While being laid up I have spent quite a bit of time pinning on pinterest. I have decided that I would like to do one pinterest project a month. I have also expressed my desire to use my cricut carts more. Mom and I are sitting on about 200 carts right now and I would like to get my moneys worth from them. Maybe I can do one cricut cart a week, granted it would take me a couple of years but I would be doing something creative. I want to learn how to art journal and have been checking things out and learning techniques and finding blogs for inspiration.
This year is going to be a great year.
This fall I will have all my kids in school!! Chelsea will be in kindy and Kelly will be in middle school. Wyatt, he has received some awesome news during winter break. He was tested for the gate (gifted) program shortly after school started and we've received his results. My amazing boy scored a 9 out of 9 and a 99% on his test. He will be taking another test in a couple of weeks and this will figure out what services he will get next year.
This year I want to take better care of me. I want to go for more walks and take more pictures. Like so many others I want to pick a word and focus on it for this year. I will check out Ali's blog for a list of one words to get an idea but I think I will also journal and pray about it.
 I have almost finished up a ten week Breaking Free bible study and then I will pick back up on Finding Water with Julia Cameron.
I'm going to be inspired by the good in the world around me. I want to inspire others.
So this year is big wishes, big dreams but also to be realistic. Oh forget realistic, let's go BIG!












*Carrie*

Its 3 hours before midnight and I couldn't let the day pass without any comments now could I?
This past year has been hard for me but I truly feel it will be worth it this coming year.
I will be making some resolutions tomorrow and just trying to get the new year off to a great start.
Off to watch some movies to ring in the new year
Happy New Year!!


*Carrie*

12/12/12

I couldn't let this day past without acknowledging that it will be the last time the date can be matching numerals.
The date is suppose to be a lucky and I must say it turned out exhausting but really good.
To the picture...
I decided to try out a pose I've seen running around pinterest. The kids sure did get a kick out of it. I wrapped 3 separate strands of lights in red, green and white around the kids and Rob had the joy of covering their mouths with the duct tape. I'm not completely sure its Christmas card worthy but my friends have gotten a kick out it.
This month is just flying by I'm cruising right along with it. This Friday is the church Christmas party and on Saturday, Kelly will be walking in the Tucson parade of lights downtown.
December is pure craziness.
I'm gonna stop there. I just re read my post and its a mumble jumble of an update. I'm so tired I can't function right. Here is to a silent night.
*Carrie*

I'm blown away that December is here. I was looking at my blog list and I never finished my thankful #28. Sigh. Such is life. I'm coming to realize that I could never make a living out of writing on my blog.
I'm too flaky.
So now its December. I had contemplated joining the bandwagon and doing December Daily with some of the other scrapbookers and I also thought about doing a December daily photo challenge.
I haven't done either.
This photo was taken a year or two ago.
I will make no promises for this coming month. I want to enjoy December, not drive myself and family insane over commitments or added pressure.
Some people thrive on a busy social schedule and we know I am not one of them.
I think I will look at the photo challenge as a list of photos that I want to take this month not as a stressful, have to get this done, I have to post today, kind of thing.
That is not the reason for the season. Its a beautiful, magical time of year and I want to enjoy and preserve it.
*Carrie*

thankful #22

I've missed a few days but to make it up, I'll say that I'm thankful that I'm feeling better. I've had the flu and lost my voice this week. Rob has been very supportive when I've hurled but he loves to tease me when I squeak.
Today I'm feeling 90% normal and I'm glad so that I can gorge myself on turkey and sides.
Last night we watched both of the Peanuts thanksgiving specials. I love this little tradition. It brings back childhood memories of laying on my stomach in front of the TV watching snoopy and charlie brown. It wasn't until I was older that I realized that all the characters voices kept changing. Boooo
Anyway, today we are celebrating with my sister in laws family, its looking to be a huge group of us. Sadly my mom won't be there because now she is sick. I hope it's not because of Chelsea and myself.
Tomorrow we will be joining with my mother in law for a more intimate thanksgiving dinner. No black Friday shopping for this girl, I think I'll be shopping online mostly this year.
The rest of this week will be filled with good food, great company and amazing smells with a very thankful heart.
Happy Thanksgiving!
*Carrie*

thankful #19

Since I started my thankful month so many things have been made very obvious to me, once I actually stopped to look.
Today I'm thankful for the Internet and google.
It sounds cheesy I know, but instead of stressing over finding information, driving direction, music videos, other friends, I just do a search. How often do we just turn to the net for that info nowadays?
I have learned so many good things from the Internet. I sometimes forget that I can google a question instead of trying to hunt down someone who can answer me.
When I have forgotten how to do a math problem, no worries, I just go to google and type in my problem and next thing I know I'm watching a video on how to multiply decimal points. So much less stress.
When I need a little inspiration, no problem, type and search.
The other day I was on the search for a couple of my favorite holiday recipes that I have misplaced in my cleaning. After digging through other cookbooks, I remembered that I had shared both recipes to different women. One was on a message board, so I just looked up a several year old message and there was the recipe. The other recipe was given to a friend on Facebook so I had an idea of the month that I had given it out so I searched her timeline and found the recipe. Easy peasy, took me 10 minutes max.
When it comes to scrapbook or card making inspiration I not only check my favorite magazines but I search galleries or just do a specific search. Same thing goes for photography, my cricut carts or recipes.
I remember in middle school there was talk of the Internet and how it would close down malls because people could shop online and we would never need to go to stores to shop. How the Internet was going to destroy our world as we know it. How funny and a little bit true.
The Internet is like a crazy journey through Oz, you never know what's around the corner but you'll have learned something along the way.

*Carrie*

thankful #18

image found on google

Yesterday I was thankful to be able to attend the memorial of a life well lived.
Our church, friends and family said goodbye to our friend Ron Lamb, our Scottish son.
Rob and I were a part of Ron's home church for a little while. I loved it when Ron began to speak, his voice just drew you in and boy could he weave a tale, you were enraptured.
It was a lovely service complete with a bagpiper playing several Scottish songs and ending with Amazing Grace.
So hauntingly beautiful.

*Carrie*

thankful #17

This morning I'm thankful that our family is able to help out at the Cub Scout aid station #4 for the 30th El Tour de Tucson bike race.
It is such a thrill to watch these guys go flying by and I can't wait to take pictures.
Last night we went to the TCC to pick up the volunteer shirts and while walking around the booths
Rob started jonesen to ride the route again and has made his intentions known that he would like to ride in next years race.
Awesome.

*Carrie*

thankful #16

Today I'm thankful for my friends.
Those friends who end up being more like family. Those friends that are there for you at your lowest low, that will sit and listen to you as you cry and whine until your spent and then give you a hug, look you in the eye and speak straight to your heart.
I'm thankful for those friends who are also there for your highs. They cheer you on and strengthen your dreams, your accomplishments. They push you to go one step further.
For so long I wanted to be a recluse, seriously, I was completely misguided, lol. What I realized was that it was me that was pushing people away or not even giving them a chance to get to know me. I didn't want to hurt or feel because, well duh, it hurts. Then I went through a time where I wanted friends, people I could call, text and hang out with. I would sit here and cry from loneliness and not knowing what steps to take to make friends. In my heart I heard the answer and then my awesome husband echoed the words. When in others company I started to ask questions and truly listened to their answers. I wanted to get to know them. I cherished their wisdom and insight. I became their cheerleader.
I know I have so much more to grow on when it comes to being a true friend. I admit to getting scared when things get heavy. I let my supposed inadequacies, my inner critic, rear up instead of letting my heart lead. I'm forgiven when I've asked for forgiveness and its not held against me later on.
I love how I can pour my heart out and know that they too have once been in the same boat and offer guidance and prayers. I squirm when they tell me I'm too hard on myself or that I need to work on a specific areas of my heart.
At times I feel like I don't have much to offer to people, but if you ask, and I'm able, I will give you the shirt off my back, my car to drive, or my cricut carts to use.
I'm so fortunate, lucky, blessed, humbled and so very thankful to be surrounded by so many amazing people. From the bottom of my heart, I can't thank you enough, for not only loving on me but my whole family.
*Carrie*

thankful #15

This may sound cheesy but I'm thankful for the people who say thank you.
These are two words that I feel are not used enough in our society today.
I'm not going to rant and rave about the people who think the world revolves around them and we owe them or they deserve it. Please.
I enjoy holding the door open for people whether they are coming in or out. When the door is opened for me, I say thank you with a smile. To the harried server in a restaurant, I say thank you when you take my order, refill my glass or take away my plate. Any courtesy should receive a thank you.
They are not hard words to say yet, the hardest thing for me to learn was to say, thank you when I was paid a compliment. It doesn't matter if I believed the person or not, they are being sincere, at least I hope so.
A little bit of courtesy goes so far and doesn't cost you anything. By saying thank you, you can change a persons whole day. How many times have we heard that each person is fighting their own battle? What does Ellen say at the end of every show, be kind to each other?
Actually as I'm sitting here I realize how ironic it is that we spend a whole month writing about being thankful, but we really don't spend any time be consciously being polite or kind to each other. I know we all fall short, myself included.
I guess I'm ranting and raving, just on the flip side of saying thank you. To those of you who read my blog, Thank you. To my friends and family who put up with me, Thank you.
A challenge I have given myself is to write at least two thank you cards to either people I know or strangers. When was the last time you received a thank you or thank you card?
*Carrie*

thankful #14

I just took a stroll down memory lane. Wow.
Today I'm thankful for all the furry friends that have blessed my life.
I'm not sure how I'm gonna get through this post before tears start streaming down my face.
Each dog deserves his or her own tribute but I truly don't have it in me right now.
I've been very blessed with my animals, with the exception of one crazy dog (not pictured) these guys have brought so much joy and companionship to our lives.
My man Chester. I miss that fur ball, he has such a face. This was the first dog that Rob and I got just before we were married.
Next came Brewtus, our first boxer. I can't find a picture of him, though I searched. We bought him from the pet store at Tucson Mall, I would visit him daily until I wore Rob down enough to get him.

Next came Bubba, our Boston terrier. Kelly loved Bubba, he was quite the character.
We lost Brewtus to cancer and then we were given Braxton by some good friends. Braxton fit in real well with everybody.

This is Gertie, she's moms English bulldog but such a large part of our furry buddies. Gertie is still kicking around even though there are days where we have to check to see if she's still breathing. Gertie has been with mom for through it all.

 We lost Bubba due to cancer and a year later in 2008 we lost Chester. Braxton was lonely and we had friends ask us to take their psycho dog.
After a couple of weeks she was re homed to a great guy and doing good.
To ease Kelly and Braxtons sadness we rescued Bella. While being on the verge of psycho Bella has been a pretty good dog.
This year she blessed us with our newest members who are helping me cope with the loss of Braxton.

 Ana, who is on Rob's head and Bailey who is in his lap are our new crazy girls. Bailey is a cuddly lap dog but Ana is spaz happy.
It really can be nuts around here when you get home and all 4 greet you.
The last picture is of Bacon, the most laid back dog, well until one of the girl dogs tries to take away his bone. Then he means business.
These guys rough house and wrestle like wild animals but if you show them a treat, those butts hit the floor and wiggle till they get their treats, even trying to take them out of each others mouths.

Experts say that owning a dog or cat makes you live longer. They do so much more than that.

*Carrie*

thankful #13

Look down this hallway. What do you see? Doorways, a bench, multiple arches, pots. As I was looking for a picture to go with today's post this one came to mind.

Today I'm thankful, even though at times it feels overwhelming, for where I'm at today. I'm thankful for all the prayers answered and unanswered. The grace God has shown me when I've raged, struggled and refused to listen to that inner voice that guides me well.

I'm strong, my momma raised me to be strong ☺

I'm becoming stronger in my faith because one, I want to be but two, my soul screams for it.

Yes, there is a difference, at least to me. I have a need to learn and understand and a desire to communicate better with those around me. Two, for other people that believe different things, its that Zen or enlightenment so many try to find. In order to learn I must stumble, fall, pick myself back up and keep going.

Its the trials, prayers and grace that help me to grow. Even when I fight, I know its all for my own good. Like going to the gym; getting there takes willpower, then the killing work out where you cry out, "is it over yet" to the high you feel from the endorphins and the enlightenment when you see the changes in the mirror. I like that analogy.

To me this picture is our walk to God, see that light at the end, yeah that's Him. Along the way we have door ways to detours and benches to rest. At times we have a light to help us see and times we stumble in the darkness. The arches are more detours we can take and the pots are those moments we realize how beautiful the world can be, the beauty that surrounds us when we stop and look for it.

10 years from now I'm going to look back and read these words. I'm probably going to do one of two things, one is smile, because of how much I have grown since I typed this or two laugh at myself because I had so much to learn and had no idea what was in store for me. 

thankful #11 and #12

Today I am extremely thankful for our military.
Like the millions today whom are thanking our men and women in service I'm adding my thanks to the list.
Writing this post today was harder than I thought it would be and I kept putting it off because of it.
I'm not even sure where to start so you might need a map to follow my train of thought.
My grandfather was born Dec 7, 1921, I don't know what year he joined the navy but on the morning of Dec 7 1941 he was making plans with his friends to go out that night to celebrate his birthday.
If you recognize the date you will know that he didn't get out to celebrate that day, he barely survived the day.
My grandfather was on the USS Nevada that morning. The Nevada was battleship and one of a couple of ships that made it out of the harbor after the attack that morning. The picture above was taken in Feb. 1942. I wonder if grandpa is standing on the deck. I've just learned that his rank was BM1 and from what I can decipher he was working with the boatswain or bosun. I will have to talk to other members and see if they know anything else. I really wish I could get ahold of his military records.
Anyway, when I was a teen, my grandpa told me a little bit about his service at Pearl Harbor. I remember the 50th anniversary and meeting at our local airport for a ceremony. Grandpa was pretty hard of hearing at that point so the reporter had a hard time getting his interview and at the time I felt sorry for his hearing loss. Knowing what little I know now, I'm more proud that he made it through and could share his story than a little problem with his hearing. I remember seeing his medals and I would ask questions about the different places he had been. Because of my love of history grandpa said I would receive his medals after he passes. When my dad found out he argued that he would get them first. I have never seen the medals again. Back to the story, at this time in my life I had no conceivable idea what war was like, I hadn't paid any attention when my dad would watch WWII movies. Now as an adult to see pictures and watch movies depicting what war could be like or was like, just humbles me. Thank you grandpa.
Fast forward to the 70's and my dad did a short stint in the navy. We were in a peace time and dad was stationed in Pensacola FL. He originally signed up for four years but because of whatever was not going on they offered him an early discharge and he took it after 2 years, and yes I wish I had his military records too because dad doesn't talk about it much.
I don't consider us a military family but I am honored for the time my family has served. I appreciate it more now than I did as a teen.

When I began dating Rob I learned that his dad served in Vietnam. Chuck was a U2 spy plane mechanic in the Air Force where he served 20+ years before passing away from cancer when Rob was 9 yrs old. Chuck was stationed all around the world. I hear often about the one deployment that the family did to Iceland. Rob was about 2 yrs old at the time. I want to take my kids to Iceland, it looks beautiful.
As I'm typing this out I keep asking Rob questions and he doesn't know the answers and keeps saying I need to ask his mom. Looks like I need to do my own interview.
I'm surrounded by so many amazing people who have served or are serving our country, from the family historian who is failing miserably tracking these stories, please write down your story. It matters just as much as you matter. Thank you for your service, your sacrifices.






*Carrie*

Thankful #10

Today I'm thankful for those quiet evenings curled up on the couch with my honey after the kids have gone to bed.
I really don't think I need to elaborate. ☺
*Carrie*

thankful #9

Today I was going to write about something else I am thankful for but as I sat here trying to muster the enthusiasm to write this post I realized that I can change things up whenever I want.
So here I go.
Today I'm thankful for fresh starts. Everyday is a chance to begin again, to try and correct wrongs or to just learn a lesson from mistakes and move on.
Today, with a friend, I'm beginning a bible study called Breaking Free by Beth Moore. The ladies in our church did it awhile ago but I wasn't able to attend and I wasn't in the right place. When I mentioned that I was interested in doing the study, I received many reviews from the ladies on how much it helped them so I was even more excited to go ahead.
Today we started session one. I have so much hope and expectation in this study, especially when Beth Moore is making some big promises. I will do the work because I want the results. I want to be free. I have a mission that God has put upon my heart to do and since I laid down the ground work for my retreat course I have been emotionally attacked, financially smacked around and physically drained. The bright light that I had for so long was dimmed, not out but dimmed. I have struggled to figure out what is happening, I have cried out to God as to why, what am I to learn from this, get me through this so that I can move on.
A couple of points have been made known to me. One is my demands of God. Show me, give me, deliver me. Two, is not talking to God and telling him how disappointed, sad and hurt I feel and have felt. This is hard for me, its easier for me to be angry then to say to the One who gives me everything that I am disappointed and broken. Broken, I feel that I am and I have taken that to God and I have cried out in grief, anger, desperation and in a tantrum, that feeling like you can't take anymore. But for me to lash out at Him because nothing has changed in my day to day life, and even though I have been taken care of with a roof over my head and food on the table, its not enough in my eyes and so I cry out with the whys. Why does it have to be like this or why can't we have or do that. The negativity that comes over me is crushing sometimes, and I stress sometimes because I trust it won't always be the case. I want to wake up feeling free and instead of feeling oppressed of what I cannot do. I so struggle to get out of that mind set.
Every day I begin again, I try not to worry about tomorrow and the financial worries that always seem to brew in the back of my mind, I try not to judge my life against what others have or what they can do, I try, I try, I try. When I fail, I ask for forgiveness, I ask God to change my heart, to help me to move forward, to show me the way. I ask a lot. I want to be the person that God created me to be, I'm striving to be the person God created me to be.
Lately I have been told to be still and not to be some impatient, it's all on God's time. If you only knew how hard that is on me, but I try. I try. I try to force me will on God. I have seen myself use scripture like a life line and as a weapon in my prayers. I feel like I'm trying to figure everything out or just trying to keep up with what's going on around me. To be open to what others are saying, to listen for God's voice. I listen to music and the lyrics speak to me. I cry out, yes God, that is what I want for me.
I want, did you catch that one? I wonder how often I use I want when its not in relation to what He wants for me? Sigh
I love that I can try again. That by His grace I can try again. I'm so grateful for that.

thankful #8

Today I'm thankful for color.
The wondrous colors that God has given us and continues to show us how they can be used.
The colors that that inspire us to paint, to garden, to write and photograph.
I love how certain colors can calm us down or fire us up.
Growing up my room was yellow, I remember that room as always being sunny and happy even though it faced north and only at sunset did it get direct light from one small window.
When we moved out of our townhouse into a house my room was surfers blue with green indoor/outdoor carpeting and beige Americana centennial curtains. Yeah, didn't match at all. Down came the curtains and I pulled up the carpet myself. I couldn't talk my dad into buying paint to change the color which got me teased just a little bit for having a boys room from a friend.
I remember when I learned we were moving to AZ, I went around and photographed all the green I could. I photographed our yard and the park that was a street away. I was sure that Tucson was nothing but cactus and dirt, I was partially right :)
When I started scrapbooking one of the ladies that I admired her work, Stacy Julian, had a wonderful magazine called Simple Scrapbooks. I learned so much from all those fantastic ladies whom were a part of that magazine. One of the things Stacy talked about was finding our what your happy colors were and using your happy colors.
I set out to truly find out what my happy colors were. My first choice would have been red because I'm told it looks good on me, but I asked myself was this a happy color for me? If you looked into my closet you would see several shirts in a variety of blue hues, but was blue my happy color? The more I thought about it I realized that picking a couple of colors was extremely hard for me to do. That is when I decided to embrace them all, give them their due. My scrap room dream room is to be painted yellow, with white shelves and bookcases and my organization colors are from the bright tumbler cups from Ikea kids tableware. I have been spray painting picture frames in all my favorite colors to add to my living room walls. I was originally making a quilt in black, white and red but decided to add more colors and patterns to the mix, make it eclectic. I don't have just one happy color, I really love the bright colors, some would say the colors of summer, those vibrant colors but it can't be just one or two it has to be 4 or 6.
I think about when we are out buying plants, what colors don't I have and what contrasting pot can I put it in?
I see those pictures of tables where every chair is painted a different color and that makes me happy.
We are blessed to be able to see the colors that God chose for our world, why pick just one? Find your happy colors and brighten up your life.

thankful #7

This morning I'm thankful for the generosity of friends who rejuvenated our love of flowers and inspired us to restart building our garden.
Back in May I wrote this quick post Before the age of children . Since then we now have 1 rose bush, 3 different vines, 3 types of jasmine, 12 hibiscus bushes, annuals, day lilies etc. At the moment all our plants are out front so pulling into the driveway always makes me smile.
In the mornings we are like kids in a candy store scouring to see which plant is going to flower and now with the cooler weather the blooms are lasting longer.
Why am I so thankful for flowers?
Until we received those first plants I think we, meaning Rob and myself, didn't realize how much we missed having the color, the beauty, the serenity that flowers bring. It was something we were both craving. Now months later that effect still hasn't worn off. I love being able to keep my front door open, to see the hummingbirds and butterflies drink from all the buds and dream of being able to have these plants surround me, like my own secret garden.
Seeing my own flowers makes me even more aware of what others have in their yards and just the natural beauty of where we live.
Reality intrudes and our plans to re build our backyard garden are on hold until we have the dogs trained to not dig them up or eat them. It has Rob and I wondering if we should move the kids' play set and put the dogs back into the side yard where they used to be. We have finished the irrigation and Rob started laying back down the castle block but the dogs seem to have taken over and have dug deeper under the block. It will get sorted out just not as quickly as we had dreamed.
This weekend we plan on cleaning out our carport so that when the time comes, we can move all the plants under the carport for protection.
I know next spring we'll be adding to our collection, plus I hope to gift others with some beautiful blooms of their own. I'll be excited to see what crazy, colorful, riot of plants and pots we are going to have by June of next year.
Bring some color into your life, go visit your local nursery and bring home a plant that inspires you.