firefly moon

explanation of absence.

2012-02-13T05:50:00.000-08:00

explanation of an absence from blogging:

us the day todd submitted his resume to idaho.

our adventure in life continues.
about 4 months ago todd & i felt a calling.
yep felt it.
we knew God was changing something.
in our lives.
in our hearts.
a calling he sure did.
todd submitted his application to a church in idaho.
yep. idaho. idaho falls to be exact.

this california girl who absolutely loves big cities. loves convenient shopping. loves sitting on the beach at sunset. loves big crowds and chaos. horns honking. concrete jungle type of chaos. who moved to what she thought was a small town in oregon almost 2 years ago... now goes even smaller. we are trading big cities for small towns. beaches for snowboarding slopes (not a bad trade). big crowds for a small town. concrete for prairie type field surrounding our new little city.

we could not be more excited.

on wednesday morning, we leave. our new adventure has already begun, but that is when we take off from oregon & adventure to idaho falls, idaho. ashlynn and i are leaving after the boys. she has an ortho appointment that day (getting a permanent retainer and her new upper retainer) & making a few stops along the way. one last goodbye to my best friend in salem (kara) & of course anthropologie. insert sigh.

God has definitely drawn us to this church. to idaho. to this new ministry. we really couldn't be more excited if we tried. God continues to do big things in our lives (we will share more later), but it is evident God is at work.

tearful goodbyes.
extreme chaos.
cardboard boxes.
moving trucks.
sad children.
but still following Jesus.

us the day todd submitted his resume to idaho.

hope & love.

2011-12-01T08:04:00.001-08:00

ashlynn asked me to post about her stuff... she has no idea that i just did that, but i told her i would do it anyway. here are the codes for her discounts.

discount codes for hope & love...
orders of $40 or more: 10% off... "enter christmas10"
orders of $50 or more: 20% off... "enter christmas20"

thanks for all the support.

hope & love

hugs.

summer

& {ash}

fun discounts.

2011-11-28T12:42:00.001-08:00

10% & 20% discount & a free bracelet... just by doing a few things.

1. if you re-post this to facebook/ a blog & leave a comment that you did (make sure to leave you email address)... i will email you a discount code.
2. if you mention this on facebook... tagging hope & love website: i'll email you a discount code.
3. if you purchase a leather cuff you get a free 'faith.hope.love.' bracelet.
4. if you leave a comment below about a favorite christmas tradition... ashlynn will give away a 'faith.hope.love' bracelet to 1 winner.

help her reach her goals.

hope & love
10% off any purchase & 20% off purchase larger than $50

star.

2011-11-28T09:43:00.001-08:00

it's starting to feel like christmas.

& since i live far from friends and family...

i need to get cracking on getting gifts wrapped & shipped.

i usually wrap in brown paper & twine.

this year i am going to add a little bit extra.

this crocheted star & clay tag.

here is how to make the the crochet star... in case you want to make some.

they are super easy!!!

crochet star:

size H8/ 5mm crochet hook

chain 4. join with a slip stitch to form a ring.

round 1: ch 2 (counts as first hdc). 9 more hdc into ring (10 hdc). Join with sl st to beginning ch-2.

round 2: ch 5 (counts as sc + ch-4). *skip 1 stitch. SC in next stitch. ch 4.* Repeat around to create 5 petals. Join by working a sc inside the first petal.

round 3: joining sc counts as first sc. 1 hdc, 2 dc, chain 4, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc into first petal. *Skip sc and into next chain-4 petal work: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, chain 4, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc* join by working a sl st into first stitch.

hope & love: leather cuffs

2011-11-22T10:16:00.001-08:00

wide leather cuffs are here.

ashlynn is pretty excited about them.

she is learning how to stamp on the leather.

another adventure as mom & daughter.

but a fun adventure.

check them out here:

wide leather cuff

$25 each

every penny goes to ashlynn's

campaign for gifts of compassion
her story here

when the moon dies.

2011-11-15T18:41:00.001-08:00

when the moon dies, we find our strength.
we find our courage.
we find ourselves.

when the moon dies, we become great.

there are few things you can undeniably count on.
the sun will bravely rise each and every day with purpose. it will not be defeated.
after the sun fades into the inner most depths of the earth... the moon will rise with dignity.
it will rise whether or not you are able to see it.
it will come up being a reflection of the one thing that illuminates the day.
it's there. invading our night sky. creeping in on our dreams. with the moons bright presents, the light allows us to see things amidst the darkness. it grants us the will to take small steps in a place that could otherwise seem frightening and cold. one step at a time. placing one foot in front of the other. making progress towards our destinations. our hopes. our dreams. still seeing our fears every where we look. the light sometimes helps us move quickly through the obstacles, granting us time to move quickly, but the moon does not always remain in its brightest framework. it fades.

the moon dies. or it seems to die. we can count on its death once a month. its fading into nothingness. hiding the things that scare us. i cannot decide if this cover, this darkness, is a perfect or an adverse element. sometimes when we can't see the things that could be fearful, we become brave. we tread lightly amongst our fears, the dark fragments that we cannot abolish. we move slowly. hoping we are moving closer to our hopes & dreams. sometimes even closer to our passions & desires. the darkness is our greatest collaborator. it works in our favor because it protects us from ourselves. from our thoughts. it hides our fears between the small moments of darkness so that we can break apart our fears, gain our strength, if even for a moment, then rise up to find that we are stronger than we could ever imagine. sheltering us & healing us so we can move forward become a better version of who we once were.

in the darkness there is fear.
treading lightly.
aimless wandering.
missing something.
yearning for greatness.

when the moon dies, we find our strength.
we find our courage.
we find ourselves.

when the moon dies, we become great.

the last time.

2011-11-15T11:46:00.001-08:00

i remember the last time i saw her. the last time i looked at the only grandmom i have ever known. that i have ever truly loved. it was a year ago. in october. she was leaving my cousins wedding reception. as they were wheeling her out of the backyard, i gasped. i slowly followed. it was in that moment that i knew i was looking at her for the very last time. i am not sure how i knew, but the ache gripped my heart so intently that all i could do was cry. i leaned down. hugged her. kissed her on the cheek. told her i loved her. and watched. standing next to me, my aunt asking if i was okay, i simply nodded, but in reality i was broken.

on sunday night my grandmom catalde went home. she passed quietly in her sleep. there was no change in the movement of the earth on its axis. the sun & moon will still rise with consistency. no catastrophe to mark the life that was taken from this earth. instead, in the peace of the night, she left. she leaves behind 2 sons, 2 daughter in laws, 7 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren. she entered into heaven greeted by a savior, a husband, and her son... my dad. she was a beautiful person. i sit on my couch and look around... my house is marked with things that were once hers. a quilt. a pin cushion she made. pictures. but my most treasured items are these beautiful letters she gave me. letters written years ago. some over 120 years ago. she gave them to me because as a child, i would sit and look through all of them. through her pictures. getting to know where i came from. where my story began. because it didn't start the day i was born. it started with my grandmom. those letters, they mark the history of her life. words of love. loss. joy. i forever have her in my memories. in my heart.

grandmom... as you dance amongst the angels, will you do something for me? will you hug my dad. tell i miss him. that i love him.

quick ashlynn update

2011-11-14T08:41:00.001-08:00

the girl is a warrior.

she has raised $485 for compassion.

yes i am so proud of her.

i am inspired by her determination.

i wish i could magically make her bracelets.

but i can't.

she wants too.

if you haven't yet received your bracelet...

have not fear.

they will be in the mail tomorrow.

here is a new bracelet she is doing.

well i am doing these ones.

she asked me to contribute to the cause.

rope bracelets

each bracelet comes with a silver toggle clasp.
made of macrame rope.
measures about 7 1/2"
message her if you need a different size.
$14 each {includes shipping}.

santa's key.

2011-11-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

as a little girl, ashlynn was so fearful of santa. not just because she was afraid to sit on his lap but because she was afraid of him coming into her house while she was asleep. from the moment she realized that santa 'comes down the chimney', she began a fear with all fictional characters who enter in mysterious ways. although santa has pasted for her (she found out he isn't real... but she still likes to 'believe' he's real), we have this little key. it's santa's key. so santa isn't breaking into our house, we are leaving a key out for him to come on in.

santa's key is a vintage skeleton key, vintage lace, glitter, twine, and little bit of magic. the kids and i talked about the key last night. we decided that the glitter made it magical. since it is santa's key it did matter the shape of the key, it could work in any door. hang it on the tree. place it on a doorknob. it adds a little christmas sparkle.

they {santa's key} will be at the boutique this weekend.

it will come with a little story about st. nick.

if i can get that done. (insert sigh & laughter)

$10.

ruffles.

2011-11-07T08:15:00.000-08:00

ruffled hair clips.

super simple.

completely precious.

& ruffled of course.

just finished making a bunch for

the handmade boutique this weekend.

come see us if you are in oregon.

it's in crescent village.

next to bello.

opens at 11 am.

creative things.

2011-11-02T07:50:00.000-07:00

i am thankful for a lot of things.
my family.
my friends.
and ability to be creative.

there are so many creative people out there.
people who encourage other to be creative as well.
our creativity comes in so many different facets.
i am so thankful for creative friends.
because the often bless my daughter.
which warms my heart as deep as it can go.

she has patiently waited a long time for this moment.

sh was so thankful. which made me proud.

friends daughter, samaria & ashlynn with their feathers.

letters.

2011-10-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

simple words. {plus}

simple colors. {plus}

simple stitching. {equals}

[love]

i bought some simple white card stock stationary.  searched for some lovely sayings. adjusted some color, font, & lettering.  but my favorite part... the stitching on the cards.  there is a simple yellow stitch on 4 out of the 5 cards.  the 5th card has a yellow word to theme it all together.  anyone can do it.  give it a try. 

her sweet heart.

2011-10-21T22:24:00.000-07:00

my name is ashlynn. my mom showed me this website a few weeks ago.

compassion.

i really wanted to buy bibles so kids could read about Jesus.

my brother wants to buy a cow or a pig.

i had an idea about doing some bracelets to help raise money.

you can get them here.

my mom helped me figure out some meanings.

what would help people remember why they bought the bracelets.

i call it hope & love.

here was her idea last year: 20 reasons

wine bags.

2011-10-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

this past weekend i was doing a little project for

le shoppe in downtown eugene.

if you have never been.

it is a must go.

it is a little french parisian shop to die for.

(right off willamette near the post office.)

these wine bags are the perfect addition to your host/ hostess gift.

they are simple.

elegant.

fun.

each bag has an attached cord.

comes with a simple white pressed tag.

get yours here:

wine bags

each wine bag gets a hand pressed tag strung with jute twine.

bag is finished off by simply.

wine bags

fall.

2011-10-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

i love fall.
it has become one of my favorite times of year.
living in california my whole life i never knew.
the leaves change beautiful colors.
it gets colder.
you get to wear cozy sweaters & boots.
and make pumpkin bread.
here is a fantastic recipe i found.
it is so cake-like.
oh my yum!
i added a little dash of nutmeg.
but you can leave it out if you want too.
try it.

compassion.

2011-10-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

{insert sigh immediately}

and of course tears.

we all love our babies.

i still call my kiddos my babies.

in a slightly high pitched voice.

(beebies).

even though they are 9 & 7.

it's how i greet them when they are together.

they jump in the car from school... 'hi babies'.

i am always proud of them.

they will forever hear those words come out of my mouth.

of course they have there not so proud moments.

as most children do.

but this is not one of those moments.

i showed them this link.

gifts of compassion.

they decided they were going to save their allowance.

jeremy wants to buy a cow.

ash wants to buy a bible and a chicken.

today in the car.

ash sweetly said what if we sold bracelets.

she said i could see them at the boutiques i am doing.

they would make them.

i committed to them that we (todd & i) would buy the stuff for the bracelets.

but they had to commit to doing them.

they both agreed.

we started a jar.

they both gave all the money that they had so far.

yes i am always proud of my babies.

today i am honored that they are my babies.

we will add the items to the store too...

this weekend.

linen stockings.

2011-10-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

remember this tutorial

well i made a few that are a little more vintage inspired.

using linen fabric, vintage lace, & a part of a vintage pillowcase cover.

they turned out so sweet.

i didn't use a stabilizer.

i wanted them a little more floppy.

the inside is lined with muslin.

this is my favorite. it has a top of a vintage pillow case.

delicate vintage lace & sweet stitching.

a simple cotton ruffle.

finds.

2011-10-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

i love books.

absolutely adore them.

i love reading them.

i love collecting them.

i love sharing them.

here are a few i will share.

what i love.

2011-10-05T08:18:00.000-07:00

a few of my favorite things.

1. vintage lace

2. my newly completed jadite cup set. (thanks mom)

3. vintage bowls

4. sunny boy metal container.

some vintage things at the shop.

click here.

added treasures.

2011-10-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

a few added treasures.

click here.

treasures.

2011-09-22T08:01:00.000-07:00

getting ready for a boutique that we are doing...
more info for the boutique to follow.

here is what i have been working on.

this might be my favorite. gray ruffles pillow cover.

gray & white ruffled pillows

houndstooth printed ruffled pillow

vintage lace adorned mini wallets

mini bags set of 3. also a numbered set of 12 for the 12 days of christmas.

market bag

simple teacher gifts.

2011-09-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

teacher gifts.

we started school this week.

some people bring an apple (saw a sweet little boy do this).

some bring flowers.

we brought pencils.

in a vintage mason jar with a zinc top.

i got the jars for a steal.

$2 which included the top.

so of course i didn't just buy 2.

i bought 6.

i tied the jar with some fun ribbon.

added a simple tag.

crinkle paper at the bottom.

stuffed with pencils.

party time.

2011-09-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

we had tons of fun at jt's birthday party. it was filled with bug catching, fishing for live goldfish, archery, gifts, cake & s'mores. it doesn't get much better than that. here are a few pictures.

welcome sign

goody bags


flashlight, compass, glow stick, pop rocks, squirt gun, & a thank you note.

big kid goody bags. marshmallows dipped in chocolate & sprinkled with graham crackers.

jt's cake & cupcakes

we caught bugs

dinner boxes

jt having fun

catching fish

archery

ash using the bow & arrows i made.

allie eating s'mores.

each kiddo went home full of sugar. it was my parting gift to their parents. we sent them home by 8:30 pm hyped up on candy with a goody bag, a beta fish (for some reason i didn't take a picture of the fish), a bowl & fish food. i felt so blessed to see people love on my little guy. he definitely had so much fun. a party i am sure he won't forget.

oh how i love parties.

czech confessions.

2011-08-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

it has definitely taken me a while to get this post up.
between camps & kids... i am running like crazy.

so here is the debrief from our amazing trip.
God moved in ways that i cannot explain.
after our 58 hour trip there, we settled into training.
training that was supposed to be a little bit longer than it was, but due to travel was shortened. our team of 13 was paired to work with a company called fishnet. they are an organization that is in czech that teaches english. one of the most amazing things about this group, is that it is built up of teachers from the states, they come and live in the communities, with the people, & teach {and outreach}. josiah venture has never paired with this group of people before, so we were definitely the guinea pigs. i was pretty confident that the relationship we built with them would be amazing... and it was. i meet some of the most amazing girls, 3 to be exact. i was blown away by their commitment and love for the people of czech.

when english camp began, things were shifted. it was such an emotional shift for me. i was no longer going to be teaching (actually assisting) in an english class. it wasn't made clear to us how many teachers we needed so we had to many. i was left without a class. FLEXIBILITY became my mantra. if i wasn't teaching english, what in the world was i supposed to be doing? who was i supposed to be ministering too? why had i fund raised money, left my children, & headed to a different country? i struggled for about 2 days with this. struggled is not even a good word... plead with God for direction. the answer came as clear as day. i am here to serve our team, the josiah venture team, and the fishnet girls (the american girls who haven't been 'home' in about 10 months). there was a shift. ministry didn't look like what i thought it was going to look like. i knew that i was there to encourage and love on those people. from that, i have built some amazing relationships. i fell in love with the girls on our team even deeper. i watched them love the czech students, share Christ with the czech students, and grow deeper in love with their Savior. i made a lifelong friendship with one of the josiah venture interns. nicolette (she is from portland oregon). we sat on the train for about 3 hours and talked. sharing stories of our families. crying together. praying for each other. i know God granted me this precious friendship to have forever.

we spend the week playing games. teaching english. watching students listen to the gospel. watching students respond to the gospel (a huge highlight). my breath was taken away so many times. todd & joked that we wouldn't have come back to oregon if we had our kids with us. we fell in love with the people, the ministry that was taking place, the culture.

on our way to debrief i watched. i watched the friendships that flourished on our trip. laughter shared between new and old friends. joy had when discussing what God had done in them. someone asked me what my favorite part of the trip was... i have 3.

1st: watching our students be used by God.

2nd: watching todd share the gospel through an interpreter. seeing how God used todd in a way i have seen God use him in YEARS! seeing him build {special} relationships

3rd: the response to the czech students with the gospel. it was so special to see that NO ONE in the camp said that they didn't believe in God at all (that is huge). we had 9 students say they placed their trust in God. 3 that said they knew that the needed a Savior but weren't ready to make that commitment. ahhh. it was spectacular.

i can't wait for more.

invitations for jt's camping party.

2011-08-13T18:49:00.000-07:00

{beth this is for you}

we are so excited to celebrate jeremy's birthday party. i just couldn't hold it in any longer. our summer has been filled with missions trips, day camps, middles school camp & high school. we has spent a grand total of 16 days at home this whole summer. it has been minor chaos. {fun chaos}.

jeremy is almost 7.

(which is hard for me to believe).

& we are having a camping birthday party.

it is going to be filled with adventure.

here is a peek at the invitations i just finished.

he just loves them.

{& i must admit so do i}.

the invitation sits in a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2" box.

inside of invitation. left is the details of the party.


inside the little baggie is elements of the 'great outdoors'.

goodies we collected in the forest.

entire invitation

boxes are labeled & wrapped with twine.

all ready for delivery.

trip.

2011-07-15T12:12:00.000-07:00

on june 27th @ 6:00 we left for portland airport.
@ 8:30 we found ourselves (our team) with a canceled flight.
we scrambled to find flights for the 13 of us.
here is how it played out as a team...

11 flights
8 airports
10 hour layovers
58 hours of travel.
2 buses.
1 subway.
3 trains.
1 car ride.

we made it.
a little beaten.
a lot tired.
but ready to see how God could use us.
we ended up spending 17 days ministering to the czech students.
i think we were more blessed.
i will share some pictures later.
& some beautiful stories.
i am happy to be home.
but still longing for more.

bobbi & i in hour 30ish of our travel. sitting in philly.

sweet moments. simple blessings.

2011-06-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

today began the week of camp orange. a kids camp our church is putting on for elementary school age kiddos. i need to share my story for the day! an amazingly beautiful story.

it all starts with this little guy...

and this picture...

this is my sweet friend. lets call him 't'. he is a sweet sweet boy... seriously precious. he was my buddy during free craft time. we decided that we would color & try some cutting. he wanted to draw me a picture & of course who was i to stop this budding little artist. i think the picture came from the purest place. a place where something this special cannot be mistaken for anything but what it was, something that only the Lord could have passed through such a sweet little boy.

as 't' drew the picture i couldn't wait to find out what he was going to draw, he told me that i had to wait to see what it was going to become. as the first person came up... he told me it was me. (the person on the right was me.) i am wearing a coat. the dots are my buttons. he told me to write my name on the top. then he took it back and drew another person. when i asked if it was him, he said... 'no, its your dad.' stopped. dead in my tracks. breathe shortened. speechless. he insisted he make sure he gave it a big smile. he was so concerned with making the smile big. it was so funny how he emphasized the smile. i replied that 'my dad always smiled.' (it is the biggest thing i miss about him). in his innocence he turned with the most sincere, concerned look and asked, 'did your dad die?' i simply replied, 'yes'. he asked how. i told him he was really sick. he simply looked down at his paper and finished the drawing. turning towards me, looking at my face, he told me that he 'wanted me to have the picture so that if i was sad or if i missed my dad, i could look at it and remember him and be happy.' those were his exact words.

i was in tears. streaming down my face. heart in a vice. wanting to run, but not wanted to leave because i knew that this little guy was giving me a gift from the Lord. i truly believed that. so there i sat. watching 't' draw. i looked up only for a brief moment to watch a middle school student on the verge of tears as well. she was watching him draw me a picture.

he finished off the drawing with a picture of my dads dog (which has a great significance to my daughter). he wanted it to have 'summer & her dad' written on the top. so it does. and now it sits on my fridge. as a reminder that today i received a sweet gift from a very special little boy. he gave me something that i will always cherish.

cherishing sweet moments & simple blessings

beautiful blessings.

2011-06-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

i feel blessed.
blessed beyond belief.
honored beyond measure.
i realize i love a big God.
i saw that today.
struck by His awesomeness.
feeling his love.
grasping his care.
today i felt it.
today i understood a little more.
held on to a little tighter.

during a fundraiser today for my trip to czech.
i saw that provision.
receiving enough to help fund my trip.
i was in awe.
i was thankful.
i was humbled.
i was loved deeper.
resting in his provision tonight.
as i should every night.
i am amazed.

glimpses.

2011-06-06T04:19:00.000-07:00

i often see glimpses.
small visions of myself.
small pieces of who i want to be.
this process of life gets draining.
it gets frustrating.
but it also is rewarding.
i would not trade my struggles for anything.
they continue to create a better person.
someone who is created for change.
created for hope.
driven for something deeper.
a person willing to be real.
we all have hurts.
we need to share them with others.
bring encouragement.
love.
caring.
we need to bring hope to others.
let your guard down ever so slightly.
show someone you are real.
that you love them.
that you are there for them.
it will change them forever.
we all need someone to care for us.

its been crazy.

2011-05-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

its been a while since i last posted.
craziness had taken over our last few weeks.
these two little munchkins have kept me busy.
amongst other things.
i am glad we are nearing the end of school.
i am so ready for summertime to rear its beautiful head.
needing the rain to stop soon.
please soon.
more on things later.

ruffled bag.

2011-05-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

a little something fun. a sweet ruffled cream bag.

take a look.

lined with a pale green & white polka dot fabric.

inside pocket.

cream cotton fabric.

removable linen bloom
$35

never.

2011-05-09T19:45:00.000-07:00

"it's never too late to be who you might have been."

george eliot

a few things for sale.

2011-05-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

getting rid of a few beautifully wonderful pieces. check them out. they could be yours.

vintage silverware as garden markers. you pick the words.

water goblets.

vintage cream & sugar glass

click here to see some more

something blossomed.

2011-05-03T18:13:00.000-07:00

if you are a facebook friend... you saw that i am in love with this blog.

she did these belts that i love.

i wanted to make my own belt.

more subtle color.

not so large.
& i knew i could do nothing like her amazing work.
aaahhh... i was simply inspired.
check out her blog (link above).
to go with a plain dress i found at old navy (paid about $10... sale. maybe).

i used linen & cotton
my favorite thing about the belt.
can you guess?
well if you said the vintage button in the large blossom...
then you'd be right.

the large blossom is made of linen & a vintage button.
the 2 smaller blossoms are of cream cotton & light gray striped cotton.
accented with a cream & brown script cotton.
all stuff i already had.
bought the ribbon.
i decided with a grosgrain ribbon in cream.

grab one here.
$28 & shipping is included.

off white dress from old navy.

cute right?

{just have to share}.

2011-05-02T07:52:00.000-07:00

you have heard it said that... my son is hilarious.
he genuinely is hilarious.
i am not bias just because he is my son.
& i take no credit to his humor.
he is his dad.
sarcastic nature & all.
some need for attention or something.
he is a joker (those are his words).
he loves him some practical jokes. (said in a twang drawl voice)

here are a few of his last things:
1. he glued my flip flops to the kitchen floor. oh yes he did. with elmers glue. thankfully my husband found it before it had time to dry & got really tough to get off. the hilarious part... he didn't even say a thing. he left them there. who knows how long they sat before todd recognized that they had glue on the bottom. that is what is amazing. he isn't out for instant gratification. he is in it for the long haul.

2. he filled the sink up with water & pumped conditioner in it to look like snakes. (i deeply hate snakes & he KNOWS that). again... the long haul. i am pretty sure he hadn't been in the bathroom in about 1 hour at least. maybe longer. do you know how hard it is to discipline him when he patiently waits for something like this?

3. we were sitting around... chatting with a friend at the store... & he walked up to me (super discreetly) pointed to his wrist & whispered, 'would you look at the time. its about time to go.' uhmmm he doesn't have a watch nor can he tell time.

4. he found a huge bug & he put the said bug under ashlynn's cup & convinced her that she should go get it the cup. yep. she screamed & freaked out, like any good girl would.

5. he hid in my laundry hamper while i was in the shower. heavens knows how long he was in there. quiet as a mouse. he waited until i walked into my room & jumped out & scared the heck out of me.

now, there is something you must know. he is NOT trying to be disrespectful at all. he is just a very silly silly little boy. key word being boy. he says he likes to make people laugh. yes he is very sarcastic (clear throat)... yep that is his dad. he doesn't quite grasp where the line is... the side that is funny & the side that is disrespectful. he is a funny kid. let me tell you. he makes me smile. but boy am i in trouble. i suppose this is the kind of thing that happens when your children are raised amongst high school & junior high students.

puddles & platforms.

2011-05-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

i am a californian... living in oregon.
the first 32 year of my life we spent in sunny so cal.
the last year is in oregon.
you guessed it.
i am 33.

here are a few things that are different from so cal.
1. it rains a little more here... okay a lot more.
2. people don't wear heels here... well it isn't the norm.
3. way less traffic.
4. slower paced life.
5. the summer days are as whimsical as they come.

as i am learning to adapt to a different culture, i am also learning that i can bring myself into the new culture. it might seem like a 'well duh' moment for some of you, but for me... it really wasn't. the last year has been a rebuilding year for me. it continues to be a that type of year. but this year (rebuilding or not) i am bringing a little bit of my california out... because it is who i am.

i am laid back.
i am fearfully anxious.
i am empathetic.
i am graceful.
i am real.
i cry at anything.
i cry at everything.
i wear heels.

here is to all the ladies out these who are heel wearing girls. especially those who sometimes have to walk through puddles. lets face it... our legs do look better in a nice pair of heels.

hugs.

{this moment}: ash's sweet face

2011-04-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

{this moment} - a friday ritual. a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. a simple, special, extraordinary moment. a moment i want to pause, savor and remember.

inspired by soule mama

things i like.

2011-04-28T15:16:00.000-07:00

since we rent, there are so many things i tend to dwell on that i would change.

so for today... i decided to find the 5 things i love.

because lets face it, being down that you can't have a new kitchen can really start to harp on your emotions. at least it does for me. here are my 5 things that i love today.

our apple tree blossoms

our step stool

vintage mason jars & lollipops

milk can with linen blossoms

my desk/ office area

little jars filled with vintage goodies. & of course my books

tilted halos, cormorants & kittiwakes.

2011-04-25T07:03:00.000-07:00

a blanket on the grass.
sun shinning- causing life to awake.
to make my heart soar.
oh i've missed the sweet kiss of the sunshine.
its about 65 degrees & i was laying on that blanket.
being kissed by the sun.
reading raggamuffin gospel.
a book that is rapidly changing my life.
let me stand on my soap box for a few moments.

here's a few quotes from the book (chapter 5)

"i feel only gratitude for my life, for every moment i have lived. i am ready to go. i have seen so many miracles durning my lifetime. never once in my life did i ask God for success or wisdom or power or fame. i asked for wonder, and He gave it to me." -abraham joshua heschel who was dying

'i asked for wonder & he gave it to me.... by & large our world has lost its sense of wonder. we have grown up. we no longer catch our breath at the sight of a rainbow or the scent of a rose, as we once did. we have grown bigger and everything else smaller, less impressive. we get blase & worldly-wise and sophisticated.'

'we get so preoccupied with ourselves, the words we speak, the plans and projects we conceive, that we become immune to the glory of creating. we barely notice the cloud passing over the moon or the dewdrops clinging to the rose petals. the ice on the pond comes and goes. the wild blackberries ripen and wither. the blackbird nests outside our bedroom window, but we don't see her. we avoid the cold and the heat...we grow complacent and lead practical lives. we miss the experince of awe, reverence, and wonder.'

'our world is saturated with grace, and the lurking of God is revealed not only in spirit but in matter- in a deer leaping across a meadow, in the flight of an eagle, in fire and water, in a rainbow after a summer storm, in a gentle doe streaking through a forest, in Beethoven's ninth symphony, in a child licking a chocolate ice cream cone, in a woman with windblown hair. God intended for us to discover His loving presence in the world around us.'

so there i lay.
watching my son swing from a tree.
the birds chirping rapidly with glee.
the sun streaming down from the heavens.
the saturation of grace & the lurking of the presence of my God.
me & my tilted halo (chapter 4) relished each moment.
loved each moment.
was thankful for each second of life.
do you do that?
i know i don't do it enough.
but i think i will start.

{this moment}.

2011-04-22T06:50:00.000-07:00

{this moment} - a friday ritual. a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. a simple, special, extraordinary moment. a moment i want to pause, savor and remember.

inspired by soule mama

headband & photography.

2011-04-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

i am in the process of making a few things for a friends photography business. here is one of the first creations for a sweet baby photo shoot. thanks em for letting me be apart of it all.

fabric bracelet creation.

2011-04-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

something a little simple.

i wanted a fabric bracelet.

saw a few a couple of different places.

but nothing that i loved completely.

so i mashed a few of them together.

to get this sweet bowed bracelet.

i love it.

i think i might need a few different colors.

some spring colors.

to spice up my plain colored closet.

confessions.

2011-04-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

i am a southern california girl through and through.
i like my sunshine.
actually i love my sunshine.
i need my sunshine.
i thrive off of my sunshine.

this winter has been hard.
i feel battered.
bruised.
broken.
& God gave me this day today.

sunshine.
i was giddy when i woke up.
peering through the window seeing blue sky.
so today i gardened.
i sat in the sun.
but my herb garden is planted.
& i realize the rain isn't done.
but can't we have a few days like this.
scattered amongst the clouds.

my herbs for the herb garden

vintage spoon stamped tag

here's how it starts.

2011-04-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

last week i was given the book 'radical' (written by david platt) by our lead pastor at our church. he asked all staff & their spouses to read it so that we could get together & discuss it. if you know me at all... you know group discussions are as far from what i would like to participate in as possible. but i did read the book. i was convicted by a number of things, but needed a practical way to have this new found conviction flesh its way out into my life.

rewind a few weeks back... my dear friend kara (who really is one of the most amazing women in my life) was telling me about a project some students started up at their church. they call it 'give a shirt'. if you purchase a shirt, all the profits from the shirt go directly to the homeless teens in salem oregon (where the church is located). they continue to raise money... i was blown away by what kara shared with me.

well... fast forward to last friday. todd & i had talked a lot about ways that we can help. platt talks a lot about going to 3rd world countries & ministering. which i have done on a number of occasions in my life. but i felt called to do something here... within our community. taking a step out of my already uncomfortable comfort zone & help.

but how do i get started? good question. well i want to do something similar, but i need to raise money to get this thing up and running. and an idea popped into my head. sell some of your treasures to help others. so that is what i am doing. slowly but surely i will sell some of my treasures & give back to the community that i live in.

i don't say this to boast, but rather to ask you to join in with me. to challenge you to see what you need to let go of & give back to.

check out here to see what i am letting go of...

give {hope}

sweet out of sour.

2011-04-07T07:38:00.000-07:00

sometimes life seems a little sour.
a little bitter.
slightly harsh.
but sometimes things that seem harsh.
things that seem bitter.
or even sour.
can turn out so sweet.

i am in this stage of life where sometimes things seem a little bitter.
i am not bitter at life, but things seem to get me down from time to time.
it has become harder for me to cope with.
but i realize there is going to be a beautiful sweetness to the trials at the end.
i wish the end the would come quickly, but it isn't my timing.
it's God's timing that matters most.
so here to waiting.

czech republic & cupcakes

2011-04-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

we are getting ready to go to the czech republic for 17 days to teach conversational english to high school age students. here is our team. it is a mix of current high school & college students & staff.

left to right
back row: todd, rex, clark, patty, geneva

middle row: bobbi, allison, alayna, dan

front row: zoe, kelly, hannah, me

we had a team meeting on sunday. i decided to make some cupcakes. a little to ambitious since i also needed to clean my house. make sure that i had enough food to feed them all. it was sure a fun weekend. since i really try to stay away from sugar i had some professional testers (todd, ash & jt) come & help me. although there was no one around to taste this one... so i had too.

boston cream pie cupcake

boston cream pie cupcake.

click here for the recipe

it is delious.

be careful not to do what i did.

i cooked the filling a little too long.

it wasn't as creamy as it should have been.

it was still delicious though.

jumbo cupcake with butter cream frosting & a strawberry.

i used martha's chocolate cake recipe too.

i got it from her cookbook.

i looked for it on her website but couldn't find it.

i highly recommend it.

funny story with this little cupcake.

i tried 2 times to make strawberry frosting.

2 different recipes.

ugh. none of them worked.

so i stuck with the trusty butter cream.

& just added a strawberry on top.

i will conquer the strawberry frosting.

jumbo chocolate with peanut butter frosting

it's as good as it sounds.

if you like chocolate & peanut butter.

topped with a chocolate covered peanut from trader joe's.

all of them.

{this moment}.

2011-04-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

inspired by soule mama

in the market.

2011-03-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

i am in the market for a piece of furniture.
something that i can make look a little like this.

here is my inspiration:
{click here }

i have this slightly large kitchen.
awkward actually.
if we are going to call it anything.
it needs something thin.
but something that will provide a little bit of working space.
specifically counter space.
qualifications... cheap.
easy to make look cute.
something with character.

i think i am going to have to go to a secret location.
okay... it isn't really secret.
i just can't remember the name of it.
never mind. i remember.
bring recycling.
but hopefully they will come through for me.

party... lets think.

2011-03-29T20:21:00.000-07:00

i think i am going to have another party.

my husband isn't aware of this party yet.
it is just a little thought i have stirring in my head.

i am thinking a few friends.
some nice wine.
yummy food.
& a little wedding watching.
aka the royal wedding.
you know?
kate & william.
have you heard of it?
april 29th.

i am not sure if i will actually do it.
but i thought it could be a blast.
record the event.
watch it that night.
with just the girls.
{sigh}... we will have to see.

huh... i will have to ponder that a little bit more.

making pillows.

2011-03-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

you know i love yellow.
it makes me smile.
{sigh}.

grey & yellow.
{cloudy days & sunshine}.
when i woke up this morning the sun was shining oh so bright.
now it is hiding behind the gray clouds of the oregon sky.
i know it is trying to burst through at any moment.
i will be there to see that burst.
feeling blessed that we are given a little blessing for the day.

i used the tutorial for a hidden zipper here.
i love this site.

here is the outcome.
one more pillow to make.

simple ruffles

hidden zipper

2009.

2011-03-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

two years ago today is as clear as ever.
it is like it was yesterday.
here is how it went.

woke up.
it was spring break.
it was a relaxing morning.
got a call about my dad feeling a little sick.
he was in a lot of pain.
talked with my cousin who assured me that he would not leave.
i was going down the next day.
so i didn't worry a ton.
the next day!
to be with my dad.
kids & i played outside.
i went to work (working out of my house).
i talked to my brother after lunch.
he was there with my dad.
he actually just left with my cousin to get lunch.
i got a call from my stepmom.
she said my dad was not waking up.
i told her to slap him across the face...
rub her knuckles on his chest.
told her to call my brother.
not to worry about making him mad.
we hung up.
my brother called.
had just left my dad about 15 minutes ago.
he said dad was in good spirits.
that they were joking about going for a bike ride.
the next 20 minutes went FAST.
todd walked in the door.
told me it was time to go.
i jumped up from my office desk.
ran for my phone.
called my brother.
we fought with ANGRY words on the phone.
our emotions were so high.
the words i said to him were some of the most harsh words i've ever said.
they were hurtful.
they sit with me always.
haunting me.
thrashing my emotions.
we hung up the phone.
i called bri (my sister) but didn't tell her why i was calling.
asked to speak to jason (her boyfriend).
told him to remain calm.
make sure he drove down.
asked to speak to my sister.
& told her.
i told her that he was dying.
that she needed to get down to west la fast.
that jason was going to be driving.
told her to get to the hospital (because i thought thats where they were taking him).
i called lisa (my boss) to tell her i was going to be gone for a while.
she encouraged me.
loved me.
called tony (brother) back.
he was crying.
talking me through what the paramedics were doing.
i was standing in the front room.
holding onto the mantle as if it was going to save my life.
he yelled, 'he's gone summer. he's gone.'
i could feel his tears.
from 171 miles away.
i could feel them.
i could hear them.
i could almost touch his pain.
but his pain was my pain.
my pain was his.
we felt the pain of loss.
listening as they called 'time of death'.
i dropped to the floor.
my phone slide out of my hand.
i could hear my brother screaming.
my 6ft 2in brother screaming.
it was so surreal.
almost like a movie.
but the reality was... it was my life.
the rest was in slow motion.
i could see ash usher jt out of the house to the car.
i was crying on the floor.
todd was laying beside.
i walked to the car.
called my mom.
called my sister again & told her he was gone.
and drove.
2 hours and 15 minutes later i was kneeling beside my dad.
i was crying.
praising God for the life of my dad.
tears streaked down my face.
i was wearing a blue tank top. jeans. black sweater. flip flops.
i don't know why that is relevant, but i remember it.
perfectly.
when they took him away.
i sat upstairs with my sister & her best friend.
who is like a sister to me.
i didn't want my sister to see them zip his lifeless body into a black bag.
todd stayed down stairs with my brother.
who refused to leave.
after walking back down stairs... everything was cleaned up.
no dad laying there in peace.
because he was not longer in this world.
he was with his jesus.
telling ash he was with jesus was the hardest thing ever.
it was the 2nd tragedy.
she wept.
& i couldn't hold her (she was with my father in law).
he was with his jesus.
in the arms of his savior.
no more pain.
no more weeping.
for that i rejoiced.
but here on earth... i ached.
i ached that i wouldn't hold his hand.
lay next to him.
confide in him.
laugh with him.
i remember a friend of mine who had lost her dad tell me that she missed the way that her dad's cheeks felt... his scruffle. i remember thinking i will never feel that again.
he wouldn't walk my sister down the aisle.
he wouldn't watch my sister have babies.
he wouldn't wrestle with his grandkids.
he wouldn't hug us again.
he wouldn't yell 'summy' as i walked into the room.
he wouldn't tell silly stories to us or about us.
he wouldn't ride his bike again.
he wouldn't go to the zoo with us.
he wouldn't lecture me again.
for those things i mourned.
but i rejoiced that he was resting peacefully in heaven.
it became this real place for me.
heaven.
it was where my jesus was... with my pops.

happy birthday sister-in-law.

2011-03-24T13:21:00.000-07:00

this is us in hawaii about 6 years ago.

beth.

she is amazing.
she is kind.
she is giving.
she is a good listener.
she has great advice.
she is heart felt.
she is an amazing mother.
she is a fabulous sister.
she is creative.
she is sweet.
she is loving.
she is courageous.
she is a hard worker.
she is my sister (in law).
i love you bethy.
happy birthday.

{yellow}.

2011-03-23T11:14:00.000-07:00


my trader joe's sunflowers.

yellow has been my favorite color for as long as i can remember.
the shades of yellow have changed, but yellow is still a favorite.

to me yellow is the color of a smile.
it is the warmth of the sun.
it is the brightness of the day.
it is a kiss from heaven.
it is a giggle.
it is laughter.

when i was in high school i decided that i wanted yellow sunflowers painted across the top of my room. without my parents permission my friend carolyn & i repainted my entire room white & the proceeded to paint the sunflowers. i thought my mom was going to have a heart attack when she came in to see what we were doing. she let me do it... these flowers reminded me of that day. they made me smile.

this time.

2011-03-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

me & my pops

two years ago this was the last day...
i took my dad shopping for a little present for my sister.
i spent the last day with my dad.
i ate tito's tacos with my dad.
i lay on the couch watching tv with my dad.
i had a heart to heart with my dad.
i laughed in person with my dad.
it was the last time i hugged my dad.
it was the last time i kissed my dad.

ash & her papa at ryan & rachels wedding 2008

tonight i laid on my bed with my daughter...
i cried with her because she asked why i don't celebrate my birthday.
she was sad because i was not going to celebrate it.
i told her we could have cupcakes for the day.
i don't celebrate it (it's thrusday) because it is the last time i spoke with my dad before he died 2 days later. todd says i talked with him the day before he died, but i don't remember.
she sobbed (i have never seen her cry like this before)... real grown up tears.
she cried because she missed her papa.
their relationship far surpassed any relationship i think he had.
they were extraordinary.
it was my sister in law(who has been my rock emotionally these past few years) that helped me realize it.

two years ago today i walked away from my pops... watching him as i made the final pass by his living room window... wondering if that was the last time i would see him alive. not knowing if it would be or not. & this is the day that i have the most honest conversation about my dad with my 8 year old daughter. my heart was broken, yet rejoiced all at the same time.

something fun.

2011-03-20T18:40:00.000-07:00

i {love} to do fun things with my kiddos.
i [love] enjoying things that they enjoy.
i have started a little list of fun things that you can do too.
check it out.
look around.
email me with more ideas if you have them.

click here.

sweet moments

2011-03-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

sweet precious moments.
i have been enlightened by my own thoughts.
how there are times when i forget to cherish sweet moments with my kids.
where i forget to pause. take a mental picture. or an actual picture.
i get caught up in my day.
the errands i need to do.
the things i need to accomplish.
& i forget that i am helping them shape their childhood memories.
i want them to be as great of memories as i have had.
my brother & sister & i have some great ones.
i hope that they have great ones too.
so i pause.
observe.
& play.

{this moment}.

2011-03-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

inspired by soule mama

missing {mia}.

2011-03-10T12:42:00.000-08:00

well it has been a little while since i have posted anything... here is why.

i was in california for 8 days.
8 wonderful days.
i saw wonderful friends.
sat a hospital for a friends sons surgery.
ate out a lot (& gained 5 lbs).
went to a beautiful wedding where 2 of our old students married each other.
it was beautiful.
time spent in the sunshine.
dreaming of days once living in ca.
we had oh so much fun.

when we got back our internet was super slow.
it's fixed now.
my quilt is almost done.
i'll post a pic...
maybe tomorrow.

glad to be home.
missing my friends.
thanks everyone for making our trip beyond amazing.

{this moment}.

2011-02-25T07:57:00.000-08:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

inspired by soule mama

cold day. hot cocoa.

2011-02-24T11:31:00.000-08:00

it was a cold snowy day. yes i said snowy. it ha been snowing off and on since last night. we made it a fun day so far.

playing in the snow.
running inside & out.
fire in the fireplace (thanks to the husband).
& yummy hot chocolate with fresh whipped cream.
of course it would not be amazing without some chocolate sprinkles.
kids were loving every minute of this morning.

a quilting itch.

2011-02-22T13:14:00.000-08:00

i have had an itch to quilt.
i just figured out a reason to quilt.
i am so excited.
i can't tell you who the quilt is for just yet.
but here is the fabric.
the bottom is the backing (it is a light turquoise blue & black)
the light gray & white stripe is the front
the rest is accented pieces for the quilt.
now off to cut the pieces (which is the worst part in my book).

the craft party.

2011-02-17T08:52:00.000-08:00


lots of pink & red

hanging poms

our 'eating' mini cupcakes

crazy straws

fun drinks

sprinkles

frosting in a pail i found for 50 cents

colored frosting


bags for each of the girls. they decorated their bookmarks first & filled their bags with goodies.

crazy girls.

they drew this picture & shared it in their classroom all together on monday.

we had different 'stations' for each of the crafts.

we made:
painted picture frames
decorated cupcakes
bookmarks
beaded bracelets
paper flowers
1 large picture

ash's party was insane & wonderful. i had two wonderfully sweet helping girls. thank you so much laurel & ashley for all your help. we had 13 girls running crazy, making their crafts, eating pizza & cupcakes. we talked about kindness. loving others. i loved it! ash loved it!

sneak peek #4.

2011-02-09T07:59:00.000-08:00

one of the super fun crafts we are going to be making are bracelets.

ashlynn planned just about all of the crafts... this one is not an exception. she is so excited about saturday, i am pretty sure that is all she is talking about these days.

i ~~made~~ am going to make drawstring bags for each of their sweet bracelets.

the bowls i found @ micheals for 49 cents. & since we live in oregon & have no sales tax... they were really 49 cents. can you believe it? they are super cute. we love them. they are going to hold all of our beads.

we have a variety of beads.
stretch magic bead & jewelry cord.
that is it.
that's all it takes to make a cute little bracelet.

(side note): when beading with a bunch of kiddos... tie a bead at the end of the stretch cord to assure that the beads that the kids put on do not accidentally come falling off... bouncing all over the floor. that creates a mess & sad faces.

sneak peek #3.

2011-02-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

oh i am getting so excited.

so... who doesn't love cupcakes!

i am pretty sure that everyone does... or they should love them some yummy cupcakes. one project that the girls are going to do is decorate cupcakes. i got some super cute regular sized cupcake holders (we are going to decorate these cupcakes) as well as some minis (& we are going to EAT these).

they are going to get to decorate their personal cupcakes with 7 different colors of frosting, 2 kinds of sprinkles & put them in a chinese to go box to take home.

the mini's will already be decorated so that the girls can have a little taste of the yummy cupcakes. i am not sure yet what kind of cupcakes i am going to make, but i have a very yummy butter cream frosting i am for sure going to use.

sneak peek #2.

2011-02-05T20:20:00.000-08:00

oh yes... beautiful paper flowers.
these are apart of the simple center pieces.
scattered around the craft tables.
super simple.
super cute.

these little flowers were oh so simple.
i'll post a quick how to... tomorrow.

sneak peek #1:

2011-02-04T09:05:00.000-08:00

for the valentine's day craft party, each girl is going to fill up a bag full of goodies that she has made.

i went the simple route & the most cost effective route as well. especially since it is what is on the inside that matters right? ash has decided to have me make the girls a little something saying thank you for coming. we are going to be doing aprons for each of the girls. i had a lot of extra pink/ red fabric prints. i need to get working on those... eeekkk.

i purchased some simple white handled craft bags & let ash decorate them with hearts... she chose to do 3 simple hearts on the bag.

the first craft the girls are going to do is to make a bookmark (and it will become their name tag for their bag). supplies i got for the bookmarks were super simple & easy, but going to add a lot of color & pop to the simple white bags.

items to use:
stamps
colorful stamp pads
stickers (both valentine's day stickers & letter stickers)
glitter & glue
ribbon (using 2 colors of ribbon)

simple sweet bags

supplies for the bookmarks/ bag tags

bag tags

want to know a secret?

2011-02-03T07:58:00.000-08:00

well... it's not really a secret anymore. but it was until this morning.
ashlynn is having a super valentine craft party.
it's official.
and long awaited.
here is a picture of the invitations.
as we get closer...
i will take some pictures of the crafts we are going to be doing and some of the decorations.
she is uber excited about it.

missing cupcake holders.

2011-01-31T15:22:00.000-08:00

making snickerdoodle cupcakes without liners... not going to work.

i needed to get creative.

parchment paper instead of liners.

so much cuter.

so much more elegant.

someone even asked where i bought the cupcakes.

i am pretty sure it was for the appearance.


snickerdoodle cupcakes w/ minute frosting

parchment paper lining

dusted with cinnamon & sugar

how to get the look:

cut a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of parchment paper for each cupcake

press piece into cupcake holder

fill with mix

bake as directed

the fun thing about these holders is that you can fill them a little higher and they won't flow over the edges because they allow the rising of the mix to go up a little higher on the sides.

chick-en.

2011-01-28T18:52:00.000-08:00

random right?
these are my eggs.
from my friend ashley's chickens.
thanks ash.
we love them.
even though i won't share.
fresh, organic, yummy eggs.
light blue & brown eggs.

guess what i am getting.
hopefully in the spring.

todd says i can get some chickens.
yeah!

we did something.

2011-01-24T08:05:00.000-08:00

yesterday ashlynn got a little sewing lesson. she wanted to make a bag the slung over her shoulder for school. i knew it was going to take a little... nope a lot... of patience on my part. but together we accomplished the task. she still wants to add a fabric flower on the flap part of the bag, but she did about 70% of the bag herself.


ash & her bag

what i learned:
it's okay if her stitches are not straight... she will be proud of them.

it does not have to be perfect... it is her creation.

not stressing over it made it so much more enjoyable together.

simplify.

2011-01-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

there are three words that i am choosing to make 'my words' for the year. simplify is one of the words that i want to integrate into my little world. i do not lead a desperately chaotic life, however there are moments that i feel as if chaos is oozing through the pores of my body.

simplify df:

[sim-pluh-fahy]   

–verb (used with object), -fied, -fy·ing.

to make less complex or complicated; make plainer or easier: to simplify a problem.

so how am i supposed to simplify my life when i live with 2 little children who produce good chaos (most of the time) & a husband who comes home with ministry ideas that involve 'projects' for me... which i love? that is an excellent question. i wracked my brain as to an order (i slightly have a control issue) in which to accomplish my simplicity & have chosen another route because i do not need to have control. i need to allow God to have control. so i am taking baby steps towards my simplicity. reorganizing and re-evaluating the daily practices of life, so that i might make small clearing & live in a manner that is worthy & profitable.

"I have no scheme about it,—no designs on men at all; and, if I had, my mode would be to tempt them with the fruit, and not with the manure. To what end do I lead a simple life at all, pray? That I may teach others to simplify their lives?—and so all our lives be simplified merely, like an algebraic formula? Or not, rather, that I may make use of the ground I have cleared, to live more worthily and profitably?"

Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862), U.S. philosopher, author, naturalist. Letter, September 26, 1855, to Harrison Blake, in The Writings of Henry David Thoreau, vol. 6, p. 259, Houghton Mifflin (1906). 

zippered clutch.

2011-01-18T11:37:00.000-08:00

the linen clutch is subtle.
here is a zippered clutch has a lot of...
personality.

introducing a little funkier clutch.

check them out here

$28

whimsical moments.

2011-01-17T13:39:00.000-08:00

when i was a little girl i loved fairy tales.
i suppose i still do.
always will.

i twirled when i wore dresses.
tried on my mom's heels.
& waited for prince charming.

these necklaces are simple & designed with my fairy tales in mind.
they come in both the antiqued metal & silver (not the vintage key necklace).
each is adorned with a piece of vintage glass.

they are simple & sweet.
i am wearing one right now actually.

get yours here:

new necklace here

the cluster necklace: coral

the cluster necklace: turquoise

the vintage key

the whimsy necklace

the lantern

english muffin bread

2011-01-13T11:47:00.000-08:00

recently i have really gotten into making bread.
not sure why.
but it has become a thing for me.
ironically, i usually do not even eat the bread.
i have a slight intolerance (but i suppose you really don't NEED to know that).

bread takes a lot of work.
a lot of time.
too hot of water to dissolve the yeast & you kill the yeast & you bread looks horrible & tastes even worse.
knead it for too long... rubbery bread, oh & i think you kill the yeast there too. not so sure.

i just know its tempramental. but i was determined to conquer it.

amongst the highly in depth recipes i have found... i found an easy bread recipe. yep. you read that right. it's easy. i promise. & it doesn't take a million years. no let it rise 2x stuff.

english muffin bread
5 cups of all purpose flour (divided)
2 packages of (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1 tablespoon of sugar
2 teaspoons of salt
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
2 cups warm milk (120- 130 degrees)
1/2 warm water (120-130 degrees)
cornmeal

(i used my kitchen a mixer with my bread hook @ first but the paddle worked much better)
in a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, salt & baking soda. add warm milk & water; beat on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl occasionally. beat on high for 3 minutes. stirring in remaining flour (batter will be stiff). do not knead (so exciting). grease (2) 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 in loaf pans. sprinkle pans with cornmeal. spoon batter into the pans and sprinkle cornmeal on top. cover & let rise in a warm place until doubled (don't worry you don't have to punch it down), about 35- 45 minutes. bake @ 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until golden brown. remove from pans immediately; cool of wire racks.

cut & toast for a seriously yummy breakfast bread.

proverbs 31.

2011-01-12T09:52:00.000-08:00

did you want to stop reading at the title? i used to. i thought it meant that i was a lowly woman who had to bow at men & obey what they said. that was until i studied it.

instead i learned that she:

is trusted.

is kind.

works.

earns money to provide. 

shops.

prepared.

cares for her family.

strength.

giving.

adorned with nice things.

makes & sells items.

dignified. 

joyfully smiles.

teaches with kindness.

blessed by her children.

fears God.

praised by others.

i want to be her. i love the ministry that i have. to my family. to my friends. to those that i come in contact with on a daily basis. i love it. i love that my husband has a job he also loves. but lets face the facts, ministry can be a bit challenging on a financial front. after praying through & reading this chapter, i was inspired. i realized what i needed to do in order to help my family. i needed to use what God has given me. so i started creating a few new products. more will be coming over the next few weeks & even throughout today. this is how i will 'make linen garments & sell them, while i smile brightly at the future.' (proverbs 31:24-25)

linen clutches

$32

they are created with 100% linen fabric

stabilized with padded interfacing

as well as the lining having a little bit of stability

approximately 6 1/2" x 12" (bottom of bag)

closure is a magnetic snap

it is the perfect little purse.

click here to see more images.

full heart.

2011-01-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

my heart was full tonight because of this sweet little girlie. she is not content to know a little. she desires to know have her knowledge & heart furthered in her faith. she was reading a book (children's book) about illness & death tonight as she went to bed. in the book it has scripture that points the kids to read in their bibles. she did. she flipped to john 3:16. she comes out of her room & says... 'mom i have a verse for you'. of course she read it to me. asked me if we could write it on the chalkboard (a painted door) so that we could memorize it as a family.

my heart smiled. i absolutely love this girl. i continue to fall more in love with her each day.

realizations.

2011-01-04T08:16:00.000-08:00

sunday morning... unlike most sunday mornings.. was not chaotic. i rushed here and there helping make sure everyone was dressed and ready for church. todd generally leaves around 8 with one child (usually jeremy... the more difficult child) & i am left with a small sense of peace. just me & ash to get finished. thankful (and i mean this in the truest way possible) our church doesn't have its service until 10. i dislike rushing... getting frustrated (even through i really shouldn't)... and then going to church with a slight chip on my shoulder towards whichever of my children decided to act out that morning.

this sunday i was a little late to church. i needed to grab a special moment with ash & she decided that our special moment should be a treat from starbucks. i obviously obliged.

we sat in our usual spots. jt asking when worship was going to be over so he could go to class. ash singing her little heart out (by far one of the most precious sounds in the world to me). ringing in the new year with great conviction came a message that was spoken to me. where & how is my ministry? where do i focus my efforts in life? am i doing them well? what am i supposed to be doing? as most pastor's wives (i am no different), our ministry is where our husbands minister.

todd & i have always partnered in ministry, but our church in oregon is a little different for me & i am not sure why it seems so different. i say seems different because i honestly do not mean it in a bad way. it is a great thing, however different mean adjustment. different means there is a change. different means we meet a challenge & try to figure out how to conquer our 'different'. tuesday & wednesday nights are youth group nights. (i am able to go for the beginning of each night). we adventured in a week long trip to the lake. drove to portland for a blazers game. had christmas parties in our home. are planning a missions trip to the czech republic (more on this in the near future... i am so very excited). but it still seems different.

i say all of this because i am working through my challenges & trying my hardest to be honest (i don't do fake). searching out exactly what God has for me this beautiful year. i sense a great change. which excites me beyond belief.

simplify. illuminate. adapt.
once again my words.
words i say i want to mesh into my life.
i will make them my workings.

door nobs.

2011-01-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

i {love} things that are vintage.
they tell a story.
individually.
i usually don't know their stories.
but they have them nonetheless.
someone touched them a long time ago.
they were used by someone.
here are a few of my new vintage things.
{a ladder that now hangs quilts}
[vintage door nobs that will find rest on doors eventually]
(a large 'r')

hunting.

2010-12-14T20:55:00.000-08:00

we went hunting.
not for animals.
but for a tree.
a christmas tree.
a noble fir to be exact.
our first tree living here in oregon.
probably not our first oregon tree.
but our first we have cut down in oregon.
we had a blast.
running through the trees.
chasing each other.
hiding from one another.
scaring each other.
seriously a blast.

i love these two.

yes... these are the color of her eyes.

& yes... these really are the color of his.

20 reasons.

2010-12-01T05:20:00.000-08:00

there are more than 20 reasons why i {love} ash... but lets keep it simple.

1. she is caring
2. she is generous
3. she is a servant
4. she loves her brother
5. she loves me
6. she is stubborn
7. she is creative
8. she likes to talk about anything
9. she knows when she has talked too much
10. she loves school.
11. she loves jesus
12. she loves to cook
13. she puts on plays
14. she gives back to others
15. her heart is genuinely sweet
16. she is silly
17. she has a hilarious giggle
18. she misses her papa & talks about it
19. she plays with her brother
20. she includes others

last week she thought she should give back.
her idea:
get blankets
bake cookies
buy starbucks gift cards
give them to the homeless in our community

she wrote a note for each person.

helped package them all up

we had to make them cute

doing a class.

2010-11-22T10:03:00.000-08:00

this weekend has been:
insane.
but oh so fun.

that being said...
today is going to be even more crazy.
trying to fit things into the schedule.
i am thinking i need to drop something.
but what?
eeeekkk.... i am not sure.

tonight i am teaching a class as to how to make these:

made of wool & feathers

and these:


hair clips that can be double flowers & have feathers. made up of a thick cotton fabric.

how fun right.
an opportunity to connect with a few hair dressers.
from bello.
show them how to make these fabulous pieces.
& have a little bit of fun too.
so excited to be a part of tonight.
but because of my insane weekend.
i didn't prep.
well...
off to cutting
getting clips.
feathers.
glue.

oh where were my priorities?

stocking tutorial.

2010-11-19T11:07:00.000-08:00

i am listening to christmas music.

my son is building lego snowmen with dad.

i am doing a tutorial for stockings.

its almost time.

if you want me to make your family some... contact me @ thefireflymoon@gmail.com

need: 

1/2 yard fabric A

1/2 yard fabric B

1/4 yard fabric C

1/2 yard heavy fusible stabilizer

1/2 yard of lining (cotton fabric)

wax paper

part 1 

1.  using a simple stocking, trace about 1/2 larger than original stocking onto wax paper

wax paper trace
2.  cut out pattern & label as below

-1/2" back side fold line

-4"front side fold line

labels for pattern

3.  with fabric A,

stabilizer, & lining 

 (make sure stabilizer is folded in half so that you get the direction of the boots correctly cut... one for the front & one for the back. 

fold back the 1/2" back side fold line & cut out back of the stocking

be sure not to cut the pattern

adhere the fusible stabilizer 

back side of stocking.

 4.  with fabric A

unfold 1/2  backside fold

& fold @ the 4" mark

see image below

this will be the top portion of the front of the stocking.

 5.  using fabric B

with pattern still folded at the 4" mark

flip and cut the bottom of the boot

see image below 

fabric B bottom of the boot

6.  sew front of boot

1/4" seam 

 fabric A (4" top of boot)

& fabric B (bottom of boot)

press seam

adhere the fusible stabilizer

creates the base for the front of the boot.

 part 2

1.  cut 4 1/2" strip of fabric C

length is going to vary on the size of your stocking.

i cut the width of the 1/4 yard of fabric

2.  fold & press edges of strip

this is going to create your ruffle

see below

ruffle strip

 3.  mark a line about 3/4 of an inch above the seam of fabric A & fabric B

4.  pin the pleat along the line.

one side at a time. 

i did not use a pattern to my pleating

but make sure you pleats going both ways

5. pleat and pin bottom of the ruffle

 6.  stitch ruffle down

make sure that you use the same seam allowance for both sides.

slightly bigger than 1/4" shown below

7.  with right sides of main section of boot together

pin & stitch  around the outer edge of the boot @ 1/4" seam.

8.  make 'v' cuts @ the curves of the boots. 

careful not to cut the seam

part 3.

prep for inside & tab

tab:

 1.  using left over from ruffle cut

2 1/2" piece (2 1/2 x 4 1/2)

2.  fold in half & press

3.  open up piece & press outer edges inward

4.  fold piece in half 

5.  stitch along edge. 

6.  attach to the front of the stocking

about 1/4" from the seam

pin

lining & finishing:

1.  with right sides together

stitch the lining with 1/4 seam 

2.  'v' cut the curves of the boot.

careful not to cut the seam.

3.  with the outside of the boot facing the right way

& then lining inside out

slip the outside into the lining

so that the right sides are together.

see below.  

right sides together

 4.  leaving a 4 1/2" opening in the back

stitch around the top of the opening. 1/2" seam.

make sure you back stitch @ the beg. & end

go back & forth a few times over the loop.

 5.  carefully turn out the stocking & insert the lining into the main outer layer.

6. press down o 4 1/2 opening.

7.  stitch around outer top edge

slightly more then 1/4" so that you make sure to stitch close the opening.

finished.

inside of stocking.

beautiful.

2010-11-15T15:24:00.000-08:00

images of twirling skirts.
tea parties.
putting on our mothers make up.
dancing in front of the mirror.
playing dress up.
images of being a little girl.
wanting to be beautiful.
wanting someone to find us captivating.
worthy of a second glance.

not much has changed.
we still like a good skirt.
having parties.
putting on make up.
if you need a good laugh... dance in front of a mirror.
we still try on different outfits for a single day.
we still want to be beautiful.
captivating.
worthy of a second glance.
not much has changed.

what makes you beautiful?
truly beautiful?

a little piece of the past.

2010-11-10T20:42:00.000-08:00

want to know a little bit about me.
well.
as a kid... i loved going to my grand parents house.
one of the things i would ALWAYS do was go into the guest room.
look through my grandmom's treasures.
she had letters.
pictures.
signature books from when she was a kid.
i was in love with them.
after my granddad died.
she was going to throw them away.
NO!
i wanted them.
so here are a few.
of my precious grandmom treasures.

stack of letters & a scrapbook.
a letter from president roosevelts son to my great granddad.
a letter sent in 1913.
a valentine to my grandmom from my granddad. (sigh!)

now for my favorite.
this was sent in 1897!
seriously.
a beautiful letter from my great great grandfather to my great grandmother.
i read it and cried.
our family has been in the LA area for that long.
santa monica.
that is where my dad lived.
wow! we have lived there for a long time.
well... i live in oregon now.
but my heart is there.

(i will show you what i did with this letter when i am all done)

make it beautiful.

2010-11-08T19:14:00.000-08:00

i am sitting on my couch.
pondering the day that whirled past me.
thoughts of painting (yet another project).
making spork creatures with jeremy.
listening to the kids play after school.
watching ash do homework.
having hilarious conversations at dinner.
now... sitting.
wondering what made today a unique day.
was it unique at all?
i suppose that having a day to live...
a day that might seem similar to the last days
but different nonetheless...
makes it unique.

i am getting ready to teach at a middle school bible study next week. a group of girls that i have never met. never had a conversation with. never even laid eyes on (okay maybe i have seen & spoken with 2, but there are 17 girls). i wonder & contemplate the topic (which i get to choose) to share with these beautiful girls. what did i need to hear when i was in middle school? what should i have heard? what do i wish someone had told me?

i have no idea where to start. but at the same time i know just where to begin. i wished i understood that i was truly cherished by the people that matter most. that i was made wonderfully. that amist change, i can thrive. become stronger. effect change myself. i wish someone told me that i can write my own story and that it can make it beautiful. that my life mattered. that i mattered. that being washed by Gods grace, mercy, goodness, & love was the most precious gift i can ever receive. that learning the hard way sometimes is the quickest way to get from the roughest point A to the glorious point B.

so what should i teach on?
what should i pass to middle school students?
all those things?
i only have an hour.

here is the thing.

i was able simply because i was me.
unique.
how does that look?
different.
for each of us.

u of o game.

2010-11-07T15:34:00.000-08:00

jt got to go to his first football game.

a game that was not at a high school stadium.

it was at a big stadium.

'oooooooooo'

aren't they adorable.

he loved every second of it.

he was adorable.

woke us up with a cheer.

the day he wanted had come.

he was going to a ducks game.

did you know we are #1.

yep.

that's the team.

U of O has a new fan.

a cute one too.

thanks justin k for the tickets.
he had the best time.

someone {hearts}.

2010-11-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

yesterday i was thrown back into 2nd grade.

ripped right out of my thirties.

i went kicking and screaming.

i was 8 years old again.

getting chased on the playground by joey.

i was hearing my mom say... he does it because he likes you.

want to know why?

of course you do.

ash came home with this letter in her backpack.

i was a little taken back.
someone likes my daughter?
what?
no.
i mean i know she is cute.
but she is only 8.
this can't happen yet.
can it?
that is when i went back to 2nd grade.
flew back in time.
yep.
it can be happening.
it is that time.
a boy has a crush on my girl.
she has a little crush on him too.
but do not worry.
they won't kiss.
i am not ready for her to grow up.

another pdf file available.

2010-11-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

another
pdf file
$7

pick up yours here.

perfect for just about anything.
make them as christmas gifts.
keep for yourself.

determination.

2010-10-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

determined is a word i would use to describe my son.
i am not sure i have ever watched him be so determined.
concentration.
willpower.
strength.
patience.
tolerance.

words that describe him losing his very first tooth.

he noticed it was lose.
and then went to work.
for about 20 minutes he stood in front of the mirror.
determined that it was going to come out.
before he went to the movies.
before he did anything.

dental floss. check.
napkin. check.
mirror. check.
go.

simplicity.

2010-10-27T14:13:00.000-07:00

i enjoy simple things.
a new found curiosity.
grabbing a hold of what matters most in life.
the things that are simple.
family.
friends.
images that bring about the emotions of life.
rain falling in a melody of sounds.
crackles of a fire.
laughter of friends.
my kids running in circles around me... laughing.
sweetness of sleeping kids.

{il fiore}: bloom PDF file
only $7

make as many as you need

so in order to have some more lovely time with my two wonderful kids & one amazing husband, i have decided to do my pieces in a PDF file. they can be yours. i will either email the PDF file to you OR mail you a hard copy. that way you can make as many as you want. for whatever you need. whenever you need.

think of how cute your christmas presents could be topped with these blooms.

dinning area.

2010-10-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

i am always painting something. seriously. it is true.

this is the dinning area. it's finally gray. i am so very excited. the lighting in this particular picture isn't completely portraying the true-ness of the gray color, but you kind of get the picture. it isn't blue. which excites me so very much. my dresser was my parents. i painted it and distressed it. one of the handles is off in the picture. just ignore that one. the crate is a flea market find. it fits perfect under the dresser.

this is the strange room. the room that is right off the kitchen, but separated by a divided half wall & will not fit a kitchen table. so as it stands right now... my favorite piece of furniture is there, trying to hold up the glory of the odd room. to the left is a vintage iron chair & to the right is an antique table that is hosting my sewing machine right now. but i am planning on using it when people come over to have as a drink station or something fun like that.

well... back to repainting my kitchen table. finishing the padding of the chairs. oh & picking up my daughter from school. that is pretty much the most important one. hopefully i can get there before the carpool line gets too long.

painting.

2010-10-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

when we first moved into our rental we painted. when i said 'we'... i mean 'i'. i painted what i thought was gray, but it turned out to be blue-ish gray. i did not love it. i went and got some paint samples. tested a few areas on the walls throughout the house. landed on a color. gray with NO blue.

cape may cobblestone.

benjamin moore paint.

ashley turned me onto this kind of paint.

1 coat later.

i have gray walls.

i will post pictures when i am done.

cleaned up.

snap bags.

2010-10-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

i drew up a simple pattern last night. trying to figure out how to get ash to keep her camera & her ds lite off the floor & in something with a little bit of protection. it turned into this..

snap bags.
perfect for anything really.
fun fabrics.
padding in between the layers of fabric.
closing with a snap.
simple.
fun.

feathered.

2010-10-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

feathers.

oh they are so beautiful.

& very in right now.

i made these for bello {a local salon in eugene}.

i want them.

i need them.

i think i need to make myself a pair.

yep.

its decided.

i will.

get yours here.

meet the cj.

2010-10-11T20:28:00.000-07:00

meet my little cj. she is a happy wonderful cute little girl.

her parents are happy wonderful cute parents.

yep danny even you.

these two (danny & linds) have been in our lives for a long time.

i've known linds since we were younger.

i went on a missions trip with danny when he was still in high school.

i learned a ton about him on a walk back from snorkeling.

(yes danny i still remember the convo).

todd performed their wedding.

danny was around when ash was born.

they were there when jt was born.

they nicknamed ash pom pom.

even made her a shirt.

they love our kids like we love our kids.

i {heart} this little girl.

this little girl warms my heart.

she was born the day after my 32nd birthday.

i cried when she was born.

i held her in the hospital.

i treasure her.

i love her parents just as much.

charlotte jean.

cj.

added.

2010-10-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

the feather collection. simple black & white with flowers.

{la puima} means the flower.

check them out here.

simple wreath.

2010-10-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

i found this tutorial (in different colors) @ tatertots and jello. i had to make mine with my new found theory of gray & sunshine. i am normally not one to hand up a wreath. but i loved the rustic simplicity of this one.

gray skies swirled with sunshine.

2010-09-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

sometimes i get into this place. it seems to be a dark place. a place where two things dwell (my view of reality & my nature as a realist). realist is my term for what people call cynical. i prefer to use the realist term because i see the reality of life, if it happens to be cynical... that is just a side note. i am not sure what has brought on my thoughts this afternoon. it could simply be i am pondering my life far from what i have ever really know. it has been almost 6 months since we adventured here to oregon. it has been a different road. not a bad one. people assume i am having a hard time when i say 'i am getting used to the weather'. i mean seriously... i have to get used to it, yes it is going to be hard, i am from so. cal... i am getting used to it because where i come from, rain doesn't.

i am not a black & white type person. i usually see things in shades of gray... swirled with yellow (my happiness). what works for one person does not have to work for me. there are opinions freely given as to how i should be. sometimes i still feel like that 7 year old who is told to do something & because they are simply told to do it, they go and do just the opposite to see what happens. i don't usually do this... i am not a ruffle the feathers type of person. but i want to most times. maybe it is to get a reaction of people. maybe it is to push the limits. or maybe it is simply who i really am. just me.

i am a fighter. i fight for what i want. in the good way. if you are my friend, i will fight for you. there are a few people that i will fight to the death for. even if they are wrong. i will still fight. i have lost friends because they talked bad about my brother. backed my sister up when she is clearly in the wrong. decided i could not be friends with a particular person because they were hurtful to katy. these people love me because of how i am. accepting who i am. me.

i am an individual. i am compassionate. i am fearfully & wonderfully made (psalm 139:14)... a verse from a passage my wonderful sister-in-law read to myself & my sister the night my dad died.

so here's to gray skies swirled with sunshine.

sweet beanie.

2010-09-25T11:21:00.000-07:00

the carpool line gets a little lonely. since i get the blessed opportunity to sit in it 2 x a day {once to pick up jt & once to pick up ash}, i decided to make the best use of my time. i found this fabulous blend of yarn from italy {did you know i want to go there} made up of merino extra fine wool, cashmere (yep you heard it correctly... cashmere), & microfiber acrylic. it is transformed from a ball of yarn into a sweet beanie.

pick it up here.

it comes with the {il fiore}

garden grown.

2010-09-25T06:44:00.000-07:00

can i tell you how proud i am of my garden. my first garden ever? i grew tomatoes. they are so delicious. an heirloom tomato & a regular tomato (that is what i call it. i don't know the technical term) they are yummy & delicious. lots of fresh salad with our tomato. we grew zucchini. strawberries. cucumbers. i can't wait for next year. it is going to be a bigger garden.