First Rain...

( I love the way the raindrops look on this rose bud)

I've been MIA for awhile now. I started home schooling two of my boys this year. That along with all the other responsibilities of being a full time mommy and homemaker, running a business, and my endless 'projects' are all keeping me very busy!
The last few days we've had the first rains of the season. First rains are always the best! They signal and end to the long hot summer days, and the beginnings of cozy fires in the fireplace, homemade soups and stews, fresh baked breads, the gorgeous colors of Autumn and the eager anticipation of family gatherings and holiday celebrations!
I thought I'd share a few pictures that I took today in between the showers of rain...
Psalm 118:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting."
Blessings to you on this beautiful, rainy Autumn day!

New Fabric has arrived!!

I was so excited to see the UPS man yesterday! We've all been anticipating for quite awhile, the newest release of the Mary Rose Collection. So I was so thrilled to get my new shipment from Japan. This latest collection is softly faded and oh so shabby! I spent the day yesterday taking pictures and uploading the lovely new fabrics to my ebay and etsy stores. If you get a chance, you may want to take a quick peek! :) More pretty fabric is on the way! How exciting is that? Wishing everyone a beautiful day!

The Boys Club

We've had a very busy summer! I think not a day went by that my three boys were not outside as soon as the sun came up! They would spend nearly all the day playing in water. Of course, where there is water, there is a LOT of mud!! And of course a LOT of laundry and mopping for me!! :) But they always have such a good time, and seeing their happy faces makes it worthwhile. My heart swells with love for them. I think I grow to love them more deeply everyday... is that possible? I remember being in a panic when I was expecting our first and the ultra sound technician proudly announced that we were having a boy. What??!! A boy? One look at my husband's face and I knew he couldn't be happier or prouder. I on the other hand... what in the world was I going to do with a boy? I was sure I wouldn't know how to be a mother to a boy. I like girly feminine things. I was the little girl that loved my dolls and delicate tea parties and fancy dresses, ribbons and bows. A boy?? I spent the remaining days of my pregnancy in and out of denial. When the day arrived and I met my little boy face to face for the first time, I was so thrilled... still worried about the days to come, but so overwhelmed with love for my little miracle. The years passed and God has blessed us with two more boys! :) And these boys of mine are 100% boys! They love mud and dirt, tractors, tools and cars. They are seldom quiet and can't stay clean. Some days they try my patience to the utter end, but when they clamour to sit beside me, to hold my hand, to give me hugs and kisses, when their sweet little voices say "I love you mommy!", seeing them change and mature... seeing glimpses of the men they will one day be, well, there's just nothing that can compare in this world! And it's interesting, I find that whenever I'm out with my 3 boys, invariably a woman will walk up and say, "I am the mother of all boys! or I raised three boys also!" I almost feel like I'm a part of a special club... the "all boys club". Do moms of all girls get the same? Do strangers come up and announce that they raised all girls? Or is it just something about boys? Perhaps it's meant to be an encouragement to a young mother... that others have gone before and have survived "boyhood"...?
The bible says in Psalm 127:3 ,"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them..." Indeed... I am so blessed!

My Easter Rose Tree

I've been away for awhile. Life can get pretty busy managing three very active little boys!
Today my boys and I planted a rose tree that my husband gave to me a few years ago for Easter. He had wanted to surprise me that year with two beautiful pink rose trees. A few days before Easter, he became ill and was admitted to the hospital. That was back before his kidney transplant, he was on dialysis and was having a lot of medical complications due to his kidney failure. There have been so many times that it was 'touch and go' with him. And it was only by the grace of God that he survived. (Obviously God wasn't ready to call him home!) This was one of those "iffy" situations, as he was in pretty bad shape... I'll never forget him telling me that if he never made it home, that he had placed my Easter present in the garage... and I had to promise that I would go and look for it in there... Our garage is not for parking cars... we use it as a woodshop, and for storage, but never for parking cars!! :)
I choked back tears and told him that I knew he was going to be alright, and that he could give me whatever it was when we got him home... but again he made me promise that if he didn't come home, I wouldn't forget to go and get his gift. So I did. I cried all the way home that night, I prayed, I waited and trusted in God. Well, long story short, he did make it home, and on Easter morning, there were two beautiful rose trees sitting on my front walk. I cried. they were beautiful! I picked out a special place for them, one on each side of my front bay window, so that they were the first thing I saw when I looked outside. Over the years, they have grown and flourished! Imagine my deep sadness when I discovered last summer that a gopher had eaten the roots completely off of one of my beloved trees... I was determined to try to re-root it. I placed it in a pot of soil and have been diligently watering a bare tree for the past 9 months. Imagine my delight this spring when I discovered the first tiny green leaves sprouting all over the barren branches! I continued nurturing it along in the pot, waiting for the day when the tender roots would be established enough to be planted once again in the ground... Well, today was that day! Blessings to you today as you discover joy in simple things.

Spring Flowers

I love Spring.It's one of my favorite times of the year.I especially like seeing all the beautiful blossoms spring forth after being dormant for so long.Aren't these pretty??!!

A new adventure...

Hi! Welcome to my blog. I finally have it up and running (I think). I am never without interruptions, so learning new things, especially technical things, always seems to take me just a bit longer than perhaps it could. I'm looking forward to blogging! Thanks for coming along on this journey with me!
Linda