Rainbow's End

Every once in awhile I make something that I am super proud of... this, is one of those projects.

I had my eye on this pattern by Drops Design for a long time. I read it over and over, until the time came to pick up a hook and a skein of Pistachio Green. The pattern is very easy to read (although it does use British English crochet terms, which isn't hard but took a moment to translate) and the Drops Paris yarn sews up like a dream.

With every row I became more enamored. I learned to crochet about two years ago and I am still completely amazed that a simple twist of the wrist and turn of a hook can make simple string into something beautiful.

Yesterday I had lunch with the Carpoolqueen who has the best family room for picture taking. Its a warm and happy place, with sunlight that fills the room. I knew I just had to bring this new project to her house for a little photo shoot. I paid her in cookies.

So she made the coffee while I made moved cushions and generally made myself at home.

Oh! That picture makes me happy! It was so nice that CPQ's new throw pillows perfectly matched my new blanket...if those pillows show up missing one day....

I even gave the blanket a little test run by sipping my coffee in the coziest chair in the house, and day-dreamed about those cold winter mornings that are certain to come... but I'll be wrapped in a rainbow and perfectly happy.

Color Me Summer

This poor tired blog... so neglected. But its been too difficult to sit down and write when the summer is in full swing. I don't want to miss one moment of fun.

I was in the neighbors yard again... this time taking pictures of her beautiful flowers. I call them Helen's Hibiscus, and they are lovely. You can't tell from the picture above but those blooms are about 10 inches across from petal to petal. She sits in her hot pink glory on the edge of Helen's property and is the Bell of the Ball this year... just gorgeous.

Thursdays has become a favorite day in my house. It's when my box(es) from The Produce Box come with all those delicious fresh veggies. Every week I line up my boxed bounty on the counter top and take a picture...Organizing them properly as if I'd grown the prize winning tomatoes myself.

The Boy started Driver Education at our local high school this week. No one warned me that I would feel much like i did when I dropped him off at kindergarten 10 years ago: I felt excited and scared, with a side of its all going so fast and oh my goodness I'm old.

So I indulged in a little yarn therapy.

I've had my eyes on this pattern for a couple months but had told myself to finish a few other projects before ordering more yarn. Discipline... its so hard where crafting is concerned. But I stuck to my guns, and when the yarn finally came last week, I walked directly from the mail box to that spot on the floor... and stayed there for several days hours.

Forty-eight hours and 3786 double-crochets later my wrists desperately needed a break so I decided to organize my embroidery floss. I'm getting ready to make my annual Christmas Ornaments and I needed order in my floss box.

I'm glad for the distraction because The Girl was picked up on Friday night for her first official-without-an-adult-present babysitting job. She is absolutely ready for this and is a great babysitter. Her next few weekends are already booked. I'm very proud of her.

Since I had a free night all to myself I pulled out the wool felt and began to cut and sew while watching Lonesome Dove for the first time.

Why Lonesome Dove? Because I've been on a Montana kick lately. In August we are going to Montana (one of my favorite places) so I have been reading books, watching videos, and surfing the net in anticipation!

If you throw in some housekeeping, swimming at the pool with friends, lesson planning for next year, and driving the kids to all their fun summer activities you've got broad strokes of my color-filled summer. Hope yours is as bright!

Tis the Gift to be Simple

I woke up this morning with these words in my head:

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.

This one verse song, written in the 1700's is titled "Simple Gifts".

This summer has been gift. Even though it has had its disappointments and closed doors, they were truly gifts.

Because I wasn't feeling well I didn't get to go on a beach trip in May, and there was a cancelled trip to Colorado Springs on the exact weekend that the nation watched in fear and prayed for the mercy of rain.

There were several other things that I wished and wanted to do... but instead I have received the simple gift of rest, time with those I love, time to care and keep my home. I feel 100% better and the hindsight is bright and clear.  I struggled, deeply and with many tears, but as i have felt better I have been given the time to take longer walks with my husband, to exercise with a healthy mind and body; to share life with those I love over tea and cupcakes.

I've been able to use my creative talents with joy.

Today we celebrate the gift of Independence here in America. But this summer of unplanned rest has helped to change my focus. I am not to strive and push and run for an independent life, I have been given the gift of dependent living on Christ, who orders my days and give gifts that are good and right. His timing is perfect, and His care never ceases, even when I have trouble seeing it.

I am very grateful for the gift of living in this great nation, but I am profoundly grateful to live simply, in love and delight, when I turn, turn, and trust my every breathe to the Giver of life.