The Little Red Plane . . .

Some things are just too good not to share -- right away!  Like this -- so cute:

More blessings . . .

Life has truly taught me to never expect smooth roads and always expect the unexpected.  Sometimes it's hard, though, to acknowledge and accept, and to remember, that God has a plan for us.  Yesterday was an awakening for me.

My sweet son-in-law hurried late yesterday afternoon from Fort Worth to go with me to retrieve my treasure--the weaving loom, so generously gifted by C.C. Young Retirement Home.  I had reserved a Uhaul with a drop ramp to make it easier to use a dolly to load and unload the loom.  At the last minute, I asked Steven if he thought it might be better to go look at the loom and develop a plan first--then we could go back Thursday or Saturday and pick it up.  He agreed, but was concerned about the length of time--I assured him that the building and the loom were safe until spring, when the building was to be demolished.  This is what Susan, at C.C.Young, and Hinke, with Dallas Weaving Guild, had both told me.  So I felt comfortable with this plan.  And Steven had never seen the loom--I wanted him to be comfortable with the "job."

You can imagine my surprise when Security opened the door for me at about 4:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon to find the room empty--literally empty.  Every ounce of yarn, every piece of equipment, every pin and measuring tape, every scissor, and my precious loom were gone. 

I was heartsick, disappointed, sad . . . devastated.  Everything was gone.  I had built up such anticipation and excitement for my new venture.  I really was devastated.  I came home and closed my drapes, turned off the telephone, and went to bed.  I was just disgusted and disappointed that someone could come in and crumble my plans up so menacingly. 

Enter insomnia. 

I'm probably not very different from others--when I awaken in the middle of the night in the dark and quiet, I think about stuff--I pray, I plan, I dream.  Last night was no exception.   And in the midst of my nighttime lamentations, a soft, knowing hand reached out and gently shook me.  But it was enough to get my attention.  In my disappointment, I'd forgotten the most important lesson of all--that God has a plan for me.  Sometimes it's the same as mine; but more often than not it isn't.  The secret is keeping my eye on the prize.  Earthly things can tempt us so.  We can forget so easily that this time here is only transitory.  And forget that putting too much stock in the doings of this world isn't always the good or smart thing to do. 

So . . . weaving isn't in God's plan for me today.  Maybe another day--but not today.  And maybe not tomorrow, or any other day for that matter.  But God has a plan for me and I'm joyful and thankful for it.  God knows something I don't--and his plan is better.  So, again, I'm blessed.  I'm happy, even have a feeling of excitement, knowing that God's plan is playing itself out through me.  So blessed!!!

Today I'm working on my "stuff" for the fantastic craft fair that will take place at Jacob's Reward Farm:

Please, please come and support all these fantastic artists.  I make great project bags, plain but fantastic soap, and other fun stuff.  And this group is totally, totally talented--we're talking non-amateurish totally professional stuff my friend!  Take an hour or so out of your Saturday that day to check it out.  There will be lots of food, entertainment, demonstrations . . . just a really cool day.  AND, maybe the best part, is that you can get a bunch of your Christmas shopping done.  Whew . . . wouldn't that be cool????  Have a huge dent done by Halloween??  Love it!!!

Keep the faith, sisters.  Sometimes it isn't easy to see the blessings, but I promise they're there.  God really does have a plan.

xoxo

Many blessings . . .

Everyday I thank God for blessing me so abundantly.  And everyday I'm amazed (but never surprised) that God blesses me so abundantly.  Today was very rainy in Dallas--but our plants, lawns, and trees needed the water soooo much!  The skies were gray and overcast--a good thing because I couldn't find my sunglasses!  And the cool, clear air was clearly enjoyed by everyone--I didn't encounter one person on the roads today who was speeding and trying to run me off the road (hahaha).  Overall, I felt pretty blessed today!

I also was blessed by unknown people.  I attended the regular Wednesday Texas Twisters spinning get-together last week.  While I was there, somebody (was it Marlene? or Kate? or maybe Peggy? or Lori)--my recollection isn't clear who--let us all know that a Dallas nursing home was clearing out their loom room and was looking for homes for their looms.

Well, I'm a total fiber geek . . . and hand woven things are just about my favorite things (my favorite decorative piece at Christmastime is a table scarf that I put on the entryway table each year--and always hate putting away after Christmas).  So I made the right calls and found the loom room at the nursing home and WOW.  It was love at first sight.  Hard to believe that had these looms not been claimed by new homes they would have been plowed under when the building is demolished next year. 

There were eight looms in the beginning--there were three left when I went this morning to look at them.  I met a darling Lisa, who claimed one; a Parker lady will be claiming the second; and I was BLESSED to be the recipient of the third.  Of course, at such an auspicious event, cameras are a must---right???  And I managed to remember to take mine with me.  Only problem is that I was so excited today that I didn't take a picture. 

However . . . here's a picture I found that looks very similar to mine, except the ratchet wheel on mine is much, much larger:

The wood is darker on mine.  But it's large like this one--the biggest one they had remaining.  I wanted the bigger, and most sturdy of the bunch, because I'd like to be able to make rugs.  And not only can I use yarns to weave rugs, scarves, blankets, etc., but I can also use strips of fabric (this is what my mother made rugs with when I was a child) to make sweet, woven rag rugs.  Cute, gorgeous, divine!!  Can't wait!!!

Here are a few of the things I came home with:

Gobs of beautiful yarns,

 

 

 Lots of shuttles and spools,

 and several excellent books.

And a cute, cute, cute little bench.

 I'll try to get to the nursing home tomorrow with a truck to pick up my sweet loom.  Truth is, I probably shouldn't be calling it "my" wheel until I get it home and tucked into its special place I've picked out for it . . . but I'm so tickled, I can't resist.  And whether my sweet loom makes it to my house or not, C.C. Young Retirement Center still must be applauded for their impressive act of generosity! 

And again . . . I've been blessed so abundantly!!

xoxo

Friday, Friday . . .

Monday, Monday, so good to me
Monday morning, it was all I hoped it would be . . .

Monday, Monday?  How about Friday, Friday.  Today was a "get stuff done," "let's get going," loving fun with my friends, furry dogs, tying up loose ends, good coffee, kinda day . . . and . . .

are you ready? . . .

FIBER!!!!!!!!!

I was at Jacob's Reward Farm when the shareholders' fiber was delivered by FedEx (poor guy--he had to work a little today).  I wasn't sure if Cindy would open the box and let me love on it a little, but I think she was as excited to see it and touch it as I was! 

And it was oh so touchable and oh so lovable!!

If you're a shareholder, you're going to love, love, love your share this year!!!   So . . . since you need a little something to dream about, let me tide you over until Cindy has a chance to blog better pix:

Fiber,

 fiber,

fiber, and

fiber!

xoxo (I can hardly wait!!!!)

My room français . . .

Those folks who easily and beautifully decorate are so lucky . . . so talented.  My sister, Sue, is one of those people.  She has that magic touch, eyes that really see, and impeccable taste.  She decorates with her talents. 

I decorate very differently.  Unlike my sister, and others who can look at a room and know where it should go, I am decorationally challenged.  You've been in homes decorated by people like me . . . boring, no great color combinations, furniture so badly put together that it can't even be call eclectic--it just looks bad.

Several years ago, however, I stumbled upon the most perfect, effortless, flawless method of decorating.  It's called "Theme" decorating.  You get an idea in your head of something you like, go to all the different stores and web sites you can think of that might have things that are in line with your idea, and shop like a madwoman (or man). 

Case in point is my guest room.  For years it was like a barren desert--forsaken, drab, dull--just a no-man's land.  That might be a good thing if you don't want guests to outstay their welcome.  Enter Theme Decorating. 

I took French in high school and, although I wasn't any good at it, I really liked it.  When my daughters were younger, I ordered an adorable Madeleine doll from etoys.com, at which my daughters immediately turned up their noses--too juvenile, not cool enough, not a Cabbage Patch Doll.  My daughter, Riann, has been to France several times, so I've received several gifts from her from her travels.

Enter my room français--my French room:

One of my favorite pieces is a Limoges Perrier-Jouet Champagne coaster (I think there's another name for this little item, but can't recall what it is--can you tell me?).  It's just so French and so cute . . . really fits the "decor."

 

Then there's my Madeleine tea set . . . just the perfect size for my sweet little Madeleine doll.

This is a little blue glass Eiffel Tower.  Impressive?  No.  Cute?  Yes.  And, again, it fits the "decor."

And here's a doll my daughter, Riann, had in her bedroom when she was quite a bit younger.  I think she decided to leave it because I had a "French" room by the time she left home.

And here's a cute little souvenir from Paris.  Cute, huh?  Very touristy.  Behind the souvinour piece is and old, hand carved Père Noël that took up residence in my French room.

And of course, no French room would be worth its salt without a little art work.

And a Madeleine Limoges.

And of course, color is everything.  My French country means reds and yellows.  I found a Pottery

Barn pattern several years ago--I bought several duvets so I'd have plenty of fabric for

a balloon shade, a bed duvet, pillows, etc., etc. 

And cutsie things around . . .

and

And a memory shadow box that my sweet older daughter, Erin, left at home for the French room.  I added silk flowers to make it look more French.  Cute, huh?

Hope you enjoyed a tour of my French room.  Perfectly decorated?  Probably not.  But I sure like it!  Come visit sometime and you can try out the bed--it's good too.  

Au revoir.

xoxo



Oh em gee . . .

I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged.  Shame on me for slipping so far into the abyss . . . I'll make up for it--promise.

So . . . today I updated this blog a tad and added a couple of little doo-dads on the side bar.  One of them is a quiz sponsored by This Garden is Illegal that tells you what kind of flower you are.  I love this garden blog and recommend that you follow it.  It always has something that's fun, interesting, and educational. 

So, it appears, according to the "flower quiz," that I'm a Nigella.  "What's that?" you ask.  Beats me.  I've never heard of a Nigella until today, but that's not saying much, really.  I'm pretty garden challenged, so I'm not surprised.  However, the site did have this to say about me:  "Many people think you are just a little bit odd, but you consider yourself just a little eccentric. You find new experiences exciting and fulfilling."

That pretty much says it about me . . . a little bit odd, a little eccentric, finds new experiences fulfilling.  In a nutshell, memorable? 

You might want to try it.  Have fun.  I hope you're a pretty flower, like a rose or a hydrangea or a lilac--something pretty that smells good. 

xoxo