Draw Near...

This Thanksgiving was very special to us.We had two wonderful Thanksgiving's spent with our closest friends. Thursday was sweet and simple, and relaxing. My friends wouldn't let me do a thing. I tried..They wanted to serve. It was so nice as well as their fellowship. Then on Saturday we spent another wonderful filled day with friends, food and fellowship....It was so wonderful to spend time with friends who truly care for you, who will and have been there through the thick of it all. Friends who will take the brunt of your pains. We are truly blessed with the friends we have...And the food, was out of this world wonderful.
 
After Saturday nights dinner we just hung out all night talking, laughing and watched a movie...snuggled down in our jammies till late at night and had a sleep over. These will be cherished memories we will forever keep close to our hearts. Real friends are hard to find I must say. These ones are keepers.

We have all ( my family) learned many lessons on that fact. It has been revealed to us in many ways the last couple years. Some ways have been gut wrenching and hurtful and others have shown their true colors while there are the few who have stuck through as loyal, genuine, caring relationships. It has been a hard lesson to swallow in some cases yet I can say those lessons were for our good and surely God's way of revealing to us to see what is bad, what is rotten and what is false as well as what is good, what is pure, what is true. This has only made us grow closer in many ways as a family but especially has only drawn us closer to Christ. It has opened our eyes to see the ones who are really there, the ones who will forever have your back. So, now as we move into the next chapter of our lives...We have started to let go of those rotten apples among us, so that we may draw ever more closer to our Lord who will never forsake us. In time we will heal, put it all behind us & move on and rejoice. The weight is lifted.
And sometimes that is what you must do. Let go of things that weigh
 us down and yes, sometimes that means letting go of certain
people in your lives and holding on to the ones who lift you up in spirit and prayer.
 
I am thankful to God that He gives these hard lessons to us,
even though it may be uncomfortable or painful in that moment.
The heavy load was purchased by His blood...
For me and my family, so that we don't have to bear it.
*****
Draw near to God and He will Draw near to you.
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66. The love of Christ and knowing
we can draw near to Him.
67. Bountiful blessings
68. Thanksgiving Fellowship & Fantastic Food
69. True friends
70. Truth

Our Thanksgiving Mantel

Sorry I don't have a Home Sweet Home Tour for you today. Unfortunately I never received the gals post to share with you all. So sorry about that. o I hope I can make it all better by sharing a corner of my home with you. Our Thanksgiving mantel. In my previous post I shared the colorful pom pom flowers I made, which are totally my kind of Autumn colors. Then I remembered when I was about 10 years old I had a neighbor who was really into crochet and yarn crafts. She showed me how to finger weave with yarn. Well, to this day I never forgot, since it is actually quite easy to do...

I taught my daughter how to do it the other day. With that, we decided to make some colorful finger weaved garland for our mantel to match the colors in the pom pom flowers. We worked a couple of hours to get the rainbow Autumn colors we wanted and strung them to the mantel. It is quite cute, simple yet festive , just in time for Thanksgiving Day. And, here is how it turned out.
 
My daughter liked it so much she requested when we are done with it, if she could have it for her room, then also to create a scarf with it...I have some ideas for just that, which I will share soon. And, yes she can have them for her room...It will totally match her colors and personality. Want to learn how to do this...Look up finger weaving or finger knitting on the internet, there are several tutorials. Have fun with it, use any color yarn you desire. Simple, easy, fun and keeps you busy while watching your favorite show too.
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66. thankful for the woman who taught me to finger weaving
67. The time spent with my daughter making this fun
 crafty decor for our Thanksgiving Mantel
68. For all the colors in God's RAINBOW
69. For sweater weather
70. The roaring fire we enjoyed tonight

One Thousand Posts, One Thousand Gifts, Thanksgiving Pom Pom Flowers and A Thankful Giveaway...

Preparing for Thanksgiving and a bit of decorating before I have to pack it all away. I wanted to make something fun, festive and colorful for the mantel, hopped on Pinterest and got some wonderful inspiration from several different bloggers by making Yarn Pom Pom Flowers.
Here is a tutorial on how to make pom poms.
My color scheme was inspired by this darling vintage turkey
 salt shaker I have. This is my kind of Thanksgiving colors.

I made them, then tied them onto branches from outside, placed them in a jar and voila...A fun piece for the Holiday. I have also approached ONE THOUSAND blog posts. I got to thinking about many things, many things I am blessed by, many things that are gifts to me, even through all the struggles in this life I can look on the brighter side....The blessings God has given and knowing it could be a thousand times worse. I truly, truly have nothing worthy to complain about. Though we will be leaving this house and staying with someone else for a time, we still will have The good Lord watching over us, providing for our needs, a roof over our head, food on the table, warm clothes to wear, our good health (for the most part) and our family and friends all around us. That I am ever so greatful for. I give thanks to God, for He is good to us. I have also recently realized I had stopped at 60 written gifts which I have recorded in many blog posts inspired by the book "One Thousand Gifts" I am going to start recording them again at the end of my posts...I know I can do it, there really is so much I can consider a gift and to be greatful and thankful for those gifts.

I am also very greatful to have this blog space. A place to share my faith, my thoughts, my journey, to record my children growing up, special times we have shared, pictures, art, crafts, recipes, decorating...My life in general. I am tickled that anyone would even find my little blog interesting. I am greatful for the friendships that I have made through this blog, the handful of wonderful ladies and artists I have met in person, the ladies that are always there for me, who always stop by and leave a comment, those who send me an e-mail when they are concerned if I am alive and even to those who have actually gone out of their way to send me or my kids a gift. So, to those who read my blog...I am thankful for you...You are all such a sweet inspiration to me. I have not much to give in return, but thought it would be fun to commerate my ONE THOUSANDTH POST and have a little give away.

I made/designed this colorful Autumn Subway Art Print and thought I would send one out. I wish I could send out more to each and everyone of my readers. I can only do one for now. If you would like to enter my 1,000th post give away, leave me a comment, tell me what you are thankful for this year. We will draw a name on Friday and ship it out. Sorry the frame is not included, yet I do suggest an 11X14 matted frame that holds an 8X10 like the one above...It looks great in it.

For the first six commenters,
I will send you a little treat as well.
A small print of my original artwork.

Have a blessed day...Thank you from the bottom
 of my heart for all your support.
XOXO
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61. A home to live in
62. For God's unfailing love and provision
63. For our friends who lift us up when we are down
64. For my Blog Followers, who support me
65. This blog and my fellow bloggers

Monday Morning Musings....

Good Morning.
 It's Monday... Can't believe how these days are flying by. We are almost at the end of March. Easter is right around the corner. Whew. Where does the time go? This coming month we will be celebrating 18 years of marriage, I will be 4 decades old, we are celebrating our son's graduation and preparing for all the happenings in May...A fresh start. Oh the wonderful things that Spring brings.

There are so many things to be gratful for, so many joys to embrace.
I am loving this verse right now. And I am pulling out some Springtime decorations.

I found this Tweet Vintage candy dish with a darling bird on top.
 Oh the joy to find sweet treasures for really cheap. A whole $2.00 spent...Woot Woot.
 
I am also enjoying this colorful book I created on Shutterfly. I got to create the book for FREE...Just paid shipping. I love when they have those FREE promos. The book was fun to make...It's got some happy colors and all my recent favorite pics. of my kids and stuff. (Happy Dance)
Well...I'm off to prepare for the day...Gotta get back to reality...school...you know stuff like that?
Have a wonderful week ahead.
***
56. Blooming roses in my garden
57. Psalm 126:3 (pondering on God's word)
58. Tweet Treasures
59. Old friends
60. Creative Book making memories
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Linking Up with Miscellany Monday

It's Not Up To Me...

Today I am having virtual coffee with Amy over at Lucky Number 13. I have been meaning to participate forever...and finally got over there to have coffee with her...In my case it is tea, since coffee really messes with me in a bad way. So, as I was sipping my tea, my heart was heavy this morning. It is coming close to graduation day for my dear Mr. Darling, from his four year Seminary stretch. I just can't believe the day is almost here and we still don't know where we are going. Good thing is he has a lot of Professors and fellow Pastors passing his name around the country. So with prayer we hope to find out where God wants us to be.

14 years ago we lived in California...and I left with a really bad attitude about California. I said I would NEVER come back. We spent 10 happy years in Washington state where we thought we were going to settle for the remainder of our days. Mr. Darling was working a full time job and going to school  working towards a better life for us and giving our lives to something a lot more meaningful. He started working towards his passion to becoming a Pastor. Then the opportunity of seminary came along which meant moving....to CALIFORNIA. Oh my...really? I knew this was an opportunity of a lifetime and who was I to stand in the way of God's will. I prayed and kept my mouth shut. We moved and knew it would only be temporary. God has a good sense of humor I tell you. I came back here with a better attitude than I thought...Yet part of me still would begrudge the possible fact of staying here. But it is not up to me. There are States being thrown around right now with possible Pastor ships. Illinois, Virginia, Georgia, North Dakota, Florida. When Florida came up I couldn't resist opening my big mouth, declaring a huge NO. I lived in Florida for a couple years as a child, I remember Florida, I didn't like Florida. But low and behold it upset Mr. Darling to the point where he didn't want to talk to me. Uh oh, I should have kept my mouth shut. Oh Lord help me keep my mouth shut. It is not up to me if it is His will to move us somewhere I may not like. I came back to Mr. Darling with a fat apology realizing that it is not up to me and if a wonderful opportunity arose to move to a State, perhaps one I didn't like much, I can't stand in the way of God's will. For God knows what is best for us.

The hardest part of leaving though...Even though we don't know where yet. Is leaving family and friends behind. We have grown close to our church family, spending every week with them, having them in our home, going to theirs. These people we will miss. But it's not up to me.
 
If you were really here having coffee or tea with me...I would share these things with you...and hope to be a good listening ear to whatever is on your heart as well. I would pray with you and hope you would pray with me too. Even though this is a virtual coffee and I was able to write out what was on my heart...This really did help telling you all this. It brought me back to God...that I can't and shouldn't lean on my own, to give it to Him, to pray...giving my heavy heart and burdens no matter how big or small they are over to Him. I am at peace now. Just knowing it is not up to me...And that is okay with me. I don't really want to make that decision alone. I pray He will shut my mouth when I have crossed over boundaries, to be there for my husband through this time, a time we are living by faith alone. For if the opportunity arose to take over a Pastor ship somewhere, It is not up to me where that will be, it is where He wants us to be.
Thanks for joining me. Please do come back again.
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51. Knowing I am not alone, I can lean on the Lord for everything
52. Thankful for this huge opportunity, one we will glorify God with
53. Realizing it is not up to me...It is up to God
54. Finding contentment and peace through prayer.
55. Being there for my husband, brings more peace to our home.

It's March Alredy? Hello March....

It's March. I can't believe it. Spring is in the air. We have spent just about the whole Winter ill with something...But all through that I am trying to keep a big ole smile on my face and move forward. Since having pneumonia earlier this month...my son and I have not gotten any better. I have officially been coughing for 4 weeks. So we both went to the Doctors on Tuesday, and found out we have bronchitis. So off to taking antibiotics and prayerfully on  the road to a full recovery. Perhaps my favorite flowery top will cheer things up a bit. ha ha.
 
Our daughter ( Freckles) came home from camp on Sunday...She made it and I didn't have to worry about a thing. She had a blast with her friends and won first place in their skit...She was exhausted when she got home and unfortunately we didn't have much time to talk before we got a dreadful call from my mom that my Gramma was in the hospital. By the evening they had put her in the ICU. I wasn't sure if this was it...My mom and sister were a wreck so I drove up to give them support and to see my Gramma. her blood pressure was something in the realm of 70ish over 20ish something....And kidneys were on the verge of failure. My mom said she just wasn't herself for several days, talking nonsense gibberish, and almost drinking soap. I was shocked. We were all there in the waiting room...waiting, finally had the chance to see her. She wasn't herself. We prayed and waited around and saw her up to her own room in ICU. I decided to stay at my mom's with my sister just in case she worsened throughout the night. We tried to sleep...It was hard to rest with a clear mind...Thankfully no call was made so we made it over to the hospital and saw her. She was 10X's better, a bit confused as to everything that occurred, she did not remember any of it. Poor Gramma was trying to piece it all together in her mind. She had me write her a note that we were there, the time the date, just so she wouldn't forget we were there. We had the chance to talk to the doc...He said she had probably taken so much meds.... possibly forgetting she took it and what she took to the point of practically overdosing herself. Poor Gramma. She is getting older and has been a concern of possible dementia...The Doc. said , yes that is also the case. (sigh). After a couple days in the hospital she was able to go home...My mom will now be administering her meds. Thank God. Now to keep her mentally challenged as much as possible. I pray she will be with us for many more years. I cannot fathom her forgetting who we are, my heart would break. I am grateful for the wonderful times we have recently spent with her visiting and talking all about her life in Latvia and Germany and her meeting my Grampa and coming to America. It is forever embedded in my heart and mind. Those are the times I wish to remember with her. Please keep her in prayer and for my family to cope with it all.

To add to my One Thousand Gifts list:
46. I am thankful for the breath of life
47. The wonderful opportunity for my daughter to spread her wings a bit
48. Family
49. For the Lord's healing hands
50. My Gramma's strength, making it through this hurtle...keep praying for that strength.

Good Day...

Well, today is the day my dear Freckles goes off to her first Winter Camp. She has been so excited, by Tuesday she was asking if it was Friday yet...Counting down the days for her trip...And finally the time came. We packed part of her pack last night. All was good. She went to bed and it hit her. As many of you who read this blog may know my dear daughter is like my mini me, always by my side, always hanging out, crafting, cooking, thrifting...whatever...She is usually always by my side. We are very close. She seemed a little bothered when I tucked her in for the night. I asked her what was the matter? She replied with big tears welling up, her face dis configured and said she would miss me, and what if she got home sick? I told her she could call...If she didn't want to do this, she can back out. She then said, no....She was just feeling anxious. I leaned over her, hugging and kissing her and told her that God doesn't wish for her to be anxious, to cast her cares and anxieties on Him and trust that all will be well and that she will surely have the grandest time with her friends. She wiped her tears, hugged me goodnight and felt more at ease.

 

The morning came...She was gung ho to go out and ride her bike today. So we got out together on our bikes and rode to the park for a spell. I have made a lot of effort to be there for her this week...We spent some good quality time together, chatting, thrifting, going to the gym ( just me ~n~ her ). We thumbed through some magazines and dreamed up all the wonderful things we are going to do when Mr. Darling gets a Pastor ship. We talked about the chickens we will get and how she will take them on bike rides. It was a good day to have a good day. Her anxiety was low, she smiled and was really excited.

   

After the fun we had at the park, we rode back home, drank a huge glass of water and caught our breath. Then she went off for a couple hours to work as a Mommy's Helper for her favorite baby Bobby.

  

After she returned we got the last minute things packed up. She got out her sweet vintage sleeping bag, we picked up thrifting last year. This bag was probably made when I was a kid...it is pretty cool too...Once you zip it up there are buttons that make little arm holes and a hood. Reminded me of those snuggy things that you find these days. She thought that was like the coolest ever. Then it hit her again. She sat next to me on the couch...I could tell she was getting sad and anxious again. I held her and cuddled for a bit and prayed for her entire trip and well being over the weekend. That's all it took to make it better at least for the moment. Her friends came down to pick her up, she was thrilled and looked happy before she drove off. My heart sank though, for I will miss her ever so much even for a couple days. Trust me this is a really big thing since she is quite the Mama's girl. I feel it will be a great benefit for her to come out of her shell a bit and experience a little. She can always call and I will be there in a heart beat.

 

I feel like somethings missing when she is gone...This will be a challenge. My dear Mr. Darling has to attend a seminar all weekend and my son has to work so I will be alone all day tomorrow...I told myself that I would get some things done and work on creating a bit.

We'll see how it goes. I am sure we will survive..I miss her already.

***

42. One on One together time with my favorite girl makes any day a good day

43. Leisure biking down the windy roads, working off the booty at the same time

44. Special hugs and kisses

45. Blessed opportunities for my children that I never had growing up

Little Words...More Pictures...

      
Do you ever have those phases where you are just kinda quiet, not too much to say? That's how I'm feeling these last couple weeks. I am still a bit under the weather since I have been ill for the last couple of weeks. So far this week I am trying to get back on track with laundry, dusting and scrubbing. Ya know all the fun stuff. And I captured some photos the last few days ...Just a few things that made me smile. I am also adding to my thousand gifts list. Hope your all having a happy week.
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36. Fun red rose button finds which will end up in something crafty I am sure.
37. Sewing up a couple pillow orders for a customer ;)
38. Bubble Gum machine turns Jelly Bean machine.....Oh Yeah.
39. Sweet helper doing dishes for her Mama.
40. Mountain Dew Throwback...Need I say more?
41. Loving things that make me smile.

Happy Things That Make Me Smile This Weekend

It doesn't take a whole heck of a lot to make me happy. I consider myself quite simple, low maintenance and frugal. Growing up, I didn't have a whole lot of material things. In many ways we were actually pretty poor, we worked with what we had and seemed to be pretty grateful for anything we got. That is fine with me. I think it was actually a pretty good lesson to learn when I was young. From that I can truly appreciate and be contented with what we have now. I am also grateful that my Mr. Darling is the same way. He also didn't have a lot of material possessions when he was growing up. I have also found that material possessions are not all that important...I certainly don't need that $100.00 pair of name brand jeans when I can get a suitable pair at Target...And when I die, what would all that stuff matter in the end. Nothing of course. Our treasures truly lie in Heaven. For now though, I am here on earth...Sure I like to have things, but for me I am so jazzed with the littlest things. Like, this funky big red heart ring I got at Michael's for a few bucks... Oh yeah. I don't need diamonds, pearls and gold. This girl is plenty happy with a little plastic.

Or going to a neighbors garage sale and scoring this Happy Mug. ( couldn't resist ) for 25. cents.... I can even spice up an old drab outfit with a couple colorful polka dotted flowers or some fun little accessories like a simple handmade necklace from a flea market. Little things like that is all it takes.
 

What are some simple things that make you happy?
Here are a few simple gifts that made me smile this weekend:
31. $3.00 Big Red BLING happiness
32. Happy Face .25 cent garage sale find
33. Colorful Polka Dotted flowers to pin on my cardigans
34. My kind of jewels to wear any time
35. Simple ambiance from Mimi's Cafe
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Have a Happy Day