This That & The Other

We have been enjoying these cooler mornings with a nice cup of tea or Chai. Staying nice and cozy, bundled up a bit, I have been getting some projects finished up, preparing for upcoming events schooling my sweet daughter, taking care of business and orders from my shop
and enjoying the quiet evenings with my DH & DD
( Dear Hubby & Dear Daughter).
And...Missing my son.
  
(Via Contented Sparrow)

A favorite Fall time lunch... hands down is a bowl of  hot creamy tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. I have the perfect recipe for how I make my sandwich. Just take two slices of your favorite bread and butter one side of each with a honey butter mixture then sprinkle some garlic seasoning on each buttered side. Place a lovely slice of sharp cheddar and a slice of aged Swiss between the bread with butter sides up...Grill on a hot medium temp. flame and you have a delish cheesy sandwich to dip into that creamy soup.  Now that's what I am talking about.

My son is still in Washington...It has been 5 weeks....Counting down three more weeks till he is home again. He has faithfully called us everyday to check in...He's having a great time with friends and got to spend a weekend with my dad. He has also been working, cutting down trees, chopping them up, hauling out shrubs, building fencing for garden beds and even some roof work. He said he is not missing home just his family and he would love to move back to Washington. He sent me these pictures....The beautiful scenery of the town we lived in (sigh) and his sweet mug shot.
 I am so missing that boy of mine.

Okay, I know this post was a bit random... But, that's all I got right now.
Be sure to pop on over tomorrow for (my home tour) where
 I will be featured over at Life Made Lovely on Heather's Home Made Lovely Tour.
So excited...See ya then.

Changes...

I have been blogging now for almost six years. It first started out a sort of home school journey and updates for my family afar, then it grew in time. It has changed and grew as my children have. I too have grown, I have been blessed by other bloggers alike, I have been inspired my so many talented ladies out there. I am gratful to those who read my blog and those who have stuck with me through these years....I am also thankful for the newcomers who follow my little cyber spot here. As time has gone on I have learned to take better pictures and hopefully have been an inspiration to others with my faith, my personal life, my love for family and friends...Not to forget the love of art and homemaking/decorating. I am not writing this to say I have decided to quit this blog. (sigh of relief) I love to share. Actually it is something sort of small...No big deal really but, I decided to change my blogs name. Did you notice my new banner?

I think as I have grown along with this blog, I have watched my children grow before my eyes. I am now only home schooling my daughter whom I call Freckles. To me the Child's Paper just hasn't fit anymore, I have sort of grown out of it...though it is what I am known for through the cyber world. My address will stay the same for now since I own the domain.So I hope it doesn't confuse too many. I hope you all like the new name I have chosen....It reflects the new season in my life as well as my

 journey with home schooling my girl, our life will soon change with a new career for my husband

 (A Pastor), which he has worked so hard for many years to get us there. More on that later. Many changes have happened with my son whom we graduated from High School this last year, he is almost all grown up, ready to make his own way soon...Change is good. I can't wait to share the future happenings with you all.

So, I hope you will all stick with me...

That wasn't so bad, was it?

Have a great day...

Maw & Paw....

This Summer is already slipping away quickly. It has been a busy year, especially for my dear Mr. Darling...He has been in the midst of some really deep work in school. Sometimes it seems he has no time for the world that is going on arouind him. Now he is busy this Summer working hard at his Summer internship. Gone most of the week and preparing for sermons...It still seems as if he doesn't have a moment to breath or rest. It has been weeks since we have had a coffee date. I think I am just missing him. If we can't make it out for a date, then I'll just have to plan a date in the breakfast nook...Just me and him and a cup of coffee.....Tea for me!
So we can just talk and pray, hold hands and be together!!!

Maw & Paw time is very important you know!!!
Hope your makin' time for your Hubby!!!
Have a Happy Day!!!

Thoughts Of My Children.....

I thank God every day for my blessings. For a wonderful husband and the two little gifts God gave to us to care for.... Our children. They make the sun shine when it's not out...I was having a conversation with my son about a friend of his that told him she wished to have at least eight children and be able to stay at home with them and school them at home. Another "friend" of hers said that was a selfish thing to want...that she shouldn't bring so many children into this world and that she should work outside the home. Sad!!! My son thought this to be very sad and tried to uplift her. Sadly many are taught that a fulfilling life is to have a career, that children get in the way of your aspirations and dreams.... Not so! That to me is selfish thinking. It takes a lot to be a mom. A lot of sacrafice yes, but blessings will surely come with the task.We need to pull together and promote motherhood, homemaking and Family. All these are very important...Without them this country will be worse off than it already is. I am a stay at home mother and I home school my kids. I do it because we chose to do it and biblically we are called to do it. I am doing what I have dreamed to do...I am actually living my dream to it's fullest and know that it glorifies God. At the end of the day, I am blessed. I have had the privelidge to share every moment, every stride and accomplishments to all their sadness that may have come with my children. I have watched them grow as well as grow spiritually. We do everything together... and we love it that way. I never feel that I need to get away or have "MY TIME"! Because to be frank...This is not my time...this is a season all too short that I have to raise these delightful gifts for God alone. This is a time for my children. I thank God that I will never have to say...I missed out on them or that someone else had that time with them. Dear friends, I am not saying that you are not blessed if you have to put your children in school or if you have to work...I know that sometimes we all have to do what we need to get by. I know many who wish they could be home with their kids, but they have to work. My heart goes out! I am only saying this to defend mothers that do stay home, have a bunch of kids and teach at home because they choose to and all the while people look down on us like it is a selfish thing or that it is not a worthy job. I think it is a noble job... a lot of hard work that we don't get paid cash for.. I get paid with blessings. And that is fine with me. I wouldn't see it any other way for our family. One day all too soon they will be grown and have their own family, and I will miss that...
Yet, always know I got to savour every bit of it and will never regret!

Random Blessings....

Hello friends! I was going to shoot some pictures today and forgot I gave my camera to my son for the weekend while he is up in the mountains on a Winter Retreat. Drats! I love taking pictures an boy do I feel naked without it...not really. But as most know I am a pathological picture taker. So I took some pics. out from my folders to share from the past couple weeks. The charm above was a little something I did on a low key day while the kids were off doing their own thing...I sat down and made pendants.

These sock monkey pendants were special orders by a customer who was giving them to her daughters for Valentines Day. I thought I would share how cute they turned out. It was a real blessing to have a few special orders during this season. I got to treat myself to a few fun thrifting finds over the weekend while visiting my parents. I will take pics. when I get my camera back.

These lil flowers were brought home to me by
 Mr. Darling a couple weeks ago...
Not for any other reason but just because he loves me...How sweet!

Here are the heart shaped brownies Freckles & I made for Valentines Day.
 Unfortunately we got hit with the flu for Valentines and we
 were unable to celebrate as we planned...but still got the brownies done...

Lastly while Freckles, me, my Gramma and Mom were out in the rain we were doubly blessed with this! A double rainbow. Reminds me all the time of God's blessings on us and His promises always kept. It was a sight to see....a perfect whole bow across town. though this is not my picture...because oh yeah I don't have my camera this weekend!!!! ...This is though...exactly what it looked like. Hope you all had a blessed full weekend and a great week ahead!!

What Rhymes With ORANGE?

As children do...they try to rhyme.
But to their surprise there is nothing that rhymes with orange.
Unless of course you start making up your own words.
Does anyone out there in Bloggy world know
if there is a word that rhymes with orange?

It all came about when we
were enjoying our orange juice.

Our friends have orange groves, so we got tons
of oranges and blood oranges which are red inside.

Maybe we're just thinking too hard!
I am just going to enjoy my orange juice.
Do let me know if you think of a word...
Just don't hurt yourself trying.

Happy Tuesday to you!!!

Mica Needs........

I got this funny idea from my friend Liz

who got it from Christa.

You have to try this yourself!

Google your name and "needs" and then write 13 things it says!

Here it goes.....

Mica NEEDS........

1. Help logging in...( I need the secret code... only Mr.Darling and kid's know it to keep me from getting on the computer)

2. A loving and relaxed forever home..... ( who doesn't?)

3. A bit of TLC when stirring in.... ( If someone wants to stir me, you would certainly have to give me TLC.. I am tender you know)

4. A home & someone to love.... ( I got that plus so much more !!!)

5. To find a new home..( Well, we may have to find a temporary home in California for three years, so Mr.Darling can complete Seminary )

6. Something to keep warm on those chilly December nights... ( I do get cold in the Winter ..Mr. Darling can toast me up)

7. To have that place, a place where it is okay to be exactly who you are..... ( Except me for who I am , that's what I always say)

8. A citation to run against Faye Armitage, a Democrat from Fruit Cove, Florida... ( Well, i guess I would run after a Democrat if I were in Politics... Ha Ha Too Funny)

9. Support... ( That is true !!! I will be needing it like real bad)

10. Further information, clarification or application... ( Yes, we are making a BIG decision and need more of that)

11. To keep it on a lower setting for "mood" and run it up when the need calls for it... ( Oh Ya That's me alright !!!)

12. To Balance ...(Am I falling??? I feel like it these days)

13. More efficient methods to reach the information... (If I had that then I would know

already !!!)

Okay that was weird and true to all of it !!! Have fun playing along... if you do play, let me know I would love to come by and see what you NEED !!!!