Summer Blessings....

 
We are having a laid back sort of Summer. We are really blessed we had a great getaway to Lake Tahoe with friends...Yet, so nice just to kick back and do a whole lotta nothin'. Simple Summers are good, I think. Oh look, I peeked into the nest that is in our plum tree to see if the babies hatched....Here they are. Mama was not too happy I was there...I made it quick, taking a few snap shots careful not to touch or disturb the hungry, sleeping chicks. I really do enjoy hearing the mama singing in the tree along with all the other feathered birds that gather around our yard. So sweet, so peaceful.
  
I also enjoy the beauty that is before me. God is so artistic....The clouds, the flowers, the birds and scenery are just so lovely to my eyes. I enjoy the sounds that surround me ...Like I said, the sweet bird songs, the guitar playing and singing from my daughter, the piano playing from my son...The crazy chirps of crickets and katydid's outside my window, the giggles from my family enjoying the moment. All these things bring me closer to the Lord. I ponder and praise Him and His wonderful creation,
 which He has left to us to enjoy. I give Him all the glory.
  
This weekend will be a restful one, since my dear Mr. Darling is getting over pneumonia. Slowly he is getting better, but just not 100% yet. My son will be going to a big swim party then heading off for a week long hike in the Sierra's. Freckles and I will be doing a bit of crafting...You know fun stuff like that.

Freckles is having me put together a hair tutorial for y'all...Isn't this a pretty do?
 I will put it up next week. It's simply sweet.

Oh and look what Freckles got....She has been wishing for a vintage typewriter for some time now. I have been searching high and low for an affordable one, but just could not afford some that were listed on Etsy and Ebay, with their high price tag and outrageous shipping cost. I thought it wouldn't happen in time for her birthday. So, I was out "Window Shopping" at a local Antique Shop...There she was...a sweet little vintage yellow typewriter...and at an affordable price. In perfect condition, it just needs a new ribbon which I ordered. I put the typewriter on hold, since I couldn't just make a purchase without consulting my better half about it. Sadly he thought, right now would not be a good time to buy such a thing...Later that night as I was talking to my MIL...I mentioned how I was trying to find a way to make some quick cash before it was taken off hold and sold...And surly it would sell fast...Right away she asked how much it was...I told her...She said she would wire the money and surprise Freckles with it and it would be an early birthday ( which is exactly one month away) gift from Gramma. Freckles was so excited to get it. We went to pick it up Friday morning. Now she has just what she wished for. Thank you Gramma, you really made her day.
Well, here's to a wonderful weekend. Have a good one.

A Girl and Her Guitar...

Freckles decided she wanted to learn guitar this Summer. So her Daddy gave her his first guitar that he started using years ago. It is perfect for her. A sweet student size Fender. She was so excited. We can't afford to have her take lessons right now so Mr. Darling has been teaching her. Starting with the chords etc. He also found her a video which she has been gleaning from. She really wants to learn, but will have to overcome the pain in the fingers from strumming and holding down her finger positions on the strings. I am just giddy that her daddy and her have a special little music bond that they can share together. (Grin)
  
And...she's even practicing while singing. She is growing up so fast. I am just looking at these pictures wondering where my little girl is going...she is turning into a little lady. Hard to believe her birthday is fast approaching in August, making her 12. I have seen so many changes in her this last year. The dolls are actually being played with less. (Sigh) She is interested in clothes/fashion, hairstyles, music, and reading blogs...Kinda cute too...she has favorited a few vintage style blogs on my computer for herself to read and she has been dreaming up her future Wedding details. I found a folder full of drawings of Wedding dresses, Wedding cakes, Wedding Decor and she's into looking through Wedding mags. Not that she is getting married anytime soon...That's for sure. But, sweet to see...I remember being her age and dreaming up my to be Wedding and thinking/wondering who my Knight and Shining Armor would be. It's just wild, seeing her changing and blooming. My baby girl is becoming a young woman.
     
I can say...I have truly enjoyed every stage of my children growing up. Every day I am in awe of them. I am a proud Mama....And so thrilled that both my blessings have been gifted with musical talents. Thanks be to God. Because I am certainly not musical. So, let the music play.

Bringing Up My Boy....& Open Mic. Nite Debute...

Raising a boy, a young man I should say, has been very rewarding to us. Many ( not all, but enough) people complain of their "Teenage" children. I truly cannot find a complaint of raising a teenager. I am also not saying he is perfect either nor are we as parents. No one is. I can say this, our son has great respect for us and that is a great testimony of good character. How did we raise such a person you ask? Since we became new parents and new Christians almost 17 years ago we learned Biblical parenthood. God gave us our son and daughter to raise for His glory... This we believe full heartily.We are commanded to do this job. As he grew up he learned we are to be respected and that was expected of him, not because WE wanted the respect for our own agenda, but because God calls him to respect his parents. In writing this may sound harsh...but truly it is not as it sounds. Each of us have roles. We are the parents, you are the child, we are not your peers, yet you can trust us and know that you are loved and safe under our wing. We have always been open, therefore he has always trusted to come to us and has opened up to us on many delightful occasions which have become the perfect learning opportunities for us as a family and which has brought us all closer together Another thing that has made him who he is, is our consistency in our roles as well as our consistency of going to church every Sunday... This has become a positive in our home. As well as family time where we are reading scripture together, praying together and having fun together with game nights or movie nights or just plain ole chit chat amongst each other.. I believe this is not just a  lifestyle but a way of life and has made him want to be home, loving his family and wanting to be with his family... Without that needy feeling of peers/peer pressure and wanting to leave home or isolate himself from us. I can't even begin to tell you how very thankful we are to God .



I think our roles have also made him a lot more mature than most "TEENS" you hear of. This may be the fact that we have always been there for him, lifting him up and encouraging him...leading him through what God says scripturally and pertaining to our lives or his situation. We talk through these things...many hours of it have been talked out...And with that we are seeing him grow spiritually, heart changing, intellectually, independently and faithfully. I have no doubt that the road he is currently taking will be a bright future for him as long as he keeps his faith in God and takes with him his child rearing. I don't have all the answers to child rearing or confess we are not the perfect family by any means. This is just how I see it... This is how we strive to raise our children...biblical...and it works for us. Many have told me that it will be terrible, teens are all lazy, have no care and are full of attitude and depression. Not so. Clearly I don't see it in my home and have met many other brilliant teens who don't show these signs. I think that is a worldly stereotype that doesn't have to be bought into. I do believe it it how they are raised and how they are perceived. If one only thinks of teens as someone who can't do hard things or amount to anything, they show they don't have high expectations of them and the child learns if you don't expect more then neither will they. Then they give into the worldly stereotype because we are naturally sinful and lazy right? But if you raise them to have higher expectations of themselves...biblically and lovingly...they will surely amaze you and your home will be peaceful. Note again... I am not trying to come off as a know it all and that we have it all figured out. I feel I need to say this for there are people who like to attack. I don't think my regular loyal readers are like that. But, I just wanted to clarify.. This is only how we do things and it works for us. Maybe not for everybody, but hope this will at least give out encouragement & inspiration as well as uplift you so that it may give you a different perspective on your parenting...



For many years now our son has been blessed with a musical gift which started with the piano. He was already composing his own piano pieces at age 8~9. As the years went on his love of piano also grew to guitar as well... He has written his own music and lyrics to several unique songs may I add they are pretty catchy tunes too...So you may just find yourself dancing to it.. If you read his words you would also see much his faith shining through, which gives his songs meaning . Yes, of course I am a proud Mama...! My prayer for him would be to use his music to glorify God ultimately. I pray he would bless many with it and hope that he will use his gifts as a possible career. Not to be rich and famous...which wouldn't hurt...*GRIN* But to be an instrument...May it be in God's will. Whatever comes of it or not... I pray he will always be a faithful servant. So now to share.... I know this post s longer than expected. My son was able to attend an open mic. nite at a bookstore near us, so we took him in to share his music. he did an awesome job... it just made me so proud that he went up there in front of complete strangers and sang his little heart out.

It was fun to see him up there strumming away on his guitar.
It even boosted his self confidence.
 So here ya go family and friends...
check him out here:

Thank you all for your support, kind words and frequent visits.
We appreciate it!
I also want to share a book title for you and your teens!!!
 It's called Do Hard Things by Brett & Alex Harris. I recommend it for not only your teen, but you too! My son thought it was really good and has changed his perspective on a lot of things, for the better of course!
Enjoy!!!

Shades Of Brown...

Wow... I just realized putting these pictures up that just the other day I posted a very colorful post... And now to the other extreme I am posting earthy tones. Well, this is just a piece of my Ode To Fall. My favorite time of the year. It reminds me of warm color, cozy foods and comfort. Unfortunately we are still in a heat wave so it's hard to feel the Season I love so much. This last week I took pics. of brown shades and the foods I have baked.... Consider this a visual post.. There is no rhyme or reason really...
 But I think it is pretty. To start off we have a cinnamon bowl of LIFE cereal...I love the textures and the taste of course!

I have a collection of rolling pins from vintage to the pastry pin and french pin.... I wonder sometimes what domestic baker Mama used these pins to make her homemade cookies and bread..
I bet she rolled her heart out. Now I have the pleasure to use them for my own families goodies.

Fresh eggs from my friends layers. They are so generous to share there egg bounty. They are delish!

a little protein for a snack... Toast with slathered peanut butter. Yum!  Am I making you hungry? Did you see my cutting board? My talented carpenter Uncle made it for me a few years ago. I treasure it!

Here are my trusty wooden spoons and such some are really old...
 I just love them!

 

As if the peanut butter toast wasn't enough... Here are some yummy goodies I  baked up... Both are Betty Crocker recipes that were S'Mores like...One is a chocolate chip cookie cup with smores ingredients on top... The other is a fudge brownie with s'mores goodies on top... Really good yet so bad for you...

And ... For dinner we have a homemade Chicken & veggie pot pie.
 Perfect for a cozy Fall evening. I love comfort food.
 The crock pot will be working overtime this season.

Now it's time for a little music... There is always some sort of music going on in our home.

Our son plays guitar and mandolin... So wonderful...so talented.

Some old records are played off our record player.....
 Funny some kids don't even know what a record is.
 We have all our 80's music from when we were growing up...
On the player right now is Love Cats by, The Cure.
LOL!

Lastly our beloved piano which was gifted to our son from Denmark. Both kids are always playing music..... It is a delight to hear throughout the house... thank you for coming by for a gander. I hope you got that warm fuzzy feeling over you... Maybe inspire you for the upcoming season. have a great day!

My Musical Maestro

We are so excited !

I have shared  with you before the talent of my son Maestro. 

He had recently finished writing and composing two acoustic singles all on his own. 

We are so proud of him!

I am cordially inviting you to hear his songs

here

Myspace

& here

 Facebook 

 You should be able to click on each song:

 Do You Feel The Same

&

Mirrors

From either site.

Be sure to fan him if you are on Facebook or My Space.

He would surely love the encouragement!

Thank you for taking the time to listen!

The Aftermath.....

Christmas has come and gone yet, in a blink of an eye. It was just the other morning that my children were in their Jammie's opening up their gifts on Christmas morn. It was a lovely day in which we spent together... just the four of us. It is so wonderful to hear that my daughter's favorite gift was surely the one that I made for her. She has been sleeping with it every night since. Her very first vintage style sock elephant filled with lavender and love was surely the hit of the morning.

My son sits here sporting his handsome hat. Yes, my boy asked for a nice hat to where when he goes to Church. He has always had such an old soul to him. He looks quite dashing in it too !!! Christmas was not big with presents this year... it was truly focused on Christ and family.

We have enjoyed the many Christmas season activities this Winter. My parents came for Christmas Eve, which I must confess my favorite part of the evening was singing Christmas Hymns with them. The children enjoyed going ice skating. A first for us..... and they want to go again. Now we look forward to the new coming year ahead, as well as look back on this years blessings.

Acoustic Summer Nights ....

How do you spend your Summer Nights?



This evening we sat around the grass listening to some talented boy's jam their guitars. My Son being one of them. What talents !!!! Hope you are enjoying your Summer !!!!

He's Not A Baby Anymore !!!

Today is my son Vince's 14th Birthday.... He was so sweet to let me photograph him this morning sporting his new guitar we got him for his special day.

He is becoming a man right before our eyes... I am 5'8 and he has already passed me in height.. Now I can look up to him.

He's not a baby anymore... but, he will always be my baby no matter what.

Happy Birthday Son !!!