The Thrills Keep Coming...

Margotbianca's linens ~ Set me thinking of spring and toasty sunshine.

DiTerra's Starry Night Mugs.  Summer nights. Fireflies. & swirling balmy air.

Shalet's felted acorns ~ There is something intrinsically delightful acorns.  When they are felted and a beautiful blue the delight is simply mesmerizing.

 Sewn Natural.  I have Baby Nephews and Nieces on the heart. So many ambrosial diversions.

 Wicked Pen.  Alluring sweet little nothings.

 Artyscapes seasonal tree pendants.  I think I would wear them to signify my moods.  LOL! Spring - feeling renewed & life is flowing, Summer - warmed & free; fruitful, Autumn - cozy, anticipating, letting go, Winter - quiet, mellow, introspective...

 Christy's Bags!  Oh My, Oh My, Oh My! I know I'm a little person, but I just love BIG bags. 

 Joom's notecards. & Everyday Grace's.  Simplicity speaks to me.  I used to, in my younger years, be into all the Victorian excess & foof & frill.  The older I've gotten the more beauty I see in the lack of those things. I find I breathe more deeply in the uncluttered.

Earthart.  ~ Dream are meant to be unaffordable, right?  At least unaffordable for the dreamer.  I love more than just the canvases above from Laura.  I think I'd put one of her pieces in every room of my home.

What is thrilling you ?!  Do tell!

Thrills & Guilty Pleasures

Marimekko Lumimarja Fabric in grey/white/bue  It's that soft robin's egg blue that sends me...

 Belle & Boo.  Seriously?!  This has to be one of the cutest shops ever!

PapernStitch's Littleput Land's Birdy Magnets.   I'm a bit obsessed with birds.  I have been for years, but it's crescendoed in the past couple years to a vociferous weakness that overcomes me whenever I see them...

Janey Mac's wall art.   We rent.  This may be the only way I get COLOR!  And what cuh-UTE color it would be!

 Wild Roses Grow Birdie Printed/ Embroidered linens and niceties  ~ Yah, I know, totally tweet!

 MacCheek's Mayhem cosmo imprinted mugs.  The other thing I would enter into the "Obsessed With" category would be trees & leaves - especially silhouettes! That, & I love pottery.

Reusable Snack Baggies by Bananasaurus Rex!  Several years ago I stopped using paper towels, & napkins.  I have been unable to get away from plastic, however.  These are so adorable & a step further down the path I'm hoping becomes my way.

 Playing Grown Up's chalkboard bunting magnet set  ~Actually, Playing Grown Up in general ROCKS! Clothes Pin chalkboards, Love Notes chalkboards, a photobooth set of chalkboards... *love* !  What I would really love is an entire chalkboard wall but, again, the whole 'renting' thing.

Olive's Pillows.  Complete & Utter delight.  They make me smile.

 Mayi's Sweet Notes.  Okay, I have to admit, I'm a list maker, note taker, & a 'check-this-box' kind of girl.  To be able to do it on something this darling?  *Swoon!*

Ingote's Slippers.  I need new slippers.  Forever and a day I have wanted pretty & woolen ones.  Ingote's are just what I see when I envision what would be perfect.

Max and Melody's slouchy hats.  Another longtime love.  See, I've wanted dreds for years ~ I now know I'll never have them, but I am smitten with the look of the hats.  Now the look is 'in' for all, not just those with dreaded "locks"! :)  Yay!

I have more to share with you, but I am out of time for today. 
Hey!  Something to look forward to!

Father, dear

Dreaming in Flowers (and vegies)

February always finds me sketching plans for the upcoming spring planting. Back in Washington I could actually carry out these plans, but here, they are only sketches.

I dream in flowers. Secret gardens of my mind. Tiptoeing through visions long embedded from stories, and whisps of memories become my nightly foray during this time of year.

I can smell the fresh earth, feel the moisture under my feet, name each plant as I go. And, I gather. I gather the ingredients for our salsa, I choose blossoms for the vases, and I hold moments in my heart that I will return to when next I dream. There is a sound of contented buzzing in the garden of my dreams. There are moss encrusted walls of rocks and the sun is always warm on my back as I wander.

But as I said, here & now, they are only longings - - only sketches.

And while I sketch, Minda knits.

Soon the seed catalogues will begin arriving. I'll pack them by my side instead of in a box. They'll while away the miles between destinations. Oh, I do hope we are settled in time to plant!

For now I'll just dream of playing in the dirt.

The Last Snowfall

I happened to be out the other day when it was snowing and chanced upon these sweet faces in the pastures below the house. The snowfall that day was so beautiful. Big, fluffy flakes floating down slowly, but in profusion! *sigh* I will miss this.

Pleasures of the Heart - Day 1

I thought I'd share for the next few days, leading up to Thanksgiving, things I'm loving, being blessed by, finding simple delights in, and am thankful for. I've been reading in I Peter for my devotions the last 2 weeks and one thought has been imbedded in me above any other ~

12 Beloved, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. - - 19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

The last 6 months have been difficult and demanding; Spiritually, physically, and mentally. I've been convicted in my lack of faith, hope, and trust when it comes to God's will and work in our lives. The past 2 months Holy Spirit has been gently pulling me back to center and stretching my gaze upward again. In doing so, my heart trusts, hopes and believes more freely. Simple delights are found more often, laughter bubbles out more fully, each day presents my arms with loves to be embraced... So! We begin!

We pop these in our backpacks, purses, and pockets for e-z peel happiness for our tummies. I buy a box and they are gone in a day. :o) Nice to know my family is eating right even when they're snack-attackin'!

By Driscoll and Bresheres. Mark is one of my favorite teachers, and from what others have told me of Gerry, he is just as good in a different way. I can believe it. This is the nuances of the significance of Jesus death on the cross applied to our day to day life and how that radically alters our perceptions of reality - therefore altering our life. It's beautiful.

Wool sweaters. Winter is so much more pleasant with them to wrap up in, snuggle into and pull on at a moments shiver.

Adagio Peppermint Tea. I rediscovered how much I love it while I was sick last week. Nothing tames the tummy quite so pleasingly. Just a plain, fragrant, steaming cuppa please!

I'll be back tomorrow with more! What pleasures is God delighting your heart in right now?

A New Warrior Arises

*sigh* I wish some stoires never had an end. Brian Jacques' Redwall Tales nearly always have that effect on me.

We were on our way home from Portland a couple weeks ago and stopped in Powells City of Books to browse. I was standing in front of the "youth fiction" section when I glanced down and saw an unfamiliar title in the Redwall section. I literally grabbed it from the shelf and excitedly turned to J exclaiming, "Babe, LOOK! I've never read this one!" He took it from me and walked to the counter ~ I love it when he does things like that! Come to find out, they had barely placed in on the shelf! It was a new release. I bagan reading on the plane, and finished the next morning. They're never long enough! Redwall hasn't had a resident warrior in an age, but when the time comes & the need of one arises, so does a warrior - in the form of a long earred, lollipin', hare-psachord playin', famine faced Laird from the north. It' s the first time I remember a hare carrying Martin's sword in defense of Mossflower and Redwall - but this warrior you will love!

As with all the other tales, there are other endearing characters (like the hedgehog who had most of his snout whacked off and replaced it with a cork so he could look respectable) and lots of feasts (I always walk away famished!) and escapades (you know someone is going to sneak out for their own adventure). I love the tributary stories Jacques wove into this one. A black beast you aren't sure is friend or foe, a "queen" of sweet gatherers, and the Gonflin.

I'll never get enough!

Nothing brings a family together like...

Wallace & Gromit!!
I'm sitting upstairs right now, with my sore throat, as the scent of popcorn wafts and the echos of laughter blend with the bleeting of sheep.

I don't want to pass on my cold, so I'm on a pallet bed in the livingroom. Minda put her stuffed Shaun the Sheep beside me so I could feel a part. A Close Shave is definately my favorite. If you have never seen a W&G short film, do not hesitate! Indulge! I don't like the full length film, Curse of the Were-Rabbit, but the shorts are hillarious!

Of Good Changes, Desires and Thrushes

Vacations over. We are back to school and work. God definately reshreshed and revitalized us. Still, life-as-normal was a difficult adjustment this week. We were worn out and ready for the weekend!! Everyone is sleeping in except me.

The birdsong woke me this morning. We sleep with our windows open and the Thrushes were in full chorus before the sun had even thought of peeking over the mountains. The mornings are crisp and clear as autumn fast approaches. It's lovely to look across the valley dressed in its russets and golds and auburns. I'm getting that cozy, nesting feeling again and I must say it is delicious! Shivers of delight ran through me sipping my first cup of coffee on the deck and watching the curls of steam misting the air. I savored its warmth more than normal; cradling it in my hands, hugging it to me. Mmmmm... I can't wait for Apple Crisp, and fires (anyone want to pawn some firewood off on us again??? :0) ), and woolens wrapped around me...

*sigh*

Friends who know me well know that I rise early, Thrushes or not. One such friend called me in the wee hours of the dawn to chat. I love that. No one awake, whispering and giggling as quietly as possible so it stays that way - makes me feel like a naughty dibbin. :o)

She called to tell me she needed Christmas ideas! (Presents are never unwelcome!) I promised I would post on some of my latest passions. So away we go - in no particular order of DESIRE:

DEMTER in: Dirt, Basil, Dregs, Earl Grey, Grass, Leaher, Lilac, Mildew, Mulled Cider, Ocean, Paperback, Pipe Tabacco, Rain, Salt Air, Saw Dust, This is Not a Pipe, Thunderstorm, Hot toddy, Apple Blossom. :oD

Nikon Bounce Flash

Nikkor 18-200 lens8X11 Portfolio

Becca Van Fleet Pottery Mugs

Paper starlights

Faryn Swallow necklace

Flokati rugs

Origins Ginger spray

Ikea's Square frames

All Expense paid trip to Maine (Boothbay in particular), But I'd also settle for PEI or the Greek Isles!!!

Benefit's 'Maybe Baby'!

Scones! Cinnamon Chip, or Cranberry Orange are my FAVES.

Harney's Autumn Sunset Tea. Or Ibis Dark Aztec Coffee Beans!

SorapotFairly light, bareminerals. Just the foundation.

Also the Bare Vitamins, a new Kabuki Brush, and lipstick in Rose.Potted herbs ~ since I can't have a garden.Em's Camera Straps This book and a few more...

Pangea Organics Skincare: Egyptian Cal & Blood Orange cleanser, French Rosemary or Argentinean Tangerine Toner, Migerian Ginger cream - nothing clears my skin, but these let me feel good about what is going on it.

I'm sure there is a ton more that I could come up with, but here you go! Gifts in every category (& price) under the rainbow. Your turn!! What do you want for Christmas???