Erin's Visit

Our oldest daughter, Erin, has been in the JET Programe (Japanese Teachers Exchange) for the last 4 years and has come home to visit us this week! The last time she was home was over 2 years ago for our other daughter's wedding.

We were so excited to see her again and we had a great time. We spent the first few days in Vermont with Sara and her family and then spent a couple of days shopping.

Here is Erin in our front yard ~ One with her Dad...and one with me ♥










We wisked her off to Vermont to visit Sara and we couldn't have picked a better time of year. The drive was lovely as all the trees were showing their colors:









Warren was in heaven ~ He had three days with Great Grandma(my mother), Grandma (me), two aunts (Katie and Erin) and his mom. We went to a apple cider mill, an aquarium in Burlington, stepped into New Hampshire for a bit and took the famous Quechee hike. The weather was perfect and when it came time for us to go home, he climbed into the back seat of my car and had a 'sit in', refusing to let us go. Nothing like getting spoiled by a bunch of women!

This Honey really isn't for sale:


Fun at the aquarium:



Stopping at a covered bridge:



Fun on the Quechee Trail:










Two sisters having fun:








We all had a grand time and will definately miss her when she goes back.

Welcome Matilda to my Etsy Shop

After much shopping and deliberation, I finally plunked down my money and bought a manequin to display scarves.

She arrived today and I immediately named her Matilda who I will call Millie for short. So far she has done a fantastic job!

I spent all day re-photographing scarves I am happy with the results.








Now, I need to get those knitting needles going and create more scarves! I hope you will browse around in my etsy shop and enjoy what you see!

Wish List Continued

I love pottery.

Shape, Color, Texture and Function.... just about every aspect of pottery is very appealing to me. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about making it. Hopefully, my felted pieces come close, but there is nothing like the real thing.

Here are a few pieces that I would LOVE to own and cherish!

This beautiful blue bowl from JDWolfePottery is absolutely gorgeous. The color and shape are perfect! I image this bowl on my kitchen counter filled with ripe red apples.

Here is another one from JDWolfePottery that I am just in love with:



Another favorite is this lovely vibrant red vase from popartpots.



Here is an amazing find - Made with horsehair - What a striking effect! And this is just one of many in this amazing shop: robdrexel

Wish List Continued

I am a collector of wicker baskets. I even took a basket making class and produced a few of my own. Unfortunately, this is not something that I have mastered and the end result was, although functional, not exactly eye appealing.

Here are a couple of fabric baskets from NewEnglandQuilter that I would just love to own and add to my collection.

Not only are they colorful, but are perfectly made and just gorgeous.

Another choice for my list.... Are you paying attention girls? When are you going to have that chat with your father??????

When a Custom Order Opens Your Heart

I am so glad that emcisaac asked me to make an Angel Bowl with Lid for her friend. Esther's dear friend's husband has cancer and doesn't have a very good prognosis. So she wanted to send her friend a little felted bowl with an angel needlefelted on the front. Esther is inserting tiny scrolls of vellum with inspriational notes inside the bowl so her friend can reach in at any time and be comforted.
Some of the notes she is placing in the bowl include:

Inhale deeply, let life flow in
Breathe slowly, listen to your heart beat
Exhale sadness, welcome lightness
Sigh, let it out, all the pain
Relax your toes, wiggle your fingers
Rest your mind, one thing at a time
Calm your heart, good will follow
Unwind and let your soul soar
Leisure at will, take a nap today, take two!
Stroll hand in hand with life
Wander with your heart
Meander with memories

Esther is a wonderful person to do this for her dear friend and I am honored that I could be apart of the comforting and healing process for her.

Who knew that this order would make me appreciate all the wonderful friends that I have and open my heart so much.

Thank you, Esther. You are an angel and an inspiration to us all.

Wish List Continued

Dear Daughters,

You know that sometimes your father can get in a rut when buying gifts. You see the expected peach bubble bath set that ends up under the tree EVERY year. Really, girls.. talk to Daddy... show him these gorgeous items on my wish list.

Like this beautiful Whirlpool Resin Pendant from skinnerstudio. It reminds me of the blue pottery that I love so much and won't my co-workers swoon when they see it?!?


Girls, your mission, should you choose to accept it is to get Daddy to buy this necklace and leave the peach bubble bath at the store.

Wish List Continued

There is just something special about vintage and antique items that appeal to me. While we are in the midst of renovating our old farm house I am always on the lookout for items to help give this home character.

Combine that with love of children's books, especially the illustrations found within them. This Dick and Jane book brings back memories of elementary school for me and would look great on the shelves in my office and can be found in calloohcallay's etsy shop.

Another one on my list, dear family!