We Are Pooped!

OK, it's official, we had a great holiday and we are all very tired out. It started Friday night for us as my youngest brother surprised us with a visit. It has been three years and I'm sure that he didn't expect that his nieces would be pretty close to looking him in the eye! He was able to spend quality time with all of us. He helped bring my Father home for 2 visits. I cooked us all a big Sunday dinner making my Grandmother's Spaghetti Sauce. It is such a treat now, not only because it feeds an army, but because of the diabetic/renal/heart diet in this house.

On Memorial Day, we sprung Dad loose for the parade and ceremonies at the Village Park. I'm awaiting the pictures to share of 2 generations of Veterans side by side. Father and Son; four wars between them (2 each). I'm very proud of them both, very thankful to have them because we grew up knowing the price, knowing that Freedom isn't free. My brother is at his home tonight and we are here, thankful of precious time shared. Memories made. A good tired.

Full Circle

These dolls have been my passion since I walked into Netty's home to draw for her twelve years ago now. I know with certainty that I am doing what I was meant to do. I'm just needed more in the other areas of life, which has now become more hectic than I'd like. I was able to grab hold of enough time to make three offerings for TDIPT. We were asked to do at least one offering as an Americana theme and I was off without another thought as to what I would do.

I have been wanting to do Abe for quite awhile. His face pattern has been sitting near my sewing machine since early December and with a few adjustments he was perfect for today. I will be off this afternoon to visit with my Dad and show him Abe. You see, not far from here is Robert Todd Lincoln's home, Hildene. It is a beautiful estate and it holds special meaning to my father. His Grandparents worked the land for Mr. Lincoln many years ago when Mr. Lincoln was alive. My father's mother, Jennie sat on Mr. Lincoln's lap when she a small child (not something that he did often, as my Grandmother described him to my father as "grumpy"). She would go on in later years and describe the kitchen area (a servant's entrance) to my father who passed it along to me. Several years ago, I was invited by the Hildene Staff to bring some of my work for a holiday show. I brought my father along and we were treated to a private tour of the home. Imagine our smiles as we walked into the kitchen and my father retold his mother's very accurate description!

Watching the Green Take Hold

Spring has taken a firm footing here and the Mountains are green again. It is a special time of year, when the early greens of Spring are so intense in color and flowers give the final touch. This past weekend, our Lilacs, Crab apple and Apple trees all took bloom. Mother's Day weekend was spent cooking up special dishes (we have them rarely now because of diet restrictions) and at the local Hot House for perennials to add to the garden. I will be moving some around and thinning them out this week. I did have a surprise to see that our Jack in the Pulpit has multiplied! I hope to transplant one to the front Fern Garden in hopes to give my Fairy friends a bit of joy.


There is so much to do everyday, thankfully I have help every day with my Mom and twice a week with the house cleaning basics. Now I also have the blessing of Respite Services just for me! As a new bride, I volunteered for Respite work to give families with challenged children a chance to have some time for themselves, knowing their loved one was being looked after. Now it has come full circle and I can't tell you how thankful I am. My Father is working hard to get well and I know that this takes away some of his worries too.


I've had many orders to pack and will still have some to do this week, but as I finish them I will be fast at work on several projects. I have some store orders and commercial work due soon and also I am working on a new website for my patterns. This one will be easier for me to update and I will be working on my free patterns as downloads. All goode things and even a few more to share in the days ahead. Enjoy these days of green, they pass so quickly.

A Friend's Dream

Take a little ride To Amelia's Cupboard by clicking on her banner. It is a dream journey of my friend Lucy (a single Mom of 4)and she's just starting to grow. Lucy has her own pattern line and is adding other designers and supplies. There is free shipping on orders of $50.00 or more, and she has the nicest wool! Congrats Lucy! I hope that you do well~~~

Full Speed Ahead !

Just where does the time go these days? It seems like it was just a few days ago when I made my last post. In the days since, my father has been back to the hospital, started rehab and is back in the hospital once again. I feel badly for him, he just can't seem to get ahead. I'm here holding down the fort, and find that the little blocks of time when I can work on new designs, treasured times. My art helps to balance my crazy life right now. I try to get to my emails every day and at least get my orders. Thankfully, Tim has been helping with them on weekends when he is here. It is a time for our family right now. I do try to post a little something on Twitter at least once a day and let you know what I'm doing creatively during those early hours in the morning before the Aides get here or the phone starts ringing.

Above are my Poppyseeds offerings. I had a great time with both. I love the simple sweetness of the Early Homestead Crow and Delores.... well, what can you say about her? She's a blend of my Gram and Aunt Julia and has Jessie's outlook on life with those wonderful "Delores" glasses. Even on the busiest of days, I do make time to feed my soul and let my heart smile. Busy with the important things in life is truly goode.