Love in Blog land

Before I dive in and show off my recent box of treasures from a lovely give away let me give you some back ground.  My sister brought over an issue of Somerset in Love, years ago. It was filled with gorgeous images and creations that made crazy.  To my giddy happiness it included info about the artists.  I started clicking around online to connect with a few of these women and learn more.

One artist in particular, Lee, was kind enough to answer back.  Her blog is full of everyday life and lovely images, as well as artistic endeavors.  She was an everyday mom making art and living the dream on the side.  I love it.  She is kind enough to feature links to other worthy bloggers and occasionally shower us with give aways.  She shares the ups and downs of life, making and creating the home you dream of, and much more.
I highly recommend her blog to your reading list....

BUT I entered a giveaway, and to my luckiness, I won.  My package of random treasures came today- ( I am especially excited, as I am trying to replenish my stash after the flood in my creative space!).

so many lovely things to stir creativity (thinking of Christmas tags and ornaments?)

how amazing are these sweet little bottles of glitter?

I am such a sucker for ephemera and vintage trinkets!

I believe I was shown some serious love in the world today

Thanks Lee!

A few other things around and about today

my thankful shelf



rustic turkey perched on Great Grandma's hand stitched kitchen towel



I swallowed my fear and painted this old chair for a shabby chic accent piece



found a doll with a definite history at the antique mill

(hubby didn't even blink an eye when I picked it up to buy it)



we also picked up old crates for stacking and storing

not sure if they will stay this way, but for now I am enjoying my corner

My oldest son went on his first "real" date and is now driving to school on his own

(on the right)

God will surely tire of hearing my voice now! (*H*E*L*P*!)

Life is moving fast

 I hope I can remain present

mindful

grateful

thank you for stopping by

The Right to Peacably Assemble

How can we watch what is happening and not speak up?

Or is it easier to turn off the news and tell yourself you just can't handle it

We have to handle it

We have to speak

I am a believer in individual rights

In the pursuit of the things you love

What is wrong with this sign?

When you say "We Are One"

apparently that means if have been raped, or if you have been beaten

or if you have had someone steal your laptop (ironically a symbol of the thing you are protesting against)

you can't get help...

WHY?

Because your need then ruins the cause of The ONE.

In all my days of attending rallies

and meeting other like minds

I have never seen a supply list like this

How is this okay with the donors (political highly in nature that I

am not getting into now), the media (mostly ignoring it)

and the people who think this is a good thing?

The irony of the people there....

Honestly, if they succeed in killing corporations

we lose so many great things that America is all about.

I have been reflecting on teaching my kids about freedom

Listening to local leaders speak, meeting other families

casually enjoying a children's choir, honoring

military and singing the national anthem

No threat of fighting

No drug use

No rapes, sex in tents, or even worse

Deaths.

(Are we up to 7 now with the last shooting in the recent 'protests')

What I saw was hundreds of thousands of people

exchanging hugs, handshakes, and e-mail addresses

The feeling was warm and inspiring

much different than what I see on current 'occupy protests'

I met examples at Mt. Vernon

and breathed in the spirit of freedom and humility

in memory of people who knew what it meant to sacrifice

I had to post today





We may agree that corruption has tainted an excellent system,

but we must uphold our system

we must honor freedom

we must wake up and speak

And I am thankful for my freedoms

what is left of them



think about it today

and don't be afraid to speak

Looking back on Halloween and Ode to Pinterest

Birthday, Halloween, and Pinterest...all reason to take some serious photos of life.

Sharing a few of what is going on around here.

Pinterest has an adorable pin of a simple masquerade style mask for a cocktail party- but why not add smoky eyes, gloves, and a costume dress for the Halloween party?

Around the house on all Hallow's Eve...

 the mummy is ready to greet

on the Porch

The goodies

the kiddos

(why yes, that is my son in a Bill Clinton mask....why do you ask?)

the click-and-print adorable banner off of Pinterest

I know you can't see it well, but I loved this thing during the season!

We had a great, but extremely busy Halloween Holiday..

we were greeted with snow the next day

so Christmas music is fair game, right?