new cake stand

See?  Was I right or what?  In this picture you can see some of the design that is on the underside.  Isn't it absolutely lovely?  {swoon}

thrifted treasures

Oh what a lovely treasure I found the other day.  I mean a really, truly, unbeatable, beautiful treasure. You won't believe it!

There were lots to choose from but I forced myself to be *choosy*.  Why? Because I do not want to take just to have.  I want to be surrounded by lovely things that I love, not just lovely things. I saw a lovely green milk glass candy dish that was divine.  I passed on it. It was nothing personal, but I have begun to pull our home together with the color RED. OH!  I guess I could have pulled the dish out for Christmas time???  Hmmm...I'll have to think about that some more.  Space is limited anyway so storage is a commodity to consider too.

I was on my way out of the store.  I had nabbed a very plain glass cake plate.  I have a *thing* for cake plates and tiered racks and I have a couple of both.  

There it was, behind the counter...it screamed at me, called my name. I couldn't imagine how much it would be since it was behind the counter.  It was the most gorgeous cake plate I had ever seen in my life. It was RED.  Not painted red, but the glass was actually red.

I came home and immediately began to clean & rearrange a few things to make a nice space for it.  I put away a few other items and created a seasonal display.  I will try to get a picture of it.  You are going to love it, I promise. It has to be one of the loveliest treasures I've ever found in my life!!!

art

We visited an art museum today that we'd never been to.  While we were there another museum, across the street, was celebrating their grand opening in this museum's space.  They had teens and children doing their cultural island dances.  They looked so beautiful and lovely.  

I thoroughly enjoy watching teens and young people express themselves creatively, through dance, art or even sports.  Whatever it is that they enjoy.  When young people are allowed to be involved in activities they enjoy, beyond academics, it is lovely to witness.  They young ladies looked so happy and proud.  I imagined all the hard work that went into preparing for their performance.  Hours of rehearsal and learning choreography. Hours upon hours spent doing something they enjoy and not getting into trouble.

How lovely is that?

What a blessing it was for us to enjoy that extra surprise.  We merely thought we were going to enjoy some artwork but were treated to some lovely island dancing and music as well.

Another lovely 'family day' afternoon.

misty

It's been a typical 'cool weather' week in Ca.  That means it's been theatening to *rain*, which is just greyness and this 'mist'.  It's not really enough to miss watering your lawn but it's enough to feel somewhat wet.

It's enough to wear a hand crocheted hat and sweater but not need a rain coat.

It's enough to feel cozy but not cold.

Enough to want (& enjoy) hot tea or cocoa.

It's definitely enough to feel romantic and hold your hunny a little closer as you walk to your car after a great movie.

I think mist is romantic and quite lovely for an outdoor stroll, in the evening, in the middle of October.

fancy soap

I ran out of our regular bar soap the other day but I remembered I had some *nice* soap that had been gifted to me. 3 bars of it from that particular set, actually.  I wondered why I had not used it before.  It was lovely soap.

I realized we often save these *fancy soaps* and they never get used. Why not? They're SOAP for goodness sake, not fine china! Although, if you ask me, I think we should use the fine china much more often than we do. I propose we start enjoying ourselves and allowing ourselves to use the lovely things we possess  Stop hiding them away for .....someday.

Someday is now.  The time to be lovely is now.  Everyday is a fresh opportunity to surround ourselves with loveliness.  Stop waiting for loveliness to come to you and start now, creating the loveliness you want to live, now.

warm towels

When the weather turns cooler, it's a challenge to convince a little one to take a bath or shower when they know how cold they will feel when they get out. I eliminate that challenge by presenting them with a warm towel!

When loved one enters the shower, I grab a clean towel & toss it in the dryer. When they are finished, it is the perfect amount of time to hand over a hot towel.  If you do this, be sure to keep the towel wadded up until you present it so it stays warm.

Who can resist a nice, warm towel?

Warm the body, warm the soul.

good morning

Most mornings I am the first to awaken and I wake everyone else in the house soon after....but some mornings, I let them sleep.  I bask in the quiet stillness of a sleepy home.  I boil some water for tea and I relax.  A few moments of uninterrupted opportunity.

There are days you rush and there are days where time and the weather, insist you slow down.  Get cozy, pull out a book or some fiber craft and relish the dark morning.  Then slowly, I realize I haven't open the curtains yet and allowed the sun to penetrate.  

The chores will wait for me.  The to-do list will too.  Some times I will use this time to read my Bible, sometimes I start breakfast and sometimes I spend the time playing with the toddler. (Who says having multiple children robs them of one on one time?)  Other days, if I'm lucky, I am alone with my thoughts....and prayers.

Having room to think, is a lovely way to begin a day.

anniversary

I think we're lovely.

needle felting

Isn't that the absolute cutest owl you have ever seen in your life? My daughter and I made that together.  It's our latest addiction hobby and it's so fun. We saw a demonstration at the fair and purchased a kit. I have been researching roving (the wool) online and it's very affordable. I can't get over it! This sweet, little owl ball is one of the most lovely items I've ever helped create. I can't wait to make many more.

I leave you with a lovely quote, to inspire creativity;

Above all, try something.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

love letters

My daughter really loves to write letters and I receive numerous love letters a week. It's so sweet. I love words and her letters are so precious to me. Her love language is touch so it's interesting that she has developed an affection for the written word. She is in third grade. I treasure each misspelled word,  punctuation and capitalization mistake. 

Here is a note I found on my bed last night, addressed to my husband and myself:

I love you. You are my mom and dad. I Knoe that sam and ernie loves you too. you mace me happy that you are my mom and dad. Kurtis Loves you too and we do too. the dog's love you too. I am happy that you bie us stuf. 

How can you not feel loved after reading that?

I think a late night love letter is the best way to end the evening.

october

Since the month has changed, that means we are memorizing a new poem.  I think we might even be able to get two memorized if we really try.

October

Where the beech and maple grow

Leaves as bright as flowers show,

Every path, and garden bed,

Are ablaze with gold and red.

Down the lane, and through the stiles,

Berries shine for miles and miles,

Hips and haws and nightshade deep,

Do the hedge-rows festal keep.

For your happy wearing see,

Matchless wreaths of briony,

Fairer than a jeweled crown

For a child to gather down.

Now is pleasant work all-day,

In the orchard where you play,

Laden branches bid you sing

Of a plenteous gathering.