repeat the sound in joy...

branches from the garden for the gate

pinecones, branches and lanterns for planters this year

the sweetest handmade Nativity scene in town....made by big bean

memory Christmas cards made and played

9 cups of flour for a double batch of cut out cookies

Christmas potpourri for teachers made and delivered

1/2 cup fresh cranberries

1 orange sliced

1 Tbs of cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

Simmer with 3 cups of water to add some outstanding holiday aroma to your home 

My favorite line in "Joy to the World" is repeat the sounding in joy.  Very suiting for this time of year.  Through the busy rush of holiday preparations I have been repeating the sound in joy!

Merry Merry Friends!

*And as a side note I have not been able to follow any new blogs through GFC.  They capped me at 300 so when I can remedy this through blogger I will be following along with the new blogs that have joined me in the journey!

phones and old things

One of these will be making its way into our living room.  Do you remember phones like this?  My folks always had one phone in the kitchen where the six of us received all of our calls.  In this day and age it brings me peace of mind to have a phone that stays in one place.   In the past I have thought about quitting my blog as I'm not a huge believer in too much technology.  A contradiction I know, but the old ways just seem to sit better with me.  I want my beans to feel the turn of a pencil sharpener, engage in imaginary play without screens, and learn about traditions and customs of the past.  Ironically, it is through blogging that I've met so many wonderful people that feel the same way.  Maybe it's a shift in what we value and a slight movement to slow down.  But after reading an article recently published in the Chicago Tribune about the "making movement," I have to believe that people are looking to keep the past alive.  

There is a shop by my house that has the most fantastic and affordable antiques.  It is one of those places that can completely transport you as it has everything and anything you can imagine.  With the weather shifting in Chicago and snow in the forecast my energy has been redirected inside.  Cozy spaces and vintage holiday warmth is what I seek!   

I came home with a framed oil painting for my girls' room.  It was only 17 dollars.  A steal if you ask me and it looks so pretty in their space.  A fun folk art tray and 5 glass vintage ornaments to add to my collection.  The last piece I purchased was a little winter print for 10 dollars.  It is by Grandma Moses and is too sweet for words.  I look forward to finding the perfect spot for it this season.

So old things are good and new things are good.  I suppose it's finding the right balance with it all.

Thank you for inspiring and sharing the magic friends!

Happy Making, Baking, and Growing!  

be back soon.....

Hey friends!  Just wanted to let you know that I will be taking a little break from my space here. I will be back soon to check in with all of you!  Wishing each and every one of you an inspiring month ahead!   

Keep on keeping on!!!!

happies

some happy for the week....

Being inspired by my friend Amy over at her lovely blog Love Made My Home to start diving into yarn.  There are many joys in her space and working with yarn is one of them.  Her most recent stunning creation is this blanket....

It has pushed me to work harder at crochet as it is my goal to one day make one like this!  

My only wish is that she lived closer so that we could sit and work together!

This book....

The Layered Garden by David Culp.  I won this book in a giveaway at my friend Jason's blog, Garden In A City.  I have not been able to put it down as the inspiration is mesmerizing as is Jason's garden!

I wish I had a picture for this story but I don't....just trust me on this one.  I have mentioned before that we have crazy squirrels in our yard.  Well when looking for the beans' sand shovel my husband just happened to look up and there it was.  50 feet up in our old ash tree.  Just sitting on a branch.  Ha!  We all just stood there (neighbors included) with our mouths open!

This happy window....

Teaching my bean to weave on our homemade cardboard loom...

some of my summer pots...

shade scene...

whimsical planter...

new favorite perennial for foliage..

Golden Japanese Spikenard

favorite annual of the season...

Oxalis Fireglow

veggie eating in the garden

my sweet girl has a talent for bouquets

Hope that your weekend is full of happy little things....be back soon to share a garden treat with you!!!

Around the World Blog Hop....

I was thrilled to be invited to participate in the Around the World Blog Hop this week by my friends Jennifer and Elaina.  Coming from these ladies, I felt beyond honored! Jennifer's blog Thistlebear is a refreshing place to visit as she creates a handmade home that to me, is reminiscent of the past.   Her makings and everyday doings with her children show her love for the simple beauties in life.  Elaina's blog,  A Little Bit Country  is one that I have admired for many years now.   She shares her journey of life in the countryside of New Zealand where she is raising her crew.  She is a collector of all things vintage and Elaina has her hand in everything from baking to gardening. 

1.  What am I working on

Like all the makers out there I can never keep my mind on one thing.  As soon as I start one project I have one in the back of my mind brewing.  With gardening magazines on my nightstand and inspiration photos in a pile waiting to be hung on my inspiration board, I have yet to master the art of focus!  Obviously the garden is first on the list as there are always plants to be fed and beds to weed!

I'm also working on accomplishing activities with the beans from our summer list.   Our 2014 art show was a success.  Family members came over for the show and the beans made sure everyone had a cookie and lemonade.  It was a memorable day for them.

Beyond the beans and the garden I am completing our new work room little by little.  I have a box on our shelf with projects in process.

They include....2 Christmas ornaments, a scarf that I am crocheting and a sketch of a painting that will be started soon

2.  How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I'm still unsure of what genre I fit into.  Obviously the garden is a large part of my space here so I will take it from that stance first.  I differ from most other garden bloggers mainly because I am only about 7 years into this garden while most of my other gardening pals have been at their space for 15 years or more.  My space is still evolving as I have 3 little beans helping me along as I go.

The front garden...

Coneflower, Balloon flower, Coreopsis (Moonbeam), and Lamb's Ear

Blazing Star

Anise Hyssops (blue fortune), Geranium (Rozanne), Yarrow (Saucy Seduction)

As far as the other genres that I'm passionate about, I feel they could all use a bit more refining and attention.  I have loved fabrics and yarn since I was a child sewing and stitching pictures at my grandmother's house.  It has only been now that I have made a commitment to start journeying into  some of those areas as I am inspired daily by those of you who create with these mediums.

3.  Why do I write/create what I do?

Why do I create....hmmm...I think that it's just in my makeup.  I have been creating and sketching since I was a child.  In college I studied painting and went on to teach.  I write because I create.  And I publish this blog to connect with people I would otherwise not be able to meet.  This blog has been one of the most inspiring experiences in my creative process.  To not only have an outlet to share and get feedback but to learn from so many creative bloggers  has completely enriched my life.

4.  How does my writing/creating process work?

I will be honest with you, I have no process.  With 3 little ones to chase after and 2 more during the school year that I watch in my home, I create and write when I can.  My mom has always given me journals as gifts since I was a small child.  These contain drawings and sketches of garden bed ideas, future paintings, and lists of projects that I would like to accomplish.  I also have a visual inspiration board with fabrics, prints, garden photos and whatever else keeps my mind in line with creating.     

So without further ado I would like to pass on this Blog Hop to a few of the MANY bloggers that I admire...  

(Bloggers if you decide to participate please post the week of July 14th)

Beatrice Euphemie

Rindy Mae

What Catey Made Next

Up the Garden Path

The Mossy Cottage

Bead and Needle

Feather and Nest

Ramblings From Rosebank

Happy making, baking, and growing!

no spring yet

The snow is back in the forecast for the weekend here and the rumor is our temps will remain cold all through March.  So we are taking it slow here.  I don't feel the urgency towards the garden as I have in years past.  Just enjoying the crackling fires at night with the beans.  Maybe it's my way to try to slow down time in hopes that these little people won't grow so fast!

I am tucking away seed packets here and there as I go.

Sewing classes have begun thanks to the nudge by my pal Elaina from A Little Bit Country to get going with my learning to sew.

The back garden...

It's so cold that Mr. squirrel has found his way into our birdhouse for the remainder of the winter!
The beans yelled to him when he first made his way in. They told him to leave because this house is only for birds!  But now they enjoy watching him while eating breakfast...a bit of a funny sight to see him get in and out of that small hole! 

Painting stones for a stone swap with the talented Emma from Bubsiekins.  Her lovely stone and sack to me... 

And my stones to her...

The winter road has taught me to appreciate and soak it in where I can. 

Because you just don't know what's around the bend.  

Wishing everyone a great week....  

Happy Making, Baking, and Growing!