Sharing My Space.....

 There are few things I enjoy more than having friends in my home.
I am very thankful to have been handed out the home that I currently dwell in.
I am fully aware that it is a Gift From God and as with all good gifts from Him, I am compelled to share it with all that comes into my life.  I am grateful, awed and very, very appreciative.
I know that it is a modest home in the grand scheme of things but in my heart, it is the answer to a prayer of a very needy little girl long ago.


I have not 'worked' since 1978.  Hubby and I have been a single income family since then.  I should not have a house as nice as I have.  I should not have the space and the comfort that I so enjoy, but I do and I know it is not of myself that I find myself in this position.

'To much is given, much is required'.  I take this biblical admonition to heart in everything.  If I have received any teaching, instruction, wisdom, again, I am compelled to utilize it.  Not for my glory or glitz, but for the One that it came from..

 So when I get an opportunity to share my home, I do.  This home was prayed over upon our first day here. We asked the Lord to show us who, what, when, He wanted us to share this gift.  And He has been faithful. This house has hosted many a gathering, including a budding church that we were part of years ago.  It has hosted a wedding, a reception, a graduation party, countless casual gatherings and dinners, luncheons, breakfasts, bible studies and a rather raucous New Year's Party which included moving furniture out so dancing could commence.

 It is with great excitement that this winter has started another Sharing of My Space with the most lovely group of women ever.  These women have been collected, seemingly at random, but we know Who really orchestrated it all, don't we?  Some are well known, some are very new friends, some are neighbors and some are friends of my son, but all are an essential ingredient to a mix of insights, questions and input.  This lovely mix is a joy for me and the study that happens once a month and the dinner and crafting that happens on another evening in the month, brings me such happiness and contentment that I can hardly stand it.

 I love this gathering.  I find myself thinking about our next meeting and how I can best serve them.

This is a Divine Appointment and I know it.  I think that perhaps I have this home for maybe this very purpose; to gather these fellow seekers; to collect the insights of differing view points and frames of reference to broaden my thinking and question and challenge my self.


For such a time as this, I thank you, God for your benevolence.
May this gathering honor You and may we respect and serve you through the growing of our faith......


'....To much is given, much is required....'    ~  Luke 12:48

Birthday Bliss

 The day dawned clear and deeply blue, setting off the last of the autumn color.


Wait a minute.  No it didn't.  Rainy and cold, it was a perfect day for me.  I love rainy days.  No dog walking first thing or urgency to go anywhere other than a different spot on my mattress.  Hubby agreed.

 Once I did join the conscious, I skipped downstairs to find a brightly colored gift on my front door knob.  This was the second time this week this has happened.  It could become a habit for me.  I like it.  Editor Friend left a most jolly gift yesterday and Sweet Sharon completed her yearly habit of leaving my gift first thing in the morning.  The tradition started many years ago when as an elementary teacher, she would be off to work before the crack of dawn.  Like a small child, I would sometimes smile to myself as I, half asleep, would hear her car pull away from my curb after accomplishing her delivery.  For some lonely birthdays, this was such a blessing to me.  This year, since she lives miles away from me now rather than the convenience of down the block, she had Birthday Fairies deliver the yearly surprise.




Monday morning, Pretend Daughter Emily came for her regular breakfast visit.  This time, we shared lunch rather than breakfast and she blessed me with a lovely fall bouquet.  She is a November Gal as well and we shall do her birthday next week.  November People stick together.


As you can see, the flowers went well with some of my other gifts: Chocolate Iced Chocolate Brownies, Extremely cool vase from Sweet Sharon and more chocolate from Crazy Dee.  My friends know me.





 Crazy Dee had called earlier this week to reserve me for The Actual Day.  She did not allow Hubby to come with.  She is crazy that way.  CD did take me to my favorite spot for lunch and brought a BIG bag of wonderful, me-like gifts to celebrate.  She knew she better.  When I am by myself in her kitchen, I tend to place 'reminders' on her planning calendar.  I conveniently let her know how many shopping days are left till the Big Day.  Nice of me, yes?  Do not worry.  She is worse about her birthday than I am about mine.  We have a good time out doing each other.

 On the way home from lunch, in the midst of pouring rain, a lone garage sale was taking place in a wee little town.  Lots of fabric and the most wonderful milk pitcher and matching tea pot.  These type of kismetian opportunities are special little kudos from God.  Only God could have arranged that sale on this day in that community.  In the rain.  And cold.  And I do believe I might have been the only one that went to it.  I did wake up the 'proprietor' in her van as I knocked on the door of the rented space that was the garage sale door.  I have the most fun.






After I was home for awhile, the doorbell rang.  Huzzah!  Another gift!  Neighbor Natalie brought by her Little Neighbor Meisa, to give me a vintage Coca Cola sign!  I was very touched by her acknowledging My Day.  And this year, I didn't even have a sign in the yard!  Extraordinary!




I had a bit of time before Youngest Son escorted me to our local Mexican Restaurant for supper.  The rain was turning colder and I turned to one of birthday presents for a little warmth.  Earl Grey Lavender Tea sounded just right.


After festive feasting with YS, I came home to wrap my mind around my new dining room curtain material.  A day off of other people's work, I indulged myself by measuring, cutting and making the curtain and cutting out more for cushions.


The hours of the evening ticked on while I wrapped up the day reading my Facebook wishes and counting myself well blessed by the incredible people in my life.


So here's to year Fifty Eight!
May I do it justice!!














[Postscript: Next Day: One beautiful sculpted angel for my creche crafted and created by Rabbit Rita!  A post unto itself!  Birthday Brownies received in the mail from the consistently amazing Most Loving Friend.  I receive brownies for most life occasions from her: birth, bereavement, birthday, bed and breakfast jaunts etc etc.  She is swell.  Sigh.]

The Best Gifts...

 Let's face it.
You reach a Certain Age and all the gee-gaws and tchotchke's that you ever wanted, you've pretty much received in one way or another, or you have grown up and the necessity of the obtainment of that particular item just isn't what it used to be.

Okay.  I'll admit to still wanting a good deal of gees but the gaws have gotten under control.


Certainly, the quality, not the quantity of the gifts are weighed in a much different paradigm.
Even though my family does not exchange gifts, I truly don't know what I would request if they ventured to ask.  My level of contentment these days seems to have tabled out from the outstanding amount of greed that I embraced in my early years.


This year, with the crazy distraction of  the overdue delivery of Baby Girl's Baby Girl, I am hard pressed to even keep my thoughts straight, never mind trying to focus on gifts or gifting.


Then last week, I received a most precious gift.
It was with a scheduled visit from Spiderman, (you know I cannot reveal his identity) and when arriving to pick him up (you don't expect Spiderman to drive around out in the open do you??) I found him at his door, holding a crayoned greeting, which he was sure to point out before I gave him any praise or thanks, that his sister (yes, Spiderman has family) was the one that was gifting me with a most lovely drawing and note.

 I hope you can read this because I would tear up if I tried to repeat it to you.
It touched my heart to the very core.
This little girl that has been my friend since her baby days and still counts me as a special person in her life even with an abundance of grammys, nanas and mamaws in her life.  We have shared semi monthly visits for most of her life and watching her grow into a kind of little girl that would relate this kind of intentional greeting to a non related Older Lady, overwhelms and lightens my full heart.  I can picture her setting out to create a kind of picture that she would know that I would love.  After all, we have shared many an art session together.  Then to see her set out with pencil to largely lined printing paper and to express herself so sweetly (with accurate spelling!) well, the whole picture fills my Little Emotional Tank to way past Full.

And just to punctuate the whole lovely gift, Spiderman came home with me and shared more of love that apparently he inherited osmosisly from his older sister.


How possibly can one woman be so blessed, I tell you.


Love my little friends....
Many, many Merry Christmases to you, my loves.....

Joyous Bustling

It was a bit over a year ago, when I, a faithful reader of SouleMama, happened upon her report of her time at the Squam Arts Workshop.  Other bloggers were, 'Squam This and Squam That', and being a lifelong citizen of the Midwest, I had No Clue as to what they were talking about.  But I wanted to know what they all were raving about.  It sounded like some Utopian Crafting Community and, indeed, I think it is.  I found myself reading about Squam Lake (where On Golden Pond was filmed), and the great lengths that women from all over the nation(world?) gathered twice a year.  It didn't take me long to notice a common thread amongst the Crafters.  I saw Mercedes and BMW's in the parking lot.  I saw some pretty shwanky clothes, shoes, bags on the attendees.  Then I checked out the cost of this Crafter's Heaven...Yikes.  Plus air fare. Or gas mileage.  But oh the thought of spending a week under the tutelage of the best of the best.  The knitters, the sewists, the photographers, writers, poets, fiber artists, musicians.  Sigh.  I put my little dream away, but kept watching the videos and sharing my Squam Lake News with whoever was nearby.  Then I had A Thought.  Hmmmmmmm.  Maybe I cannot afford to rub shoulders with these lovely women, but what if.....what if...?  What if I put together a Sort of Squam Lake Arts Workshop on my scale and budget?  Certainly, there must be other crafters that long to share their space and craft in my shouting distance?  I shared this thought with my Eldest/Admin, my one true Idea Bouncer and Realist.  I showed her the videos and my thoughts of bringing it down to costs.  Sort of a mini mini Squam.  A Midwest Middle Income Squam.  And she said, Indeed.  There could be a very real interest in a group gathering for a common purpose and celebration.  And then the wheels began to turn.  A notebook purchased just to be used for ideas for the, now named:

mama's collection of Friends

First Annual Crafting/Spiritual Retreat.

The date, the guest list, the reservations, the menu, started to all come together.  Granted, when you're working with Young Mama's that have smalls to work with, there will be adjustments and rearrangements, but that is fine with me.  This is the Inaugural Year of hopefully a yearly tradition.

In the meantime, between Now and July 23-25th, I shall be preparing for the Big Event.  I shall be inspecting my inspection.  I shall be shaming my gardens into Good Behavior.   I shall be circumspectly viewing my house with an eye to the visitor.  I shall be hoarding yummy surprises and arranging breakfasts/lunches/suppers with an eye to healthy, filling and nourishing for my Young Mama's and their babes, in and out of utero.

And Fun Of All Fun, I am creating memories for these Lovely Mama Friends of mine.  I am cracking out all my creative forces to make sure that they know how special they are to me and to the universe.

I'm kinda excited, can you tell?  You haven't heard the last of this...The Preparation AND the Post and all the in between...

Oh, It Shall Be Good........

Break Out!

Sometimes, you just gotta do it.
An idea is just floating around and fabric is just too fun, that something, something not pre ordained or manufactured, pattern-wise, just has to pop out.
2G's mama was needing a summer bag.
2G'S mama loves Amy Butler fabric.
2G's mama is an appreciative audience.
So off I go to the sewing room, eager to produce a One of a Kind design.
Did I have a design in mind?
Nope.
Just stood there looking at the fabric, waiting for the direction. Thought about her needs. She likes puffy, fleece interlined, soft formed bags. Her mama needs dictate that there are lots of pockets, making, keys, pens, change, crayons accessible. Her little shoulders tell me that her shoulder strap should be narrow and strong for all the dinosaurs and dollies and books that will get crammed in for the road. A stout magnetic snap to keep the contents together when she has to throw it down to chase after an errant child bent on destruction.
But it must be pretty as well as utilitarian. Lightweight and feminine. A girly workhorse of sorts.


And so the process begins as the framework and objective is established.
The first cut is made and I follow the needed design from my heart and mind to the cloth.
From that point of committment, it all flows.
From picking out a coordinating lining, to how to finish the pockets, it just flows.
I realize that this in not much help for those of you that rely on pesky things like measuring tape, rulers, algebra and geometry (I kinda just shuddered just writing those two words) but that is how I roll. Experience, familiarity with how things go together and a clear desire to want to make something.
Crazy, huh?


But with time, patience, testing, and a lot of hopeahoping, it starts to take shape and tells me how it should be finished up.

And then the best part.
Giving a bag that has been designed specifically for her, with her needs and likes in mind...
Ah, that is the best part...

Ageless Friend

Fleur de lis Day in April.
Time to decorate with lilacs and the prettiest miniature ruffled daffodil. Set out the good dishes and don't forget the Cheetos! (An inside joke of the Fleur De lis Kind!)

View the artwork around the hostesses living room. Yes, she did this one.

When we're here, we always get homemade angel food cake with fresh strawberries and ice cream.

And who is the hostess this month? Not me.

My dear Ageless Friend who turned 93 *NINETY THREE* very young years old last month.

Dearest of Dears, AF hosts each April with absolutely no signs of slowing down. Her house is clean and pleasant and she goes all out serving her Fleur Friends, down to the decorative napkins and floral table arrangements. She walks to the grocery, paints, writes poetry, has stories of growing up at the turn of the century and lovely, wistful tales of her marriage to her best friend.....

I am so thankful that I know and love three nonagenarians. When I am with them, I feel like I've traveled far and wide and that an implant of wisdom has been bestowed upon my brain.

They are precious, valuable jewels to me.

And I wanted to share them with you......

Lovely. God Bless Them always.

Expo Experience!

What fun I had Saturday!
I saw an abundance of pregnant bellies that belonged to mamas that are passionate about being mamas.
I saw many little ones toddling around, exploring their world...
I had the pleasant companionship of my boss, Eldest/Admin, Wonderful Man and The Wonder of Miss Vivien.
Two of my Pretend Daughters were there; one to present her Birth Story to the gathering and one to come and see what Pretend Mama was up to. And to bring me a glorious bouquet of daffodils. She presented them to me, sheepish that she had no vase. As our Vulcan Mind Meld would have it, I had brought a vase for the flowers that I forgot in my yard. Simpatico, yes?

Most of my children photos were blurry.
Now why would that be?
Most of my 2G's photos are taken on the run....
I got a quick shot of Mr. Grant with his mama prior to her speaking...

I got a quick shot of Cincinnati Pretend Daughter, my Flower Benefactor, with another Pretend Grandson, Will. They even brought Pretend Son in Law, Jason, with them....
Wonderful, huh?

A section of my display table...

And my Miss Grace, sporting her new hairstyle and daddy purchased dress and sandals.
She is a character and melts my heart when she calls my name; and she reserves names for just special people....A dolly...

And need I tell you how full my heart was when Miss Viv made her appearance? She was the best PR I could have, promoting her Grammy's, Viv inspired products....My muse....
We walked all over, smiling at all the attendees, greeting, spreading her gregarious cheer....

Good experience, lovely day....

Methodist Moments

On the second Thursday of each month, from September to May except for January (and maybe February), The Mighty Women of The Methodist Church feed the town.
This is their ongoing fund raiser for a myriad of projects and I think it's dandy.
Where else can you absorb enough local atmosphere (outside of the City Council Meeting, but that's another blog) AND good, good food?
You can bet my calendar is always marked for The Methodist Thursday Dinner.
Today, I was bereft from any companionship, but never no mind, I could go solo just cause I love it so much.
Today I got the ham and beans and cornbread, something I rarely cook and would never order in a restaurant, but there, it just seems right.
I also got a to go order for Crazy Dee- baked hamburger and the trimmings -5.25. Good huh?

Did I mention The Desserts that these ladies create? Pies to die for but today, this particular mint chocolate chip cake was calling me. The Kind Methodist Lady behind the dessert counter asked me what my dessert pleasure was and I told her about the conversation the cake and I were having, she nodded, and said, proudly, 'you know, Phoebe made this one', like it would make a difference or more valuable, or that I would even have a clue who Phoebe was, not being affiliated with The Methodist.
But this is Mitchell and of course I knew that Phoebe, one of the leading benevolent citizens,is indeed noted for her desserts. So I nodded affirmatively, and handled my dessert just a bit more carefully than I would if I had no history of it's pedigree.

Here is some of my Lone Luncher Observations at The Methodist Luncheon Today:
* The festively decorated (St Patrick's Day,of course) lunch room was a sea of silver, gray and dappled hair, this luncheon being a outing of such for all the older citizens of our little town. They so look forward to a lunch out with home cooked food. And desserts, don't forget.
* Conversations drifted across my listening ears, mostly discussing gall bladder surgeries, flu recouping, cancer threats and the thankfulness for a pleasant day for an outing.
* Several of my Garden Exchange ladies stopped by to see if I had planted anything yet. We discussed the rate of growth of our Spring Bulbs and I assured the Head of the Exchange, that I intend to host this year. (a thing I sadly neglected last year)
* My 90 Year Old Poet Friend was there, obviously recovered from a rough patch of viral issues post Christmas. Reported that I wouldn't be at Fleur de lis this coming Monday and stated that I hoped that she would be up to it...
* I had mentioned when I ordered my food, that I would eat mine there (I had to keep that cake from Crazy Dee) and that I would pick up CD's order on my way out. Before I finished up, here comes my hot to go order, delivered to my table. That's just the way they do things.
* I stopped at the Pastor's Table to tell him of an upcoming Youth For Christ Banquet and invited him for our table. He thanked me for the information. Pastor's must get these kind of things all the time. Especially during meals.

So once Crazy Dee was given her lunch and checked in on, I found my way homeward to take Miss Dixie on a pre rain walk.
Sated, prayerful and content, we took an extra long journey in anticipation of being stopped by rain later.
And what did we see?
This lovely scene of randomly scattered crocuses in full bloom, parked next to this hollow tree that crazily blooms each year...
And who does this lovely scene belong to?

Phoebe, of course!!
And I knew it because I live in Mitchell......

Pizza- Diabetic DeeStyle

Crazy Dee had some disheartening news recently.
In addition to a scary heart attack and the looming of a triple bypass in her near future, she also has discovered that a diabetic diet is in her cards as well.
So, in my daily care of her luncheon needs, I have had to get creative. Nutritional yet tasty.
Hubby made the mistake of mentioning our Stromboli lunch whilst we visited one day.
Big Mistake.
Poor Crazy Dee could think of nothing else but pizza.
Online Recipes came to the rescue again with a diabetic friendly crust.
I freelanced the rest.

Here it is for all your diabetic friends cravings:

Crazy Dee-lightful Pizza:
Preheat oven 400 degrees
Crust:
1 pkg yeast
1 packet of Splenda (didn't have any stevia)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup white flour (I knew that this should be all whole wheat, but I figured CD would protest too much...Later, when she is agreeable to all things whole wheat, I will go all whole wheat)
Smidgen of salt substitute

Mix yeast and Splenda and let sit for 10 minutes.
Add flours and mix well.
Knead till smooth.
Roll on pizza stone or pizza pan, oiled with olive oil.
Prick with a fork
Bake for 10 minutes

Sauce:
1 can tomato sauce
1 packet of Splenda
1/4 oz red wine
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 tsp salt substitute
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp ground pepper

Spoon sauce over crust after it's first baking.


Toppings:
1 1/2 cups spinach, torn into small pieces
1/2 cup chopped red pepper
1/2 cup yellow pepper
1 bunch chopped green onions
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1 cup chopped broccoli flowerets
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
120z shredded mozzarella
1/2 tomato, sliced thinly
(and any other veggie, zucchini, carrots, etc etc...)


Sprinkle toppings over sauce, finishing with cheeses.

Bake for 20 minutes of until cheese is melty and starting to brown.

CD and I LOVED her 'safe' pizza...Barely missed all the evils in regular pizza at all...Come to think of it, all of us would benefit greatly if we ate like we had diabetes before we actually develop it.....Hmmmm....

What It's All About

This happens to me.
I receive a fanciful package, usually a cardboard box with odd shapes jutting out.
They are the best kind of gifts.
Thoughtful. Unique. One of a kind.
And full of love.

My In the Know Friends, know that I love the things that most people throw away. Or should be thrown away. But,no my dear friends think of me right before a rogue box of somethings is ready to be dumped into the garbage.
Neighbor Nancy has left in my back yard:
1. A bird bath pedestal
2. A used dining room chandelier
3. A yard roller
And I personally stole a piece of old drain tile next to her garage.
All these odd things have made their way to my garden and pergola.
It entertains her and thrills me.
See how it works?
And this has gone on for years throughout many stages of friends...

So it came as no surprise when Faithful Friend showed up at my door on our Date Night with the flowerfull old shoe box with tissue and porcelain spilling out, that I was the least bit surprised. She had helped her grandmother move and the oddities that no one knows what to do with, was just waiting for FF's pretty shoe box, ready to gift me for no particular reason other than the secure thought that Gma's treasured things for which she no longer had room for, needed a home.

My wonderful friends know how I thrill at the prospect of junk.
At the potentiality of an assortment of renegade china and cloth. You know, things that have stories...

*sigh*
I love my friends.
Faithful Friend, Kindred Spirit Friend (the first re re re gifter; Amazing Things she has given me; some direct from garbage cans;some laundered; all treasured) Crazy Dee, Neighbor Nancy, Sweet Sharon,Old Friend, Most Loving/Interesting Friend, 2G's Mama, Lovely Wife's Mama....so many know me well....

Treat your friends well.
Especially if they know what you like.....

Yummy!

Oh yes.
Had a good ol' Valentine Dinner.
Our new friends, the TwoJoes, took us to Chapman's, a lovely local restaurant.
Pianist, silver, candles, linen, scrumptious food. And grand company. Snow falling outside and Roasted Amish Chicken with Pecan Sauce. Did I really get my camera out and take a photo of my Mixed Greens Salad?
You bet.
Yummy.

Other Yummies:
Crazy Dee, in appreciation for the covering of all her dining room chairs, Valentine Gifted me with this wonderful Brighton leather pocket tape measure! Do you think she has more fabric plans for me? She had it enclosed in this wonderful little red clasp purse, all of three inches wide.
Yummy.

A bit ago, I received my fabric orders for a Childbirth Conference in March.
Lots of seersucker from Joann's for my summer baby bankies....

Then!
Oh Yummy of Yummies!!
My fresh squeezed fabric order!! (check out the fresh squeezed fabric etsy shop)
Beautiful colors!
Soft, gorgeous material!
I have folded an unfolded this good good stuff just to handle it.
Then I get to actually sew with it!
Cannot wait!

I told you!
Yummy!

More Snow; More Diversions!

My heart goes out to all those on the east coast Waging War with the Season.
Coming from a northern region, I understand the irritation and frustration of dealing with snow that comes in feet.
But to have it so unrelenting, back to back with the understanding that the stuff will probably be still there nigh into April, well, it's just overwhelming....
I understand.
And you have my prayers as you struggle with the day to day.
On a much less overwhelming note, we have had our little smattering of snow and cold temperatures. In Southern Indiana, we get a few days to complain then, poof, it's melted and a memory. So, while it is still tangible, best to make the most of Snow Days, knowing that they are few and far between.
Thank Goodness.
Today I cleaned off the Land Rover and faced the freezing north wind and made my way over to the 2G's and their mama's house. Two under three. And a dog and cat. Can you say Cabin Fever? Time to stir things up a bit and reach into my Winter Bag of Tricks! What did I do on those mama time snow days? I made bread and noodles!
Let's teach the 2G's mama how to make homemade noodles!
And let's dry them up high to keep from nosy little hands and hairy doggies and interested kitties.
And besides, it looks so dang cool hanging way up high, drying themselves,readying for the hot chicken brothy goodness that we prepared before making the noodles. Did I mention that the 2G's papa's favorite meal is chicken and noodles? Vedy Good.

The 2G's mama prepared ahead of time for our Wednesday Visit by having all that it takes for Root Beer Floats!
This is Grant's First Root Beer Float! The sudsy goodness made his eyes squint and caused his mama and I to laugh hysterically.
Floats are just fun. Even with the snow flying outside. Sideways. EEk.

Driving to my friends, via the library and post office, I went by my little friend Lily's house, only to find the only snowman that I had seen all this past snowstormy week!
I pulled the car over and snapped a photo of this rare sighting, all the more precious cause I could visualize Lily's little family all outside, having a grand time with their daddy, making a snow memory. Years ago, I remember waking Baby Girl up from her winter slumber, just to take advantage of a wonderful packing snow. We worked a long while on what I thought was the best snowman ever. I do believe Baby Girl still wonders about a mom that wakes up her sleeping child for the sole purpose of playing in the snow. As an older mom, I saw the dire importance of imprinting memories in a more intense way than perhaps I did as a younger mama.
And my heart still warms when I think of that snowy morning.....

May you be making memories today.....