Life is so good!

With this post, the first in a VERY long time, I want to say that much has happened in the interim - My husband got sick, then got well.  We decided to move to Missouri, then decided we love western Kansas too much to leave.   As a family, we have had many ups and many downs.  However, no matter how discouraged we became or how smoothly our life seemed to function, there was always a single thread that ran through each day - the very real and sustaining strength that our faith in Jesus has afforded our family. 

Thank you, dear reader and friend, for once again joining me in my life of adventure, as well as of routine, that proverbial rut that we seem to find so much comfort in - but always, always . . . living every day punctuated with an exclamation point.  

We're ready to go!

Sunday Inspiration - Affection

"Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection."  Pindar  (ancient Greek poet)

1.  Moss Covered Monogram by Esther Shafer

2.  Holding Hands Illustration by Sara Pulver

3.  Vintage Seam Binding by Jersey Ice Cream Company

4.  Spooning No. 2 Fine Art Photo by Petek Design

5.  French Beaded Flowers by Fen

6.  Los Cabos Porcelain Ring by MaaP Studio

7.  Greeting Card with Handwritten Calligraphy by Sparrow Nest Script

8.  Wedding Invitation by Vanessa Ottenbreit

9.  Romantic French Print by The Love Shop

Sunday Inspiration

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."  Audrey Hepburn

I plan to laugh a lot and be happy today. And kiss my DH, too - lots!

1.  Elegantly feminine corsage by Discerning Chichi

2.  Clay hug and kiss balls by 645 Workshop

3.  Fun and whimsical 2012 calendar by The Ink Nest

4.  Beautiful dress by River of Romansk

County Fair - Old Fashioned Fun

Every summer during the first week of August, Main Street becomes quiet and moves to the County Fair.  Do you think I'm exaggerating?  I'm not!  County Fair is the hub of all social activity for one whole week.  People take vacation time from work; businesses close and move to Fair; new entrepreneurial enterprises come to life.

Here in Sherman County, Kansas, the tradition of County Fair is alive and well.  We own our own carnival, so we can let our kids loose to ride carnival rides to their heart's content.  On wristband night, it is $10.00 to ride all they rides they want as many times as they want.  The people that maintain and operate all the rides and game booths are our neighbors, and their kids and grandkids are running around the fairgrounds with our kids and grandkids.  Small town culture at it's best!

The kiddie ride run by our local Rotary Club.  

The guy in the bright green shirt running the ride is Tom, the editor of our local newspaper, the Goodland Star-News.

Dean, a local banker, is running the ferris wheel.

View from the ferris wheel - Isn't the Kansas sunset beautiful!

The best dish scrubbies in the world, all handmade and only $1.25!  

I stock up every summer.

This is Connie, who makes the scrubbies.

Of course, we can't forget the 4-H pigs.  

Here they are, after a hard day's work at the swine show.

Independence Day

Every July 4th in the USA we celebrate the founding of our country with rest, relaxation, barbecue and fireworks. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

The Sparkler by JamieShelman on Etsy

I have to keep cool!

Day after tomorrow, temperatures are predicted to be between 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.  Yikes!  Here are some of my Etsy favorite ways to keep cool.  

Green Jug Cooler OldGreenCanoe $25.00	Lemonade Stand - Pi... savvymomshop $13.99	vintage style POOL ... summerroad $15.00
Vintage General Ele... AttysVintage $19.00	Arctic Wonderland w... wordybirdstudi... $83.95	Cabana--6x6 inch Or... decorating4 $38.00
Adjustable Crochet ... beliz82 $35.00	Rustic weathered re... GettingWeddy $10.00	Float Away 11x14 pr... sadlyharmless $22.00
VINTAGE Polar Cub F... jennyelkins $30.00	A Saturday in '... donnageissler $30.00	Keep Calm and Drink... KeepCalmShop $15.95
Sexy Strapless love... madoosika $49.00	Cold Shower (matted... PaydirtPhoto52 $39.95	You & Me, How Sweet... Monorail $20.00

Happy Father's Day!

This is to introduce to you three very important Dad's in my life:

My Grandfather (yes, that is me and my little brother)

My Dad

and the best Dad of all....  my wonderful husband 

(yes he is awake behind the shades)

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there!!!

Flag Day - Celebrating the Symbol of Our Freedom

Today is Flag Day here in the United States. It is celebrated every June 14 because it was on June 14, 1777, that the Flag of of the United States was adopted by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.  While Flag Day is not a federal holiday when the government and banking offices close, it is an important day to reflect on the freedoms that the Flag of the United States symbolize as well as the great sacrifices made by men and women throughout the generations to secure those freedoms.



As child growing up, we recited the Pledge of Allegiance every morning to start the school day:

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Here is a collection of vintage buttons put together by one of my favorite designers/authors, Amy Barickman of The Vintage Workshop

Hurry Up, Spring - I miss you!

Okay, today is March 30, almost April, so where is Spring?  Don't get me wrong, I love snow.  Snowy winter days are wonderful - they blanket us in a white coverlet and everything looks so clean and beautiful.  Plus, the world stands still for a day, giving me time to take a deep breath.  However, enough is enough!  I am ready to move forward into Spring - REALLY ready!

I took this picture of my back yard yesterday 

I started some seedlings for my vegetable garden this past weekend.  They haven't germinated yet, but should in a few days.  My husband, John CowMilk, designed and built this wonderful frame so they can have adequate light.  We will be adding the lights as soon as my pepper plants germinate, which should be in a few days.  We are growing LOTS of jalapeno peppers to make hot pepper jelly to sell at Farmer's Market this summer.  

Here is my little spot of Spring

Sunday Inspiration - Love

"Love" by Denise Mayumi via Flickr

Today is February 13, the day before Valentine's Day. So, I guess that makes it Valentine's Day Eve!  In honor of the holiday that celebrates love, this Sunday's inspiring quote is from one of my favorite authors - St. Paul. 

"Je t'aime - Mae and Bebe" by KatHannah

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

From St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians.

Winter Garden

Look what I woke up to today!

Black-eyed Susans covered in ice

Pine Tree in my front yard all flocked from frozen fog

Cedar Tree full of ice crystals

Winter is so beautiful!

Dying Art of Letter Writing

This week is National Letter Writing Week here in the US.  With email, Facebook and Twitter, it seems that sitting down to write a letter with pen and paper is becoming a dying art.  Don't get me wrong - I love email!  What an efficient and sustainable way to communicate.  However, there is something very special that happens when a letter is written, sent, delivered and then read.


I have a cousin in Chicago who I correspond with.  Also a girlfriend of 30 years in St. Louis.  When I receive one of their letters in my mailbox, it is as if I have received a priceless gift!  I read and reread their letters, written in their own hand, and it is as if a piece of themselves has been imparted into my life.  That's one thing that I like about a letter - I can put it in my pocket and carry it with me!


My husband and I dated before email.  We were separated for a season while I was away to college. I still have his love letters stored away in a box.  Try tying up a group of emails with a ribbon!  


In honor of letters, here are a few of my favorite Etsy finds:

Here is a lovely notecard by StoriesDivinations

Here is another beautiful notecard by ParrotDesignStudios

Wouldn't it be fun to type a letter on this typewriter from Brooklynretro?

I would love to hear a story about a special letter you received!

What About Making

Tara Gentile at Scoutie Girl asked this question:  Why do you make?   This question got me to thinking about the answer.  I've never really thought much about it before because I've always made.  I mean, always - it's in my DNA.   My mom always made stuff and so did my grandmother.  My grandfather was a dairy farmer, and my Dad was an engineer.  I guess he designed stuff and then made it.  

As a child, I actually thought everyone was a maker, too.  When I grew up, I found that wasn't the case, but that's okay. Those I know who are not makers do other cool stuff like bookeeping and teaching.  In some ways, maybe that is what they make.

So, Tara, I guess this is my answer:  I just make.  I'm not sure how to do {be} otherwise.  I'd like to know why others make, too!

Ten Things That Make Me Smile

1. Western Kansas Sunsets.

2. Snow, lots of snow.

3. Digging in the dirt.

4. The color green.

5. Walking in the early morning.

6. FABRIC!

7. Drinking tea in the evening with my husband.

8. Freshly brewed coffee with whipped cream on top.

9. Popcorn made the old fashioned way in a pot on the stove.

10. Garage sales and thrift shops.

What makes you smile?

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Packrats of the World Unite!

Yes, I admit it. I must come clean to clear my conscience. I am a *gasp* packrat, an accumulator of all things transformable. However, I like the synonym for packrat better: gatherer. Somehow that sounds more lofty.

I come from a long line of pack rats. As long as I can remember, my Mom has always had a huge stash of what she calls "raw materials." My Dad, too - only he called his

stuff "good stuff." Everything was fair game to become "raw materials" or "good stuff."

I have loved fabric ever since I was little. It just looked so pretty and felt so nice. My first introduction to recycling beautiful fabric was when I was in junior high school - okay, now I'm telling my age. In the 60's (the LATE 60s, thank you very much). Yep - before recycling was all the rage. My Dad had a GORGEOUS brown wool nubby tweed two-piece suit he didn't want to wear anymore. Well, I just couldn't let that great wool go to wool-tweed-suit heaven, so I cut it up and remade myself a pair of slacks to wear with my favorite dark brown sweater.

So, what is the moral of the story? Things made of fabric are not what they seem. A silk shirt is really a purse lining. A shrunk wool sweater is really a little bitty girl's coat. A linen dress is really a tote..... Get my drift? Now you don't have to feel guilty about saving a cast-off somethings anymore. They have now become "raw materials" that have been *gathered* so as to be ready to be transformed into whatever your mind can imagine. Have fun, my fellow packrat, and gather to your heart's content!

This used to be a T-shirt. Now it is a wrist cuff wallet for runners, walkers and bikers.

This was a wool sweater at one time. I shrunk it down with REALLY hot water and then cut it into circles. They looked kind of plain, so I needle felted the little garden design onto them.

This used to be a ladies cotton blouse - you know, the plain kind of long sleeved shirt. As a kids church teacher, when I needed art smocks to protect my little students' Sunday best frocks, I figured out that I could cut off the collars, whack off the cuffs and put the shirts on backwards. Voila! A kid's art smock. This is the perfected version.

Once upon a time this was a 100% cotton pillowcase. Now it is a sustainable market bag that holds LOTS of groceries - or garage sale finds - or maybe thrift shop treasures that we are *gathering.*

And this is my current favorite. Believe it or not, this used to be a wild and wacky tie-dyed T-shirt. Now it is yarn that is pretty to look at in its current form of a yarn cake. Hmm.... I may never even take it off my shelf, it is so yummy.

Flocking

Look what I woke up to this morning - frozen fog!  This is one of the most beautiful weather phenomena here in the High Plains of Western Kansas.  I like to call this "flocking" but the technical term is "rime ice." Some people call it "frost feathers."

I looked rime ice up, and according to what I read, rime ice is formed when super cooled water droplets come in contact with a surface that is also at a temperature below freezing.  The flocking effect happens because the miniscule ice particles are somehow mixed with air pockets.  

Sadly, as soon as the sun came out, all the flocking was gone, just a memory in a photograph.