NEEDLES AND STITCHES

I´ve been busy in the craft room (which is anywhere I can find a comfortable place) this week. I enjoy making pretty things that I can whip up quickly, as I like to see the results of my labor in short order.

Finding inspiration for making pin cushions has been my latest venture. There are so many cute ideas for these little gems, but I am having some difficulties in finding fabric that would be suitable, and that I particularly like. Oooohhhh, I found an M.S. inspired beauty made out of a crochet granny square that I must make, just as soon as I find the proper crochet thread...it´s not cute, it´s beautiful....

(Aren´t they darling?)

I like working with natural fibers, cottons, linen, wools, ect., but with living where I live in South America, resources for these are rather impossible to find. You would think that living is a tropical climate would afford a great variety of natural fibers, at least cotton and linen, but alas the people here prefer synthetic.

In some ways I suppose I understand this, the fact that ones clothing will almost instantly become a sponge for the perspiration which is inevitable, thus leaving clothes rumpled and soggy looking. With synthetic fabrics, at least, one still looks put together at the end of the day.

On occasion, I run across something that I find useful and will purchase enough to satisfy my creative urge. Though, I may have to settle with some of the fabric print options, because of the lack of variety, but I can usually imagine a completed project that is worth my efforts and that will satisfy. I thought these little cushions turned out cute enough and they will soon be gifted to some sweet someones.

                                        
Dishcloth pattern from Homespun Living Blog

I´ve almost finished another set of dishcloths that will be a gift to another dear girly, as well. I really like the color of these and may make some for myself, one day. I love making and gifting, I find such pleasure in it, so satisfying...

Let´s play a fun, little guessing game, please join in. Take a look at these picture´s below, and tell me what you think it is. Some of us do know and others of us should know, but let´s see what kind of answers we come up with. In another post I´ll show you and tell a little story...

MESSAGES FROM THE HEART

Over the weekend I sorted and organized my storage boxes of notecards and letters that I have recieved over the years, I have had this in mind for some time now. How satisfying it was to have finally pulled down the dusty boxes from the shelf. I spent a good long while pouring over each of the cards and letters of my dearest friends and family, hopelessly sentimental.

Spread across the table were hundreds of cards and letters, that I cherish immensely. Each new reading a reference point of time during my life, and a flood of memories filled my heart.

 (The best gifts are the people in our lives)

Affectionately, I began creating stacks, by author, of each and every letter or card in the boxes. Once I had them arranged I brought out some of my pretty ribbon and tied each bundle neatly together with a sweet little bow. They looked so festive and pretty, and I thought it a shame to put them back into boxes, but I have in mind, for the future, to ask father and son to make me a beautiful wooden letter box to house them. This will allow me to keep them out within reach, to enjoy.

(Pretty Bundles)

There is still a large stack of miscellaneous cards and letters that I will need to go through, but those that are dearest to my heart have there own beribboned bundle, which are now all comfortably tucked away.

Through the years, and all our moves, it has indeed been comforting to have had these with me.I suppose, in the day of cyber mail, there will be fewer hand written cards and letters, but I have all my cyber mail filed away and plan to print out each one on pretty paper to be added to my letter box, one day.

"A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart"

I love you all...

Technical Difficulties

Checking in to say hello, and let you know that there are computer problems at our home. They are going into the shop today to see if we can resolve the problem and hopefully be back up within a few days. Please do check back....

TREASURES I HAVE

On a visit to the beautiful state of Oaxaca, in Mexico, which sits on the southern pacific coast of Mexico, and is mostly mountianous with wide, fertile valleys. The Zapotec and Mixtec dominate the indian groups in the state. There are fourteen indigenous languages and ninety dialects.

Oaxaca has a rich and interesting history. It´s ancient history is truely amazing, as the Zapotec Indians created a civilization comparable to the Aztec and Mayan Indians in their achievements.

I have been fortunate to have had the oppotunity of visiting Oaxaca and the fascinating ruins of the Zapotec Capital, Monte Alban, in the central valley of Oaxaca. The Zapotec and Mixtec are incredibly and wonderfully talented craftsmen, working in the art of textile, pottery, gold and silver.

(These picture´s were taken several years ago with an older digital camera so they are not the best, but it really was quite beautiful)

In the nearby town of San Bartolo Cayotepec, the world renowned Oaxacan Black Pottery is produced. This area has produced pottery for centuries.

Several years ago, during a trip to Vera Cruz, Mexico, we were able to visit Oaxaca and the sleepy little town of San Bartolo, where we stopped in at "Alfareria Doña Rosa´s" or Lady Rosa´s Pottery. Doña Rosa developed the process for making Oaxacan Black Pottery, she passed away in 1980, but her amazingly talented son Valentin, continues to produce this beautiful craft today. We met him during our visit and watched as he worked on his pottery wheel shaping bowls, pitchers and jars. Black Clay Pottery is used exclusively for display purposes, as it cannot tolerate water or liquids, and is distinquished by it´s silvery black appearance.

(Valintin crafting a decorative pitcher and a picture of his mother just above the children)

The prepared clay is smooth and tan in color. Once the pottery is thrown it is dried in the sun, then embellished, smoothed by using a broken shard of pottery, then baked in a kiln for many hours. The technique for the process of baking is a secret, but the lack of oxygen during baking produces a black smoke and this is what transforms the clay from tan to black. This particular clay is exclusive to the Oaxacan region of Mexico.

(Pretty designs)

I´ve enjoyed displaying this unique piece of pottery on my shelf and look forward to another visit to Oaxaca and San Bartolo, in the near future. What a lovely, lovely place Oaxaca is, steeped in the traditions of its culture, almost untouched by modern society.

Celebrating the Years

God´s unique and wonderful plan has been a marvel to me in these years of marriage. The ongoing changes that have occurred through the years are simply amazing.

I´ve enjoyed the quiet life of wife, mother and homemaker, of serving my family and others through the years as God has drawn me to His purposes, amazed in all that has progressed.

We have always done everything together as a family, and so it was that we spent our 18th Wedding Anniversary, a simple, ordinary day made special by dinner out at a lovely restaraunt with those that I love most and best. I wouldn´t have had it any other way.




(Pretty paper lanterns)

(Mediterrianian style fish for the man)

(Colorful salad for the wife)

(Chicken in a brandy sauce for the daughter)

(Pizza for the son)

(Dessert and coffee)

It was a pleasant evening, spent relaxed for a few hours enjoying good food and the moments of time before us, capturing precious memories to be stored away in hearts.

Looking back over the past eighteen years there is so much to be thankful for. We have travelled down many new and exciting roads, each unique and special in their own way.

Our first year together - learning about each other.

Our second through fifth year together - first pioneer church in Mexico, me learning spanish and becoming parents to our lovely daughter, Paree.

Our fifth through tenth year together - pioneering our second church in Hillsboro, Oregon, enjoying God´s abundant blessings, and becoming parents to our precious son, Ellis.

Our tenth through eighteenth year together - Missionaries in Venezuela and learning what it is like to live alone, far away from those we love, in a country that is in the midst of a revolution, learning to depend wholly and completely on God to provide ALL our needs.

(My treasured children)

How utterly full my life has been, I am truely thankful...

MY DAUGTER MY FRIEND AND A BIRTHDAY

Have I ever told you how much my daughter blesses my life? Oh, how I love that girl! Over the past fouteen years I have joyously discovered what a precious treasure God has given me; she is such a loving, caring person and I appreciate her more than she can know.

I was gone most of the morning through mid-day yesterday, when I returned and entered our home I was greeted with the wonderful fragrance of a home cooked meal. To my delight and suprise Paree had prepared a delicious meal for my birthday. (You see what I mean, isn´t she a treasure?)

(Yummy scalloped potatoes, garlic green beans and carrots, corn on the cob)

(Chicken, which I prepared, was added for the rest of the Family)

And, if that wasn´t enough she had planned a surprise birthday party at a sweet bakery that she knows I love! However, she told me that she wanted to go to the central park for a walk and then to have ice-cream later in the evening, so that is where I thought we were going when we drove in the direction of the park. I became suspicious when we actually drove past the park down the street and into my favorite bakery parking lot.

There we sat in front of the bakery, when I looked inside those pretty picture windows I saw a table decorated with balloons and gifts, then noticed a group of my precious church family gathered around it. Geez! I was excited and nervous, and wondering how they had tricked me. There were hugs and greetings from everyone, and I just looked at Paree, with a huge smile on her face as she turned and gave me a hug...What truely lovely memories were created yesterday, unique and wonderful because it was made with love especially for me, by my sweet and loving daughter. Those memories have already been stored away in my heart of hearts.

(Sweet Friends)

(Delicious Strawberry Creme Cake and a gorgeous shawl)

(Pretty gifts)

How thankful I am for all the blessings God has poured out on my life. The blessings of people showing kindness to me is so precious, for relationships that are beyond superficial I am truely grateful, and for my dear sweet daughter, my heart overflows....

The Tie That Binds

Valentine Treasures

Valentine treasures are people who
have often crossed your mind,
family, friends and others, too,
who in your life have shined
the warmth of love or a spark of light
that makes you remember them;
no matter how long since you’ve actually met,
each one is a luminous gem
who gleams and glows in your memory,
bringing special pleasures,
and that’s why this Valentine comes to you:
You’re one of those sparkling treasures!

By: Joanna Fuchs

To all my dearest and sweetest friends, thank you for the precious years together, life wouldn´t be the same without you. Help yourself to a cookie or two, and a cup of tea, enjoy!

(A little gift for you...)

Our Simple Life

Life around our home is back into the normal flow and rhythm of daily life. The gentle flow of which we are all familiar...simple and ordinary.

I enjoy the daily routines of life, they make life pleasant and easy. Each day is dfferent from the other, but when looking at them all together they seem the same, as they flow together into one another.
(Unfortunately, I was unable to get any really good pictures, as it was already late in the day)

(A small glimpes of the new curtains I made. Walls, Cafe-light)

This month there are many special days of celebrating in our home...Valentines Day, my birthday, and our 18th wedding anniversary (all within a few days of each other), and though there will be celebrating, lifes rhythm will change very little.
In todays fast paced world, where "more is better" and "faster is better, I am truely thankful that our family has inherited an attitude of simplicity. Jorge and I both grew up in homes where our mothers were home with their families each day. My mother loved home and family, she showed us how to enjoy ordinary everday life. I feel so fortunate to have grown up under such influence. Mother´s wisdom far surpassed that of her contemporaries who, in the midst of the feminist movement were leaving their homes in droves to persue "careers and higher achievements", their lives being pulled in different directions as they juggled career and family.
My mother worked until her mid-twenties, she was the secretary to Captain Hyman Rickover, of the United States Navy, back in the early 1950´s. He led a team of engineers that developed the worlds first nuclear powered submarine, the most technologically advanced submarine of it´s time. Then again, for a short time in the late 1950´s, as I recently learned from my father, she worked under John Glenn, at General Dynamics in San Diego, CA, where he was involved in design and development of spacecraft. General Dynamics is a leading defense contractor, and is part of a huge corporation. The aeronautical unit was located in San Diego. Early in her marriage, and once they started our family, she came home to raise us and teach us about the truely important things in life.

A couple of weeks ago, when Jorge was out of town on a business trip, I told you how the children and I had done some painting in our home. It was a simple, but enjoyable time that we spent together... working and sharing, teaching and learning, eating and playing...family.

The pictures I have posted are of the livingroom that we have finished. Because there were no before or during pictures (remember, Jorge took the camera), there will be nothing to measure the completed project to, but take my word for it it is much improved.

While I was on the foofing roll, I wanted a new touch of something for our library shelves (it actually houses very few of our books), and made an initial monogram of our last name to put in an old frame I found shelved in our hall closet. I found the lettering style I liked on the computer, then enlarged it to fit the frame and matting I had. I was happy with the results and Jorge was quite suprised by our accomplishments during the week he was away.

Life, pure and simple....full.

Winter

Children and Snow

All winter they had waited; nature didn't let them down.

The squeals and giggles grew as they played without a frown.

Sliding down the perfect hills - a children's paradise;

No thought of clearing their white souffle,

no thought of chopping ice.

My fingers, ears and toes felt frozen as I shovelled the mountain of snow

But my heart was warm and light as the laughter continued to grow.

Winter is for children; I'm sure of that today.

This is the season they tumble and laugh and truly love to play.

Computers are forgotten and they only see the snow;

Imaginations leap and soar - this is how little minds grow.

Joan Adams Burchell

Home Again

After all the greetings, cheers of happiness, hugs and kisses, Ellis could see no reason for waiting one minute longer to dive right into those suitcases that had entered the house not five minutes before. Jorge remembering what it was like to be a boy, excited and anxious for the suprises he knew awaited him, allowed for the fun to begin.

(Lot´s of food!)

There are a few times during the seasons of life where we allow for extravagance (generally simplicity is our choice). Since living overseas we have allowed for an abundance and variety of things that we are use to having, but cannot get here. Whether we are traveling or have quests coming this way we most surely will be treated with a few suitcases of goodies, the children never forget this.

(Spiderboy came home in the suitcase)

There was much celebrating late into the midnight hours as we poured over all the wonderful things Jorge brought home from his trip to the states this past week, so many wonderful and useful things. I am thanking the Lord for His provisions and blessings...

(Clothes and watch for the girl)

(MP4 for the mom, and watch too)

(Yarns, ribbon and house shoes for the mom)

(Toy´s and books for the boy)

After enjoying each and every little thing, it was all put away in their proper places, then we all headed off to bed with full and happy hearts - glad to be together again.