Homegrown Hospitality

Happy 4th Of July

"Well Being" Update...doing okay. Great in the morning...so-so in the afternoon. Tried to attempt to sew yesterday but it apparently was too much standing up..so no sewing occurred.  I did get some cutting done though, so that is good! 

So Happy 4th Of July!

Today is the 4th of July(duh)  and one of my most favorite things to do is to walk up to the lake about now (8:15 am) to see all of the blankets laid out for tonight's firework show (our city did not want to change the firework show to this morning & well, honestly, I did not even ask).  Since I am not going to walking to the lake this morning...I will just remind you of what it looked like this time last year.  I looks like a gigantic quilt...and by about 10 am there will not be an inch of grass left.  It actually is pretty cool to look at!

 

and here is where I have been finding my Ben every morning..My kids LOVE to sleep on the couch during the summer and that is part of the fun for us, letting them do it! ahh summer...later bed time, sleeping on the couch...staying out later than normal (a little too late if you ask me!) and just enjoying summer! 

Today is our annual block party and the street is already starting to tremble with excitement.  Just moments after I took this shot of Ben sleeping, the doorbell rang, he popped up, brushed his teeth and now, at 8:56 am is out riding his bike.  I betcha he won't come back in till 10pm tonight (with the exception of potty breaks!)

Here is a reminder of last years 4th..

and here is what I have been doing this morning..packaging up little flower feltie packs for the Garage-mah-hall Sale next Friday..

There is still LOTS to pack up, so I must go...whatever does not sell next Friday, I am sure I will list here..

I hope that my American friends enjoy the 4th and for everyone else round'the world..have a great day...Thanks again from my entire family for all of your prayers, support & friendship...we all appreciate it very much!

Checking In & Checking Up

Thank you all for checking up on me.  I appreciate it.  Sometimes my answer is that I am doing fine...but there are also the times where I fall apart and I am letting it just happen.  I think that hormones are related to the devil...and that husbands and sons will never understand them...so I try to deal with my ups and downs in quick, quiet hidden intervals so that they do not have to go through this rik-rak part of it!

physically I am better and better...

mentally depends on the time of day, meaning mornings are really good and nights are not good at all...which means I am hoping that the city will change the firework show to tomorrow morning instead of tomorrow night.

Creatively..I am on fire, of course from the laying back, feet up postiton. I have been stitching and playing with felt like a lunatic. seriously out of control.  Today I am up and down more than any other day this week and am planning to sew some shabby bags...and yes...as soon as I get enough "stock" I will list them.  I just need to get them done first. 

I also have added some new things to the left hand sidebar.  The past month I have been creating & LOVING everything from Teresa's lines and am actually awaiting the new stuff for my classes in AZ at the end of the month....and speaking of classes and Teresa's lines...there is a new class in August that has been seeping out...I can not tell you everything...except that I cane tell you that my class is on Sunday, August 16th from 12-2pm at the Red Bee in Tustin...it is a CHRISTMAS project and I am not the only teacher...in fact there are several teachers and it all starts on Friday, August 14th...( i need to go finish the logo after I type this)

Don't freak out, but for those of you who have been long time readers (Patsy!!) you know that tomorrow is the 4th of July and that is when I start reminding you that 1/2 the year is over and it was just yesterday that we were celebrating Happy New years in the Garag-Mah-Hall so don't kill the messenger but look at me as a happy holiday reminder that It will be here before you know it and you will thank me (at some point).

and one last thing...NEXT FRIDAY is the Scrap Garage Sale...right here at my house.  There is a flyer that you can download if you click Download Scrapsaleflyer1  or up on the left hand side under "Where I Will Be"...Seems like we may have a house full..so my suggestion to you is to arrive as close to 6pm as possible...oh, btw...it is 6pm to 10 pm..not 6am - 10am although I am a super early riser...Deena is not..oh and I know that there is a typo on the flyer (wouldn't be the same if there wasn't)..we hope to see you here!  It is going to be fun..I would swear even the Valentine is excited!?!

So Blessed...

thank you just does not feel enough for me to say for all of the kind words, prayer and concern that you have been sending our way.  I am without words for all of the personal stories and struggles you have shared with me...It does not make me feel better to know that I am not alone because I know that, but makes me full of love for the goodness of people and how regardless of how far, how close, how good or how I may not even know someone...just does not matter...I feel the ties that bind us together and that is why I love this blog and that is why I choose to share such personal stories here...I may be able to help and support someone and you may be able to help and support me..whether it is on the latest paper, ribbon, divorce or loss....

It is not just about Scrapbooking...

it is about us

and you

and me

and them

and the world around us

I feel blessed and totally consoled by God & by all of you for just being there.  Our faith, families & friends are so good . I continually talk to myself that I am glad that it happened early on but still battle moments of just pure sadness.  I look at the picture below and know that it was the night before our sadness started BUT,  I love this picture, so as much as it stirs my emotions, I am grateful to see my arms wrapped around someone that I love completly and regardless of the outcome, everything is okay. 

I was so happy to wake up this morning to sunny skies and the feeling that "whew, another night done."  Just like going through post pardum depression after the birth of Benjamin, this is one of the things that you just "do not get" until you are there and for that, I am full of empathy for those who have struggled.  I am blessed & grateful   with two awesome dudes, but seem to be playing a little game of tug-o-war with my thoughts.  I don't think any of us really realized how this new pregnancy consumed all of our minds..until it was gone.  That is the hard part and the part that makes me pretty much STOP and just pray to get through the ick. 

I know I will...just as you have...It just is gonna take a little time, a lot of prayer and pure faith.

Thank you again for everything...

Love,

John & Steph

A Test of Faith Part Two

we had such a great time in Arizona...we took in LOTS of sun, tons of ice water (I NEED my own ice machine!) a baseball game with the Angels vs. The Diamondbacks in an AIR CONDITIONED FIELD..hello...the way to go! a trillion applications of sunscreen, water-slide rides (not me or grandma!) Lazy River floats, good food, early morning golf, all in all, LOTS of good family time...here are a few photos from our trip..

and then of course we were all stuck to the tv once the news of Micheal Jackson's death surfaced.  I must have said a 100 times "It is just so sad"

anyways...we decided to stay an extra day, checked out of the hotel on Sunday and headed to Grandma & Grandpa's house where sadly, but fortunately, I started to have a miscarriage.

I can say that now. 

Even now, on Tuesday evening, as of just a few hours ago, all I did was cry, but I think I am starting to be okay, or at least starting to heal. Our entire families hearts are in pieces and it is going to take some time to be okay.  I have to say that it is my FAITH that is carrying me through this, no, it is OUR FAITH that is getting US through this.  As bad as I felt on Sunday...I found so much comfort being with my family at my mom & dad's house. My mom & John took care of me, my mom & Dad took care of all of us.

No matter how much I cry, go through the emotions, I have never, not once wondered why.  I know why and although Ben asked if it was the one diet coke with Caffeine that I drank at Grandma's that did it, we are able to deal with the situation.  WE  just know that it was not in God's plan, at least for now.  Jack has been such a big guy, just concerned for me and came to me on his own last night and reminded me that "it was not God's Plan" and then said "Just think Mom...the little baby is in heaven now!" (he said it with such a cute "oh goodie!" tone) Ben has been pretty devastated and that has made my heart hurt so much more but is starting to understand a little at a time.   

John & I are so so sad.  We "get" it, but up until Sunday, MANY of our conversations were about "This time next year" and watching all of the little one's in the water this weekend made us more and more excited....so that is part of the pain...not to say that we can not try again, but for right now, we need to heal, take time to pray and love, enjoy, embrace & be with our families right now.  

 Another test of faith..another part of the journey...another situation that needs to be shared even though it is very emotional for us right now.  I pray that part of the healing is talking about it.

I know without even asking that you all will keep our family in your prayers...and for that, I thank you so much...but also keep the many many people that go through the sadness of miscarriage in your prayers.  Even though there is much sadness, I still thank GOD for everything he continues to provide in our lives...

A Test Of Faith

“Follow your heart,

but be quiet for a while first.

Ask questions,

then feel the answer.

Learn to trust your heart.”

                                              Unknown

Arizona or Bust...

we are turning off the computers, locking up and hitting the road headed for 5 family fun filled days in the "it's a dry heat" Arizona sun...personally, I can not wait...I feel like an oil well and could use a little dry heat.  The June gloom has worn out it's welcome in California as far as I am concerned so I am looking forward to some heat.  I am sure that by Sunday I will be singing a different tune...and I am gonna be blunt here and say that I am starting to become "thick"..I am headed into my 8th week and although it is way early..I feel like an oily sequoia...ughhh...so the bathing suit thing is not working out so well for me...double ughh!

anyways...Thank you for all of the Anniversary Wishes...I LOVE love and I love my LOVE story...and I love my Valentine....Here is the card I made for him..we really are dorks...as you can see in the photo....

okay..and moving on...I have been sewing...and bringing back on old favorite of mine called the "Shabby Bag".  Back in 2003 and 2004, I made a truckload of these and I used to sell them at the Long Beach Veterans Stadium Flea Market....I forgothow much I love them. They are pretty, they are BIG, they are fully lined and they are shab-a-licious...

Here is a little look at the three combinations I have done so far...(2 are already sold!)

aren't they lovely??? As soon as I get back from AZ I am going to make more and have them for sale at the Scrap Sale on July 10th....

and it just would not be me without leaving you with a little...sneak peek teaser to "something" that is coming up in August...

Have a great rest of the week and a wonderful weekend...I will catch up & re-cap on Monday!~

 

Hello Monday..on a Tuesday.

Monday got away from me....and now it is Tuesday, June 23...my Valentine & I's 2nd Anniversary...(que the floating hearts!) Gosh..time is just flying. 

Just this time last year he was out of town working and this time two years ago was one of the most best wonderful days in my life... 

and this time next year....we will be pushing a stroller! 

Saturday Morning Scavenger Hunt

Saturday's are started by going out to the shead-teau and "starting over"  The counter ,floors & any other spot available is riddled with scraps from the week and it takes a good solid two hours or so to clean it up and clear it out so that I can start over...

I should have taken a "before" photo, but I think you have a pretty good idea of what it looked like compared to right now.  I am pretty sure I hear the sound of creative angels singing...Here is a look at what is going on out there..

This is the bulletin board that hangs up and to the right of the counter top..It has a cornucopia of things..I would probably win something on "Let's Make a Deal" if they had a "Creative Edition"

You'd find out alot about me by studying that board..

on the opposite side of my counter is where I have a ridiculous amount of projects.  I used to have a basket of them by our front door but it got to be toooo many...so now, here they are

and next to that is TWO LARGE BOXES full of stuff to sell at the Scrap Sale on Friday, July 10...but I can not show you that...it would be so unfair to those of you on the other side of the country..or the world!

and my counter top...ahhh, so nice to see you counter top!

 

and here is just a little look at some of the projects I completed this week, which by the way, made me very sea sick.  My Creative Flow is so Bi-Polar that it makes me have vertigo and the fact that working outside my box makes me..well...let's just say, I am a good sport and will give any product the benefit of the doubt...it is just that I DON'T LIKE some of the things that I make, compared the the things I LOVE LOVE to make....

needless to say, I had a very creative week and will have LOTS to give away soon.  I can not possibly keep storing all of these projects and if someone loves something..then they should have it instead of me keeping it in a box..

Happy Rest of your weekend.....

Hello Friday!

Oh there is so much to tell you about today...

First, There is a BIG SALE on the Sx2 stuff over at The Daily Digi.  If you are wondering what exactly Sx2 is, well today is the day you can "Read All About it"...& over on the left hand side bar under "for the Love of Papr & Digi", you can see how I am the "Not-a-Digi" person and simply print all my "junk" onto paper an then play with it...go on..go look...you can come right back when you are done...

 

second, school is officially OUT!!!!

We hit the skatepark, In-N-Out and then the boys "stayed up late" tillike, 11pm or so (and I was up too!)  Here is a look back at the first day & last day...both of the boys took a growth spurt this year.  It makes me sooo sapppy to think that Ben will be in 5th grade..Jack will be in 8th grade...and gulp...we will have another one before you know it.  Yesterday as we were getting ready to head to school, I was squeezing Ben telling him that I just could not believe that he was getting soooo big and he said "that's all right Mom, you will have another baby soon"...ugghhh....it's those "how can I love another" feeling creeping in.  I know I will, but I suppose these are the beginnings of raising a blended family.  I want Jack & Ben to KNOW completely that they are NEVER being replaced, nor do I want them to feel 2nd to a new baby....any advice and words of wisdom can be emailed to me at anytime! 

 

Regardless...it is summer...so it is back to work early & late for me and fun in the middle.  This is really "Our Every-Other-Year" Family Vacation to Maui...but due to that DUMB dumb DuMb economy...we will not be sifting the Maui sand with our toes.  We are however doing a few little local vacations...Wednesday, we are heading to Arizona (without the DOG) for some fun & sun with Grandma & Grandpa at the Arizona Grand...and in July we will be "roughing it" in the motorhome at the beach for a whole week with Grandma, Grandpa and a whole big group of family campers!...(again without the dog)

and speaking of the dog...Jack has a new summer job as it seems I am not dealing with the smell of pets (just thinking about it makes me blllahhhkkkk) so yesterday, I trained Jack from start to finish on this:

Most Important Rule to Dog Washing..ALWAYS leave one hand on wet dog at all times or get wet (see last photo). 

okay, moving on...

 

Deena has just opened up a new "Homeschool" Card kit for the summer and you should REALLY go check it out...and speaking of Deena...don't forget that we are have a BIG Scrap Sale in the Garage-mah-hall on FRIDAY, July 10th from 6:00 to 10:00 (or until there is no more stuff...but we have ALOT, but it is really good..so who knows!)  I think we have even decided to have a little make-n-take table to play with stuff..AND maybe even  a Bake Sale, too!

If you would like the address and flyer emailed to you, please email me at homegrownhospitality@cox.net or Deena at zigszoo@cox.net .  We will send you info so that you can "pass it on"...it is gonna be fun in the summer!

 

alrighty, the sun is up and I must retreat to the shead-teau to work..then we are off to the beach...and then Boomers...with some errands and "junk" inbetween...

Have a really great Friday....

Yipppeeeee...Summer is here!

CreAtiVitY up'S and DoWns...

I doodled today..well, and yesterday too...BUT I seem to be having some real difficulties right now with being content with colors, paper, really just doodling in general, so besides my fun doodle class going on right now, I am going to put down the pens for a while.  I don't want to force it...and I seem to be so overtaken by felt (flowers created yesterday in the car while at the skatepark!) that I am just going to stick with that for a bit...well and playing with paper of course, duh!  I am working on PDW stuff...Girl's Loft Stuff...TDD stuff, NEW Purple Onion stamps and Christmas stuff.

Yep, you heard me right...christmas...and I will have a new class announcement soon, so watch for that. 

Okay, for today, a doodle.  Actually, two doodles.  Same doodle done on different days...shows you how up and down I am...If you did not get a chance to read Donna Downey's blog yesterday on Creativity..you should. It is good. REALLY good.  Could not have said it better myself, and this quote compliments it just perfectly...

                                               

Have a super day!