Barn Full Of Blessings: April 2013

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Coffee Break

Every once in awhile I'll get a picture in my mind of something I want to create and that thought takes over my life. I just can't stop until what I pictured is real and tangible. I never know what's going to send me down a creative path, but when it pushes me, I just have to go on the journey.

This happened to me this past week. I pulled out some quilt squares I'd prepared with embroidery designs to work on while watching a little TV last weekend. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I finished the first one and thrilled with the vintage look I'd achieved through my color choice. I quickly started the next block, and as I stitched memories began to envelope me. Memories of Mamo embroidering sets of tea towels with kitties and the Campbell Soup kids. I don't have a single memory of Mamo's kitchen or the kitchen in my childhood home that doesn't have her embroidered tea towels on the counter. I remember her making me a set for a gift at one of my bridal showers many years ago:).

I always loved these towels. The sweet colorful designs made me smile. When I was a really little girl, Mamo would tie one around my waist, stand me up on the stool and let me help her cook or dry dishes. If I fell, ice was wrapped in one and I'd hold it on my bruised head or knee, the softness as soothing as the cold itself. As I stitched my own quilt quilt blocks, I remembered Mamo teaching me to embroider. I could feel her hands guiding mine along as she did long ago. What a wonderful gift she gave me with each stitch she helped me sew.

Well, I spent the week enjoying stitching my coffee themed quilt blocks and with each stitch the picture of what my quilt would look like became more clear. I was so excited to finish them yesterday. Then this afternoon I pieced the other blocks to go with them; happy polka dot star blocks:). What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon:). I finished my quilt top today and it turned out just as I'd pictured it - vintage and kichty, looking like something Mamo might have made:).

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Blessings....

It's finally spring :) Not that it was an exceptionally hard winter, but there is just something extra special about watching things come back to life after laying dormant for so many months. We've done some spring cleaning around our home, shedding some of the excess "stuff" that has accumulated over the past few years (yes, more needs to go, but I'm pretty happy with what we have accomplished so far:). It's nice to know that our unwanted/unneeded stuff can bless others in their time of need, so we've donated most of what we cleaned out. We haven't tackled the garage and attic yet, but that is slated to happen in the next few weeks. It will be a huge burden lifted to rid ourselves of most of what is stored out there ~ outgrown bikes, scooters, clothes, toys, unneeded household items, excess of seasonal decor, etc. Surely someone else can use what we no longer need or want.

We've celebrated another birthday... a big milestone one ~ Sarah Camden turned 13 years old on April 3rd. What a blessing Sarah has always been. She has the absolute sweetest spirit I've ever known in a child. She looks for ways to serve others, and loves to bless her family on a regular basis by helping in anyway she can. Now, don't get me wrong, she has a stubborn streak in her and a slight temper, but she's learning to control those traits and lives out Christ's calling to love others as He loves us. She is creative, artistic, smart, thoughtful, and determined. I love to hear her sing and laugh at her own silly jokes. I'm so very proud of the beautiful young lady she is growing in to.

For her special 13th birthday, we enjoyed a family celebration as well as a Paris themed party with her friends a few days later. Sarah and I worked for several weeks making most of the decorations for her party, planning them so that they could decorate her room afterwards. Sarah planned the cake of her dreams all by herself and worked with the baker to get it to come to life. She and her friends enjoyed getting intouch with their inner artists and painted canvases. They were all pretty talented artists and enjoyed spending nearly an hour and a half creating their masterpieces.

We have truly enjoyed our school year and have seen the girls grow so much over this year; it's hard to believe that we are nearly done with our official school year, but are certainly ready for a break from our normal school routine. We continue Math and Reading throughout the summer, but otherwise enjoy a traditional summer break full of swimming, chasing fireflies, and playing with friends, etc. It's just so nice to have the flexability that homeschooling our kids offers our family and what a blessing it is to watch our girls grow in God while growing academically each and every day.

As you can tell, this is kind of my "catch up" post - there's been so much going on around here that I just haven't really had the time to blog. As I've enjoyed some quiet time recently, I've been hit yet again with the realization of just how blessed my family is. God is so good to us, providing for all our needs and so very many of our desires. I love that I'm able to be home with my family each day, surrounded by their laughter, chatter, and watching them grow. There are times I go a little crazy and need a break from all the noise and activity around our home, but after a short break, I'm always so grateful to be surrounded by all the daily chaos once again.