Eternity

The older I get, the more I realize that this earth, just isn't home.  It isn't Heaven.  Heaven's where things are perfect.  Heaven's where all is right.  Heaven's where peace reigns.  Heaven's where there aren't any tears.  Heaven's where there isn't any pain.  I remember something our Dean said back in my Bible school days.  "The Earth groans and travails.  It's all off-kilter."  It's true.  Everything's been out of sync since that day in the Garden of Eden.  When the Second Adam, Jesus Christ, came, He fixed salvation for us, but the rest of the mess from the fall of man, is yet to be fixed.  And that's what we have to look forward to. 

My cousin died tragically last week at the age of sixteen.  A nice young man.  Funny.  Kind.  Generous.  Helpful.  Sweet.  Happy.

In tragedies, we all grasp at why.  Why Brent?  Why not the scumbag down the street?  Why? 

Mostly, people grasp for the answers til the heartache isn't so stifling and it doesn't require thought to simply breathe the next breath anymore.  Passing time eases the pain, but it doesn't answer why.

Losing a baby in the womb is a different kind of tragedy from losing your 16 year old son, but before my cousin Brent died, that was my only frame of reference with tragedy.  This thought comforts me.

People get what they truly deserve in Eternity. 

The Godly are rewarded in Eternity, whether they were taken early or late from this Earth.
The ungodly finally receive the punishment they deserve.

God is still a just god.  Tragedy makes me remember more and more the temporary, imperfect place that this Earth is.  And, I look forward to Heaven, where wrong will be made right.

I do hope to see Brent again.  May the Lord comfort our family.

Glam up a Stroller!

I picked up this well-loved "beaut" on the side of the road on the way home from church one Sunday.  (free!)  My husband hosed it off to rid it of years of dust and leaves.  (Hello Jake, you photo-bombing Golden Retriever!)

I wanted to work on it RIGHT AWAY but the Rugged, Mountain Man knows me so well.  He said, "You can't work on that stroller til the wood is stacked."  Don't get mad at my man because...

A. I love a challenging, creative project.
B. Refurbishing a stroller is far more interesting and fun than stacking wood, (which is the girls' and my responsibility because gathering, cutting, hauling, and splitting our year's supply of wood is a ton of work for one man).

Ahem.

A pretty stroller will not keep you warm in winter.  AND, it is much smarter to stack in spring and sew in summer.  (Don't believe me?  Try stacking in 90 degree weather.  It ain't pretty.) 

So, here I am, about 2 months later, finally tackling the stroller, since we finished the wood-stacking a week or so ago. 

To glam up your stroller, start disassembling.  Keep all your screws, straps and such in one place.  Namely, a place that a certain BabyBlossom cannot reach.  For obvious reasons.  The comfy seat part was attached with screws, which I removed.   I spray-painted the frame with that cool Krylon spray paint specially formulated for plastics.  SO NEAT.  (Remember to ventilate well and watch out for over-spray.)

 Now, this project isn't really for the sewing faint of heart, but you can do it!  Just carefully take your seat apart and use it to make a pattern.  I ripped open seams wherever possible.  In other spots, I simply had to cut it apart.  (The point of no return!)  Always remember these things:

1. Cut around your "pattern" leaving about 1/2 inch for your seam allowance.
2. Leave about an inch for more finished edges.  (I turned under and turned it under again and then top stitched.)
3. Mark where your safety straps go as early as possible. 
4. Go slow.  If you hurry, you're more likely to make a mistake. 

Please admire the pocket.  It was an engineering feat.  At least, for my skill level it was. 

Anyway, one busted needle, a broken seam-ripper and a kid with spray-paint on their hiney and hands later, it's finally finished!  I'm so pleased!!!  :)

Now that's GLAM!

Just lookin'

We catch things here.  Toads.  Bugs.  Morning Doves.  Yes, even snakes at times.  (not with bare hands)  And, I don’t like it when they croak.  (No pun intended.)  But, we’ve been getting into a groove. 

Catch it.

Feed it.  (or attempt to feed it).

Watch it.

Release it.

So much fun!  Even BabyBlossom loves looking at the Eastern Swallowtail caterpillar that we have currently abiding in the neat little “habitat” that someone gave us.  (He's munching on cilantro in here.  Check out this link if you want to know more http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/eastern_black_swallowtail.htm)

The toad was great too!  They saw him whip out his lightning fast tongue and snag a fly.  I have never even witnessed this phenomenon, but the Blossoms have.

How. Cool. Is. That.  (Blossom1 is appalled at the periods in the middle of the sentence.  My Master Homeschooling Mama reputation is apparently at stake.  I must emphasize though!) 

Yep, there's no harm in looking.  And, it's amazing what you might see in the process.

(or learn... Blossom1 is convinced he's fattening up already.  I think it is in order to make a chrysalis.  She's adamant that caterpillars molt.   If you'll excuse me, I have to go research whether or not caterpillars molt.  :)

 

 

Talented Friends

I love knowing talented and creative people.  Everybody's gifts are so different!

My friend, Julie, has a thing for felt.  Her hands whip up creative things that make my mouth water. 



Felt burgers!



The sandwich version is delectable too!



But, I must say, the pizza is my favorite.  Adorable, fun and appetizing!

Julie is a dedicated mama to four Blossoms of her own.  (good friends of our Blossoms!)  Her Etsy shop "LamaMamaCreations" can be found here.  Check it out!  I love Etsy because it's so custom order friendly!  Don't hesitate to contact Julie if you don't see what you're looking for.  You're guaranteed a handmade, imaginative product every time. 

the Caspian Chronicles

My Sister and her husband and their Bun-In-The-Oven are living in Arkansas for 3 1/2 months.  Or a little under 3 months now.  And, my family gets to watch her cat, Caspian.  Blossom1 has taken over his correspondence, because, you know, that's essential.  Cat owners must hear from their felines!  Our family has been very entertained by this, so I thought you'd enjoy them.

Dear Master,

 

 

 

 

 

 I miss you Master. Where have you been?

I have used the litter box many times. The big huge dog that lives here ate my supper.
I have not gone upstairs yet. Every minute of the day there are big loud noises coming from upstairs. I hope there are other cats living here although we have not been introduced yet. Every morning someone comes past me and makes very loud noises. She says something about chickens.  I guess they are a bird of some sort.  Birds sound tasty.  I have found out that there are many hiding places in this place. I hear humans talking about something known as "outside."  I think it is a myth, but I haven't seen it with my two eyes yet.  The Innkeeper here tried to hold me and pet me and I did not like it at all.  I showed him.  He said I haven't heard the end of him yet.  Please come get me soon before those little humans get me.  They are scary looking!  All of their fur is on their head!  And they don't meow or talk quietly like you do!
 
Love
You're brave and noble Caspian
(Via Blossom1)

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Dear Caspian,

It will be many days before I come to see you again. Give the little humans a chance. They are quite nice, once you get to know them. Even their fur is pretty. :)

Master Brandon and I loved hearing from you. We laughed and laughed and laughed. We're not laughing at you; we're laughing with you. 

One day you will come out of hiding and discover wonderful things that we have never shown you. 

Love,

Mistress Naomi & Master Brandon

 

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Dear Mistress,

I am doing better here.
Those "Girls" as you call them are nicer than I thought they would be.
I let them pick me up.
Their fur is kinda pretty too.
I found out there are two other cats here, their names are Tabby and Toby.
Tabby is a grumpy caterpillar on legs.
Toby is a handsome ruler.
I found out that the place called outside is not a myth.
The people here let the door hang open on purpose, I went outside.
It is scary out there.
It is full of loud noises and dark scary corners.

I hope you will come back soon
Your brave and noble
Caspian
(Via Blossom1)