simply wonderful weekend . . . .

What a wonderful weekend . . . of doing not really anything.  Well, I guess I did something . . . 

I painted, I read, I fold paper cranes . . . I took a nap that felt simply wonderful

Richard and I played cards, took Charlotte to lunch . . . and did few things around the house.

I didn't anticipate enjoying a do nothing weekend as much as I did.  I feel rested and relaxed!

Finding joy in the little things!

charlotte . . .

Children are one of the greatest lessons in happiness, 

constantly challenging us to enjoy the moment, 

as the next one will not be the same.

more paper cranes . . . .

 Charlotte wanted to color with me  - so we worked on coloring some origami paper. 

 She had to leave before her sheet was finished . . . so that paper crane is yet to come.

  I can't wait to see what her crane looks like once she is done and I get it folded.

 I used some watercolor pencils on my sheet .  I colored it rather quickly and 

dabbed it here and there with a wet paint brush . . . then had to wait

for it to dry before folding a crane.  I like how it turned out . . . but then,

I always like how paper cranes turn out.  

I have been a little obsessed with paper cranes this week!

paper cranes . . .

It was a cold and rainy weekend . . . perfect for being inside and getting online to list my Shabby Charlotte dolls.  Instead . . . I folded paper cranes.  I will get the dolls listed soon.
 I seemed to have had origami paper all over the place . . . so decided to get it all back in order.
After looking at all the beautiful paper I just felt the need to make some cranes.
Happy Monday!

new violet . . .

Bloom!

Don't wait for someone to bring you flowers. 

Plant your own garden and decorate your soul.

I've been wondering why I only have one African Violet in my house.  

 I need to change that.
 I also need a cup of coffee, but I am going to win that battle . . . although I may just sleep through the whole battle.
Happy Wednesday!

Shabby Charlotte dolls . . .

I believe it is time for me to get busy making dolls and getting them back in my ETSY shop.

I seem to have gotten busy doing other things and I miss making these quirky little dolls  

So I am hoping by the end of the week to have the dolls that I have - listed and for sale.

 . . . and some new Shabby Charlotte dolls in the making.  Time to get busy! 

doodles, paint, and omelets . . . . and withdrawals

 I needed a reminder today . . . 

"Faith isn't a feeling.  It's a choice to trust God

even when the road ahead seems uncertain."

~ Dave Willis.org

  . . . doodles and paint

. . . and when my husband makes an omelet - it smiles!

I needed smiling omelets today.  

I quit drinking coffee on Thursday.  Just typing that makes me wonder what was I was thinking? I drank a few cups of tea to get me through the headache . . . and I thought that would be it, but NO - there seems to be more to it.  It has been five days . . . I am so tired and feel like I am just off or in a fog . . . I guess sluggish is a good word.  I'm congested and even though the worst of the headache is gone . . . it feels like it is still right there under the surface.   By 3:00 in the afternoon I can't keep my eyes open . . . I have just given in to a 3 hour nap every afternoon . . . and I don't usually take naps.  Of course I had to get online a find out what I could about caffeine withdrawal.  Who would of thought . . . and what was I thinking?  I love coffee!  . . . did I mention that I LOVE COFFEE!

I actually made the decision due to some health issues . . . so it is a good decision.  

I am drinking herbal tea (which is NOT coffee) . . . but I love the message on my tea bag tonight.

keeping the winter blahs away . . .

Winter days call for some color - don't you think? 

 I am not a big fan of winter . . .  and January seems to want to get the better of me sometimes. 

 I tend to put up a fight when things want to get the better of me.  So I am fighting back with paint, and origami paper, and monkey button rings.  

"They say a person needs just three things

to be truly happy in this world:

someone to love, something to do, 

and something to hope for."

~ Todd Bodett

buttons and bows . . .

I purchased this head wrap for my new granddaughter.  It will be awhile yet before I get to take a picture of her wearing it . . . but I did get a glimpse of her during Kasey's ultra sound this week.

Check out Che Bella Bows on ETSY.  (although I believe her shop is closed for a few days)

. . . and a few more button rings.  I think Charlotte is going to love these.

coloring . . .

Richard found this wonderful origami  paper that you color.

Now I just want to color and fold cranes . . . 

. . . and paint . . . and sew . . . and take pictures . . . and make dolls.  

I have a head full of ideas these days . . .  hoping to make it a creative new year!

paper cranes and paint . . .

Faith is not about everything turning out okay.

Faith is about being okay 

no matter how things turn out.

I am back to work this week after two weeks off - which I suppose is a good thing.  Being back on a schedule seems to help me in some ways . . . but I am missing my late nights and days filled with doing exactly what I want to do.  

I am finding a little time each day to play and create something.  

That is good for me . . . good for who I am.  

Today I choose JOY!

I love her hands . . . and I love her face . . . and I love her imagination!

She brings us so much JOY! 

Happy Weekend!

starting a new year . . .

Busy day today . . . but doodled a little with some paint this morning.  Busy in a good way - lunch with a friend, some shopping, some projects, and time with Charlotte.

I found the list below at  Meet Me At Mikes . . . I think these are fun!

Making:  dolls and doodles . . . journal pages . . . and crocheting a beanie

Cooking:  13 Bean Chili

Drinking:  coffee . . . always coffee (but tonight it is decaf)

Reading:  The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler . . . just starting it

Drawing:  doodles

Wanting:  warmer weather . . . not a lover of cold weather (I consider anything below 60 degrees cold . . . yes, I am that big of a wimp)

Looking:  at my closet . . . thinking I need to clean it out . . . UGH!

Deciding:  if I should go to Starbucks in the morning . . . decided – it’s a yes . . but it will be cold outside. :(

Wishing:  the best for everyone in 2017

Enjoying:  quiet mornings . . .

Waiting:  . . . about 3 more months for a new granddaughter

Liking:  Instagram

Wondering:  where a few photographs are in my house . . . I stuck them away and can't find them

Loving: . . . the time I spend with Charlotte

Pondering:  a road trip . . . 

Listening:  to nothing . . . nice and quiet

Considering:  a new camera

Buying:  a new purse . . .

Watching:  Game of Thrones

Hoping:  for some good news tomorrow

Marveling:  at how quickly last year flew by . . . and here we are starting another new year.

Cringing:  at seeing Winter Break end . . . but I getting back into a routine can be a good thing for me

Needing:  that road trip I am thinking about

Questioning:  someone’s mental state

Smelling: the new lotion I bought today

Wearing:  leggings and a flannel shirt

Noticing:  it is getting late and I should really be getting to sleep

Knowing:  life is short . . . enjoy every minute!

Thinking:  I am going to drink coffee and be a bum in the morning

Admiring:  so many creative people . . . .

Getting:  obsessed with avocados . . . 

Bookmarking: some ideas for baby shower favors and a Project Life Album 

Disliking:  getting sick . . . finally starting to feel better

Opening:  a letter from my Aunt Olive

Closing:  my book for the night

Feeling:  INSPIRED!

Hearing:  nothing but quiet . . . 

Celebrating:  a new year . . . a new beginning.  I love new beginnings!

Pretending:  that people don’t piss me off
Embracing:  FAITH

Also found this website . . . according to them - here are my nine best Instagram images for 2016.
I'm seeing a theme here . . . 

Happy New Year!

magic . . .

. . . and then there is little girl magic!  

my word for 2017 . . . faith

The idea is to pick one word to focus on for the new year . . . just one word.

I have never really liked the idea of making resolutions for the new year.  They tend to be things I should be doing anyway . . . and I have always felt that picking the beginning of the year to start new habits or make positive changes isn't really the best way for me.  

But ONE word . . . I like that idea. A word is something I can embrace and something I can apply to  many areas of my life.  A word can't be broken like a resolution.  It is there as a reminder and to encourage me every day . . . something to keep me focused on what I need to do

I didn't really think long and hard . . . although there are a lot of words I could have picked to inspire me and move me forward in the areas of my life I would like to improve.  I simple thought about what I need right now.  I tend to worry too much . . . and to be honest life has given me some things that I have a real reason to worry and stress about.  

I absolutely hate when stress gets the better of me because I know better than to let it . . . and then it does . . . and then it does again.   

My word for 2017 is FAITH . . . .

Faith in God . . . that I need to trust in him and his timing

Faith in myself . . . it is my life and journey - no one elses.