Back To The Grind and More Ramblings

After a delightful Thanksgiving celebration, spending time with Family and Friends, it's fair to say we all have to touch the ground again. I love the respite Thanksgiving gives us. It's that little break in the monotony of the year, and that deep breath you take before diving into a whirlwind of more Holiday festivities.

But we will cherish all the sweet memories throughout the year.

If but we are given more time to live, we can create more beautiful memories upon those past. As I sit here typing, I can hear the tick tock of the clock on the wall. And it's the same sound whether it's at home, in a business, or in a hospital. Time passes by the same for everyone. Yet for a second there, it was deja vu all over again. I was reminded of those instances where we've been in hospitals. The past four years have given us our share of difficult moments. First it was the loss of my Dad. Soon after, my Mother. Then, my surgery. Then Owen's surgery. There was also my Mother-in-law's injury to her knee. The sound of that clock ticking brought back all those memories.I do try not to remember them, but sometimes, when I do recall, it just gives me a greater appreciation for the good ones. Maybe it's also because we're near the end of another year, and you can't help but take stock of things.

So for now, it's best to focus on other things. Best to get into a hands on the plow, 'manos a la obra' frame of mind. I have so many ideas of things I want to create! There are still aprons to sew, and scarves, hats, and purses to knit; embroidered dish towels, golf towels, bookmarkers........oh, if only there were more hours in the day. Well, maybe I won't quite get around to having all those things done right away, but in time it can be done. Again, that is if I am granted said time. But it's always good to have a dream.

I am really excited about having a venue for sharing creativity. That's how I see my Etsy shop. For me, it's not so much about money, although of course that is always a plus, but more about having a springboard for ideas and dreams. Maybe it's more about stepping out in faith, and away from fear. That nagging fear of failure that afflicts us all at one time or another. To go out on a limb, and have faith in God to help me, and trust my God given abilities and instincts. That would be a fine thing! Something to which I can say 'why not?'

I think perhaps some people who know me have wondered why I have taken such an interest in this new venture. It had been a little germ of an idea growing in my mind for quite some time.

But it wasn't something I was going to plunge into all at once. I took my time, about two years actually, of thinking, researching, reading, and just talking to my Sweetie. I slowly over time built up a little inventory of supplies, thinking always that perhaps someday I would actually take the big step. I realize an online business is not exactly as big a step as a brick and mortar business, but it's a start. What I like about Etsy is that you can go as slow or as fast as you want.... It's a way to get your 'feet wet' so to speak. I like it. Of course, Etsy is not the only option out there. There are other venues, even just starting another blog and selling your items there. That is also something I had been thinking of as well. It's just whatever you're comfortable with. And to anyone thinking of making their own dreams a reality, I say 'just do it'. You've thought about it, done the research, now it's time to take action.


I don't know what the future holds, I'll just take it one day at a time, I'll just go where my Father takes me. For me that is more than enough.

Parody

I found this while surfing. It's a cute parody of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody". Not a big fan of Queen, but I do like the muppets.

A Neat Award

To my friend Gloria from Viva La Vida, I say thank you for another wonderful award! She has always been such a sweetheart about sharing her awards with me. I will post it on my sidebar. I would love to pass it on, but I'm afraid I've run out of people who will accept them. But if anyone wants to post it on their blog, please feel free to do so. It's all about sharing!

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

My prayers and wishes for all my bloggie friends to have a wonderful blessings filled day! I'm a day ahead I know, but I don't expect I'll have time to post tomorrow. So to one and all, enjoy this marvelous time of year, and may your plates be full of good food, your table surrounded by loved ones, and your life full of God's joy and presence! And remember, no matter what the circumstances are in your life right now, every day we awaken is a new opportunity to draw close to our Creator for an abundant life!

Love,

Gloria's Shoppe!

My good Amiga Gloria from Viva La Vida has opened up her own online shop! This very talented artist, gardener, cook extraordinaire, and all around great blogging friend has set up GlorV1's Wooden Bracelets Shoppe with a marvelous array of beautiful and colorful wooden bracelets.

Gloria has been blogging for quite a while and has shared her gift of painting with prints of some of her artwork. She has also created some very pretty woodwork, some made for the kitchen, and others for the garden, such as her "Ladies of the Garden" collection. Well, now with this new venture, I do believe she has found another creative outlet which has been showing itself to be quite successful. I urge anyone to pay her a visit, you will be certain to find something that you simply must have. And now with Christmas shopping underway, her bracelets would make for an excellent gift! I know I have my eye on several of those beauties, just can't decide which!

I believe that we should support each other in our creative endeavors. As women, we tend to shy away from 'putting ourselves out there', meaning in the business world. But with encouragement and positive support from one another, any of us can make our dreams come true! Stop by Gloria's shoppe, and be sure to leave her some love and encouragement.

Love,

In The Shop

I will be adding more bookplates in the shop. More things to come soon!

Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

The brief rainfall and cool temperatures made for a beautiful day! Any rain is always welcome, but the cloudy, overcast skies which remained even after the rain had ceased made for a perfect Autumn Day. A visit by my Grandsons made me all the more happy and blessed.

Suddenly, all the aches and pains don't matter too much. I actually forget about my aches and pains, ha! Let me share this with you, the best medicine for those aging bones is to have your Grandbabies around you. There's something about their laughter and their voices that does an Abuelita good! Suddenly you feel invigorated and refreshed. The fountain of youth, I tell you!

Updating

Well, saving your template before doing a blog makeover is supposed to save you headaches should you need to reinstall it again. I saved mine, but somehow, the widgets didn't make it through the transition. So, I pretty much have to start over in adding all the links I previously had. I only wish Blogger would offer more templates and especially at least a three column option. I got so tired of seeing the two columns, I went in search of a three column template. It's a risky proposition when you start changing things around, especially trying to edit html code.

If I could keep the simplicity of my previous blog, I would happily do so. I liked having it in white with simple graphics. But I want three columns. So I'll try this new layout for a while. In meantime, I'll also try and find my old links again. Blogger, if you're listening, try giving us more options. It's been years with the same basic style......time for a change.

Jane Austen Exhibition

I just learned through the Sense and Sensibility forum, which is one of my favorites, that there is currently an exhibition in New York at the Morgan Library and Museum of all things Jane Austen! It would be fascinating to learn more about this famous English author's life and legacy. The exhibition dates are from November 6, 2009 through March 14, 2010, so for anyone interested, there is still time to plan for a trip there.

Being an Austen fan myself, I only wish I could someday make a trip to England to visit all the historic places associated with the times and life of Jane Austen. While New York seems more within the realm of possibility, it might at as well be across the pond also. The timing is just not right; but there will be other times and other exhibitions. For now, movies about her books will have to do.

Love,

Timely Arrival

Today has been a nice quiet day, perfect for reading! This book arrived in Saturday's mail, and I had been yearning for some down time to get a feel for it. My first impression was that it very much resembled a bread baking book, and not because of the title or picture. It just feels like a book full of nutritious recipes. It may very well be just that. Nutrition for the soul.

From what I've seen so far, it's going to be an interesting book to get into. I see it as a catalyst for asking myself some good, soul searching questions.  I can hardly wait to share with you'll my perception of it.

I do like the fact that it's a hardcover. A book you can come back to again and again, and still keep its crisp clean lines.

Funny how God works; I've been struggling with a few 'tidbit' questions, the type all of us have to joust with every now and then. And then this book arrives in my lap!

Love,

Boxes

In looking around the Etsy site, I found a neat tutorial for making your own little boxes. What I did to make these two little boxes was use 12x12" scrapbook paper, because it's already square. It just involves a series of folds and a couple of cuts into the paper.

So that's what I've been doing. I'm glad I found this little nugget. It will come in handy when I need a small box for a gift.

Love,

Idalia

Thank You Beverly!

My dear friend Beverly had a giveaway recently on her website Tea Time and Roses and I was the very lucky winner of one of her exquisite pieces of jewelry. I happen to love white pearls, so it almost seemed as though she made the earrings thinking of me! Beverly is just one of those very artistic people who is able to create beautiful handmade artwork: her cards, jewelry, handknit items.... a very talented individual. She actually has two shops: Cri Designs and Tea Time and Roses The Shoppe. I'd say they're a  great place to start for the Holiday shopping season already upon us! So if you're in the market for a nice gift, visit her sites, she has very good selections.

Of course, I just had to show off my earrings and visually share  her artistic talent!

Aren't they just beautiful! And nice packaging too!

Thank you so much Beverly, I will wear them proudly! Pearls go with everything, and I've already got a nice dress to pair them with for our Thanksgiving celebration.

Veteran's Day

A pause is in order to remember all who have served, and all who are serving to protect our country. And prayers for their families as well, especially for those whose loved one gave the ultimate sacrifice.
May the Lord protect our Servicemen and Women everywhere. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Class Worth Taking

This is the last week of registration for a free class over at the Jessica Sprague website called Holidays In Hand.  More details here:

Perfect for my good friend Gloria who recently purchased Photoshop software. It's a good way to get in and learn what all the bells and whistles are for. Besides, Jessica is an excellent Instructor! So, I say, take advantage of this opportunity to learn something new!

Love,

Something New

Boy! I finally took the plunge! I up and started my Etsy shop! Therefore, I've added that 'something' new to my sidebar. Eventually I'm hoping to add aprons to the list as well.

Love,

Another Diamond

I was just over at Sandra's blog Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom and was so very blessed with this Scripture she posted:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”- 1 Peter 2:9


My Bible shows it like this, with one word that stands out in my mind- "peculiar":
 
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" - 1 Peter 2:9
 
Either Bible version is true and the same, but the word peculiar somehow does strike a familiar chord. As a Bible believing Christian I know that I come across as 'peculiar' and 'quaint' to some people. And that my dears, is as it should be.
 
Love,

Happy To Report

Our precious Owen has been having fun!

Out and about with his Brother the two Superheroes had a great time!

Love his baby smiles.....

It does an Abuelita good!

Love,

Rejoicing In The Little Things

Not long ago I made a post where I mentioned one of our citrus trees which had produced fruit, but which we also had no idea what type of tree it was. Over the last few days I've been keeping my eyes on the fruit, watching as it slowly begins to ripen, showing a glorious tinge of orange here and there.

Well, today I decided I could wait no longer to at least try and get a taste and thereby an idea of what fruit we were dealing with. So my Sweetie went and got a ladder and brought down one of the specimens which had a little more color than the rest. Of course when I posted about it back in October 9th, the fruit was still quite green:

In my excitement I completely forgot to take a picture of the fruit as it looks today.....before I peeled it.

What to my wondering eyes (and tastebuds) should appear but a Ruby Red Grapefruit!

The peel is visible in these photos, and it is obvious that there is still some green coloration going on.

And even as I hurriedly removed the rind and saw the color, I kept thinking maybe it's a Blood orange! Well, that was not the case!

So I know I'm looking at the very early stages of ripening. Imagine the stunning color when this fruit is fully ripe! How amazing also that this is only three weeks from the way it looked back in October!

And the sweetness! Oh, you cannot imagine how sweet it already is! Oh, the rind is inevitably thick and bitter, but it's the sweetness which captivates the taste buds. What is so astonishing to me is that we had actually gone and purchased a small grapefruit tree years ago, and after a couple of years of hoping for signs of growth, it finally died. So through the years we've been saying,  'Oh! If only we had a grapefruit!' And all along we had one growing in our garden without know it! We just really had our heart set on it being an orange tree. We do also have an orange which this year also produced for the first time, and we did taste it also to verify, and it is an orange, and yes, it also has a ways to go before maturing fully. But this tree was the one we were so certain was an orange. Will wonders ever cease?!

And you know what else is so wondrous to me? My Sweetie planted it from seed! Except for the Mexican lime tree which was a gift from his Father, and the Tangerine which was a gift from my Abuelita, every little citrus tree we have growing in pots was planted by my Sweetheart. He even has an Ugli fruit tree growing in a pot. Yep, the man has a 'buena mano'..... a good hand for citrus seeds.

To me, this has been such a huge blessing! Something new to cheer me up after weeks of sadness and stress. And on that front, I am happy to report our little Owen is much improved after the surgery. His parents took him and Elias out trick or treating last night. Not that I much approve of that, but that's a whole other story. All I'm happy about is that he's doing great! One more reason I suppose why this grapefruit tastes so very sweet!

Love,