Outside My Kitchen Window

Here's an old song...maybe you know the words.

I picked-up some suet at the local feed store.

The package claimed it would attract colorful songbirds.

You can imagine my surprise when I looked out

my kitchen window and saw 2 squirrels

enjoying the spread.

Not a songbird, heck...not a bird in sight!

A couple minutes later...

A friend came to join them.

And then there were 3.

Like all parties at my house they kept a'comin...

And then there were 4.

Now I'm not the type to scare off the squirrels or

to try and devise a feeder that's squirrel proof.

Hah! Like that's possible!

If you've ever watched them in action, I'm sure you'd agree...

They are living proof that if there's a will, there's a way.

Maybe I should watch the squirrels more often.

Lessons to be learned...

right outside my kitchen window.

Fast Friends and Favorite Gift of 2010

This past summer we took care of my brother and sister-in-law's farm so they could take a much needed vacation. After a brief "training session" we were left to tend to the animals. Sounds daunting, huh?

Truth be told, we felt like we were the ones on vacation. We made some fast friends with the animals...the chickens in particular. As we got out of our Jeep each morning, they were there to greet us with their cheerful clucking. I fell in love with those chickens.

We often took family and friends along to share in our joy. On one occasion, my mom joined us and got to witness first hand those welcoming chickens, the whinnying horse, the playful goats, and Truman the cantankerous donkey. Still, there was something special about those chickens. Mom saw it...mom understood.

Now fast-forward to Christmas 2010.

Beautiful gifts...too blessed to count! Yet one stands out for its pure simplicity and for embracing the true spirit of giving.

Take a look.

Can you see the chicks in the picture?

Keep looking because this gift is too big to wrap!

It reads, "To: Jenny "The Chicken Keeper" From: Mom. I bought 10 chickens for a needy family in your name." A family in need now has daily access to food, compost, and a source of income!

The tears welled up as they do now.

Wow Mom...thank you.

Thanks for being my mom and for totally getting me.

I love you to pieces!

Here's A Link For More Info

ELCA World Hunger - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

It's Hip To Be Square

It's Back in time for Holiday Shopping!

The Hipster (See Dec 2009)

For a quick refresher course...I found it necessary

to re-invent the purse after a whopper

shopping spree.

Why, you ask?

Well, that darn purse kept sliding down my shoulder

and started feeling heavier than the packages I was trying to carry!

I went to the drawing board a.k.a. sewing machine

and made the first hipster.

After taking it for a test drive at the dreaded mall,

I declared it a success!

Now I am almost positive I can hear Stacy and Clinton

(of What Not To Wear)

Scream a united "NO!"

But seriously...

desperate times called for function over fashion!

Worn properly, The Hipster combines the two.

Gunslinger style...not at the waist but the hip...it says

cute and sassy...and hip!

This isn't your grandma's (dare I say it?)

fanny pack!

Let the last week of Christmas shopping begin!

Keep it happy with The Hipster!

Peace on Earth, Good Wool To Men

No Shoes? No Skirt? No Problem!

This year, with the addition of another

tree, I found myself without an

extra tree skirt.

If you follow me at all, you know that buying

a new one is out of the question.

I can do better than that.

I went attic shopping and found this stash

of pillows that I have acquired throughout the years.

I added to my little collection and created

The Peace Pillow.

Here's the "rear view"...

You know I have a weakness for denim.

A perfect pocket for sharing little love notes or a

Christmas wish!

This particular pillow went to the shop, but I liked it

so much I made myself another.

I call this one...

Peaceful Snowflakes!

I like the look of the pillows piled under my rustic

little Christmas tree.

What are your creative alternatives to the traditional

tree skirt?

I'd love to hear from you!

Peace to all...and to all a Good Night!

I'll Be Home For Christmas

You can Count on me!

Quick story...

Just yesterday, as I was preparing to go to the shop 

to restock, the phone rang...

caller I.D. read,

Harmony in Life...

my very destination! 

Here's a brief run-down:

"Hey Jen...

all of your Christmas stockings just sold

and the woman who purchased them

was wondering if you could make her FOUR

more A.S.A.P. please!"

"No problem."

Yikes! Did I just say I could do this?

Yessirree!

It figures...my said re-stock didn't

include a single stocking.

Back to the sewing machine.

I have to admit I love working under pressure.

I also enjoy working for someone whose only request

is to be creative...

I can do creative!

I did, however, refer to myself as the "mad stocker" all day!

Mission Accomplished!

The Moral of this Story...

Special Orders are Always Welcome!

It's reward enough to know that a family will have 

stockings in time for Santa!

I also got to meet the nice woman who purchased them.

She was happy...I was happy.

Don't you just love those happy endings?

I'm Dreaming of a Wool Christmas

Christmas Stockings

Salvaged Woolens are the epitome of

Cabin charm... adding warmth and texture to their surroundings. This is especially true when hung by the chimney with care awaiting Santa's arrival! Scalloped Stockings...

Buttoned and Striped Stockings...

Green Nordic Stockings...

What will your stocking hold? These Christmas stockings are available at Harmony in Life Main Street Sylvania, Ohio.

Woolen Wonderland

Mission: Rescue Woolens Wild-patterned sweaters that only Bill Cosby would wear...Perfect! Moth-eaten cashmere...That's the ticket! Itch factor off the charts...Gotta have it! Find...Felt...Fashion That's what I do. I rescue those ugly, moth-eaten, itchy woolens and give them a new purpose. Leg Warmers...

Texting Gloves...

Tassel Hats...

And SO much more! The possibilities are endless. Thank you for visiting my Woolen Wonderland. Stop back soon for my newest additions. Got Wool?

The Read-to-me-Dreamland Tepee Jr.

First comes love...At Goodwill and garage sales where I collect sheets in fabrics that I fall in love with. Then comes marriage...the coming together of a project after the cutting, sewing and assembling.

Then comes the Read-to-me-Dreamland Tepee...where the fun really begins!

Once you look inside...something magical happens. A place to snuggle...to read...to dream together.

The Read-to-me-dreamland Tepee Jr...downsized just a touch for your smaller indians, as well as smaller environments. It can easily be tucked into a corner of any room...a porch...a sunny garden spot..lightweight, and oh so portable.

Approximately 4 feet tall with a base around 3 feet square.

Let the dreams begin.

Fun and Anxiety

The excitement is building as I prepare for a sister's weekend to Grand Rapids, Michigan to see Beth Moore in concert! Concert?! Well, to many (my sista Rosebud), she is the rock star of Christian inspirational speakers. The air is charged with that feeling that comes with a true getaway. Little signs are all around me...

Travel-sized necessities.Luggage...waiting to be filled last minute.

This outing has the feel of a spontaneous road trip on one hand (some destinations unknown) with a scheduled itinerary in the other. One thing is sure...fun will be had!

Confession: Going with a bunch of women will often put the fear of God in me. Let's face it, it's not like going on vacation with my boys who care less about clothes, hair, etc... Yes, they are my sisters, but first and foremost, they are women!

My poor mom is usually mortified when she catches me in my braids and headband while out and about town...my favored hairstyle as of late.

Hence, the dreaded hair appointment!

Getting a haircut has induced anxiety in me since I was a little girl. Probably a result of bad haircuts with super short bangs...thereby being confused for a boy until I developed breasts. Sadly, I was a late bloomer.

I've always related to Samson in the Bible. My hair is more than just hair, and when I cut it, I feel like an amputation has been performed on me!

I know what you're thinking...hair grows! Right? True for most. However, mine grows at a microscopic rate per month!

Thursday @5.

Yikes!!

A real cut with style? I have photos in hand.

OR,

A slight trim. The chicken-out alternative.

Keep me in your prayers!

It Only Counts in Horseshoes!

Bear with me as I postulate on an observance I have made regarding men and women. Keep in mind I am gleaning from my vast experiences with both sexes. It is said that men, as a general rule, are competitive by nature. Hence the impassioned spectating and participating in various activities that involve the managing of an object into a designated space...i.e., the b'ball into the hoop, the golf ball into the hole, the puck into the goal, etc. to exhaustion. Don't get me wrong...I, like many women, enjoy sports as well. In fact, I am a self proclaimed competition junkie. Ask anyone who knows me. However, unlike men, women are able to channel that spirit and transcend the field...so to speak. Men conversely, even after endless hours of "practicing" and honing their skills to pin-point accuracy, are apparently unable to parlay that knowledge into other areas of their lives.

That vital connection between sports and real life applications is somehow altered.

Exhibit A:

Shoes almost making the closet beyond.

Exhibit B:

Books so close to their shelves.

Exhibit C:

My personal favorite...underwear and socks just outside the basket...

every morning!

Exhibit D: Clothes on the floor...within 3 steps of the hamper.

Exhibit E:

Here's the hamper...

this shot has to get one point for the dangle!

Exhibit F:

Dog food that was carried in up to this point.

It stayed here ALL weekend...I admit to testing the group.

To see if I could out-wait them.

I couldn't.

It's home lies just beyond the door pictured.

Okay...have I convinced you yet? These pics were not a set up...

I swear!

I captured them all in a single walk around the house.

AND...

I spared you the toilet shot where boys have the worst aim ever.

Are you feeling me girlfriends?

Probably a condition present only in my home, I'm sure.

As I continue to ponder this state of affairs.

(OR , as my family who have become aware of this entry have reminded...)

It would be remiss of me NOT to mention my personal paraphernalia scattered about.

Somehow the "picker-upper" cuts themselves a break.

OR

If you're like me you'll agree that

female "stuff " is so darn cute!

(I will provide pics soon and you can be the judge!)

Obviously, having a light moment on an otherwise dreary day!

BUT I ASK YOU...

Haven't they heard?!

Close...it only counts in horseshoes!

Happy Mother's Day

Do you remember making these for your mom way back in kindergarten?

I received this tissue paper/ stained glass vase for Mother's Day from Joey when he was five.

It got me to thinking...

With a few modifications...maybe...I could give an old school craft a new school look.

So, I set out to work.

The plan...to make a candle out of the finished project.

The glowing flame would enhance the stained glass effect.

It kind of worked.

What do you think?

I haven't completely given up on the idea...

I like it well enough to try something else that I have in mind.

I will share it as soon as I can.

Unfortunately, my mom will have to wait for this gift.

I always like giving her something handmade.

Obviously, a habit that began in kindergarten. Mom...

She is the BEST!

She still puts that smile on my face whenever we're together! Love you to pieces, mom!

Bargainaholic

Okay...I will admit to being a bargainaholic.

Never heard of it?

Here's a list of symptoms you should be aware of...in an attempt to self diagnose:

1.) Can't pass a garage sale without stopping...for a quick look. 2.) Usually find something you "need" at said sale. 3.) Never...never, pay retail. 4.) Favorite stores include Aldis, Savers, and Goodwill. 5.) You've made a mental note of special pricing days at above stores. 6.) You go in the store saying you're really only looking but you come home with two chairs. 7.) You have big plans for your purchase...a hypothetical scenario might be...I'm going to take an upholstery class...paint them a Shabby Chic white...a pretty floral print perhaps. 8.) You find yourself bragging about the low price you paid to whoever will listen. (By the way...two chairs and magazine rack cost only $11...total!) 9.) You convince yourself that after a bit of elbow grease you might double...triple...quadruple your investment! 10.) Reality...they find a home in the empty corner of your living room and are used daily...as is.

If you relate to even one of these points, you may be a bargainaholic as well.

Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.

Wish me luck.

Downtown Delights

Downtown Sylvania Merchants Present...

Downtown Delights

Thursday, May 6th

4-6PM

Sorry for getting this out so late, but hopefully you're like me...

a last minute kind of girl.

Sometimes it just all comes together easier with less planning.

AND...

If it's anything like Holiday Happenings, then it promises to be a

"you won't want to miss it" event.

I recommend making it a girl's night out

beginning with a light meal at Chandler's Cafe

before hitting the shops on Main Street.

While browsing the shops be sure to visit

Old Maid New

at Harmony in Life.

My bottlecap necklaces are back!

Just in time for that easy breezy summertime mood.

Here are a few in progress...

The finished product. Unfortunately, the photographer

(that'd be me!) had a difficult time capturing their

true beauty...any tips for reducing glare?

Little treasures that have become a community project of sorts. Friends and family have been donating cool bottlecaps for the cause! You wouldn't believe the amount of unique beer caps I now possess! Thanks one and all for sacrificing for my art!