Mamas*Little*Treasures

Winter comes to our little house in the woods

Some people hate winter . . . . but I actually LOVE the winter months, now that I no longer have to drive out my driveway every morning and head to the city!  Last winter I had a JOB away from home, and even though I didn't need to be there all THAT early (leave my house by 9:00 a.m. to start work at 9:45 a.m.), still it was the stress and pressure of being out that door, on time, no matter what else was going on around here. 

I realize that millions of women do that (and so much more!) every day of their lives for years and years.  If you are one of those women, I give you credit for being a better woman than I am!  But as moms, we all know how stressful it is when we have one responsibility that seems to overwhelm all our other responsibilities . . . . and then when the two collide, what's a mom to do? 

Even when a kid is sick, or even when mom is sick, or if the car breaks down, or there are snow drifts in front of the door, or there is ice on the roads, when you have a JOB away from home, you just have to figure it out.  Well, since I lost my JOB away from home in October, I have been quite content to work right here, in my little home office and sewing studio.  And I am actually getting a great deal accomplished!  Maybe in the new year I will even make some money to help with our family budget.  But even when I am not bringing in "new" dollars, I remind myself of how much money I am saving by being here at home. 

If you just think about the cost of daycare (which my girls absolutely LOVED going to, at our church, but still. . . . ), it adds up to over $600.00 a month.  So right there we're moving in the right direction!  And then there is the cost of driving 30 miles each way to work five times a week, which really gets pricey   ;o)  At about $50.00 a week on average to keep the gas tank full, there's another savings of approximately $200.00 a month.  Then, if I eventually make a little bit from my online business, I'd say we are doing great! 

But, the thing that is such a gift to me is that I get to stay here in our safe, cozy little cottage in the woods and work at what I love:  taking care of my family and having time to create!  I feel fortunate and blessed to have such a supportive hubby who loves his work, too, and he encourages me to pursue my dreams.  After the past couple of days when we had a blizzard around here (not as much snow as many places, but the wind was really WILD!), it is wonderful to see the sun shining on woods behind our house.  And the wind has let up so that I could actually stand on the deck and take a picture without being blown to bits! 

This beautiful image of the snowy woods behind our house reminds me of the peace, simplicity, and joy that can be found in the smallest blessings in life.  Even when we all are a bit confused and concerned about the future, and perhaps some of us have questions about where life is headed in this economically difficult time, we can still accept the gift of joy and peace that is present all around us.  We can find it if we slow down and look at our world.  Of course, when the girls come home and my little house is filled with giggles, tumbles, and creative messes, it is sometimes hard to remember the peaceful, quiet moments, but those times of serenity always return, but children grow-up and take with them all of those giggles. 

So for now, I enjoy the peace and quiet, and this afternoon I will celebrate the rambunctious chaos that comes with children.  And today . . . . . I get to create!  And do the laundry, pay the bills, do the dishes, vacuum the carpet, change the sheets, scrub the bathrooms, sweep the kitchen floor . . . . . or some combination of those mundane household chores.  This is where I love to be!  Again, I celebrate those moms (like my daughter-in-law who has three children, the oldest not yet 5, who will be returning to her full-time JOB away from home shortly) who can do all that and still stay sane (or something!). 

Perhaps I am boring, but I guess there is a time and a place for just about everything.  I've always felt my best "role" on the stage of my life has been the one who just stays in place while everyone else enters and exits at the appropriate moment.  But it's a good thing that the stage is never empty!   Have a blessed Friday, have great fun whatever you are doing and celebrate the gift of life, wherever that might take you. 

Lost in a Blizzard of Creative Beauty

Even my girls have been overcome by the spirit of creativity these past few wintry days!  And even though it is still two weeks until Christmas, they are really getting in the mood of the holidays with their own creative projects.  This morning they were painting on tin foil . . . . that was their idea, and then they decided to include a few paper plates in their artistic adventures.  I will post some pictures of their beautiful designs later today, but just wanted to let you all know that I'm still busy sending out the eBook patterns for the teacup pincushions and the applique projects.  If you posted a comment and I have not gotten your eBook off to you, I will be working on that this afternoon again and hope to have them all sent out by tomorrow.  I hope!  Thank you again for your wonderful response - and please stop back because I have so many ideas that I want to share with you   ;o) 

Today I have a couple of other ideas that I will be writing up into tutorials this weekend (after I get ALL of the current requests filled!) and should have the new eBooks ready by next week sometime.  I'll keep you posted on my progress!  In the meantime, the girls and I have a couple of recipes we want to try this afternoon, including the Candy Cane Fudge recipe that I found online, AND we really want to finish up with our holiday home decorations. 

Here's the goal that is keeping me moving forward on all of these projects:  I know that many of us are struggling to make a joyous holiday for our families in the midst of a recession.  Many of our families have lost jobs this past year, and even if some people are finally finding work again, it is going to take quite a while to recover from the months and months of falling behind . . . . much less having funds to purchase gifts at Christmas.  So . . .. I've suddenly had so many ideas of things that we could make for the people that we love, and not only stay on our budget but also let the people in our lives know how much they mean to us. 

Think about it - perhaps it would really be nice to be able to give an expensive gift, but remember that when you give someone a gift that you made yourself, there is a deeper message that we give.  When you give a gift that you created, and invested the time, energy, thought, and love into it, that speaks so clearly of your genuine love.  So whatever your financial circumstances this holiday season, here are a few more ideas of ways to share the true spirit of Christmas and relieve some of the anxiety of worrying about money.  Let's create a place of peace and simplicity and give a gift that will be remembered long after the Christmas decorations are put away for the year.  Give someone you love a treasure from your heart and your hands, and make it yourself!

 

I've been working on the crazy-patch piece journal covers and fiber art bookmarks, as well as the Christmas Tree table runner.  Either one of these projects can easily be made up in an afternoon and they are made from snippets and scraps of fabric, ribbon, lace, vintage buttons, beads, charms . . . . and the sewing machine!  Super simple, really inexpensive, and great fun to make as a gift or even for yourself!  I'm working on getting them written up, just as soon as I send out all of the rest of the other eBooks and tutorials.  Let me know what you think . . . . 'cuz I've got several more ideas in my little brain and can't wait to share them with you!  Have a wonderful Thursday and stay warm   ;o)  

PS If you want to see more pictures of the crazy patch journal, take a peek at my Etsy shop.  They are all custom-made to order and this one is sold, but you will be able to see a few more pictures. 

Busy mamas create wonderful holiday memories

Just a quick note to let you all know that I'm working my way through all of your posts and sending out the eBook patterns and tutorials just as fast as I can!  Thank you so much for your wonderful response and your kind and encouraging words   ;o)  I do need to finish up the next project that I will be posting and would really like your input on another idea . . . . please let me know if you would be interesed in learning how to make this sweet little Gingerbread Baby outfit.  It is super simple, and could even be made up as a paper doll on a heart for Valentine's Day.   For now, however, I'm finishing up the Christmas table runner design that could also be used to make pillows or a wallhanging to bring lots of holiday cheer to your home this Christmas!  I'll be back later this afternoon and send out more of the teacup pincushion, stickpin, and applique eBooks.  Thanks again for your incredible response! 

Sugar Plum Fairies Danced in My Kitchen

Since we've been thinking about family traditions and ways to celebrate the holidays on a budget, I decided it would be fun to make some of these super-simple lollipops.  If you are looking for fun, easy, and inexpensive gift ideas, this little jar of lollipops would make a truly sweet treasure for a teacher, a neighbor, or friends who just really don't "need" anything, but you want to remind them that they are loved!  Of course, lollipops are not exactly what you would want your kids eating every day   ;o(  because they are pure sugar.  With a little butter and a bit of coloring. . . . and then sprinkled with more sugar!  But they really are cute, festive, and charming in a vintage jar with a bit of sparkly ribbon tied around the top. 

This is one of the recipes that I have been making for a very long time - since my big kids were tiny tots.  Perhaps some of you recognize this cookbook.  Either you have one that is as raggedy and tattered as mine . . . or your mother or grandmother has one . . . . or you realize that these cookbooks are truly collectors items!  Well, probably not THIS particular cookbook, in such a worn-out condition, but the ones that are mint vintage condition are worth quite a bit on eBay.  But mine isn't for sale!  I have had this cookbook actually longer than I've had my treasured recipe box.  This Betty Crocker cookbook was a wedding gift way back in 1972   ;o)  

There, now I've given myself away!  But then some of you already know that my oldest daughter is 36 and my youngest daughter just turned 7.  So, no secrets around here about my age!  I've used this cookbook every holiday season since then, and so many family traditions have come from this book that I will never part with it.  I will leave it to one of my daughters so the family traditions will carry on.  I've often thought about how family traditions come to be . . . . and why family traditions have been such an important part of my life.  Long ago I realized that family and traditions have been so significant in my adult life because that is not something that I have memories of as a child. 

Oh, there were a few things . . . . my mama used to make deep-fried "Oolie-Kookins" once in a while.  I have no idea where that name came from or what it might mean - perhaps some kind of breakfast bread, as they were kind of like fried sweet dumplings.  But that is one recipe that I did not keep in my repertoire mostly because I don't care for fried foods.  Not just that fried foods are greasy and supposedly not very healthy (which of course, we didn't think about back then, we were just delighted to have something special!), but fried foods are so messy!  I am more of a "tidy cook," and don't like to cook stuff that makes yucky messes   ;o)  When my mama would make the "Oolie-Kookins" she would take them out of the hot grease in the frying pan and roll them in powdered sugar. 

As I think back to my childhood, there are very few other memories of "traditions."  Probably because keeping traditions alive takes time .... and money .. . . and energy to make them happen even when times are tough.  I don't think that was the most important thing in my mama's mind back then, when she was struggling to keep us fed, clothed, and warm in the middle of the winter in that tiny lake cottage.  So, I grew up longing for the security and predictability of traditions.  And strong family connections.   When it was my turn to be the mama and create and continue family traditions, I decided to create new traditions . . . . and of course, since that was a while ago, those "new" family traditions are now "old" family traditions. So we carry on! 

We used to make these lollipops by the dozen!  We would make them in every color we could create from our little box of four food coloring bottles.  But mostly red and green with candy sprinkles to create various designs, including smiley faces.  I can remember watching those little ones excitedly decorate their lollipops and then put them into hand-decorated jars or tins to take to their friends, neighbors, and teachers. 

Now, here I am again, carrying on that tradition with our girls.  It was so much fun showing them how to make candy, and they dutifully sprinkled the sparkling sugar over the lollipops.  So, just in case you want to make something new at your house, of if you are looking for a "new" family tradition, give this one a try! 

Doesn't take much time, energy, or money but the joy you will see in your little ones' eyes is truly a holiday treasure!

Grammie's Favorite Lollipop's

18 lollipop sticks

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup light corn syrup

3/4 cup sugar

Few drops of food color

Lightly butter baking sheet, 15 1/2" X 12".  Arrange lollipop sticks on baking sheet.  Combine butter , corn syrup and sugar in heavy 1-quart saucepan.

Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.  Reduce heat to medium.  Continue cooking, stirring frequently, to 270 degrees on candy thermometer (or until a few drops of syrup dropped into very coldwater separate into threads which are hard but not brittle). 

 

Stir in food color. Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls over end of each lollipop stick.  If desired, while lollipops are still hot, sprinkle or press on candy decorations.  Cool lollipops thoroughly before removing from baking sheet. 

Makes approximately 18 2" lollipops.To wrap for gift-giving, you can wrap the lollipops individually with Saran Wrap and tie with a ribbon; cover a group of 6 - 8 lollipops with Saran Wrap or clear cellophane wrap and tie with a ribbon; or place in a pretty jar tied with sparkly ribbon and place in a clear plastic gift bag.   

Have a blessed Monday, and celebrate the season!  There are so many reasons to celebrate, and lollipops are just ONE of the gifts that we have been given as we treasure our family traditions.  Later this week I will be posting recipes for our traditional peanut brittle and Great-Grandma's Danish Puff.  Chat later, Nina

 

More holiday crafts on a budget with this FREE Applique eBook Pattern!

On this third day of December, we are all twirling 'round and 'round thinking about the fun projects and activities we have on our TO DO list for the holidays.  As I try to find ways to slow down and really enjoy this special season of the year, and actually be able to focus on the true meaning of our Christmas celebrations, I have found a few ways to keep me on track.  It is so easy to get overwhelmed and distracted by all of the advertisements that bombard us with messages about the many new gadgets we "need."  Especially for those of us who have been hit hard by this year's recession, it can get downright discouraging.  And who wants to be sad and depressed during this most joyous time of the year? 

One of the ways that I have been able to combine my creativity with my budget-conscious, frugal lifestyle is to refashion items that we either already have, or by taking thrift store treasures and upcycling them into something new.  I know, that doesn't work for everyone   ;o)  but there might be a few times in our lives when we don't have many other options, so it is kind of fun to beat this challenge!  You know, as moms, we can do just about anything we need to do to make life "happen" for our families if we don't give up in exhaustion. 

So, in an effort to bring a bit of sunshine into the frequently cloudy days of worry that come to all of us, especially during the holidays, I'm going to be offering a few FREE tutorials for craft and gift projects that you can make for your family.  Actually, there are several sewing and craft projects that will be fun and frugal, but I have also pulled out some of our favorite traditional recipes for holiday goodies that I will be sharing here over the next few weeks.  And before you know it, we will all have a delightful, simple, and wondrous Christmas, without all the guilt of overspending or the anxiety of how to give a meaningful gift to those we love. 

Don't let the television or the mall tell you what you "need."  And let's try to help our children remember the TRUE meaning of the holidays .... gifts are fun, there's no doubt about it, and in many ways we can emphasize the idea of gift-giving as a symbol of how much God has given to us . . . .but when we get all caught up in the giving and getting, it just creates way too much anxiety.  Especially for moms, since we seem to be the ones who worry about it the most! 

Here's a little project that is really easy to create,  and you can make it out of scraps of fabric and trims (sometimes I even use fabric from clothing that the kids have grown out of) and a plain, white t-top or a pair of too-short jeans.  New or already in the dresser drawer . .. . or pick one up at the thrift shop in town.  The only equipment you will need is an iron and a pair of scissors, and your sewing machine.  Simple!  

Here is the supply list: 

*  Scraps of fabric 

*  Scraps of fusible web (to adhere your design to the garment while stitching) 

*  Matching or coordinating thread 

*  Various scraps of ribbon, rick-rack, lace, etc. 

*  A selection of buttons or beads  

*  Scissors, sewing machine, iron

Just take a minute to post a comment below and I will email you the complete eBook pattern that includes the instructions for learning to applique onto a t-top, or jeans or whatever you want to stitch your design on to, as well as  pattern pages for additional holiday designs.  This eBook is a complete applique pattern, 28 pages total.  

I am offering all of this FREE to my readers, as a way of saying "Thank You" and as a way, hopefully, to encourage you to make the most of the holiday season, even if you are in the midst of financial struggles as so many of us are.  

PS Here's another way you can use the FREE applique patterns in this eBook!  Just stitch your favorite design onto the bib of a pair of too-short overalls and stitch on a twirly skirt!  Have a wonderful Thursday and celebrate the JOY of the season   ;o) 

 

 

Sweet and Simple Holiday Gift Projects You Can Make TODAY!

Looking for a few ideas for your holiday gift-giving projects that you can make yourself?  But you don't have lots of extra time or money?  Here is a fun little pincushion that you can make with items your either already have on hand, or that you can pick up very inexpensively at your local thrift shop.

One of these sweet little teacup pincushions would make the perfect gift for your mom, grandma, sister, cousin, friend .... for any one of the special women in your life!  Even if this special girlfriend isn't much of a seamstress, these pincushions are a delightful addition to any desktop or dresser, to hold earrings, pins, necklaces, rings or any other other little "stuff" that gets tossed up there. 

All of these beautiful pincushions are created from lovely teacups and saucers that were discovered on my thrift shop adventures, and then with a little bit of fabric and ribbon, a few beads and buttons, a hot glue gun, and some extra-long straight pins, these lonely little teacups have been resurrected into gorgeous gifts for the holidays! 

If you would like to make your own teacup pincushion, just leave a comment below and I will send the eBook off to you today   ;o)  

Also, in addition to the eBook on how to make these delightful teacup pincushions, I will include the tutorial on making the elegant stick pins that you can make to include with the pincusion for your gift-giving this holiday season.  

 Super simple . .. . really quick and easy .. . . and these little pincushions will fit just about anyone's budget! 

And if you are looking for more eBook patterns to guide you along the way in making the most of your sewing skills in creating clothing for your children, please visit my Etsy shop, mamas*little*treasures where you'll find lots of great ideas to inspire YOUR creative spirit!

Just an old-fashioned girl OR ideas for a simple holiday season

Even when everyone else seems to be seeking the newest, the latest, the most technologically advanced gifts to give or to buy for themselves, I have just always loved the look of romantic, feminine, even "old-fashioned" clothing.  Perhaps that is why I love vintage stuff so much! 

Here's an idea that might help minimize the stress of the holidays for you . .. .  think back to what you know from your own life or people, places, and times past that you have read about.  Think about the ways that people celebrated the holidays during the early days of our country.  Or read about holiday celebrations during the Great Depression.  Or even learn about how families celebrated the holidays during the 1940s and World War II.  Or any other period of time when life might have been a bit less obsessed with qualtity of stuff = happiness.

At our house, we love to read the Little House book series.  And of course, so many of us have watched that series on TV.  But I am always struck by the simplicity of many aspects of their lives.  Of course, Pa always had to go out hunting and hope to bring home some venison during the Long Winter.  And Ma always had to bake the bread and salt the pork, and hang the squash and onions from the attic rafters.  I'm not suggesting that this life was EASY!  But when we read about Laura and Mary, and little Carrie playing with their corn-cob dolls and being thrilled to get a stick of peppermint candy and an orange in the Christmas stocking . ... . . well, it just makes me wonder how we got to be so focused on material possessions that we sometimes miss the really important stuff in life. 

So - if you are struggling with anxiety over how you will ever provide a "nice" Christmas for your family this year . . . . remember that the holidays can be enjoyed with a little bit less "stuff," and our children can learn to appreciate even the small wonders and treasures of the holidays.  They'll live through it, and they will probably even remember these days as some of the happiest they can remember, because we were more focused on each other than on the frantic, crazy, chaotic frenzy of holiday shopping. 

It is OK to slow down, enjoy today, bake cookies and string popcorn for your Christmas tree, make a few hand-crafted holiday cards to send to your loved ones who are far away, or an handmade book mark for Grandma . . . . . maybe even take a break from the baking to make a sweet little holiday apron for you, your kids, your mom, your grandma, whoever! 

Later this week I will be posting a FREE tutorial for making a simple holiday table runner that you can whip up in an afternoon to dress up your table in holiday style!  So many fun things to do, let's not wear ourselves out stressing about things we can't change, and let's enjoy the holiday season (even if we don't have all the STUFF that we want!).  You'll be glad you did   ;o)  

PS Here are a couple new listings of classic and vintage items in my Etsy shop, Gossamer Wings Studio.  In keeping with the spirit of an old-fashioned, simple Christmas this year, I'm buying vintage whenever I can, and regifting or recycling other items.  Really . . . . who needs MORE stuff????  So if you are interested in dressing up for the holidays, on a budget, and if you love old-fashioned, vintage clothing, please visit my shop!  Have a wonderful Cyber Monday!  Just be careful to keep it simple, silly   ;o) 

 

What's up with all these shoes, anway?

We've all heard about Imelda Marcos and her fascination with shoes.  Well, lots of us have, if we're over the age of 30   ;o)  and I don't remember too much about the whole story, except that here was a woman who had so many shoes that there was never going to be the possibility that she could wear them all, even if she only wore each pair one time in her entire life!  Or something like that.  At least, Mrs. Marcos owned thousands of pairs of shoes.  Why?  What is it about shoes that causes women to spend their last dime to purchase yet another pair of shoes?  What is our fascination with our feet? 

And when you look at the gazillions of different shoes designs, it almost makes your mind go numb.  Who would think that there could be SOOOOO many angles and visions of glorious gorgeousness for something that we put on our feet, for goodness sake!  I think that the original intent of shoes was simply a covering and protection for those overworked, under-appreciated little tootsies of the cave men and women.  You know, animal skins sewn together with strips of tree bark, or perhaps slabs of ancient wood strapped on to those prehistoric piggies with lengths of goat hide.  Who knows for sure, but we've come a very long way, baby, from those days of practical, if imperfect, footwear.

Now, I've never been much of a fashion diva, having come from a background where clothing was for the purpose of modesty, safety, and occasionally warmth.  However, I've always had this "thing" for shoes.  Where did that come from?  So, when I began to notice that I am finding more and more beautiful vintage and "almost vintage" shoes while out and about on my treasure hunting expeditions, I started to think about my own fascination with shoes.  As I was out in the studio the other day, meticulously snipping lace and stitching embellishments to my latest pair of decorated shoes, I suddenly recalled a time from long ago.  It was a memory surrounding my shoes (or in this particular case, the lack thereof) that helped me connect some of the dots about my obsession with shoes. 

Sometimes it is a good thing to think about who you are and how you got to be who you are . . . . . and examine some of the memories that might have triggered your little idiosyncracies.  You know you have them.  We all do.  Kind of like the time the therapist told me, "The good news is, you're not psychotic."  Whew!  That was a relief!  Here all along I thought I was the Wild-Eyed Wacko Woman Pretending to be Someone's Mother, when all along I'm just normal.  Well, sort of.  Then he said, "But the bad news is, your ARE neurotic."  Uh-oh!  "Now what am I going to do?" I thought.  But then he cleared it right up for me:  "Yep, you are neurotic, but so is everyone else!"  I AM normal, after all!  That was a great day in the life of this Wild-Eyed Wacko Woman Who Really IS Someone's Mother.  Whether they claim me, or not.  It's a done deal.

So . . . . . back to the shoe fetish thing.  I remembered the time, when I was about 10 or 11, that I had this great pair of loafers.  I know, that was a long time ago.  Just stay with me here.  You know, those beautiful brown penny loafers, with a little slot on the front where you really could slide in a penny.  They had just the perfect flat heel, so they were very comfy, and the front of the loafers had this magnificent stitching all around the toes, attaching the top of the shoe to the sides.  That stitching was so amazing!  And I really loved those shoes!   I probably really did have another pair of shoes somewhere, or I certainly could have gotten another pair at the local thrift shop for .25 or .50 . . . . but that didn't matter to me at the time.  For all I could care, those penny loafers were the ONLY pair of shoes I owned. 

So, every afternoon I would come home from school, take off my loafers and run around the house in my stocking-feet.  Made my mom nuts, because I ruined so many pair of socks, but what's a kid supposed to do?  I guesss I could have put on house slippers, like my mom did, but what the heck!  I was a kid   ;o)   And every night, before I went to bed, I took a needle and thread, doubled up for durability of course, and stitched up those penny loafers.  Because, once the original stitching wore out, the thread I was using wasn't very strong, and they would inevitably come undone throughout the course of the school day.  I remember stitching up those wonderful penny loafers for a long time.  Because I just LOVED those shoes! 

Ever since I was a little girl, for some reason shoes have held quite a fascination for me.  I wonder if it is because I didn't have many beautiful shoes when I was younger.  But maybe not, because there are millions of women who have an obsession with shoes, and they've had more gorgeous shoes than they will ever wear in a lifetime of plodding through the ancient remains of prehistoric caves while wearing boots made of animal skins tied together with strips of bark . . . . and still the shoe fetish remains.  What the heck is that all about, anyway?  If you have any clues, I'm open to suggestions!

If you have a fascination with fun, funky, dramatic, romantic, and just generally unique shoes, please visit my Etsy shop to see my collection of gorgeously embellished vintage and "almost vintage" shoes:     I promise, you won't be disappointed in all of the gorgeous shoes you will find there!  Have a blessed Thanksgiving, and remember to  be grateful for what you HAVE and don't let yourself focus on what you DON'T have.  It's a waste of time . . . . that you could be spending on finding another pair of amazing shoes!  Maybe a pair of vintage penny loafers . . . . . .

But do you really mean it?

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."    ~ John F. Kennedy   Actions really DO speak louder than our words.   Yet even those who are devoted and committed to living a life of integrity frequently "miss the mark."  That's because we are not perfect, and as regular human beings, we will continue to make mistakes, stumble and fall, and take a tumble along life's journey.  So, in thinking about the quote for today, I am reminded that, although we may not ever get it all down just exactly right, we still need to do our best every day to see that our actions match up pretty closely with our words.  It is really easy in some communities to use our religion as a "mask" for the deep, dark, hidden places in our souls.  That never works out well, for anyone, including the person who is hiding behind those "perfect" words.    As we approach this season of Thanksgiving, we are all reminded of the blessings we experience in our every-day lives.  Some years we feel that we have more to be thankful for than in other years, but when we think about it honestly, we all have much for which to be grateful.  But then, how often do we turn right around and live as if we are paupers?  Sure, many of us are struggling with the day-to-day necessities of life, finding it difficult to pay all of the bills and still be able to buy groceries.  And that is not easy.  How can we continually act grateful when we can't find money to put gas in the car, or for the kids' school lunches, or to buy baby formula?  I'm not sure I know the answer . . . . but this one thing I DO know:  getting angry, sad, frustrated, or resentful won't change a thing!    Well, except it will just make you miserable   ;o)   There have been many times in my life, and I'm sure in your life as well, when it seemed impossible to figure out how to get from "here" to "there."  No matter which way we looked, there was no way "out."  So . . . . . we have a couple of choices at that point.  We can allow our natural anger and frustration to continue to move us in the direction of bitterness, or we can recognize that holding on to all of that anxiety will only make the situation worse, and make us feel completely miserable.  Then we get the opportunity to sort out the yucky stuff from the blessings, and move forward to discover a solution, or a possible alternative, or even a place of peace in the midst of the uncertainty and sadness.  Is it easy?  Of course not, but then we know that life is NOT going to be easy, so let's get on with it!   As we face every day, we can put on the "mask" of propriety, saying all the right words and pretending to be whatever it is that we think we are expected to be . . . . but at the end of our day, at the end of our life, the real question will be whether or not we truly lived a life of gratitude, honor, and integrity.  And it will no longer matter what "everyone else" thinks, or that you were able to convince "everyone else" that you were something that you were not.  It will only matter that you gave your complete devotion to honoring God with your actions, not just your words, even if you mess up once in a while.  And living a life of trust and joy, even in the midst of darkness and confusion is one way for our actions to reflect our words.    Today, many of us are not feeling that this is the best Thanksgiving we have ever had . . . . . but how about we choose to act on what we know, being grateful for our blessings, and open our hearts and minds to the gifts that God has prepared for us this holiday season.  Who knows, we might just discover that He has provided a way for us to move beyond the difficulties of today, and lead us to a brighter tomorrow.  Have a blessed Thanksgiving, and I pray that you will always remember all that He has for you, no matter what!   Please visit Tami at "The Next Step" to find all of the other IOW participants this week, and then take a minute to visit them on this beautiful Tuesday!   

My philosophy of "Old Stuff"

I've always known (kind of) about the Chinese culture, which holds great reverence for their ancestors and elderly relatives.  So much so, that sons of Chinese families, traditionally, care for their aging parents, while daughters typically marry into another family and help care for the aging parents of their husbands.  With this tradition in mind, I think often of my own daughters and what their lives would be like if they had remained in China.  I am not suggesting that this Chinese tradition is not as good as our American traditions . . . . far from it!  If our elderly relatives were treated with the same level of respect as is shown to the "senior citizens" of China, well we just might be having a different kind of discussion about health care, nursing homes, and the "sandwich generation." 

So there is definitely something to be said in favor of the social and cultural value that is placed on older people in China.  Of course the other side of that observation is that, when this tradition is followed closely, it severely limits options for the women of that country.  On the other hand, sometimes all of the "opportunities" that are available to American young people are not always safe, healthy, or wise.  But that is another discussion . . . . . all of this got me to thinking (again) about how we, as Americans, have for so long been pursuing the dream of having it all. 

And the problems that it has created for people who have been fortunate to have ALMOST all (of whatever they are seeking), and now are faced with the reality of a struggling economy.  Many of us simply can no longer spend our Saturday afternoons wandering around in a huge mall, with cheery music tempting us to feel all warm and fuzzy as we rack up those $$$$ on our charge cards.  We can always pay it off later!  Unfortunately, "later" has caught up with us, and it is not much fun for many Americans. 

My girls will often ask me, "Mom, did you have M&Ms when you were a kid?" or "Was there TV around when you were a kid?" or other equally wise observations from their perspective.  And I will tell them the truth . . . . . yep, those things "were around" but I didn't have nearly as much of it as they do.  And I lived to tell about it!  For some people, that overwhelming desire to have more stuff, new stuff, expensive stuff, and beautiful stuff becomes almost like a noose around the neck.  It becomes all-consuming, to the point of destroying marriages and forcing people into bankruptcy. 

Now, all of us have faced financial struggles at some point in our lives . . . . . and some end up needing to file bankruptcy for very legitimate reasons.  That is not the point of this thought process.  It is about the mindless consumption of material goods that has become such an accepted part of the "American Dream."  So, when I chatted with one of my older daughters about how difficult it is to keep going when there is just never enough money to go around, we came to the conclusion that there are millions of people right now who are actually in more difficult circumstances than we are encountering, and that there are also millions of Americans who lived through the Great Depression . . . . . and they survived.  Not only did they survive, many became stronger, more independent, more resourceful, and more joyful directly in proportion to their determination to be thankful for what they had.  No matter how simple, they learned to appreciate the little things in life. 

So, when one of our nieces posted a comment on my FB page about my ability to take "old stuff" and make it into something kind of cool (or something like that!), it reminded me of a conversation I had with my mother-in-law over 30 years ago.  Even back then, she made the observation that I "could make a beautiful home out of just about nothing."  My philosophy all of my life has been, a coat of paint doesn't cost much and it will make a whole room feel brand-new!  As I carry that philosophy of "old stuff" over into my daily life, I am continually confronted with the ways in which we so often just "throw away" things that are no longer brand-new (well, actually some of it IS brand-new, as evidenced by the number of gorgeous items I find in thrift shops that still have the tags attached!) - but we've grown tired of it, or it is no longer the "latest fashion." 

And that attitude carries over into our lives as we encounter people . . . . those who are older, or a bit slower, or perhaps can't "snap it up" to our level of expectation.  I see it frequently when we are out with our daughter, Missy Stubborn-Pants.  She WILL do it herself, even when it takes her a bit longer than most other kids because of her CP.  Stubborn in that case is a good thing (of course, it sometimes makes me crazy, like when it is time for school and she somehow thinks that just because she is determined to zip her own coat, that will change what time the bell rings!).  Anyway, I've been thinking about "old stuff," perhaps more so because I just had a birthday last week   ;o)  but I've recognized that one of the reasons that I love vintage stuff, and fixing up "old stuff" so much is because I see so much waste in our society. 

 I think it is time for us all to re-think our own "philosophy of old stuff" and begin to get a bit more comfortable with the treasures that can be discovered in all things "vintage."  Including Grandma and Grandpa!   Have a blessed Monday!  I'm off to the studio to fix up some more "old stuff" because it seems that there are at least a few folks out there in the world who like my style! 

Please visit my little Etsy shop at www.gossamerwingsstudio.etsy.com to see more of my "old stuff" that I have turned into beautiful "new stuff" - you won't be disappointed!