Creativity 101

eI've always loved seeing before & after pictures. When I was little, my mom used to get used Country Woman magazines, and the first page I would turn to was the make-overs where a woman would get a new haircut, new make-up, and look like a whole different person. I just love seeing how much you can improve something with some creativity {maybe I'm just alittle weird ... I know, I know}.

Anyhow, recently I have found a couple of blogs that feature a lot of make-overs. Remodels. Before & afters. And slowly, slowly the thought began to dawn on me ... I could do that! So this week I aim to try my hand at a few such ventures and see what I come up with.

This evening was my first attempt. I decided to start off with something easy and small ...  in case it was a dismal failure then maybe I wouldn't feel quite so bad. So I found this little footstool at a second-hand shop last week, and while there was nothing really "nasty" about it, I had a different picture in mind.

So I set about taking it all apart ... sanding ... painting ... sanding ... painting ... and then the fun part, re-assembling everything with the new fabric. I love how it turned out! What do you think? It might even be for sale ...

I think I could call this a success.  Now maybe I'll have the courage to tackle my next, much bigger project. Stay tuned.

Monday Morning ...

Giggling :: because my little 4 yr. old is dressed up in Mama's pantyhose & high heels.

Excited :: because of some breakthroughs in my life ... God is working in me, and I am so glad.

Depressed :: if I happen to glance at my kitchen. How it gets so bad over the weekend, I do not know. I was tempted to take a picture to show you what I mean ... but that would be ::embarrassing:: !!!

Sad :: because of some changes approaching. One of my best friends of 15 years is moving away.

Adventurous :: with some new ideas I'm trying out this week! If they go the way I hope they do, I'll be back with more details!

Anticipation :: because we just reserved a gorgeous cabin for the Gehman Christmas get-together. I cannot wait!!

Disappointed :: because my brother Phil will be missing. He is spending 3 months in Guatemala learning Spanish.  Then on to Honduras do help Chuck with mission work.

Peaceful :: because my Redeemer lives, and I am seated with Him in heavenly places!!

a little bit Ashamed :: because I am blogging while my to-get-done-today list is not getting a bit shorter!! *grin*

Just keepin' it real.

The Gratitude Journal: Ever Grateful Memo Board & Easel [Giveaway]

My friend Shelly is hosting a fun give-away over on her blog: The Gratitude Journal: Ever Grateful Memo Board & Easel [Giveaway] Check it out!

God Moments

Did you ever have one of those moments where you're sitting there listening to a speaker, or a preacher, a song, or whatever, and all of a sudden a sentence leaps out and crashes headlong into your very spirit & soul?  Time seems to stand still. The thought echoes through your brain over & over, and you know that it was spoken just for you. Meant for you. You know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God himself chose the words, signed His name to it, and handed them to you. I have.

It is truly amazing how it happens. I can be sitting there so unsuspecting ... never even looking for a word from Him. And yet He so knows when I need to hear from Him. Need to be assured of His involvement in my life. I love it.

Today God spoke to me through a speaker at our MOPS group. She was going along beautifully speaking on growing deeper friendships, when she paused, and began sharing some of her own personal story. And right in the middle of it she said, "I thought that my struggle was too big for God. That I needed to {control it all} myself." Wow. I am so there right now. And it's amazing how I don't even see it until God gently shows me from His perspective.

Anyways ... there's my little "God Moment" from today. I've been missing my blog lately. So so so much life happening these days. It's been great, but somehow the blog hits a back burner. I hope to get back into the groove quite soon.

Girls in White Dresses with Wide Satin Sashes ...

... these are a few of my favorite things.

Okay, so they are not in white dresses, but they do have satin-y tie-bows, and they are definitely some of my favorites!!

I finished the little dresses today by adding a wide strip around the bottom, and adding tie-belt ribbons. I think Jenna will wear hers for quite a long time. *smile* I think they will also look terribly cute with matching long-sleeved shirts underneath.

My little man took his first steps yesterday!!! He is 10 months old, kinda petite, and very determined. I love his toothy little grin.

In other news, Jason had a day at home today between jobs. What a treat! I suggested to him this morning that he could do the homeschooling while I cleaned the kitchen. He assured me that he would clean the kitchen while he taught school, and that I should go on and do something else. Sure. Uh-huh. I think he had a startling introduction to how much concentration it takes to keep 3 kiddoes gainfully occupied. So I cleaned the kitchen myself, peacefully and without interruption. By 11 am, Jason herded the scholars outside, muttering that he better have 'shop class' with them or else he would feel like he had gotten nothing done the whole morning. I confess I had to stifle the chuckles.

Other "Favorite Things" about my day ...

~ browsing homes for sale with my hubby & dreaming about which one we'd chose ~
~ getting the whole yard mowed! In the same week! ~
~ warm, homemade bread, toasted, with homemade strawberry jam ~
~ getting the whole basement cleaned ~
~ a phone call from my best friend ~
~ sorting & organizing old pictures .... a flood of great memories ~
~ cuddling with a happy toddler after a good nap ~


What was the best part about your day?


~

It's A Big World ...

... through the eyes of a child.

He makes a bee-line for the door any time it gets left open even a crack. I love to see him gazing out the window. I think he has a bit of farm-boy in him. The tractors & combines & corn wagons going by these days have him in awe. And every last thing in this house gets pushed as a tractor. The stool ... my phone ... a cup ... any toy .... it's down on one hand & his knees, crawling along while pushing that "rig'. It is so cute! HE is so cute!

                                                                   ~10 months old ~

Apple Cidering

Every year one of our favorite activities which signals Autumn's arrival is making apple cider. My Dad in true Gehman form, designed & built his very own apple cider press. I love to see it in action. I would almost venture to say that I would have known it was his even if I had not seen him make it. The talent that man has to visualize something  -and then make it-  floors me. I love it!

This year's apple cider day was balmy compared to those of past years. No frozen fingers stiffly fumbling to wash and sort apples, no layers of jackets and coats and leggings, no bitter wind urging us to finish up quickly. We picked up bushels of apples in the orchard ... yellows, reds, greens. The more flavors & varieties the better cider you get. The little girls had so much fun helping Grandma wash apples. Then through the chopper .... the press .... the strainer ... and into jugs. We stopped with 32 gallons to share, simply because our freezers are too full. There seemed to be just as many apples as when we arrived.

This whole week now I've wished for spiced hot cider. So tonight I poured half a gallon of cider in a pot, added some cinnamon sticks, a few whole cloves, and a touch of brown sugar. Simmered it together for 15 minutes, and ladled a cupful out. Ooohhhhh! It was so perfect. I have to confess I am on my 3rd cupful. It's like Autumn in a teacup.