Everyday Beauty

Memorial Day

 

I have never asked this before, but if you clicked here to find pretty pictures and are about to click somewhere else, please stay and read 'til the end. That would make me happy today.

While in the midst of our family picnics, hamburgers and corn on the cob, let us not forget the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. As they say, freedom is not free. But it certainly is taken for granted from time to time.

I just read the most beautiful Memorial Day post from my friend Rosalyn-Sue. Click here if you'd like to read it too.

She is the founder of a non-profit organization called Operation Stars & Stripes. The organization supports the troops and their families in many different ways, and you can read all about it by clicking the link. If you're so inclined, you can make a tax-deductable donation. I just did. And it still feels like so little. A very tiny little thank you to those who are "over there" giving so much for all of us. 

Rosalyn-Sue will soon be launching a new program within OSS called "Operation Creating for a Cause". It will be a great way for crafters to get involved and show support. More on that later.

One more thing, dear readers, if you have a pile of magazines sitting around that you don't know what to do with....send them to Operation Stars & Stripes! The female troops are requesting them. This is something that had never crossed my mind, to be honest with you. And now I can't WAIT to start sending my magazines their way. I certainly don't need to stockpile anymore back issues in my house. I'm so glad to be able to pass them on to someone else who will enjoy reading them.

And about the pretty pictures....I'm pretty fond of the one up there at the top of this post. When I was living in Europe, while I loved it, I was also homesick from time to time. Seeing Old Glory flying at the American Embassy actually brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. And I wanted to kiss the ground when I got home. A beautiful sight indeed.

Wishing you and yours a Happy and safe Memorial Day!

Well, Hello There!

Gosh, I've been gone a while, haven't I? Thanks for all of the sweet birthday wishes in my last post.

I hope all of you mothers had a beautiful Mother's Day. I picked these Lily of the Valley from my garden to wish you a happy day, and then never got around to blogging on Sunday. So, here are some belated wishes. If only you could smell these...

 

These vintage "Mother" charms are store stock I've had since last October. Never listed them....kinda missed the boat for Mother's Day, didn't I? And the wrinkled pink silk ribbon is from Heather's shop. She hand dyes them and sells out as soon as they're listed. Because they're THAT beautiful!

 

So, anyway, I got so much accomplished in these past few weeks. It feels good. And lots of family fun was thrown in the mix as well. We spent a Day Out with Thomas:

And someone was so excited he could hardly stand it!
We also visited family in New Jersey {where I neglected to take any photos, 'cause I was too busy gabbing and eating...and eating...and eating.}

We went on some bike rides together. Sam is loving his seat. The whole time we were riding he was yelling, "Go! Go!" It was so funny.

 

And I found a little time to make myself a new necklace from old bits.

George hung up my birthday presents in the foyer and hallway. It was nice to get rid of the  octagonal brass ones that came with the house. I can't believe I lived with them for 5 years!

And tomorrow I leave for Jenn's event! Very excited to spend time with all of these girls and craft and shop and chat. It's going to be a true retreat for me. I made some goody bags for everyone and I'll post tomorrow or Friday and show you.

It's nice to be back. I missed you guys!

Happy Earth Day and Happy Birthday {to me}!!!

 

I know I'm suppsosed to be taking a blog nap.....but today is my birthday! And I really wanted to show you what my friend Holly surprised me with.

Gosh, I just love it to pieces. I gasped when I opened it. She doodled all sorts of little pictures of things that are meaningful to me and wrote Italian words {mother, friend, wish, rose, family, love, baby, home} all around the center oval. So much thought and detail and time was put in to this gift.

 

I'm going to put a picture in the middle and frame it for my craft room. I really can't even tell you how much this means to me. It's better than anything that could be bought. Thank you Holly.

On a slightly different note, since I share my birthday with Earth Day....I wanted to just say one quick thing:

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD. {Gandhi}

I never really blog about these sorts of topics, because the last thing I want to do is come off as preachy or as if I'm an expert in this area {I'm NOT!}. That is not my intention, and I am a big believer in "to each her own" and doing what is right for you, in your own time. But I am very passionate about this, and since it's Earth Day, I thought it was appropriate to post this simple little paragraph here. The more we spread the word and the knowledge, the better off we will all be. We are what we eat, plain and simple. And we only get one body and one life to live.

Would you like to know that the food you're putting in your body and in your precious childrens' bodies has not been sprayed with toxic chemicals and laced with antibiotics and hormones? Of course. Who wouldn't? If we want to see a change, we have to be willing to make a change. Start small. And the laws of supply and demand will go to work for all of us. The more we demand and purchase whole, organic foods, the less they will cost, and they will become more readily available. Maybe eventually the government will overhaul the FDA so it actually protects and informs consumers. Wouldn't that be something?

Try and do just one small thing today to make your life healthier and our world a little cleaner.  If we all made a tiny change, the impact would be enormous.

Happy Earth Day!

And now, I guess I should get out of my pajamas since it's 11:30 am. George and I are going on a date tonight. Dinner without kids...what's that? Can't wait!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Mario and I made these Valentine's for his classmates and for Grandma & Grandpa and George. We like to make handmade cards whenever possible, and it's so sweet to watch his eyes light up when he passes them out.

The little red hearts are his fingerprints.

We made some salt dough ornaments too, and he did all the cutting and painting.  Today we're baking cupcakes from The Magnolia Bakery cookbook. YUM!

I hope you have a wonderful day with your sweeties!

2009

 

Can you believe it? Time does indeed fly!

This antique postcard has survived a century. Think of all that has happened since it was produced. It's incredible. And it looks nearly brand new! I've been saving it for over a year now, for this very post.

May 2009 be a year of happy times with family and friends. A year of  laughter and love. And certainly peace.

Happy New Year to all!

Merry Christmas

 

Wishing you peace and joy and the simple pleasures of Christmas!

Let Freedom Ring!

Wishing you all a happy and safe Independence Day!

This fun project was one of Holly's kits, Small Town Pride. I love it! I adjusted a few details, as I always try and do with kits, to make them my own. Isn't it adorable? I never have red, white and blue decorations when I want them, and now I do! I love kits...it's all there for you, and you know you're going to end up with a cute project (and someone else has already worked out all the kinks for you!)

Happy 4th everyone!!!

Buona Pasqua!

Happy Easter, friends!

I put this special Easter basket together for my Mom. She found lots of goodies inside including luxurious soaps, a set of sweet velvet bunnies, one of my Vintage Eggs and box of chocolates. She is an avid grower of orchids and has a large collection of orchid brooches. (like mother, like daughter with the jewelry obsession.) I found this one for a song and pinned it to the satin ribbon tied to her candy box. I also ordered an orchid corsage for her to wear to church today. An old-fashioned tradition that is sadly fading away. I have always loved corsages and the whole idea of wearing flowers.

Of course, Easter means much more to my family and me than just chocolate eggs and orchids. Perhaps it means more to you too. Perhaps not. Either way, I wish you a very Happy Easter Day!

Tokens of Love

On this most romantic of all holidays, I thought I would share some little tokens of love that I've gathered along the way. Such a timesless symbol, I've always liked the shape of a heart, but never had all these items in the same place as a collection.

They have impact as a collection, and I think I'll pin them to a board somewhere, all together as one big happy heart family. These old earrings, brooches, scatter pins, pendants, barrettes and shoe clips can be found pretty readily at flea markets. I didn't realize I had so many until I went scrounging around in my jewelry boxes. The large yummy beige pearl one is my favorite!

A old gem of an evening bag. Aren't the colors and the beadwork beautiful? And the unusual oval shape. This one sits in a box on my dresser.

I found these vintage Valentine tags at a local antique mall. The scalloped edge, silk cord, soft colors and beautiful script are all very much "me". I was drawn to it and didn't mind paying a little more for such a treasure with a sweet sentiment.

Happy Valentine's Day to you all! I wish you as much love as your heart can possibly hold! Until it overflows. Not just today but everyday in this life. Make the moments count. You can't get them back. Make someone happy. Be nice. Share your love. Open your heart. Pass it on.

xo Andrea

Merry Christmas

I wish you a peaceful and joyous Christmas surrounded by family and friends and laughter and love.

xo andrea