"Dandy"lions

Why did it have to end?  Why can't dandelion and I be like we used to?  Our relationship was once full of fun, mischief, and laughter.  Can we regain what we've lost?  I don't know, but I'm willing to do my part to bring us back together.........

Once this little, sunny flower meant happy days laying under a summer sky, making glorious crowns of gold, and rubbing each others cheeks to see if we liked butter.  Those days seem like so long ago.  I miss them.  Now, with a yard full of the dandelions, I just seem to find myself annoyed.  I don't like to be annoyed.  It's a negative, joy-sucking parasite that doesn't help anyone.  So I find myself at a crossroads......either I spray my lawn incessantly or I change my attitude.  (I'm not quite sure which would be more difficult.)  One option guarantees grumbling and cussing the cute little plants that came there no fault of their own or I can choose to re-embrace my youthful attitude.  If I can embrace anything youthful, I think now is the time to do it.  So, I chose the latter of the two........or at least I am trying to!

 It's fun to remember how I used to love dandelions - didn't we all.  Even when they were past their prime, they were still fun......fun to blow and watch drift away.  And in some ways, they were still beautiful with their puffy, white heads.  It was always a challenge to try and find the perfect orb with all of it's billowy seeds barely hanging on and quickly blow them all away before the breeze would.  It was fun.  They were fun.  Now the only challenge is to get rid of them before they reach any kind of billowy beauty.

 I also remember thinking about each little individual seed as it launched from it's mother plant.  Wondering how far and where it would go.  Would it end up across the road or miles away?  I would never know and not knowing made it wonderful.  So fun to wonder about things.......

As I sat there taking this picture I was mesmerized by the little seed barely hanging on and I couldn't look away as it did battle with the breeze blowing slightly.  I was surprised at how long it took before the breeze finally set it aloft.

So, after some reflection, I find dandelions much more pleasing.  I think of the joy they've brought me in the past, the metaphors that can be derived from them at the present and I do see a future for us together. A new perspective can cure a lot of ills.  So much of what we find annoying in life can be changed if we only change our attitudes toward them. It's not an easy thing to do, but worth the time and effort. That's the lesson learned from my yard of dandelions.  So when you drive by and wonder why I've let my yard go, no, I'm not ill, not on vacation, and I'm not suffering a nervous breakdown.  I've just been busy adjusting my attitude!!

*Life on the Farm - Boys Need Not Apply

The Opal of My Eye

I haven't blogged in awhile.  I feel a little bad, but I've been lured away by a new love.........my '63 Lil Loafer trailer.  I acquired it while hanging with some of my best pals a few weeks back.  Since that time, I have been consumed with my "make-over" ambition and spent every extra minute painting, sewing, and dreaming.  Yesterday, I finally finished!  Well, I finished the inside, at least for now.  I've heard that these little trailers can cause an infatuation that keeps you tweaking, updating, and working on them.  It's a real love affair!  I wanted to share some of my before and after photos.  I would love nothing more than to hear your comments!

Here's the "before" eating/sitting area.  The birch interior was in great shape, so not too much work  was needed - just dollying it up a bit.  It was missing the table, so I re-purposed an old door.  David even commented how much he liked my new "table"!

The other end of the trailer had old wood paneling and brown appliances.  It did not have that glamping feeling!  So I painted the paneling cream and the appliances a deep turquoise.  I also painted the drawer fronts a pale pink and added clear glass pulls.  Some might find it a little girly, but that's the point - I am a girl and it's my trailer!

Here's the "after"!  I just love how much lighter and brighter it is!  Check out the cool original back splash behind the stove.......so cute!

 And here's the in-between space, the closet.  It gives some of my kids a headache that one door is wood while the other is painted.  Truth is that one was the nice birch and the other the yucky paneling. I guess I am too lazy to replace one of the doors and/or paint over the wood (that just seems morally wrong).  The only solution was to paint the paneled door and leave the other.  It doesn't bother me and well, it's my trailer!!

After spending so much time and effort, I feel as if I've birthed another child - one of my creative self.  I now understand why the women who re-do these vintage trailers name them!  In that spirit, I have named my sweet, little bundle of fun, Opal!  Because, well, she's a real gem.......and I love her!!

* Check out the new recipe I tried yesterday - Citrus Coconut Butter Cookie -

under the recipe tab! 

Lucky or Blessed?!!

Am I lucky or blessed?   In life, some things just seem fall into place with perfect timing, like winning a free lunch or finding that perfect parking spot close to the store on a day that you haven't got any time to spare.  Those kind of things some might call blessings, but I believe that a lot of those  incidences are just plain, old, good luck.  Then there are other times in your life when it seems a greater power is at work, leading toward the good that will make a monumental difference.  Those are the times I truly feel blessed.

The above ladies are some of the greatest blessings in my life.  We all came together under circumstances that were less than extraordinary, but the friendship that has blossomed is beyond incredible!  We met at a gathering almost one year ago, spent two days together, and have kept in touch online.  I was so surprised when earlier this year, they announced that they were planning a road trip to my neck of the woods.  The time we spent together was relaxing, silly, thoughtful, and just amazing.

We come from all walks of life - married with/without kids, christian, pagan, dancer, adventurer, writer, junker, etc.  The list is almost endless.  We are a diverse group but we choose to focus on our similarities and learn from our differences without judgement and find awe in each other's gifts.  We are a sisterhood of the most special kind - chosen in love - love of family, friends, fun, and what life can be when we see the best in others.  For this I AM truly blessed







We all share a love of vintage trailers.  While they were in town, we came across this little beauty.  She's a '63 Lil' Loafer.  Sweet as can be and now all mine! (With a little coaxing)  Not sure that she came to me by pure luck or it was meant to be, but either way, I am excited to see what I can make of her.  A diamond in the rough.  I look at her as a metaphor of my time with my sisters from up North - seeing and bringing out the best in others and ourselves.


*Thanks ladies for the inspiration!  Pictures of her transformation are on the way!!

Imagine

David and I were blessed enought to go with our two oldest daughters, Emilee and Hannah, on an educational trip to Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City. It was an amazing adventure. There was so much to see and do and learn. It was especially nice to share these memories with those that I love the most.

I loved it all, but thought I would post some pictures of my favorite moments. I started with the picture of the "Imagine" mosiac in Central Park simply because this trip was full of imagining.......imagining battles fought....

lives lost in the struggle for freedom......

peaceful places that have seen death by the thousands.........

the foresight of brilliant individuals that still sustain this great country........

those who came in search of the freedom this country gives to all.....

the incredible ability of some to capture the beauty of the world around us........

and inspire us with the lives that they led.........

So grateful for the opportunity to reflect and draw closer to the greatness that our country possess!

Paper Roses..........well, almost

A few weeks back, while doing some fabric shopping, I came across a kit for making different kinds of tissue paper flowers on clearance. I couldn't resist buying it and giving it a try. I'd made the pom-pom style flowers before, but had never seen the five petal balloon flowers at all - let alone made any. They were easy and fun. It was a good activity to do while watching a movie. Not quiet sure what I will do with my new bouquet, but it does brighten up the pre-spring dreariness.

Sweet Land

While I've been recuperating, I decided to surf netflix and found a lovely movie that I had never heard of. It's the sweet story set during the end of WWII in Minnesota. It's about a German girl who is a mail order bride. She speaks very little English and finds her soon-to-be husband is a quiet, somewhat cold man. Because of the war with Germany, she is met with suspicion and their marriage is put off until she becomes proficient in English. During this time, she lives with a neighbor, learns some homemaking skills, but feels very alone. She eventually asserts herself with her husband-to-be and they make a life together.

This is NOT a movie of action or adventure. It's a sweet slice of history and brings out the everyday beauty of hard work in the home and on the farm. The scenery is breathtaking. My personal favorite is the part when Brownie makes a pie - beautiful cinematography!! It's full of hardships, loneliness, unjust judgement, and working through difficulties - the things that are universal to us all. If you have a lazy afternoon and want a thoughtful movie, give it a try!

Down Time

I've been laid up for the last few days. Knowing that this was coming, I made big plans to allow myself to do those things that take place while sitting. You see, I am one of those people that have a hard time sitting still. I think I have a little too much of my dad in me. I feel somewhat useless unless I'm actively busy. So, I had planned a guilt free list of things that I could do while laid up - hand work, planning fun get-togethers, and some reading.

The last few days have not been what I had thought. A few complicatioons have set me back a little, but I'm looking forward to some time doing the things that I usually don't take time to do. Being busy isn't always best and sitting, once in awhile, can be the rejuvenation that is needed.