Photos of the Week

Photos from our apple and peach picking outing....

I love harvesting in the fall.... even if it's stuff that I didn't grow myself :)

So......I have a lot on my mind today.  I hope it won't bore you if I unload my thoughts here.

I'm currently a mother of one amazing almost five year old.  I love him and am grateful for him everyday of my life.  I've always wanted a big family- like the one I was raised in.  But so far the additional children have not come. We've been waiting for over three years to have more children.  But I've had to wade through lots of physical trials and for most of that time, it was an impossibility to even think about having more.  Now I'm at the point where I feel healthier than I have in a long long time.  I'm ready and able to care for more kids, but it hasn't happened yet.

I know for some, three years to wait for having a child seems like a short time.  Others wait much much longer.  But I don't know if it makes it any easier for me, especially here, where I'm surrounded by a culture that values large families -where you feel left behind because you only have one kid, while others your age have 2,3, or 4.

Most of the time I'm grateful for the life and family I have, but once in a while I get down on myself because I don't have more children yet.  I wonder why I've had to wait so so long when I love children so much.  At times I even doubt my own worth.  But over the weekend I heard some inspired words from a very inspired man that helped to heal my wounds.

"Your Heavenly Father loves you, each of you.  That love never changes.  It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money in your bank account.  It is not changed by your talents and abilities.  It is simply there." 
 -President Thomas S. Monson

As soon as I heard those words, I knew they were true.  I feel so strongly about that simple message.  The Lord loves you no matter what stage you are in life or what you may or may not have.  He loves me and will always love me no matter how many children I have.  I should never compare myself to others or base my own worth on how I measure up to others.

Fall Flower Garland

These Zinnias have been the most faithful little flowers.  They fared better than any other plant in my yard this year, so in honor of them, I made a little garland and strung it over my fireplace :)  I had to do something with these little beauties before the frost got them.

Want to make a garland for yourself?  The process is simple- similar to my Flower Wrist Corsage.

Here's what you need:

Materials:
Fresh Flowers
String or Thread
Needle

Step 1:  Wash and cut stems off of the flowers.

Step 2:   Cut string to desired length and thread needle.  Stick the needle through the backside of the flower near the base of the stem.  Thread string through the flower, pushing it to the end.  Fasten the tail end with a knot to keep the flowers from sliding off.

Step 3:  Continue to string flowers until the length of your string is filled up. Tie a knot on the end and hang up your garland anywhere you like!

Note:   A fresh flower garland may only last a day or two- (dang it!).  If you want a longer lasting garland, try using silk flowers instead.

Fall is for Peaches

I've wanted to paint peaches for a while now... they're one of my favorite fruits!

I  must say, this is one of my more "tasty" paintings... he he!  I'm halfway hoping it doesn't sell in my shop, at least not for a little while.  I want to enjoy it first :)

Photos of the Week

Good Morning! I took some shots of my dahlias and produce over the weekend.... good material for future paintings :)

It's feeling like fall here and life is getting a bit hectic.  So many activities and appointments!  It makes my head spin.  I'm used to the slow and simple life.  I've had to take it easy for so many years on account of my headaches, but that part of my life is improving (thank goodness)!  It's just an adjustment for me to start doing normal things that normal people do.  I feel like I've forgotten how to deal with stress (or how not to get so stressed in the first place).  So here's to starting over again... and hopefully not overdoing it!

Warm Colors for Fall

While I'm still in denial that summer is in fact ending, I'm loving the cooler temps and the fall colors that are starting to appear in the mountains.  It puts me in the mood for some warm fall colors........

These watercolors are pretty much perfect for what I'm feeling right now...... still a little stuck on summer, not quite ready to give up the long days and beautiful flowers, but tired of the heat.   I'm so not ready to bust out the Halloween Decor yet, even though it's been out in stores for weeks.  I hate rushing the seasons.  Let's just enjoy what we have at the moment!  Who's with me?!

Crochet T-Shirt Rug Pattern

Here it is......my colorful, comfy t-shirt rug!

This took hours to complete and was kinda messy, but I'm glad I made this.  Who knew I could turn my old tees into something so pretty?

Here's a simple crochet pattern I created for you all so you can make your own rug:

Crochet T-Shirt Rug Pattern

Materials:

t-shirt yarn ( I wrote about making some HERE)

Size K/ 6.50MM Crochet Hook

Yarn Needle

Abbreviations:

ch = chain

dc = double crochet

sc = single crochet

sl st = slip stitch

Notes:  

This pattern makes a rug that measures approx. 23 x 33 inches.  The size can vary depending on the size and thickness of your t-shirt yarn. 

Feel free to alternate colors at any point in the pattern.  You can attach a new color at the end or middle of the row, wherever you want.

Pattern:

Chain 56.

Row 1:  dc in 2nd chain from hook, dc in each ch across. (54 dc)

Row 2-47:  Ch 2 (counts as dc), turn, dc in next dc.  dc in each dc across.  (54 dc)

Edging:  Ch 1, 3 sc in the last dc you made, then sc along all the edges of the rug, working 3 sc in each corner.  When you have gone all the way around, sl st in beginning ch 1 and fasten off.  

Photos of the Week

Hey everyone!  I'm back... back from a vacation to Arizona and back to blogging.  Here's some scenery I enjoyed on my break......

My son and I drove all the way to Northeastern AZ and back by ourselves (the husband had to work) and man was it a long drive! We did see some beautiful scenery along the way and finally stopped at the Hole in the Rock outside of Moab Utah! I've driven past that place about a million times, but never stopped before.

Going home was the best vacation for me!  I got to relax a lot and spend precious time with family that I haven't seen in a while.  One of my younger sisters just returned from serving and mission in England for our church and it was awesome to finally see her again, hear her amazing stories and testimony, and eat the yummy chocolate she brought back with her!

Thanks for your kind words and advice for me while I was on my break.   It was refreshing to step away from it all for a while :)

Photo of the Week

Hey guys! I'm still on my blogging break, but I scheduled a post with a cool quote and photo for your enjoyment. Weeds are not so bad after all :)

Sketches, Doodles, and Time to Unplug

I've been sketching and doodling just about everywhere.....

in my notebook, sketchbook, and on plain old computer paper.

This last one on the crumpled up paper looks like something my four-year-old would make, but hey, it was fun to make!  I love how crayon resists watercolor :)

Lately I've been feeling so bogged down with blogging and all it entails.... link parties, networking, updating on social media, advertising.....and so on.

It's a ton of work and I've gotten to the point where I'm wondering where this is all going and what I actually want my blog to be.  Yes, I want to keep going.  I love creating and I love sharing what I create!  That's why I started blogging in the first place!  But how much time do I want to spend on this?  Not sure yet.

I'm not on all the major social media.  So far just mainly facebook and pinterest.  Yet I feel stretched to my limit already.  How do you keep up with it all?  And is it all worth it?

These are just a few of the questions going through my head lately.  Any input/advice would be appreciated. In the mean time, I'm taking a little blogging break.  Actually a break from most internet related activities.  It's time to unplug and figure a few things out.  So stick around,  I'll be back!

Photos of the Week

I spent some time in the high desert of Nevada this weekend with my in-laws and their relatives.  The first time I came here I thought, why would anyone ever come here?  This place is so desolate!  But over the past seven years I've discovered the attraction.  It's about being with family, away from the crazy and busy world.  It's about the peace and quiet.  Usually this trip is really hard on me.  It's hot and I don't do so well sleeping on the ground.  But this time it felt good to get away.  I needed it!