Spring pondering

Lines Written in Early Spring

William Wordsworth (1798)

I heard a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And ’tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.

The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I cannot measure:–
But the least motion which they made
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

The budding twigs spread out their fan,
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.

If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature’s holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man?

I love the poem above. Although it has a melancholy tone I believe it uncovers a true reflection of man, when observing nature or when reflecting upon nature; humans will always be unhappy despite the infinite reasons to be happy.

I think the reason we struggle with this sense of dissatisfaction is because we have an innate knowledge that we were created with a desire that this world cannot satisfy. Wordsworth compares man to nature, and while we are a part of creation and made from the same ‘stuff’ of the earth we are not like nature and can not honestly be compared to a thing. Wordsworth has the perception to see the perfection in nature compared to the imperfection and dissatisfaction in man. I would agree with his assumptions but not concluded that we can take example from nature because we were made different from nature and nature’s job is perfected in pointing us to these assumptions.

Amateur screen printing

Last night the whole family(our family of 4, my parents, my sis and her family of 4) went out to dinner. After dinner all 10 of us made an impromptu trip to target.

Impromptu trips are the best, impromptu trips to Target.. well now..how can that get any better?

Full bellies, no rush, love..laughter..conversation… visual inspiration(color, texture, fonts, patterns) a creative art-attack was bound to occur.

Tea towels, fabric paint, and brushes came home with us last night!

When new supplies are in the house it’s as if my brain instantly categorizes the new inventory and merges them with the old.

SO, out came the painters tape and silk screen templates and after about 45mins the art-attack was over!

The photos are bad…I know..it was 10:30pm and taken with my phone!

This morning Ben saw the new tea towels drying on the table and wanted to know how I made them “all by myself”

so I gave him a little lesson and he made a few more “all by himself”.

(can’t show you all we made since a few will be going to Grandma for Mother’s day)

I want to experiment with other screen printing techniques like using fabric markers to make geometric designs

and even making my own screen using these:

TUTORIAL HERE:

http://mycalicoskies.blogspot.com/2012/04/52-week-challenge-10-diy-screenprint.html

Hoping that I’ve inspired you to have an art-attack today! :O)

Thanks for checking in! And happy Wednesday!!

House within a home

 

Last night Ben slept in his card board house, all night long.

His list of essentials:

purple pillow (he had since crib days)

three stuffed animals (bunny, mouse, bear)

 sleeping bag

 led flickering candle

his pillow pet which cast a brilliant display of color changing stars throughout the house

and a cup of water.

He got up once around 2ish to use the restroom and went back into his house!

This morning I peeked in, feeling like a giant in Lilliput land, and saw that he was still asleep.

Please stay little for just a little longer my sweet boy, as long as you can!

 

“Home wasn’t a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go.” Sarah Dessen

Spare the rod HATE your son!

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Prov 13:24

Loving includes discipline. When a child grows up to be foolish and out of control, it’s too late. We tell our sons that the reason we discipline them is so they can have increasing freedom and become self governing when they grow up (with a car, having a job, finding a wife). When they are little, they need correcting….lots and lots of sinful acts needing to be addressed promptly and appropriately.There should be an indicator of progressive maturity as they grow.

This morning my son wrote a note of apology to the librarian confessing that he was CARELESS in losing a school book and will RESPECT school property in the future. He found the lost book last night, however, writing a note was still necessary and  he knew that. He did not want to write that he was careless, instead he wanted to say that he was simply sorry .We talked about the situation and his carelessness was made clear to him, his heart affirmed that he was indeed careless (without trying to justify it away, or having us simply pay $16.00 to replace the book) He left the house  eager to make good with the librarian. Confessed sin and a contrite heart leads to change (not just feeling sorry) Repentance can now happen and we can hope for change!

We don’t discipline our kids for being human (making a mistake) But his carelessness and disrespect, based on his nonchalant attitude towards school property needed to be called out. If it continues, it becomes an act that is considered to be rebellious/sinful.

Parenting is hard. Lazy parenting is tempting and can seem more ‘grace-filled’ but grace comes after sin is revealed.

The goal is quality fruit, when being fruitful and multiplying.

PHOTO CREDIT: https://www.etsy.com/listing/86525517/you-are-so-loved-8×10-print?ref=shop_home_active

Spring miniature garden(aka grownup playhouse)

I am not a green thumb gardener but this year I plan on changing my colors.

I  have been enamored with the miniatures section on etsy, impressed especial with the hand made minis.. garden fences, tiny lamp post and rustic benches that transport you to a sort of fantasy world that you design. Adding live elements makes this world come alive in a whole new way.When when I googled ‘fairy garden’ I was inspired further by these mini worlds…the cuteness, charm, quirk and most importantly..the maintainability!

 This link gave me a place to start and lots of visual inspiration:http://goodshomedesign.com/create-miniature-garden

I wanted to create three different themed pots but when I found these houses I knew they belonged together. The houses I used are in fact functioning birdhouses made for the outdoor environment by ‘Gardener’s Eden’ and their prices were surprisingly affordable ($25.00-$39.00)

Enjoy my mini pots that my husband calls ‘Lilliput Lane’!

If you have any questions at all, feel free to leave a message and I do my best to answer and questions you may have.

Spring is Springing!

Made an easy valance for my laundry room window this morning using three lawn flags and some ribbon.
(I purchased the flags at ‘Fresh Vintage’ by Amy. Amy gives wonderful decorating tips “there are no rules in decorating”..Fresh Vintage is my FAVORITE place to get lost and inspired)

https://www.facebook.com/freshvintagebyamy

Katie Daisy is a watercolor artist on etsy, her whimsical and happy watercolor artwork became an overnight success story! You can find her cheerful prints all over the country and here on etsy where her work was discovered:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/thewheatfield

Neon slime..preschool fun!

My youngest son Ben loves squishy, gooey things so I knew we had to try making our own goo/slime. It was easier than I anticipated and  lots of fun!

The first thing that he said while holding the fresh, pink goo in his 5 year old hands was, “I love you mom!”  Project success!!

White glue

Food coloring

Borax (detergent booster)

Water

Mix 6oz of white glue(1 bottle), 1/2 cup water, 6 drops food coloring

(see above photo)

pour colored glue mixture into:

1 cup water and 1tsp borax(stir water and borax till it dissolves, may still have granules)

stir using plastic spoon…gently kneed ball…mixture should NOT be sticky .

The slime will start out as a highly flexible polymer.

Eventually  become stiffer and more like putty. Then you can shape it and mold it!

DO NOT EAT!!!!!

enjoy!

Turning 34

 

 

 

I recently turned 34 years old! WOW it sounds so old to me and yet I feel so young younger than my actual age.

(Pictured above is my sister and I, she took me out for my B’day and what a fun night we had!)

 “Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” C.S. Lewis

Thank you, God, for giving me another year of life.
Thank you for all the people who remembered me today
by sending cards, and letters, gifts and good wishes.
Thank you for all the experience of this past year;
for times of success which will always be happy memories,
for times of failure which reminded me of my own weakness and of my need for you,
for times of joy when the sun was shining,
for times of sadness which drove me to you.
Forgive me
for the hours I wasted,
for the chances I failed to take,
for the opportunities I missed this past year.
Help me in the days ahead to make this the best year yet,
and through it to bring good credit to myself,
happiness and pride to my loved ones,
and joy to you. Amen.

Makeup by Eliza Davila

A few months ago I strolled into Sephora (make up store at the mall) to replenish my foundation supply.That was where I met Eliza(pictured above)…she looked at my face and was able to give me great advice about my skin in about 10 mins..she literally blew my mind and I was completely sold because she knew what she was talking about. Her talent was undeniable and her humble confidence made her approachable and a masterclass at what she does. Getting valuable advice about my darker toned skin was not something I was expecting. I knew I had to book a consult with her !

The best advice I receive from Eliza:

Moisturize before applying makeup (makes a huge difference)

To combat dark circles(we Indian women have from birth it seems) use peach tones which will even out the purple under the eyes.

Use a brow pencil to create arches (like an instant face lift)

MVP items from Sephora for me:

Maracuja (under the eyes..it covers a multitude)

Make up forever- foundation(does not look ashy or gray)

Anasacia brow pencil (brunette)

Amazon clay mascara

Just a small teaser of Eliza’s published work!

Website here: http://www.elizadavila.com

Downton Abbey

I think it’s because I feel as if I’ve read a good book after watching an episode..or perhaps it’s the one liners that are so cutting, pin point perfect and witty to a fault that makes me SO in love with the BBC series ..Downton Abbey!

Whatever it may be, I cannot get enough so for now..as I COUNTDOWN to DOWNTON… I’ll settle for having my morning cup with Anna and Bates!

Erik challenged me to make Downton Abbey coasters for our Meadow Tea shop since I’m a DA obsessed wife…..I was up for the challenge and created 18 character coasters, the manor, and a coaster of the iconic bell service(20 different designs in all)…It took some time to execute the artwork but I’m glad they came out exactly the way I wanted it to look and ‘feel’…I was most eager to get my very own Anna and Bates coasters made first..who would you most like to have tea/coffee with from Downton?

JUST CHECKING TO SEE IF ANYONE REALLY READS THE FINE PRINT..LEAVE A COMMENT (your 4 favorite Downton Abbey characters) TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!!!! I will send one set of 4 coasters to one lucky winner !!!! YOU MUST COMMENT TO BE ENTERED TO WIN! (Anywhere in the world) Contest ends in TWO WEEKS!!!!!

To purchase a set of your own go here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/125418196/downton-abbey-coasters-set-of-4?

Because we just can’t get enough!!!

These quotes truly capture the essence of the characters:

Violet: Dowager Countess of Grantham
“Don’t be defeatist, dear. It’s very middle class.”

Robert: Earl of Grantham
“We’ve dreamed a dream, my dear, but now it is over. The world was in a dream before the war but now it’s woken up and said goodbye to it. And so must we.”

Cora, The Countess of Grantham
“I’m an American. I don’t share your English hatred of comfort.”

Lady Mary Crawley
“Dear Lord, I don’t pretend to have much credit with you. I’m not even sure that you’re there. But if you are, and if I’ve ever done anything good, I beg you to keep him safe.”

Lady Edith Crawley
“I can assure you, at this stage, there isn’t much that puts me off.”

Lady Sybil Crawley
“Sometimes it feels as if all the men I ever danced with are dead.”

Lady Rosamund Painswick
“I’m sorry, Mama, but you know me. I have to say what I think.”

Matthew Crawley
“I am the cat that walks by himself and all places are alike to me.”

Isobel Crawley
“But this is a war! And we must be in it together! High and low, rich and poor!”

Mr. Carson, The Butler
“Keeping up standards is the only way to show the Germans that they will not beat us in the end.”

John Bates, Lord Grantham’s Valet
“I don’t care about fairness, I care about you. The point is, I can get rid of her.”

Thomas Barrow
“I’m the one that got away.”

Tom Branson, Chauffeur
“Sometimes a hard sacrifice must be made for a future that’s worth having.”

Mrs. Hughes, Housekeeper
“I may not be a woman of the world, but I don’t live in a sack.”

Anna Smith, Head Housemaid
“The only ruin that I recognize is to be without you!”

Mrs. Patmore, Cook
“Too late for second thoughts now, Missy.”

Daisy, Kitchen Maid
“I can’t go. Don’t make me go.”

Sarah O’Brien, Lady’s Maid
“Well I’m not standing by while she brings misery and ruin on my lady.”