RANDOMNESS: one thousand gifts

I've joined a book club at a local church.  Now, I'm not a religious person.  I was never raised in church, I never went to church.  The only times I have been in a church were for weddings, christenings and funerals.

Strangely enough, I was married in a church.  The very same church where my mother and father-in-law were wed.  It was more for tradition's sake than anything else.

I can appreciate people's beliefs; I don't attest to know more or less than anyone else where spirituality is concerned.  I come from a people, first people as we're now referred to, who believe that everything in life has a spirit; from a place where Christianity was introduced.  I like believing that everything has a spirit and soul.... I think for me, it makes me appreciate life that much more.  To not take for granted what the earth has given us.  Again, I make no judgements on what people want to believe to live the life they were meant to live.

So you may be wondering, Why has she chosen to join a club within a church?  Well, I'll tell ya.... My friend, Rebecca, is the minister's wife at said church.  She invited me to join.  One morning a week; for a couple of hours; chatting; tea/coffee; and babysitting, which, honestly, is more like nursery school complete with lessons, craft time and snack.  Needless to say, my girl-monkey LOVES going to 'nursey sool'.

For me, it's a chance to get out of the house.  Talk with adults.  And let my child socialize and learn in a structured environment.  What's not to love?

The book:  one thousand gifts, written by Ann Voskamp.

A book written from a religious perspective.... but one that I can definitely read and apply to my own life.  What I've been able to take from this book, so far, is that I am genuinely happy with how my life has shaped itself, or rather, how I've molded myself into the person I am today.  I keep going back to the saying, 'When life gives you lemons....'  And I think that is a testament to my life.  With so many obstacles from inception to my early 20's.... well, some days I just shake my head and say to myself, 'How did I get here?'  Not here on earth; but, to this place where I can be okay and accepting and forgiving and most of all, happy.... It's a simple answer really -

I chose me.

I chose to change me.  I chose to accept that I cannot change the past and that I did not create the past.  I chose to move forward and live my best life....

I chose me.

So, the writer is trying to find grace in a life that keeps throwing grief after grief.... and has decided to write a list of one thousand things that she is thankful for.... and in doing so, she is reshaping herself, reshaping her soul and trying to live her life fully.

I like the idea of writing down things that make me smile, things I am ever grateful for.... I'm starting my list.  I'm going out, finding a beautiful journal, and everyday jotting down one thing that I am thankful for.  It's not unlike the 'I Love You' jars that I have for my children and husband.... only I'm choosing.... me.

Have a great day my pretties  ;)

Obsessive, to say the least....

You can say that I've been a teeny-tiny-little bit obsessed lately... but, that would be a TOTAL s-t--r---e---t--c-h! 

Somebody, who I've never met, has been donating the most delicious collections of vintage crafty magazines, pattern books, leaflets and what-have-you's (bad grammar, I know) to my favourite thrifty place....

And, lucky me, I was able to scoop a few up at prices ranging from .10 cents to $1.00 each to $5.00 for 8 oversized magazines (that was a deal I struck with the lovely man at the cash... SCORE!!!!).

Of course, I found a couple of other little treasures to go along with the crafty "HAUL".... a beautiful handmade pottery mug and a vintage hand-embroidered linen table runner....

 Looks like I'm going to be a busy lady making up PDF patterns for the shop and listing some more vintage linens.... LOTS of fun!

Have a great Canadian Thanksgiving weekend everyone... I'll be back tomorrow with your Friday night video ;)

Vintage and thrifting....

Yesterday, on the way to Nanny's place, the monkeys and I spotted a garage sale. I don't normally stop.... and that's not to say that I don't like garage sale-ing, I do. I love it just as much as I love thrifty shopping, I just generally don't stop on my own with all the monkeys.... anyway....

My middle monkey spotted teak salad bowls and had to have two. Who knows what draws people to things, I don't even know why I'm drawn to certain items; but since the price was right, who am I to deny him something that he finds value in? My itty-bitty girl monkey found two sweet little wooden fridge magnets - a goose and a chicken - and wouldn't let them go.... another deal. My oldest monkey came away empty handed; but, was completely convinced that Mommy needed a 'really cool' citrus juicer.... I was very tempted, but opted for the two super cute stoneware mugs.... score!

The nice lady (who we just happened to know) charged us just .25 cents per person's purchase.... What?! .75 cents. TOTAL! We gave $1.00.... keep the change.

Here's a snapshot of the 2 stoneware beauties.... Coffee. Tea. Anyone?


Then, after our visit with Nan, we took a trip to Value Village.... remember the place I picked up the 50's nightstand? Well, it did find a home.... nestled nicely beside my chair in our living room.... I LOVE IT!


Aaaanyway, I picked up these vintage pattern books.... another new obsession.... but, holy buckets, how could I walk away from these hilarious finds?! Look at those ladies; they're stylin'! Totally feelin' that 60's/70's vibe.... And guessing by the look of the mitten booklet, I'd say it's 40's/50's.... I just love thinking of who may have bought these items, and how at the time, these styles were at the height of fashion.


Not too sure what I'll do with them, maybe list them in the shop too.... The monkeys each picked out some books; they love books, we have a ton, and buying second-hand is a real savings. I don't mind so much going through their books every now and then to weed out the ones they no longer enjoy; and since most are used, I have no attachment to them and can give them up easily.

Here are the monkey's selections....


There was also an origami book (with papers) that I couldn't pry out of my middle monkeys hands to add to the photo.... Who knew a 7-year-old would love the look of teak and appreciate the art of origami.... he surprises me at every turn. Anyhow, when you have boys (and girls) in your home between the ages of 5 and 10, Captain Underpants is a MUST! It's funny, it's comic book style, it's about all the grossness that boys find intriguing.... and most importantly, it gets them reading and engaged.... and if I'm being honest; I love the flip-o-rama as much as they do. The mini monkey is at that stage where Arthur and Dr. Seuss are where it's at.... I say, they're always where it's at.... All-in-all, the monkeys made choices that were 100% Mommy-Approved!

4 Pattern Books: .99 cents each
5 Children's Books: .99 cents each (buy 4 get one FREE)

TOTAL for 9 books: $8.36 with taxes

A fantastic and very affordable shopping day.... except, we still had to go grocery shopping.... and with three very hungry monkeys, that's never affordable :P

Have a great day everyone ;)

Addicted....

No pictures to show... but, trust me... I've been busy! I'm totally addicted to these darn scrubbies!

I'm not too sure how many I've actually made because I've been giving them away as I'm making them... did I mention that I LOVE them??? Is it weird to love something that you use to get crusty food off your dishes?

Aaaany-who.... Not much else to report... Oh, wait! I'm actually reading a book! Yes... I've managed to fit a book into the few minutes I have here and there... like eating my breakfast standing at the counter... or, o-er giving the boys 5 extra minutes in the tub so I can sit on the bathroom floor beside them and get in a few more pages... Does anyone else do this? See, I don't actually give myself the time to sit and read... it's something I work in (and not very often)... aaanyway, the book is Angels and Demons by Dan Brown... I really liked The DaVinci Code by him, and as it turns out, I am really enjoying this one too... I LOVE a great suspense filled novel.

Like I said, not much to report. Take it easy, have a very relaxing evening all ;)

Spring with summer like temps...

What a beautiful day! Nice and warm with a light breeze... with these wonderfully sunny days comes the need for sunscreen and sunhats and water to keep young bodies hydrated.

I made this sunhat for my Hammy-girl the other night, the beauty of it is that it's reversible...



I was inspired by this tutorial; but ended up modifying the pattern after reading the comments. The size I ended up with for my 16 month old cutie-pie will fit her for a couple of months... my pattern needs some tweaking; but, all-in-all I'm pretty satisfied with the result.

On another subject... I received my giveaway prize from My Little Hen... MAKE by Cath Kidston, it's such a cute book with lots of great project ideas... I've been inspired and have a newly revised crafty to-do list that is now twice as long as it was before... Thanks again Rae, for hosting such a great giveaway!

Happy Bunny Day everyone... enjoy this beautiful weather ;)

Lucky Monday....

I opened my e-mail this morning and found a message from My Little Hen's blog author, Rae... I entered this giveaway.... and I won!!!!! I'm soooo excited. I NEVER win anything! What a wonderful beginning to the week!

Thanks so much Rae at My Little Hen for hosting such a fantastic giveaway!

Take a peek at everything My Little Hen has to offer... you'll find wonderful creative inspiration over there!

I can't wait to get a closer look at my prize and try some of the great projects myself.... yay for me!