All Things Craft Fair : Mark Your Calendars!

For those of you that live here in the Tampa Bay area, don't forget to mark your calendars!  Friday, November 19th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the incredibly talented Janine from Always Sunny On Reynolds Drive will be teaming up with me at Mease Countryside Hospital's annual craft fair to sell some of our fun home decor including my old wooden crates and her revamped plantation windows.  Leading up to that big day, you can follow our progress and preparation in our series of posts, All Things Craft Fair.

This afternoon I was able to get my hands on some gorgeous flannel and cannot wait to get it stitched together into a ragtime quilt for the fair.  I'll be sure to post photos when it's all finished!

Wordless Wednesday : Sweet Innocence

Days Like These

Elijah and I awoke this morning to dreary weather, which did not support our plans for play group at the pool.  So we started the morning with some of the little man's summery favorites.... fresh blueberries and waffles with blueberry syrup...

We quickly got dressed (and fixed our bed head) and met Grammie at the local gymnastics center's open gym.  Eli had a blast climbing and exploring...

We decided to continue keeping busy after gym was closed and headed to the mall where Eli played on the playground and experienced food court rides for the first time...

He loved playing in the cars!  Once finished there, I took my worn out little boy home for a nap.  Auntie Britt came over while Eli slept to give me a chance to cast my vote for the primary elections.  Eli was very happy to wake up to his wonderful Auntie.  They read books...

... and went for rides in Mommy's clothes hamper...

The evening brought a stroll through Petsmart (complete with Eli kisses for a sweet dalmatian puppy) and a free kids meal at Chick-Fil-A.  We were even blessed with a break from the rain that lasted just long enough for me to pull my smiley boy around the neighborhood in his little red wagon.  The cool breezes were so refreshing!  
Now the day is coming to a close and it's time to get my favorite little guy into the bathtub and bed before enjoying some much-needed quiet time.  I love that it's the days that start out seeming so uneventful that often end up being the best days.  I cherish days like these.  Days when I just can't get enough of my sweet son's smiles.  Days that I wish would never end.  Days that remind me just how amazing God truly is.

Putting Some Old Crates To Use

In case you're wondering, I thought I'd show you what I ended up doing with my crates...

One of them is holding some comfy throws at the end of my couch...

And the other has been mounted to the wall to be used as a shelf...

I love my cozy new additions!

Splashes and Smiles at Playgroup

This week, one of the mommies from our play group was kind enough to have us all over to her house for some fun in the sun (and thankfully, some shade too).  While the weather was very hot, our little ones didn't seem to mind.  They enjoyed splashing around in the cool water and making good use of all the backyard space as I snapped away behind the lens, trying to catch some of the sweet summer moments...

A Quick Fix

Last night, my husband was darling enough to take a car full of girls to what ended up being the most amazing concert I've had the joy of experiencing!  


My husband, sister, dear friend and I bought tickets to see Something Corporate... a band that won my heart over during my high school years and still has it's place on my list of favorites.  


While getting ready, I got to thinking.  I hate carrying around large purses at concerts, and my husband hates being responsible for carrying my phone in his pocket (especially since I'm usually asking him to take it out and put it back a million and one times).  


I had a purse stashed away that Cliff's sweet grandmother gave me one year for Christmas.  It's tiny... just the right size for the essentials... but it wasn't quite the look I was going for...

With a button, lighter, embroidery floss/thread, and some burlap (all items I had lying around) I gave the purse a quick fix...

... and it worked perfectly!

:)

Old Wooden Crates

In preparation for the upcoming craft fair, I spent yesterday doing a little experimenting...

I can't wait to see how the others come out.  I'll be sure to keep you posted! :)

Wordless Wednesday : Spray-On Smiles

Just In Case

My husband has been looking for the perfect case for his iPad.  He's found a few that he likes, but hasn't been able to convince himself to spend the money.  During his search, he came across these...

Still not the perfect case by his standards, but I had the supplies and the simple sleeve would keep his iPad safe from scratches until he gets the one he's really happy with.  So, per Cliff's request, here is my iPad case...

=)

Sincerely Sunday : One Happy Mommy

Things I'm thankful for:
1. My son's goofy expressions that have brought me so much laughter.
2. The hope I have in Jesus Christ.
3. Balance.
4. Swimming pools on hot summer days.
5. Air conditioning.


Things I'm looking forward to:
1. Swimming tomorrow (and Thursday).  Swimming seems to be the only outdoor play option (unless we want to be sweaty and miserable) and Eli and I both prefer getting out of the house.  Plus, my butt needs the exercise, lol.  
2. Play group.  It's been several weeks since we've attended our regular play group and it will be so good to see our friends!


Things that made me smile this week:
1. We went to a new church this morning.  It was the first time in many years that I wasn't leading anyone or responsible for anything.  If felt strange to just "be" and not "do".  I know it won't be long before I'm ready to jump back in to do whatever God wills, but for now I'm enjoying just resting in Him.  And, there wasn't a nursery at our last church.  It was really nice to be able to sit and enjoy the service.
2. I know it's nothing new, but Elijah.  He's so excited about everything (he has his mother's enthusiasm) and his expressions and reactions are so funny!  That child brings me so much joy :)
3. I bought a pair of American Eagle shorts this week and was expecting to pay almost full price for them (the discount they displayed wasn't much of one).  When I got to the cash register, they ended up being less than I expected AND I found a coupon for 15% off in my purse.  I ended up getting over 50% off the original price.  Score!  
4. After running into some unexpected problems, I can finally say that our master shower is finally working and our broken threshold under the front door is no longer broken!  Big thanks to my daddy and hubby! :)


Current likes: 
Baskets and Barn stars


Current dislike:
Laminate furniture (It's so much harder to play with!)


Favorite blog post I came across this week:
Donna from Funky Junk Interiors is constantly blowing me away with her ideas!  I love her style and when I saw her Painted wooden crate stairs, I instantly fell in love.  Now if I only had a staircase...


Scripture:
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst of them." - Matthew 18:20

Wordless Wednesday : Sidewalk Chalk And Other Loves

Sincerely Sunday : Here's To New Beginnings

Things I'm thankful for:

1. All you can eat sushi, shrimp and crab legs.  Mainly the sushi.  I can't get enough of it these days.

2. Having a son with such a cheerful disposition.  He brightens my world :)

3. Florida's rain and lightning shows. 

Things I'm looking forward to:

1. Getting some of the crafts I have stored up in my head finished so that I can share them with you.

2. Sadly, today was our church's last service.  For those of you who are wondering, our old church's pastor (and our good friend) was called away from the ministry he was involved in at that church so that he could have more time to give towards his family and to follow God into the next season of life.  During that time, God laid it on our hearts (as well as the youth pastor and his family) to continue leading the people and giving them a place to fellowship until they found new church homes.  It has been a year since we made that decision, and today was our last Sunday before moving on to new things.  We enjoyed worshipping together and sharing some yummy lunch with the people who have become family.  As sad as it to know I won't be seeing the people I've been serving with for many years this Sunday, I know that we'll still see them and I'm really looking forward to the new things God has in store for us :)

Things that made me smile this week:

1. My friend Janine found some windows from the 1920s on Craigslist for a steal and was kind enough to share some of her finds with me.  I can't wait to see what I can create with them!

2. Cliff had to work, but I went fishing with his dad and brother all day yesterday.  I had a great time and the fact that I am so blessed to have married into a family that I want to spend time with and love as much as my own is definitely smile worthy.

3. Finding some of my really old cds.  Music brings back a flood of memories :)

Current like:

Sleep

Current dislike:

The fact that I haven't been getting enough of it

Favorite blog post I came across this week:

Today's post from I Am Momma Hear Me Roar called Looking Forward gave me something to read that I really felt I could relate to.  Her Sunshine Sunday posts are always great.  I love seeing people who are genuinely thankful for the things they have been given.

Scripture Verses:

"And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.  And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." -James 5:15