Grace & Gingham

 Just about an hour from my home is a string of small towns in Holmes County called, Sugar Creek, Berlin, Charm and Walnut Creek.  There are more, these are just a few.  They are such a gem.  Among the rolling hills and open landscapes where you can see Amish homesteads for miles and winding roads with Amish buggy's there are shops and restaurants, hotels, rental cabins and cottages, thrift shops like crazy and my personal favorite, quilt shops.  It's my favorite place to visit. Its my favorite getaway to stay for anniversary's or girls trips or just for an afternoon.  There is so much to do and see I haven't even done half of it.  Life is a little slower there, perhaps not on a Saturday but I like to go during the week. The whole area shuts down on Sunday and you can watch all the buggy's go to their church service or to picnics in the Spring and Summer.  In every season it's beautiful and I always come home feeling refreshed and ready to bring s...

A little weekly catch up is in order today...somehow I have managed to start a bunch of projects at the same time and I just haven't taken the time to write about it...so here goes! Outside my window That blanket of snow that I thought we would be stuck with is all but melted.  Thank you Jesus for seasons.  I hope that we paid our dues and milder days will stick around until Spring but we will see I guess.  It's messy and wet and gross outside but it's 57 degrees today.  The air smells fresh and it just makes me so so happy...oh, and it doesn't get dark now until after 6 which is big progress too. Bird counting Last weekend I learned about the Great Backyard Bird Count so I downloaded the app and was so excited to spend some time counting some birds and you know what?  I had none.  All the winter birds have gone and most likely since the snow is melting the birds are our foraging for their food instead of my feeder.  Luckily the app has a listening fea...

 It has begun…this week we began our biggest chore to date.  the great basement cleanout.  It’s been on our list for a number of years now.  It has been that catch all place in our home for the things we hate to throw away but needed to be thrown out years ago.  Among the tattered old household things and junk are little treasures that we pause and look through.  I have found pictures of me with my great grandmother, pictures of me and my dad I thought had gotten thrown away by mistake.  I’ve walked around with a lump in my throat for a few days.  Then there are books and drawings and lessons from our homeschooling days that are long forgotten. Those days, the happiest of my life when time seemed to go slow and life seemed simple because that’s the way I like it  All of this meloncholy has made me ponder…what would I say to my younger self. 1.  Throw more stuff away!  Chances are you will never use those old curtains or towels or di...

 These days and weeks keep rolling by don't they?  I'm okay with it...we are one month closer to Spring, I am counting down the days.    This is a little scene from my flower bench today.  I am currently building red roses for a December 2026 wedding.  Everything is hand painted, hand cut and assembled.  I usually do this while listening to praise music and or romantic jazz or an audio book.  I love listening to audio books while working with my hands.  They mesmerize me and I can just disappear into the story.   We spent the last two mornings with our little grand boy.  Oh how I could just eat him up he is so so sweet.  We have been keeping him on Sunday mornings during flu season while his mama and dada go to church.  We watch our church from home right now too so it works great for everyone and while my daughter is expecting it keeps everyone healthier.   After he left today I had a little snack.  Tw...