Look To The Sky

enduring

Oh, dear, some days at the Russell household I really don't know what we're doing during the day.   This week was tough because Will David was sick and dealing with incoming teeth.   Philip was all about playing computer games and picking on his little brother.   Ella started acting like a teenager (and I say that endearingly but have to be honest because it's been a struggle with her lately...she's so sweet usually, and now I am so confused...wwhere did this come from?....LOL...).   Put those three together, and it was hard to homeschool.    We have six days left of school.   YAY.   And then a few summer things here and there but no biggie. Just enough to keep it all fresh in their heads.  

This week was a nice week of goodies for me. Well, the past TWO weeks were! Last week, as a Mother's Day gift, we all went to Medina so I could "shop" vintage goodness.  We went to three different places, and at each one, I found more than what I could even think of getting....isn't that how it always is?  SOOOOO much inspiration.  So much fun for me. Would've been better to have a friend or two with me while I looked though......my family just waited in the car, bless their hearts!   One of these days I will get pics of what I brought home with me-  one thing in particular is very functional. It's a vintage basket with compartments, and I have placed crafty/scrapbooking stuff in it already as storage.   Also, some really inexpensive old trim, and an adorable mini set of cards.   

Also, I was able to get a zoom lens.....something that I haven't had since my regular SLR camera!    I tried it out tonight and can't wait to do more with it.  Saturday is a ball game, so it'll prime time to test it out with sports.  If only we weren't flower killers I'd have some nice flower closeups. HAhahaa....I will most certainly be on the lookout for some wildflowers of something along the road....or coming to your house. :)

I am trying to get geared up for more Etsy creating. Oh, I so need to do that.  It's been too long. Lisa and I are going to update our look.....get a new store banner up there and some different things. Spruce up the place a bit.    We are also going to take some beginning steps to work on a "project" that I am quite excited about.  It entails lots of artistry. That's all I am going to say about it.  It'll be, hopefully, inspiring to others. 

Well, here's some odds and ends photographs....Ella and her daddy looking for worms.

a sweetly dimpled curly haired boy (who has a mom that will not cut the hair yet because of those curls!!!)

the three chalk artists...well, the two chalk artists and the janitor. ;-)

i really don't know what this face is all about....hmm.....

kinda cool pic of Ella jumproping with her cousin Sydney looking on while she sits...

all I can say about this photograph...I'm already nervous about her becoming a young woman....beautiful...

most certainly like a dream....

looking through photographs of these children makes my heart want to endure any difficulty we have with them, as we try to lead them along the best way...it's not easy, but so, so worth it.  we press on because of the love in our hearts...

blessings..
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

snow

my kids love it.

i love it but just not the cold that goes with it!

nor do i like the slippery roads it brings.

but, honestly, i like it.

i like it because it reminds me of wonderful times,

and of especially Christmas.

but now it's New Year's

and we are still in lots of snow and

looking for more!

here is Ella in lots of snow from before Christmas, at Rich's parents' house, when we celebrated Christmas (boy, was that confusing!)

Also, two boys being goofy and three girl cousins being sweet!

i love these pics....so much personality! what treasures of children!

today Rich worked but the kids and I wandered from house to house. :0

fun fun fun!

tomorrow is my sister in law's baby shower. it will be a truly delightful time- i cannot wait. but i cannot imagine how excited SHE is!   ella is happy she gets to come....what a treat for a little girl!  tomorrow afternoon i bet we'll be searching through her closet finding the perfect dress to wear!  i get to play the piano while guests arrive...how neat is that? 

i would love to post pics of what i have as a gift, but since i THINK Lisa may see this post by tomorrow evening, i shall not!   the suspense!

tonight i was able to create a few items for the ETSY shop which i will hopefully put up tomorrow.   the time is hard to find.  will david has reached a new level of mobility so it's just plain tough to find time. that's why i keep staying up til about midnight! craziness!   all in the name of creativity!

i am still thinking of a special "word" for the year. it's something that scrapbookers i know do, and since i scrapbook, i jump on the bandwagon.  last year, i had changed mine from something or other (cannot recall! LOL) to embrace.  this year, i am thinking still of a word...maybe by tomorrow i'll have it.    i take suggestions!

enjoy all the snow. stay warm. stay safe!  blessings!

 
 

Old-fashioned

I am an old-fashioned girl at heart.

I grew up completely infatuated and in love with all things Little House on the Prairie.

I loved to dress "back then."

I contemplated things "back then."

I wish I lived "back then."

I pretended to live "back then."

I read, played, ate..."back then."

Maybe I am somewhat of an Old Soul.

I have been told that.

I think it's true.

I still love old-fashioned things....especially old school books!    I have several to use for homeschooling- readers, poetry books, and penmanship.   It's pretty special to be able to pick out things like this to use for schooling.   I LOVE it.

More of me that is old-fashioned.....I love music that takes you back.   Especially soundtracks of period films.  Specifically- Last of the Mohicans and Pride and Prejudice.

And, can you believe, that with a Barnes and Noble gift card, I was able to order today the PIANO SOLO BOOK that PLAYS ALONG WITH ORCHESTRATION----from the American movie version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE!   Can you see me jumping up and down for joy, and crying with love for this book!?!?! I am so excited...oh, soooo excited. I have some friends that love Pride and Prejudice...maybe someday I'll give them a concert.  

I get excited about little things....and I think that could be classified as "old-fashioned."

Many of the little things I like are scrapbook, vintage, or sewing related. For instance...

ledger paper

old jar with buttons

a rare (and cheap!) book

pretty piece of paper

a simple idea seen in a book or online

and some of the little things I like are ones that can be voiced...

encouragement

love

kindness

gentleness

respect

truth

And some big things are...

order at home

love for God

strong family relationships

I just love old-fashioned everything.    I even picked names for my children that are of that nature....

Ella

Philip

Will David

Rich and I play music often that is old-fashioned.

I'd rather go to a festival celebrating pioneer days, or go to the Great Trail festival.

Here is a photograph that reminds me of bygone days....it's of the Christmas brunch table at my brother and sister-in-law's house....

and a vintage JOY wreath my sister in law, Lisa, made!

and guess who wants to learn how to play the "fiddle?"  You bet- my sweetie. Here he is playing my niece's violin that has been passed down to her.

well, i hope you have enjoyed this highly themed blog post....blessings!
 
 

 

Divine

Is it too hard to believe that Christmas is just a few days away?   Rich and I are playing a special for Christmas Eve and it did take us awhile to figure out what to play. Rich decided that It Came Upon A Midnight Clear would be a good choice, with God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen mixed in.   Now, to find some practice time?  Hmmmmm....... A delightful vocalist from church requested that I accompany on the piano for her special that night, which is O Holy Night! And what did I reply- of course, a yes. O Holy Night is my all time favorite Christmas Carol.    The way the melody climaxes puts goosebumps on my arms every single time.   The words are so powerful, so meaningful.   As I am sitting here writing this I just realized why perhaps this song is so precious to me.   My dad and I share a kindred spirit with many things, and the wonder of God's sky is one.    The sky is an amazing place....and what an important piece of God's creation.   A single creation that reaches everybody on earth..when you think about it!   You can't miss it!   And in O Holy Night....

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of Our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world In sin and error pining,

'Til He appear'd And the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope The weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks A new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

So here the stage is set for a most magnificent yet utter simpistic and humble birth.....a holy night....a holy night with joy that finds it way to a morning sky...hope, pure hope for what our Savior came to do.   What a divine thought, and one that we should capture all year round.   Can you see yourself singing O Holy Night in July? Why not!!??  What makes it so that we have to put ourselves in a box....I know this coming year I want to be a joyful person that does not keep Christmas in her hand, just to share it once a year, but instead embraces, to its fullest, this hope that was bestowed upon us!  Merry Christmas!