... my girl ...

In my daughter's eyes,

I am a hero --

I am strong and wise,

And I know no fear.

 

But the truth is plain to see,

She was sent to rescue me.


 I see who I want to be,

In my daughter's eyes.
 

In my daughter's eyes,

Everyone is equal ...




Darkness turns to light,
 

And the world is at peace.

 

This miracle God gave to me,

Gives me strength when I am weak,

I find reason to believe,

In my daughter's eyes ...

 

 And when she wraps her hand around my finger,

How it puts a smile in my heart.

Everything becomes a little clearer,

I realize what life is all about. 

In my daughter's eyes,

I can see the future.

A reflection of who I am and what will be ...

   

  And though she'll grow and someday leave,

Maybe raise a family.

When I'm gone, I hope you see,

How happy she made me ...
 

For I'll be there,

In my daughter's eyes.

~ performed by Martina McBride

written by James Slater

(photo:  a message from my daughter :)

You inspire me, Emme ...

... and, I couldn't be more proud of you - - the beautiful, young lady who shares so much of her life with me.  Your insight, compassion and creativity never ceases to astound me.  You gave me the greatest gift in life ... you made me your mom.

... hitting "pause" for fall ...

Since this day took me out and away from my paintbrushes (still working on the completion of my faux stained glass panels for my home - project how-to soon to be shared!) ... I decided to save a bit of time to "pause" and take in our newly arrived season ... autumn :)  A toast was in order - - Oh, yes!  My Pumpkin Spice Latte was finally in my grasp!  Close to $5 for a coffee ... this doesn't happen too often for me!

 While picking up the french loaves for dinner (courtesy of Sam's Club - $2.77 for TWO "arm-length LOAVES!  Why bake?!), I browsed the racks of seasonal recipes and crafty, gift ideas,

selecting a few mags to peruse for my "Hit Pause and Enjoy the Moment" episode at one of my favorite spots ...

 ... along our town's riverbank.

(the leaves are just beginning to change across the water ...)

I love this time of year -- I love taking walks with my kiddos ...

 ... finding treasures on our way ...

 ... and taking in the beauty of God's artistry ...

 ... and receiving "hearts" from my little guy ...

 And, if this day could not get any better ... I opened my mailbox to find the latest This Old House.  Another of my favorites in my hands before the buses came!  So, I nestled in on the porch with a cup of Chai and honey (never mind that my dining room was still covered in paints and a load or two of laundry still remained  - but they will still be there ... seasons and moments will not).

I flipped through the pages ... sprouted new ideas ... made my husband roll his eyes (I don't think he appreciates my ever-growing renovation plans - can't imagine why???)... and breathed in the scent of this beautiful season.

... when inspiration hit for a companion to that french bread ...

2 T. olive oil
1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 pkg. baby carrots, roughly chopped
5 russet potatoes, cleaned and diced w/ skin
5 c. chicken broth
5 T. butter
5 T. flour
1/2 t. chicken bouillon
2 c. milk
1/4 t. ground pepper
1/2 t. sea salt
3 dashes of cayenne pepper

Heat olive oil in stock pot on med heat.  Add sliced smoked sausage and saute.

Remove sausage from pan to bowl lined with paper towel - set aside.

Add chopped onion to pot and stir briskly to deglaze.  Once onions are caramelized, stir in carrots and potatoes.   

Add chicken stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for approximately 10-15 minutes, checking tenderness of potatoes. 

 

In a separate saucepan, melt butter over low/med heat, add flour and chicken bouillon, and stir briskly for approximately 2 minutes.  Add milk and continue to stir occasionally, allowing the mixture to thicken.

Add mixture to stock pot and stir.  Simmer on low for 5 minutes.

 

 

 

(Isn't that one beautiful looking loaf??  And to think that I have another one for french toast in the morning!! 

Life's good.  :)

And ... bon appetit!

A tasty offering to celebrate the rustling of crimson leaves on baring branches, the warmth of hand-knitted cowls on chilly days, the scent of burning wood on starlit nights and the sound of dulcimers and flutes in all their sweet splendor.

And, I leave you with the words that struck me speechless today ... as they hung on a banner in our Sam's Club, of all places!! ... the words rang true and grabbed my heart ...

It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

 - Helen Walton

... funny to be reminded of life's truth while shopping bulk at a discount club!

Happy Autumn :)

A story of a boy and a space of his own...

There lives a boy with a clever smile and eyes that melt his momma's heart, who tells tall tales of wilderness hunts and adventures along the streams. 

Even at a tender age of 2, this boy was fascinated with animals of all shapes and sizes ... trips to the zoo were legendary (and hard to leave to go home) ...

and walks around the neighborhood became scavenger hunts to find birds, squirrels, chickens and ducks. 

His fondness for animals is only a glimpse of the size of his heart.  His compassion and thoughtfulness is seen by even passersby, as he strives to be a "good helper" by holding the door for others and brighten people's days with a kind word in passing or a remembrance of how one is feeling. 

Because this little boy enjoyed other's company so much, he spent very little time in his bedroom.  He chose instead to turn the living room into his playroom, which resulted - on most days - of "sighs" from his momma and bins of toys stored beneath furniture.  Racetracks of cars covered the carpet ...

and window blinds became token garage spots for the collection. 

"My room," he declared, "is only where I sleep."  A room redo?  Why the need?  He liked the blue walls ...

his book and sports collection

and his stuffed-animal, deer mount on the wall.

So, he never minded the ever-changing bedroom of his older sister's ... that is - until most recently. 

Second grade is a step up in maturity, you know - and a "man" needs his space.  :)  A space that is all his own ... and a reflection of who he is ... and if one was to ask this endearing, little man who he is, he would reply, "an Outdoorsman."  :)

A band of merry elves created the team that transformed this room ... just as in his big sister's room.

His momma worked night and day with the help of his pappy, grammy and daddy .. a true team effort.  Mustard and beige and soft chocolate were the earthy hues ... and dad passed down his Palominos to an eager boy ready to claim them.  A second-hand bookcase ($20!!) was reclaimed in the matching mustard hue that houses the boy's chapter books, trophies and a spectacular woodland find - - a true deer skull with antlers.

This space has become a room of his own, surrounding the boy with the things that he loves ... and a cozy nook for reading or watching movies.

It was with teary-eyes that his momma put the final touches on his new room, as it became quite clear that her little boy was growing up.  But, as much as he clamours at the chance to head out with big guys to shoot archery or go fishin', he would always hold a place in his heart for his momma - for he said so :) ...

... my cup runneth over.

While we try to teach our children all about life,

Our children teach us what life is all about.

~Angela Schwindt