Please forgive my absense… we’ve adopted a new school schedule this week that is taking up my morning blogging tgime.  Also, my youngest, Sarah 4, has come down with a fever and what I can only assume is the same virus/flu as my son  had all last week.  He is much better, only a cough remians.  Apparently its’ a 7-10 day virus making it’s rounds … so that gives me at least another week of the sickies… assuming my other daughter and me and my husband don’t get it.  I’ll be back soon (hopefully within a few days!) when things get into a semi-normal mode around here.  For now, I want to concentrate on my family.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy weekend!!

Quick post this morning as the house is in critical condition and the laundry has exploded…. just wanted to pop in to show you who is up and about playing this morning!  After seeing him listlessly lying on the couch all week, it’s good to see him with some energy.

A little progress was made on the Value Quilt. over the weekend..

Have a great MONDAY!!

Friday…  you just don’t know how grateful I am that it’s Friday… end of the work week…  aaaahhhhhh. 

What that really  means to me is that my husband will be home all day for two days straight to help fight the war on the flu!  Let’s just say that this tired, worried and pregnant Mama had a minor breakdown last night that included some very pathetic tears.  Aidan is still sick.  He was really sick last night, but seems to be a little better this morning.  I’m contemplating, very seriously, a visit to his doctor today.  I really don’t like taking my kids to the doctor… I swear it seems like every time we go, someone else gets sick with something else.  Anyone else find that to be true?  

Or am I the only one… and that by admitting my resistance to doctor visits, it nominates me for the “Neglectful Mother of the Year Award”? 

Thankfully, the rest of us seem to still be well with no flu symptoms in sight.  This morning, while savoring my morning coffee, I paired up all my squares for the Value Quilt.   Can’t wait to get them all sewn together and play with the design.  Those are my weeked plans, sewing and flu-fighting (“Everybody was kung-flu fighting“…. name that song and artist!), along with a trip to the health foods store for some vitamins and some vintage shopping for this  vintage swap.  Such a hardship, that vintage shopping!  Pure drudgery……. I wish you all a fun, happy and HEALTHY weekend!  ….and then please send some of those HEALTHY vibes our way! 

Aidan is still sick… but thankfully the rest of us are still flu-free.  Thank you so much for all the well wishes! 

Not too much is going on around here as I am keeping the kids as separated as possible.  Girls playing upstairs and Aidan downstairs on the couch.  I spend my time going up and down those blasted stairs… being 7mo pregnant, stairs have taken on a new meaning… and it ain’t good!  But I find myself with some down time here and there so I’ve been working on hand quilting (my thread keeps breaking in the eye of the needle…any idea why?!)  and this tutorial.  Squares are all cut out, so now I’m working on getting them sewn together.  Lots of fun playing with them on the flannel wall!

I’ve been wanting to share my vintage finds from mine and Kris’s “date” the other weekend.   Found some vintage pillowcases to add to the evergrowing stash….. I really don’t need more, but I just can’t resist them.

LOVE these pillowcases… the one on the top is a vintage baby pillowcase… it’s so small and soft!

This lamp made me sqeal… out loud much to my husbands horror… and it  now resides in our bedroom!

And this pretty robins’ egg blue bowl practically leaped into my arms!

It has those handles on both sides of the bowl…

And this was my favorite find of the day… a vintage baby blanket in pristine condition… just look at those apples… sighhhhhhh…. I can’t wait to wrap up this new boy of mine in this adorable blanket!

My days are feeling a little like the photo above… hazy and mellow.  Sleep deprivation will do that to you.  My boy is still sick, but hopefully on the mend.  No signs of anyone else coming down with a fever yet.  I hope it stays that way!  I’ve managed to get a litte square cutting done for this.  That’s them and my morning coffee above there. 

What have you been working on?  Anyone getting ready for the Holidays yet?  Don’t forget to post your handmade photos here in the Handmade Celebrations flickr group!

I’ve got a sick boy here at home so please excuse my absence in the blogging world.  I’m hoping that it won’t become a “family epidemic” and that I’ll be back in the next day or two.  I’m around… just popping in and out when I have a moment.  It’s a little disconcerting to look in my Google Reader and find 1000+ unread blog posts!  I wish you all a healthy and happy Tuesday!

October 1st… exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time.  It starts my “busy season” so to speak.  It’s my favorite time of year… the weather changes, the warm cozy clothing come out of storage, hot comforting meals adorn our table and we start celebrating a run of family holidays.  This year will be busier than ever I expect.  Busy, Busy, Busy…although I’m sure the majority of us feel that way!  But for our family, starting with October, starts a string of holidays and celebrations.  This October, Aidan turns 9 and we celebrate Halloween.  November is Thanksgiving.  December this year will include Lilianne’s 7th birthday, Kris’s 33rd birthday, Sarah’s 5th birthday, Christmas  AND the birth of our 4th (boy!) just days before Christmas.  I like to include handmade gifts and decorations in all of that celebrating.  This year, that means that this Mama has to be working ahead of time if she wants to get anything handmade done! 

In light of that, I’m organizing a little flickr group for handmade gifts and handmade decorations!  I’m calling it “Handmade Celebrations”  and any pictures of your handmade gifts and handmade decorations for all holidays and celebrations are Welcome!!  On the blog, I’ll be showcasing tutorials and ideas of others (and a few of my own) for this “multi-holiday” season I’m about to embark on.  Also, I’ll be showing you gifts and decorations that our family makes as we get them finished. 

I’m working on my list… planning what I want to make for family members. Andd the things I want to make with the kids to decorate for our celebrations!  Things like this, this, this, this and this!  Bat Mobiles to hang in the windows, turning some of my girls baby clothes in doll clothes for their babies, stuffies that have yet to be decided on, fabric banners, crochet scarves and hats, christmas tree ornaments, a fabric garland and a multitude of other ideas swimming around in my goofy head.  This awesome list provided by Handmade Homeschool has a list of soooo many great ideas that I find inspiring!

I’m so excited about this project.  Anyone want to join me?  Get sewing, knitting, crocheting and crafting for this upcoming holiday season!  Post photos of your gifts and decorations on the Handmade Celebrations Flickr group andshow us what lovely things you make.  I can’t wait to see you’re doing!

Our visit to Cataloochee Valley on Friday was plagued by more rain, but we had a great time regardless.  The sights we saw were breathtaking…

The herds of elk were amazing….  

Our picnic on the porch of that the oh so pretty historic house seen above…  I could move right in there… who needs electricity and running water?!  Not me!  Not with that view!

Some shots of the 7mo prego belly…

Wednesday already!  I’ve got some serious crafting motivation going on with the holidays approaching so soon.  I’ll share more on that later. What is motivating you this hump day?

We had so much fun with our visit from Kris’s parents…. we even had the pleasure of an overnight stay from Kris’s Aunt Sharon (the Queen of Thrifting!) and Uncle Mark.  I’ll be sharing more photos of our fun throughout the week!

A checklist of just a few of the things we did during their visit…..

• Sitting in Mema and Papa’s laps  … .check …. double check ….. triple check ….. check times a thousand!!!
• Mema teaching kids how to play Domino’s …..  check
• Bug hunting with Papa …. check
• Game of Duck Duck Goose made complete with Papa …. check
• Papa made a safe shooting lane for Aidan and his new air rifle …. check
• Shooting contest between all the boys & men ….. check
• Girls dance party with Mema and Aunt Sharon …. check
• A birthday cupcake  and singing for Aunt Sharon …. check
• Early morning snuggling with Mema ….. check
• Trip to Dillsboro for some sweet shopping ….. check
• Road trip to Cataloochee Valley to see the Elk …. check
• Picnic lunch on the porch of a gorgeous historic home …. check
• A chance to play in the river for most likely the last time this season …. check
• A conversation and laughing session with the funny Aunt Sharon …. check
• A nice date for Kris and myself, including dinner, thirfting and antiqueing …. check
• Late night movie viewing of Wolverine for the adults ….check
• Visit to Standing Indian Campground for a  grill out and gorgeous hike…. check
• Late night game of Sequence for the adults (where me and my sweet father in law whooped Kris and his Mom!)

Oh, and thank you all so much for your kind words and support on my last post!  I wasn’t down or sad about my mothering skills ….there’s just always a want or need to be and do better… a needed moment to reflect on priorities you know?  Anyway, you are all so sweet and I am so very appreciative!!

On my mind this morning….(pictures are unrelated, but are of corners of my home)

• excitement – my in-laws are arriving today to stay a few days and they are always so much fun
• tired – I was up at 4am with a daughter not feeling so well
• frantic – lots to do today and I need to go grocery shopping with all 3 kiddos… always interesting
• thoughtful – thinking of home… I’m almost 7 mo along now and the nesting instinct is taking over
• research – my mother in law and I are going to attempt to paint and decorate the girls dollhouse that my father in law made them (he’s the BEST!) and I have no clue how to go about it…
• thankful – the heavy rains have stopped…….  and this cup of coffee in my hands is soooooo good
• wishful – wishing I were a better mother and wife
• hopeful – that the farmers market down the road still has good peaches for me put up and freeze.

So, tell me friend, what is on your mind this Autumn morning?