My Grandma

This time of year brings so many emotions ranging from deep pain to glorious celebration for many reasons.  Namely, we mourn Christ's crucifixion, and we wonder in awe how God would so intentionally choose to sacrifice his Son for us, sinners in this world.  Easter then culminates in glorious celebration as we rejoice knowing that Christ rose from the grave to save us.  

Spring and the Easter season also bring me to reflect on life and loss in general.  In a little over a week, we will celebrate and we will mourn the loss of my sweet friend's daughter.  Elizabeth would have been celebrating her 3rd birthday.  Oh, how we miss Elizabeth, and we continue to wonder why?  A question that may never be answered this side of heaven.  We also near Owen's 3rd birthday, and we continue traditions that we were able to make when Owen was full of life in utero ... burning the Christmas tree, making stepping stones, and the Awana Grand Prix, to name a few. 

In addition, we approach the anniversary of my Grandma's passing.  At the end of the month, it will be 10 years ago that my Grandma passed away.  It saddens me that my children never met her, never tasted the fruit of her labor.  We did get to tell Grandma that we were expecting (Jack) literally days before she left this earth. 

So many little things remind me of Grandma - flowers and baking especially.  And, with that aprons.  It seems aprons have become popular and trendy again, and that makes me smile.  A couple of months ago I won this fun apron in a giveaway. 

It makes me think of my Grandma.  She was a pastry chef, a really good pastry chef.  She made the best sticky buns ever, ever!  In fact, I haven't even had a sticky bun or attempted to make them since Grandma passed.  I'm convinced that nothing could compare.  One of Grandma's other specialties was pies.  She helped me win blue ribbons with homemade pies for 4-H at the county fair when I was in junior high (okay, so I think my memory is a little skewed as I know she did far more than "help" me, I'm pretty sure that she did the work while I sat at her kitchen counter observing and probably snacking). 

Pies seem to be regaining popularity again as well.  So, in memory of my Grandma, I donned my apron, tinkered in the kitchen and whipped up this little rustic blueberry crumble top pie.  It was good ... but not as good as Grandma's. 

I miss my Grandma, especially this time of year as we are surrounded by so many reflections of life, loss, and immeasurable blessings.  While we remember lives lost, I pray that we also turn our eyes toward heaven and remember what Christ did for us.

Pause music at bottom of blog to listen to Casting Crown's Glorious Day.

Three Weeks Later ...

Contentment

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope ..." 

Romans 15:13

Smocked Dresses and Little Monkey Toes

Today I pulled this sweet little smocked dress out of Lydia's closet (with long sleeves under it, of course, as this is Spring in the Midwest). 

Jason's first comment was that he was wondering if Lydia was wearing a curtain.  That's okay, we won't judge him just because he doesn't understand little girl fashion.  I told him that if we lived in the South, Lydia would just blend in with the other little girls in an outfit such as this.  His response - maybe we should move south?  With the weather we have been having, that does sound enticing!  Thanks to Kelly at Kelly's Korner for influencing Lydia's wardrobe.  I LOVE how Kelly dresses her little girls - so sweet.  And, just for the record, Kelly does live in the south.  And, just being honest here, I do get a little giddy when I see that Lydia has the same or a similar outfit that Kelly's daughter Harper has.

Aren't Lydia's shoes so sweet as well?  I stumbled across a (non-Etsy) fun site - Little Monkey Toes with a crazy selection of shoes for children, along with other fun boutique items.  While these little shoes did not come from Little Monkey Toes, they do sell this brand, and I did buy a different pair of cute shoes for Lydia from Little Monkey Toes, likely for Fall, a couple of weeks ago.  Great customer service, so personable!  If you "like" them on Facebook, you can get advance notice of special sales and discounts.  Almost makes me want to give in and get on Facebook ... almost.

I know, I'm a little obsessed with dressing our little girl.  I do not take for granted how blessed we are that I can splurge on sweet little dresses, shoes, and hair accessories for Lydia (and to be put away for China Girl).  This smocked dress came from eBay as did the shoes - both new and both discounted.  I have picked up a few things from Zulily, a site with daily deals and discounts, and I tend to buy ahead, off season if I can, to find better deals.  So, that's that. 

On a different note, my project referenced below is coming along and is nearly finished.  Every day life has consumed us these days with not much extra time for crafting!!!  Here's a peak at what I'm working on.  Can you guess?

It's a gloomy day here in the Midwest, perfect for crafting.  Maybe I'll get this done yet!

Inspired

I would love to learn how to sew, there are so many amazing patterns and fabrics available ... how I would love to make Lydia peasant dresses, apron knot dresses, ruffle pants, and other adorable handmade treasures that I stumble upon when exploring Etsy.  And, I'm sure the boys wouldn't mind me whipping them up super cool costumes and such.  But, I'm just not that skilled and one could argue that I really don't have any waking hours to fit that in at this phase in our lives. 

But, I really do enjoy projects, creating and crafting, and I have been wanting to tackle what seems like a pretty easy project for some time now.  I finally got the supplies ...

I am anxious to see how this little project comes together.  Stay tuned ...

More Etsy Fun

I realize that I have had nothing thought-provoking to post on lately.  Rather I seem to be doing a lot of blogging about Etsy ... maybe I should have chosen a career in marketing?  Ha ha.  Consistent with my slight obsession with Etsy, check out Ellison's here or at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ellisons, where you will find fun, new products added - lots of super cute stuff for Spring and Summer!!!

A few of my personal favorites ...

The "Going on a Picnic" Korker

The "Sweet Watermelon" Korker

The Ladybug Clip - so, so cute!

The RaggieMuffin

And, these elegant flower clips ... would be so perfect for Easter!

Of course, there's lots more, but I'll let you check those out ...

Super Fun Giveaway

I believe I have clearly established that I have a fondness for hand made wares ... personalization ... monogramming .... and of course, Etsy, because that's where I find much of these treasures.  And, who doesn't love a giveaway?  Hop over to www.etsy.com/shop/HangtoDry, click on the banner and see how you can win a year's supply of personalized tees!  These are stinkin' adorable!

And, speaking of adorable ... here is additional proof of my love for personalization. Check out those teeth!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Today is Jason’s Grandpa’s birthday. Oh, how we love this man!  He is gracious and kind.  He welcomes everyone with a loving heart. And, what a personality, his sense of humor is infectious!

February 2009

Surrounded by the Great-Grandkids ...

I love hearing Jason, his siblings, and their cousins reminisce about their youth and memories of times spent with their Grandpa … many of the memories include fishing, time spent at his "rustic" cabin, and ping pong.  In fact, Grandpa Lorenz is affectionately known as "Ping Pong Charlie" to many.

January 2010

With the Liddybug ...

Happy Birthday to a very special Grandpa!  What a blessing you are to so many!  We love you!

Too Cute Tuesday ... on Wednesday

Hop over to Baby Be Blessed and see this little stinker with her Baby Be Blessed baby doll on Too Cute Tuesday (yesterday)!

Baby Be Blessed is a super neat ministry "spreading the word of God ... one doll at a time."  As we mentioned in our note to Tina, the founder, this is a ministry we discovered after losing Owen, giving even more meaning to Lydia's baby doll. 

Be sure to head back to their blog on Fridays for their very generous "Yay ... Free Friday" giveaways.  And, go to their website here to see all of their fun baby dolls and products. 

Our Little Loves

Valentine's (Eve) Day - 2011

 Valentine's Day - 2010 

"And ... the greatest of these is love."  1 Corinthians 13:13