A party for Sugarplum!

 

September 16, 2011 was a day that forever changed our lives: Hadassah Jo was born, and we entered the world of parenting! As we approached her birthday, I thought alot about the miracle of birth, and then growth as we watched her change from a helpless infant to a laughing, walking, talking bundle of joy!!! Eddie & I agree that she is the best thing that has happened to us. We couldn't love her more! I wanted her party to be a time of celebrating her life with all of the people who love her the most. I was so grateful that my whole family was able to be here and make the memories even more special!

As I thought about a theme, I decided to go with "sugarplum", since that is a name that I have called her since she was born. And the fun began!!! I pulled together a variety of vintage decor that was around the house, as well as an antique chandelier that I repurposed with some spray paint!

 

 

I used an old window that I found at a garage sale, and strung up her 1 year photos with some twine!

 

 



 

 

I wanted a timeline of her first year, so I took her monthly photos, cut them into ovals, and adhered some ivory linen cardstock to the back. {I may have gotten a little teary as I looked at how she's grown!} Just clip them to jute with mini clothespins...and you're set! I love how this marks their development. They change so much the first year, and it's special to have a visual of their growth! Of course, I especially love it, since I'm such a sentimental gal. 

 



 

My sister, Freda, was a huge help with the decor! She knows what I like and did a fantastic job of helping me pull it all together. Balloons were weighted down with a piece of candy...thanks to Pinterest!

 

 

A bowl of plums on the table continued our theme. I made a burlap banner with Hadassah's name on it, and hung it on the front of the table. 

 

 

 

My dear friend, Edith {Hadassah's Aunt Edie!} made these lovely cupcakes. The chocolate cupcakes had a chocolate ganache filling, and they were i.n.c.r.e.d.i.b.l.e.

 

 

 

She also made a personal cake for Hadassah, complete with a fondant plum! It was too cute. Confession: I wanted to eat all of it by myself!!

 We took some mommy/daughter photos on the big day, and although none of her expressions are perfect, I still love them!

 

 

Just look at those cheeks! She'll always be my baby girl.

 

 



We only got one family photo, and it's a little alot cheesy, but at least we have it for memory's sake!

Hadassah was quite the prim little lady with her cake! We tried and tried to get her to smash it, but to no avail.

She just took dainty little bites, {no, she didn't learn that from her mommy!}and then clapped and squealed!! It was the cutest thing.

 

 

She loved her gifts!!! The pink car from Aunt Edie and Uncle B, especially. Apparently I'm slow at unwrapping presents, because she was crawling in before the box came off!! She gets her lack of patience from her father, of course :)

 





 

 

After much debating about what we should get her, and coming down to the last minute without a present for the birthday girl, I picked up a cell phone for her! She's always dragging mine around, so I hoped this would help solve that dilemna. She LOVES that phone! One of her favorite things to do is open it up, and say "hello" and then close it, and say "bye"! Now she has a car, a phone and a toy camera!!!

 

 

 

I took a few pictures of her toddling around in her ruffled white dress, just because my baby girl will only have one 1st birthday!

 



Precious little angel, you have blessed our home in so many ways! Happy 1st birthday, Hadassah!!!

 

Design Love: Stylescope Design Personality Quiz

Hello lovelies! I feel like I've been in blog hibernation forever, although not by choice! My internet at home is down, so I decided to take a few minutes while I was at a working computer to bless you with my presence! haha. Seriously, I hate strongly dislike functioning off of a 2 1/4" x 3 1/2" screen, aka: cellphone. Not my cup of tea! Alright, I'm off my soapbox. Thanks for listening :)

 

On to the real fun! I have this obsession with all things design, and when Young House Love posted this fun Stylescope Quiz from Homegoods, I had to take it. For some reason, it helps me to be able to "categorize" my style. This one was hard, with so many fun little images to choose from. {but they all are, who am I kidding?!} I debated and debated, but settled on the 5 that especially drew me, and my results are Farmhouse Glam! I just feel better, having a name for my condition. It's a lovely one, isn't it?! So hop on over to HomeGoods and click "Get Started" on the white box where it asks for your Home Design Personality. Let the fun begin!!! Don't forget to post your results (=

Happy Friday, dear friends!

Barn Sale Sneak Peak

I thought you might enjoy a peak at the projects I've been working on for the upcoming Barn Sale!

:: Distressed barn wood signs ::

There will be a variety of lettering styles and sayings on this line-up.

I picked some of my favorites, but would love to hear what yours are! Do you like inspirational sayings, verses, marriage quotes or just catchy phrases? 

I can customize them just for you!

:: Personalized coffee & soup mugs :: 

Wouldn't these be perfect as a bridal shower or wedding gift?! 

They can also be customized with the saying of your choice.

:: Latest find ::

Today a friend & I visited a new fabulous vintage shop that opened up in Harrisonburg, 

The Lady Jane! This place is truly a delight, packed full of eye candy with a sweet owner to boot!

 Go visit them as soon as possible!

Is this not adorable?!

I have it's home already picked out...in my bedroom,

along with an old chair

that I plan to refurbish very soon!

Can't wait to show you!!

Have a relaxing Labor Day weekend my friends!

p.s. don't forget to give me your suggestions on sayings for the signs! (=  

              

World-View Wednesday: Loving Jamaica's Orphans

A few weeks ago, our youth group traveled to Jamaica to work with Embracing Orphans. As youth leader on our first international trip, I felt a bit of trepidation about all the details coming together, not to mention being mom leader to 15 youth, most of which were babies in their families!!! {thank goodness, we didn't realize that until we were home. haha} We worked with Embracing Orphans, who does much of their work in the Montego Bay area, and reaches out to orphans and teenagers with the love of Christ. I knew that we would be spending a lot of time at the Blossom House, a state-run orphanage, and just loving on the kids there. You would think I'd have been just ecstatic at the opportunity, but I have to admit that I was nervous! Yes, really. After having spent a total of 3 months in Guatemala with ORI at an orphanage, I had a bit of an idea of how exhausting it really is!! I spent the weeks leading up to the trip reading a book called "Preparing your heart before you pack your bags". I highly recommend this book to anyone who is planning to do short-term missions. It was a huge help in just preparing my thoughts and emotions for what was about to happen, as well as focus in praying for our time there. And what a great trip it was!!!

We stayed at a hotel called the Verney House Resort, and it had a pool. How "cool" is that? {And here you thought we were staying in shacks!} It was truly a gift, after hot days at the orphanage. I felt like I sweated non-stop! Lovely thought, isn't it?

The food was delicious! We were served jerk chicken and rice and peas for almost every dinner, and it hit the spot. But I will admit, by the end of the week, I was ready for some good American cooking again :)

Jamaica is a beautiful country! This lovely spot was the site of JRM, the Jamaican Relief Ministries, where our friend Mandie lived for 1 year. It was originally a restaurant where famous musicians like Jonny Cash played music! We did some painting on a house that will be used for the houseparents of this organization. I could have stayed here for days; this spot would be perfect to vacation in!

          

We visited this beach one afternoon, and had 1 hour of bliss before the tropical storm swept in! It was a gorgeous spot; I would have loved to have stayed all day, if it wouldn't have been pouring rain!! 

I'm so grateful for the other couple who went along as leaders: Andrew & Mandie. They added so much to our group and brought experience of the culture and a heart for the kids. Mandie knew where all the great restaurants were too! This was taken at Pier One, a restaurant on the pier. It was a gorgeous night and we ate and talked while the sun set.

 

But the best part of the trip wasn't the beautiful things we saw, or the delicious food we ate; it was loving the Jamaican orphans. The boys pictured above are children that a friend of ours cared for while she lived in Jamaica. Their story is heartbreaking, like so many of the stories of each of the kids we come into contact with at the orphanage. My experience working with the children this time was different from the last time. I am now a mom. When I snuggled little babies, I saw Hadassah. When I kissed sleepy heads, I thought of her and my heart just broke to think that they have no mommy to hold them, rock them and sing to them. The caregivers there are wonderful, but it's almost impossible to give 57 children everything they need. They soaked up the attention that we gave them and completely stole our hearts! Yes, it was exhausting. And some days, four o'clock could not have come soon enough! But it was life-changing. One of the directors with EO shared that he prayed for our group and asked God to break our hearts for what breaks His, and by the end of the week, it was clear that happened!! We played with the kids, laughed with them, hugged them and prayed over them. Our prayer is that God will not only heal the physical scars, but those that are invisible: the scars in their hearts. I pray that there will be families who will choose to love them forever. I pray that they will meet Jesus, the only One who heals broken hearts and is a Father to the fatherless. And I pray that I never forget, and that I never "get over" this experience. Will you pray with me for these precious children today?

Barn Sale Event

I am super excited to announce an upcoming local event,

the Perennial Favorites Barn Sale!

It's sponsored by my sweet friends, Amy at Roller Mill Farms, Amy at Amelia Bedelia and I.

 

A variety of handmade & vintage goods will be for sale, including

• Hair accessories & chalkboards from Amelia Bedelia
• Vintage furniture & decor from Roller Mill Farms
• Various signs & typography products from yours truly!
• Monogrammed items
• Homemade soaps
• Handmade journals
• Crocheted baby hats & handmade bib/diaper sets,

along with homemade doughnuts and a pumpkin-painting booth for the children!

 

Don't miss this fun fall event, and be sure to stay awhile to shop, chat and eat!

We look forward to seeing you there!!!

 
 

 

 
 

Tablescaping ~ a summer look

Tablescaping:

a sophisticated term for fixin' up yer table!!

{please pardon the hick accent; it's been a long day.}

So I've had a sad-looking table for quite some time, 

but just couldn't figure out what to do about it. 

Call it a creative block: something I get fairly frequently.

But I'm learning that if I wait long enough, inspiration will come!

Thank goodness, it did.

I love my wooden tea light holders, made by my in-laws. Aren't they darling?

I found the galvanized pitcher at Michael's {and bought it with my 40% off coupon!}

It's rustic and quaint, but so cheerful when it's filled with fresh blooms.

I certainly don't have a degree in home decor,

but I've heard that decorations need to be done in odd numbers, 

and agree that it is visually more appealing.

Finding the third part of the grouping was a bit challenging.

But that's when it's fun, right?!

A vintage white candy jar was calling my name, 

and some leftover moss made itself at home there. 

Ahh, I am complete once more.

Maybe I need to invite some guests, yes?

Times of Refreshing

The relentless sunshine beat down mercilessly on a parched earth.

Vibrant green grass faded to a dull brown.

Once promising fields of waving corn stood stunted, with leaves curled in hopes of a drop of rain.

As I looked at the signs of drought all around, my heart sank.

I felt helpless to do anything but pray for a miracle.

Pray for rain.

And then it came!

A downpour of beautiful water that washed away the dust and brought with a promise of life.

I watched it through the window.

I stood on the porch and just breathed in the fragrance of it.

Amazing how such an ordinary thing is a miracle when you have been without it,

and have no way to get it!

After the storm passed, I walked outside and am convinced that the earth was smiling.

The cornfields stood proudly, with open leaves.

The flowers lifted sparkling faces to their Maker.

The herbs released a new earthy fragrance, 

while rain glistened on the leaves of the rosebush.

There was new beauty all around me! 

Amazing what a little rain can do...

Sometimes my soul feels dry and parched.

I long for something, but can't seem to find what I desire.

I need the rain.

The river of Life.

This beautiful verse in Acts 3:19 has been on my heart:

"Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out,

that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."

And He always honors the heart that seeks Him.

He comes with refreshing rain, truth that washes my soul and restores my mind.

Thank God, times in the desert don't last forever!

Praying that you experience His refreshing rain this weekend!