Rebecca Sower

daring adventure vs. nothing

Quote by Helen Keller..."Life is either a daring adventure or nothing".  Hmmm, which means each day should be a daring adventure right?  I'm liking this idea.

Finally put a few pieces in my shop.

And that's all for today because I'm heading out to live my adventure.  And you might want to consider hopping up out of that computer chair and being a little more adventurous yourself {heehee} :)

a day-by-day better me

For me, this time of year seems more appropriate than even new years for bringing fresh starts into my life.  I know that at the end of this day, when I put my head on my pillow, I will find more satisfaction in the person I was today if...

{1} i find something to laugh about...oftentimes just pulling out a photo album of my family can make me chuckle (and sometimes cry in a good way) when a photo triggers a memory; oh some funny funny moments this family has had.

{2} i speak softly to someone who isn't expecting me to do so...i'm a firm believer in "a soft answer turns away wrath" (boy, that Solomon knew a lot about a lot); saying something kind when I don't feel like saying something kind, now that's a better me.

{3} keep my thoughts and intentions very positive...as in saying no to sources that bring negative thought processes into my mind and heart (music? tv? conversations? critical people?...)  Don't we get bombarded with enough negativity without willingly welcoming it in? 

Oops, I think I got a little preachy today.  Can you tell I've been having the 'be a better you every day' lecture with my kids lately?  :)

Hope it's a positively rewarding day for you!

outward sunshine inward joy

For goodness' sake, these babies have grown up.  So much for the shot of the newborn calves I promised you.  Well, here's little moo-moo, curious and skittish, but not quite so newborn looking.  Still wins cutie-pie award from me.

Other than moving to Africa (real funny, Julie, although you know I'd be there with you if I could), I have loved and even implemented your ideas for simplifying.  In fact, just this morning I removed my name from the mailing list of 5 more catalogs.  So I'm feeling better about the clearing out to simplify my life concept.  [one note here...there's no way I'm going to get rid of things that are dear to me...things like all my stashes of items I use in my art...like anything at all that's handmade...in fact, I think these are the things that bring me more peace and relieve more stress than add to it; hopefully no one thought I was implying otherwise]

A little happy moment yesterday when I looked out and saw Luke, as barefoot as ever,  playing ball with a friend.  Little bare toes and soft green grass....ahhh heaven!

"Outward sunshine, inward joy; blessings on thee, barefoot boy!"  [whittier]

Signing off for now...hope today brings each of you calmness and joy.

happy last day of winter

When winter comes I'm always ready for it...but when it goes I don't miss it one little bit.

I'm feeling a little like those busy bustling robins outside my window lately.  So many projects and preparations and planning going on here...good stuff but I still need to be careful about my weakness for over-committing.

Anyway, in the attempt to simplify and lead a less stressed life, here are my spring resolutions:

{1) I will not freak if our grass gets a little too long--instead I'll be glad I have grass.  I've never liked the manicured look anyway (and it's certainly a good thing if you know what i'm saying)

{2} I will give up pretending that my windows will ever all be clean at the same time.  Good grief I hate cleaning windows.

{3} I will get rid of any clothes, shoes, etc., that I haven't worn in a year and I will not buy new ones to replace them.

{4} I won't be burdened with guilt when I opt to serve Stouffer's frozen mac-n-cheese to my family instead of fixing from scratch (this one won't be very hard for me)

{5} and last but not least, I will be very, very selective about the items I purchase and bring into my home...especially little, inexpensive things [i don't usually shop at Walmart, but now Target...you got me there], and I will realize that for the most part they're usually just things that are going to consume more of my precious time and space [any amens on that?]

I'd love to hear your ideas and strategies for simplifying and pulling back from the frenzy--let's share and learn from each other.

Blessings to each of you!

paper roses and how to make them

Oh the fun I've had reading about everyone's different experiences of Spring--how exciting that Spring brings so much variety.

And since I've been in 'flower mode' lately, I wanted to share a mini project with you.  This began as something on its way to the trash...

Using kraft packing paper from yet another ebay purchase of mine [honey, i hope you aren't reading my blog today]...paper that was heading for the trash...I made this crispy little flower instead.  Here are the supplies and how it came to be:

{1} Cut ascending size circles from wrinkled kraft, layer them in order, punch hole in center and attach eyelet to hold pieces together.  {2} Starting with the top (smallest) layer, scrunch up paper circles to make 'cups'. {3} Using your all-time-best art tool (aka your finger) dipped in glue, swipe glue over edges of paper petals and dip in glitter. {4} cut piece of wire 12-18" and thread through button; fold wire in half with button at center. {5} twist little flower thingies (stamens?) around button shank and pull wired button stem through eyelet in flower. {6} tie ribbon at top of stem under flower (you can use a little glue here to hold in place if you'd like).  Did I leave anything out?  I don't think so...ta da!  Make a whole bunch of these with varying colored glitter, buttons and ribbons for a fun and very inexpensive Springtime bouquet.  Just about any kind of paper will work for these flowers.  Actually newspaper makes happy little blooms of interest, but it's best to spray it with some sort of fixative first.

See, you just never know what fun little surprises await you here on my blog--now you're an official 'out of hander' too!

May the birds sing your song today!

the turning of the earth

No, not as in the rotation of the planet.  The turning of the earth as in tilling the ground...everywhere I go.  You can actually smell the dirt {yes, that's a good thing}.  It's one of the ways I know my sweet friend, Spring, is soon to visit--and believe me, here in Tennessee it's a short visit because hot, humid, swat-the-mosquitoes season comes soon behind and hangs around longer than she's welcome.

"Nothing is so beautiful as Spring" says Gerard Manley Hopkins. 

Other than the flowers blooming and birds singing, I'd love to hear how Spring makes itself known where you are.

Oh and speaking of Spring, I collected some springy-things from my studio and put them in a little collection called 'tokens of spring'.  Only a handful left in my etsy shoppe.

The little bluebird?  Well of course I know he's not real.  I picked him up (with his girlfriend, or is it wife?) at a rummage shop and thought he could use a little fresh air so he's tucked away in one of my planters outside until I bring him back in to my growing little-birdie collection.

If you can (as in it's 60 or above outside), go open some windows and let some fresh air blow through those curtains.  Fresh air is medicine to your soul {and shhhh...big secret I've discovered...it makes you more creative!--can you believe that?}

tribute to mommies of little ones

Many of you still have little ones at home.  I've been posting quite a bit lately about finding quiet time and creating by hand, etc., and I realize that's substantially easier for those of us who don't still have infants and toddlers at home 24/7.  So my hat's off to you guys.  Hang in there and don't beat yourself up over 'not getting anything done'.  You're doing so so much!!  Stop all the cleaning and volunteering and working and find true joy and contentment in being mommie.  Do you believe me when I tell you it really is short-lived?

I created a layout a while back that is so unattractive there's no way I'm showing it here, but I still believe in the words I wrote.  So here's to you mommies...let them be little while they still want to be!

"Mom, we're growing up fast, so for now let us GIGGLE and be CURIOUS and PRETEND and MAKE FACES and EXPLORE and be a little WILD and get DIRTY and be SILLY and ASK QUESTIONS and stretch our IMAGINATIONS...while we still want to"

I love love love the ages my kids are now but, believe me, there are times when I'd rather hear "mommmmm-eeeeeee!" instead of "hey yeah mom".

{On a different note...the cones in my new banner are my latest creations.  I call them "virtue cones" because each on represents a different virtue.  I put some of them in my shop.}

blessings till next time...

a cup brimful

Words by missionary Amy Carmichael.  For those familiar with her circumstances, it's almost impossible for us softies to say our situation warrants our bitterness.  Just something to mull over today...

"A cup brimful of sweetness cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, no matter how suddenly jarred."

Have a sweet and happy Thursday!

unconditional chocolate

I went outside today to take some pre-Spring photos.  None of the robins would be still for me, so I resorted to taking photo #9001 (kidding) of this not-so-brainy sweet chocolate doggie that loves me no matter what.  He's my all-time favorite non-human companion. 

I've had a lot of fun sharing some of my favorite quotes with you all lately...always so inspiring.  I put together a booklet of quotes from my collection and have some for sale in my etsy shop if you'd like to take a peek.  I'm also working on a new collection of items to put in the shop that I love and hope you will too.  But don't look for those this week.  It'll likely be next.

I found a delightful little poetry book at a thrift shop a few days ago.  Sort of geared toward children, but that means it's good for me too.  Here's my favorite line in the book so far, from the poem 'June Weather' by James Russell Lowell.

"Whether we look or whether we listen, we hear life murmur or see it glisten"

Hopefully where you are Spring is beginning to stir...the looking is rewarding but it's the listening that I've been focused on lately.  I'm hearing sounds I'm sure I never noticed before.  Oh and it's calving season here...the neighbor said five babies so far.  And you just haven't seen CUTE until you've seen a newborn calf.  I'll try to get some photos...their mommies get pretty nervous when we try to get near, but we'll see...

till next time!