Showing posts with label Field Trips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Field Trips. Show all posts

3.17.2014

Celebrating...{ Seven }

Change....

(*This is the final post of the Celebrating series. To read from the beginning, you can start here.)


Change comes with every decision we make.
For example, this is our new grand-puppy Spieler.

When Janelle and Justin brought him home just 9 short months
ago I'm sure they didn't expect how much their life would change!




He has grown about 10 pounds a month, but still thinks he is a lap dog.
He is well behaved, but at 90 pounds, this bundle of love & licks can pin you down in no time flat. (The more I screamed, the more he licked!)

They knew a puppy would require much work and discipline, 
but they underestimated the fun and love they would know owning a dog like Spieler.


CHANGE...
After a long and cold snowy season, Janelle was ready for a change around her house too.  She has done an amazing job creating a cozy and organized home
for she and Justin. She has a real knack for putting things together!
(I didn't get many good pictures of their cute little house)





One day, she asked me to help her create a Spring mantle. 
As if creating Spring inside would melt the snow outside.
But after a LONG Winter Season, she needed to FEEL Spring was close.
So, while visiting Amish Country, we found this faux birdcage and
the sweet little blue bird.

The next day, while she was working on her wedding quilt,
I went to work on the mantle.  I "shopped" her house 
to find just the right things.




It didn't take me long to find the perfect pieces.
A framed chalkboard and a blue vase that was used at their Wedding.
She had already written the verse on the chalk board.


While Janelle was sewing and I was playing with the mantle, Jeff
and Justin found some time to relax on the sofa.




When I was done, I stood back, content with what I had created by bringing Spring to the mantle...

But I thought I heard some snickering.... it seems
Winter FUN still lingered in the corner, 
mocking me...



Sometimes it takes us a little time to accept that change is coming.  That a NEW season is approaching.
***

And boy, do we know about that!
We are preparing for big changes too!
That verse will prove to be one I want to memorize as we navigate the upcoming months.

And of course,
You will be with us each step of the way!


xoxox
Jodi

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3.16.2014

Celebrating... { Six }

Family Tradition

Great Grandma's Swedish Rye Bread


One of our special family traditions is making Great Grandma Brasks
"Swedish Rye Bread" at Christmas.  This long standing Swedish tradition
is a favorite for us. Jeff makes it every year and we share it
with our family and friends. 

It is delicious toasted with butter on a cold winters day. 
 Our kids have the recipe in their
that I made for them as a gift over a year ago.

(psst...kids.... Mom made a typo on this recipe! Change the salt to 1 TABLESPOON, oops)


As the kids were growing up, Jeff and Janelle would often make this bread together.

Janelle now lives with her husband in PA, so she and dad
didn't have that opportunity during the Holidays.

But, since we were visiting, dad decided it would be so fun to make another memory with his sweet girl.








This recipe takes a few hours and I guess I got distracted because
I didn't get any pictures of the finished bread!  
I did find, however, this old picture 
of the bread when they made it together several years ago at our home.
(BEFORE we remodeled our kitchen and I painted the corner cabinets white!)


(Sorry, Janelle, I know you aren't fixed up in this picture, but you are still adorable!
Unlike that awful old kitchen!! ew)

Moms, isn't there something so sweet about watching your husband
cook with your daughter? Heart swelling!
*sigh*

xoxox 
Jodi

3.15.2014

Celebrating... { Five }

.... Intercourse in the Winter
(Intercourse, Pennsylvania,  People!! Geesh...)



A beautiful day for a car ride to Amish Country!





























xoxo
Jodi

3.13.2014

Celebrating... { Three }

Laughter ....











These are just a few of the moments
we shared on our recent
visit to see our daughter and her husband
 in Pennsylvania.

Aw, I miss them already!

xoxo
Jodi


1.09.2014

She makes beautiful things....

Will you imagine with me...
 standing in a super cute room full of fabrics and yarns
all organized like eye candy inside a distressed
shabby hutch.


via Facebook

Vintage suitcases filled with home made knitted hats, scarves
and custom bags.

via Facebook
Oh, to be so multi-skilled!
To have such talent!

She makes such beautiful things...
She makes such beautiful things for us!


I am not She.
I am "learning" to crochet.
I have a reallllly long 5 inch wide "ruffle" that is my practice piece.
Give me sandpaper and paint and I'm a superstar,
but needles and yarn require more attention to detail than I'm used to...
unless its a cute little...never ending... ruffle.

Not Rachel!


above photo's via Facebook
SHE IS A CROCHET AND SEWING SUPERSTAR!!
and the owner of


via Facebook

via Facebook

Awhile back,
Rachel was kind enough to let Sheila and I drop by...
(wait for it)


AT THE DROP OF A HAT....
HA HA HA HA

She and our friend, Debbie, were getting things ready for a huge bazaar. 
They had all her things organized in cute vintage suitcases.


Sheila and I had fun trying on different styles of hats and making a mess.
(Sorry about that Rachel!)






I was looking for the perfect style for my daughter for Christmas.
 Look, I found it!
This one right here...the colors are perfect for Janelle.


Later, Rachel was so kind to make another similar hat for my sister in law...

At the drop of a hat.
(Sorry, just had to do it. I just tickle myself sometimes)


While there, I couldn't resist taking some pictures of her cute house and decorating.
Stenciled old wood planks (love the saying!)

Upcycled canning jars on her chandelier.

Coffee sack curtain valance

She is such a lovely person inside and out.
Please go look at her Facebook page. 
There is so much to see.
And she will do custom and mail orders too!!

Keep up the Good Works, Rachel!!
We LOVE you and your talents.

Oh, and I bought that white one for ME!

xoxo