Dungeon Time!

I've been keeping the Covid Blues away by spending time in the dungeon... the creative ideas just keep coming.   All will be available on the Primitive Handmades Mercantile tonight - please stop by at 8pm cst  <3

 

Ringing in Thanksgiving

 Covid has changed every normal event and my daily grind during 2020 and I've honestly felt worthless  - or is it helpless (?) at times.  As I was scrolling the internet one day, my eye caught a segment about volunteering for the Salvation Army. While I've always donated to the many buckets we encounter around town, the thought struck me that this was something I could do that is not about me in the slightest.
I went online and signed up for 2 hour slots for the next month - and yesterday was my first day.
It started off a bit rocky ... there was a fellow working the bucket in front of Hobby Lobby as I pulled into the parking lot and parked my car.  I approached him and happily announced that I was his replacement for the next shift!  Well, my grand announcement was met with a look of stunned bewilderment. He told me he was working a 5 hour shift and would not be done until 3pm.  I could tell he was not about to budge or give up his post and as we talked, I realized he was a paid ringer who was counting on those funds.  I let him know I would contact the Major to see if there was another kettle nearby that needed a volunteer and bid him a good day.
While I was waiting for a return call from the Salvation Army, what else could I do but go shopping!  So into Hobby Lobby I went, happily sorting through the crowded aisles for the items I was in search of.  And as I exited my shopping trip, I saw my new friend speaking to a lady and pointing to me.  (was I in trouble already? lol) 
Apparently the error was on their scheduling part - and they proceeded to set up another kettle for me to man at the opposite door.  I was thrilled to know I didn't screw up and drive to the wrong location. 
I happily put my purchases in my car and set off to find my bell and get busy!
I must say, I was so pleasantly surprised by my experience that day.  I greeted folks entering and exiting and played doorman for many during my shift.  With all fall items marked down 80%, there were a LOT of bags leaving the store and Hobby Lobby was even more crowded than normal. They actually had over half of their checkout lanes open ... a *rare* sight in itself!
And I must say... my afternoon shift restored my faith in people. Kindness is an easy thing to extend and 99% of the time, it is met with kindness in return. Many donated, whether it was a large bill or the widow's mite, all were met with thankfulness from me for helping me fill my bucket.  And most everyone I greeted extended the same grace in return.
I have decided to extend my month of volunteering to Christmas - or as long as they will have me.  I so enjoyed my afternoon and God gave me a feeling of worth that came from an act as simple as saying hello and opening a door.
I also might add.... since my retirement, I have gone soft.   lol.... I came home exhausted from standing in the warm sun for 2 short hours. 

New kids on the block

 I've been spending some time in the dungeon.  I call this piece "Starry Night" and while he is sold, I am happy to say I've been working on some new snow-kids.
I hope you will stay tuned for these Works in Progress  <3

Still Kickin in Missouri

I always enjoyed posting here and keeping up with friends, but over the past few years, it seemed that Facebook always took the majority of my "internet" time.   I'm gonna give it another go here - and hope to stay current with you all!  I have been spending much time in the dungeon and have a few new items that will be available. Wish me luck ... I don't want to chicken out on this!  :)

What I Love About Winter

We got the first snowfall of Winter, 2014 and my nephew captured a photo of Sully taking a break from playing in the snow.  I found this poem and knew it couldn't be more perfect.

 

 

What I Love About Winter ~ by Douglas Florian
Frozen lakes
Hot Pancakes
Lots of snow...
Hot cocoa
Skates and skis
Evergreen trees
Funny hats
Thermostats
Sunsets blaze
Holidays
Snowball fights
Fireplace nights
Chimneys steaming
Winter dreaming.

 

 

From the Dungeon - winter, 2014

Yes... it's been quite some time since I gave my blog the attention it deserves.
I actually came to the site to find a past post I'd made about aprons and the role they have played in kitchens over the years but then it dawned on me .... why haven't I been more active here?  I have always enjoyed writing and posting photos and maybe with the new year brings a new leaf and a new attitude.  Maybe - just maybe - it's time to come back to my roots.  This is where it all began before twitter and facebook and instagram.
So quickly, I will just share what I've been up to this month in the dungeon and leave it at that for now. 
I think of these things with an attitude of what I call "humble pride".  My chest certainly isn't puffed up with ridiculous self love for the ability that God gave me - but I do get great enjoyment from creating with my hands and bringing a bit of joy out.

First off, let me just say here in the Midwest, we went through a great cold spell that kept us locked away and warm inside the house. I was able to spend many hours in the dungeon and had great moments creating in time for Christmas. Thank you for stopping by and catching up. I have missed this time. The following are a few photos of the creations I fell in love with.  I hope you like them!

Santa's Wee Little Helper is still available for adoption.

I loved how this Belsnickle mounted on a Beehive Bobbin turned out.

Birds Birds and more Birds!

These warmer temperatures are having an effect on everything I create lately!
I have been thinking about birds...
Birds building nests,
Birds starting the day with a song in their heart,
Birds feeding their young and, well...
you get the point!

So for this month's offerings on the Primitive Handmades Mercantile,
I found myself creating - yup, you guess it - BIRDS!

 

I love my sweet Song Birds ...
made from sheet music material and firmly mounted on old thread spindles,
these two warblers have captured my heart 

with their beautiful rose accented tiara crowns!

 

 

 

 

.•*”˜˜”*°•. ˜”*°•♥•°*”˜ .•°*”˜˜”*°•.

Not to be outdone by a pair of Song Birds,
Mama Crow has packed up her brood and decided to find warmer temps too!
This lovely set is firmly mounted on a very vintage spool
and the sweet young'uns are safely tucked
in her satchel she carries over her back.

 

Please stop by and see these all of the other lovely offerings waiting for you

on the Primitive Handmades Mercantile!

We're waiting for YOU!

 

 

 



Things are heating up!

and I don't mean with the weather ... Yes, I know Spring is finally here (for which I am so grateful) but the Primitive Handmades Mercantile has been going gang-busters!  You don't want to miss out on all the excitement - we have so many very talented artists offering unique and one of a kind pieces each month.  We load the Merc on the 3rd Thursday of each month ... so set your pop-up reminder so you don't miss out on another offering.

 

Just click the Blog photo below to be taken to the website ...
you wont miss another fantastic offering!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

 

Every year, a custom carries on that was started by my dear Mother-in-Law years ago: we wake on Thanksgiving morning and flip on CBS to watch the Macy's Day parade
as we busy ourselves in the kitchen, preparing a family feast.

Several years ago, I was half watching The Morning Show with Harry Smith,
who narrated a segment with Anne Graham.

Anne read a prayer from her father, the Reverend Billy Graham.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing on television...
it moved me to the very core of everything I believe,
and I wanted to share it here with you again this year.

Each year, I come back to this post and each year,
it's as poignant and real for me as ever it was....  it goes like this:

“Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.

We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.

We have abused power and called it politics.

We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography

and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers

and called it enlightenment.
 

Search us, oh God, and know our hearts today;

cleanse us from every sin and set us free.



Amen.”

As families gather for the holiday,

please remember there is no reason to have a holiday called Thanksgiving

unless there is Someone to thank.

Thanks be to God and Jesus Christ His Son for all the blessings on our fair land.

 

 

I've been busy in the dungeon creating some pieces for the Christmas season.

I love this time of year and cant wait to decorate.

 

I've uploaded these and several other pieces on the Primitive Handmades Mercantile ...

Please stop by and check out all the great artists work!

 

I love this guy ... Oil Can Ollie cant wait for the snow to fly! 
His nice warm hat hasn't come off since he got it  :)

 

Olde Red has pockets on both sides to fill with anything you choose. 

He comes loaded with fragrant sweet annie.

 

 

Stop by and check out all the sweetness being offered!

Halloween 2013

Halloween is my favorite holiday - I love decorating the house and look forward to passing out candy to the kids that come door to door. 

 

But my favorite part of Halloween is having my nephew and his family come and spend the night with us. Sullivan has a very precious part in our hearts and now, at 3 1/2 yrs old, he is getting to the age that I adore.  Full of questions, he seems to pick up on the sensitive side of everything around him whether its a movie or pretend play time. And we sure have fun on Halloween!

 

He is really into stuffed animals and we spent a good amount of time last weekend playing pretend with some Halloween dolls I gave him to take home.  We love to laugh together and he says the funniest things.

 

 

 When I saw mom and dad coming up the driveway, I knew it was going to be a great night!  Cheyenne is pregnant with Sully's brother, Milo - due December 20th.

 

 

 

Cheyenne is pregnant with baby #2 - Sully's brother named Milo Scott.

So it was only fitting that mom and dad dress up like Juno and Bleeker  :)

 

 

 

Each year, his mom Cheyenne and Nana Julie collaborate to come up with the best of costumes.  This year, Sully was Max of "Where the Wild Things Grow".  He was a perfect Max too... rrrrrraaaaarrrrr.

 

 

 

 

 

Our neighborhood goes all out for Halloween and attracts hundreds of kids from surrounding areas. Some houses are decorated to the nines and we had great fun walking around seeing the sights.

 

 

 

Sully seemed very comfortable talking to the ghost in the corner who just happened to be his size!

 

 

The kid behind this mask was about 12 years old and so gentle in his approach. He shook hands with Sully, gave high ^5's and even took his mask off so Sully wouldn't be frightened. When he put his arm around Sully for a picture, Sully turned to him and said "please put your mask back on"  lol.

 

 

We had a grand time - and Sully didn't want to leave.  He even tried the "sitting in the middle of the sidewalk and not budging" routine.  Sadly, dad had no part of it and we headed back home for a night watching Wall-E on tv.

 

 

 

It was the best weekend I've had in a very long time and I'm so looking forward to next year.  I cant wait to see what mom and Nana come up with for Sully's costume.

Here is a collage of his costumes through the year.  They do amazing work together!

 

 

Anne of Green Gables sums it up perfectly for me.....

 

 

Farewell, October.

I love you.

 

Where has the time gone?

I have realized that as I get older, time goes by faster.  Maybe not news to many of you, but when you are looking back, you realize just how much has occurred when you weren't paying attention.

Take for example ... my blog!
Mercy, has it really been this long since I posted anything?  The TDIPT Mercantile has been closed for months now and as sad as it was to see happen, time marches on. 

In the course of the last year, I have gone through many life experiences... some good, some not so good, and some downright heartbreaking.  I have laughed, cried and fallen to my knees at times in total dependence on God's mercy.

My husband lost his job in the fall and was laid off for over 6 months. It was a struggle for me watching as he was trying to grapple with the fact that he was unemployed.  Darrell has run some of the larger construction crews, building some of the great landmarks in Kansas City like the Sprint Center. When things came down around him, it was particularly hard for me because I knew there wasn't much I could do besides quietly and solidly supporting him and continually lifting him up to the Lord. During those 6 months, I never doubted God was in control of even this - and was confident He had big plans for Darrell. Because God cares for His children, it was no surprise that Darrell was offered a job with the Kansas City school district the very same week he got notice from the state saying unemployment had run out and he would have to refile.  God remains Faithful and True.

In March, Sully turned 3 years old!  So hard to see this precious boy growing up before our eyes but his mom and dad had a grand birthday celebration for him.  His dad, Darby was starring in a local play called "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and they invited the entire party to the Landing in St Joe, Mo to watch the play and celebrate with milk and cookies.  What a fun day!

In May, my heart was broken when we had to put our sweet Tuck to sleep.  We tried for several months to relieve the pain and discomfort he was suffering in his back leg and after many visits to 4 different vets and a trip to the specialists, we learned he had bone cancer. I knew it was time one morning, when I realized our sweet boy had diarrhea and was not able to get out of his sick bed to make it to the potty box.  With a very heavy heart, we said goodbye to our precious Tuck. I think I have shed a million tears and I know this sweet boy will always have a special place in our hearts.

 

 

 

 

And that brings us to the current....

I have high hopes for a new venture with an online selling group

that I have long admired. 

 

I will share more about that in the coming weeks,

but you can look for more news and I hope you will join me

 as I venture forward.