Potpourri Friday

I am going to try a new thing on my blog. It seems like throughout the week I collect things to blog about but I never am able to find the time to devote to each little topic. So now on Friday's I am going to do a post and mention everything that I collect during the week. Warning - this week may be kind of long (smile).

This past week we celebrated my mom's 70th birthday. She sure doesn't seem 70 to me. She can still work circles around me. She loves projects of any kind and all of us girls appreciate all the help she gives us from babysitting, dog-sitting, painting rooms, refinishing wood floors - you name it and she loves to help! She is in the center of the picture on the left. She looks so young - you probably can't pick her out!

Our family took her to the Olive Garden to celebrate. There were 23 of us! We put 8 of the kids at a table across the room by themselves - it was the best the staff could do to accomodate us. We were a bit nervous about it - these kids can be rambunctios - but they were perfect little angels. I guess they felt all important being off by themselves in a big restaurant. They did get a lot of funny looks from customers who walked by wondering how they got there and why they were alone.

I have been reading on a lot of blogs about how everyone is getting in the Christmas spirit and starting all their projects for the holidays - and you inspired me! So I spent some time in my sewing room this week organizing my plans. I can't share everything with you because each year I handmake an ornament for my daughters and our church board members. So many of them read my blog that if I posted about it there wouldn't be a surprise - so those things will have to remain a secret. However I did find this project I started years ago and I have determined to finish it:


I also found this adorable pattern for Quiet Books that I am going to make for two special little 3 year olds in my life. My mom used to make these when my sisters were babies and I loved them then. This pattern looks a little simpler and I can't wait to start.


I have also found a great idea for a gift to make for each of my daughters. Sorry girls, I know you are reading this - it's Top Secret! But you're going to like it. And it is very practical. And very pretty. And I can't wait to see how much you are going to like them - and that's all I have to say about that!

Then awhile back I got tagged by Becky at The Butler's Wife to spell out your fellow blogger friends names in a unique manner. The idea is you spell the name of the person that tagged you and then several other blogging friends. Becky used buttons - because she is retired and she sews a lot. Lucky her. I wish I was retired. But I digress - anyhow, I decided that since I breed Yorkshire Terriers and I always have a lot of dog food on hand - I would spell our names in dog food! However, I had to wait until I was at home alone because I'm pretty sure I couldn't spin the sight of me spelling names with dogfood to my family in any other way other than - "Yep, I've finally lost it." So here goes:

Becky is first - she is just the sweetest person. She calls me a kindred spirit and I like that. It makes me feel like Diana to Anne Shirley. Becky is a fellow pastor's wife, she is a retired teacher, a mom to three boys and she has her own Butler! I love Becky's practicality and her personality. I'm pretty sure if we ever get to meet in person we will be instant sister chicks!


Here are a few more bloggy friends whom I enjoy each and every day:

Corrie at One Gal's Life in the Raw is a young mom whom I really admire. I love her outlook on life and she is just the kind of mom I hope my girls are someday.


Angie at The Knightly News is a new friend. I really like the feel of her blog. I have just started reading her and I am looking forward to getting to know her better. Here you go Angie:



And then finally, I want to introduce you all to a new blogger whom I think is just awesome. She is a stay at home mom to four kids and she babysits so she can continue to stay at home. You never know how many little ones are going to be at her house. She is a great mom, her house is always clean, her laundry is most always done and she is just a great person. Oh, and did I mention that she is my sister! Everyone welcome Mindy from Mindy's Life! Here Mindy- here is your name all done up fancy like in dog food!


You might wonder where my dogs were while I was being so cleverly creative with their lunch. Well, for sure they couldn't be anywhere around or they would have gobbled your names up before I could get a picture. So here is where they were:



And finally I wanted to say a big thank-you to Laura from Laura William's Musings for bestowing this lovely award on me.



“This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award.”

I can't think of any award I would be more proud to have. Being nice isn't always the most natural or the easiest thing to be. I have to work at it. I suspect we all do sometimes. I can't possible limit this award to only7 others. Sorry, can't do it. I haven't run across anyone not nice in this little blog land we have. I think you are all nice!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'm spending some time with my husband and am going to try to lay a bit low. It's been such a busy summer and I just long to stay home and get rejuvinated!