Treasury Gratitude

Hello everyone!  It has been way too long since my last post, but here I am, once again.  We had a busy winter, with a wedding in November, our youngest daughter.  Then one of our sons left for Basic Training in the military, mid-winter; and we traveled for graduation in April.  And now, summer is well upon us!  

I am committed to posting regularly now, and hoping to be an encouragement to those of you still working to balance life, and being creative! I'm so excited to see the adventure waiting ahead for each of us, and to share the joy in the journey.

Today I'm sharing a Treasury from Etsy that features one of my Waverly Pillow Covers.  It's so encouraging to me when I open my store each day, and see that someone has chosen one of my pillow covers out of the hundreds of thousands listed on Etsy alone.  That is an honor!   So, here is my thank you to those people who take the time each day to list a Treasury--your gift is greatly appreciated!

'Purples, grays, and greens' by CuteAndCoolThings

inspired by bracelet by BlissWorksStudio, a member of PlayTime Promos Team

Two are Better than One... redletterword... $55.00	Cocoon - Beadwoven Brac... BlissWorksStu... $380.00	Decorative Pillows Acce... fabricjunkie1... $32.00
Ribbed cowl neck wool b... PurlMeARiver $25.00	Light Green, Bright Pur... ebbead $9.00	FABRIC SILK Blend CHIFF... DartingDogSew... $18.20
Fred Gray Green and Pur... AgedandOpulen... $58.00	Retro print purple blac... sweetLindseys $8.00	Purple & gray crochet r... Bexterdesigns $10.00
This abstract Purple Tr... lizdezign $15.00	Fabric rosette hair cli... RandLDesign $4.00	Funny Cat Print 8x10 Ca... 3crows $17.00
Waverly Decorative Pill... SydneyKathryn... $28.00

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

Bennyisms

In this section, I will be quoting my awesome Grandson, Benny. (Therefore, Bennyisms!)  Actually, now that his little brother, Ewan, is getting up there in quotable cuteness, at age 3 1/2, and their adorable little cousin, Sydney, who just turned 2, we will be able to share many laughs.  I invite you to share your own in the comments!

Benny--6 years old

First grade, writing assignment, write in your journal:  


What would you do if you are in a flood?


Step 1:  Dig a hole.


Step 2:  Hide behind a rock.


Step 3:  Pray to God that the water all goes down into the
   
hole!

 

Willow

     Over the weekend, we had gorgeous Autumn weather-mid-high 70's.  I knew we wouldn't have many more days like this, before fall weather turns cold, and snow thinks of making it's way  back to Michigan.

     So, we went outside to work on the yard, and the hen house; to put things in order for the  change of seasons.  After a while, I sat down to rest, and my eyes fell upon the Willow Tree that graces our backyard.  It has grown tremendously this year.  My daughter-in-law commented a few weeks ago, "What's with the willow tree this year, Mom?  Is it on steroids?!? It got HUGE!"  And so it did! As I look now, the branches actually sweep the ground, creating secret hiding places.

     A long forgotten memory begins to surface, of a willow tree from my childhood.  Not in our own yard, but somewhere that we visited occasionally.  I don't even recall the people,  just the Willow Tree.  They had one much like this; and I was so drawn to it.  Us kids would spend the whole afternoon there, hiding under her limbs, dreaming about our grown-up lives.

    One thing I knew for sure--I wanted a weeping willow for my own yard some day.  I wanted my children to find their own hiding place.  


    And here she is.  The week after we bought this house, about 8-1/2 years ago, the kids convinced Dad they needed a tree fort.  He agreed.  So they spend an entire weekend building it, and hanging out in it.  It even had a "Firemen's Pole" to slide down for exiting in a hurry!  

     Needless to say, it was immediately the best place in the neighborhood of our tiny village--even though it was just built with scraps of wood.  But we never again lacked for company! At any given time, there were 7-8 kids out there!  Oh- and how could I forget the tire swing that hung from her branches?  It swung out over a tiny pool of water from the creek back there.  So we always had a great supply of toads and frogs, and muddy shoes and socks!

     It made me remember all of my own years of tree climbing.  I was the only one of us 5 kids who could ever get to the top of our big maple tree.  Drove my Mom nuts-she was scared of heights.  But I was ever the tomboy...I loved being up there, high above everyone, higher than our house.  I loved the feeling of climbing; reaching each new summit.  Just one more branch.  One more perfect place to sit and stare out at the world, and dream...

     But alas, time marches on.  Our kids are grown and gone.  And Willow, as she grew, stretched and yawned,and so, slowly, over the years, the tree fort came apart.  Some of the boards still remain; a badge of honor for the courage she had, to bear the weight of the bodies and souls, and memories of all the children who loved her.

     Sometimes the wind picks up, and her Spirit is lifted, as her "hair" blows in the wind; and that sensation arises in your soul, of flying down a big hill on your bike, hair blowing out behind you--free for a moment, as the adrenaline kicks in.


     And today, with a gentle breeze, the finger-like tendrils of her boughs brush the ground, creating little rooms, secret hiding places for dreams to be born; awaiting you to hide beneath her wings, as if for the Lord, creating a silent, and simple Sanctuary.

Welcome to SydneyKathryns

Home

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Pronunciation: hōm; 110

n.	1.	(Zool.) See Homelyn.
	1.	One's own dwelling place; the house in which one lives; esp., the house in which one lives with his family; the habitual abode of one's family; also, one's birthplace. The disciples went away again to their own home. - John xx. 10. Home is the sacred refuge of our life. - Dryden. Home! home! sweet, sweet home! There's no place like home. - Payne.
	2.	One's native land; the place or country in which one dwells; the place where one's ancestors dwell or dwelt.
	3.	The abiding place of the affections, especially of the domestic affections. He entered in his house - his home no more, For without hearts there is no home. - Byron.
	4.	The locality where a thing is usually found, or was first found, or where it is naturally abundant; habitat; seat; as, the home of the pine. Her eyes are homes of silent prayer. Sanctuary Webster's 1913 Dictionary Sanc´tu`a`ry n. 1. (Arch.) A sacred place; a consecrated spot; a holy and inviolable site. These laws, whoever made them, bestowed on temples the privilege of sanctuary   2.sanctuary - a shelter from danger or hardship,  Synonyms: asylum, refuge     As God closes one chapter of my life, so He begins another. I invite you to come along on the journey...We are going to explore what home means to each of us, and how, in that discovery, we can create a Sanctuary, not only for ourselves, but for our families, and loved ones; and for the "angels unawares" that God sends our way, when we least expect it!   So, grab your cup of coffee, (or your Diet Mountain Dew, if you're me!), pull up a chair, and take a quiet moment, to reflect.  When you get the time, I invite you to explore my Etsy store, where you will find a great selection of pillow covers, pillow cases, hand knit dishcloths, aprons, pot holders, and many more things that add color, and comfort to your home.  Call your BFF, and view the store together online, while you catch up with each other.   And before you head back to your busy life, take a moment and whisper a "Thank you" to the One who holds you in the palm of His hands.   We'll talk again soon...   Kath