It was spring of 2011….The Mistress of Cousin City Mouse had created a tiny cottage door.
to take to her new home at Rose Water Cottage…for the move was fast approaching.
The first weekend in November of this year, she was having her annual autumnal chili supper event, and I had assisted sister-in-law Mechelle Moss with the decorating.
The chandeliers hung from the old tree, providing just enough light over the tables with their burlap runners and pumpkins and tea lights ..
Just inside the french doors, draped across the barkcloth covered chair, is one of the first shawls I knitted (a gift to her for her birthday in March of 2011)…a Tasha Tudor-inspired Cottage Shawl in that shade "the very color of beeswax candles and yellow ware bowls."
and I will always treasure the memory of that adventure I shared with them, Fall of 2011.
After three tries…I was finally happy with the way the cover was coming together.
I even tried to position my own feet, wobbling and losing my balance, gaining a whole new level of respect for all ballerinas everywhere!
Eliza is in awe, as well!
At last, the illustrations and text could be tweaked no more, and it was time to get this be-ribboned portfolio in the mail to the formatter, all the way in Tampa, Florida.
You would think it would be easy to relax, after all that work..the eye strain…the migraine headaches..
but it took great effort to unwind my brain.
with sunbeams streaming across the dining room..
falling upon the last blooms of summer..
research begins on the next project.
I am honored and humbled…and ready for the challenge.
Her book "Laddie" is the closest to an autobiography, and so this is where I began….
He is the sweetest thing! And his expressions are so entertaining! He is so animated!
Susan Branch's Martha's Vineyard Isle of Dreams..
I had enjoyed a much needed Sunday afternoon nap, awakened by the dappled afternoon sunlight streaming across the bed.
I taught her how to flour her tiny pin and roll gently across the dough….
The tea pot cookie cutter tin, served as a make-shift pie pan, and I taught her how to pinch around the edges of her "pie"
and soon it was time for the real pie to come out of the oven.
"I juss fink i'm in wuv wiv my mom."
Watery eyes met hers, and I said, "I think I'm in love with you, too!"
and added her oil lamp to the vignette.
arranged a new work space on the table with the old typewriter and doll trunk..
holding buttons and beads and rubber stamps.
I tucked the chair, carved and created by Seth Tudor, amongst the Beatrix Potter treasures.
There is time, now, for cooking breakfast for little girlie.
It won't be long now. In a day or two, I will preview the online proof of the cover.
If all is as it should be, I will order the hardcopy proof.
the advance copies will be ordered.
And then on August 16, it will be available for purchase, on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Thank you for waiting with me. Thank you for your encouragement and support and love.
There is nothing like Story Hour.
Sitting with children, reading a good book, and watching their faces for their reactions.
The attention span of a child, is so very short…which means I must be prepared.
This is how I prepare.
that is long and full and quite princess-like..
and I will sign them..
and pull it close to them…those tiny little ones.
and find a young boy who will hold onto him with great care….
And then I introduce Eliza…and try to explain why I just can't get her to take off that tutu and tiara..
….and as I pull the tiny articles from the tiny basket purse, and distribute them amongst the children..
I am thankful that I am able to look into the most adorable little face of one wiggly little toddler…catch her gaze, and read to her…as if no one else is in the audience…to let her know how special she is.
I am thankful for a little boy named Simon, who sat so still and listened so intently and was so proud when his name was drawn from the cup….
And for parents who have entertained a busy little girlie so their daughter can do what she is called to do, there just aren't enough words to express my gratitude.
On the days that I wish I lived in another time…a simpler more innocent time….
and would say, "Come back, again, for Story Hour."
Eliza Visits the Ballet is ready, at last….
It has been a long time coming…forever, it seems.
in the David Koch Theater in Lincoln Center.
Her Tutu and Tiara were brand new and crisp and the little silk ribbon ties were tied in neat little bows.
she's comfortable in her own mousie skin.
So finally, her story of that wonderful adventure to New York City is coming to life.
On the 4th of July, the inspiration for the cover came, and I retreated to my Storybook Studio.
Tiny fraser fir branches and a grapevine wreath….
so friends could actually HAVE the book for Christmas..
Which meant, I had to get busy.
for the very last page of the story.
And so she didn't mind posing one last time.
And then, yesterday, as I was adding the final touches, we received the phone call.
I could now add two letters after her name and alongside her image.
A Trademark …Eliza the Mouse™ now has a trademark.
This means that she is protected.
It also means there are so many possibilities down the road, for her.
This verse seemed fitting for the Doily Page of the new book..
It is with a happy heart that I announce to you our little book is ready for pre-ordering!
The 52 page tale, in its white matte laminate hard cover, will measure 6"x9"
if you would like your book personalized and autographed.
The first 50 copies will be signed and numbered.
as they did with the Prairie book.
Once again, Thank you for your Support, Your Patience, and Your endless comments, emails, cards, and messages of encouragement. Those are the things that keep me going.
The poor old girl is beyond repair, but her ivory keys could tell some tales, I'm sure.
We had hoped to one day have her restored.
A Steinway grand piano made its way to our home, after a long search in the classified ads of the local newspaper.
My sister was on a path. She wanted to be a concert pianist.
She practiced and practiced and practiced.
..all those old tunes he knew as a boy, growing up on a farm, in Kentucky.
with our parents as the audience, seated on the sofa.
One Christmas, it was our rendition of O Holy Night that brought them to tears.
I can still hear the music.
and a glass of sweet tea with fresh lemon, followed by Hee Haw and Lawrence Welk.
and the floors were mopped with Pine-sol.
and I'll never forget how he would rake the shag carpeting in the living room.
It was the 70's. It's what we did.
So this is how our Saturday began...facing this playroom….
I walk through, and I find her little vignettes of play…the puppy dogs lined up in front of tiny plates..
there had been a pool party, she says.
rumpled blue tissue paper across the floor.."No, don't frwow it away…dat's da water!"
And then I remember my creative imaginative play, when I was a little girl.
How to find a place for everything and everything in its place.
I remember my mother doing the same with me…sorting through my closet filled with Barbies and boxes and baby dolls.
Finally, there was order, and she played contentedly, at her tea table, as I moved on to the laundry and the dishes and the vacuuming.
her with her little broom, sweeping along with me and mine.
and then it was time for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches…and a hot bath and shampoo..
and a viewing of the old Disney movie from 1973 "Robinhood"
I'm thankful for these Saturdays…preparing for Sunday….
Summer days in the Storybook Studio….
I am comfortable in my "pinafore of soft white cotton…. pockets made from eyelet doilies…"
These hot flashes…will they ever end?
I saw the dark clouds forming.
I studied the fragile petals of the hydrangea blooms reaching out to me, there.
some were not so notable, just one shade…pretty…but all the petals the same color.
But then there were the blooms that defied the rules.
Oh how these flowers intrigue me.
an old soul, from another time.
those veins are always the same.
In this season, I am more aware.
I look at things a little more closely and appreciate their significance.
I fall asleep after little one has turned off her chattering and succumbed to slumber.
...but at 1:07, I am awakened by the flash of heat coursing through me..
I realize I had failed to step outside at bedtime, to see the moon..
For the first time since 1948, there was to be a full moon on Summer Solstice.
and made my way out to the porch.
Before I could even look up to see the moon, the tin-shingled roof of my Storybook Studio was radiant.
The spotlight moon was shining down on my little haven.
I snapped my photo…and after posting…I scrolled through the newsfeed of social media.
girlfriends all over the world were looking up at the same moon.
Sandy, in Texas…she was awake with hot flashes, too…snapping HER photo of the moon..
and there was Marie in England..
We all look at this moon with wonder.
It brings us all close, for a little bit, and causes us to feel a bond..
We're all in this, together…hot flashes and all..
our veins are the same.
The moon pulls and stirs us. It causes sleep to elude us. What a powerful force.
What a powerful force we are, as a sisterhood.
God bless the moon ..
The birds begin their chirping, as I end this post entry.
Author Talk on the Hill.
The greatest honor, though, was to have my parents, there.
Last winter, my dad had endured a turbulent season with his health.
who was expecting his firstborn child, Oliver.
This would be my Dad's first great grandchild.
Oliver made his entrance into the world.
I have never been so proud of my son..
alongside the photo of my Matthew with his firstborn.
And here is my dad, smitten with his great grandson, being held in my mother's arms..
that lets him know just how incredibly profound his influence has been on me.
that had been in the works.
To be able to slide into the pew at church, beside him, and hand him this paper..
all I can think, is how very good God is.
I don't take one day for granted.
And this little fella is so fortunate to have such a legacy.
I will thank God for him and this incredible circle of life.
You are missed everyday, Grandaddy, Fred Aly, Jr.
Friday morning, dear husband set out to paint the recently constructed pergola.
He was afraid all those Endless Summer hydrangeas would be covered in droplets of white paint, and asked if there was some way I could gather/tie them up out of the way.
After some inspection, I concluded it might just be safe to harvest some of them for drying….just the ones in close proximity to the post, there.
And then there are these…almost blocking the entranceway into the Storybook Studio.
If they take over, entirely, I shall not care… I will walk all the way around to the rear entrance, if I must.
and plunging them into the cool water in the ironstone pitcher.
A few of the Quietness roses had blooms almost spent.
They were added to the bouquet.
and place it atop the old marble sink in the studio.
The largest bouquet went inside the cottage to sit alongside the fairy, floating 'neath the chandelier in the dining room…alongside glittery candles in their crystal candlesticks.
an old rose that was on its last leg, early this spring…and transplanted alongside the Quietness roses, from its container between the adirondack chairs.
It is now thriving, and I am so thankful.
husband retrieved from the ground where he created the space for the fountain, there in our courtyard.
Saturday morning came…husband was off to work…and I invited an out-of-town friend to come by for a visit, while she was in town for an event.
I decided it might be the perfect opportunity for a bit of a tea party.
I would prepare a pot of Harney & Sons Paris tea.
…and the minute little girlie heard the words tea party, she asked if we could bake some cookies..
and "do we have all dee dagredients?"
Yes…we had all the "dagredients" for Victorian Lavender Cookies with Rosewater Icing.
Today, she needed me to be Grammy.
She needed this experience to tuck away in her memory bank.
and then dropped a teaspoonful into her tiny hands.
She mimicked what she had just learned.
She paid attention as I scooped spoonfuls of cookie dough and dropped them onto the parchment paper on the cookie sheet…and then she had her turn to do the same.
with its pink stains from the strawberries she nibbled for breakfast.
Then it was time to prepare the Rosewater icing.
This was an incredible feat for her.
I was singing her praises throughout the process.
ballerina dance for our guest.
and we were so very excited to see her!
and we had posed for a photo with one of the Junk Gypsy sisters, Jolie Sikes..
well, I was just beside myself!
And on top of all that…it was her birthday!
we had no idea it would be the birthday of this dearest woman, so far away from home..
How honored we were, Sophia and I, to celebrate this kindred spirit friend, who is loved and cherished by so many.
I was so proud of one certain little 5 1/2 year old girl, who dug deep and demonstrated the very best tea party manners. It was a monumental moment.
After many goodbyes and hugs and kisses…our girlfriend was on her way.
using the two sawhorses she had spied, behind the studio.
Fly with the Fairies, friends!
slated for release, late summer.
That's what I tell folks, when they ask what I do.
And this is a photo that shows me doing just that….
making our way to Story Hour.
they wouldn't have to be afraid.
I was greeted by the most wonderfully welcoming staff.
and she quickly introduced me to her daughter, Sadie…an ambitious young lady…looking forward to 5th grade …and adamantly pursuing information on how to publish her book.
Yes. She's written a book.
I was impressed with her passion.
and down the elevator we went.
I quickly spied the most fantastic antique rocking chair.
I sat down into its cushion, and as I rocked, it made the most comforting creaking sounds.
she asked, "Would you like us to take it upstairs for you?"
when I was in 5th grade, in 1971.
and quite a conversation ensued.
Can you see Sadie, sitting 'neath the table, there, inspecting Mrs. Beasley.
I let them take turns holding the doll and Eliza and John Jacob.
John Jacob still smelled like coffee, according to Logan.
filled with questions and comments and humor.
Gosh, we need more Logan's and Nathan's in the world.
I held up the book for summer.
only those who have not found the right book."
I told them, "Eliza isn't like a cartoon character with thoughts above her head in a bubble..
Her thoughts float above her head in a doily, because she's an old-fashioned girlie mouse."
and then we find out there's a little girl named Ella..
sitting right in front of me…she's Nathan and Logan's sister..
and I say, "Wait just a minute…Your name is ELLA?"
She grins and says shyly, "Yes."
She has strawberry blonde hair…and a few little freckles upon her nose.
and every time I said, "Ella…"
and I asked, "Is there anyone who takes ballet?"
Littlest girlie raises her hand.
She's brave and too young to be intimidated or self-conscious.
And then this young lady finds her courage and comes to me saying..
"I've just finished my 5th year in dance!"
And I ask, "Would you like to show us a pose?"
So proud for the opportunity to show her skill and her poise.
Oh, to have the self-confidence of that 4 year old.
Is it somewhere between 4 and 10?
and then it doesn't return until we're 54 and a half?
This. THIS is why I do what I do.
…and usually it's around 3 or 4 in the morning..
when my mind is at rest from all the distractions and noise..
when He can whisper the ones that are the most important.
following His inspiration to create illustrations that will help interpret the message of the story.
in this lovely old Library that once housed the Post Office..
in this small university town of Martin, Tennessee.
even when you get to be 54 and a half.
and we are forever grateful for your support and encouragement along the way.
to continue work on the illustrations for the new book..
book #14, Eliza Visits the Ballet.
The hydrangeas were showing out…the birds were singing…it was a perfect morning, in every way.
and asked, "Can you read to me?"…plans changed.
I gathered up the old quilt, the book, the small square floral pillow, took her hand, and we walked out into the backyard.
There was an unusually magical feeling, there, on this day.
It had been some time since we had read from this book.
The computer and electronic games and television shows were creeping in.
she had come back to her first love..
it had been my first love, as a child.
As a little girl, I had loved this set of books…My Book House.
when we lived in Orlando, Florida, next door to the Baptist church, where my daddy was the pastor.
At some point, the set of books was passed on to another family.
I told my husband, "Those books are so familiar!"
She confirmed that we had been given the set…along with the wooden "house."
The set belonged to the shop owner, and she would not part with it.
So my search began…and I acquired several of the "blue" editions.
There were tiny wild strawberries surrounding us..
…and we thought, "wouldn't it be fun to bring out the dollies and bunnies and mousies…and a tiny basket, for collecting berries …"
and we drank water from tiny tea cups.
This tree stands guard over our back yard, along the fence row..and I'm amazed.
I am thankful for this enchanted place we call home.
As a little girl, this was my dream.
along creeks and in meadows.
Florida was sand spurs and orange groves and didn't seem quite as romantic.
and I am a happy girl…a happy Grammy.
…and she says, "take a pitcher of evrwyfing, Grammy."
"My heart is full up to da top!"
I am weeping and laughing and overwhelmed by her attempt to articulate this feeling..
"Mine is too, Sophia! Mine is too!"
"Dis is da bess day of my wife!"
I can't recall a more profound moment, when I was moved, to this degree.
"God chooses carefully the one He uses to speak His word to us.
even in the voice of a child."
I was overwhelmed by a realization.
This little toy mouse named Eliza, has served as my outlet to express how I view the world… how I see things.
I suppose I've known this, in the back of my mind, and I've often joked, "I'm Eliza!"
But this morning, it became especially clear.
I've heard there's a theory, that people have what's known as their "life age."
That is how I see the world, through the eyes of an 8 year old….
I've always viewed life and my surroundings with a sense of wonder.
"Do we have to keep her!"
I haven't always been understood by others, so I am especially grateful for my husband who embraces my "vision."
I am a hopeless romantic, and he loves that about me.
Last April, on a visit to an old cemetery in Round Top, Texas, I was taken by the beauty of the Bluebonnets and the stone walls and ancient head stones.
My eyes fell upon the headstone of an infant.
The date was the very date of our visit, there…April 9th.
I wanted to know what it meant…why this "coincidence"
And then I felt a peace wash over me.
I believe God was impressing upon me .."I'm here. I'm in this. This path you're on, sharing your stories, sharing your heart…It's the right path."
I had lost a child, an infant.
She was born on February 26, 1985 and died 12 hours later, on February 27, 1985.
We had named her Rachel Rose.
I felt a mother's grief, looking down at that tiny grave in Round Top, Texas.
My dearest friend Kim and I had taught together 20 years ago.
She had lost her oldest sibling, her brother Matt, in a small plane accident on April 9, 1987.
I had not been aware of the date, until we were having a conversation several months ago, when I was discussing illustrations I was creating for my book in progress…an illustration of a headstone with that very date.
on what would have been my Rachel's 30th birthday.
But I will also find the joy in this day.
I will see the wonder in the release of a brand new book..
a book that celebrates what it is to find a place of rest when you're weary..
a book that hopefully helps little girls (and grown up little girls) embrace who they were created to be..
...a book that celebrates the dream and vision of a woman named Rachel.
"I'm here. I'm in this. You're on the right path."
They say there will be snow.
Little girlie is so very hopeful. She is going to build that snowman.
and inspects the snow she's scraped and collected in her pink "nitten"
until her cheeks are rose-y and her little hands are cold from the little wet gloves.
And she decides she'll come in for just a little while …until she can warm up.
There is just not enough snow, and she cannot understand why her Little School was cancelled.
for there's a new book to be scanned and sent to the designer/formatter.
Lunch follows errands, and we're back home again.
and we read a good book…and get inspired..
Oh, and a fresh batch of oatmeal, chocolate chip, walnut cookies sounds good..
The day ends, and we whisper prayers for snow.
And when we awake, there IS snow….glorious, perfect snow.
She and Big Daddy can't get outside fast enough.
And I look out the window, seeing her rose-y cheeks and bright blue eyes dancing.
She has come back inside, and Big Daddy makes a run to the grocery store.
"Wow! Dare's a hoe wot out diss way:"
and I tell her to stay inside the fence…do not go out the gate..
"Dare's so much snow out dare…I'm juss gonna weach under dare."
and she says, "I'm gonna frwoe a snowbaw atchoo!"
It is terribly cold, and reluctantly she concedes to Grammy's imploring and comes inside.
A nice hot bath is awfully enticing.
"Dis is amazing! I might add more fun-ness!"
I realize she is exemplifying true determination.
She is a study in perseverance.
She had a vision, and in her little mind, it was going to be amazing.
She didn't get frustrated and she didn't give up.
And before bedtime, she planned a tea party.
She dictated invitations to her Big Daddy, and he transcribed them.
She folded and wrapped them in pretty red washi tape with little white doilies.
and if a boy came, it would be alright.
Are you big girls taking notes?
I snapped this last photo, as I was folding up and tucking away my crocheting project.
What a very long, action packed, filled to the rim with goodness, gorgeous and glorious day.
A record-breaking snow, made for a record-breaking day.
Stay warm and safe and cozy, all of you enduring this winter blast of snow and ice.
you may pre-order Eliza Visits The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell, my 13th book.
click on that link and then look for the pre-order listing….
I am so excited to see this project come to life in book form, and get them in the mail to YOU!
Thank you, again, for your continued patience and support.
Eliza Visits The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell, is heading to the presses….
On a perfect day in April, of last year, I met a shy, British lady.
and the doors opened to a new adventure.
The pages and pages of text and illustrations will be scanned and sent to the formatter.. and then on to printing/publishing.
I cannot believe this project is complete…Finally …complete.
Thank you for your patience and support and love.
67 pages and 8.5" x 11.5"
The sun is shining, and after a morning filled with cleaning out little girl's dresser drawers and messy baby doll feedings and washing dishes and doing laundry…we decide it is time for a walk…some fresh air…and a big dose of Vitamin D.
We are walking at a snail's pace. We stop so she can adjust the canopy…so she can see baby… she pushes buggy with one hand, trying to hold my hand with the other.. it's too wobbly…buggy veers off and bumps the curb… we walk further and further, until I suggest we turn around. Noooo…she insists.
Finally, I must make an executive decision…turn around, we must.
"Awww, wook at dose pretty drawings!" They are the spray painted markings of future construction, but she thinks someone was awfully clever.
She begins to grow weary of the walk, and she pushes with great effort…leaning forward and giving all she has….until she sees the arbor of ivy….and she's intrigued. "Iss dis good for us? Iss it good for our nose?" (as she begins to sniff) I reply, "It's good for our eyes…to see something so beautiful."
Her curiosity compels us to stop and investigate. Her questions are thoughtful. Aren't growing things supposed to be good for us? Yes, each growing thing, in its very own way, is good for us.
The sunshine pours over her face as she slips the hood away from her head.
It feels so very good…and she hums.
And then she adds words to her little made-up tune.
Then she stops, in front of that white picket fence, and declares she cannot push the buggy stroller one more step. "I'm soooo tired!" she exclaims.
I commence pushing, and she determines she can run all the way to the stop sign.
….and I follow...my 5'10" frame bent over, guiding the tiny buggy towards her.
Passers by, smiling and waving… They understand.
We look in all directions, and I lift and cradle buggy, baby, and all..reach for her little hand, and we walk the last little bit to our home.
Once we reach the front gate, she takes over…making her way to the front porch …navigating through the sea of leaves collecting, there, and on into our "cozy widdle cottage."
We agree, baby is worn out from her walk and ready for nap time, so she wheels her to her "nursery" and puts her to bed.
I drop into the wicker rocker and recall….
When I was a young mommy, I remember reading a poem. It described a grandmother walking with her grandchild….taking time to watch a bug crawl, or a caterpillar …can't remember which. The gist of it was that grandmothers weren't in such a hurry. They had time, and they were patient…and they didn't mind stopping to notice all those seemingly insignificant things.
And now, my babies are all grown. That time went by, too fast. I was in such a hurry ..always in a hurry.
So I walk with this little girl…and we stop and look at the ivy…and all it's veins and shades…and ponder if it's good for us… and I think, slow down just a little bit, Time. And I pray for more patience to allow her to see all the things she needs to see.
Give me just a little bit longer for her to cling to my leg and reach for my hand, as we cross the street.
The bag is filled to the top, with clothes she can no longer wear. She cried as one favorite outfit after another was folded and placed inside. These were her friends, in her little mind.
But then she saw the outfits and dresses and nightgowns and hats and gloves that remained.
And she loved that there was order, once again.
We chose a drawer to place her most favorite little dresses, that neither of us had the heart to part with. And she felt glad to know the other favored things would be going to her two little girlie cousins.
She said goodbye to her sparkly shoes and the tiny dolly stroller, too….as she loves her brand new big dolly stroller.
Cold weather is on its way…and Christmas…and gatherings and busy-ness….but for today, it was wonderful to slow down a bit, and basque in the warmth of the sun.
The fragrance of the fresh frazier fir fills the cottage.
Twinkle lights and decorations bring a flood of memories.
She adorns with abandon... no such thing as too many.
What joy there is in the making of keepsakes for grandchildren.
and the smells are intoxicating and the bites are savored.
and daddy Matt, with his arm 'round my shoulder..
…and my heart is full of Thanksgiving.
When the news was shared, I was sworn to secrecy.
So even though I was unable to tell…it didn't keep my hands from going to work.
It was so difficult, not being able to share why I was in a total knitting/crocheting frenzy.
My oldest son Matthew and my daughter-in-love Jenny are completely over the moon, and they've waited to make their announcement until she arrived at the end of her first trimester…which is today.
We had grieved the loss of her first pregnancy, the day after Father's Day, in June. The pain was indescribable, and the tears were many, hence, the waiting…to see the flicker of a heartbeat before it could even be heard…and then at last, to hear that sound…that glorious whooshing beating sound.
This time, the tears flowed, as the joy was overwhelming.
This precious little one is due to make his/her arrival on Mother's Day 2016…and my Grammy's heart is full!
So I've been knitting and crocheting and knitting some more… tiny soft wash cloths, tiny soft love-y blankies, and larger soft blankies… as if the baby will be here tomorrow. And that I couldn't share the reason I was posting so many photos of these "works in progress"…such frustration!
Now you can know that the soft green blankie/love-y, is not for a dolly, after all… and the tiny soft pink washcloth for Sophia was made so she wouldn't feel left out… and the larger worsted cotton blanket-in-the-making is actually for wrapping new baby. I have acquired a length of soft blush silk ribbon from Silk & Willow, in case it's a girl, and if we find out it's a boy, I will acquire the softest shade of brown. The washcloth in all the soft Peter Rabbit colors will suit either a boy or a girl.
This will be the first great-grandchild for my parents, from their first grandchild, my first child.
Jenny's dad resides in heaven, along with her precious Granny, she loved so very much (her mother's mother)…so her heart is heavy.
But today, we rejoice. And we have hope. And God is faithful.
We appreciate and covet your prayers through their journey into parenthood.
And just in case you, too, have a little one on the way, you'll enjoy Alicia Paulson 's blog and webstore for all sorts of wonderful projects, including the beautiful pattern "Tiramisu Baby Blanket."
I will post photos when it's completed!
Life is moving faster than I can keep up.
One little girl growing up before our eyes.
So I stop this morning, mid-coffee…and decide I must jump in … it is long overdue.
There is a flood (I mean…a FLOOD) of photos… since I last posted. Will I ever catch up?
A visit to the Pumpkin Patch at Gentry's Farm with Sophia's school mates was the MOST fun! I don't know when I've seen her so excited. Fall, was her Grammy Nancy's favorite…and it is her Aunt Tia's favorite…and so it must be in her, deep in her gene pool, that this time of year has her completely beside herself with joy.
A Book Signing during Pumpkinfest in our little town of Franklin, Tennessee, was the very most fun ..
AND for little darling girl….meeting Cookie Monster and Ariel …jumping on a trampoline with bungee cords…posing alongside Mr. Pumpkin Man…running to me …out of breath…it was all so "a'citing!"
…proceeded to roll it into the living room..
.. and into the kitchen.
It was to be carved.
She dug out "aw da goo."
It was messy, and slimy.
She said the pumpkin was a girl…and it needed a smile…no snaggle teeth…just a smile.
She wanted us to refer to her favored book of the season.
How we love Pumpkin Moonshine.
"It needs a candle," she decides.
All the lights are turned off so we can see its glow.
She doesn't want it to go outside, at least not until Halloween.
Such treats and prizes ...and those teeth! I took the photo AFTER we figured out how to get them on the correct way. She had them in her mouth…sideways…it was hysterical! Now, she thinks she's quite scary….like on Max and Ruby… and I had to put on my most scared face, while muffling the chuckles.
Eliza the Mouse™ receives a Package, as well, from dear friend Lori Hibbard…Autumnal Treasures to decorate one Mousie's Cottage Door.
And it seems that's how life will be, if I don't stop and make note of it.
I look back at my posts about our grandson, Xavier.
It was just yesterday, he was my only little one. Our whole world.
Time marches on…into the falling leaves…under the full moon…and another month will be upon us.
The holidays, just around the corner…more festivities and festivals and fun.
Slow down, just a little bit, my friends….and savor each day.
They traveled in a case…in a tiny traveling case. Eliza the Mouse™ and Talula Kate Duckling.
Their chaperones, Grammy and Big Daddy, are taking them on an adventure.
…and through two states, into a third….Indiana.
The car slowly approaches the STOP sign, and pauses for a moment.
Before them, lies the quaint little town.
A general store, with its old gas pumps..
A wheelbarrow filled with flowers..
and take a look around….
She has even brought her tiny phone!
Talula gives it a try.
off in a story book world, where time stands still.
just the hum of the air conditioner ..
and the quiet chirping of the birds.
The little toy mouse and her dear duckling friend decide the shawls are not needed.
after such a long journey.
Dinner in the old General Store of the Story Inn is quite wonderful..
The evening comes to a close.
and fall fast, fast asleep.
coffee is served with a hearty breakfast.
Come along for the rest of the journey.
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