Thursday, December 29, 2011

This morning is one of the best ever...if I can just get past myself and my inclinations to mess things up!   I say that in all seriousness.  The sun is shining (though I know it is cold out there) and the trees are moving gracefully to the sound of the wind as I see it through my windows.  I've got great music playing through our living room stereo via Pandora...and the children are (ahem - were) being calm and peaceful.  I took the pictures below just a few minutes ago.  This is my coffee table next to me as I sit on the couch with my new Christmas present.  I just popped out the SD card and put it right into my laptop and WhaLah, just like that...nearly Real Time.  I took the Netbook back and got a Notebook for not much more, but still...I already appreciate this laptop already, simply because of the keyboard, speed, and its ability to function. I really wanted a netbook to work out, because of it's lightness & long battery life.  But for the blogging & Etsy listing that I want to do - I now know this device is a better tool.
Now accepting 2011 calendars!

 
So much potential!

Below:  a friend of mine & her daughter gave this groovy bead stringing kit to Brielle for her birthday.  She loves it of course!  She wants to do what I do...and these are better for her little fingers to string.
 
Now, back to how *I* get in the way a wonderful bestest morning ever.  Well...it's just impossible to go through a morning, afternoon, or evening without some sort of disruption of the peace.  Coffee spills, bad attitudes, laundry, play fights, grumbling tones, dishes, laundry, computer frustrations, trying to find something lost...the list goes on and on.  I can feel it inside of me.  The unsettling pressure that rises when contentment escapes me.  I know it should not be this way.  I feel it is wrong.  And I know why....I'm lacking.  I'm craving closeness to the Source of  Love (which is God), abandonment of my own comfort, and contentment in ALL circumstances.
Because I can appreciate WHAT IS.  I can do that.  It takes effort, but my daily life is not designed to "smile and experience peace" when everything appears to be going great. 
It is designed to be building, growing, experiencing and loving into the child that He created me to be.  And as a mom....it's showing that to my children as well. 
I'm actually relieved it doesn't have to *be* perfect to *feel* like it's a wonderful morning!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Day 2011

Well, I now have a netbook! Yay! Apparently, they are really going out of style (thanks to the new Android tablets) so they are few and far between. Kudos to my sweet husband for locating one! He was really convinced in the Android technology and preferred to get me that...but I'm cheap (ahem! frugal) and practical and I knew the Netbook would be all I need for what I need it to do: which is what I'm doing right now (blogging!) :) I am not a gam-er, app-er, or video stream-er gal. I'm a typer. And a reader. And a blogger. Everything else I like to do can be done by our hard wired PC (thank you GOD for that!). This is perfect. I'm sitting here comfortably typing in the recliner while one son plays our new Xbox Kinect game: Wipeout 2, the other is flying his r/c helicopter in the kitchen, and our daughter is watching "Princess Pop Star" on her new portable DVD player.
We took a family vote and they all wanted to go to Shoney's for breakfast Christmas morning.  So, donning the Santa caps & PJs - off we went!  Unfortunately, Brielle continued to get progressively ill by the second and by the time we got home she was sick :(  She got better progressively all day though too, thank God.  That would have been a sad way to spend the entire Christmas day.
I'm taking a break today. It's Christmas, so I decided I would rest. My Etsy shop did far better than I ever imagined it would this holiday season! This is a VERY good thing! Apparently several people thought, "Well, I would like to buy __________ a present anyway...so why not buy something hand-made from a friend - where 10% goes to support an Adoption Fund?" (At least I'm thinking that's what they were thinking) I am refraining until Tuesday to start working to replenish my inventory. Almost everything sold (and the three things that still remain are of my "apprentice" line and not my best work yet). I have to wonder the expressions of those opening their gifts today. I hope they liked them at least a fraction as much as I enjoyed creating them.

I'm looking forward to creating more. I hope that it works out that I can sell at the Downtown Market. I always have that in my mind, but I know that God's plans are not my own and I hope that I just follow His plans and not my own ideas of what I'd like to see happen (which never works anyway).
This is a hand sewn bag made by a friend- re purposed from a
pair of her shorts that she made for me to hold a
gift.  She thinks the bag was just for fun, but I think
it totally makes a great bike handlebar accessory!
LOVE IT!!!






















Praying that the New Year looks bright and beautiful for all of my friends & loved ones.

What do you think?  And how did you spend your Christmas day???

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Brielle's Dance Recital

She is the dancer to the far Right.

Happy Holiday!

Well, I had all the good intentions. I did. But I really didn't think it was worth it to feel stressed out to complete my ideal "goals." Kinda sucks the holiday joy right out from under ya. So, I just had to release my good intentions because time & space would not allow for everything. Today, I should have been done wrapping gifts and on my way to Baking, Baking, Baking. Packaging little goodie treats tied with a ribbon and decorated with hand-picked painted pine cones - to hang on my neighbors' doorknobs.
Yeah.
Probably not happening today.
I really wanted to take my teens (via the city bus) to the mall. Not to shop. (Good grief, no!) But for other reasons I can't explain. Reasons that make sense to me.
It's 8:21am and no one has stirred yet. We were up late last night at the basketball game.
The toasted pecans.
Maybe I can get home in time to toast the pecans.
That would be something.
I haven't wrapped a single present to place under the tree.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Jump for JOY!
Enjoy the Holiday Season!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Attempting Earrings

 The weather was unseasonable warm (70's) today, so I took my kits and beads outside and tried my hands at making earrings.  I don't wear earrings much, so this was new for me, but fortunately my neighbor was visiting over and she DOES wear earrings and was able to give me some advice and confirmation.  (Note:  I will always take advice and suggestions, as everyone has different preferences of what they actually like.)  Here are pictures of the final results which are also available on my Etsy shop.


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

It is the middle of November friends!!!

Today is November 15th. Half way through November already!?!
I’m sure there are things I’d hoped to have done by this time in the year. Some pop into my mind…others I try to give rest.
But I am reminded by a Gentle Voice… “and those things were?”
<sheepish grin>

Not shopping.
Not worrying.
Not cleaning.
Not stressing.
Not forcing.
Not over planning.
Not over indulging.
Not pushing.
Not clinging.
Not resisting.

Rather…loving on those around me.
Listening instead of talking.
Hearing instead of answering.
Praying instead of solving.
Hoping.
Breathing.
Caring.
Appreciating.
Writing.
Creating.
Enjoying.
Singing.
Dancing.
Relaxing.
And sharing it all.Sometimes I don’t feel like I have much to share with those around me. Perhaps that is because I spend more time in the things I ought “Not” do, rather than the things I should indeed do.
Thankfully, there is the still the rest of the year to give opportunity to the latter.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Creating in a beautiful place is far better!

More love for Lake Norfork and I included how I spent my time there in this one:
My Beautiful view to Create, Relax, & Enjoy

Working while out here was luxury and not work at all!

When I go to the beach I collect sea shells.  Apparently when I go to the Ozarks in the Fall I collect miniature pine cones.  I have some crafty ideas to do with these!  I'll share them with you, naturally ;)

My very favorite "most comfortable" flip flop broke on Day One...so I spent Day Two walking around on it anyway...quite the challenge considering the terrain.  When we left I decided that I'd get whatever shoe they had in my favorite store in Norfork, Arkansas: For Mother Earth.  Fortunately they had sandals crafted by a Hippie-style community village in lower Missouri.  Unfortunately they were costly (as they should be!) and I had a hard time coughing up the money...I cannot say that I have yet regretted it though!

 Rope Sandals:  yes, I can even run in them!
 
Camping with just hubby & me is very different than preparing food for all five of us.  I enjoy those times as well, but have to say this was extremely relaxing!


White sandy beach...I kept coming back...it was surreal!
I strung a few necklaces while out there - and I have to say I think they were the best I've made so far.  I don't know if it was the inspiring scenery or the natural light - giving me better opportunity to see what I was doing - but I was satisfied.  After going to "For Mother Earth" I found even more inspiration and created a necklace from the inspiration I felt there and I finally said, "okay, now this is clearly my signature on my art."  That felt good and it honestly surprised me!  So, I'm excited to share it with you.  I am noticing that there is this balance and these mini-seasons of Create/Prepare/Present.  I don't have time to do all at once.  So, bear with me as I've been creating...and thanks so much for supporting!!!!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Our Arksansas Oasis

Amazed that we were alone in this absolutely gorgeous place!
 
A wonderful view

Will was fishing while I was sitting on a large white boulder-rock stringing beads

Beautiful Sunset

Lake Norfork Sunset

Clear waters: one of the best things about Arkansas
 
Jordan bluffs all to ourselves

Sunrise

Our view to enjoy on our Oasis to ourselves
Our 16th Anniversary. 
Headed to Mtn. Home, AR to enjoy the beautiful area and let our children spend some time with their grandparents.
After researching Resorts and Cabins that we could stay in to get away for a night or two - we realized that the weather predictions were amazing.  So, we loaded up some of our camping gear and borrowed the rest from my parents. 
We headed out to Jordan, Arkansas, which we knew was closed for the season.  However, people can apparently camp there for free during closed season, though the water & electric are turned off.  Fortunately for us the toilets still had running water.  But that wasn't the best part.  The weather was AWESOME!  The views were amazing.  The solitude and quiet was beyond imaginable. 
During the summertime (I've been there a few times) the place is hopping with families: fishing, swimming, vacationing, partying, etc...  So, the grounds, trails, and bluffs were well worn... but we had it all to ourselves.  It felt like the best gift ever - and it was free!  I think we stayed in awe and amazement the entire two days & one night we were there.   LOVE!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Mountain View, Arkansas

I began Unearthed Roots for two main reasons:  to share with you my roots and to allow you to follow along in the journey I am taking to discover them.  My roots, meaning both my earthly ones and my heavenly ones...most often entertwining.  My love of creating is definetly in my roots, so that is the more dominant theme here usually (probably stronger on my mom's side).  There are also things I know come from God alone (like my love of writing, for example). 
Now, my dad's side of the family has roots that go way back and deep into the Arkansas hills.  I grew up listening to music being played by groups of family members.  I recall sitting on the floor many times as a child while they picked, fiddled, and sang away.  My favorite memory is when my Grandma cut the floor right there in her living room to the sounds of their playing.  She only did it once that I saw.  Most often everyone simply listened, appreciated & enjoyed the entertainment.  Growing up at the feet of those doing what they loved, in the foothills of the Ozarks, is a part of my heritage.  That's why you'll see in this post why I fell in love with this town and how it accomadates those wanting to share their gifts:

In a quaint little town right on the outskirts of the Ozark National Forest we encountered some of the most talented musicians I've ever heard!  
Gathering on the porches

 


I grew up only 35 something miles from Mtn. View (in Mountain Home) but I'd only been there a few times.  And never for a "pickin" night.  I'd have never appreciated it like I did last Saturday night.

In the distance you will see "the Mountain" which is long a wide.  You can tell where you are at in town by looking at it!
 
Dreaming:  Wouldn't it be fun to own (and repaint) this quaint Bed & Breakfast?
 It is TRUE wholesome country goodness.  Groups of musicians come from around the area and set up wherever they can (sometimes it's on the edge of a parking lot) and play their music.  Listeners can set their chairs up to listen or just walk around.  I noticed that a lot of people moved their chairs around to different music stations to hear a variety.  Sometimes the musicians rotated.  There were dulcimers being played and other varieties of musical instruments that you don't usually see.
Lining up the streets


I wish that everyone had a chance to experience the atmosphere and talent in Mountain View, AR!  You might be  surprised at how enjoyable it would absolutely be! 

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Our Road Trip to Arkansas

Because I want to remember our family road trips together.
Mountain Home High School Band Halftime Performance:  Incredible.

Blanchard Springs Caverns







After Lunch we walked to the creek to explore.  Weather was perfect, water clear (of course), so fun was had by all!
Throwing the football around every chance they had.

This picture just makes me laugh and shows how we truly are!

Loved to see them exploring and having fun together

I couldn't make them leave
I really wanted to head to the Ozark Folk Center next...but how could I ask them to leave?  They were enjoying themselves so much, that it just didn't seem right to ask them to do what "I" really wanted to do.  They would have liked the Center too...but I guess we will save it for our next trip.  We did get to go on a Ropes Challenge at Loco Ropes and it was challenging!  Mom has all of those pictures though.  I'll post them when I get them, which won't be soon--because she is keeping all of my three favorite children right now!  Ha!  Oh yeah, I better get back to work!  Amazing what one can get done with less people around.  I'll appreciate it now, but I'm already looking forward to their return!

Overwhelmed with a preschooler? Create Play-Dough

 A few weeks ago I was exhausted.  Not physically, but emotionally.  I'm not blaming this entirely on my three-year-old little Cutie, but I will say that my word limit had been reached (both speaking and listening) by probably 10am...and all I could think was "we have the rest of the day to go..."
Near tears, (not joking) with a strong desire to clean something, I sat down and put my head in my hands. 
What to do.
Got up to put dishes away and invited Cutie to help.  We were putting the roller away and she asked, "can we use this and make bread?"
Great idea!  But instead of bread I pulled out an oooooooooooold recipe from a cookbook I've had for many years and we cooked the Play-Dough together and Wah-Lah!  TWO HOURS she played with this stuff!  NO JOKE.  We have an idea to make them for all of the party attenders for her birthday party next month...if we are so motivated.


In more business-related news...here is my table at my first Expo Event.  I've never done a craft fair or anything...so this was brand-brand new.  I wasn't sure how it would go, but I just wanted to show interested people about the ways that I recycle things to make my own art designs for usable purposes.  I actually loved sharing and talking to everyone who stopped by my table.  Because I loved it and can see myself doing something similar in the future, I may look into opportunities to attend more craft fairs and the Downtown Market.  No one was really interested in the Video Productions...but I may be a little ahead of my time on that.  It's too bad, because I think families (and future generations) would appreciate such video preservation.  Oh well, more time to create for me!


So, a few more pictures of our recent Fall happenings:
Can you find her?


A trip to the Country Pantry & Sam's for some Fall Treats!
Why she's a Cutie.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Seeing Fall


A few weeks ago at L&N Train Station
It's beautiful outside.  I love this time of year...maybe because I know that it's such a short season- the leaves turn such beautiful colors then fall.  Happens every year.  This is our first year watching the seasons change while using public transportation...and let me tell you it has been eye-opening!  The colors are amazing, just to ride and watch the view, I love it!  This year I've noticed more flowers than I've ever noticed before.  I had no idea how bright Fall flowers can be!  So many people have them in their yards - and there are a lot of wildflowers in the Fall - bright and glorious!  I've been showing Brielle on our bus journeys and she is paying more attention  too.  We ooooh  and aaaaah over the leaves that are actually falling...it's like poetry in motion...to use my favorite description.
Now there are a lot of reasons I like to take public transportation.  But I never cease to be surprised at the new ones!  Yesterday, we were taking the bus home, and a blind man (with his seeing-eye-dog) boarded the bus.  He didn't even know for sure if he was getting on the right bus, but turned out not to matter which one he got on, because they'd all eventually go to the Transit Center, where he'd be getting on the bus he would need to get to the opposite side of town.  I calculated it would take him at least ninety minutes to get there from that point.  Wow.  He felt all around him, so as not to sit on someone or something, I'm sure.  Then he sat down, the dog laid down, and Brielle started asking questions about why a dog would be allowed on the bus.  Seemed like a great opportunity to explain to her about the uniqueness of this guy and his dog. 
When her curiosity settled, I began to relax and look out at the scenery, and back to this man, who was clearly in his fifties, with long gray hair pulled back with a band, hat on, weather-tanned skin, rough face, and seemingly content in his blind world.  He would occasionally reach down and make sure the dog was out of the way of the isle.  Once he put his wrist to his ear to "hear" the time (I assumed).  But mostly he just sat there and looked straight forward, like a blind person probably would, listening to all of the sounds around him. 
I thought to myself two main things:
1) Wow, do we take so much for granted.
2) I bet he has a load of wisdom to share and stories to tell.
I looked around at the Fall colors and thought....how much do I take for granted Every. Single. Day?
How could it be different?  How could we live fully engaged and thankful- Truly Thankful- for each moment and gift?
Ironically, observing the blind guy --- helped me to see.



Tyler on an Exploration at Rotary Park last month