Mustard Seeds

Some bloginess...

Okay, the only way to really categorize this post is to say that  it's all about the blog....

You may have noticed a few changes to the site.

• New banner (thanks, Erin for the pics.)
• New buttons. Check out these free blog gadgets at Just Something I Made.
• New links on my Sites I Frequent page. I've added several new links on this page. These are all the blogs I subscribe to and really, really enjoy.

Also, a dear friend nominated me for Awesomest Blogs 2009 in the category of "parenting blog." Cool! You can vote on Monday, May 11th, from 12:01 am to 10:30pm at this site.

And...my friend Tiffany gave me this sweet little encouragement:

The Lovely Award says the following: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.

I am to deliver this award to other bloggers who can pass on the award to other lovely blogs. So I am happy to give the Lovely Award to a few of the lovely friends I've made through blogging:

• Kimberly
• Angie
• Meredith
• Rachel
• Joanne

Be sure to check out these great blogs.

Some strange weather.

I am yearning for some snow and some COLD weather and snow. This is, afterall, February. Anne redeemed a Christmas gift card for a few new books the other day. I helped her select this book. It was one of my favorites growing up. I checked it out from the library anytime it was available. It's now one of Anne's favorites, too.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is the story of the town of Chewandswallow, which doesn't have typical weather. They have food weather. They eat whatever the clouds serve up. It is a deliciously funny book.

To celebrate the new book, I made gigantic pancakes.

I also dug this out of the basement. In the fifth grade, my teacher read us the book and then we had to come up with our own food-town story. This was mine....

 

I laughed when I read the dedication, "To my fifth grade teacher Terri Blackley and my best friend Reem Handosh." By the third grade, I had determined myself to become a children's author, so I was already well-versed in the all-important dedication at the beginning of a book. (Becoming a children's book author is still a very-real dream and one I am working on right now as hinted at here.)

Anyway, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a must-read and it would be fun to read it not only while eating over-sized pancakes, but also spaghetti and meatballs...

A new blog home

Mustard Seeds has a new home. Welcome home, blog!

When I began blogging March, my main purpose was to update friends and family on our life and post pictures of the kids so those faraway could watch them grow. Along the way, I discovered new reasons to blog: friendship, sharing of ideas, regular reflection on my life, encouraging others on their own journey... I found that you commented most on posts that presented crafty ideas for kids and my reflections on faith. So after much praying, brainstorming and dreaming, I decided to take the plunge and create a more purposeful blog--one that combines my love of crafting, writing, motherhood and faith. You can read more about "Mustard Seeds" here.

I hope to include more tutorials and activities to do with your children, more tips and links for moms and lots of free giveaways. I am also very excited about my new bookshop. (Read about it here and shop here.)  By the first of the year, I hope to add some more features, including a shop where I'll sell some of my homemade goods.

I think this calls for a GIVEAWAY. So explore the new site and tell me what you like the best and/or what you'd like to see. All comments between now and Nov. 7 will be entered to win these felted acorns. All you "blog lurkers" out there (I am talking to you Kay F.), this is your chance to leave your first comment.

P.S. I have imported all my old posts from my old blog, but I've got to assign categories labels to them. So, I'll be working through the list of 100-plus posts over the next week or so. Then, you'll be able to search for former posts using the category listing in the sidebar. Thanks for being patient.

Short blogging break

Sorry my posts have been a little lacking lately. I'm finally ready to tell you why...I'm getting ready to launch a more extensive blog for Christian moms...There, I said it. I'm committed. Part of my mountain "retreating," which will continue throughout the month was to get away and do the work required to build a beautiful, informative and fun site. There will be tutorials, lots of resource links, giveaways, etc. I'll post as soon as it's up and running. Meanwhile, I'm signing off for the next week or so to focus on the new blog. I'll be back soon, friends!

Best laid plans

So, I have been planning to blog....the best laid plans, huh?! I've been busy walking, sewing (more pillowcase dresses to be posted soon), swimming, and spending time with family. Everyday, I think, "I am going to blog about this tonight." I've even taken pictures for the blog that I can't manage to post...The days have been good, but full, and I find myself falling into bed at night. All this to say that I will be blogging on a more regular basis soon! I have several posts already written in my head and later this week--I promise--I will post some of them... Hope you are all enjoying the last month of summer.