The Story of the Chipped Mug

 

Last year, I wrote a post about my Mom's chipped coffee mug. She drank out of this chipped mug every day.

Years ago, when we were still attending stamp camp's together, our friend Gloria gave us these mugs as a gift. Last summer, I found mine and gave it to my Mom, thinking it would be a good replacement for her favorite chipped mug. I even made her the perfect card to go with it.

Well, guess what. Mom still preferred to drink out of her chipped mug.

Every morning, she would make her coffee in that mug, bring it to her corner chair by the window, and drink coffee while reading from her Bible, doing her devotions, and saying her prayers.

I think that mug had some deep theological meaning for Mom. Every morning, she brought her chipped mug to the Lord as if to say "Heavenly Father, I know that I have chips and imperfections, like this mug. But I also know that I have value and worth in you, and that I am loved by you."

I now have both mugs in my home. I'm using the chipped mug at my desk to hold my pretty pens, pencils and highlighters. And I'm using the non-chipped mug to drink from whenever I miss a hug from Mom. 

By the way, that ginormous Bible in the photo? That was Mom's. It was part Bible, part journal, part scrapbook. It has so many notes and thoughts from her scribbled in the margins. What a lovely memento. I plan on reading it in its entirety this year.

The mug matters. You don't have to trust the science. You just have to trust the Lord.

'Shroom Season

 

I made a card today that was inspired by my morning walks. I think the combination of cooler evening temps, sunny afternoons, and occasional rains have made it the perfect recipe for fungi. I'm seeing 'shrooms everywhere.

So I pulled out Ringed With Nature stamps and Forest Friends papers from Stampin' Up and made this card today. Also used the wood slice die from The Greetery, along with a sprig die from CP and a berry die from Hello Bluebird...for those of you keeping track of such things. :)

Thanks for popping in today!

Smarty Pants? Fancy Pants? Quitty pants!

 

It's Monday, and Monday deserves a fun card post.

I received this card from my friend, Marilyn a few weeks back...and I love it so much!

It's an easel card that allows you to prop up with one sentiment...

...or maybe multiple funny sentiments!

Isn't this fun? And I LOVE that image and how she colored this one. So sweet!

Here's a view of the backside:

I have this card propped on my desk. This hen really speaks to me, especially at the beginning of the work week.

After 25 years working for a publisher, I quit this summer...and it was such a good decision! First of all, the pay was terrible. Insulting, even. And I realized that I could write two or three articles for a magazine and make more money than if I wrote ten to twelve articles for my longtime publisher. And the assignments were just no longer inspiring me. The pressure to schedule interviews, fill my calendar, meet deadlines. It was all too much.

I'm taking this time to be choosy about writing assignments. And now I'm using this space on my calendar to pursue things that bring me joy. Playing music with preschoolers. Jamming with my dulcimer friends. Reading good books and visiting my library.

Mondays feel so much different now. Lighter. Full of possibilities. 

I think I will bike to the library this morning, return a book and enjoy the swirling autumn leaves.

An Advent Unboxing from The Daily Grace

 

Last year, I ordered some products from a new-to-me online store called The Daily Grace. I think I ordered some pens, some highlighters, bible tabs, and a lovely mug that says "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". 

The products were really nice, and many sell out soon after the Advent product release.

So when I saw a new Advent collection recently, I decided to place my order now. It's hard to believe it, but Advent will begin in just seven weeks.

I thought I'd share with you what I received with my order.

An Advent study, along with a journal, pens and a daily devotional that I can keep on the table and flip over to read each day.

I thought that this would pair nicely with this Advent wreath. I like how the wreath has an inscription for each candle that week.

Did I need coffee mugs? No. But did I want them? Yes! They are so pretty!

I also received a free tote bag when I placed my order. This one makes me think of my sister Tina, who loved the song "O Holy Night". 

You can see all the products at thedailygrace.com, and they offer good deals on bundles, too.

Blessings on your Sunday, cafe friends!

Christmas Robins

 

Robins are the state bird of Michigan, chosen because of their spring migration that brings them back to the state from warmers climes. So you probably wouldn't associate robins with winter and Christmas (even though many robins end up staying here during mild winters).

However, in the UK robins seem to appear in Christmas decor. I'm sure the British robin is different than the American Robin, but it's still fun to see them pop up in an unexpected way.

I made some cards with CP's Birds and Boughs that feature the robins.

Both cards use the Round of Merry, but this one uses the outer ring die.

And this one uses the inner ring die.

Simple and sweet, the way Christmas should be.

Happy Friday, cafe friends!

A Fun Start to October

 

October has been a beautiful month here. Big blue skies, warm golden sun, and the changing leaves and farm fields. Lovely.

We've been getting out as much as possible.

We celebrated our anniversary this week! And look at this amazing bouquet my husband gave me! Stunning!

We spent the afternoon at the Toledo Zoo, admiring their fall displays, visiting the new baby giraffe, and enjoying some really active animals.

We found a new cafe last weekend, and it was so good!

I had my first Music with Miss Mary session at the preschool, and it was so much fun! The children were so sweet, and it was great to see my old teaching buddies again!

And what more can I say about autumn in the garden? It fills my heart with joy.

Jemma loves these days, too. She spends a lot of time soaking up the warm afternoon sun.

 And when she gets too warm, she takes a nap in the shade.

God is good!

Hope your days are golden.

Christmas Cardinals

 

Did you do anything special for World Cardmaking Day?

I made a few Christmas cards, playing with these new stamps and dies from Catherine Pooler. I combined Birds and Boughs with Pinecone and Pine dies and some older CP papers.

For this card, I added the Round of Merry die as a focal frame.

I liked the larger size of the pinecone, ribbon and pine branch with this new die set. 

Christmas is creeping in to the stores now. Have you seen any new themes?

Framed seasonal art seems to be everywhere. Not sure how I feel about framed art that I'd need to store for the other 11 months of the year.

My storage is getting pretty full! Continuing to find homes for my Mom's many treasures.