Morning Rounds on the Farm

:December:

dogs waiting at the door
cats running last minute through
down the stairs we go
 air so thick and cold
grass so crunchy and white

hear the steer calling?
see the horse come running?
out flings the hay and alfalfa...
love the smell
love ...    the  ...   smell


chip
chip
chip
breaking through the ice on the water trough
gurgle
gurgle
gurgle comes the freed water

here come the dogs again
back up the stairs we go
the warmth envelops us
we are home

Year's End & New Beginnings

I find myself reflecting about this past year now as we approach the new one in a few days. I think about how so much has happened, but then I think that so much happens every year. So what makes this past year any different than the others? I think it has to do with the fact of moving into areas of uncertainty...

We moved from the home we knew for 18 years. When divorce came (4 years ago) and everything changed; the way I viewed myself, my aspirations and a lot more. When I moved out of the home that I was so familiar with I felt vulnerable for sure, but I was also given a view of hope and change. I don't mean for this to get sappy. What I am trying to say is that this past year has been filled with introspection...lots of introspection of what makes me tick and why. AND is that particular thing that makes me tick good for me or should it get tossed out?

reinvention or realization of new hopes at 40...I know I am not the only one who this resonates with :o)
New home (in the country finally), kids happy and healthy, another degree for me to work on towards helping others who are walking through the same type of hardships that I have known, new friends and old too...

dreaming of changes to personalize this home we are in...living in memories of a married couple that lived here for many years before my family that I will always cherish all the while needing to make this space ours. busy...live is so busy for everyone! Will I choose to endure or will I celebrate every day this life that God has given me? And how is that done in the midst of the bad days? these are all so good to think about...

Today::
I drink coffee with my girl Aliss, message with my sister in law in Canada and my mother in Alaska
We will go to piano and voice lessons and get groceries
We will cook and eat beside each other and I will be so happy and thankful

Hoping your day is filled with many good things!
xo
Lori

Homey Christmas

As Christmas Season started this year  my family found ourselves in the midst of the sickies that lasted in one form or another for 3 weeks. In the past we had made an advent Christmas chain that had a handwritten family activity on each link that led to a star at the top with Jesus written on it. This year proved to be a whole different sort of Christmas for us altogether. We spent much more time at home and at first I was disappointed, then I began to enjoy this time at home with my family. There are so many activities at Christmas everywhere and I do enjoy them, but I sure enjoyed my slow relaxed time with my family.

We made some ornaments, graham cracker gingerbread-type houses, lots of coffee with whipped cream and sprinkles, Christmas movies from the special basket, tree searching, yummy meal without all of the stress. There were so many handmade gifts from my children I couldn't contain the emotion and teared up during the unwrapping.

I will show you my most wonderful handmade gifts from my children this week. xo

This week there are a few doctor appointments (i have had some health issues), but for the most part things are still peaceful and S-L-O-W on the homefront...I likey!

We are finally getting those boxes that are still here and there from when we moved here a year ago taken care of. Puttering around, watching movies with home popped corn, petting the new horse, feeding and walking the house critters and outdoor critters too. Trying to fix a slow drain in the bathroom sink myself too. phew!...we will see.

For the most part sticking as close to home and cherishing the peacefulness as much as I can before we start homeschooling again and my quarter with college starts back up again too.

Hoping your week is a slow one too!
xo

Merry Christmas

Stopping in here  for a minute before I get fully into sewing and crafting the last minute Mama Gifts for my babies. I will be back here on Monday and look forward to hearing about your Christmas'. This is a different Christmas for us in many ways this year. Last year we were in this home for Christmas, but it was a hurried time for us. This year we are settled in a bit more and have been able to enjoy it more. Still figuring out what goes where... Finding our way together.

I thought this photo of Sophie with T-Bone was so sweet and totally expressed what my wishes are for you this Christmas.

That you would experience tenderness and love with those around you whoever they may be.

Much love from The Barre's on Melbourne Road

 Lori

Tessa

Aliss

Zackery

Hannah 

Sophie

xo

This Moment ::Snuggling by the fire

{ This Moment } 

A Friday ritual. 

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. 

A simple, special, extraordinary moment. 

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

 Mama and Sophie snuggling in front of the first fire in our fireplace in our new home.

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To enjoy more "This Moments" head over to SouleMama.

Handmade Christmas Tags

 I used to fold over the gift wrap and write inside of it for gift tags. Last year I had a few extra seconds while wrapping and started having fun! If you want your shapes to be the same on both sides fold it in half and cut it (like you do for a heart shape)

I really love to see the gifts all together with the fun shapes on them

Christmas Tree

Christmas Ornament

Christmas Love

Christmas Bell

Christmas Star

 Christmas Snow

 I seen some serious paper snowflakes on the window of the music shop where Aliss and Sophie take lessons...amazing!

You really can put any shape on the gift and add markers to it
xo

family crafting time

 When we moved into this house it was filled with a lifetime of furniture from the owner who needed to go into longterm care. 

One thing was a buffet that found a new home recently. 

While cleaning out the drawers I found a baggie filled with treasures.

I put them away for just the right time...that time was tonight

 In the midst of a very busy season I love it when we can find something like this to do that draws loved ones together and causes the clock to slow down (at least for a little while)

the girls made some beautiful ornaments that will be cherished for years to come

Mary Poppins Bag in golden yellow geranium

Found a fun resource over at CraftCult to look up Treasuries that have lissilulu products in them :o)

Girls Day Out

 My girls and I felt the urge to get out of dodge a few days ago....that and I had to turn in my final portfolio on campus for Fall Quarter.

 We started out by doing just that. 

I love the campus at Evergreen State. So much art incorporated into architecture.

Who says buildings have to be boring?

 Then we headed off for a little nibble over at Applebee's. Courtesy of a gift card my mom and step dad gave me for graduating with my AAS this past June....we loved it there. Snacked on chicken strips and fries...enough to sustain us while we headed out to Starbucks.

Sophie and Hannah got hot apple cider with whipped cream and caramel sauce on top. 

Mmmmmmm.

I got my favorite-Cinnamon Dulce Leche with Extra Caramel Please :o)

I think Tessa and Aliss got the same, but I couldn't be sure of it because as soon as I took my first sip I went to my happy place.

 :: unrelated ::

found this photo on my camera that Tessa snapped...I love it

 people think that cats like to lay on everything...

I was assembling all of my fabrics and trims to make the Gingerbread Aprons for the kids and turned my back for one second....the humanity!

xo

This Moment :: farm work

{ This Moment } 

A Friday ritual. 

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. 

A simple, special, extraordinary moment. 

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Aliss -- Moments after shoveling out the stall for the steer...she really didn't use a rake. :o)

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More moments over at SouleMama

Sponsorship

There is a great new way to advertise on the web... sponsor spots on personal blogs that attract the audience you are targeting.

I love this concept!

The sponsor button sends customers to you and helps me to support my family at the same time...twice the blessings!

As Melbourne Road grows 

(judging by stats it is quickly-thank you for visiting!) 

I am offering Sponsorship button down my sidebar on the front page. 

This will include a bio spot in the sponsor button at the top of the blog with link to you and a periodic give-away and introduction to your business in a weekend post. 

email for more info

lissilulu@gmail.com

Gingerbread Aprons

Now that I am climbing out of the sickie hole and the tree is chosen and decorated (photos soon!) 

I have Gingerbread Aprons on my mind for my kiddos...

aprons they can wear year after year while making cookies 

for us and friends/extended family too 

I had aprons already made for them, but now they look like the older 3 kids are giants in them ;o)

They are going to be very similar to this bag I made a couple of years ago for my shop

 

 I LOVE the brown fabric accented in green, white and red!

It really reminds me of a Gingerbread girl or boy

xo

Are you working on any projects for loved ones?

changes of scenery around here

Who would have thunk that working on a blog while sick would be good therapy?

I added buttons to the header and am still playing with them. 

The shop one is done and I think the critters one is done...

I think.

My girl Tessa from Crazy Milkshake loves clothes

was so creative and adjusted the shading on my banner 
AND added all of the viney stuff around the edges one at a time.
thank you Tessa~ love you!

You know what tickles me?
checking in here and 
seeing my list of followers expanding each week 

(its on the sidebar to the right if you would like to follow too)

I have been meeting some new friends here and am thankful for that. the blogging community is so full of kind and creative people.

When you comment it makes my day! :o)

I hope all is going well for you in the midst of the Christmas Season!

xo
 

under the weather

Need lots of this today...heading back to bed. 

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL day

xo

Weekend :: Yummy Treats

 This past couple of weeks have been filled with caring for sick kids. We were supposed to make our Advent Chain and start doing the fun stuff on it...supposed to is the word to focus on in that sentence.

Soooo..

what's a mama to do when one of her children isn't sick like the rest and still wants to do something fun?

Make the frosting 

and get out the fixins' for a mini gingerbread house for her 

-LOVE-

 Tessa made us some Puppy chow

 We attended the Annual Victorian Tea

(a girlfriend and I started this 15 years ago and another gifted girlfriend took charge of it in it's second year and it has turned out BEAUTIFUL)

 Have you started any festivities yet?

Joy

  I had to share this with you. 

Over on Facebook we just finished doing a month's worth of "thankfulness" status updates. Now we are entering a season of JOY.

Truth be told..I try to be aware of both of these emotions daily.

there are some days however that are a little more difficult than others and that's why I wanted to share this from Brene' Brown

she penned my feelings perfectly...

joyful moments...
xo

Giveaway :: Hair accessory by Pixel & Hank

Oh what a cute giveaway have I found!!

Head over to Bow Ties and Bliss to enter for a chance to win a

choice of the Norah, Quinn or Sam hair accessory by Pixel & Hank. 

Bow Ties and Bliss 

will close this giveaway on Thursday, December 9th 

and 

will announce the winner on 

Friday, December 10th. 

Good luck!!

xo

Lori

This moment :: healthy children

{ This Moment } 

A Friday ritual. 

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. 

A simple, special, extraordinary moment. 

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Sophie has been sick with a fever for the past several days.

This is a self portrait that she took on Thanksgiving..

so good for my heart to see her healthy

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more this moments over at SouleMama

inspiration

 I have been perusing shops for inspiration to make gifts for my family. Found some really cute stuff and thought possibly you would like to see too

xo

love this as a long shirt for Hannah and Sophie by dressme

 

 

   dresses that look like Christmas cookies and pants with velvet cuffs 

twomonkeydesigns

there is creative inspiration and then there is inspiration that causes a persons heart to swell.

a good friend of mine is adopting these two little cuties and her teen daughter is crocheting these adorable hats to help raise money toward that adoption--

LOVE

order your hat at her shop HatsofHope