memorial day greetings

Memorial Day means many things on the calendar. For many it’s a day off of work, time with friends and family, and maybe even a weekend camping trip. But I want to remember its original intent, and that is to memorialize those who have fallen for the sake of our country. We have family members who served and gave their all. As well as many involved in the military that went on to live productive lives, yet are no longer with us. It’s a day to remember those and cherish the memories they give to us.

A few ideas for celebrating the day::

Send a card to someone in the military
Fly the U.S. flag
Bbq with friends and family
Try a new summer food or drink recipe
Tell a story of a loved one for your family album
Lay flowers or a wreath on the grave of a veteran
Be thankful for your freedoms
And most importantly, thank a veteran.

May this day find a special remembrance for you.

~j

a few sneaks

WIP's gallery goes live next week.
On the first to be exact.
Here are a few sneaks for you.

As one can observe, it was an eclectic kit. It went several ways for me, which made for an extra challenge.

Watch next week for the full reveal.

Enjoy your weekend!

~j

birthday red

i'm certainly not amy atlas, but it was fun to put together a little table of red for my mom's birthday dinner as inspired by amy's fabulous manhattan ways.

red plates and cups. dipped pretzels. red carnations (her favorite flower), strawberry dessert. these made for a few favorite red things.

with our large family, one must have labled cups for all the guests. found the labels here on etsy.
printed them onto sticker paper, and trimmed them out. tada!

with great anticipation the cake was lit, and the celebration continued. the fun for me was hosting and creating the menu and table, and blessing my mom for the evening.

~j

a few favorites

katie fenwick::etsy

Today's post is much of what I posted yesterday at Work In Progress. (Have you seen Trish's fancy new blog...adorably fun and sunny!) Snooping around etsy I discovered a few sweet finds just itching to be used for Memorial Day, as well as July4th. The above card is simple and sweet.

cdkane's59shop::etsy

Why I am a sucker for these paper straws (get it...sucker?) is a wonder. But they are just adorable. Wished I would of snagged some for my Mom's bday party tomorrow.

candace's closet::etsy

The cotton coasters were just sweet. Don't you think? Simple americana.

funquichic's shop::etsy

Ah! My favorite for last. Do you not just love a star glittered burlap banner? I think I need to give this a try. I really think this is great.

Hope you enjoyed the inspiration.

~j

i'm back

road trip to the grand canyon has come....

and gone.


mr. pate just could not take it in enough. he loved this adventure so much. it is most definitely a must see destination. i could not recommend it enough.

media boy. either camera, video camera, or binoculars were always in hand.

she was not so much about the heights of our views. this face says it all. (cracks me up!)

3 states. 5 days. 3 national parks. 2000 miles. many smiles.

~j

saying hi!

i am so blessed.

this past week was spent at the grand canyon and in surrounding national monuments and parks. gorgeous. gorgeous. gorgeous. we were so blessed to go see all that beauty.

back home for a laundry stop. and today off to the land of oz for a sort of family reunion. another blessing of living where we live these days...great opportunity to go and visit cousins, aunts and uncles. praying my kids will one day appreciate all these chances to be with such sweet family.

be back next week!!!

is it possible...

1. …that May is half way over? It’s the December of spring, I am thinking. With concerts, and ceremonies, and teachers gifts and the like…it’s one event after another that one is never totally prepared for. Sort of like Christmas.

2. …that the little mr. is within 3 months of his due date? That I had many good intentions to document and journal this pregnancy so much better than I am currently doing, and yet it is coming to its end?

3. …that I am starting another term at Work In Progress? And that Trish has put together another amazing team of talent and craft? While I am not that in the know of Debbi Tehrani, I have seen Jing-Jing here and there and often in CK Magazine. She is amazingly talented and will bring so much inspiration and motivation to the team. Welcome ladies!

4. …that this guy here is graduating from 8th grade?




5. …and he is finding a love for the theatre and becoming such his own man that I am amazed daily? Truly!

6. …that I have not seen the sun for 3 days…oh I sure hope today it finds it’s face.

7. …that I was a winner this week over at Becky Novacek’s blog? She is an amazing woman of many talents and insights. I find her blog so very refreshing and as well as motivating. She is one of those photographers that make me say “I hope I can be like her when I grow up”. She has been working with ella publishing and just put out a cooperative book of portrait photography. She offered the e-book on her blog in a drawing…and she picked moi! Yeah me!

8. …that our family spring vacation is upon us and the house is brimming with excitement about heading to the Grand Canyon tomorrow!!! So thankful that it is just a day drive away. We all love road trips. The girlies have been collecting audio books, and crafts and games to do in the car. And today we wrap it up with actually getting packed up. I am sure we are all simply going to be amazed by this time together and the things we will see.

9. …that my time in studio has been so limited…but when I get a bit of quiet time I am so happy to create and write and organize….will leave you with what was accomplished this week….




o.k...there is another layout...but it has gone missing...will post later...

have a fabulous weekend!
-j

some lovely oreos

made a bunch of these for appreciation gifts
for some leaders in my kiddos lives.
easy-peasey...
yummy...
and always appreciated.
because an oreo only needs more chocolate, right?
right.

enjoy your day!
-j

do you ever...

have one of those days...
um weeks, where you just can't get caught up.
can't get in a groove?
all the while i sit here and blog a bit.
i mean it's about what's important, right?
well...i am having one of those days, i mean weeks...
something is always a mess...
or waiting for me to be finished...
or in progress...?
but nothing is complete.

i am determined today to get something actually and officially checked off my list. (this may very well require a starbucks run you know.)

but first...
the rest of my gallery uploads for WIP...
this was one of those kits i just did not get enough time to work with...
Trish's May kit is worthy of so much more.

but for now...here's this::

o.k...now back to my tasks at hands...no, really.

-j

hello may.

may's wip gallery is up.

gorgeous work to be found in there.

here is one of my items.

made several of these memo books for teacher gifts.
they were well received.

i promise...

more later...

it's a busy, busy day!

-j