Saturday, November 13, 2010

Goodness


I bought myself a friend. Her name is Wildflower Annie. I bought her on Etsy, at The Button Patch. Dear Marlene sent her from her crafty home in Honolulu! Aren't the Etsy sellers so personal, so kind? I have purchased just three things from Etsy shops: a knitted baby bonnet from my friend Tina in Scotland, a bird silk screen from my friend Kerri in New Zealand, and now Annie from Hawaii, made by Marlene. I love shopping in this very fresh, very real way.

Isn't she precious? I ADORE her and I really needed a dolly to smile at me. I hope Marlene doesn't mind that I'm changing her name to Florence.

Look what Marlene put in the box as an extra! I am going to apply a pin and wear this cutie as a brooch.

Hawaiians are VERY sweet, so hospitable!

Many weeks ago, Kelli called a family friend who had just moved into a loft downtown and asked about this table she had admired. Our friend wasn't using it in her new home so Kelli asked if she could buy it. Our friend said, "You can have it!" Wow! Well, Kelli didn't realize how much space it would take and until she can find a safe place in her house, it's going to park here for a while. Lucky me! Isn't it cute?






Oh my goodness, I have been in booky heaven lately. I found this book by accident as I browsed around Amazon reading reviews and recommendations. It's self published. It features a "way of thinking" that I am VERY attracted to. It's a philosophical take on the concept of home. Written in workbook form, the author leads the reader into the interior of one's own interpretation of home, what it means and what it reveals.

I judge books by their covers. I do. The cover drew me in and reminded me of this picture Jeff took in Belarus last year. Can you believe the match? Oh, there are no accidents. The Creator of the universe orchestrates even my little intellectual wanderings. He loves me so much, attends to my leanings.






Gretchen Joanna wrote about this book on her blog, Gladsome Lights. Her review intrigued me and I found a copy from a used book store on Amazon. Can't wait to read it aloud to myself when I have the perfect moment in time to do so.


Yesterday between parent/teacher conferences, I visited the book fair. FUN!




Melanie over at Cosy Living told me about this book. WHAT a delight. I like the pictures because they are very personal. I wish Kirstie was on television here. I must admit, I really don't know what's on television here.








I thought you might like to see Bat Grandma.



Finally, a glimpse of November night. The clouds were stunningly pink yesterday evening. Isn't it humbling the way we stick to this earth thanks to gravity and we don't go flying all over into outer space where we couldn't settle in with one another or even find each other? We walk this earthy ground with a stunning backdrop of month by month loveliness.


Somehow, I want to bless my students with the Spirit of the holiday season. It may be a chocolate kiss placed on their desks when they walk into the classroom, a special note of affirmation, the smell of cinnamon, the ring of a holiday bell - small reminders of love and warmth. I want to bless them because my Redeemer blesses Me with a family that cherishes me and desires my company. Thankfulness feels good.



Thank you for popping by today, looking at my pictures, and considering my ideas and thoughts for a moment. I like our connection. I like you.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I havent tried buying off etsy.. I must try!!

But I love love that table.. yes.. you are very lucky!!

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!

Elizabethd said...

What an eclectic selection of books....just like mine!
We watch Kirsty regularly. this is her second TV series...but sometimes I think that she gets a bit overexcited about sewing four bits of fabric together!

Gumbo Lily said...

BatGram! You are amazing!!! I'm sure you could save the world from evil, one chocolate kiss at a time.

Kelli's table looks very fun -- reminds me of a Mary Engelbreit design.

Love the books you're browsing.

Oh, and the rag dollie-- she's adorable. Your Etsy Seller is very generous indeed. I only just bought something recently from an Etsy businesswoman -- the round beads I need for my Wee Folk heads. I could've bought them already painted too. That's exciting to me! Amazing people over there.

Have a happy Saturday.

Jody

Angela said...

We have bats in our garden on summer evenings - but none are quite as much fun as you, pomPom!

I watch Kirsty too - but she is a bit of a cheat on the programmes - she STARTS a project, knits a few rows/stitchs a seam or two/whatever - then gets the expert to finish it off for her. And as Elizabethd says- she gets over excited about the most trivial things!

But on a cold winter's evening, it is fun to have a tv programme like that!

many blessings, batty friend!!!

magsmcc said...

Yay!, Batgran! I love her, and her books, and her heart, and her dolly. Kirstie's great on telly- you'd adore it! Stripes and sponge cake coming soon to a blog near you....

libbyquilter said...

love the dolly and i have had similar fabulous experiences within the world of Etsy. a great place to shop~!

the table is wonderfully fun . . . i think a friend of mine may have a similar one by the same artist . . .

i may have to do a google search for both of these books.

wishing you a warm and wonderful weekend Pom Pom~!

:-)
libbyQ

Elderberry-Rob said...

The book looks interesting - I have been surprised over the years to visit peoples' homes in various places, where I live, on holiday abroad, etc., and find that regardless of the decor, a happy home smiles at you and as you walk in it smells and feels homely beyond doubt! Shame we have to be old to be wise, eh! all those years of wanting 'stuff' when what is needed is a good spirit. Kelly's table is just delightful, it needs a big bowl of lemons!

Kelli said...

I love that Ann! What a fun little gift for yourself. :)
And you're photos of November are so amazing! <3 Both you and dad have good eyes for that stuff. No wonder Joe is so good at it, too!
The table is so lovely in your house. Dad swears Herbie will live another 10 years. I'm happy the cool table will be in such a lovely home til then. :)
Only you would think of the creative character of "Bat Granny". It's no wonder your students (even the rotten ones) love you so. <3

Angela said...

PomPom - you asked about The Archers on BBC radio.,The link is here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/archers/

blessings xx

The dB family said...

Annie is adorable! She reminds me a little of Annie from the movie play Little Orphan Annie.

It's so fun to see what is tickling your reading funny bone these days.

Have a wonderful and beautiful November weekend, my friend!

Blessings!
Deborah

Bradley W. Maston said...

Great books! I remember you bought Nate the Great (or some collection with that same character) for me when I was in the 6th grade. So much fun, really inspired me towards journaling as well. Very good stuff. I like reading your thoughts about home, and I hope you have fun blessing your students. I love you.

brad

melanie said...

I am loving all your buys Pom Pom :) I am so pleased you like that book :) You can watch the full hour long episodes of Kirstie on Youtube, they are all there, 2 secs, I'll see if I can get a link for you :)...

Here is the link for Kirsties Homemade Home, series one, all 5 episodes are here, in full...

http://www.youtube.com/show?p=bMF3hDnjDnk&s=1

Here is the link for Kirsties Homemade Christmas....

ep 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ4W1N3ALyU

ep 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llX5eAyPB1s

ep 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60yZXS96lx8

and here are the first 2 eps of the current homemade home which is on tv here now...

http://www.youtube.com/show/kirstieshomemadehome?pl=2FFC869CE141F28A

if you go on youtube each week, after Tuesday, you should be able to see the current ep. I really hope these links work in America ! :) xxx

Anonymous said...

Florence is lovely!! A smiling face every day ~ guaranteed! :)

Bat Grandma is wonderful with her purple fluff, lol! :)

And I'll say it again....I wish you had been my teacher...your little touches must make all the difference to your students. :)

SusanB-knits said...

Love the doll! Isn't etsy great?!
You make a great lookin' batman grandma.

alex lynn smith said...

PomPom, you are a uniquely original sweetie! Love the way you are such a generous , loving spirit.
I enjoy your Ponderings! Keep them coming!

GretchenJoanna said...

I think Florence was a truly Wise Purchase. Her heartening smile will help you keep a good perspective through any dark winter weather. I'm glad Wordstruck finally arrived!

A garden just outside Venice said...

I'd LOVE to have a grandma like you! So cute!
xxx

Leslie said...

What a fun post! Of course, I like Bat Grandma best of all, but Florence is almost as cute as you. I would love to sit a spell and thumb through your books.

Veronica said...

What lovely books to look through.

Anonymous said...

Your doll is adorable! And such a nice visit here with you tonight! You are a wonderful teacher Pom Pom ~ what a blessing to your students!

Have a lovely week!
Sharon

Connie Chadwell said...

I love this post with all the delicious books. Wonderful!

Elderberry-Rob said...

hi Pom Pom - thanks for comment - you might like Goodnight Mister Tom for your classwork on the war. It was used for both my boys in school here. Also the Imperial War Museum in London was so helpful as it shows a 1940's house and you can actually touch stuff and walk round it, also a school room you can do the same and lots of recordings and artifacts from the refugees where you press buttons to hear their stories. Such good stuff... wish you could come and see. Betty x

Heart Felt said...

I just adore your new friend, so cute. Beautiful sunset, love the silhouettes. xx

Left-Handed Housewife said...

I love etsy--all the sellers I've dealt with have been generous and attentive, and all the stuff has been grand!

I like your doll very much; what a face!

xofrances

Gigi said...

Hi Missy! Love your new Annie -- such a sweet smiley face - much like your sweet smiley face. Well, except for that Bat Granny face -- so funny!
Got to check out those books -- especially the homemaking one -- love books like that -- so . . . well, homey ;).
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
GG

Vicki said...

Hello, dear Pompom,
I love to shop on etsy, too, even if it is just "picture" shopping!! Love your sweet doll. She is perfect for you. Your evening sky is beautiful and how blessed your students are to have you as their teacher. Have a terrific week! love always~ Vicki

Barbara said...

Yes I liked your pictures and especially that decorative table and chair.

debbie bailey said...

I love your sweet little Florence. And I love Etsy. Such unusual things there. You're such a cool Bat Grandma! I know your students love you. i know I'd love any teacher that left me chocolate.

Kerri said...

Oh Wildflower Annie is so adorable! I love her name and shy smile. I think that books find you when you are ready to receive them. There are no coincidences. So good to step into your lovely world for a few minutes x

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