Random Thoughts and Junkyard Garden Elements

I was woken to a phone call this morning - from England from my friend Lillian! What a wonderful way to wake up - its funny how a hug can reach all the way through space between friends. How special to start the year re-connecting. Lilly, Matt and her young family have stayed in touch through her BLOG and its been so nice to share in her adjustments from Canada to the UK and to watch the children as they grow up. Thank you for blessing me today!

Enjoying a wonderful visit with our daughter - doing all the things that Moms (or Mermies as our daughter lovingly refers to me, or Mermsy or Mermlet) do when they get together. We have already cooked and learned to knit - something I also had the absolute JOY of teaching to my niece over the holidays.

Actually it was funny with my niece, she received some sort of computer game (quite an expensive one at that, it was her MAJOR present) and even so, here she sat knitting! On a pair of inexpensive needles, with a $2 ball of yarn. For hours. And we had great conversations during this time, and she's a very quiet girl!) I've talked to my mother in law since then and she told me that my niece already has bought more yarn and is knitting up little crafts for her teachers and friends. How cool is that?

Back to our daughter, today we plan to make cards. Yes, pull out both leaves to the dining room table and haul out all the supplies and go for it. I'll be sure to capture our fun day to share here.

She also brought gifts - always something so thoughtful and useful. My favorite thing is this:

This is the design of mine, but the top on the one she gave me is different - it has a cap on it and you can 'dial' the sip-lid as well. You need only push the bottle against your mouth to dispense water. You can also take the whole drinking top apart and wash it. Very nifty.

The other thing she brought was a Finger Peeler for vegetables. I've always longed for one when I saw them in the House of Knives (I LOVE this store, there are skid marks on the floor at each one where we visit which is because my Mr. has to draaaaaaggggg me away from there...) I can't wait to use it!

The top is like a ring which you slip over your middle finger - the ring part goes at the base of your finger, the peeler part nestles in the middle of your fingers. I can't wait to use this on a vegetable - I might get carried away peeling today. I had better plan some apple pie in the menu.

Right now I own two other peelers, one like this:

Not with the cute little monkey on it but the same concept. I love this peeler too. But I find some guests asking for one of these:

Yep, plain jane. Or even:

The good old paring knife. I've known people who won't use anything but.

So my question to you is - what do YOU prefer to use? Have you ever tried any of these others?

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A little inspiration for the day:

If you love, you will be loved;

If you respect people, you will be respected;

If you serve them, you will be served;

If you give a good account of yourself toward others, others will act likewise toward you.

Blessed is the man who loves and does not desire to be loved for it;

Blessed is he who respects others and does not look for respect in return;

Who serves and does not expect service for it; who acquits himself well of others and does not desire that they return the grace.

Because such things are big, foolish people do not rise to them.

~ Brother Giles

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Many of you have left me comments and emailed you and I promise to reciprocate in the near future. For now I am simply going to enjoy my family time with my daughter. Thank you for taking the time to visit and leaving some love.

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And now, here is the third part of my Junkyard Garden Kit - for personal use. I love the elements in this kit. Each one was inspired by a piece of "Junk" I found roadside during walks about the neighbourhood with my Mr. I always likened it in my mind to the thought that somebody's "junk" is someone else's treasure. Just as God created each person on earth as a unique beautiful treasure. Sometimes we just have to look very hard to see the beauty beyond the surface.

Happy Scrapping - I'd love to see how you use my kit, if you could find the time to send me a jpg of your layouts I'd gladly post and share them here! Just click ON the previews to be taken to the download for the Junkyard Garden Elements Pack!