Saturday, January 02, 2010

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:

Fullscreen capture 02012010 91647 AM

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!

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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:

monkey-peeler

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:

2006_12_19VegetablePeeler

Yep, plain jane. Or even:

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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?

*****

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

*****

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.

*****

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!


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18 comments:

  1. sounds like so much fun with Mel ...I guess you might say I am an old standby for the paring knife ...need someone how to use those peelers...I was seem to have peelings flying through the air...but I know you are fast with them. Well give Mel and Miles and big hug from all of us here....love ya sis

    hugs
    Judy

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  2. Enjoy your time with your daughter :)

    My peeler is like the monkey one, without the monkey!

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  3. Thank you, I love this style!

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  4. That isa wonderful way to start the new year! My favorite vegetable peeler is like the cute monkey one (but also without the monkey). I've seen the palm peelers and heard wonderful things about them, so I'm very interested in hearing what you think.

    Thank you for this wonderful garden kit - the elements are fabulous!

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  5. These are just fantastic! I can't wait to start playing with them, thank you so much for such generosity and talent!

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  6. Thank you for freebies. Link on your post was added to Lori's freebie list

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  7. These look like fun. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. I just discovered your Junkyard Garden set and am so glad I did...it's fantastic - thanks so much for sharing it with us!

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  9. thank you...happy new year!

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  10. Thank you so much, these look really interesting!

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  11. Happy New Year, Barb!!! I'm so glad you are having a great time with your daughter. I think I would love to get that new vegetable peeler. I have the plain jane one, or I just use a knife.

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  12. What an absolutely beautiful kit. Thanks so much for sharing it.

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  13. Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

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  14. Thanks so much for this fun kit! One month in the making --- WOW! I appreciate you sharing all that work. :)

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  15. Thanks for the kit, it looks great!
    This is my first time here =)

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  16. ArmeniangirlJanuary 04, 2010

    Wow, Thank you so much for this fabulous kit! I can't wait to work with it!

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  17. TFS sharing your lovely insights into life and your elements freebie! have a wonderful day!!

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  18. Good Morning Barb:)
    I've been sooooo busy!!!:)
    Sounds like you have been extremely busy too.How fun..teaching your niece to knit and then making cards with your DD.Bet you had a blast!!:)
    I will email you and catch you up on " The life and times of Jim and Valinda".LOL I might just write a book!!hehe
    Hope you are enjoying your New year so far.:)
    I have never seen a monkey finger peeler before.That sounds harmful if read the wrong way.LOL You find some of the most unusual stuff.Thanks for showing it to us.:) I use the knife most of the time.Have for years and years.Cept on carrots..then I use a peeler.:)
    Thanks for sharing your marvelous kit again with us.:)Love it!

    Huge hugs,
    Valinda

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