Outside!

For the last couple of days Northwest has been blessed with some great weather, and I've been enjoying every minute of it. Spending as much as possible time outside in the backyard. We've had breakfasts, lunches and dinners out on the deck.

While making the fruit salad I managed to cut myself pretty hard. Due to Erika using bandages for every scratch and bump, we hapaned to ran out of them.

At the same time I've been inspired to work on this dress for Erika. My mom who is a great clothes maker (Custom made most of her clothes and of her kids clothes when we were little all 4 of us), due to her illness was unable to sew or knit recently. She gave me a huge box of her beautiful fabrics that she've collected for years. I was excited to start creating some beautiful pieces of clothes. More to come....

Got Milk

While I was on the phone with a home builder, pretending to be in an real office (my home office) my munchkins helped themselves to some milk (half-and-half) Erika left the carton of 1/2 & 1/2 on the floor and Abby ofcourse decided to play with it. I guess I can't complain too much, end up coming just in time before it got to the carpeted area. They sure had lots of fun sliding on the hardwood soaked in 1/2 & 1/2.

Happy Mother's Day!

 They are the reason to celebrate LIFE! 

My parents (MOM) on their 60th Birthday with all of the grandkids.

My Mother-in-Law (w/Me 9 months prego & my Hubby) on her 60th Birthday.

The Best mother that I LOVEWhen God set the world in place, when He hung the stars up in space,When He made the land and the sea, then He made you and me.He sat back and saw all that was good, He saw things to be as they should.Just one more blessing He had in store; He created a mother, but whatever for?

He knew a mother would have a special place to shine His reflection on her child's face.

A mother will walk the extra mile just to see her children smile.

She'll work her fingers to the bone to make a house into a home.

A mother is there to teach and guide, a mother will stay right by your side.

She'll be there through your pain and strife, she'll stay constant in your life.

A mother will lend a helping hand until you have the strength to stand.

She'll pick you up when you are down, when you need a friend she'll stick around.

A mother is one who listens well, will keep her word; will never tell.

A mother never pokes or pries but stands quietly by your side,

Giving you the strength you need, encouraging you to succeed.

A mother is one who can be strong when you need someone to lean on.

You're more than a mother to me; a reflection of Him in your face I see, a love that knows no boundaries.

I'm glad that you chose to be all this and more to me.

You share a love that knows no end, you're more than my mother, you are my friend.

Susan Jordan

 

Poppy Flower Headbands

Yesturday I found this great Paper Denim & Cloth Dress at Marshal Store for only $12. What caught my attention about this dress is the tiny details that were pretty and simple. The buttons on the back were all different, the strap on the back created a nice twist the seams at the front and pockets were complementing the dress in every way. I was pretty excited to try in on Erika. But before that I had to make a headband that would go with that dress. Here is the outcome of my beautiful daughter Erika sparking in her new denim dress and a poppy flower headband.

These are some of the other onces that I've created.

Orange/ Brown Headband-$15

Turquoise Flower Headband- $14

Element Boutique.

Rosettes Shoe Clips!

Almost out the door, on my way to go to Clackamas County Recorder's Office to file a lien. Not one of my pleasant jobs to do, but something that needs to be done. Sadly enought, due to economy these days, we are forced to file liens on several of the projects that were done a while back in order to get paid. Recently I've been learning more and more about Oregon/ Washington laws on proper lien procedures and legal property forclosure laws. In order to have everything in place and correct paperwork in time, I need to know as much as possible about these laws in each county.

On the other hand I wanted to post some pictures of my recent Shoe Clips that I managed to find time to make. I was really excited to start  making these cause I got a big shipment of the order that I've placed some time back with all the necessary gadgets. Also I was able to visit a fabric store with my friend (who came from Florida) That fabric store has so much to offer, that any person walking in, would be lots in all the beautiful fabrics, patterns and textures that they have to offer. So here I was getting as much fabrics as I could possible get.

One of the fabrics that I was especially exited to buy was different colors of silk dupioni which is a great fabric to work with. Later on all share the beautiful creations that I made with these fabrics.

Here are some of the shoe clips that I did so far.
Rosettes Shoe Clips, Removable- $17

Element Boutique...

Beautiful Sun Day!

Yesturday was one beautiful Sun Day, that we spend with a family. I love Sundays like that. Had an awesome church service in the morning, that lifted my spirit up.
I just had to remember the quote that Paster Bill Richie mentioned "What humbles me helps me, what hurts me heels me." As if he was talking to me.

The we had a Yummy lunch outside. Enjoyed every minute of the sunshine and warm weather. The seemed as though the birds were gathered as well signing and prasing God.

Then spend some quality time with my daughter Erika. She loves when I devote my time and full attention to her and only her. While Abby was taking her second nap I devoted every minute of my time to her. She was my little baby as she like to still pretend. Love seeing a big smile on her face and hearing her giggles.

In the evening we had a awesome time by the fire with a hot cup of Herbal Mint Tea (gift from my husband's friend), while Erika playing with an halfway fixed playground (we bought for her that day).
I thank God for creating this universe the way it's was created. Everything seems to play it's role simultaneously perfect.

"Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches."

(Psalm 104:5,24)

Completely down.

I don't know what it is, but today is not my day. Night sleep wasn't the best, had to get up several times for the kids (not unusual). Morning sucked big time. Starting from having and argument with my hubby to anything I do seems to be falling out of my hands. Some how made it thru the day, by cooking something quick for lunch and reading a book (which I thought would help me to relax and get ME back) and organizing all of the kids toys. (finally will donate half of their toys to Goodwill and empty some much needed drawers) .

Can't stand another minute at home, I am out. Dressed up the kids warm (since the weather is only teasing with a sunshine here and there, but overall its still cold, another irritataing thing).

Have an idea, I've promised Erika to take her to Chucky Cheese for a good behavior during the important appointment I had with them yesturday. She was GOOD and is very excited to finally go there. So no matter if I want to go or not. PROMISE is a promise that i must keep and we are going. Wish me luck, since bad mood might get worst.

Maybe this will help. The other day I saw this quote by Saint Francis de Sales and it came to my mind now.

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them -- every day begin the task anew."

3 hours later: Home, sitting on the floor with the kids, staffing our faces with Cotton Candy from Chucky Cheese, Cinammon Twists from Taco Bell and putting together a Spider Man 3D puzzle (a toy came with taco bell kids meal) Kids are having a blast and I am enjoying watching them. After all it turned out to be an okay day.

Element Boutique.

Cook Off!

About once a week I get this urge to cook and bake. I mean I cook more ofter then just once a week, but those times are different. I cook cause of I have 2 kids and a husband who needs to eat. The other times I really enjoy doing it, trying new things and really spending time with every detail. Well today was one of those days. I decided to cook an appetizer (new dish), entrie (traditional Ukrainian) and a desert (my favorite). So for the appetizer I got a recepie from my sister which is delicious and for sure you got to be a garlic lover, this dish is packed with seasoning and garlic smells. Sautee Skinless Bell Peppers. Love it.

Entrie: is a traditional Ukrainian Borsh (which is like beef and vegetable stew), I don't do it often, but there is for sure a Ukrainian in me, cause I do crave it from time to time. Using my mom's original receipe.

And then the desert. This recepie is a curtesy of my friends Inna. She got me hooked on these harmful cookies. Roaster Hazelnut Cookies. They are small and delicious. You almost don't feel guilty eating whole bunch of them with some tea in the evening.

All set for today, now going to visit my hubby on the job site and then to do some shopping.

Looking forward to this delicious, gourmet dinner.

Element Boutique.

Precious Gift

Precious Gift
Source © Sherri Lawrence (http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/family/poetry.asp?poem=195)

When times seem too hard to bear & I l feel like giving up
I vision your beautiful face, the twinkle of your eyes and things of such
The bond we created from my womb to the day you were born
Is a mother and daughter bind that can never be torn
With the strength and guidance of God and the blessings he pours down from above
I want to be the best mom I can be to you and embrace you with all my love
You are as precious as a flower and as gorgeous as a rose
You have been specially made to the very tip of your nose
You are as sweet as honey; such an innocent young child
You are brighter than any star in the sky every time you smile
I want you to be proud of who you are and strive to be the best
Put forth your efforts to achieve your goals and let God do the rest
I will always be your mother first, but I'm also your friend
Your are the most precious gift, that I've ever been given


With All My Love,

Mommy

My little helper

Recently I came across some older home videos of my kids, while showing some pictures to my sisters-in-law. Here is one of Erika that put a smile on my face. Even thought she was hands full, but I wish she was this little always.