Jewelry Organizer-DIY

For some time now I have been wanting to make something to keep my earrings tidy and easy to find. I had found some great ideas on the internet and was just waiting for inspiration to finally strike to make my own. 

While in America I was given some sewing supplies that belonged to my Great-Grandmother. These things being dear since they belonged to her and vintage as well- I wanted to do more than just stash them. 

Yesterday I started toying with some ideas for my organizer and become so inspired that I decided to just plug ahead. This is what I have so far, and I am so in love with it that I just had to share it. 

The orange lace from my Great-Grandmother

The lace heart is leftover lace from my wedding dress.

The eyelet lace is perfect for a place to keep stud earrings.

Should you want to make one of your own these are the materials I used: 

• Pegboard, or bulletin board
• Hot glue gun
• Cotton fabric to cover bulletin board
• Lace of various kinds. 
• Buttons for decorations ( haven't yet attatched these- they were also my Great-Grandma's). 
• Any other pretty little decorations. 
• Tacks

New Bakery-

Someday I dream of having my own cafe/bakery. Where people will eat my yummy sweets and the atmosphere will be so cozy and wonderful that it will be a favorite for everyone. But since my children are small and the dream is still only a dream I was delighted when this new bakery opened. I feel as if this new bakery is just as cute as any I would have hoped to have and that brings me joy. I take great pleasure in sitting here, and just enjoying the homey, coziness. Lovely! 

Tea with a friend.

Another evening at my favorite bakery with my man.

Common Courtesy

Yesterday I had to take my daughter to two doctors at the children's hospital. The first appointment was actually only to see the nurse and have patches of various food items put on her back to test for allergic reactions.

We have never done this before and so everything is new and confusing. In general I always slightly dread going to doctors here because 1. Everything is in another language and 2. People are just different in various cultures.

I was a little taken aback when as a nurse sped into the office I was waiting by and I tried to address her she completely ignored me and closed the door in my face. All I wanted to know was if I was waiting by the correct door. . .

When we finally did get into the office we were cared for by the same unfriendly nurse. Not once did she address my little daughter. Not once did she make any form of friendly conversation with us. She did her job and that was it.

I was again reminded that I do not live in my home country.

As I recounted this to my husband he reminded me how little people make here in Latvia. He said if I wanted politeness and friendly conversation than I could have paid for our visit. There are two ways of doing things here- the planned way- where you wait and all medical services are for free for kids. Or where you pay and schedule more to your convenience.

I was saddened by this conversation. I know it is true that these people make very little- but in my opinion as humans and fellow walkers of the earth we ought to be kind to one another and at least show common courtesy- especially at a children's hospital-where the child is afraid already.

A tear slipped down my cheek as I told my husband with emotion in my voice "Let's raise our children to be kind to others, and show courtesy no matter how much they are paid. "

Because in my humble opinion a good attitude should not have to be so shallow that it can be bought with money.



Note: Not all medical workers are like this. We have one of the most wonderful family doctors around for our kids. She goes above and beyond herself, even outside work hours. 

Silk Painting in Wisconsin

   It was so much fun to teach these ladies a bit about silk painting and to see their fabulous scarves! 

 

 Brushing the salt off

 Helping a friend finish

Lovely scarves!

A Straight Pin Adventure

Today I went to the local sewing shop to get some straight pins with balls on the end. I need these for my silk painting, to use as claws for the stretching of the silk.

However, they didn't have the kind with balls on the ends. So I was directed to the Universal Store. This store is a 3 story department store, with a little bit of everything. When you step into this store it as if you are stepping back in time. Nothing has changed in the way they do things it would appear in at least the last 30 years. We wonder how they survive with all the new malls and stores. Maybe older folks like feeling like things don't change.

All of the items in the store are behind the counter, beyond reach, and must be requested if you desire to look at them more closely. I remember how we found that so strange and cold when we came to live here for one year in 1996.

As I made my several store stops I was thinking how life is so much more complicated here- even just to get straight pins. There is no Wal-Mart to run to where you can find at least 3 kinds of straight pins and they are always in stock. I certainly got spoiled with our 2 months in America and the easy accessibility to Wal-Mart and any fancy I might have night or day being within reach.

At least I did find some pins- and can now get back into the business of silk painting. I have been so busy trying to get into a routine with cooking, cleaning, caring for the kids and doing homeschool that I haven't had time to paint. I have been yearning to do some painting and hope that soon I will again being able to take up my brush and let the color flow!

His Protection

Do you ever stop to send up a prayer of thanks to the one who guards your steps?

As believers in God we sometimes see evidence of the amazing fingerprints He leaves on our lives.

The other day my husband informed me that yet again  God has guarded us. He said our back rear wheel on our car had nearly come off due to the screws being nearly out. He said if we had gone much further it would have fallen off. . .

Thanks Lord for guarding our paths.

Thanks for allowing my husband to find and fix this problem.

Thanks for one more day to live, breath and serve.

Thank you for life!





How have you been protected lately? 

Alphabet Recognition

After a two month pause in our preschool home-school program we are attempting to get back into the swing of things.

My 4 year old boy is having a horrible time remembering and telling the difference between some letters that are quite similar in appearance. Like, d and b. Or c and e.

I am feeling desperate to come up with some ideas to make remembering letters more fun and easy. There are days I feel I am not cut out for teaching home school because of my lack of patience.

I was searching online this evening for ideas of games and suggestions for learning to recognize letters.

Here are a few I want to try:

• salt tracing : making letters in salt
• Wet, Dry, Now You try
•  Race to the Top
• Matching Game: Maybe not exactly this one, but something similar and this was a cute idea.

Any ideas, tips, games or links you can share to make learning letters fun for little boys?