A day with my nanna...

A few days ago my Nanna & her beau & his daughter came over for a visit. I always love when they come up, its like a special treat. We sat around and talked and then went to James parents restaurant to eat lunch. I played the jukebox for Jame's daddy and we all had a beer (except James, he doesnt drink). James and I both ate grilled cheese with french fries and homeade gravy!!! Yum!! I told Jame's mom she could burn it a little b/c my mom always burnt them. She did one side burned and one side not, and later told me it was from both of my mommas!! I thought that was the sweetest thing ever. And I wore my super cute shirt gifted to me from Leah of Sookie Says, along with my necklace from Katelyn of Scrufmeisterk. I think they look precious together. And I paired two of my glass flower rings from my Violet Bella shop together and I love how they look that way. 

<<< outfit details >>>

crochet tee: Sookie Says

Felt Feather necklace: Scrufmeisterk

teal jeans: Forever 21

beaded sandals: gifted from my bestie!

flower rings: Violet Bella

I think my nanna is soooo beautiful.  She is one of my very best friends, and biggest joys in this world.  She has taken over the momma role since my mom has been gone.  She is a very good listener, says the funniest things, is so gentle and loving, an excellent gardener, pretty much the best grandmother I ever could have been blessed with.  And her ears turn red when she is mad or embarrassed so she cant hide it! 

Just to clarify on my sneak peek post of my new jewelry studio space.  There are better pictures coming later, it was suppose to be just tid bits... I didnt want to post pics that you could really see everything in until I get the real photos done.  And Im pretty much done with the room as of this morning.  It looks amazing.  When I get time I will photograph everything and post on the blog.

PEACE,

Laura

The Carpenter...

I found this beautiful saw handle in my daddy's woodshop.  Im almost 100% positive he made it.  I remember it from when I was little.  For those of you who do not know, my dad was a carpenter.  Or really, we called him a master wood crafter.  He could make anything.  Anything.  Not only with wood, but really anything he put his mind to.  If he wanted to do something and he didnt know how, he would get a book and teach himself.  He built our entire house board by board that I grew up in.  When we first moved out here in the country I was 3 years old.  He started building the house when my mom was pregnant with me.  They would drive out to their piece of property in the country every weekend to build the house.  They were pretty broke in the beginning, and the base of the house was built with boards my dad reclaimed from tearing down another old house.  And we would go to the local dump and look for good boards there.  We finally moved out there when it was a livable box.  Then throughout my life, my parents business grew and they were able to financially afford to continue building their dream home out in the woods, and it eventually grew into a magnificent place full of love, and completely one of a kind and handmade.  My dad then learned masonry and built all kinds of rock walls and even a gothic archway (that James and I got married under).  The house is just a work of art, built with love & sweat.  And this sentiment above reminds me of the beginning of that journey they took together.  I am slowly starting to gather items from my parents house, starting with little things like this that have alot of meaning.

Tomorrow will be the first time I am actually going to bring home furniture from there.  I am going to redo my jewelry studio completely with their old furniture.  Im hoping it will create a warm, memory filled space that I can go into and feel comforted with their spirit.  I have an exciting big project Im going to be working on over the next month or so, and this will be my preparation step in making this a magical experience and journey.  Without actually having my parents here by my side to show them on a daily basis what I am creating and doing, the best I can do is surround myself with their things that are left behind.  As Ive said before, I know they are just things, but they feel like a warm blanket to me.  Its what I have left in the physical sense.  So it will be a bittersweet process to make this change, but I think it will be a good and necessary change.  Im looking forward to it.  And this amazing saw handle will be hung on the wall.  Even though I am not building my home like they did, I am in the beginning stages of making this house our home.  Gosh I miss my parents like nothing else in this world.  

PEACE,

Laura

Family...

Yesterday was one of the most soul healing days I could of had.  For mother's day, I had my family up to our new house for the first time.  It felt soooo good to have all of my people in my house filling it up with laughter and life.  There were five little kids there and they had lots of fun and filled up the house with jibberish and giggles, it was so cute.  It meant so much to me to have everyone here.

And the best part was seeing this adorable little face below.  This is Aiden, my brothers son.  I wont go into details, but he is in the middle of trying to get custody of him and is currently guardian of him full time.  It had been well over half a year or more since Ive seen him, and he just melted my heart.  He was so happy and had so much fun playing with the other kids, and gave us all so much love.  We all missed him so much, and really really hope he gets to stay with my brother and our family.

Since the last time I saw him he has grown quite a little personality.  He loved getting his picture taken and was making all kinds of silly faces, and then insisted on seeing each photo after it was taken.  It was so cute.

My best friend Shelley and her family came and joined us.  She looked so beautiful in this amazing vintage dress she found at goodwill.  I wish I would have gotten more photos of it.  She is seriously the prettiest girl in the world to me.

The kids played a little softball in the yard, and Aiden was so patient when it wasnt his turn.  And he was so delighted and jumped up and down with his arms in the air when any of the kids hit the ball.  So sweet.

I am so happy for my brother right now.  It is such a special time for him.  Big changes are happening, and I hope all for the better.

I feel so blessed to have such a loving family.  We never ever argue with one another.  And we all know that any of us would be there for each other in a time of need in a heartbeat.  You cant beat that.

PEACE,
Laura

Thanksgiving

The day after thanksgiving. What did you do today?

I spent the day sewing Christmas stockings for the shop. They are the cutest ever.

We had a wonderful thanksgiving with family. Ate wonderful food that we only get to eat once a year. And we have many things to be thankful for.

My thanksgiving attire consisted of one of my own Pinafore Jumpers... funny I am rarely wearing Violet Bella these days... along with black leggings, plaid boots and one of my mothers broken china charms that says her name, Linda.

Thanksgiving morning I woke up early and sat on my porch, sharing the chair with my dog, drinking my coffee, listening the breeze blow leaves across the ground, and I made a little thankful list. I think Ill share it with you. I have a million things to be thankful for, so this list is just some major things for 2010.

• having the best year so far with my husband
• the success of my business
• my nanna finding a new soulmate
• seeing my best friends second child grow
• meeting katelyn and leena
• being overly blessed with Poor Pitiful Pearl
• finding a reason to get healthy again
• for the continuing bond i have with my bestie
• for having two friends become two really good friends
• the talks i have on the phone with my nanna
• my husband starting a new project
• another year with three healthy pets
• the comfort and love i have from my in-laws
• the dreams James and I share in common
• the people I have met from running my business
• feeling content in who I am as a person

Those are just a few of hundreds I could list. Even though Thanksgiving is over, we should think of these things often, if not a little each day, to remind ourselves what we have to be thankful for. It really puts things into perspective when you are feeling like you dont have much or what you want.

Hope everyone had a wonderful day!

PEACE,
Laura