Thank Heaven For Little Girls

Today is a special day in our family.  Our dear, little Miss H. is one!  A year ago we welcomed her into our family – and into our arms and our hearts!  She is a little sweetie pie and lives life with a happy smile.  She is a special gift from our Heavenly Father, we know.  A year ago she seemed so tiny.
The year has gone by much too fast and she has grown and learned so much.  She walks now and when she sits down she claps her hands and celebrates.   

We can’t imagine what life would be like without our precious little girl.  She has added a special, new ‘something’ to our lives.

Thank heaven for little girls
for little girls get bigger every day!

Thank heaven for little girls
they grow up in the most delightful way!

Those little eyes so helpless and appealing
one day will flash and send you crashin' thru the ceilin'

Thank heaven for little girls
thank heaven for them all,
no matter where, no matter who
for without them, what would little boys do?

Thank heaven... thank heaven...
Thank heaven for little girls!

We love you, Miss H.  Papa and I can’t wait for your party on Saturday.  We have lots of hugs saved up.  Just for you!

The Key

Several weeks ago, in anticipation of the arrival of my new, little vintage trailer, I ordered something special from etsy.com.  Every trailer has a lock.  And locks need keys.  And keys need key rings – so they don’t get lost.  Having a key ring is a good thing but, hey, who wants just any old key ring?  Not me!  I wanted something special.  Something that would shout at me: ‘Here are your trailer keys, ma’am!’  A talented lady has an Etsy shop filled with key rings and earrings all about vintage trailers.  (She makes other things, too.) You can visit her shop here.  Look at these cute, little teardrop trailer earrings.

These necklaces caught my eye.  Aren’t they sweet?  See the little yellow trailer?

These little trailers all have ‘wings’ on them (at the top on the back).  My trailer is a style that doesn’t have wings so I emailed Joy and asked if she could make a key ring without wings.  She quickly responded to tell  me she could do that, so I ordered them right away.  A few hours after I sent my order she let me know that my order was ready! And she sent a picture so I could see it.  I could hardly believe her fast service.  My order was in the mail the next day and arrived a couple of days after that.  I could hardly wait to show you! See what I got for my trailer keys?  It even has a bottle opener.  And I got some earrings to match!
One of these days we will repaint Daffodil – we’ll give her a facelift, of sorts – and she will look much like the little trailer on her key ring.  Someday Daffodil and I will be ready to go on an outing together.  When we do she will be showing off her new colors and I’ll be wearing my new earrings.  And I’ll tell you all about it!

(Caution: don’t go near etsy.com unless you are prepared to become addicted.  Consider yourself warned!)

Daffodil Dreams

Recently I told you here about a dream of mine that was about to come true. It has happened – my dream did come true! My little, vintage trailer is home and I am proud to introduce you to her. She has come home and now she is part of our family. Over the next few months she and I will spend an incredible amount of time together. At first our time will be spent in close-up and personal moments (and hours!). Time spent getting acquainted with each other. Then, one day in the not too distant future – I hope! - she and I will ride off into the sunset (or sunrise or noontime sunshine or rain – whatever the weather) together for some fun and friendship with other gals and their sweet friends.

I would like you to meet. . .Daffodil!

She is a nineteen-sixty-seven Williams Craft vintage trailer. My very own! She is fourteen feet long. Just enough room inside for me to have a place to call my own. A girl-y girl haven. A place to make all mine. She isn’t in her prime yet – she is about to blossom and break out in full bloom one of these days!

I had hoped to have a trailer with windows that were big enough to let a lot of light in – windows that would bring the outdoors in. I have windows! Lots of windows. Even more windows than I dreamed possible. The kitchen window is on the front and there are windows on each side at the back. And one big window all across the back. The windows wrap all around the back!

See my sweetheart’s new green ladder reflected in the window of the trailer? He thought I might need to use it. As soon as we brought her home I gave her a bath. A much-needed bath!

Don’t I look lovely in my sweetheart’s rain pants? And his big, clunky, warm boots that are a couple of sizes too big for me? He wanted me to stay dry. And warm. Now I need a whole new wardrobe for things like this. I’ve already spotted rain gear for ladies in the loveliest soft aqua-green color. And boots? I need some cute boots. Girl boots! Why? Because I’ll be doing this again. I know I will.

We have a lot of work to do on this little gem. From time to time you can look in on our progress as things move along. I’ll show you some of the pretty things I’ve gathered and some of the projects that are planned along the way. I’ve been dreaming daffodil dreams! Dreams of what this cute, little trailer can become as she blossoms and unfolds. That’s what Daffodils do, you know!

Faith

I believe in the sun, even though it doesn’t shine,

I believe in love, even when I’m alone,

I believe in God, even when he is silent.

(carved on the wall of a concentration camp)

An Unexpected Find

Yesterday I shared about my trip to Camas Antiques with my friend, Mary and I promised to show you something I bought while we shopped together. There were several things I hoped to find - and I did find some of them (to be shared another time). But the first thing I saw absolutely captured my heart! I just couldn't walk away without it.

We had hardly begun to shop when I looked into a booth across the way - and my heart almost stopped. It was SO me! She knew it and I did, too. I tried to walk away and ignore it while I shopped on. In fact, we were at the front counter about to pay for our finds when I went back one more time. Just to look. And to tell myself I really didn't need this. But I knew I would regret it if I left it there. And I haven't been sorry that I decided to carry it to the front, pay for it and bring it home with me. No ma'am. Not for one minute have I regretted my decision!

This is what I saw. And what I brought home to my kitchen.

These vintage canisters don’t look like they’ve ever been used! They are in perfect condition. And I love it. They have added such a sweet ‘something’ to my kitchen.

One of these days I plan to make new window coverings for my kitchen window and the patio door in the adjoining dining area. The fabric I have put away for the valances is yellow – and blue – and white! Perfect, wouldn’t you say?

The flowers on my new canisters are just the touch of Spring I needed to add to my kitchen. Every day. All year long. Now it feels like the sun is shining in my kitchen no matter what the weather is doing outside my window!

A Special Treat

The chance to meet and spend time with a blog friend is such a special treat. Last week I got to meet another blog friend. Her words and photos always inspire me and I couldn't wait to meet her. Not long after we met I knew what I had sensed every time I read her blog - we are truly kindred spirits. It was wonderful, and we had such a good time together. I only wish it could have lasted longer. Or, that she lived closer to me so we could do this often!

Last week Mary of Mary’s Meanderings (and her hubby) passed through my area on their way to a conference. We had arranged to meet, have lunch together and then make a trip to Camas Antiques – a favorite place to shop with friends. If you’re ever in my area I would love to take you there.

What fun we had together! We discovered so many wonderful things and enjoyed browsing together. These vintage gas lanterns captured my imagination. (Hmmm, wonder if I need one of these in a certain little, vintage trailer?) These lanterns have been ‘electrified’. Little bulbs under the mantels give off a soft glow.

This old lantern would make a great night light. In the background you can see a little light that was made from a vintage grater.

There were a lot of things to see in a short time but we tried to see it all! I liked this cute lamp made from an old coffee pot. And the wicker thermos and the cute birdhouse made from recycled wood caught my eye.

Time went too fast and it wasn’t long before we had to goodbye. While we were together we exchanged gifts – gifts given from the heart of one friend to another. Mary’s gifts to me were so sweet. Chosen just for me!

I love this little pillow – it hangs where I can see it often every day. It reminds me how I should answer when I hear God’s voice!

Mary knows that I love pretty plates and she chose this one for me.

Memories of the time I spent with Mary and her hubby will stay with me forever. It was a day that blessed me in ways I never thought possible. The bond of friendship was formed in our hearts and I’m so thankful for every moment we had together.

(Tomorrow I will show you something special I bought that day at Camas Antiques!)

Finally–Immediately

Lord

You said so gently

So persistently

‘Give me your weariness

And I will give you rest."’

I did – finally.

You did – immediately.

Then, Lord, I marveled

That I had waited so long.

Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

from the writings of Ruth Harms Calkin