Thursday, April 4, 2013

Catching Up

In looking back it seems if I've blogged at all it has been about jewelry challenges, and even those have been very few as of late. So let me fill you in on what's going on in my world.

This is a photo of our oldest daughter. She will be 24 on April 21st.  We moved her all the way from Kansas to North Carolina a couple weekends ago.  It was a long, sad ride back to Kansas without her.  She has a wonderful outlook on life, always smiling, never too proud to do silly things, kind, giving and helpful. I will miss her laugh and that wonderful smile. Celebrating Easter without her was a bit difficult, and she will be celebrating her birthday alone this year. I'm so proud of her for wanting to be out on her own, starting a new life in a new place where she knows no one. And I can't wait to hug her the next time we are together.


My dad continues with getting rid of things after my mom passed away.  This was my lunch pail when I was in grade school.  The thermos is missing, and it has several scratches, but I'm so glad my parents kept this for so long.  My twin sister had one similar but it's no where to be found.


I've been eating leftover Easter Candy--a lot!! I love jelly beans but recently found that their shiny coating comes from Shellac, a chemical derived from the excretions of the Kerria Lacca insect.  This coating is also on candy corn and other candy.  I hope I didn't spoil things for you jelly bean lovers.


I bought a Swanstrom Disc Cutter from Rio Grande with my Christmas money.  It came as a kit with a brass mallet, bur life, centering plugs and urethane pad.  Have I used it yet? No.  But one of these days.......

Outside my window the sun is shining and the tender green shoots of wheat in the field across the street is a beautiful sight to see. It reminds me of this Easter hymn:

 Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many years has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love Whom we had slain,
Thinking that He’d never wake to life again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

Up He sprang at Easter, like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain;
Up from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

When our hearts are saddened, grieving or in pain,
By Your touch You call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.


9 comments:

Bobbie said...

Oh, Alice, my daughter turns 24 on April 18 - what a coincidence! It's bittersweet to see them grow up into lovely, capable young women, only to realize that they're able to blaze their own paths. Hugs to you!

AntiquityTravelers said...

so sweet! I love the picture of your daughter - just look at that smile and laughter! Mine is 14, but I feel like I'll blink and she'll be 24. I love jelly beans, but haven't had them in a very long time. And perhaps that will be for a very long time form now! :) Keep yourself busy, and call her often!

Annette said...

I can relate to your daughter moving away. Last August, we moved our son from Maryland to Denver. I was so proud of him for having the courage to following his heart, but so sad he would be so far away. Our family get togethers and holidays aren't the same, but I know he's happy. Being a Mama isn't really any easier after they grow up!

Mary Lamoray said...

What an adorable photo!! They grow up so fast... my oldest is now 36! I have cute pictures of him at the same age...its like they were little just yesterday...

Wonderful, beautiful hymn!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

While I do not have children of my own, my sisters two daughters are very close to me and I can somewhat relate. I had no idea about the jelly beans and other holiday goodies that I should never put in my mouth, and probably will never do again! LOL! Just the incentive I need to stop eating that stuff! You ate going to LOVE your new disc cutter! Can't wait to see what you create with it!

Carol D. said...

It is hard to let our children move away. My daughter is currently in London and I will be glad to get her back in the states in November.

Carol D. said...

The disc cutter is next on my buy list. I like the idea of the kit with all included. Heading to check out Rio Grande. Thanks for that info.

TesoriTrovati said...

I love that song! I will be humming it all day long. That sweet girl has the best smile! So full of life and verve and spunk, I can tell! But what a great feeling knowing that you gave her all the love and care that she needed to develop into a wonderful human being ready to take on the world!
Enjoy the day.
Erin
P.S. Oooh! A disk cutter. The tool lover in me wants one of those so bad, even though she rarely has a need for it!

aneri_masi said...

glad to see this post :)Love the new banner, and that lunch box is SO cute!!!