Father's Day...

I would like to wish all of you Father's out there....a Heartfelt "Happy Father's Day". I hope you have a Peaceful day, spent with loved ones. If you are not near your loved, then I am sure they are never far at heart.

Another storm came through last night.....no wireless *sigh* I had a new offering for eBay that I wanted to list tonight. I may try to list it, or wait until Tuesday. Maybe by then, they may have the wireless fixed. There was hail about 5 miles from here, along with 2 tornadoes sighted. It was pitch black here in-a-matter of a just a few minutes. The winds came, the rain and followed by lightning and thunder. The only thing left to be seen from the storm here, is a lot of small branches laying about, with leaves laying in shreds everywhere on the ground. Wireless was knocked out in 5 towns in the surrounding area....Oh Joy!

My new offering...when I started it, it was going to be for the Mercantile. We are having "Christmas in July". When working on this new offering, it did not want to be a Snowman, but rather a Pumpkin-Man. I finished this pieces and appropriately named them, Jack & Scat! It is "SPOOKY" Jack, with his Ole Trusty Cat...Scat. I love this set! I am going to make one for myself before fall. He has the sweetest face.

Today, hubby has to work, so not really much of a Celebration for Father's Day. He knows that his kids love him. *smirk* They all made him sweet little cards.....each one personalized with their talents. I think "Home-made" is BEST! I wish you all a Wonderful Sunday.

Smiles & Blessings...sent your way, ~Tonya

7 Things...

I finally listed a New set of stockings on eBay!! I wanted to get these done sooner, but I guess better late, then never. I am not happy with the pictures, but they will just have to do. I have been fighting a nasty allergy/cold. I am more prone to this because I am asthmatic....so it sets right in to my lungs. Oh what fun! Any time the seasons change a bit, I am sick.

Ok, I was tagged a while back and I am going to make my list of 7 things...that you may not know about me.

1. I moved out on my own, at a very young age of 14. I did just fine and appreciate so many more things in Life because of it.

2. Shortly after I graduated in 1991, I started to go to college to become an LPN. I did not find it my "True Calling". I left school and the teachers were not happy and even called me at home and asked why? They wanted me to come back...I declined.

3. I bought my first home when I was a senior in High School. I guess I started out early in life with many things. :o)

4. I love a slower pace of Life, that is why "Country Life" is for ME! No City would simply do.

5. I ABSOLUTELY HATE Centipedes!! Want to see me move real quick, put one of those by me. I haven't seen one of those in years....if I never seen one again, it wouldn't bother me a bit!

6. I am too hard on myself. I have always been....I guess it is something I need to work on. Meaning, I am my own worst critic.

7. I am afraid of running out of time! Not having enough time. To do, see and say, all of the things I have always wanted to do and have wanted to say, in my Life. There is simply, never enough time.

Ok, I count 7! LOL That is it, I am done! Not much, I know. But I feel I am somewhat of a simple person. Little things make me happy. I hope you all have a great evening. It has been very warm here....and as far as I am concerned, when it is this hot...I would rather be inside working. Tee-Hee. Many Blessings, ~Tonya

Gone Fishing...

Today was "Take a Kid" fishing Day today! It is a day that A Sportsman's Group puts on once a year. It is also sponsored by local business. They give out a fishing pole to every kid, along with some fishing tackle and a treat to DQ, when they are done. We have gone to this every year. The kids always have FUN! This is Miss Sydney....she caught a little Bass. She was so excited!

It was a VERY windy day by the lake. I of course made the kids bring a jacket....but did I?? Ya think that I would listen to myself when I talk *smirk* So, I had capri's on and I was wrapped in a blanket. What a site! I was not the only one wrapped in a blanket at least. This is Miss Courtney, my middle child. She is nine and will be in 5th grade this fall...

There is Mr. Jordan, on the dock with my nephew. Jordan is the taller one. He caught a big ole cat fish and a couple of others. Courtney did catch a little blue gill. All in all, we had a pretty nice day....the tangles were lots of fun....Always! When we were done fishing, we went out to eat and then, hubby said that he would take the kids to another park to give me some, "ALONE TIME"! That was so very nice.

Alone time for Mom is far and few. But when I had time to myself...What do ya suppose I did? I went to Wal-Mart and then went home and cleaned...in peace thou. Crazy right? Well, no one else is gonna do it....so I guess that leaves Little ole Me!

Well, I am off to go get a million and one things done that I need to do. I hope you all have a Wonderful Saturday Evening.

Peaceful Blessings, ~Tonya

The Invitation...

I have been "touched" by so many people in my Life, that without knowing them or have chatted a bit with them...would not know their circumstances.

My sister told me about a book that is a "Good Reading" for all.

"The Invitation" is as declaration of intense, a map into the longing of the soul, desire to live passionately, face-to-face with ourselves and skin-to-skin with the world around us. ~Quoted for "The Invitation".

A poem that is also from this book, that I think is very "touching"...

The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer


It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.


It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.


It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain! I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.


I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.


It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.


I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence.


I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes!"


It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.


It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.


It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.


I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.


Never give up, Never give in! Signing off with All of My Heart ~Tonya

Do you have the time??

Time does not stand still.

You can not buy time and you can not take time.

Time waits for "no man".

It does not matter if you are young or old.

Time is of the essence.

It does not matter if you are rich or poor.

Time seems to pass you by...

Do you have the Time??

A little "Tid-Bit" that I was thinking about. I just always wonder, with being so busy from time to time....how time does not stand still. I think with time, we need to make time. To be with our loved ones. To take that walk, that you have been meaning to take. To just be...I guess.

Well, I finally released my Lydie-Bug & Daisy Flower pattern! YAY!! I am working on a couple others. I have to take a bit here and there...in between sewing, or I may not appreciate my handmades. Plus, not to mention...a lot of you doll makers have been very patient and I Thank you. I am sorry that it took me so very long to come out with the pattern.

Well, I have been tagged! I have to think of 7, yes, 7 things that I have to tell you about myself, that you may not know or that would surprise you. I tell ya, I have been "racking my brain" trying to think of 7. I am having problems coming up with 7, imagine that. I will think long and hard and try to come up with them...then I have to tag 7 people.

Tomorrow is my kiddies last day of school. I think, here in Minnesota....we are one of the latest for kids being done with school??? It just seems to be quite late this year. Well, I am off to work a bit on another pattern. I have to go and work, while the getting is good.

Have a Good one!

~Tonya

Airborne...

I was trying to take a picture of both of our dogs and all of a sudden...SMACK!!!! I was AIRBORNE and right flat on my back! I guess you can say that Cocoa and Kali were having so much fun playing, that they didn't even pay attention. See Kali's stitched area, where they shaved her...for spaying her. Poor doggie.

Some more pretty flowers. I have way more then enough. I will have to thin out the flowers in the fall. I should find someone near, that needs some perennials.

A nest in our olde birdhouse/ladder decor. This is the 4th nest that has been made on this birdhouse. The birds make one very year. One year the little eggs didn't get to hatch, a strong wind knocked the ladder over and the eggs broke.

This ladder is several years old...but hubby and I use to make tons of wood items. You name it, we have made it. I think if we ever went back to making primitive wood items, I think that I would miss my doll making immensely!

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful evening. I must make my kiddies some dinner and then I must work. Hi-ho, Hi-ho...it's off to work I go!

*smirk* ~Tonya

Our NEW Doggie...

Well, it has been quite a weekend! Meet Kali...she is the newest member to our family. She is one of the biggest babies I have ever met. If you leave her for just a bit, she wines. She needs to be by someone all the time. She is so sweet and so very smart. Cocoa is so HAPPY!! They get along wonderful and they are already the best of friends.

We decided against Zach, because he was so very young. We thought Cocoa and Kali, would be a better fit....although it was very hard to see Zach left there, along with all of the other doggies. I sure wish that they all could find a wonderful "permanent" home. My heart was heavy when we left the Humane Society. Kali is almost a year old. She was spayed on Thursday. We took her home on Friday. So, she is being pampered in the house, until she heals from surgery.

Kali made herself at home quite fast. Her she was finally relaxing after a long Friday. We had her on the leash for a while, not knowing how she would act in the house and such. She is wonderful with kids and in the house, what more could you ask for. She follows me around every where and lays at my feet when I am working on my handmades. How could anyone not want her?? Look at that face. So very sweet and innocent.

Some more pretties from my flower beds. I actually played a bit in the dirt this weekend. It was so nice on Saturday. It was nice and cool, so I managed to go and pull some weeds, before the rain moved in. Also, for you pattern lovers, I hope to release some new patterns this month, so keep those eye's peeled. LOL. I have had many of you asking, so you gave me the push....that at times, I NEED!!

I hope you all had a great weekend. I know that I worked on dollies, but they were orders and such. Nothing new for ebay...yet. I just never have enough time in a day. I think that is true for many of us. I would also love to list some new handmades and such on my website, but I think I am dreaming there *chuckles*

Well, I have to get to sewing. This is now my time to get things done. The kiddies are in bed and hubby is at work. So, all is quiet...just think, only 4 more days of school for my kids. Wow, how time flies. Speaking of time flying..........gotta get to work.

Smiles, ~Tonya

A new Doggie...

Some more flowers that I have in my flower beds. Boy am I going to have to do some thinning out to this year, in my flower beds. I just hate to throw them away. I just cannot do that, so before you know it...the flowers are all inter-mixed with one another.

Meet Zach! He is a Humane Society puppy right now, but we are going to look at him tomorrow. Our Cocoa has been awful lonely, so we may be adding Zach to our family. Cocoa has been howling at night, so I know he would love a little playmate. I had to fill out the paper work for an adoption, so we will see how tomorrows visit goes. The kids are very excited!

I get to be the "Ice Cream Scooper" at my daughter's school tomorrow. It is for a "MCA Testing" party. If they received good "growth" scores on their tests, then they are rewarded with a party....boy we never had those when I was in school *smirk* We had the "CAT" test (California Achievement Test). It was all multiple choice and they were so long and monotonous that I think most just blackened in a circle to be done! LOL

Well, I have been busy trying to fill some special orders, for some wonderful customers. Boy you guys are keeping me busy....the good kind of busy thou. I sure appreciate your support! After this piece is done, I am going to be adding to my "Olde Thyme Primitive Stocking Collection" and they will be listed on eBay. I have them all drawn up and I can't wait to bring them to Life!

I did manage to get my flowers planted in my whiskey barrels tonight...I have only had them waiting for me since I purchased them on Mother's Day. Shame on Me LOL!

Toodles....I have to get to work again! (I just had to take a quick break) ~Tonya

Beautiful Flowers...

My Flower Gardens are blooming. They are so beautiful...as I was driving around my circle in my driveway, I couldn't help but notice all of my blooming flowers. There are so many different kinds and colors. I love this time of year. When we moved to our acreage almost 4 years ago, we didn't know that we had all of these beautiful perennial gardens on our property.

When we first put an offer our home to purchase it, it was still winter in Minnesota. So imagine our surprise when we took possession of our home and we had 3 large perennial beds and a Hostas all around. The day we took possession, we must have walked around the property for about an hour.

I just thought it was so appropriate to show "poppies" for this time of year, because of Memorial Day. They are just beautiful. You don't see many poppies growing around here anymore. They have "altered" poppies to not grow wild anymore. On my property, I still have the "Wild" poppies. I have some Hostas that are about 4 feet in diameter.

Just thought I would share a flower with you...
Smiles and Take Care of You, ~Tonya

NOT FORGOTTEN...

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. A poem that I found, The Author is unknown...

Honor Earned

Here we stand to honor our dead;

To remember them as these words are read.

To give that honor that they have earned;

Is a lesson taught, a lesson learned.

These men and women who gave their all;

And answered God’s hallowed call.

And even though we are apart

They live on in our minds and heart.

So, bow your head and let us pray;

God bless them all on this day.

I hope that you all had a PEACEFUL Memorial Day.

Let us not ever forget...

Memorial Day Blessings to you, ~Tonya

My Favorite....

After Working like a "Mad Women" this week, I finally got all of my Whimsical Little Fairies finished! I was up until the wee hours last night and then worked on them all day today. This one is my very favorite...but of course, because I love that time of year. So many neat things to make....I can't wait. I have many sketches from earlier this year for "All Hallow's Eve", I just can not wait until I start making them. I will wait for a while, until I begin to make more Fall Handmades. I just had to make this ONE little Fairy. I have had such a terrible urge to make some "All Hallow's Eve" dollies and then once I got this wonderful wool, I could just picture it on this Little Fairy!

This little fairy is going up on eBay tomorrow evening. A bit early for All Hallow's Eve, but I have seen quite a few other ones out there for fall....so I thought "Why Not"??

Memorial Weekend already! Wow, where does time go?? Memorial Weekend is normally the "Kick-off" to SUMMER! My Little Kiddies will be done with school on June, 7th. Time is just a flyin by. I do Hope that all of you have a Safe and Peaceful Memorial Weekend. This weekend and Labor day weekend, are normally filled with family fun and gatherings. I hope that you will all be able to spend some time with your loved ones.

Make some Wonderful Memories ~Tonya

The Field Trip...

I had an enjoyable day with my son, Jordan. We had his field trip today at the Minnesota History Center and we also went to the Capital (St. Paul). I have some pictures to share with all of you. It rained almost all day, so no tour of the top of the Capital...

This is a picture of the Capital of Minnesota. We had a tour inside, I had one when I was about my sons age (6th Grade), but I appreciated it much more, as an adult. Such detail and all of the unique hand painted murals. So, much history to behold inside...

A close up shot of the Capitol, right before we left. It finally quit raining. The State Capital is 102 years old, this year. My son said this was the best field trip ever! He said that last year too *smirk*

This was a church across the way. I thought it was just beautiful...so of course, I had to snap a picture of it.

My son, Jordan...by one of the exhibits in the History Center. Back in 1997, gas was only $1.47 a gallon. I think we could all use a "break" on the gas increase...

The "Gang" that I was a Chaperon too. They were a pretty good group of kids. They had fun. I said that I would give each of them a picture...to remember!

Jordan inside the Governor's Office (Tim Pawlenty). He got to feel "Special" for a bit. We also snapped a shot of him behind the podium! We made some wonderful memories today. Now isn't that what life is all about. The Memories are a "Treasure", that you can keep in your Heart...Forever! Peaceful Blessings, ~Tonya