A Love Story ~ For Terri and Honey and Gideon

Have you ever lost a beloved animal friend? Most of us have at one time or another. I know I have. It's easy to love those critters that become such an intricate part of our lives. And we grieve and miss them when they're gone. Sometimes the circumstances by which they leave us are very difficult to bear.

Early this last spring, a good friend of mine lost her friend and mount while birthing her new little colt. It was very sad. She had done all that she could to save the mare but, sadly, they lost her still. Her injury was a deep tear inside that occurred because her boy was so large. It happened at the vet clinic at Ohio State University from a hemorrhage.

I was very saddened for my friend because of this great loss. And it weighed heavy on my heart for some time. One night I awoke and this little poem came to me.

It's about Gideon. He made it through with loving care and devotion. And he thrives today. It's about
Terri and her Honey horse.

Remember when the days were long
When life was easy like a song
And time played out just like a melody?

You'd brush me down, we'd saddle up
We'd ride the trails and fill 'ar cup
We moved like one in perfect harmony.

You'd rub my legs, your hands were kind
Your words were gentle on my mind
I felt the love you had inside for me.

And now I've left behind my son
He's running free, his name is strong
You're part of him and he's still part 'o me.

There's no one else I'd rather teach him
You're the one God knew could reach him
He'll know about love, life and legacy.

Gideon has my strength and spirit
God wrote his song, you'll help him live it
Through happy days on the ranch of T-N-T.

Blessings to you all,
Tamara

The Planting of A Seed ~Believe~

I realize that this is the season for the harvest not planting.  But is it ever too early or too late to start dreaming or planning?

When I think of planting a seed. I think of hope. When we actually buy the seed or harvest it from some other place, we are thinking of it's possibilities. There's optimism and excitement about what's coming. If there wasn't, we wouldn't bother. We don't think about drought or the birds that come to steal it away or the flood that washes through and dislodges it's bed of dirt. Our thoughts aren't focused on the possibility of the never-ending rain-showers that turn from friend to foe as the seed rots before it has even a chance to germinate.

No, we imagine sunshine that nurtures and gentle rains that come and wash over it seed slowly coaxing it to open up and let the beauty of the tiny green vine show itself. Reaching through the soft, moist dirt upward toward the sun.

We don't wait for perfect cause it usually doesn't happen. But we know when the time is right.

I see my life in the same way. There are seeds that I am holding in my heart. Pondering over. Imagining how they will grow. Thinking about what possibilities lie within them. And there are hopes and dreams attached to them. I believe God gave us the ability and desire to hope and dream. And Not just about our spiritual lives and who we'd like to become along our journey with the Lord. What about what we'd like to become of the gifts and talents or desires of the kind of life that He has placed within us. 

Just as with the seeds that we put in the ground, there is a right time to put that seed that we have been holding in our hearts into a place where it can be nourished so that it can bring forth the beauty of the life that has been waiting to burst forth.

Maybe it's been there for a long time and you've tried planting it but it just died out. Maybe you thought the timing was right but it just didn't grow. Maybe circumstances crushed the tender plant as it began to grow. It's never too late. Take the precious seed that you've been holding dear and take another chance. Don't worry about the outcome right now. Just start with what you have and take each day as it comes. 

{Nourish the seed with hope and faith. Believe.}

 

  xo Tamara

To Blog or Not to Blog And If So, How?

Oh my goodness. I have been pondering what to do with this blog for months and months and endless months. I have gotten one new follower in a year. Haha. I have to laugh though it is discouraging. I know it takes hard work and different things. I see other blogs that have no "niche" so I don't believe that that's the answer. I have tried pretty much everything accept working endless hours on promotion and design. But my heart isn't in it because those approaches aren't THEE answer either. I know people have good ideas but where to start?

There are many who have found Blogland to be a place of success but their stories are all different. And that makes it very confusing. There's so much and it can get overwhelming. I need to start slow and small.

My comment box MUST only show up every three months or so cause that's how often I get one.

I guess I'll keep trying and see what happens. It certainly can't get any worse. Maybe someone will offer me a little cheese and crackers with my whine. Or I'll get some good advice.

How about you? Do you have any advice? Or can you recommend someone for hire that you have had personal experience with? I'd appreciate some input.

Thank you and be blessed,
Tamara

Shabby, Burlap Covered Planter and My First Retail Sale! / { family sentiments}

This was a really fun project. There are lots of little things to look at.  I Just couldn't stop! The ideas for details kept coming so I kept adding them on. Sometimes I go too far. What do you think?

Is it too busy?

 

I started out with a white metal planter that had a gold embossed scrolling on it. I found it at a thrift store several years ago and had used it for storage but then decided I didn't need it anymore.

I thought it might make a nice little gift for someone or that maybe I could sell it.

I just covered it with burlap and then added the burlap ruffles which are really simple to make. But I found something out about burlap. Some weave is tighter than others. So, if you're purchasing for the purpose of ruffling, you will most like want to get the more tightly woven.

 After I decided the width f ruffle, I hand measured my strip about two and half times the length of the ruffle. And then I just found a string at the end of the ruffle that I could pull. And then I pulled to the desired bunchy look that I wanted. Hot glue works great to attach the ruffle to the planter.

 

 

 

 

There are really no rules to a project like this. It's just whatever you have on hand and the desired finished  look that you want to have.

 

 

I took this to my favorite Antique/Shabby Chic shop. The White Chair. She purchased it to sell in her shop. Thank you, Moli!  I was so excited! I have had my offerings on consignment for a few years but this was my first retail sale. I am so thankful and humbled to think that she would consider my work for her lovely shop. 
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I am travelling right now. We have bought a small place to spend time visiting family and friends in Ohio. This was my second time there and was able to get together with my brother, sisters and many nephews, nieces and greats, too. It was the first gathering in 11 years. The last was when my dad was still with us. It was worth the whole trip. I can't tell you what it meant to me to have us all together again.  I am so thankful for the time.

Family. Family is priceless even though we come together with our hurts and offences, we still make it work. And I know that if my dad could see us, he was smiling as he looked down. Happy that we were all together again. Family. My heart yearns for more. Close times. It's so far away though and it will have to wait until next spring at the earliest. All those months. I will wait with great expectations and anticipation. Remembering the smiles. The laughter. And even those sitting quietly by themselves waiting for others to come and draw them in. My thoughts will return often to them. Like a tune that plays itself over and over again in my mind. Family.

And am now in Oklahoma visiting my newest grand baby.  Although Ohio is still my home, I miss my other home. I've been away for a month and I'm ready to get back. It has been beautiful and special. And I travel the miles and miles back to my other home I look very forward to seeing those who wait for me there. Family.

Well, I hope you were somewhat inspired by my little project and may you be blessed with special family time that pulls at your heart and forever plants sweet thoughts in the garden of your mind.

Blessings to you all.

Tamara