Old Friends and New Beginnings

I was feeling a little blue and uninspired last week (by life in general and my home and garden in particular) when a dear friend reached out to check on me.  Even though we haven't chatted in a while it was like riding a bike, the memories came back as soon as we started talking.

One thing led to another and before you know it we were talking about the "good old days" (which makes us sound really old), specifically the deeper connections we made in the early days of blogging.  Not surprisingly that's where we met and felt an immediate kinship of spirits.  Our beliefs and decor were similar and we each spent our early mornings with coffee at our computers catching up on our favorite bloggers and writing our own posts.

It turns out we have both become disenchanted with the fast pace reels and lack of intimacy that instagram holds as well as the slick sales and advertising that most blogs of today include.  

We miss the early days of blogging.

Like school girls calling each other on the wall mounted phone with the mile long curly cord to plan whether we were wearing dresses the next day, we got our heads together and came up with a plan of attack.  

I have to tell you I haven't been this excited creatively in a long while.  We are busy working out all the details but trust me, if you miss those old blog connections like we do, you are going to love what we have planned and will be sharing very soon.

And in case anyone hasn't called or messaged to ask, how are you doing old friend?

xo, Patty

A LITTLE FALL GIFT IDEA

One of my favorite things about fall is getting back to bible study at church.  We have just started Beth Moore's Entrusted study and I can already tell it's going to be a good one...convicting in all the right ways.

I wanted to give the ladies at my table a little something to encourage them to hunker down with the

NOURISHING FRIENDSHIPS - FINDING YOU TRIBE

Hello Monday!  It was a busy weekend around here.  I had both grand boys on Saturday and at three and nine they sure do give me a run for my money.  I adore having them around, the constant buzz and easy laughter, but when bedtime rolls around I'm not sure just who's going to crawl in first, me or them.

I uploaded a video to my YouTube channel on Saturday chatting about sustaining friendships with

a little rain...

It rained a little here yesterday.  Not as much as I'd hoped it would, but just enough to give everything a good soaking and keep the skies cloudy, dark and fallish looking all day.  After a long dry summer it was wonderful...

I spent the morning doing a bit of cleaning that I'd been neglecting and tweaking the pumpkin festival that my grandson had going on in my houseplants.  He will be coming over after school today so I'll let you know how successful my sneaky switcheroo was.

It feels so good to be nesting again.  I have been in a bit of a decorating funk which for me translates into not a whole lot of real cleaning going on as well.  I took a quick trip with a couple of girlfriends last weekend that provided just the inspiration and rejuvenation I needed.

These pictures are from my getaway.  They were taken at the Apple Farm in San Louis Obispo, CA.  It was our first stop on the way up the coast to the beautiful beach town of Cambria. 

I have more pictures and stories to share with you but for now I just wanted to thank my travelling buddies, Elaine and Shelly for listening and talking and eating and talking some more.  It was just what the doctor ordered.  Can't wait to climb into the car again with you ladies.

Have a wonderful Thursday.

xo, Patty

creative friends

I shared with you last week about the prettiness and fun of my little quilting group meetings.  What I didn't share was that these ladies have become more than just my sewing buddies, they have become friends I do life with.  There is something about the process of cutting and piecing, preparing and eating that invites conversation and builds trust.

In the short time that we've been getting together these women have become a kind of safe haven for me. 

They know more about me than ladies who have known me for years.  I feel like I can tell them anything and there is no judgment or disappointment, only love and encouragement.  They are not afraid to see things differently than me and I am not afraid to let them tell me so.

I am truly blessed because they are not the only ones I feel this way about.  I have a group of ladies I met through blogging, my sister, my sister in laws and my mom.  I guess my point is that it is possible to form connections with real flesh and blood women who can be there to hear you out, to let you sound off and feel safe doing it.

They may accidently say things that hurt your feelings or that offend you (not that any of you did) but that's okay because you know their heart is for you. 

And who could ask for more than that.  Take a chance, call some friends or make new ones and spend some regular quality time together.  Life is hard and happy and messy and full of joy, find some women to share it with.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Patty 

btw -This adorable birdhouse was made by my quilting friend Karen.  I saw one just like it in an expensive boutique, snapped a picture, sent it to her and she so generously whipped one up and gifted it to me. A side moral to this story would be if your looking for new friends, it doesn't hurt if you find some creative ones!

the art of friendship

Today is one of my best friends birthday and it has me thinking about how fortunate I am to have women in my life that know the real me.  The me who most of you will only get a glimpse of... The no makeup, red puffy eyed, angry at my husband me, who sometimes says too much and some times says too little.

 

The me who sometimes lets my unreal expectations of people and situations cloud my ability to offer grace to those closest to me. In short, the most unflattering me but loves me anyway...

 

 

There was a time in my life when I thought everyone had these kinds of friends but now I know better. I have talked to far too many women who have been hurt or betrayed by those they thought were their friends and have kind of given up on the whole idea of a true friend.

 

 

If you are one of those women, don't give up on our gender yet. There are good women out there they just take some searching out. You are wise to be cautious, just don't let that cautiousness turn into cynicism. I am lucky enough to have been born into a family that gifted me with a sister and a mom who are now among my best friends and if that wasn't enough, I married into or have had marry into my family, two women who also fall into that category.

 

But looking back beyond them, I have always had one of two women in my life who knew the art of friendship.  Who showed me how to love and learn and yes, to forgive...

It can be scary to reveal your true self to someone else.  I have been hurt and burned on more than one occasion but I wouldn't trade any of it if it meant giving up what I have gained.

Happy Birthday Shelly.  Thank you for all you have brought into my life.  Thank you for loving the real me.

xo, Patty

the little things

Don't you agree it's the little things in life that bring a smile to your face? 

Little things like these adorable measuring spoons...

and these...

a beautiful handmade apron...

and a vintage painted tray.

All beautiful little things made even more special due to the gracious women who gave them to me.  Thank you Jeanette and Debbie and mom and Shelly.  Your kindness means the world to me.

xo, Patty

happy weekend

Thank you for your kind comments regarding my dad, I really do appreciate all of you.  I'm off to visit an old cottage friend this weekend who I know will make me feel pampered and special.

Her home is always magazine worthy especially during the holidays so I hope to have a few pictures to share with you next week. 

(vintage Santa apron was a .99 cent thrift store find)

I hope you have fun plans that include friends and happy times, too.

Patty