Ramblings in the wee hours of the morning (read at your own risk! ;)

http://mariamommymoments.blogspot.com/Okay, so I've been a horrible, awful, terrible, no good, very bad, blogger.....ugh!  My friend Maria has just started a blog (please, please check it out...she's hysterical and has such fun and yummy ideas ;), and since she added me to her blog roll, it was a good reminder that maybe I should post!  So, to get back in the game, I'm just rambling....forgive me, please...it's been a long day and I should be in bed.  But when else will I grab 10 minutes in the next couple of days to get back in the proverbial saddle and type a blog post????

Frankly, things have been crazy around here lately!  Like, it's 1:03 am right now, and I'm still up...and this is the "norm" around here these days.  I just finished working on a couple of orders that have to go out tomorrow, and made party favors for my soon to be THREE year old's "pink polka dot" birthday party (a combined party with her bff, Sadie ;)!  If only I didn't have to sleep, things would be sooooooo much easier!

I got a new laptop...finally!  But, I'm still adjusting to the way the keys feel, so it's hard for me to type.  Or, maybe I'm just loopy and tired! ;)  I love looking at photos and graphics on the new laptop....ooooh, la la...who knew websites could be so PRETTY! :)

Finally, Les Miserables (the 25th anniversary concert) was on PBS tonight.  I was THIS CLOSE to becoming a member of my local PBS station at the $180 level so that I could receive a copy of the DVD AND CD...I was enamoured.  Seriously, ALL the Jean Val Jean's performed together at the end...."Bring Him Home"...goose bumps, just thinking about it!  Made my night!  Have I revealed here my dream to be "Eponine" on the Broadway stage?  Probably not, but you had better believe I was singing my life away up in my little office while twisting fabric rosettes! ;) 

Thanks for letting me ramble!  I'll post pics soon of B's b-day party.  I cannot believe she is going to be three!!!!  Sniff, sniff.....

Currently Loving....

These beautiful pillow case dresses handmade by Creative Bee on etsy...I had to order a couple for my little "B"....and I'm sooo excited to get them! ;)

Speaking of Valentines....

I promised to post links from my friend Traci's shop T and Little S Designs (http://www.etsy.com/shop/tscrapper?ga_search_query=tscrapper&ga_search_type=seller_usernames)

Traci has the most adorable Valentines, for such awesome prices!  They are customized and handmade! ;)

I ordered these for C, and he is stoked! ;) http://www.etsy.com/listing/65406253/custom-set-of-20-monster-valentines

I love these, too for a little girl
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65467957/custom-set-of-20-mod-bird-valentines

Still working on my V-day "finds" post! ;)

Many blessings,

Liz ;)

Valentines, anyone? ;)

A fun and new idea for Valentine's Day! http://www.etsy.com/listing/66292580/10-rosette-valentines-featuring-assorted

I love to give the adorable little girls in C's preschool class hairclips for holidays, so I figured I'd share this idea on my etsy site.  Now to come up with an idea for the boys....besides candy! ;) 

I'll show you the awesome custom valentines I ordered from my friend Traci's site tomorrow....just need something to stick on there for the little guys....hmmmmm...let me know if you think of anything! ;)

Have a wonderful and blessed WEEKEND!!!!!! 

xo,

Liz ;)

Thank You, "Noodles and Milk"! ;)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/noodlesandmilkI found a wonderful new blogger and fellow etsian!  Sabrina creates beautiful sewing patterns (another reason to learn to master a sewing machine), and has an awesome blog and etsy shop.  She posted a gorgeous collection of "Valentine Finds" yesterday, and included one of my headbands.  I am so honored!  Thank you Sabrina!  If you would like to see her blog post, check it out, here!  http://noodlesandmilk.blogspot.com/2011/01/fun-etsy-finds-valentines-day.html

I found some new favorites....hope you will too! 

Sabrina has inspired me to create a similar post!  I love Valentine's Day too, (how can you not "heart" love and chocolate? ;)  I'll post my fun finds, soon!

May God bless you this week!

Liz :)

New Year, New Direction!!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65485075/perfect-for-valentines-day-rosetteHappy New Year, everyone! ;)

I have a few minutes to actually WRITE this morning, as my amazing parents took my two "winter-wild" children for the night, and they have yet to return them! ;)  I have not left the couch, am still in my pj's, and have caught up on a ton of computer work.....what a perfect Saturday morning!  (But, I do miss those two cute little faces, and will be glad for their bounding return)! :)

I wanted to first say "thank you" to all of my wonderful friends and family who have supported my Brookie Cookie's endeavour thus far!  It's been an entire year now, and I cannot believe how much I have learned...one step forward, two steps back, but so worthwhile all of the way!

I have believed from the beginning that the Lord is leading me down this path and on this adventure, and sometimes, there have been great frustrations...out of which wonderful ideas are born, and new doors are opened!  The one MAJOR thing I have learned is to pray about each and every direction I take, and make sure that the Lord is in control of my business.  Whenever I step away from this, and try to do it my own way.....well, two steps back (at least)! ;)

That being said, after I took a couple of those proverbial steps backwards in December, I got frustrated.  Really, frustrated.  I was finding a lack of direction, and and no sense of continuity.  I felt as if my etsy shop was filled with a cluster of different things, without a focus.  But, I definitely wanted (and NEEDED) a focus.  After an awesome conversation with my wise Mama, I decided to sit down, take a step back, and pray about what the Lord wanted me to do.  I was amazed (as always) to find that my mind was so much clearer, and a new direction that made sense plain as day made so much sense!  Funny, how when we stop and pray about things, rather than getting frustrated and trying to do it all ourselves, things have a way of working out to according to His purposes.

I prayed that evening, and within 24 hours, two of my huge prayers were answered!!!  One of which was a new plan for my etsy shop!  I have decided to really streamline things.  What I LOVE to create are rosette headbands, clips, and necklaces.  So, for the time being, I am focusing on these.  I have just started, and my shop is still in the "make-over" process!  But I am having so much fun, and feel like my ADD form of creativity has a real FOCUS! 

I'm posting some photos of the new items that I've made (using AMY BUTLER'S new "Soul Blossom" collection, which I absolutely adore...it's scrumptious, really! :)  Thank you so much for looking, and for your support!  I do not intend for this blog to be shameless promotion of my etsy site.  So I apologize if it seems that way with this post.  I am just so thankful for the power of prayer, and that I serve an awesome God who loves and cares about every aspect of my life, and yours, too! ;)

Winter Wonderland

I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm having major issues with blogger....I am able to post right now, so I'm taking advantage! ;) 

We are in the middle of a winter snow day...probably will get around 5 inches total by tomorrow morning...  Wooohooo!  So magical and Christmasy!  Is it sad that I'm praying for a snow day? I'm scheduled to be the helper in C's preschool class tomorrow, which normally I love, but I think I'd rather stay in and be cozy being that that the wind chills will be around 0 degrees...ugh!

I have much more to say, and I'm hoping that blogger will be good to me. Still can't access my family blog which makes me VERY sad, considering I chose to blog rather than write in a baby book for the kiddos over the past few years. :(

Finally, our Christmas card, from our family to yours (if you're looking for cards, my friend does an amazing job designing cards http://www.lifeprints.etsy.com/)

May the Lord bless you and keep you this holiday season, my friends!  Hopefully I'll be able to post more later! ;)
xoxo,

liz

FRONT PAGE!!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57365932/thanksgiving-silk-rosettes-on-a-cream

I am sooo excited!  I finally made it to the front page of etsy...granted, it was in the middle of the night, but I'm so giddy! ;)

You can view "glistenbyerin's" beautiful Thanksgiving Treasury, here.


Thanking the Lord for all of His blessings!

Strength will Come in the Morning....

After I put the kids to bed last night I came downstairs ashamed and upset.  It had been a long day, and C had really tested my patience at a birthday party I took him to.  He didn't want to be there, so he was grouchy and pouty.  Me, being one that can "put on a happy" face at any point, and wouldn't dream of being grumpy in front of others--especially at a birthday party--found myself a little disgruntled with him (okay, maybe I need help! ;).  I often find myself not quite knowing how to handle this five year old little man.  He has many, many anxieties, and we deal with him living in fear quite a bit.  He doesn't do too well in new situations, and I feel as if I've been coaxing him along for the past month, as we started another year of pre-school, activites, Sunday School, the childcare center where I work out, etc., etc. 

So, after bringing him home from the birthday party yesterday, and then dealing with an evening of wild children who weren't listening so well, I had about had it.  Daddy went to take a shower and I gave the kiddos a bath.  Somehow, this always seems to turn into the craziest part of the day.  Instead of calming them down and relaxing them, bathtime often turns into a crazy splash fest and winds them up quite nicely...ugh!  So, by the time I got them out, and they were listening about as well as earthworms underground...I was D.O.N.E....l.and I acted as such. I might have yelled, and I might have shown my frustrations in a not so calm and understanding way.  And then, I felt bad...really bad.  My darling husband reasurringly told me that I'm a great mother and that the kids had just really pushed boundaries today....which was helpful, but I still know that I had done wrong by my children, and was very disappointed in myself.

It was so wonderful to read Britton's blog, last night, http://brittonsappletree.blogspot.com/.  She always speaks with such wisdom and love.  I realized that I often don't stop to do what I should be doing all day long. Praying about each and every hurdle that I come across, and ask Jesus to help me handle each situation.  Thank you, Britton...I sooo needed your blog last night! ;)  I needed to be humbled, and realize again that it's not all about me.  Yes, I might be frustrated, yes I might feel like my kids have gotten the best of me, but that still doesn't excuse me from being the mother that the Lord has called me to be.  We all make mistakes, of course, but the important thing is to ask for forgiveness, and begin a new day!

When I awoke around 5am this moring to a sweet five year old kiss, with a big old, arms around your neck hug (did I mention we're also dealing with C not wanting to stay in his own bed because of bad dreams), and an "I love you, Mommy....let's go back to sleep now"...it was such a moment of reassurance.  We all woke up a couple of hours later and I told the kids that mommy was sorry for yelling and getting frustrated last night, and asked for forgiveness (while also making sure to get in a short diddy about the importance of listening to mommy and daddy..the first time).  I also vowed to begin my day with devotions and prayer.  I have been failing to do this lately, and it shows!

I opened my "One Year Mini Bible for Moms" to September 20th...only to find this devotion:

New Attitudes

Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better.  Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good.  Clothe yourself with this new nature.  Ephesians 4:23-24

May God....help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.  Romans 15:5

Devotion:
Throughout the Bible are references to taking off one garment and putting on a new, clean one.  God has given us a new wardrobe, but it's possible for a believer--a new person in Christ--to revert to wearing the dirty clothing of the old person.  On days when I am impatient or I yell at my children, new garments sound wonderful!  I'm thankful for that, as we spend time in God's Word and ask him for His help, we can see growth in our attitudes and thoughts.


Wow!  Now if that isn't the Lord answering my prayers and speaking directly to me, I don't know what is! ;)  I'm so thankful for forgiveness, redemption, and strength and joy in the morning.

Many blessings today!

What's Happening? ;)

Oh my goodness...we've been BUSY around these parts!  Two of us have birthdays this month (one turned five, and one turned 32... ;), school starting, attempting to do boot camp a few mornings a week (ouch!), and starting all of the activities that go hand and hand with the onset of fall, it's been a little crazy!

Of course, because I always have to make things as crazy as possible, I decided to begin a new venture.  In addition to making items for little girls, I've opened a shop on etsy for lovely ladies, too! :)  There are sooooo many directions I'm wanting to go--shoe clips, dress sashes, hair flowers and rosettes...I even made some Venetian masks for a local retail store.  I'm having too much fun...but my house is suffering...eeks!  Still can't do it all! ;)   I have a few things listed on etsy...we'll see where it goes from here!  http://www.elizabethcarrington.etsy.com/

On another note--I LOVE fall!  Love, love, love it!  We made an apple pie yesterday, all the while, a potroast was cooking in the crock pot....it was such an amazing roast, too.  I used one bottle of beer, nutmeg, cinnamon, Williams Sonoma organic turkey spices (love those), and my favorite "Soy Ve" sauce with lots of garlic.  I also put some apples in the pot...it was the perfect combination of sweet, tang, and spice!  Mmmmm........

Thanks for being patient with me...now to catch up with all of YOU!

Blessings,

Liz :)

Thank you, Sweet Margaret!

Oh my goodness, somehow I missed this sweet post on my friend Margaret's blog (click on her name to see it)! :)  Thank you, Margaret.  I am blessed with such amazing, wonderful friends.  You rock! :)  (You also need to visit her blog to see pictures of her three GORGEOUS children)!

xoxoxoxoxoxo,

Liz

Notice Anything Different? ;)

Oooooohhhhhh....I am soooooooooooooooooooo excited about my beautiful new blog layout/background/header, designed by my perfectly amazing friend, Joanna.  Jo is a mama of four precious little ones, the oldest being Connor's age....so in my opinion, a SUPER MOM! :)  (Did I mention she also has twin babies--amazing, I tell you! ;) Thank you Jo, for finding the time to do this...I loooove it!  Now, go check out Joanna's blog, because she is seriously one of the most entertaining and hilarious bloggers I know, and oh, the stories she has to tell.....!  xoxoxoxoxo, and THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


More to come........(now that I'm re-inspired)!!!!!  Yay!

Blessings,

Liz ;)

Jesus is Knocking! :)

I was putting B and C to bed tonight, and we were reading our Bible stories.  C said, "you know Mommy, Jesus is right here in my heart."  I said, "You're so right, C....He sure is!"  He then put his little hand on his chest, paused a minute, and said..."I know He's in there, cause he's KNOCKING....He's knocking right on my heart!!!" ;)

It was soooo precious.  Thank the Lord for moments like these.......

Blessings!

Liz :)

My New FAVORITE Wedding Gift!!!!!!!

Oh my goodness, I just HAD to share this fabulous find!  My adorable and oh, so talented friend Traci, owner of T and Little S Designs on etsy, has created the most wonderful shower/wedding gift! Personalized ceramic coasters featuring the couple's initials, names, and wedding date! I love this idea, and just received my first set today.  They are ADORABLE, and so affordable!  She has many designs to choose from. I love personalized gifts, and think these are just perfect.  You can find them online, here.  Yay for creative and beautiful gifts!!!!  And Yay for weddings and showers, creating a need to give them! :)

Can I Hear it for a GIVEAWAY?? :)

Run, don't walk, right on over here to Brooke's blog..."B in Real Life".....I absolutely adore her, and think she's quite possibly one of the funniest bloggers I've had the priviledge of reading! ;)  Well, she's giving away one of my bib necklaces right now, so follow her, leave a comment, and you could win!!!!  Yay!! ;)

And, while you're over there, you MUST check out this post...I seriously laughed until I cried....no lie!

Blessings!! ;)

Liz

Here she is.....my little model!

I pay her in lollipops! ;)

Yummy....

My SIL so generously gave me a bottle of this today....it's sooo yummy! Lilly Pulitzer "Squeeze" perfume...light, summery, citrus-y...mmmmm.  Of course, I feel a little funny about it, since she and I took my Mother in law shopping for HER birthday, and then I ended up with a goody, too.....but, I'll just wear it and be grateful! :)  I smell soooo good, (now I'll feel a tad less guilty when I simply cannot find the time to get in the shower...cause the husband likes it, too :)  Ha! 

Busy, Busy, BUSY! ;)

Sorry for being an "absent blogger"...I've missed you!!! 

When I started this blog a couple of months ago, I posted about the journey the Lord has taken me on in my work life, and my desires to be a stay at home mom...on a budget, of course! ;)

Well, I'm pleased to report that we have taken the proverbial "plunge"!  As of last week, I spoke with my amazing boss, and told her that I would not be returning to teach in the fall.  This took so much prayer, faith, and courage...especially on the part of my dear husband.  I cannot tell you how liberating this decision has been for me!  And, because the Lord is sooo faithful, I have had the most amazing month selling my handmade items!  Never, did I ever imagine that I would be so busy!  I know it will ebb and flow, but it's seriously incredible to me how everything has transpired!  I want to yell a big ol' SHOUT OUT to all of my awesome, amazing friends and family who have helped this business to grow...thank you, thank you, from the very bottom of my heart!

One thing I'm finding, though, is that I could in some senses, be just as busy with my own little business, than I could be with a job outside the home.  It's been a challenge to schedule my time and my priorities so that I make sure my time with my kiddos, husband, and the Lord doesn't suffer because of my "busyness"! ;)  I'm still working on being organized, and trying, for the most part, to get all of my work done at night after the kids are in bed.  But, how does a mama do this without getting really, really tired, and therefore really, really grumpy???  Someone suggested scheduling "blocks" of time, and I love that idea!  I'm going to try it!

I am sooo excited that I get to spend my days at home!  I'm so glad that we've made this decision, and ever so grateful to the Lord for allowing this to happen.  It might be tight at times, and sacrifices are definitely being made, but, I have total faith and confidence in Him, and know that He has lead us through this journey for a reason, and every single step has had a purpose. 

Hope you all have had a wonderful weekend. And, if anyone has any suggestions about how to plan your day so that you can do it all (and I mean, ALL) ;), please, please, comment, and let me know!!!!

Blessings!!!!

Liz ;)

Come Back Tomorrow! ;)

Hate to leave ya hanging, but I have sooo much to say, and I'm waaaay tooo tired to say it tonight.  So come back tomorrow!  I'm working on a new post! ;0)

Blessings to you all!

xoxo,

Liz

Cool Weather Inspires Creativity! ;)

Clara Beth Headband

It's cool and misty up at the lake.  I adore our cottage.  My grandparents built this knotty pine place in 1963.  Sitting a top of a birch-lined hill looking over the rippling water, one cannot help but to totally relax, and find the Lord's peace, and joy.  I'm so thankful to Him for blessing us with such a place!  I've been so thankful to be able to create at night when the kiddos are in bed...sigh....so inspiring!