Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder


Just the other day a young mother e-mailed me to tell me she enjoyed my blog very much. She also wrote that she has two children adopted from the country of China and would love to have my New Year's character to celebrate the special day.


As I worked into the evening hours to complete him, my thoughts drifted to the very beginning of my relationship with my husband and his many trips to this beautiful country. I was flooded with the memories of a heart yearning for it's other half.


It's with such sweetness that I look at the little pocket calenders I would keep by my bedside that counted down the days until Pat's return. They were days to "get through" until I would see him again.


I would peek ahead before falling asleep to the day he would return. A heart proclaiming, Pat's Home!




All the days of my marriage, my husband has been away from home more than he has been home. I can attest that the heart truly does grow fonder.

 
What my husband most enjoyed about his travels to China at a time when Westerners had been forbidden to do so for over 50 years, were the sweet faces of the children he would spy from his passing taxi. This memory has made me want to visit again my Around the World ornaments for Christmas.


When my children were little, our Christmas was filled with these little children's faces and their animal pets. They would play "I Spy" trying to be first to find the animal that matched it's child. It helped them connect with the far away places their father often visited. So look for many of these to appear this year on my blog.


For the cutest story about the time my brother tried to "Dig to China" click here.

28 comments:

Celestial Charms said...

I was just saying to my children the other day, how we never see many Chinese New Year crafts online...and here we now see this treasure! So very cute, Elizabeth. Love them.
Maureen

Holly said...

What a sweet and delightful memory! Thank you for sharing it. I know that you must have missed him so much! Growing up, my dad was in the Reserves and gone one weekend each month. My mom would always write on the calendar, so we kids would know, the weekend he would be gone. Sometimes we would draw a heart or a star or just "Dad home". In the summer he would be gone for a week or two. Making paper chains always helped with the count down :)

I love the ornaments! So cute that each child has a pet. I can't wait to start on mine. I will be looking forward to each one. Thank you so much!! Have a great night, Holly

Debby said...

There's that brother of yours ago. What fun he must have had.
Love seeing all your pretties in one spot.

Unknown said...

I am not sure how you continue to come up with such amazing creations!! These are just darling!!!

chris

Sally Annie Magundy said...

Hi Elizabeth! I finally just answered your email - I'm so sorry to be so very late in doing so. I attended three classes at French General and then got knocked off my feet by a headache. WAH!

This is such a sweet post Elizabeth.

My father was away on business trips a lot when I was growing up. I thought for sure my child's memory had exaggerated the frequency of his trips. After he passed away, I found all of his old engagement books and he was gone a ton - even more, than I had remembered!

My mother would seize the opportunity and take she and I out to the drive in movie theater over many of those trips to catch up on the latest cycle of movies. :)

You're such a sweetie to share your patterns with us. I look forward to seeing your around-the-world ornaments.

Happy week to you! xo

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Your sweet little characters certainly are not alone...what a friendship circle!

Nan said...

Looking at this last photo with all your too cute crafting characters I just can't get over how talented you are making all these sweet faced little ones. Loved the story too of you and your hubby. PS I made a second Valentine wreath the first was so much fun!

vivian said...

Omg Elizabeth, omg... sometimes I come here and I dont even know what to say.. your talent and creativity as well as your stories leaves me speechless!
what an interesting job your husband has. Have you ever been able to go with him anywhere?
xoxo

vintage grey said...

Elizabeth he is absolutely darling!! Your talent and special touches to each creation is so inspiring!! Thanks for sharing your stories and sweetness!! xo Heather

Anonymous said...

Hi Elizabeth! Oh, this are so cute! You are so talented with your little creations! I'm sure it's hard having your hubby travel so far from home. You do have the most talented little fingers.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

craftyles said...

E, I love your little character! I used to have those little calendars too. About the pillowcase on my bed, I will trace off the pattern-and share it on my blog. I found it in a shop as a pillowcase stamped pattern. I stitched it and crocheted the edge.Hopefully, I'll get around to it soon. I'm honored that you like my bed!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What sweet memories and just look at your table filled with beautiful E creations! I feel so happy looking at every single thing you've made!

Tammy's in Love said...

What a happy spot of eye candy! I loved your Asian Boy the first time I laid eyes on him; but then, I have a REAL one! Loved spying 'Hickam' on your Hallmark calendar of days till Honey's home!

Anonymous said...

You are so kind - I just weep when I read your posts and hear your heart. Your stories awaken the stories inside of me. But, then I feel much better when I see the AMAZING things you make.

Lynn said...

What a beautiful story and your ornaments are wonderful! I look forward to more of them.

My husband was in the service also and when my girls were growing up, sometimes it was we'll do it, see it, eat it when Dad's home and sometime it was we'll do it, see it or eat it when Dad's gone!

Hope said...

I love, love, love those ornaments and have been waiting for a long time now for you to re-blog the patterns and instructions. I want to make them all to send to my sweet grandson back in Arkansas so that he will know his Grammy across the pond loves him so very very much. I look forward to the rest of the ornies and patterns!

Hope

Laura said...

How cute! You always come up with something new :) That I spy game on this Christmas tree is a family tradition here!!!

Cindy said...

I can just imagine how hard it is when you honey is away. I hate it when mine has to work on a weekend! Your little characters are so cute. I especially love that little panda.

Ina said...

That must of been tough to be responsible for 2 kids with husband traveling frequently. You've earned your angel wings! ;p

I love your little creations! They are so fun and cheerful to look at. ;p

Stay warm!

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RetroSandie said...

Seeing that little Hallmark calender book brought memories of when I used to use them, too! I had a large stack of them going back many years to my teens, but I think during one of my moves, I threw them out. Your display of Valentines and Chinese New Year's is so beautiful! So many adorable cuties there!! I love everything!!!!!
Hugs, Sandie

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

Thanks for sharing your sweet stories with us, he is so cute and adorable! Your work is so inspiring!! :) I just love visiting! xo Holly

Pieceful Bits said...

Distance certainly makes the heart grow fonder <3

Musings from Kim K. said...

Our family is so honored to have these same felt Chinese crafts from you, Elizabeth. They are lovingly treasured. The CNY festivities continue all year long with my sweet Josie!

Hearts Turned said...

Lovely memories, dear friend...and I loved the glimpse into your bedside calendar covered with hearts...sweet as sweet can be.

Wishing you the loveliest day!

Julie

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Gee Love said...

oh, my gosh! you are adorable. i love that while you do a tutorial you share great stories. i am absolutely IN LOVE with anything vintage and i see that you have and make the most amazing vintage things!!!! i try not to follow blogs because i would fill my email every day with all of them that i want to follow, but in this case i am making an exception! thank you so much for sharing!

p.s. i just began blogging about a month ago (it is hard to do on a regular basis) and i think you're really good at it. thanks again for sharing!

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