The Boundaries of Faith

How extraordinary that my across the street neighbors in the Neighborhood with the Hills being Mormon, Christian Scientist, Jehovah Witness, Pentecostal Apostolic, Jewish, and Baptist would have the profound result of creating in me an unwavering curiosity about the Boundaries of Faith.

Rules of separation meant to keep me away only increased my desire to have a better understanding of why the Purcells had so many children? Why would the Kennedy's not go to the hospital. How did the Smith's speak in tongues and why did the Greenwalts go to church on Saturday?

As an adult I have been drawn to individuals whose faith shines through their very demeanor. I immediately feel as I did as a child wanting to know about the differences that keep their friendship with me at arms length. 

God must have known this about me in his sending Joe to find my Twirly Swirly Girl. Of all the faiths Joe's family could be, it is one with many boundaries.

Thirty-two acres of rolling Ohio landscape, not another house to be seen. A driveway cresting atop a ridge to reveal a home built to hold a very large family. Garage door entrance, remove your shoes, dozens upon dozens already lined neatly in a row. Handshakes only, one after the other, skirts to the floor, hair that has never been cut. Voices so sweet from faces made all the more beautiful unadorned, overwhelming curiosity trying to take it all in.

My daughter who has been through so much in her young life could only be loved by someone who understands what it is like to be so different from others.

It can't be by accident that the Boundaries of Faith have brought two mother's children together, one of whom wishes to embrace their differences. Wedding Picnic,  a very special day!

DO NOT PIN THIS PATTERN TO PINTEREST
I have made my own pattern of Bella Dia adorable mushroom house. It is for personal crafting purposes only. The red and white polka dotted fabric can be found at JoAnn's Fabric. The circle mushroom cap should be a 12" circle. (I have made mine 10" so that it will fit on my cute as can be gnome shelf.)

Mushroom Picking

On the first Sunday of my married life, my husband took me to meet his beloved Uncle Roy and Aunt Dorothy and their large brood of children and their childrens children after morning church. Dressed in my Wedding Going Away Dress, a shirt waist dress with a full skirt and raw silk shoes, the best impression wanting to be made.

I wasn't at all prepared for the large group of people all related to each other and now to me dressed in their scruffiest of clothes. Aunt Dorthy enveloping me in her bosomy embrace greeted me, "Well you can't pick mushrooms in high heels!"

I was quickly swooped away by daughter-in-law #1, hanging on to her reassurance that something easily could be found for me to wear. It didn't seem to occur to her she was at least a foot shorter than I was. "Here, these pants are stretchy and this sweater is from when I was last pregnant. I've got shoes someone gave to me around here somewhere that will just do the trick."

It took all the courage I could muster to appear before the large crowd waiting to pick mushrooms in pants that didn't cover my calves, a sweater barely reaching my elbows, and red clodhopper shoes I can't imagine anyone ever having worn.

I will forever recall this day as the one I learned mushrooms didn't just come from the grocery store and could be as wrinkly and as unattractive as could be and that a family would wait an entire year for just the right moment to descend up the floor of the forest in search of this elusive fungus. It was also the first day of my life to be embraced by a family I now call my own and who love me with all their hearts.

Owl Pinkeep

Owlright now, what is the fascination with this nocturnal feathered friend? I seem to see them in every cute craft room I visit.


Could it be their owlishly handsome good looks? Their owlknowing keen intelligence?




I may be late to this owloccasion  fascination, but I'm so glad I've finally arrived!

Please do not Pin Pattern to Pinterest.

GNOME PARTY !

I have had such fun bringing to life the characters of my Gnome Party.

Crafting for me is the legacy given to me by my mother. What a magical place her studio was for a young girl. Shelves filled with every sort of interesting thing. Drawers to be opened, fingers marveling to sense what the imagination could bring to life.

Nothing was off limits in my mother's studio. Oils taken to paint rocks, background cloths to become doll clothes and hide away places. Brush strokes added after my mother's hand. Never once in my young life did my mother ever speak an unkind word to me.

A quiet girl always alone needed the safety of imagination to create a world for herself. The breath of creativity filling days with joy.

I love my craft room and it's shelves filled with treasures to eye spy. My mother is close to me in this place, and her praise is kind.

GNOME PARTY PATTERNS: