I have been asked a few times in the last couple of weeks what kind of blogging I do. How would I describe my blog? Having done this a couple of years you would think I would have a quick response but I kind of stumbled with my answer.
It isn't a crafting blog although I do share what I'm creating...
It isn't a decorating blog even though I do show you pictures of our home...
It isn't a gardening blog just because I bombard you with pictures of my pretty flowers...
I love taking pictures but it certainly isn't a photography blog...
Lifestyle? No...
Cooking? A big heck to the no on that one...
Spiritual? Not entirely...
It got me thinking. How would I describe this blog? There is really no rhyme or reason to my writing. Sometimes I feel the need to share something that is weighing on my heart and other times I just feel like chatting, rambling on about this or that and nothing in particular.
My interests change with the seasons or with whatever is peaking my curiosity at any give time. I call myself a jack of all trades and master of none. My mom calls me scattered, my friends think I over commit. I like to think of myself as curious. I can be heard to say "I think I could do that", most any time I am out and about. Can I? Sometimes yes and sometimes no, but I am willing to give it a try (which would attest to my pack rat craft room).
So my question to you is two part. How would you describe this blog and why do you come back? (Remember niceness counts...)
Okay, remember to leave your comment on the original give away post for another chance to win. I will be drawing a winner tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
xo, Patty
It isn't a crafting blog although I do share what I'm creating...
It isn't a decorating blog even though I do show you pictures of our home...
It isn't a gardening blog just because I bombard you with pictures of my pretty flowers...
I love taking pictures but it certainly isn't a photography blog...
Lifestyle? No...
Cooking? A big heck to the no on that one...
Spiritual? Not entirely...
It got me thinking. How would I describe this blog? There is really no rhyme or reason to my writing. Sometimes I feel the need to share something that is weighing on my heart and other times I just feel like chatting, rambling on about this or that and nothing in particular.
My interests change with the seasons or with whatever is peaking my curiosity at any give time. I call myself a jack of all trades and master of none. My mom calls me scattered, my friends think I over commit. I like to think of myself as curious. I can be heard to say "I think I could do that", most any time I am out and about. Can I? Sometimes yes and sometimes no, but I am willing to give it a try (which would attest to my pack rat craft room).
So my question to you is two part. How would you describe this blog and why do you come back? (Remember niceness counts...)
Okay, remember to leave your comment on the original give away post for another chance to win. I will be drawing a winner tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
xo, Patty
My youngest is getting ready to fly the coop in a couple of weeks leaving us with an empty nest once again. If you live with adult children you know this is a bittersweet time. On the one hand it's time for her to establish a life and home of her own but on the other hand am I ready for the quietness that she will leave behind...
or the absence of unfolded laundry left in the dryer..
or a dirty frying pan in what was briefly an empty sink...
or an empty bottle of conditioner in the shower...
or leftovers in Styrofoam crowding the refrigerator...
or half full water bottles left on the counter?
Am I ready for all that? Hmmmmm? It will be an adjustment but yes, I do believe I am.
All kidding aside, it is time but I will miss both her and my grandson. Luckily they will only be 15 minutes away so we will see them often.
I've added a couple more things to the give away...a cute little bowl and an antique spice grinder. Here is the link to the original post so that you can leave another comment. Just tell me if you are an empty nester or not and how the adjustment period was for you?
xo, Patty
or the absence of unfolded laundry left in the dryer..
or a dirty frying pan in what was briefly an empty sink...
or an empty bottle of conditioner in the shower...
or leftovers in Styrofoam crowding the refrigerator...
or half full water bottles left on the counter?
Am I ready for all that? Hmmmmm? It will be an adjustment but yes, I do believe I am.
All kidding aside, it is time but I will miss both her and my grandson. Luckily they will only be 15 minutes away so we will see them often.
I've added a couple more things to the give away...a cute little bowl and an antique spice grinder. Here is the link to the original post so that you can leave another comment. Just tell me if you are an empty nester or not and how the adjustment period was for you?
xo, Patty
What a difference a year makes. This time last year I was in the middle of what I would arguably say were the most heartbreaking four months of my life. I came face to face with a couple of my worst fears and was struggling to find air to breathe.
It is a season of life I don't hope to repeat. again. ever.
But as always, God was faithful and more than good as he gently restored order to my world and joy to my heart.
Now I find myself in such a good place and loving life...not perfect but pretty darn close.
As a thank you to all of you who have hung in there with me, offering words of encouragement and many prayers, I thought it was about time for a give away.
So I gathered a few of my favorite things just for you. I am sure the loot will grow as the week goes on, too.
These Pier One measuring cups you all loved, this beautiful Anthropologie mug and a vintage sheet pillow slip will start the ball rolling. You know the drill. Leave me a comment on this post (only comments on this post will count) and you will be entered.
As the week goes on I will be adding a few more gifts but you will need to return to this post to leave another comment. Each time I post about a gift you can come back to this post and leave another comment.
I hope that makes sense but I will explain it again when I post about another gift. I will draw a winner on Tuesday the 30th, which just happens to be my 30th wedding anniversary!
Have a wonderful day!
xo, Patty
*Thank you for all the nice comments. This give away is now closed.
It is a season of life I don't hope to repeat. again. ever.
But as always, God was faithful and more than good as he gently restored order to my world and joy to my heart.
Now I find myself in such a good place and loving life...not perfect but pretty darn close.
As a thank you to all of you who have hung in there with me, offering words of encouragement and many prayers, I thought it was about time for a give away.
So I gathered a few of my favorite things just for you. I am sure the loot will grow as the week goes on, too.
These Pier One measuring cups you all loved, this beautiful Anthropologie mug and a vintage sheet pillow slip will start the ball rolling. You know the drill. Leave me a comment on this post (only comments on this post will count) and you will be entered.
As the week goes on I will be adding a few more gifts but you will need to return to this post to leave another comment. Each time I post about a gift you can come back to this post and leave another comment.
I hope that makes sense but I will explain it again when I post about another gift. I will draw a winner on Tuesday the 30th, which just happens to be my 30th wedding anniversary!
Have a wonderful day!
xo, Patty
*Thank you for all the nice comments. This give away is now closed.
I wish you could take a walk with me through the garden, everything is exploding with color and bloom. Maybe you might understand why I keep disappearing for days at a time. This time of year is my absolute favorite and what starts out as a simple watering turns into several hours of pruning and planting and weeding and before you know it I have frittered an entire day away.
I think if you could see it all you would be mesmerized, too. I rushed out early one morning last week to snap a few pictures to share with you but they just don't do it justice. I wish I had a decent wide angled lens to try and capture it better for you.
Please tell me you fritter, too. It may not be in the garden but something you do gets you so caught up that you can be a tad bit (okay, maybe more than a tad) obsessive with it.
I seem to be that way with whatever I do. It must be a personality disorder or something.
It is my week to host ladies night this Friday and I want everything to be extra special, so you will probably be seeing more pictures of the garden than you care to. I will try and include a few other sneak peaks around the house, too.
Tomorrow I will be posting my much postponed give away and let me just tell you that it may or may not include a set of adorable measuring cups....
Thanks for being patient with me.
xo, Patty
I think if you could see it all you would be mesmerized, too. I rushed out early one morning last week to snap a few pictures to share with you but they just don't do it justice. I wish I had a decent wide angled lens to try and capture it better for you.
Please tell me you fritter, too. It may not be in the garden but something you do gets you so caught up that you can be a tad bit (okay, maybe more than a tad) obsessive with it.
I seem to be that way with whatever I do. It must be a personality disorder or something.
It is my week to host ladies night this Friday and I want everything to be extra special, so you will probably be seeing more pictures of the garden than you care to. I will try and include a few other sneak peaks around the house, too.
Tomorrow I will be posting my much postponed give away and let me just tell you that it may or may not include a set of adorable measuring cups....
Thanks for being patient with me.
xo, Patty
I woke up early this morning finally feeling recovered from the busyness of last week. I wasn't expecting the light rain that greeted me but being trapped inside for the day doesn't sound half bad.
My craft room looks like a Michael's store exploded in it and it is really hard for me to feel creative in that much chaos. So that's the first thing on my agenda today.
I have a couple of classes to teach in the next two weeks and some prep work yet to be done for them so today is the perfect day to tackle that. I love putting the kits together and teaching still doesn't feel like work.
I am not quite ready to tackle the messy state that this house in so I think I will designate today a work free (sick) day until someone calls me out on it...
I remember when I worked outside the home I would allow myself a day off every now and then when things at home where a little overwhelming. I called them preventative sick days. Now that I am home there is no one to call in sick to...So I guess now I just have to notify myself.
What about you? Want to call in sick with me today?
xo, Patty
I have a few of these vintage pillow cases listed in the shop today...
My craft room looks like a Michael's store exploded in it and it is really hard for me to feel creative in that much chaos. So that's the first thing on my agenda today.
I have a couple of classes to teach in the next two weeks and some prep work yet to be done for them so today is the perfect day to tackle that. I love putting the kits together and teaching still doesn't feel like work.
I am not quite ready to tackle the messy state that this house in so I think I will designate today a work free (sick) day until someone calls me out on it...
I remember when I worked outside the home I would allow myself a day off every now and then when things at home where a little overwhelming. I called them preventative sick days. Now that I am home there is no one to call in sick to...So I guess now I just have to notify myself.
What about you? Want to call in sick with me today?
xo, Patty
I have a few of these vintage pillow cases listed in the shop today...
First off , thank you all for the positive comments on my birthday post. Sometimes when you put yourself out there you wonder if anyone else will "get you" or not. Secondly, thank you for all the birthday wishes. I plan on responding to you all personally this week as it should be a less busy one.
I have started gathering things for my two year blogging anniversary give away. My plan is to have it all together and ready to post by the end of the week, but you all know how that goes. We will see...but I promise to make it worth it.
Last month I had the joy of participating in a Spring Covert Robin Swap with a group of talented sewing ladies. I love swaps, don't you. It is so much fun putting together little bits and bobs of this and that, wrapping them up pretty and shipping them off hoping you have blessed the recipient of your little bundle.
Then of course, the waiting begins for your little bit of happy mail. I was lucky enough to receive mine from Lisa over at in the boondocks.
Just look at this pretty and practical booty that came my way. The cute red and blue fabric is a set of potholders...clever, huh and the large floral in the back is a cute carry all bag. I love it all. She obviously did her homework in stalking me and knows I love color. Way cute, isn't it.
I am still in the process of photographing and adding things to my little etsy shop. Along with a few vintage pillow slips and spring banners, I will have a couple of these little pincushions since I couldn't stop with making just one.
I guess I've rambled long enough for today. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll talk to you all on Monday.
xo, Patty
I have started gathering things for my two year blogging anniversary give away. My plan is to have it all together and ready to post by the end of the week, but you all know how that goes. We will see...but I promise to make it worth it.
Last month I had the joy of participating in a Spring Covert Robin Swap with a group of talented sewing ladies. I love swaps, don't you. It is so much fun putting together little bits and bobs of this and that, wrapping them up pretty and shipping them off hoping you have blessed the recipient of your little bundle.
Then of course, the waiting begins for your little bit of happy mail. I was lucky enough to receive mine from Lisa over at in the boondocks.
Just look at this pretty and practical booty that came my way. The cute red and blue fabric is a set of potholders...clever, huh and the large floral in the back is a cute carry all bag. I love it all. She obviously did her homework in stalking me and knows I love color. Way cute, isn't it.
I am still in the process of photographing and adding things to my little etsy shop. Along with a few vintage pillow slips and spring banners, I will have a couple of these little pincushions since I couldn't stop with making just one.
I guess I've rambled long enough for today. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll talk to you all on Monday.
xo, Patty
Warning...this is a long one but it's my birthday so indulge me (wink, wink).
When I was younger and heard people say that age was just a number I always brushed it off as an older person trying not to sound old. Now that I'm the one saying it, I know that it is so much more than that.
While there is no denying that our bodies can only do so much when it comes to aging and creams and scalpels can only preserve youth to a certain extent, our minds, hearts and spirits are another story. We alone are in control of our attitude toward life no matter what life stage we are in. Our mental outlook can be that of a fresh young thing or a bitter older woman. Our hearts can choose to be thankful for what we have and see those who love us, or they can focus on betrayal and discontent. Our spirits can soar with anticipation and hope or they can wallow in what might have been or used to be.
At 52 I am more secure in who I am, in who I was created to be and it what brings me happiness. I am less concerned with what others think of me and with trying to be all things to all people. I am realizing that following God's will for my life does not give me the authority to judge how others live their lives. I am learning that loving people does not mean changing them or condoning their actions. I have learned everyone has a story. No ones life is absent of struggle and heartache. I am learning to forgive myself for my past wrongs as I accept the human frailties and imperfections of others.
Kelly Rae Roberts wrote the most thought provoking post yesterday on finding our voices and she shared this quote...
"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen." ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
This is so true. How we live our lives after the struggle is what defines our beauty. Not the date on our birth certificates or gene pool. When people say age is just a number, I get it. In so many ways I feel younger now than when I was in my thirties and forties and carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.
I spent the majority of the first 50 years of my life trying to please others and control circumstances so that the world would be better according to my vision. What a waste of time and energy. What a load of angst I gave and carried. It can be difficult to let go of the past. It can be difficult to truly forgive both others and ourselves but hanging on to past hurts and disappointments only enslaves us further to them.
Oh, sweet ones. As women we need to learn to love ourselves, imperfections, limitations and all. We need to stop expecting others to bring us joy and learn to find joy in the beauty around us. We need to count our blessings and be thankful instead of focusing on our disappointment and pain.
"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13
I know you have a story...I know your life has been filled with struggles, mine has too. I have stories that would shock you, stories that would bring you to tears. We all do.
Living a beautiful life is a choice and at 52 I choose to be thankful and content even if everything around me is telling me otherwise.
xo, Patty
I am just popping in with a quick survey of my blog readers regarding a little shin dig my good friend Elaine from Sunny Simple Life is considering. If you know Elaine, you know that she loves her beautiful family, her adorable home and garden and her little flock of chickens.
We met through blogging a couple of years ago and discovered that we live within a couple of miles of each other (I know small world, huh). She is the real deal. What you see and read is who she really is and I have truly been blessed by her friendship.
She approached me last month about co-hosting an afternoon of Chickens 101 in her backyard. She lives on an average size suburban lot but has managed to to incorporate an adorable chicken run and coop as well as plenty of fruit trees and vegetable beds into her landscape all the while keeping a family friendly, pretty yard to hang out in.
Here's my question...If you are local to the Southern California area, would you be interested in an event like this? The morning would include a Q & A with Elaine plus a tour of her gardens, a simple brunch and a craft taught by me.
She is going to pose the same question to her readers and we will decide at that point whether there is enough interest in the event to move forward.
I have toyed with the idea of backyard chickens for a few years now but have yet to take the leap. Who knows if something like this will make me jump in with both feet. Don't tell my husband or he might hide my car keys!
Leave me a yay or nay comment with your thoughts.
xo, Patty
(These pretty raised bed planters are from the grounds of the Hotel Del Coronado. Be still my heart, I love them so!)
We met through blogging a couple of years ago and discovered that we live within a couple of miles of each other (I know small world, huh). She is the real deal. What you see and read is who she really is and I have truly been blessed by her friendship.
She approached me last month about co-hosting an afternoon of Chickens 101 in her backyard. She lives on an average size suburban lot but has managed to to incorporate an adorable chicken run and coop as well as plenty of fruit trees and vegetable beds into her landscape all the while keeping a family friendly, pretty yard to hang out in.
Here's my question...If you are local to the Southern California area, would you be interested in an event like this? The morning would include a Q & A with Elaine plus a tour of her gardens, a simple brunch and a craft taught by me.
She is going to pose the same question to her readers and we will decide at that point whether there is enough interest in the event to move forward.
I have toyed with the idea of backyard chickens for a few years now but have yet to take the leap. Who knows if something like this will make me jump in with both feet. Don't tell my husband or he might hide my car keys!
Leave me a yay or nay comment with your thoughts.
xo, Patty
(These pretty raised bed planters are from the grounds of the Hotel Del Coronado. Be still my heart, I love them so!)
On Friday my mom, my youngest daughter, my grandson and I, made the two hour drive down to San Diego to visit my oldest daughter and her little family. The skies were gloomy and threatening when we headed out the door to pick up my mom and we even considered rescheduling, but knowing how hard it was to arrange this visit (trying to figure days off and spring breaks and such) we decided we would adjust our outing to the weather when we got there.
I am so glad we went. The cloudy skies gave way to a picture perfect weather day.
One of my favorite places to go in San Diego is Coronado Island. It is only a short drive over the bridge but it feels like a far away vacation destination. I could spend the entire day driving around looking at the adorable cottages and gardens that line the neighborhoods but with little ones in tow I settled for a few wrong turns and some quick phone pictures out the car window.
We had a fun picnic at the park and the grand kids got to explore the rocky shoreline. We found some sort of animal paw print in the wet sand and imagined it to be a wolf on the prowl. The kids had fun following the tracks, as they hunted down the wild animal.
Our next stop was the famous Hotel Del Coronado. My daughter told the kids the story of the haunting of the hotel by a young woman who went in and never came out. Needless to say, it was the topic of conversation for quite some time. Plus, we had a couple of spectacular fly overs by jets in formation which thrilled my grandson to no end.
We finished the day with delicious ice cream cones that were devoured with much enthusiasm, which is just as ice cream should be eaten.
We joked when we retrieved the car from the parking lot that our little stop for ice cream cost $50.00! Our tiny single scoop cones where $35.00 for the six of us (thanks again, mom) and the parking was another $15.00. A little too rich for my everyday blood but definitely the cherry on the top of a heartwarming day.
So what about you? Any wolf hunting or jet watching or ice cream eating time in your weekend?
xo, Patty
I am so glad we went. The cloudy skies gave way to a picture perfect weather day.
One of my favorite places to go in San Diego is Coronado Island. It is only a short drive over the bridge but it feels like a far away vacation destination. I could spend the entire day driving around looking at the adorable cottages and gardens that line the neighborhoods but with little ones in tow I settled for a few wrong turns and some quick phone pictures out the car window.
Our next stop was the famous Hotel Del Coronado. My daughter told the kids the story of the haunting of the hotel by a young woman who went in and never came out. Needless to say, it was the topic of conversation for quite some time. Plus, we had a couple of spectacular fly overs by jets in formation which thrilled my grandson to no end.
We finished the day with delicious ice cream cones that were devoured with much enthusiasm, which is just as ice cream should be eaten.
We joked when we retrieved the car from the parking lot that our little stop for ice cream cost $50.00! Our tiny single scoop cones where $35.00 for the six of us (thanks again, mom) and the parking was another $15.00. A little too rich for my everyday blood but definitely the cherry on the top of a heartwarming day.
So what about you? Any wolf hunting or jet watching or ice cream eating time in your weekend?
xo, Patty
Just popping in to say hello saturday and catch up really quickly before what promises to be a very busy week here at Lemon Lane Cottage.
I have a number of projects with due dates this week not to mention another birthday has rolled around (along with our 30th wedding anniversary) and in honor of both, I have a fun give away planned for later in the week.
I am also busy restocking my little etsy shopette with cute things for spring including a few vintage sheet pillow slips.
I will be back on Monday to share more on all the goings on. In the meantime, have a fantastic weekend and I hope the flowers have started to bloom where ever you are.
xo, Patty
I have a number of projects with due dates this week not to mention another birthday has rolled around (along with our 30th wedding anniversary) and in honor of both, I have a fun give away planned for later in the week.
I will be back on Monday to share more on all the goings on. In the meantime, have a fantastic weekend and I hope the flowers have started to bloom where ever you are.
xo, Patty
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