Do you know how they say when one door closes wait and another one will open?  I have not always been the biggest fan of that saying.


I am more of a "have a thought then push it through and figure out the details later" kind of girl.  All the while wondering why there is no peace in my life.

Note: This mentality can leave you alone in a sinking ship more often than not.  It can also lead to over commitment and a severe case of crash and burnout syndrome.


Now, I am finding that there is Peace in the wait...


I have had several doors close to me lately that I thought were swinging wide open.  I have hung up the phone with feelings of disappointment only to find out that another opportunity (better fitting than the one before) has presented itself, one that I would not have been able to say yes to if I had pushed my way into the other.



I am finally letting go of the plans that I have for my time and waiting on the ones that my Creator has for me.  Why did it take me so long?  Am I that stubborn or so proud that I think my way is the best way?  Did I forget that there is Someone who knows me even better than I know myself?

Someone who gave me my gifts and talents and knows the best kingdom use for them...

Now I am wondering how many other God appointed opportunities have I not been available for because I was too busy with plans of my own?


Sarah Young writes in Jesus Calling, "The peace that I give you transcends your intellect.  When most of your mental energy goes into efforts to figure things out, you are unable to receive this glorious gift.  I look into your mind and see thoughts spinning round and round: going nowhere, accomplishing nothing.  All the while, My Peace hovers over you searching for a place to land."

How long has God been circling my life with His Peace, looking for a place to land?  By letting go of my thoughts spinning round and round, I can leave the runway of my mind wide open for Him. 

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation." 2 Thessalonians 3:16

xo, Patty

We are having a family reunion this month and I am looking forward to seeing cousins I haven't seen in a very long time.  I am conveniently ignoring the fact that it may or may not involve a bathing suit (yeah, that ain't gonna happen). 


My mom comes from a family of ten siblings so you can only imagine the laughter and fun that will ensue.


Each family is in charge of putting together there own branch of the family tree to share at the party.  I am thinking of using a modified version of the one that I made for my mom last year.  I have to figure out how to put it all on a large poster board for display but I already have a few ideas brewing in my mind.


I cannot remember the last time we all got together for a celebration like this.  It seems the only time we gather lately is for funerals and that is just not right.  Large families are quickly becoming a thing of the past and I think it is so important for this youngest generation to know what it's like to be surrounded by all that noise and chaos.

I'll let you know how the poster board tree works out when it's finished.  So, when was the last time you had a family reunion?  Did it involve a bathing suit? 

xo, Patty

Thank you for the sweet words about my new header.  I was hoping you would like it as much as I do.  Of course, my husband ever the realist pointed out..."Well, what did you expect them to say?" Hah!


The paints are put away for now and the sewing machines (yes, that is plural, I use three) are front and center in my craft studio. 


I have been busy as a bee and happy as a lark putting together a few sweet little girl outfits.


This little romper and ruffled bloomer set was made for the quilt shop I sometimes sew for.  The owner pays me in fabric so whenever I am low on funds and in need of some pretty inspiration I head on over and see what she needs sewn up.


It's a win, win situation for sure.



I finished a sweet pinafore for my granddaughter but I want her to model a photo shoot before I share it with you.  Of course, I couldn't resist a quick instagram photo sneak peak.  (You can see my latest IG's on my side bar or at Patty_Marker.) 


That's about all for this Monday morning.  My house has been sadly neglected so I am off to do a bit of cleaning before I head back into my sanctuary.


Have a wonderful Memorial Day sweet friends.  Find a veteran or the wife of a veteran and give them a hug.  Sacrifice happens on both sides, so that we can enjoy the lives we've been blessed with!

xo, Patty

Did you notice my new header?  I have wanted to come up with an original image for my blog for a while now and thought why not pull out my watercolors and give it a go?

So I began doodling and painting and then doodling some more and this is what I came up with...


What do you think?  This is just one of the little things I've been tinkering with around here.  I have been toying with the idea of switching to wordpress but I am just not sure this old brain is ready for that.  I am having a case of the "if ain't broken then don't fix its".  We'll see...

No telling what I'll come up with next now that I am creatively inspired.

Enjoy your weekend!

xo, Patty

I've joined Elaine over at Sunny Simple Mondays...

As I sat down to have my quiet time and coffee this morning I actually had to pull out a throw blanket from the basket beside the couch.  The skies outside are quite gloomy and there is a definite chill in the air....I am loving it!  After our stretch of 90 plus degree weather this is definitely a welcome relief.


You know what else I am loving right now?  Life...

My creative brain has been on overdrive.  I have spent days holed up in my craft studio behind the sewing machine, cutting out pretty paper, ribbons and lace, putting paint down on canvas and words down on paper.  I know these spurts don't last forever so I am enjoying every moment of it. 


Now you know why I have been such a sporadic blogger lately.  Heading into my second year of retirement I finally feel like I have a direction for my life.  I have a couple things in the works that I can't share with you yet but I really feel God moving and guiding me in them.  It is amazing how He positions us just where we need to be when He wants to use us, all the while allowing us to work through life experiences and hone our talents.


I have no idea what it all means just yet (the details are His) or where I am heading but I am excited to see where it all leads.

What about you?  What's been keeping you busy lately?

xo, Patty

It has been so hard to watch and absorb the devastation that Moore Oklahoma is facing today in the wake of that massive tornado. I cannot even imagine what it must be like to come out of a cellar and see your home leveled with even the property lines and neighborly fences gone.


The thought of children being trapped in their school is especially hard to stomach.


This is not the first tragedy we have faced as a nation this year. It seems we are in a period of testing and trial with one blast coming on the heals of the last.


We live in a land of abundance, we are a country of survivors and I have no doubt we will come together as a nation to help re-build the very heartland of America but what can we as individuals a half a continent away, do to offer a tangible hand right now?


I read this post from the Pioneer Woman who is an Oklahoman, with a list of places to donate to.


And of course, we can pray.

xo, Patty

Just sitting here pondering life over my bowl of cereal...


Life is like a bowl of cornflakes, it starts out all crispy and full of promise and then you add milk and it begins to get a bit soggy.  Just when you start to get a little bogged down you find a hidden bite of banana to sweeten it up just enough to see through the bowl.

Here's wishing you a day full of hidden bananas!

xo, Patty

One of the things that impressed me most last weekend on the garden tour was all the little (and not so little) indoor touches that these gardeners used outside.


The chicken coop at Boho Farm is just beautiful.  If I were inclined to lay an egg, this is where I would want to come home to roost.  It is charming, from the cute burlap bunting banner...


to this adorable screen door.  I have seen pictures of the pretty chandelier that hangs inside the coop but unfortunately the girls laying quarters were off limits to the crowds and I can understand why.  It might take a little while to get back to a laying routine after having several hundred people trample through during the day.


I love this little shelf with practical  gardening tools collected in unusual containers.


I took a couple of pictures of this rustic chandelier and am busily trying to figure out how I can duplicate it for my own patio.  Some people are just so clever!


A pair of Adirondack chairs and ottomans are on our list for this summer.  I would love my morning coffee reclining on one of these before the heat of the day rolls in, wouldn't you?  Just to relax for a minute or two and take in the view of these gardens would be heavenly.  (I wish I could give credit to this particular gardener but I took so many pictures that I am not sure what garden goes with what gardener.)


Isn't that lamp with it's striped shade adorable?  This whole corner is overflowing with charm...


And finally these metal baskets turned upside down as lampshades hanging over this metal dining room table and wire chairs...genius. 

The little touches of indoors tweaked for outside have me itching to do a bit of outdoor decorating in our backyard.  I have a whole new list of things to be on the look out for next time I hit the flea market.  Don't you love being inspired to try something just a little different?  I sure do.


The clouds have rolled in here again so I think I will take advantage of the cooler weather and go outside, pull some weeds, and do a little dreaming and planning of my own.

xo, Patty

You know you're a gardener when you are willing to travel over five hours in scorching heat across miles of sandy desert during record breaking temperatures just to go on a garden tour.


Crazy, I know but that is exactly what I did this weekend with my good buddy and blogging friend Elaine from Sunny Simple Life. 


When we found out that Caroline from Boho Farms home was going to be on the Arcadia Edible Garden tour in Phoenix, Arizona we knew a road trip was in order so we packed an ice chest and hit the road.


After a few hours we realized how out of our minds crazy we are...the California desert goes on...and on...and on...


And then you hit the Arizona desert and yep, you guessed it, it goes on...and on...and on...


I cannot tell you how much fun it was!  I think somewhere around mile marker 199 we got a little punchy and really started cracking ourselves up.  The desert can do that you know.


Luckily the gardens were gorgeous.  I came away so impressed and inspired.  How these gardeners achieved these lush, green gardens with such amazing character in the middle of the desert is beyond me.


Needless to say, I wouldn't have missed it for the world.  Elaine was such a fun and easy travelling companion.  We have already started planning our next road trip and while it will also include miles of sand, this time it will also include the oceanfront to go with it. 


If you haven't been on any road trips with your girlfriends in a while, I say start planning.  The destination is not nearly as important as the ride!

xo, Patty

Come back tomorrow and I will share a few pictures of the working gardens, tool keeping and patio areas...

We have had such a weird week of weather.  It was in the 90's Thursday and Friday and by Sunday it was cold and rainy.  It is still damp and drizzly today but they tell us we will be back up to 90 by Mother's Day.  Geesh!


My roses are burning up in the sun one day and hanging their heavy water logged heads the next.


I see some blog friends are still getting snow in other parts of the country.  We sure have been in an unusual weather pattern the last couple of years.


I ran outside this morning and clipped a few of my favorite garden flowers for the dining room table while there was a break in the rain.

 Every year I add a few new Gerbera daisy plants to the front perennial bed.  They are such a great cut flower as are the Peruvian lillies which will be divided in the fall. 


This cool looking blue flower is love in mist and reseeds itself freely every year.  I added the red yarrow last month and it is already offering up such pretty blooms.


Thank you for loving my garden as much as I do.  It has been a labor of love since we moved in five years ago.  Some of you asked...yes, all the pictures I've been posting are from my yard.   Each year I replace a few more annuals with perennials and this year is the prettiest yet.

So now it's your turn...how is your garden fairing in this strange weather?  Anything blooming where you are?  Send me a link, I would love to come take a look.

xo, Patty

What a difference a weekend makes.  I have had a few days to adjust, to make plans, and to start enjoying the quiet mornings in my newly emptied nest. 


This rainy Monday morning brings with it a whole new perspective.


Don't think me callous but I have already started clearing out and planning a new guest room slash grandkid room in my daughters old bedroom.  My husband has started moving his musical instruments into my grandsons room which will now be his music room and I have already gutted and revamped the upstairs bathroom in my mind!


Thank you all for your wise and encouraging words.  My relationship with my daughter has already taken on a whole new dynamic and it's good to see her spreading her wings and caring for her little family.


This month is all about purging and organizing in anticipation of this new chapter in my life.  I have so many hopes and dreams still waiting to be lived out.  I hope you all will join me on the journey.

xo, Patty