My summer vacation

This is my niece Brooklyn. As you can see she is beautiful. She will soon be a year old, and is already proving herself to be quite bright too. I promise, none of this is me being a little biased because she's my only niece. Never! In case you don't believe me, here is another picture.

Yeah, that's cutest baby award stuff right there lol. I honestly hate this picture of me, but I think she looks phenomenal. I know this post seems like it's all about "Cookie", but really I just had to start out that way so you would understand where I'm coming from. I just arrived home yesterday from a two week vacation at her house. It was so difficult to leave, and as much as I know I need to be at home working and doing all those grown-up things she is already so missed. Now for a couple other pictures of my vacation.

Here is a picture of my sister, brother-in-law and Brooklyn on the beach. It was taken farther away using zoom because they didn't know I was taking the picture of them, but it was too perfect to pass up. 

...and of course I can't leave out Reba the dog...

We took the puppies to get their tails shortened and she went and found a puppet to cuddle with sadly. I know...such a cute pathetic picture. This dog loved me to death and sat watching me for half hour periods, sometimes laying her head on my lap. She also lets the baby climb all over her. I'm looking forward to my next visit, and will definitely be sure to take plenty more pictures too.

 What did you do this summer for fun?

Elisabeth Arona

Still

There was days when encouragement doesn't come as easily as other, when everything is frustrating and a minor crisis...in those times be still. There are a million verses to support this suggestion, but I'll just give you one.

Psalm 4:4 "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still." 
You know how some people count to ten when they're upset or about to say something that they might possibly regret? Well, this is the same kind of thought. Just be still, connect with what it is you are feeling and come up with a solution or realize that you can't come up with one and that you will just have a good attitude anyway.

At the moment I'm sitting still preparing myself to scoop the dead fish out of the fish tank. I really wish my dad had sat still and thought on his grand idea to dump a dozen minnows left over from fishing into the tank in the first place, but I give up.

Elisabeth Arona

P.S. Linking up with (in)courage on this great idea to write a blog post on one word on Fridays (not sure I even explained that right, but that's okay.)

One of them days...

On those days when the baby poops and it oozes out of his diaper, and then he spits up on your clothes...

On the days when you want to cry out of sheer exhaustion...

On the days when every time you tried to take a nap someone does something stupid...

On the days when you want to have an encouraging word for a friend, but you can't find it anywhere...

On the days when go out, only to realize when you arrive at your destination that your hair isn't done...and worst of all you don't even care...

On the days when the baby fell out in your arms and banged his head into your lip so it hurts like the dickens...

On those days take a deep breath and realize you're not alone. I know this because I just had "one of 'them' days".

Elisabeth Arona

natural hair and the park

I promised some friends that I would keep them posted on my hair and how being natural is (or isn't) working for me. I have started using the brand Kinky Curly, and I have to say that I really really like it! They have a leave-in conditioner that keeps my curls more alive and shiny than anything else I've used. Here are a few pictures from the other day when I let my hair dry naturally and went to the park right down the street. Notice the book in my hand :-)

This park is one of the most peaceful places (at the right time of day) with this little stream and the little minnows darting about. I made a mental note to bring bread with me next time to feed them.

Elisabeth Arona

Shorts

I decided to stop for a brief moment in the blogosphere to show off my latest. I made these shorts (finally) for a friend from my etsy team that has wanted some since last summer (I know I'm a shameful slacker.) The picture was taken latelate last night so give me a break on the photography lecture lol.

What do you think? 

I must run...I'm headed out to see about buying some satin for his and hers shorts to sell in pairs on etsy! We'll see how that goes!

Elisabeth Arona

Dolls and fabric shelves

Hi there! I'm so happy to be here with you again! These are completely pleasant circumstances too, how blessed are we? I can hardly believe I want to blog after I blogged yesterday, but I am so so excited and can barely contain it. I had a fabric shelf custom made for me, and felt I must show it to you. I will happily link you back to the creator-though whether he would happily make you one or not is not currently known. Let me start by saying that it was made to my exact specifications (I feel so important being able to say that),  and it turned out SO beautifully.

Here is the full-length view. It's beautiful! The shelves are nice and deep and can fit so much more fabric than if I'd bought a bookshelf or some nonsense!

Here is the picture of the shelves inside the cabinet part. Don't you love the ornate little handles he put on! This same man (and his son and grandchildren) makes pens to sell! 

Okay...now moving on to my other latest and greatest news. While you may be uninterested, indifferent, unappreciative, or any other long word, about me making a big deal of this, I have to!! A friend of mine-Sheila of sewfaithful on etsy named a doll after me! I realize that you really dignified people are like, "And?" I'll answer that short question "And it's awesome, and you're at least a little impressed!" Here she is in all her innocent glory :-)

Click on her picture to see more pictures of her or to buy one just like her...OR one just like you (she does custom work.) 

Whew, I'm worn out after all that chattering on. 

Elisabeth Arona

So I am told...

I am told that if you're having a block, and can't think of anything to write in your blog, write anyway, because the longer you take a break from it all the worse off you'll be. I didn't listen to this advice, and turns out, it was correct.
I don't have much to say, so I will show you two things that I was given or bought lately that I'm super happy about:

My birthday earrings:

Rita, from Sammysgrammy made the earrings I'm wearing in this picture. I love them to death! Check out her shop by clicking the link-or the picture-and maybe you can find something almost as cool :-) 

I have a problem with hyper pigmentation on my face from an acne problem (which I am now diligently working against.) Now that I've found all these cool natural ways to lessen the break-outs, I still needed something that I knew worked for the marks left behind. I asked a friend Diane, from lusciouslathers because I LOVE this chapstick that I bought from her, and she said she had something for me with AHA somethin' or another. I was like "aha!!" (yeah I know, lame) and went straight to her shop to "heart" it, so I could buy it on payday. I really hate drawing extra attention to it, so let me just give you the link.

This stuff is partially organic too! Hallelujah! I would ask if you want before and after pictures, but you can forget that...you WILL see after pictures though :-) 

That's all for today folks...

Elisabeth Arona