I bet you think I'm always happy?

I have decided that being sad or angry is truly a waste of my time. Don't get me wrong I am often temped by those two villains. Today is one of those days. I hear something on news I don't like, church time has changed and alter my day and now I have to adjust to that.

I go about my day having those unwanted thoughts eating away at me until my mood is black. But then I look at Timber wagging her tail and my husband saying with that loving voice, good morning. Those thoughts will not do that to me, so I keep my goat hidden.

A year ago, I decided to hide my goat. For those of you who haven't had those wonderful words said to you here they are.

"Don't let them get your goat".

I heard that a lot when growing up. But until now I didn't realize how important it is. I visualize my goat and where I put it to graze. I visit it in my head and realize how happy it is, safe from all that can hurt it. But life isn't that easy and I can't be protected like my goat.
When someone is trying to get the best of me, be it personal or on news, I have to visual the goat. It makes me smile and then, only then, I can see the loved ones around me doing their normal things to make this moment in time truly what I am here for. To love them.

The story is simple but to achieve it 's hard. God Bless those who are visited by those villains today.

What I won't do for downtime.

Last week my husband told me that the pickup needed service and the bad news was it would take four hours. A lightbulb went on in my head, I would volunteer to take it in and in return get four hours off. When I suggested it by saying I thought I could make that work, he said, with a loving look on his face...are you sure? I gave him that questionable look and said, ya I can.

This morning at 7:15 I headed off to Houston Ford in Pine River, it was a 40 minute trip. I know what you are thinking, isn't there one closer, no. But look at my view, breath taking.

Upon arrival I noticed the truck was excited and we both knew this was the place to be.

I knew there would be an abundance of coffee, pop, and popcorn. And I came with a novel and lots of time to read. It was wonderful. Coffee, read, go to the bathroom and repeat the cycle. Three hours into it, I was done reading and decided to just enjoy the last hour not doing anything.

Then it happened, a couple arrived and sat across from me. We struck up a conversation. That is what is great about a small town, everyone is so friendly. We laughed about cars we owned, places we go and enjoyed the last hour. The Nelson's of Crosslake were a light in my day and made it go so fast. It was a pleasure to meet them.

When they came to get me and tell me I was ready to go, even the service people wore a smile. But the biggest surprise was the just washed red pickup waiting for me. I knew when I turned the key that the cruise control was going to be needed. The pickup was not the only one feeling refreshed and happy.

Thanks to Houston Ford for their, as always, friendly and pleasant service.

It came to me today....

what happened to this weekend, where was I, how did it disappear without me noticing it's departure? Even if I saw it coming would I change a thing...probably not. I believe I am a little too structured. Where did that come from? Why is it that every morning I wake up with a plan for the day. More planning than day.

Maybe it's my upbringing. My mom was a hard worker, and so my dad. And do I really care. I find myself content with my life as I make it. And if I had more time off what would I do with it? I know it wouldn't be sitting in the sun drinking a fine blender drink or watching the birds for hours as they fly in the ski.

By golly that's it, I am happy and would not change a thing. I like a list of things to do and the possibilities of completing it. I like the time in my gardens and the mid afternoon nap when caught by surprise. Yes, this is a good life. Sometimes complicated but by my making.

But when I do take time to squander I truly appreciate it and spend it without quilt.

To those who love me this much...

Who have fought for me and my loved ones. Who have died and gone before me. Who created security because you care. You will never be forgotten in my prayers.

To those who fight today, may God protect. For those abused when returning from Vietnam, we are sorry. For those who don't understand what you are doing, may God calm them and embrace them.

A Guy and His Boat

When you live in northern Minnesota you find that most guys own a boat. And let me tell you there are as many varieties of boats as there are little fishies in the lake. And a tackle box to match.

But that is not what this subject is about. Last night my husband fried up some of his catch. In this case it was walleye and that's considered a favorite by many. He leaves for a week every summer and head north, that mean Canada when you live in northern Minnesota.

I am glad he can leave everything behind for a week and that includes me. I am sure that when he drives out of the driveway with my brother for that once a year adventure he forgets he has another life. I envy him for that.

How often can a gal say that her husband leaving for a week is something both can share. I get time to myself and he gets time with his guy friends and we both sit down and enjoy a meal together when the catch comes home. Once again the circle is complete.

God Bless those to visit my site but especially to those who follow my moments in time.

What is Balsam Ponds Anyway?

So often someone asks what is Balsam Ponds look like, is it just the porch? No it is everything that houses my husband and my heart. But I figure I should show you what it looks like when I drive in and know I am home. Please be safe the holiday and remember those who have died for us and the ones that would have. This makes Balsam Ponds even more special.

Another creation straight from my imagination

Father's day may seem far away but for a card designer it is here and now. The funny thing is I have morphed into a completely different line of cards. The last card I showed you was also not very conventional. And I said that maybe that is where I was intended to go. You know God does point you in directions you never imagined to go.

So, He pointed and I went. This card is for that father to be. I made sure not to say happy father's day because he doesn't deserve it yet and yet I am sure he is thinking that next year at this time he will be a full fledged father. I wish I could say I thought of the idea, but no, I was ask about a card from a gushy new to be grandmother.

So again, I hope you enjoy it. God bless all those who visit my little site.

Tell me it's the last time.

Ok, I have been putting up with the cool weather, I have shopped for plant, or should I say my husband has shopped for plants. Finally we plant because it is after the full moon and bingo, this is what happens. Yes, you see it right, it is called plastic. I could hardly believe it and yet, the rule of thumb in Minnesota is, after the full moon and after Memorial day.

But as you can see, we don't usually listen and then on a predicted cold night, we cover up all the plants we planted with love. Let's hope it is the last time. Because me a Minnesotan, finds it hard to wait. There is always hope that the rule is wrong.

Zen and the Zog

As most of you know by previous posts that Timber is our English Setter that seems to rule our lives. But she is also my friend and often teaches me thing I should know as a human.

The other day as I was designing my new father's day card collection and loving every minute, keeping my eyes on my drawing board and neglecting the wash, I took a break. My break is usually a trip to the coffee pot only four feet from my office.

With just a glance out the door I noticed Timber lying on the deck and enjoying the view. Than I took a minute and looked at the view. Here she was taking a break from her job, which means she needs to make the squirrels and birds earning their keep.

I realized how little I enjoy the view. So, with a smile on my face I grabbed that cup of coffee, opened a lawn chair and relaxed with her. She didn't run or seem to be unnerved as she usually does when she is doing her job. We both just relaxed I finished my coffee and she took in the view. Once again she taught me, and I love her more for it.

God Bless those who follow or just visit.

Carol

Who am I in this family?

I often ask that, I am in a fractured family. I married my husband and with him came a grown family. This has always been a mystery to me. Who am I or who should I be. I always said treat me like a friend. I didn't come into this family to take over someones position that can never be taken. I came into the family to love my husband, anything after that was a blessing.

A couple of days ago I was ask by a man in his 60's for a card he could send to a man that had treated him like a son all his life. I starred into his eyes and said thanks. He looked back in wonder and said "Does this mean you can make me one". I smiled and said I would be proud.

What a world we live in these days with all the fractured families. And a new demand on card makers. Maybe this is my true calling, and since I understand the problem and live it, I could make a difference. So, here is what I call stepson card, mostly because there is not easy word to use to describe those people who just love.

I hope you enjoy the card.

Things I don't do with my husband....

Flower shopping at the greenhouse. Years ago I thought that would be a great day out. I can see it now, me pushing the cart, John leaning over the cart carefully putting plants as he looks up with stars in his eyes about us being together. But that was not the way it went.

We have forty five minutes to the nearest greenhouse. I sat next to him in the pickup with a warm cup of coffee, listening to my favorite songs and thinking of what and how many plants we could us. He was surely enjoying the quietness of the trip and me, I felt he needed time to make his plans.

We arrived and there it was, wall to wall flowers. I know for a fact I was in heaven. Stepping into the store was were it happened.

Honey, what are we getting? His response, I haven't thought about it, what? I shrieked, if only I had a brown bag to breath in. Without my look of confusion we started down the isle.

That was the day I knew we were never going to do this again. See the problem is he hardly breaths and I can suck the air out of any room. Moral of this story, always smile and say wow, you can do such a great job without me. He knows the truth but I really think he is happy I don't want to go anymore.

By the way, I hope all the mothers in our country and world had a loving day. May God Bless.

We are a Crazy Quilt

I just finished a post on mom and a crazy quilt. I realized that her having eight children must have at times driven her crazy. However, with each day and every challenge she made it work. We knew we were loved, some days tolerated, but mostly loved.

I think of us as a crazy quilt because each are so different and unique, just like that piece of fabric that she would use in her quilts. Often she would have to use her creativity and make the pieces fit. At times the challenge must of seemed overwhelming. Mom started being a mom at age seventeen, she died when she was 91years of age.

She was relentless when it came to her family. Often at her wits end she would pull all the crazy pieces together and sew them into that 12 inch square and set them aside to look back on them as a challenge survived. Or maybe a time she when something wondrous took place and felt that we were a finely designed pattern.

When all was said and done, the quilt was magnificent. During her last journey of six months she could see the crazy quilt in every one of us as we visited her. This was her final masterpiece. The quilt was beautiful. We were the best work she had ever done.

When you come to your end on this earth you will see that the love you gave to your family and friends will be the quilt of your life. Make sure your quilt is the best it can be.

God Bless my family and those who love me.

Pieces of Fabric Sewn Into Love

It's called a crazy quilt. Mom used these scraps of fabric left over from the clothes she sewed for us. With loving fingers she placed them on a 12"x 12" piece of white cotton which often came from a sheet that had served it purpose. From a box under the sewing table she would work her design from the colored scraps she had placed there bit by bit over the year. This was not a piece of artwork, rather a way to keep us warm over the long winter nights in Minnesota.

I never saw her do it, or ask her about the work it took to make one. She never ask for my opinion or require praise. I knew that I would be tucked into bed with one of those quilts. Gently placed over me and tucked in under the mattress. I would spend time before I fell asleep touching the fabric pieces and trying to figure out who I saw wear the outfit in which the bulk of the fabric was used.

I don't know why, but a quilt whether it was a crazy quilt or one of her patterned quilts, it always felt warmer than a blanket. I know that the love she put into the quilt often remained there waiting for me or someone to crawl under and feel her love. Now that she has gone home to her Father, I find myself realizing how secure it felt to have the quilt over me. But mostly how blessed I was to have HER as my mother.

Happy Mother's Day Mom.

It's for the guys

Here it is, the male money card to give at graduation. I know, I said I was going to post soon. But after the prize I won, it was hard to get back to posting. Mostly because I wanted all of you to see the bracelet I won. And to check out the jewelry designer that made it for me. I wanted her product to be on the top of my page for a few days. But I knew you were sitting at the edge of your chair waiting.

No, that wasn't overstated. You just would not admit to it. So here it is. I am loving it because it's a card designed for a guy. You may say what's hard about that? The supply world is really for the gals not for the guys, when I find a great piece of paper that fits a guy, I get excited.

I hope you enjoy it.

Lookie, Lookie, what I got.

Today in the mail came a prize. I was looking forward to getting. Then with bated breath I opened the padded envelope and there it was such a pretty package. Adorned with a brown satin ribbon, a few business cards and a congratulations card. That was so fun, it took me only a minute to put it on and admire the colors and the quality.

I just wanted all to know that such quality exists in this internet world. I loved the fact that the clasp was so easy to use. Who am I kidding, I just love it. So, for all those who might be looking for a piece of quality handmade jewelry please stop by this shop. http://jewelrybyjanzia.artfire.com/

I never win anything, now I can say that sometimes it's not the quantity of wins it is the one win that melts your heart. Thanks Jeanette.

God Bless all those to visit my site.

Carol