Is It Really Rustic?

Apologies and Upcomings

The Fragrance of Spring

Cabin Fever Cure!

The Best is Yet to Come!

"Could use a Little Good News Today"

 I'm sorry for the long absence again.  I don't know if my chaotic lifestyle is really suited to blogging or not.  But I enjoy writing so when the urge strikes I enjoy blogging.  And life has been extremely chaotic recently.  Since I'm not particularly fond of online complaining by myself or anyone else I tend to avoid posting ~ I would hate to sound whiny or negative.  But when you avoid posting...sometimes you forget to post the good things too.  And there have been some really great things for our little business.  So I am going to get caught up with all the Good News.

Good News From North Country Rustics:

I've been carving again!  And it makes me smile!  Here are some of my latest projects out of the workshop.  Lots of photos...  That's what I get for not blogging enough!

Hand Carved, Hand Painted Screen Doors

Hand Carved, Hand Painted Wall Hangings

and Hand Painted Hand Saws

Our Facebook page has recently hit 700 Likes!!!  I can hardly believe the amazing response to our work.  

Maybe it's because I'm not the only one who has noticed that buying small, local, hand crafted just makes more sense than buying junk from big box stores and then buying it again in just a few months.  Even Facebook and Pinterest seem to be on the Hand Crafted Band wagon!

I'll post again....soon ~ I promise!  Next post will be about our first North Country Rustics Open House!

Mother's Day Lessons

Mother's Day has come and gone with the usually flurry of flowers and greeting card advertisements.  I'm sure most Mom's were just as happy with their gifts as I was with mine (Chocolate Breakfast in Bed! Heaven!!!) or the gift I gave my Mom ~ A hibiscus plant she'd been longing for.  But now that they day has past it leaves me wondering about the lessons we learn and the lessons we teach as Moms.

We all have this idealized thought of Motherhood.  The baby sweetly cooing in our arms.  The angelic faces sleeping in their beds.  Visits to Grandma for fresh baked cookies.

And sometimes you do get lucky and show up at Grandma's after baking has occurred.  But who could have envisioned Grandma playing Wii with the Grandkiddies?  Who could have understood the stresses that the Modern World would put on Mother's?

Okay, so maybe it's always been stressful.  Maybe we were warned.  I don't remember a warning... but Maybe.  So how do I as a Mom still teach the values I want my children to have, how do I as a child value the lessons my Mother taught to me?  It's a balancing act worthy of the Circus but it is something I attempt everyday.  Because being a Mother doesn't exclude anyone from being a Child.  I belong to my Mother (no matter my age ~ 37 for those keeping track) and my children belong to Me (no matter their ages: 9, 13, 16 ~ Whew!)

In the End ~ That is the lesson I want to teach.  Belong.  Find where your heart calls home and then Belong. It's so simple, and so indescribably difficult.  To Belong gives you yesterday and tomorrows.  To Belong gives you encouragement and protection.  To Belong is a constant challenge and an amazing reward.

I hope that you find your place to Belong.  Today and Everyday.

Today's Post was Inspired by the Fine Folks at Folk!