Prayer Box Swap 4.0

This past month I participated in my first box swap.  This one was a prayer box swap.  I've seen them a few times on Instagram and got my name in on time for this one, PBS 4.0.  This particular one was set up by BubabdNonnie Blog.  This is how it works: you sign up to participate, fill out a form about yourself.  Mainly your likes, interests, hobbies, personal information if you like and any prayer requests.  This swap we all donated $5.00 to help a family adopting a little one.  All this money went to one family to help support their adoption process.  We then received an email about our 'swap box' partner.  I found out about her and her interests to help me put her box together.  Each participant is asked to put about $20 worth of items in their box.  About 4-5 items.  As I put the box together, I prayed for her requests and her family.  I knew on the other end was someone playing for me and my requests.  We had a deadline and off the packages went.  I received a lovely package from a mother of three in Ontario.  We now follow each other on Instagram and have started somewhat of a friendship because of this.

Here is the package I put together for my prayer partner.  She said she had a tea cup collection so I found a vintage gold trim tea cup.  She loves fabric scraps so I included a bundle of fabric pieces from my collection.  She grew her first garden this year so I found some chalk garden markers from Chapters.  I also included a heart felt bunting I made and a to-do pad of paper.  I hope she was blessed by my box put together with thoughtfulness and prayer.

In return received a box full of little goodies .... a framed Bible verse, washi tape, straws, wood matching game for the kids, dark chocolate [one of my favourites], travel coffee cup, handmade hoop art, flower pot + seeds, coffee and homemade bath salts.  

For more details of how it worked, click on the link.  

If you are interested in doing a "Blessing Box Swap", please let me know.  I would be open to arranging one just because I know how fun and what a blessing it was.  It's great to get a package in the mail designed just for you!

A barbq Sauce + Sprinkles Father's Day

Father's Day 2014 was simple, spent with family and we delighted in the little things.  Special days don't have to be grand to be special.  Trevor was treated to a morning of sleep, pancakes with sprinkles and home-made cards.  I had a disappointing mommy moment at one point in the morning.  I thought I was recording Trevor opening his gifts and reading his cards from the kids only to realize second later that I had just taken a picture.  I guess a memory captured just in our hearts.  

We then went to church where every family was given a bottle of barbq sauce.  This wasn't just a nudge for the dads to get to the grill but an invitation to welcome someone over for a meal and love on those around you.  A family you don't know well in the neighbourhood, a co-worker or someone who needs to feel loved.  Sharing a meal is a simple and great opportunity to come together.  

Trevor picked Montana's for his lunch, Isla needed a nap and off to the in-laws for a barbq.  Kids jumped on the trampoline in between rains, I Facetimed my dad in Alberta and Monopoly was played late into the evening.  A full-family-filled day.

This past Friday was the Father's Sports Day at preschool and Opa decided he was able to go with Oliver. Oliver was thrilled to have time with Opa.  He took a hammer and a snack for them to share.  Opa and Oliver made an alligator out of nails and rubber bands.  It's a keeper. 

 Found these cute Dad and Grandpa cards on Tater Tots and Jello.

Hope all you wonderful Dad's felt loved.  

Pinned it - Made it!

Pinned it - Made it!  I have hundreds of ideas on my Pinterest board and this was one I knew I could do easily if I just had one simple thing - a tree stump.  Not easy to come by but during our May long weekend at the cabin, I convinced my husband to get out the chain saw and cut some trees.  Luckily for me, we had great weather that weekend, a chain saw, a willing husband and trees.  So off we went to explore in the forest on the property and found some nice birch and cottonwood.  I made a few projects from the birch and will post later.  They turned out great.

Trevor did help out quite a bit with this project.  He cut, sanded and stained it for me.  I did about 5 coats of polyurethane on it to seal it because it would near splashing children.  

I knew this needed to be in our bathroom.  Right by our bathtub as a little stool.  It looks rich yet elegant.  It makes a bubble bath even more inviting.  

pretty little things

If you know me, I love pretty things.  Creative things.  Inspired things.  When my family came out for Thanksgiving, my mom brought out a box of china passed down to me by my late Great Aunt Annie.  She passed away when I was young of cancer.  I still remember picking cherries with her in the Okaogan.  What a cherished family heirloom these will be.  They are beautiful.  I look forward to having many tea parties.

  

After an appointment out in Abbotsford a couple weeks ago, I stopped by Spruce Collective.  They have amazing vintage finds.  I found these cute little gold spoons that I thought would be a perfect match.