Happy Summer Giveaway {Reminder}

{Design*Sponge}

Here's your reminder about the first giveaway held on this blog!

Remember, it's apart of the Happy Summer giveaway

from Sarah at forgiven. love much

July 1st and 2nd you'll comment on

this Happy Summer! post to win

two skeins of Italian Merino wool!

Be sure to read for all the fun details; the contest will close at midnight,

July 2nd so you'd better act fact for this one!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. : )

Happy Summer Giveaway!

Well, summer is here all bright eyed and bushy tailed!
We've been at the pool, in the sprinkler, and trying new ways to cool off
(let me know if you try it--we're big fans here!)
Hence, the slight lapse in blogging time, we've been a bit busy around here!
More on that later...

Also, I've added a few new items to the Etsy shop, please have a look around and let me know what you think and what you would like to see more of in the future!
I'm also interested to know what you all think of the newest addition to the summer line, it's a bit different but I've been wanting to expand my creative horizons. ; )

Now for that giveaway. *grin*

I'm very excited to announce

the very first giveaway for Lemons and Blueberries!

Thanks to Sarah from forgiven. love much,
I've been inspired to give away
two skeins of vintage Italian Mohair.
These treasures were found at a recent estate sale and are entirely clean and unused;
I tried to find more information on them but couldn't! If you happen to know the dates or more info, please share--I'm always interested in the story behind what I find.
For those of you new to mohair, it's a wonderful world. : )
Just by following a simple pattern you can make things like
this Cat Cay Cowl, something out of this look book, or these fun Sabrina Mits.

So here's how it'll go down:
From July 1st to July 2nd
the giveaway will be open until midnight, July 2nd.
1. Follow my blog (if you don't already) and
leave one comment below and include,
2. The nutshell story of how you met one of your
kindred spirits/dear friends,
3. and your email address (I'll get the winner's
physical address after the announcement).

Here's a few important p.s.'
*I'll be shipping no later than July 8th
**I will be covering international shipping, so those in Kenya, Kazakhstan, and Cadiz, feel free to join too!
***It's very important that you provide your email, that way I know how to get your physical address!

I'll be announcing the winner on July 3rd, so stay tuned. :)
Let me know if you have any questions.

That's all!

My Favorite Kind of Days: Rain

{Picture Credit}

Yes, I am a sucker for dark, cold rainy days.

Perhaps it's because we've had a bit of a drought this summer or the fact that I

don't live in Seattle (the Seattle natives that I've met are adamant that I would

get sick of the rain); at any rate, I love a good soaking rain that lasts from the

wee hours of the morning to just after dinner. It's very conducive to snuggling

on the sofa, curling up in the covers, and taking a nap.

Today has in store some errand running, violin playing, studying (naturally),

and hopefully some knitting. Buying yarn for my summer sweater is a part of the

errands I need to run and I'm happy to say that I've decided on a color.

I picked up a book from the library (just for fun) called Accents; such a great

resource for learning just about any sort of accent from Highland Scotch to Bombay

India, Mr. Blumenfeld gives a detailed explanation for every sort of accent.

Imitating accents has long been a pet hobby of mine so it's pretty fun to read a

formal study of them.

Beware, I may be sporting a Zulu or Australian accent the next time you see me!

Also, I'm studying lots of books/videos on makeup for film-

-such a lot of fun things you can do!

Any interesting books you're reading?

Today is the perfect day for curling up with a good one!

Bits of My Home and "Hello Summer"

{Irises gracing the dining room table}

Ah, summer, the time for pool parties to get in the sun and games of scrabble

and cards to get out of the sun; this year I'd love to have a few movie night

with friends, start a bookclub, and try out this Basil Lime Soda recipe

--anyone want to join me?

Though we don't really have a beach here in Houston I'm looking forward to

getting into the water this summer and have lots of sun time with my nieces

and nephew, because it's just so much fun to go to the pool with stickies.

What are your favorite summer pastimes?

{Lounge Around Baby Sweater}

So, the shop has been refreshed and replenished with new items, just in time!

Today's new listings are just a start so be looking for new ones in the weeks to come.

Here are a few peaks at what's in the Etsy shop, enjoy.

{Butter Yellow Lace Baby Hat}

Have you been by Spancy's Closet yet?

Check out Sarah's project on Goodsie and it's kind of a test to see how things sell;

I'm looking forward to hearing her results and opinion!

I've already bought something and am please with the process, very similar to

buying something on etsy

(I especially love how the shipping cost is worked into the price.)

{I just love the half off section in the floral department}

This week will be moving on in my studies with educational psychology and reading

more about the effects of caffine and sugar (gasp!), as well as buying yarn for my sweater

(which will be unveiled to all of you in September!).

KAL's are so fun. :)

What plans do you have for the week?

Pins and Pavlova's

{A wee bit of my home}

Recently I've come across the famed Pinterest--been there yet?

Well, I did for "a few minutes" and was very much entertained by all that people "pin"!

The wedding and DIY sections were wonderfully inspiring (especially this ruffled t-shirt idea).

Though I'm not sure about getting my own pin board for fear of being sucked into the never ending flow of pictures, I am putting it as an "idea resource" for future reference.

In other news, I'll be baking some more pavlova today for the tireless staff at the Fifth Ward Pregnancy Help Center. Around two to three times a year, my Mom will teach a 3 week birthing class to the clients who have chosen to keep their babies, and though it's really my Mom who has all of the information, our entire family goes and works behind the scenes work while she is teaching; my Dad prays before and after and my sisters and I prepare the "goodie bags" and snacks for the nutrition part of the class. I really enjoy the opportunity of talking with the different clients who come in and talk about their lives. Each class is different and it's always interesting to see who is more open and what sorts of stories they have to tell.

It's quite an experience to set across from these girls who have such a different life, come from broken families, and in most cases, are completely blind to the state of their souls; and especially here I am reminded that God's grace and mercy shines brightest, in the darkest places His love pours forth and people are changed. For most of them, seeing a family function together is a new thing and as God works all things together for a purpose, I am confident that He will bring His will to fruition in their lives.

Do you volunteer your time/resources?

How to: Say "Thank You"

We were so very blessed to have a local garden center, Plants For All Seasons, allow us to use their plants for Andy and Lisa's wedding. Considering our facility limitations and desire to create a warm atmosphere, we were delighted to be able to bring in live plants!

The staff at Plants for All Seasons were very helpful and accommodating; working with them was easy peasy. So, if you're in the Houston/Spring/Tomball area and are in need of some gardening help, stop by and see how cheerful and knowledgeable they are!

As a way of saying danke, I decided to make them a refreshing treat:

Mixed Berry Pavlova!

This dessert is a summertime favorite of mine, ever since tasting it a few years ago. Each time I think of it and make it I think of the dear friend that first made it, and it causes me to pray for her and her family.

I loved eating it, making it was a bit of a saga as I used Ina's recipe; the meringue came out more like a runny marshmallow, so we ate it plain. The second time was a charm though as I used"The Best" Pavlova recipe--it came out perfect. No really, it puffed and looked like a creamy cloud of yummy goodness! Topped with the blueberries and whipped cream I second guessed my decision to give it to the hard-working staff but in the end I drove over and dropped it off without a second thought! I made another one today and plan to serve it with cherries instead of blueberries.

Do you have any summertime dessert recipes?

Inspiring People {Sarah Mendenhall}

So, for today's post, I'd like to introduce you to an inspiring

young woman and her blog. I came across her and her sister Hannah last

year and am so impressed by their fervor and desire to serve and trust the Lord.

It was difficult to condense all that they do but for now

I wanted to introduce you to...

{Captured by Little Light Creative}

...Sarah Mendenhall!

The elder of the two Mendenhall sisters, Sarah is a lover of Christ,

her family, and all things sweet and vintage.

On her blog, forgiven. love much, there is much inspiration to be found

in her cute, creative, and modest approach to dressing in a feminine way;

each week she posts different outfits for each day as well as some

yummy recipes! I appreciate her evident contentment as she serves

her family at home.

Sarah also keeps a shop on Etsy called,

Spancy Ketosherosh Vintage,

which showcases her fun vintage finds as well as an arrangement of

handmade items. Sarah uses this venue to donate to Compassion International

by using 50% of all profits from her handmade items towards this ministry,

you can learn more here.

Recently, I was able to benefit from winning this adorable headband during a

giveaway that Sarah hosted. Quality is important to me,

especially in handmade items, and I am very happy to say that I'm very

content and impressed with her work

--I'm looking forward to working with her again in the future!

Before we wrap up this post, I'd like to share an interview I had with Sarah-

-enjoy!

Sarah, what was your main drive in creating your shop?

When I started thinking and praying about opening a shop, I simply wanted a way to develop some small business skills and make a little money for myself and the future. Now that I have been open two and a half months I have come to realize how it can be used for so much more! I have met many new people, networked, participated in giveaways and been able to donate some of my proceeds to a worthy cause.

How exciting! That leads to our next question about where you donate 50% of the proceeds from your handmade items, how did you come to desire to donate to Compassion?

My family has sponsored children through Compassion International for over 10 years now. When I was working full time I always donated a portion of each pay check to CI. I want to be able to continue to give even though my income is much lower than when I was working outside the home. :)

I'm always interested in how people choose the name for their business, how did you choose yours?

:) Funny little story. When I was five years old I named one of my dolls Spancy Ketosherosh! When I was throwing around names for my shop my sister Hannah suggested SK and it stuck. :)

What influences you the most in your business?

I believe that modest fashion, style, and home decor doesn't fit in a tiny little legalistic box. God has given so many people the gift of creativity in making clothing and home goods.

What do you hope to do in your shop this year?

I hope to expand my inventory and add some additional handmade items. I would love to continue to upgrade my packaging and streamline my shipping!

You can catch up with Sarah more by her blog or her shop!

What about you?

Do you have an inspiring friend in your life?

Someone you think would be helpful to showcase?

Drop me a line! I'd love to share that connection here.

Just email me and we'll start that conversation. :)

How to: Say "Thank You"

We were so very blessed to have a local garden center, Plants For All Seasons, allow us to use their plants for Andy and Lisa's wedding. Considering our facility limitations and desire to create a warm atmosphere, we were delighted to be able to bring in live plants!

The staff at Plants for All Seasons were very helpful and accommodating; working with them was easy peasy. So, if you're in the Houston/Spring/Tomball area and are in need of some gardening help, stop by and see how cheerful and knowledgeable they are!

As a way of saying danke, I decided to make them a refreshing treat:

Mixed Berry Pavlova!

This dessert is a summertime favorite of mine, ever since tasting it a few years ago. Each time I think of it and make it I think of the dear friend that first made it, and it causes me to pray for her and her family.

I loved eating it, making it was a bit of a saga as I used Ina's recipe; the meringue came out more like a runny marshmallow, so we ate it plain. The second time was a charm though as I used "The Best" Pavlova recipe--it came out perfect. No really, it puffed and looked like a creamy cloud of yummy goodness! Topped with the blueberries and whipped cream I second guessed my decision to give it to the hard-working staff but in the end I drove over and dropped it off without a second thought! I made another one today and plan to serve it with cherries instead of blueberries.

Do you have any summertime dessert recipes?

{Photo Credit}

Summer Sweater Fun

{Quince & Co.}

I'm very excited to be presenting this great knit-a-long from

luninthemommyhood!

What's a knit-a-long, you ask? Well, it's a fun motivator for knitters during the

hot summer months, basically meaning that you sign up to make a sweater

before the fall. This Summer Sweater KAL has you making your sweater from

June 15th to September 1st--seems like a long time but when you have a plethora

of other projects it's just the right amount of time. :)

I've decided on which project and now I'm thinking of "just the right" sort of

yarn! (I'll be sharing those details later!)

I'm hoping to write a "progress post" each week as well as a

picture of how things are going.

Please let me know if you plan on joining and what you're making!