Choose Joy

Choose Joy

We were a little late for school today because I had to stop and take this picture. 

I have a tendency of sprinting through my day and forgetting to celebrate God's beauty and love. 

If you need a little inspiration today check out Ashley's blog, Lil Blue Boo.

She's beautiful, funny, extremely talented and has a story that you must read.

I've been reading Ashley's blog and drooling over her designs for two years. 

I feel that I've changed because of her blog.

I am grateful for her and her strength, courage and daily post.

I hope you're able to stop and marvel in all the beauty that surrounds you.

Happy Friday.

Valentine's Day

Better late than never...We had a busy but beautiful day.
I woke up on Valentine's Day to this beautiful bloom in our backyard.
My husband's Valentine's Day gift from a couple of years ago, camellias, Florida's winter rose.
It's a gift that keeps on giving. 

Red Camellia  

I'm especially grateful to spent my day with these two girls.

They were so excited to send a valentine message via photo message to family and friends that they didn't get to see because of soccer practice.

Messages sent to loved ones who live out of state.

What soccer coach would have practice on Valentine's Day???

Me

I forgot it was Valentine's Day. 

On the calendar two months ago it was just a Tuesday. 

By the time I realized it Valentine's Day it was too late to reschedule.
I'm glad we had practice because we had a lot of kids and the girls handed out valentines to everyone. 

Here are a few finished projects to share and tutorials or tips to follow.

Boo's skirt

BFF's Skirt

Ky-Bear's Skirt

I just couldn't resist... Pocket Full of Love Skirt x 2

We did finish valentines and they were delivered.

Teacher Gifts 

Valentines for Classmates

All heart shaped projects were completed by the sound of the late bell at school.

Dessert

Roller Skating Tonight after soccer practice. 
Pizza for dinner = Smiles for Mom

I hope everyone had a day of love and snuggles.

I have the best friend in the whole world.

This was such a great surprise... all of my favorites.
It doesn't get any better than this.
Thank you to my BFF for the best Valentine Surprise. 

Farmers Market, Soccer and Skirts

We had a great week.

We celebrated the first of the month. 

I know you're probably thinking... what is this woman talking about.

Let me explain...

We go to bed the night before the first of every month and try to remember to say the first thing in the morning...

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit 

After googling it today, it's not that strange. 

According to Wikipedia is a common British superstition. 

If you remember to say rabbit, rabbit, rabbit first thing in the morning on the first, then it is said that you will receive good luck for the duration of the month. 

 This is one of our silly family traditions and I'm so happy that we do it.
We have one last fun tradition to share. 

I find a lot of these pictures and they crack me up.

I've been putting my right shoe on before my left since I can remember.  

I was told to put my right shoe on first so that I would remember to do the right thing.

So now, I tell my girls to put their right shoe on first so that they remember to do the right thing.
I can see them thinking about it when they put their shoes on in the morning.

Do you have any traditions or superstitions?

I would love to hear them.


On to our week of sewing, running and new programs.

I was able to hit the local Farmers Market.

We stuffed tomatoes with quinoa  and spinach for dinner. 

I love walking around the market and looking at all the different vendors' table. 

It was a beautiful day and I was on a mission on find a pocket hole jig. 

I didn't find the jig but did grab some fresh strawberries, tomatoes, avocados and lettuce from the Barefoot Farmer. 

I just love colored glass

We had to build a robot out of recycled items from home this week for home work.

I was so happy that we received the homework assignment before the recycles were collected.  

Meet Rosie our recycled robot. 

Rosie

Soccer started this week for the tiny tots (3,4 and 5 year old).

I coach a lot of different ages and levels of soccer players but the tiny tots are my favorite. 

My Tiny Tot before we left for practice one day .

I'll be sharing my soccer coaching sessions over at The Youth Soccer Room.

I'm dedicating this season to get things up on a blog to share with other youth soccer coaches. 

Valentine's Day skirts, shirts and tights. 

Yes I did say tights.

I sewed my first tights for the girls.

Skirt #1

Can you believe that the main skirt, the purple - love, part originally was a white muslin?
I dyed a batch of thrift store lace about a month ago and threw a few more items in the batch.

I plan was to use the muslin as the skirt base and the lace as the the decorative top ruffled layer but this is where it ended up.
Stamping the fabric with a homemade stamp and fabric paint was a great way to dress up the muslin and make it Valentine ready.
I made three skirts. 

Skirt Number 2

Skirt Number 3 was a birthday present that was out the door a few hours after completion and I have to wait for a picture from its new owner.

Off to enjoy the football game.

Go PATRIOTS!

Hope you all had a great weekend.