Moving

   Hey everyone!  I just wanted to let you all know I'm currently moving things around on my blog.  Some things are or may be missing for a little while (my blog list is down, at the moment), but hopefully I'll get it all straightened out soon.  What do you think about the new look?  Do you have any ideas, hints, or tips that might improve the overall appearance of A Pinch of Everything?  I'd love to hear them!  
                            See you soon! - Sarah

Spring Beauty

   I don't know how it is for those of you in the East and West, but here in MO it seems as though the winter has gone and summer has come!  I'd always thought of spring as a time of cool breezes, light green buds, and flowers preparing to bloom.  We've had some of that this year, but the temperature has been quite high, and the trees have decided to suddenly "green up." Makes me wonder if the spring has decided to go on holiday for a year, and the summer has tried to step in and fill the time gap.  The winter has tried to help a few times, and brought hail on warm days, leaving us somewhat worried that we might have a tornado. 
   I took a few pictures this morning, after a light rain, while the trees were still drippy with raindrops.  I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed taking them!
   I thought these trees looked so happy and light, and as though a dryad might peek out from between them at any moment!

 

Dandelion, Plantain, and the acorn cap.  Two of these are edible, the other is just fun to play with. 
                             
                 
                              Redbuds, open and full of nectar.






An unidentified tree sprig.  It was such a pretty color of green, and I had to take a photo!

  More redbuds.  They're such a fun, dainty flower!

 I got a kick out of this last photo.  I found the plesiosaur in a man made lake next to our driveway.  Apparently, my siblings were playing in the mud and rain water yesterday  :-)






   And that's it for today's photos!   Seeing nature as it changes from season reminds me of a saying I read the other day:
            "Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep your balance, you must keep moving." - Einstein

                                Have a blessed day!
                                            

Today's Writing, 'A Forest Blessing'

                          A Forest Blessing

This blessing now I give to you
O Forest of my King
As you His very will obey
And with His praises ring

Today I claim you, humble wood
For Christ, the risen Lord
May you be filled with Jesus’ peace
Show us to read His word

As each new traveler passes through
Inspire them to pray
Stand strong as God intended you
Grow greater every day

The herbs that now are planted here
For food and healing are
May they be seen by those in need
As if a shining star

The children of this wood be blessed
All creatures great and small
They shall remain as God has planned
For He did make them all


Through storm and sun may you endure
Through wind, and fire, and rain
Good shelter give to those that seek
With rest relieve their pain

May you be watered from above
And nurtured from below
God grant you health in every part
His healing through you go

I ask my Lord to walk among
The trees that form this place
That I with Him may speak and learn
His joy, His love, His grace

God, bless the forests You have made
And meet us there, my King
Dominion take again and show
Your love in everything


                                                         Sarah Erhart,  2012



This bit of writing was inspired by the feelings I have for the woods I live in.  I like to walk among the trees each day and sing, or just listen to the sound of nature.  I had the thought a few months ago of writing down what I would say to the forest if giving it a blessing, and today I finally got it done.  You can find a couple of photos of "my forest", or a least part of it, on the post for October 21, A Bit of Beauty.  The photo I've used as a header for this blog is also of the woods behind my home. Are you inspired by the forest?  What's your favorite "nature activity"?  I'd love to hear about your favorite things!                                    Have a wonderful week!

Today

      Just a couple of pictures to show you my day:

    These are baked cheese empanadas.  In Bolivia they would be made with Queso Fresco. We don't have any of that here in MO, so these were made with a mixture of sharp cheeses.  We really enjoyed them at lunch time today!

     And this is today's handwork, now available on Etsy.  It's a dark red, white, and blue patriotic hat for a little princess age 2-3 years.  The design is a little hard to see in this photo, but there are "holes" for extra breathability on hot days crocheted around the crown.  Of course the brim had to be finished with a big ruffle for extra princess flair  :-) 
     I've been working on those viking hats for my brothers as well.  They should be ready for a photo shoot soon, if I can get the pattern for the horns figured out.   These projects take a little extra time when you make up your own patterns as you go.  They're totally worth the effort in the end, though!
    I hope you had a wonderful day as well, and that all your tomorrows are even better!
                                                                           Be blessed!

Finally!!!

    OK, feel free to laugh at me, but I am doing a silly little happy dance over here.  Why?  Because I finally have a store front of my own started up on Etsy.  I know, it may not seem like a huge accomplishment, but for a procrastinator like me it's a BIG deal!  My mom kept telling me I should try to make a little something with all the stuff I crochet, but...  I have a thing for giving everything away as gifts.  Bad habit?  Maybe, but I do so love to give!  I only have two things in my shop so far, but hope to have more by tomorrow.  Here's what I made yesterday:

         It's a fringe purse, and it was very fun to make!  Just hoping someone else will like it as much as I do.  I think I'd like to make another, slightly different, in a peach or pink color.  What do you think?
         Please feel free to head on over and visit my shop, here's the link.            http://www.etsy.com/shop/SharaiStyle?ref=seller_info
         Hope to have more available soon!   I'm making viking caps for my brothers today, they're very excited about it.  An 8 yr. old and a 4 yr. old playing at being vikings... I think I'll have to scour the house for all sticks and dangerous objects before they get started, lol!
        @ Joanna,  I will be purchasing one of your amazing prints A.S.A.P.!  Hoping that "Possible" will be very soon!  And folks, if you haven't seen Joanna Haber's beautiful art work yet, you are missing out!  You can check out her blog "A Bit of Whimsy", I have it in my blog list on the right side of this page.  She also has her work available through Etsy, and it's wonderful!  Go. Look. Now.
       I really have to go, as the housework will not get done on its own (and why not? lazy housework!).  I just had to share my exciting news!
                                                       Have a wonderful day!