purple rain

when the world

looses

an icon...

 we all mourn

 for the man

 the music

 the memories

 the association

 we have

with each song

and the references

 they may bring

 i was watching

 an interview

 last evening

 and an associate

 who once worked

with prince said

some people tell you

 to think outside

the box

 prince

 was never in a box

may we all

 have a bit of that

philosophy

in us going forward

in this thing

called life

 be uninhibited

 be not afraid

be creative

je m' appelle joice

it has been

a long

long time...

 

since i studied french

so long

that i barely

remember

most words

of the beautiful language

still

like many

my heart fills

with just the mention

of the eiffel tower

the streets of paris

so when word

first

starting spreading

that terrorists

had struck

the city of love

it was hard to

believe

as more details

surfaced

there is no denying

the world is

changing

and for that

i feel helpless

and afraid

scared for my

loved ones

yet we can't let fear

dictate

our every move

so i did what i know best

i took

 to my sewing machine...

 

...creating a circle

using fabric

purple of course

with eiffel towers

to form a dresden

or friendship circle

for in my world

if we all just started

loving a little more

hated a little less

just imagine

the difference

we could make

sweet child of mine...

my baby

the third born

always...

...always, always

keeps me on my toes

his little antics

are never too bold

just enough to

have me scratching

my head

wondering what i could

do different

perhaps better

as a parent

he has a heart of

pure gold

though

a work ethic

like none other

at eighteen

he busses tables

at a country club

hard grunt work

last night

he came home

with flowers

for me

just because

they are

purple

and he knew

i'd love them

which i do

i love him

even more

hello 2015

a new year

brings new

opportunities...

and new possibilities

for growth

change

and exploration

i'm ready

here's to

a new year

welcome

2015!

horizon...

oh the magic

of her

designs...

 

...and the sweetness

 of her heart

speak to me

 like few do

kate spain

how i adore you

 your newest

horizon

makes my

purpliest passion

so happy

the tranquil colors of

 sea glass

are so inspiring

posy love

the instant i viewed

posy

i fell in love...

.

 

aneela hoey has created

the perfect springtime

collection

bunnies, chicks and

little girls playing in the field

the lavendar is what

got my though

such the perfect shade

makes for a lovely display

right next to my

favorite machine

chocolate + socks + paper

there's snow

everywhere

this weekend...

.

 

...even in places

 it's usually not

seems like a perfect time

to share my snowman

a chocolate bar

a pair of purple socks

some white paper

a few markers

and

a bit of whimsical talent

creates the cutest snowman

my youngest son's girlfriend

found the idea on pinterest

and

created it just for me

thank you jessica

politically purple

history

in the making

today...

.

 

president barack obama

is being publicly sworn in

during an inauguration assembly

in washington dc

and much to my pleasure

his beautiful daughters

malia and sasha

chose to wear

these magnificent coats

to the festivities

bless them both

as they continue to navigate

the difficult teenage years

in the whitehouse

and bless us all

as we enter an era of change

for we must

get back to working together

for the betterment

 of our country

thursday thought

speechless...

it's not easy

for

my husband...

.

 

...to surprise me

we work together

we share

 the same bank account

the same credit card

the same schedule

not to mention

sarah

she's not so good at

keeping secrets

up until now that is

turns out

they stopped at

my favorite little art gallery

in downtown willoughby

and purchased a set

of purple troll beads

for me

before sarah's music share night

 she finally told me about it

on christmas

i was shocked

and

speechless

which made the gift

all the more special

for all of us

so grateful for

my hubby

 and family

purple bulbs...

and a festive

glittered

butterfly...

.

i had the sweetest

 delivery
it was from
matt's girlfriend
she created a little
christmas tree
just for me
with mini purple bulbs
silver stars
and a festive, glittered
butterfly
thank you jessica
so grateful to
share the holidays with you

a miracle indeed...

just about this time

four years ago

life started to take...

.

 

a twist and a turn

sarah's health was failing

quickly

right before our eyes

i recently came across this pic

and posted it on facebook

 with the following caption...

 

Do you believe in miracles? I'm currently uploading photo cards from prior years. This pic just caught me by surprise. It was taken about three months after I left my job in 2009 to care for Sarah fulltime. Her doctor suggested it was time to write a dx of COPD and bring in hospice, as there was nothing more they could do for her. Looking at her tiny frail body, I can almost see why. I am so thankful I was given the courage and strength to not give up on her. Thankful too that my hubby was able to step up his business so we could continue to pay the bills. To-date, we have been hospital free now for 3 1/2 years-the longest stretch in Sarah's 23 years of life.

 

the seventy two likes

and many comments

took my breath away

it seems our girl

is an inspiration

to many

it's a good reminder to me

to follow the lead

of our creator

the path that is ours

has been masterfully

orchestrated

and i know now

more than ever

we are where

we are supposed to be

rum raisin

i've been

waiting for this

moment...

.

 

...for more than a month

 i just walked into my

sewing studio

 and felt a slight draft

so i reached for it

the box marked

rum raisin

and very slowly

dipped

my chilly size ten toes

into the soft

sheepskin lining

of my new classic short

 uggs

they likely will never see

 snow or ice

nor will i ever likely see their

australian home

 we are bound to be

 best friends though

i discovered last year

they make the most

amazing house slippers

and of course

as soon as i saw this new

color

i knew it was meant to be

ahhh

my feet thank me

now i wonder what else

i can find in the house

bearing the words

rum or raisin

i have NO idea either...

a friend of mine

recently made

a commitment

.

to post everyday

for 30 days

today he had nothing

really

so he dug into

 his picture reserves

and found one that he

had just never used before

so i decided

 to do the same

elton john

never tire of listening to him

channing tatum

never, ever tire of looking

at the man

and the fact they are both

on the stage

at the same time

downlite in purple

well it just makes it worth posting

i have no idea why

it just does

sweet purple roses...

simply beautiful

and

divinely delicious...

.

...cupcakes

sinful i know

 oh how tempting though

from our friends at

confectionary cupboard

just a short

distance away

on center street

in mentor ohio

a musical angel...

i've been asked

to write a

guest blog post...

.

 

...by sarah's music therapist

you can hop over and

 read it here.

butterflies are free...

i've always

had a passion

for butterflies...

.

purple butterflies

to be more exact

they've always represented

freedom to me

a carefree spirit

yet they don't start

out so free

they must go through

 a metamorphosis

a life changing

a strengthing

 before their

true beauty is to be seen

back in october when

i first viewed this

beautiful batik

i thought it was being

sent to me

as a forecast

of my own transformation

that i'd been working on

diligently for the past

few years

a tremendously hurtful phone call

one august day

wrapped me tight in hiding

my own chrysalis

of sorts

my opening has come slowly

when least expected

from the most unsuspecting

of sources

friends across the world

and the

beauty of color

in fiber form

dreamy costumes...

disney on ice

was in town

this weekend...

.

my daughter and i

never miss going

it is pure magic for her

she lives for anything disney

dare to dream

was the name of this

brand new show

i was silly giddy

when i was able to snag

front row seats

i absolutely love

being up close to

study the costumes

and i have found

when they are

in the first year of rotation

they really shine

i am of course especially

drawn to the creations in purple

whether they be dressed up mice

or gorgeous ballroom gowns

i'll have to admit though

i was also drawn to

minnie's new dress

with layers and layers

of red dot taffeta ruffles

i think it would be exhilarating

working with the

costume design team

for disney

even if just for a little while

a perfect day

i thought

about

getting up...

.

...early

then decided to just

roll over

and take a late morning nap

after finally pulling myself

into the shower

i came downstairs

to find this really

special treat

compliments of the

fiveteen year old son

and his sweet friend

later in the day

the oldest called

along with his sweet friend

to wish me a happy day

early in the evening i

signed onto facebook

to have more than one

hundred birthday greetings

in the evening as i was placing

sarah's breathing mask on

she tenderly placed her hand

on my cheek and wished me

a happy birthday

then told me i was really old

melted my heart

i've never felt more loved

and grateful

thank you everyone