PIF

Pay it Forward... , I am sending a few handmade treats on as part of a PIF that I saw from Deb on facebook. I can't say I often sign up for this sort of thing, but I liked the self-selecting part of it and the concept ...

Worked up a few snack bags inspired by Cascade's snack bags (but I don't have velcro on me... so I went with the old-school fold-over model I remember from my school lunches). Also a few more dishtowels; I'm hanging onto the red pot (it matches one of ours!) but will send the other two on. The Pot and the Mocha Pot are patterns from Posie gets cozy (http://aliciapaulson.com/Pleasant_Kitchen_Dishtowels.pdf) and the whales are from Tigerpup embroidery.

Alas, the parting picture of a beloved mug...

it has been well used in this household. Brian gave this and its mate to his grandparents when he was a kid. We reinherited them when we moved and I loved them. They fit perfectly under the espresso maker (unlike most other mugs which are, of course, too large). Anyhow, although we lost the grandma one years ago, this one just broke in the sink... sadness, but it worked hard. Just the perfect size, perfect translucence and a touch of sweetness.

and just because it cracks me up... one of O.'s teachers at school is a sweet artist (and great with the kids, I really appreciate that he always has an anecdote to share about what Owen is up to). He drew all of the kids robots... O's was a "Good Knitting Bakugan", he was afraid Owen would be upset that his didn't have the elaborate pinchers and gizmos that the other ones had, but Owen was quite pleased that his had knitting needles and was making a scarf... "Arts and Crafts 4-ever!"

Mothers

I have found myself surrounded by more mothers than I can ever remember outside of childhood. I am so, well, I don't have one word for it... blessed, honored, lucky, joyful, thankful to not only be able to celebrate my amazing Mom and wonderful Grandma Mary on Mothers day, but also to take a moment to be thankful for all of the other shoulders to lean on, ears to bend and heartstrings and spirits that encourage that come from the rest of the Moms in my world. I am grateful.