sitting in the doorway

gage was taking one of his lengthy naps yesterday afternoon so garrett and i decided to pass our quiet time sitting in our front doorway. we listened to, and felt the wind. and believe me you, the wind was blowing. we watched as tumbleweeds of all sizes traveled through our yard. and we felt the cold chill in the wind. proof that the forecast would be right after all. snow indeed.

i watched the little curls by his ears wisp around in the breeze. it confirmed my resolution not to under any circumstances, remind matt of his orders to have our boy's hair cut next week. it curls at the nape of his neck and flips up around his garrett-esque ears. it even settles itself into a perfect part halfway down his forehead. i love it. maybe that's just me, forcing him to have some remnant of his baby days. for my own soothing.

and while i'm swooning over my tiniest of men i should add that i wish every home in the world could have one day filled with his laughter. i am convinced that it is the most pleasant sound i will hear in this lifetime. perfectly delightful and ticklish. give me a football field full of laughing children and i will tell you where my boy is playing. it's so distinct. i love that too.

i could go on for days and days and perhaps even years telling you all the things i love about this beautiful boy and his beautiful brother. mostly i love that they are mine. for now anyways. mine to play with and laugh with and sit in the doorway with. mine to watch and enjoy. is there a sweeter calling in life than to be a mother?

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want to join me in my latest guilty pleasure? watch glee tonight. this clip has had the honor of holding me over since last week's episode. enjoy!

a little fishy

i procrastinated on gage's halloween costume this year. three weeks ago he wanted to be a dragon, then a dinosaur, then a scarecrow. but last friday he had an epiphany and it was an orange fish or bust. the boy locked in to his new dream and held tight. he reminded me about ten times a day. yesterday we finally made a trip to show low to gather the necessities. i had looked around online but found nothing that was cute enough to get me to produce my wallet. really people? really? halloween is turning into full on highway robbery. so without a pattern, or much of a clue on how a fish was to be assembled, we set off to walmart. yes, walmart. you work with what you've got.


we found some soft orange fleece and big round black buttons. then we shuffled ourselves over to the fish tanks. gage pressed himself up to the glass, pointing to a million different fish and telling me that he wanted to be that fish. finally i felt enough inspiration to take our goods home and get to work.


i wasted no time pulling out my muslin and creating a pattern of sorts. when inspiration comes, you must act on it impulsively. at least i must. it seems to be a fleeting thing for me. with our muslin creation complete, and just the right fit i began the grand finale of cutting up our new orange fleece. gage wanted desperately to stay awake for that part, but crashed out on the couch almost as soon as i began.


when he woke up, this is what he saw....

i'm hoping to finish today. my little three year old fishy lover is hoping i finish it right this very second.


he will be the cutest little fish in the sea, that boy.

did you see our giveaway winner??? go here.

winner!

sorry this is so late everyone. the three year old and i were out late gathering trimmings for his fancy fish costume! wish me luck on that one. cringe.


thanks for all those who participated in the giveaway. i wish i could give you all something. sincerely, i mean that.


but without further interruption, the winner (by way of random.org)is......

Number 12:: Spencer and Chelsea Coon

just email me at ashley.broomall{at}yahoo.com with your shipping address and it will be sent your way.

thanks again everyone! now i'm off to dream of sweet orange fish costumes. goodnight.

xoxo.ash

hello hazel::and a giveaway

hazel jayne is back in business. so please stop by and take a gander.

i'd also love to start doing more custom orders so if you have something in mind email me at ashley.broomall{at}yahoo.com. the holidays are a great time to get creative!

why not go handmade this year? handmade gifts are unique and special. it's a great tradition to start.

and here's a giveaway just for you. because that's the way we do at our nest.

a sweet vintage inspired lap quilt. it's perfect for babies and dollies alike and the fabrics are so soft and lovely.

just leave a comment telling about the best homemade gift you've ever received. (i need ideas!)

i will be drawing a winner on monday evening so stay tuned.

xoxo. ash

it

i don't have it all together.

i'm not actually entirely clear on what "it" is.

but today we covered ourselves in pizza sauce, destroyed the kitchen while baking cookies and ignored all of our messes just so we could make silly faces together.

maybe that's what "it" is all about.

i sure hope so.

boutique

the boutique last weekend went really well! it was definitely an experience, being that it was my first.

i sold quite a bit and still have lots of items left. i will be updating my shop this week and opening it back up. i guess my "vacation" is over.

so check by later this week.

if you are local and would like to purchase something just let me know so that i can remove the shipping price. if you make a purchase before i have adjusted it, just let me know and i will happily refund you.

thanks everyone that came by and supported me!

xoxo::ash

this weekend

this friday and saturday i will be vending at my first boutique! i've been a busy lady getting ready and hope there is a wonderful turn out. if you live up here in the arizona mountains, you really must come and see all the pretty things. there will be many other crafters there and i can't wait to see what everyone has done.

for more info on Pretty Britty's Holiday Boutique, visit this site.

here is a little preview of what i've been working on....

quilts! xoxo

earrings, rings, bobbies....oh my!

making vintage ornaments lovely again.
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and there is much more, so do come see! and because i can't help myself, here is a preview of some hats my mom will be selling right next to me...

ramalama bang bang

yesterday i got a brand new set of these::

and this is how i feel about it::

there. i said it.

HAPPY THURSDAY!

reminded

i sat and watched as garrett ran laps around our yard in the late morning sun. the wind was blowing about a million miles an hour but still he insisted. he was waiting for his brother. he ran round and round our tree that just weeks ago was covered in green. today it is covered in brilliant red. and some of its leaves even crunched beneath his quick little feet.

i had a moment. a moment where i just sat back and enjoyed the world around me. enjoyed life. i have so much to be grateful for. and so many blessings to pass on.

my spirit was so uplifted this weekend as i listened to conference along with countless others all over the world. in the comfort of my home i was able to be edified by the words of inspired men. they spoke of things that have weighed heavy on my mind. they led me back to the words of the scriptures. the words of our savior.

i resolved in my mind and in my heart to be a better person. to be a better teacher to my children. to that little boy playing in my yard and that big boy riding the bus home to me. one day they wont be boys. they will be men. and they will be a reflection of the things that they have been taught. not just in word, but in example. that's the hard part.

but as i watched conference this weekend i was reminded that i could do it. i was reminded that i'm not alone. i was reminded that my father in heaven sent his son to be the perfect example for me.

and as i watched my baby play i was reminded once again of this truth. clear to the center of me, i was reminded.

it's amazing what watching a happy child can do to the soul.

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all of the talks from the lds general conference are availabe here.

wearable memories

i spent a large portion of the day trading out fair weather clothing for more appropriate fall attire. pulling out gage's old clothes for his little brother left me feeling nostalgic. with many of the outfits i could picture specific days spent with gage's younger self.

him running around in his orange shirt pulling the fiery colored leaves from the branches of our maple tree.

the day he spent stomping around in dad's work boots. he wore his soft blue checked shirt that made him look just like a cowboy.

the coat he wore when we bundled him up for his first snow outing.

the carhart overalls that made their way on his body every single time his dad got him dressed.

that brown corduroy hat that he wore to almost every football game.

it made me sad to think that those days are gone. but it excited me to think of garrett bringing the old clothes to life again. more memories to make. it could be the last year we pull these clothes out. and then again, it may not.

who's to say?

it's crazy how fast life flies by you. even when you feel like you're paying attention.