I have the moon in sight!!

Hi everyone,

The past few days have just left me speechless!!  I am overcome with emotion and in awe at the task the Lord has set before me.  My students are more than just a number to me, they are like my own kids…and there are times when they need someone to help them carry their cross.  I am just so very privileged that this time the Lord has chosen me!! 

What I have learned over the years is to treat the twists and turns of the path I am journeying down in this life with child-like enthusiasm.  Yes, sometimes things do not turn out like we planned, but I have learned that if we keep they faith, they usually turn out waaaaaaayyyyy better!!

A classic example, for many years my goal in life was to one day research & write with the goal being to publish in a technical journal.  However, in the past year, in an incredible twist of fate, I now know that my ultimate goal is to one day be published in one of Stampington's magazines. 

For me, this would be the ultimate accomplishment!!  :D  It is through these amazing publications that I have expanded upon my knowledge of the blog world.  Finding women, just like myself that love to create has given my heart wings!!  So I have a list of projects that I want to submit for publication and the dates that they are due.  Why just shoot for the moon, when there are so many stars that one can catch!!

The support and encouragement that the blog community gives to each other, especially in the genre that I follow, is INCREDIBLE!!  When I look at different sites I say to myself "I can do that"!!!  This is motivational beyond all means!!  This is also why people are so willing to share their tips and hints, so other people can branch out and do what they are doing.  Each blog has a different style and personality that reflects the creator, which also makes it so fun to follow them and learn.  They say that the more active our brains, the longer we will live.  Being the avid learner that I am, I should make 100 easy!!

Never count your chickens before they hatch…

Hi Everyone!

For some reason the words of my precious Meme came to mind this morning.

“Never count your chickens before they hatch.”

“Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.”

“Why did the chicken cross the road”?? Wait, she didn’t say that…must be this early hour of the morning making me very easy to amuse!!

Since I spent my childhood surrounded by very strong women, often with very different perspectives on life, it has taken me to this point in life to find my balance and center myself. Always one to be more comfortable behind a pen or key board, if seems more and more often these days my friends and family have the reaction “wow, you said that. I didn’t know you had it in you?? You go girl!!” I prefer the attitude “Just Watch Me!!”

That is the funny part though, my business cards for Curiosity Cottage say “a place to explore my curiosity of life” and indeed that is what it has become. Not only do I explore life, but I am now comfortable in doing so. Yes at times life gets overwhelming; yes there are tons of things I need to do; no I am very far from perfect; but to me THE most important thing about this journey is that my AMAZING kids are happy, funny, LOVE the Lord, and love all the adventures that our little cottage in the woods brings to us.

We love collecting eggs and looking for all of the neat things that nature has to show to us here. I guess the best way for me to put this into words is to say, it is not perfect, but it is peaceful…and to me, that is priceless!! I am looking so forward to my projects for the spring and cannot wait to share pictures!!

Real Men Know How To Pray From The Heart

Hi Everyone!!

What an AMAZING weekend!! Sometimes it is easy when we are busy and tired to step back from things, but this is one time and I am so glad I didn’t. I am very, very fortunate to be surrounded by incredible Christian friends. These men and women do not belong to a religion; they have a relationship with our Lord. My friends, there is a DRASTIC difference!!


Before I get to the events of the weekend though, let me first share something that happened earlier in the week. Last week on Facebook, someone had a post and part of it read, in so many words, that we should only take advice on relationships from those that had successful relationships. For me, my role models for this are Herb & Viki Dickerson and Christy & Wade Warren. Not only do these two couples have relationships that we all could hope to have, but I also pray that for those of us that are single and our children that we one day find what these two amazing couples share. Another thing that these two couples have in common is integrity, which is unfortunately not very common any more. So having friends and role models like these very special people is very, very important for those of us that have had to go through divorce. They help us see where we need to make changes and they also help us recognize “red flags” that we might sometimes not want to see.

So on Saturday morning, a group from our Sunday school class all got together. See, on January 2nd of this year, when we arrived at our Sunday school class, Bro. Herb told us that he wanted us to identify a miracle that each of us needed to take place in our lives, but that ONLY God could make happen. We didn’t share these but wrote something to represent our request on a class board. This week’s Saturday morning breakfast was a time for us to pray and share the details we wanted to give our class about our miracle prayer. As I have gotten to know these people and as I sat in this group what came to me was “now this is what it is like when REAL men pray!!” With the exception of two couples in our group, everyone else has been divorced. Some of us are single and some are remarried; but all of us believe in the power of prayer and love sharing. What has been on my heart for years and that I have shared with friends and my kids though, was something that I knew I need to write about.

As I watched these men pray, it just reaffirmed what I have felt for such a long time. It does not matter if a man is rich or poor; what kind of job he has; or what kind of house he lives in…the MOST important thing to me is does he love Jesus. Now I’m not talking about the man that warms a church pew on Sunday just to check that off his list for the week; I am talking about the type of man that has faith even in the darkest of times and who prayers fervently. I am talking about the man who loves Jesus more than he love me. So many women, young and old, just settle but if God can so beautifully design all of the incredible things on this earth, He can design the perfect man for each and every one of us.

And now, thanks to these AMAZING friends and couples, I know exactly what God’s picture of the PERFECT man looks like for me!!

I see the moon...

 Hi everyone!

Last night as I went out to walk my dogs I came upon this sight!!  Since I have been working on all kinds of designs for babies, this beautiful sight so reminded me of the little poem our grandmother use to say to us when we were kids.

I see the moon

and the moon

sees me...

God bless the moon,

and God bless me!!!

Such a precious little poem!!  My God watch over you and I pray that He blesses you as He has my precious little family!!

All in the Family

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited tonight to post one of my precious Sam's designs.  My kids are so enjoying watching my business grown and helping.  Since we live in the country, hunting is just a way of life.  This fall Sam came up with the phrase "I Grill What I Kill".  Even before I had sewn my first cammo apron, when I told people about Sam's idea they wanted to buy one! 

It is so exciting creating things for people, but it is even more exciting to take the ideas of my kids and be able to incorporate them into Curiosity Cottage.  I am one blessed and proud momma!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hi Everyone!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!  I took this special picture last week and have saved it until today.  You have probably all heard of a "message in a bottle:...well I wanted to give my precious children a "message on a window" on this special day!!

To Sarah, Sam & Michael, the most presious Valentines in the world, mom loves you very much!!

To all my precious friends and family, I love you all dearly!!! 

Busy & Exciting Times

Hi everyone!

 TGIF!!!  It will be a very busy day for me though.  This morning I teach and then at noon I have a meeting with a client.  This is a special order for a custom ring bearer pillow.  The bride-to-be had her picture and that is all it took, I am just as excited as she is about this project!!  

Once the morning is complete, I am then home to get ready for the Second Saturday Market at the Alexandria Museum.  I am one of those crazy people that does her best work when pressed for time.  I want to stitch out new designs and I take samples of my work and then people can make special orders with me.  This has worked well for me and I really think it is a smart way to grow my little business in these tight economic times.

 I'm creating 3 new pages for this site.  One will display a list of potential gift items for Mardi Gras Crews; one will be Bridal Gift Ideas & Registry; and one will be a Baby Gift Ideas & Registry.  All of these FABULOUS ideas were given to me by my INCREDIBLE clients!!  Since I often make special gifts for these three different groups, it just seems like a natural way to go for Curiosity Cottage.  I cannot wait to show you!!   

Have a WONDERFUL Friday!!  There will be plenty of picture from tomorrow's Second Saturday at the Alexandria Museum posted tomorrow!!

Surrounded by Angels

Hi Everyone!!

It is terribly cold outside this morning, but I cannot even begin to tell you how it just warms my heart knowing that I am surrounded by angels.   Sometimes these angels are family, sometimes they are friends, and sometimes they are new clients.  To me it is such a joy and a privilege to design special orders.  Each one is different and gives me a blank canvas of opportunity.  Since God is my CEO, I always look at these opportunities from the perspective of "What would You have me do here?".  

He can turn a chance meeting with a stranger into a page in my life that my kids and I will remember forever...something that He seems to be doing more and more lately!!  :D  It does not matter how the events of our day might unfold, even while experiencing all of the trials life brings our way, angels are surrounding us!!  Yes, a very warm thought on a very cold day!!

Waiting for Spring

Hi Everyone!


Well today we get ready for another round of “wintery mix.” Usually this does not mean much to us Louisiana folks, so we will see. When I walked out yesterday morning though and saw my hanging baskets empty, this photo so seemed to just say “Waiting for Spring”!

The boys John Deere tractor from years gone by covered in snow really seemed to encompass the “Waiting for Spring” theme too.

Not sure how long it will take for spring to arrive, though next week it will feel like spring…yes, the beauty of our state, want one season get it one day, want another season and you can probably get that the next day!! :D Isn’t that how life is too though, the seasons we are in can change from day to day? So like my pictures, grab ever precious picture or moment you have, for tomorrow may be a different season!!

My Favorite 4 Letter Words!!

Hi Everyone!

We all find that our lives go through different seasons. Though it is cold outside, these two 4 Letter words provide me with the warmth of the sun on a spring day here in Louisiana. They soooooo speak to the season of my life these days. I have three wonderful children whom I love dearly; am blessed to teach young adults about computers & technology. Which I am passionate about; and I love that I can combine my skills from my “day” job with my creative side. To me Curiosity Cottage is not just a blog and business, but a home where my children feel loved and at peace. Yes, there are things that need to be put away and organized, but in my creative clutter my little family feels loved. That is the most priceless gift ever to me as we approach Valentine’s Day!!

Love & Curiosity Cottage equals Hope for me. Yes, Love on this cold February day is like the sun on a spring day here in Louisiana, but Hope – well Hope is what lets me enjoy & treasure each and every ray of that sunshine!!

Stay warm!!

Everyday...

Hi Everyone!!

Some people dread Mondays, but for me they are the beginning of new and exciting things. For example, this is a new camera that I am now using to take my pictures. It may be Monday, but as everyone knows, when working in online media a camera can make a HUGE difference!! So for me, this Monday represents a new and exciting time for many photographic adventures await me!!

Have a GREAT week & stay warm!!

I am so blessed!!

Hi everyone!!

While some people have had snow this weekend, we simply received freezing rain, which as it hit the ground, power lines, and trees turned into ice. I was one of the fortunate ones and did not lose power, but a lot of my friends were not so lucky!! However, since my power was flickering a bit, I did not try to embroider, but was able to get some designs ready for several of my clients. It also gave me time to play with my blog design and work on my Etsy site. I will let you know as soon as I post things to sell in my new “Shop”!!

As I visit other blogs I am filled with inspirations and ideas that wake me up at 5 am on a Sunday morning!! It is funny how building my little business is not work to me, but as I have labeled my Facebook photo album, “It’s what I was Born to Do!!” It has also allowed my kids to watch God at work as He showers me with God Winks to light my path. Several months back, my kids helped me finish packing an order that we wanted to ship out by 5 pm. As we headed to the shop, 20 minutes away with only 15 minutes until “pick up” by UPS, my kids said “mom, let’s pray!!” So we did ~ don’t worry, I did keep my eyes open while I was driving!! When we get to the store the salesman says he “doesn’t know where the UPS guy is…he is never late.” So I said “oh, I do, my kids and I prayed we would make it here to ship out this order.” When we were getting in our car, you guessed it, the UPS truck drove up….to which my kids voiced “MOM, that is SSSOOOO cool!!!” That is just one of many of our stories!

I am using this week to get ready for the Saturday Market at the Alexandria Museum!! I cannot wait to join the ranks of these talented vendors!!

Sunday is my FAVORITE day of the week!! To me it means getting to start a whole new week of blessings!! Take care and have a GREAT week!!