I ♥ Thursday | no. 2

The snow is still holding off - after that first heavy snowfall almost a month ago, we've had a great deal of mud.  But it's been a blessing, as I now have a enourmous stack of wood stacked and tarped off.

You have no idea what a beautiful thing uniform, dry, split woodpiles are unless you have a stove of you own to feed.  Whenever I see one in person or a picture, I get Woodpile Envy.  Which is a sort of admiration mixed with longing.

I just finished reading Animal Farm for the first time, and now I greatly dislike pigs.  Tremendously.  I keep finding myself saying "I will work harder."  And "Two legs bad!"    Other than that, and the fact that Boxer and Clover, the faithful carthorses, stole and broke my heart - I really didn't find the book as terrifying as I had always heard it was.  Sobering, thought-provoking, yes.  But it should only be terrifying to those who would seek to follow in the footsteps of the totalitarian dictators of the story.  We the people now have that tale to read, penned by the visionary member of a very different culture to the one we have today.  George Orwell has given us this story to be read, over and over down through the centuries, and armed with the knowledge of the consequences of blind ignorance and obedience to evil, we can have hope.

Thinking I need to make some AF button badges for the shop;)

Speaking of which, the time is drawing near when the revealing of my second Etsy shop will be officially announced!  Hint - it's going to be your one-stop-stop for the perfect small gifts, stocking stuffers, and party favors for everyone on your list this upcoming Christmas season!!!  

{all pictures linked to photo credits where possible}

1) I l.o.v.e. this green alarm clock.  On the lookout for a vintage bell clock, perferably just like this one;D

2) This bee's knees card by Wit&Whistle is so wonderfully weird.  Excellent.

3) And the edible chocolate key necklace (Andes Specialty Sweets) - is simply brilliant.  I love it.

News flash:

I'm sponsoring a prize for Michaela's ah-mazing Giveaway 300!

Click the banner to go join the fun!

And lastly, the epitome of a truth universally acknowledged.

Linking up over at Ashley's!

Happy Thursday!

I ♥ Thursday | no. 1

I'm joining up with Ashley's I ♥ Thursday feature today - and I think it's going to be a regular feature.  A spot to share the little things that made me smile over my week - a cork board for random happenings and little announcements and special small things.

Today the full charm and cozy nostalgia of November is hitting me like a wave... mustard and grey, bright white and leather, pumpkin pie and beautiful woodpiles and lofty words and boots.  All these things are making me smile today.

That kitchen is the last word in kitchen perfection, no?   And I really want a classic leather jacket.  Something between Amelia Earhart and Martha Jones.  Keeping my eye on that one...

The perfect jacket.  Looove it!  As well as this really gorgeous sweater - I think I could make something like that.  Hmm...

And these boots.  Are.  The last word in boots.

(justdontlookatthepricetagoryoullfaint)

{all photo credits here}

It's been one tough Autumn for me, and I didn't accomplish half the things I was hoping to on the blog, in my shop, with my life.  But I know that God was able to use the things He put in my life to make me stronger, to draw me closer to himself.  And I am thankful.  After all, what good is accomplishment and victory without the knowledge of its worth?  When we get beauty, security, and productivity handed us on a plate, it looses the whole essence of what is good and valuable.  

Striving, stumbling, searching to succeed is how we become stronger.

So once more - I'm taking a step back, recharging, and getting ready for another chapter.

I have lots of plans and loads of things to share, so get ready world!

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join the fun!


Also, don't forget to enter to win the button badge giveaway I'm sponsoring for the Doctor Who blog week over at Day by Day!  Giveaway ends November 2nd at midnight.

<-<------------P.S.  Also, I switched my blog sidebar over to the other side.
It's kind of bugging me, but I decided I needed to change.  Something.  I've been too afraid of change lately.  A blog sidebar isn't going to affect much in my life, but it did the trick last night.  I feel much more brave now. :smile:

P.S.S.  Plus, Ashley is having a lovely gift card giveaway at Bramblewood Fashion - click here to enter!