david was late for school because we stopped at the pumpkin patch to take pictures–oops!

my little astronaut & racecar driver.

i’m pretty proud of myself for getting a little festive. i bought this $5 tee at target.
have a great day & eat too much candy!!

to make you smile.

Sterling silver wire charm bracelet. So sweet and simple. The charms move and clink. $52

What should the featured item be for November?
1. Wire charm bracelet
2. Tag Keyring
3. Baby spoon

Leave a comment and cast your vote. Happy Monday!

we woke up early to go meet steve at the first rest stop. we waited in the car.

and we waited some more.

steve & scott arrived and took off any extra layers.

then we drove up the 46 to watch them come up the hill. here they come!!!.

and there they go!!!

then we went to cambria to play a little. david loves the swings.

matty rocked the playground.

then down to the beach to play. so glad my boys are well!!

self-portrait.

david plays in the sand.

mommy & matty.

cute shoes.
hey, i never got any candy corn?!

Wow, it’s been a rough couple of weeks. Matty really turned a corner yesterday with his nasty cold. David is feeling much better today, thank goodness! We visited our pediatrician yesterday. I apologized to him for a second visit in one week. I told I feel like I am so in the middle of taking care of David that I lose objectivity and it’s really hard for me to tell whether he getting better or worse! He set David’s chart down, turned and looked at me and said, ” Don’t ever think you are wasting my time. David is a unique kid and needs special attention. We have to stay on top of any health issues he has.” So of course, I was tearing up. I am so thankful for good doctors, who really love my boys. I am so thankful for a husband who helps me and lets me vent when I am exhausted and for friends who love and support us. This blog has been the perfect way to connect while I’ve been holed up in the house with sick kiddos. Thanks for walking this journey with me. We all need to hold hands and help each other out.

***I updated the handmade brass, vintage & beaded designs link to the right. I was having so much FUN last night with these vintage pieces!!!

New, fun stuff! Email me if you’re interested in something. If it’s marked SOLD, I might be able to create something similar.

Oh. my. GOODNESS! Love these brass bangles. Two bangles united by two large brass rings, dangle with a french charm (less than yesterday, more than today), a swarovski ball and tiny key. SOLD

Another one. So, so cute! Three bangles united by two large brass ringes, dangle with a vintage key, vintage heart locket and crystal quartz. SOLD

Vintage brass pendant (about 2″) reads “Our hearts beat as one”. Strung from large handmade brass chain. J-clasps in the front, about 20″ in length, hits at the bust. I also added a swarovski ball. Fun, fifties charm! SOLD

This pendant is sooo fun and unusual! It reads “He who holds the key can unlock my heart. The key fits perfectly inside the vintage brass peandant. I also added a little crystal. J-clasp in the front 22″ long SOLD

Amour vintage brass pendant is strung from handmade chain with a vintage heart locket and crystal. J-clasps in the front. 22″ in length. SOLD

Trina took some photos of our family at Sweet Springs Nature Preserve last weekend. She is so talented and patient. We are not the easiest family to shoot! I feel like she really captured the our family. Here’s just a sample of her work.



I took David to the doctor yesterday because he has been getting worse instead of better. Our pediatrician put him on antibiotics because his cold has turned into bronchitis. I feel relieved to have some answers (instead of worrying and wondering if I am crazy or overreacting!) Hopefully in the next day or so he’ll turn a corner and start feeling better. To tell the truth I’ve been feeling like I’m in isolation and also pretty exhausted. A friend is coming over today to give me a little break. Pedicure?!

On a lighter note, I am working on putting together a boutique page to add to the upper right-hand corner of my blog that would have rotating designs (handmade brass, antiqued sterling silver and other one-of-a kind designs) for sale. I’ll try to have it up today or tomorrow!

to Rachel and her amazing wares! We’ve gotten aquainted online. Her blog is darling and always inspiring.
We did a trade–some beautiful handmade journals for some of my jewelry. Go check out her etsy store!


Thanks for the goods Rachel! I love them. Happy Monday everyone.

I had a request for a custom necklace that inspired these other pieces.

I am super excited about these new sterling designs! This necklace has a vintage key (I love the scallops on the key!!), sterling heart and a faceted crystal. Once the piece was assembled, I dipped it in a solution to give it a patina. About 20″ in length. SOLD

Oh, this one is so fun! It is has a vintage key, sterling heart locket and a tag stamped ‘true love’. I finished it off with a round crystal and a cream pearl. Then dipped it to give it the antique look. About 18″ in length. SOLD

And of course a sweet pair of earrings to pull it all together. These are simple, sweet and seriously look vintage. Just a round crystal strung from sterling earwires and dipped to antique. I made a few pairs. SOLD
If you’re interested in something, send over an email.

We had a fun, though short time at the hoedown. Matty had a a blast throwing his cowboy hat like a frisbee and yelling ‘YeeHAW!!’. David got some great snuggles and cruised around to visit and make friends. We had amazing hambugers and lots of cookies.




Once we got home and the boys were in bed I had a mini-breakdown that included tears and strong feelings of ‘I cannot change ONE MORE diaper or wipe ONE MORE boogie nose! I cannot pick up ONE MORE toy or do ONE MORE dish!’ Steve let me sleep in this morning and woke me up to chocolate chip pancakes and coffee And he did the dishes. I am feeling a little more like myself this morning–and grateful for an understanding husband! On today’s adgenda–let the house be messy, Target therapy, date night tonight. Maybe a load of laundry, if I can squeeze it in.