Emily Smelts...

Making some room...

2011-08-23T12:10:00.005-05:00

My it's been quiet 'round this part of the blogosphere.

Though I have been "hard at work" as of late, it hasn't exactly been how you would expect...

I'm still prepping for the Labor Day art show I'll be taking part in, but, I've had something bigger (or rather "smaller") come up in the midst of it all...

Yep, that's right. The Rohan Clan will be growing come early March 2012!

After getting over the initial shock of it all, we are all smiles, excitement, and planning (and a little queasiness... ok, maybe more than a little).

The Little Women are SO very excited. The night we told them, Sophie spent several hours off and on covering her mouth and screaming. Isabel won't stop bouncing around, and Lillie has already offered to help with ANYTHING I may need (ESPECIALLY carrying the baby around at church).

They are divided as to what they want...

-Lillie wants another little girl because "little girls are just so cute and sweet".

-Isabel wants a BROTHER. NO question.

-Sophie says brother, but I have a sneaking suspicion she'd rather have a little sister, knowing her love for all things pink.

Rest assured I'll be keeping you posted along the way, but here are a few answers to questions before you even get the chance to ask...

1. We WILL be finding out the gender of this little one but I'm not quite far enough along to know yet.

2. There is only ONE in there. I had Dr. DOUBLE check.

3. Decaf latte's are not NEAR as delicious as the real deal :(

Happily,

Emily

PS I'm sure many of you have already heard my dear AMAZING friend Sunny's news but just in case, here's a link to her joyful announcement! We had quite a gleeful freak-out session over the phone once we realized we were both expecting and with due-dates very near one another to boot!!! We are definitely sisters in excitement and nauseousness. :)

Oh so much happiness...

2011-08-19T16:19:00.002-05:00

11 years with this guy by my side and I couldn't be happier!

Happy 11th Anniversary babe!

All my love,

PS: ...and this doesn't even scratch the surface of the happiness ensuing 'round these parts!

Conversations with a 4 year old...

2011-07-12T15:57:00.001-05:00

Apparently this little girl is just chalk full of wit and wisdom these days...

While on our way to Starbucks, the girls asked if they could get something. I said no, not this time, to which Sophie replied:

"But mom, little kids in Mexico get to have coffee!"

Wow Sophie, I have to give you points for creativity there but the answer is still "no".

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday: "Mermaid Princess Tea Party" Edition...

2011-07-06T15:31:00.003-05:00

Happily,

Emily

Conversations with a 4 year old...

2011-07-02T15:46:00.005-05:00

Sophie is a character.

This you know.

But the other day, she hit an all time high on the "did she just say what I think she just said???" scale...

After coming home from an family evening out for dinner, we were discussing what daddy does while he's at work all day. Sophie stopped and thought for a second then asked me:

"Mommy, when are YOU gunna git an actual REAL job???"

I had to spend the rest of my evening reminding myself that she's only 4...

...reminds me of the time shortly after Sophie was born when my brother asked me "what is is that you actually DO all day???".

Ya. He WASN'T 4 so I let him have it.

Happily,

Emily

Thankfulness today...

2011-06-29T15:20:00.007-05:00

I feel like it's high time for another "thankfulness post".

It's far too easy to go about our days, putting way too much focus on what's wrong, rather than being thankful for what's right (or even how what's wrong can help us learn and grow...)

Here are a few things on my heart today...

(in no particular order)

1. I am thankful that my BFF is now also my SISTER-IN-LAW! And not only do I have another niece but I also finally have a nephew!

2. I am thankful for the Farmer's Market. I will be able to get some of the most fresh and amazing produce western Iowa has to offer without having to grow any of it myself. (Sweeeeet Corrrrn... droooool...)

3. Where I live in IA is on the border, at a point where 3 states meet (Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota). We are right on the Missouri River and as of the last few months, we've been experiencing some pretty severe flooding. I am thankful that the flooding, though crazy, has not seemed to have caused as much damage as originally projected and our home is safe and sound.

4. I am thankful for wireless internet, allowing me to compose this blog post from my deck.

5. I am thankful that Trader Joe's is now only a quick 1.5 hr drive from my house as opposed to 4 hrs like it used to be.

6. I am thankful for Scarlet O'Hara peony bushes and the success I had in growing them...

7. I am thankful for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

AND...

8. I am thankful for coffee. Of course.

Thankfully,

Emily

Jeweleries Update...

2011-06-29T14:36:00.004-05:00

So in case you were all wondering, yes, I am still smithing.

I know you wouldn't know it by visiting my blog.

(But thank you for visiting none the less) :)

Though summer does tend to be a time where my days are spent primarily with the Little Women (yesterday's activity: "Craft Day" Photos to follow) I have been carving out my smithing time as well, both out of the love for what I do, as well as out of necessity.

I alluded to the fact that I had "some exciting things on my silver-smithing horizon" and I think it's high time I fill you in!!!

First off, by what can only be described as a "Divine Connection", I found my way to this quaint little shop while on vacation in Northern Minnesota. After chatting with the shop owner, we quickly discovered we were both etsy-fanatics and thus, of course, fell in love (ok, perhaps that's taking it just a smidge too far...) ANYWHO, I was recently contacted by the good folks at Yellow Umbrella regarding sending a few of my goodies to them for their shop! Though this is new territory for me, I am SO excited about the prospect of getting into consignment!

SECONDLY... remember this post? (scroll down to the "bad news" about half way down)

Well... I applied again and this year, I've been accepted!!!

I'm kind of out-of-my-mind excited, but also a little overwhelmed. At last year's festival I believe there were upwards of 30,000 people in attendance over the 3 day weekend so that means I gots' to start cranking out the goods!

I'm proud of everything I make (if I'm not, I don't finish it) but I'm thrilled to say that I've recently created some of the things I'm most happy with out of my whole smithing career. I'll be posting pics along the way but not necessarily listing everything in my etsy shop (yet).

This summer is probably gonna be fairly crazy but such is the life of a metal-smithing mama!

I love you all so very much and I am so thankful for your continuing support! You have NO idea how much it means to me!!!

Excitedly,

Anxiously,

Putting on another pot of coffee,

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday: "Deck fort that was tons of fun till the dog decided to mark it as his territory" Edition...

2011-06-29T14:27:00.004-05:00

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday (right before it turns into Thursday): "Cool Stump" Edition...

2011-06-22T23:15:00.002-05:00

Happily,

Emily

My 2 Favorite Fathers...

2011-06-17T17:46:00.004-05:00

In honor of the up-coming holiday, I want to share a photo of my 2 favorite fathers in the whole wide world.

The Little Women's Daddy on the left.

My Daddy on the right.

The 3rd dad that completes my "3 favorite fathers trifecta" would be the papa belonging to Mr. G, who coincidentally tends to be fairly camera-shy)

I love each of you to the moon and back.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Happily,

Emily

WHIRL-FLIPPIN'-WIND...

2011-06-14T14:39:00.006-05:00

HI!

I can't speak for you but things around here have been OH so busy.

So busy with so many good things.

So busy that this is literally the first time I've had in almost a month to just sit down and write to you.

How are you?

What's been going on in your life???

I feel it's time for a little catching-up session.

Grab yourself something yummy to drink (it's raining here so it's hot coffee for me) and let's fill each other in.

Is it alright if I go first?

Why thank you! You are so kind.

ALRIGHTY! Here 'goes...

The school year is officially over HALLELUJAH! The spring program my mama, sister, and I put together went very well and we couldn't be more proud of the amazing job all the kiddos did!

Each of the little women finished their current grades (3rd, 1st, and Preschool respectively) with flying colors with Lillie even working ahead and completing the first unit of 4th grade! Also, I am THRILLED to announce that come this September, ALL of my children will be in school ALL DAY LONG! I just want to take a minute to praise Jesus for that fact (THANK YOU JESUS!!!) I LOVE my babies but words cannot describe how excited I am to have my week days fully for myself. OH the plans...

Abrupt changing of gears...

Now, regarding myself and my oral-health (or lack there of), I have been engaging in a bit of a "dental marathon" of sorts over the course of the last few months. Now, PLEASE restrain yourself from judging me too harshly until I have explained myself fully.

Until recently, it had been 6 years since I had been to the dentist...

(*covers her head to protect from flying objects being hurled her way)

Now, I asked that you WAIT to judge me... hear me out...

When I was young I was at the dentist QUITE frequently as I apparently have what you would call "Ginormous Teeth", thus, I had to have several teeth pulled (baby and permanent) in order to make room and prevent crowding.

I had many a 'bout with a syringe of novocaine and a pair of pliers.

I had wires.

I had braces.

I had retainers.

And by the time I got married and moved out of town...

I had ENOUGH of going to the dentist.

Moved out of state. Never bothered to find a dentist.

Moved back home. Never picked back up going to my original dentist.

A few years passed and I finally decided I should to the "responsible adult" thing and go back.

I chose a new office (as to avoid the "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN THESE PAST SEVERAL YEARS???" chat) but, unfortunately, as I was told I had a few fledgling cavities and I was plopped down in front of a children's "How to brush your teeth properly" video by a dental hygienist named "Trixie", I couldn't help but feel like that may be the first and last dental visit I'd have for a while...

Fast forward 6 years and factor in some teeth starting to crowd due to wisdom teeth that came in after my braces were removed, as well as a broken molar, unfortunately, the time had come to be responsible and visit the dentist once again.

After finding a new office and a Dr. that I absolutely LOVE (as much as one can actually love their dentist) I've been there to visit every week or so to have the following taken care of:

2 cavities taken care of via sandblasting and sealants

Broken tooth repaired

4 cavities traditionally filled

4 wisdom teeth removed (all containing cavities)

OY. Wisdom teeth came out a week ago Monday and all seems to be well on that front, though I would have MUCH preferred to have sucked it up and gotten them out in my teens when my original dentist STRONGLY suggested it (SHHHHH, don't you DARE tell him I said that).

I wanted to have them removed ASAP and was a little apprehensive about having them out when I did because of the close proximity (just 5 days prior) to the next event I am THRILLED to share with you...

The most GORGEOUS and AMAZING Wedding of my Brother to my BFF!!!

This past Saturday, much planning and anticipation came to fruition as my brother Chris got married to my dear friend Beth! Though I was able to manage holding back tears (for the most part) it was one of the most emotional, spectacular, and incredible weddings I've ever had the privilege of taking part in!

I won't get into any of the gritty details here but after all the pain and heartache each of them has had to endure in their lives, God reached down through all the crud and saw fit to bring them together and make something absolutely beautiful. It is truly a "beauty for ashes" type of situation here.

As I was a part of the wedding party, I wasn't able to get too many pics with my camera but between myself, Beth's sister and brother-in-law, we managed to capture a few memories...

During the rehearsal...

Getting into her gorgeous dress...

Flower girl teamwork...

Siblings...

Hugs...

Yellow girl...

Holding the bride's bouquet so

the bride can snap some pictures...

Beth's sister Sandi with her little girl Olivia...

The little women ready for flower-girl duty...

Beth hugging her papa before leaving the reception...

NEWLYWEDS!!!...

I think it's safe to say we're all still recuperating from the big day but it was definitely a day to remember!

Beth and her kiddos will be moving in with my brother and his little girl soon which means not only will we be BFF's, and Sisters-in-law, but also NEIGHBORS! Oh the FUN we will have!!!

Besides all of the above, jewelry-making is also being enjoyed in between all the other goings-on. I recently did a little show which was a ton of fun but preparations are going to need to be made as it's looking like there are some exciting things on my silver-smithing horizon!

I think that is all I shall share for now (she says 10 pages in...)

Now YOU!... what's been going on with you as of late?! I know I can't be the only one with loads of excitement and happenings happening all around!

Happily signing off and leaning back to sip my latte and listen.

Emily

To Do Today...

2011-05-09T12:36:00.002-05:00

Today's To Do list...

- Get kiddos up and off to school

- Help Mama with some things after dropping kiddos off

- Schedule wisdom teeth removal (aarg.)

- Water Peony bushes

- Eat bagel (sad that I have to schedule this in...)

- Shower (ALSO sad I have to schedule this in...)

- Pick up sister and go take down brother's art show (10 paintings, 3 x 5 ft each, wrapped, stacked, and safely transported)

- Pick up kiddos from school

- Check and respond to emails/interwebular messages

- Fold laundry

- Make supper, eat if I have time

- Attend Niece's school spring program

- Make a game plan for jewelry to be created tomorrow

- Get kiddos ready for and put to bed

- Spend a few minutes with Mr. G (if he isn't asleep already)

- Fall into bed

Ahhhh the life of a domestic Goddess...

Please try your very hardest not to be jealous.

Hurriedly,

Emily

Going thru...

2011-04-07T21:49:00.004-05:00

God will never allow you to go thru more than you can handle.

Unfortunately I am becoming more familiar with this once again.

Mr. G's grandmother fell and broke her hip last week. She had hip-replacment surgery and seemed to be recovering nicely. We visited her last Friday evening and she was awake and alert, and able to chat back and forth with us like normal (complaining about the possibility of her things being moved around while she was in the hospital and flirting with her young male nurse). She ended up needing several units of blood and sometime between Friday night and Sunday morning she took a turn for the worse as the blood was all pooling in her stomach.

Monday morning Mr.G called to tell me that my very dear friend Nikki as well as her husband Phillip and their 5 year old daughter Raegan were in a car accident the night before involving their minivan, a deer, and an 18-wheeler. Mom and dad are fine besides some bumps and bruises but little Raegan took the brunt of the crash. With much prayer and the hand of God, Raegan is "out of the woods" now, but as her fractures are all primarily in her upper and lower jaw, she has had to have her jaw wired shut.

God's hand is already so evident in so many aspects of what was otherwise such a tragic event (from the trained EMT that just happened to be driving by as the accident occurred who was able to give immediate assistance, to the miraculous fusing of Raegan's upper jaw from one CT scan to the next) but it is still something no one should ever have to endure, much less, a little one.

The updates from Nikki continue to get better and better so there is MUCH excitement on that front!

But unfortunately, despite initial expectations that Mr. G's grandma would make a full recovery, we received the call this morning that she had passed away.

Life is but a vapor.

And a gift.

Please don't waste a single second.

Emily

Wordless Wednesday...

2011-03-30T09:54:00.004-05:00

..."Finally hung my new JennSki prints" edition.

...and enjoying Dunkin' Donights "Strawberry Shortcake" coffee.

OK. I'm DONE talking now.

Happily,

Emily

Cookie-making with Bubble Grandma...

2011-03-29T19:10:00.005-05:00

Apparently I am just not quite domestic enough as evidenced by the shock and awe exuding from the children when Bubble Grandma suggested they make cookies.

It was pretty much a HUGE deal.

You know it's been a good day when the level of fun is equal to the mess left to clean up afterwards. :)

Happily,

Emily

Ok ya'll...

2011-03-24T21:22:00.003-05:00

I don't even know why I said "ya'll".

I'm not Southern.

I'm not even from Southern Iowa.

Sheesh.

ANYWAY...

So... I've been-a-hemming-and-a-hawing (again with the southern thing) over whether or not to apply once again to our local art festival.

The deadline is March 31st.

I've known this for a while.

But again with the hemming and hawing.

Scared?

Nervous?

Fear-o-rejection?

Maybe.

Being turned down once already was apparently more of a blow than I had anticipated.

But, as someone lovingly mentioned to me the other day when I was feeling a bit sorry for myself: "Keep at it! You know you won't be there if you don't apply!"

Thank you Mrs. Nelson :)

SO...

After taking a ton of pics...

Then hating the pics...

Then taking a ton more pics...

...only to realize that my memory card was not in my camera...

Then putting the memory card back and taking and editing a ton more pics...

I narrowed it down from 257 to the 3 I needed.

Posted them.

Paid my application fee.

And now I wait.

Happily, anxiously, counting down the days,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday: "Waiting for the 'Chicken Dance' at our cousin's wedding reception is apparently incredibly tiring" edition...

2011-03-16T14:11:00.003-05:00

Happily,

Emily

A post during which Emily tries to persuade you that she can in fact make delicious edible things...

2011-03-04T15:41:00.007-06:00

CAVEAT: This will by NO means be turning into a food/recipe blog. I shall be leaving that to Rachael Ray.

So... I may have lamented over this in a past post or two, but when it comes to "cooking", I am not what you would call a "savant" by any stretch of the imagination.

Now, that's not to say that I can't follow a recipe. I can feed my family, but when it comes to gettin' fancy and improvising and such, I'm not so great. Interestingly enough, my 2 brothers each inherited the "awesome chef" genes and my sister and I... well...not so much. (Sorry Allison).

HOWEVER, there are 3 things that I apparently make VERY well which is evidenced by the fact that any one or more of them are what I am asked to bring any time there is a family gathering.

They are as follows...

1. Mashed potatoes

2. Pumpkin Pie

3. Mediterranean Salsa

Mediterranean Salsa is what I shall be focusing on for this post.

Usually since I make it for almost every family shin-dig, I don't often make it under any other circumstances. Though, the other day when I was at the grocery store, strolling past the red onions, I rather suddenly and impulsively decided I should make it for no particular reason at all.

So I did.

And as I sat the other night, shoveling chip-fulls of it into my mouth for dinner, I thought it just wouldn't be right not to share this gloriousness with you all.

SO, here it is... (savor this folks for recipes shall be few and far between 'round these parts)

MEDITERRANEAN SALSA

1 large green pepper

1 large red onion

6 roma tomatoes (or 4 large "regular" tomatoes)

1 pkg feta cheese

1 large handful FRESH basil (dried will do but fresh is ideal)

olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

(Add each ingredient to a large bowl as you prepare them)

-Dice pepper, and onion (pretty small chunks).

-Cut tomatoes in half and scoop out their guts (if you don't your salsa will end up too watery) then dice tomatoes.

-Crumble feta cheese.

-Chop fresh basil.

(I tend to go overboard with both the feta and basil which is quite delicious)

-Pour a bit of olive oil over the top to coat.

-Stir to combine.

-Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with blue corn chips (my FAVORITE), yellow corn chips, kashi crackers, or whatever else sounds delicious (it's also VERY good over fresh spinach with grilled chicken as a salad... mmm...)

And there you have it! Give it a try and let me know what you think!!!

Happily,

Emmmily

SHOP UPDATED!

2011-03-04T15:29:00.001-06:00

New goodies displayed in yesterday's post listed now!

ENJOY!

Happily,

Emily

Shop update tomorrow...

2011-03-03T16:11:00.006-06:00

Just some goodies offered for your perusal before they are listed, up for the snatching, sometime tomorrow...

A trio of agate slice-deliciousness...

A couple "Conversation Pieces"...

The "Dainty"...

...and the Ginormous.

David...

...and Goliath.

I'm stretching my wings and pushing the limits of what I can do with silver, and I'm quite excited about the results! I'll post pics as soon as I can but I'm considering hanging on to a few of them and having them photographed by a real-life legitimate photographer so that I can then send them along with my application to a local art fair. Still in the "contemplation stages" for now but we shall see.

ANYWHO... till tomorrow!!!...

Happily,

Emily

Conversations with a 4 year old...

2011-03-01T13:01:00.002-06:00

(While at a family birthday party recently, Sophie was having a chat with one of her very most favorite cousins, Tristan. Tristan is in High School and is very tall and therefore, awesome. During their chat, I leaned over to add something, after which Sophie leaned back towards me and informed me that...)

Sophie: "Uh mom, dis is OUR gusgussion" (discussion).

Me: "Oh... well then... as you were..."

Happily,

Emily

Deep thoughts with Emily...

2011-02-22T11:06:00.003-06:00

So... I've been thinking lots of deep thoughts lately.

You know, like, pondering the worlds problems...

Brainstorming solutions...

Mulling over everything from the feasibility of time travel, to weather or not it would be worth my while to hire someone just to do my laundry.

I covered many topics in-between, one of which I've considerably considered is:

Thankfulness.

I was raised to always say "thank you" when given something or when something was done for me, and those words have really become second nature to me.

But, I started thinking:

"I say 'thank you' so very often, but how very thankful am I REALLY at any given point in time?"

This started to bother me a little.

However, somehow I was able to put it out of my mind (to make room for other deep thoughts of course, a few of which I mentioned above).

But, I find it interesting how sometimes things pop into my head because I pop them there...

...and other times they pop into my head because I've got something that needs refining and the Big Guy upstairs is going to see to it that I do indeed get refined.

Case in point.

The topic of discussion at bible study the Thursday following my "random" thoughts on thankfulness?...

Thankfulness.

Ever since then I have been pondering something our study leader shared with us and I encourage you to ponder it a bit yourself...

"There is no neutral place between thankfulness and unthankfulness".

You are either one,

or the other.

I have so very many wonderful things in my life to be thankful for. Things that I don't deserve, but I have them none the less. And can it be that by simply taking those things for granted, and not actively purposing to cultivate a heart and a life of thankfulness, that I am instead actively unthankful?

That is in fact the conclusion I have drawn.

I have begun to realize after making a point to take note, that there are so many things in my life, about which my immediate reaction is to complain, rather than choosing to find the good in it, or even just shifting my focus to something I can gush over with thanksgiving.

God has done and continues to do so many amazing and wonderful things for me and I am no longer content to act as if I'm not grateful for each and every one.

A few of the things I'm gushing with Thankfulness today include but are not limited to...

1. COFFEE of course :)

2. Valentine roses that are still going strong over a week later...

3. Having the very best job in the world and being able to incorporate my faith into what I do...
4. The most amazing man on the face of the planet who loves me for me, and I am both thrilled and honored that I get to spend the rest of my life with him... even though most every photo I snap of him turns out looking something like this...

(and I love every one of those photos)
5. Three little women. Sigh...

Thankful for YOU,

Emily

A few new goodies in the shop!...

2011-02-20T02:38:00.003-06:00

...I have more but its late and my eyes are starting to cross...

All in the shop now!

Happily heading to bed,

Emily

Guess whaaaaat???...

2011-02-17T16:21:00.003-06:00

I'll give you a clue...

I'm-a-workin on a shop update, yes I am, and I'll be posting new stuff this very weekend.

Oh....

...well, I guess that wasn't really a clue, so much as actually telling you exactly what I plan to do, but... well... ok.

OK... so what was I doing...

AH! Yes.

Back to the editing of photos...

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday (with words of course)... "Dad and sister are CRAZY people" edition...

2011-02-16T17:12:00.005-06:00

...(qualifying as "CRAZY" after spending a few days up at our family's cabin in Northern Minnesota in the dead of winter with nothing more than a few sleeping bags, no running water, some little baseboard heaters and an outhouse BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO).

Oy.

Knee-deep snow...

Snow angel out on the lake on top of ice that is

between 12 and 18 inches thick...

Happily in my warm and cozy home while posting these pics,

Emily

Conversations with a 4 year old...

2011-02-07T14:56:00.003-06:00

Sophie: "Mom, we should get a big duck. AND some little ducks"

Me: "Well... alrighty then..." (said to myself of course, as not to get any little hopes up too high)

Happily,

Emily

Just a little... er... not so little something I've been working on...

2011-01-31T13:26:00.003-06:00

Well, I'm back to smithing work OFFICIALLY and it feels MIGHTY good.

Though I feel terrible about having dragged things out so terribly long, (it was necessary to take a bit of a break after all the family stuff that transpired at the tail end of 2010) I have been slowly but surely working on tying up the loose ends of the custom orders that were started prior to my leave of absence.

It's been so long since I've shared pics of anything (or even had pics of anything to share) so here is just one of the recently completed pieces awaiting shipment to a SPECTACULARLY fantabulous woman.

Oh so affectionately entitled:

"Big Daddy"

This was truly one of the most INCREDIBLE stones I've ever had the pleasure of working with and I am honored that this customer entrusted me with it's setting.

More things to show off soon... all for you of course :)

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday: "When little things make you SO happy" edition...

2011-01-26T13:09:00.003-06:00

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday: Monochromatic edition...

2011-01-19T00:32:00.001-06:00

Happily,

Emily

Conversations with a 4 year old...

2011-01-18T13:04:00.004-06:00

A little chat we had while getting dressed this morning...

SOPHIE: "Mommy, did you know dat there are REALLY villains in the world??? They are REALLY bad guys."

ME: "Yes baby, I did know that."

SOPHIE: "And Daddy can defeat them cuz he's a really REALLY strong guy."

ME: "You're right! Daddy is VERY strong."

SOPHIE: "But you can't cuz you're just a lady."

ME: "Um... thanks."

Apparently I need to sit down and have a chat with her about Wonder Woman.

Happily,

Emily

Back home... against my will...

2011-01-17T16:10:00.004-06:00

Mr. G and I had been talking for months about where to go to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary.

We had quite a list of dream destinations, but unfortunately, as time was quickly closing in on us and the window to get our passports renewed had all but closed, we realized that if we were wanting to go somewhere warm, California or Florida were going to be our options.

We opted for Southern Florida, which ended up being a good choice as (at least as of while we were there) Florida was the only of the 50 states with no snow. :)

Being away was SOOO wonderful, but, (EXCEPT for the snow), it is good to be home :)

I purposely took very few photos while we were away (I was FAR too busy laying on a chaise lounge, reading magazines and eating sweet potato fries) but I did manage to snap a few shots...

Beach evening...

So many beauties...

Sandy toes...

The Haul...

I LOVE me anything made with limes and it just so happens that Key limes are quite plentiful in southern Florida :) ...

View...

Sigh...

...and now to plan the 11th anniversary celebration...

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday: Christmassy decorating edition...

2010-12-15T12:56:00.003-06:00

'TIS THE SEASON!!!

Happily,

Emily

Today...

2010-12-14T14:43:00.002-06:00

Got me some coffee.

Cranking the Christmas tunes.

Placed silver supply order and used every ounce of strength within me not to hyperventilate and collapse to the floor after seeing current silver prices... apparently things have changed a bit since I last ordered...

...but it sure do feel good to be swingin' my hammer once again.

Happily,

Emily

One day at a time...

2010-12-08T17:42:00.003-06:00

I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to provide you with any more information than I did the last time I posted.

I wasn’t quite sure what to say.

Unfortunately, disappearing without much explanation was necessary.

I don’t really know if I even know what to say right now, but, I didn’t feel right about just jumping back into posting without saying something first.

Life is such a fragile and crazy thing. So many different things can change your life, either for the good, or otherwise, in a matter of moments.

For my family, (specifically, my dear sweet sister) the change happened in the space between two moments.

One moment her husband was with her here on earth...

The next moment, he made the choice to step over to the other side.

Not sure if I’ll ever get into the details of it all here on the interwebs, but, the long and short of it is this:

If you are going thru something so dark and awful that you see no way out but to end it all, it may seem like the “easy” way out for you, but it is NEVER easy for everyone you leave behind.

Please reach out to someone.

You may feel like “if anyone really cared, they would reach out to me”, but, the fact is, they may have no idea you are suffering. No one is a mind-reader and the only way someone can know how you are feeling is if you tell them.

Life is slowly but surely returning back to normal around here.

As a family, we have dropped most everything and made it our job to surround Allison in a cocoon of safety and protection and love, bringing calm and warmth to her suddenly up-turned world.

There are good days.

And not so good days.

But speaking as someone who still has her sister...

...the good days are REALLY good.

Coveting your prayers,

Emily

Family Emergency...

2010-10-30T14:39:00.002-05:00

We have experienced a tragedy of the worst possible kind.

I don't mean to be vague but I only write this as

I don't know how long it will be until I write again.

Please keep my sister Allison in your thoughts and prayers.

Emily

Wordless Wednesday: a birthday phone call from Cousin Inalee...

2010-10-27T14:00:00.003-05:00

(She looks so grown up when she talks on the phone...

come to think of it, she just looks so grown up no matter what she's doing).

Happily,

Emily

My baby isn't a baby anymore...

2010-10-25T22:12:00.005-05:00

Today was my baby's 4th birthday.

She isn't a baby anymore...

(Cookies for the kiddos at preschool)

(Birthday snuggles from Grandma)

(First girl in her class with a birthday, getting to wear the fancy birthday crown and sash)

(Birthday balloons from "a guy"...

...she didn't realize he was just delivering them on behalf of Grandma and Grandpa)

...but she'll always be my baby :)

Happy Birthday sweet Sophia Violet!

Mama loves you to the moon and back.

Thinking back over the last 4 years and smiling,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday: a little love from Isabel to me to you...

2010-10-20T18:15:00.003-05:00

Happily,

Emily

In with the new, ACHOO, and review...

2010-10-18T17:37:00.010-05:00

As per usual, much hustly and bustly goings on 'round here and I know I haven't blogged for a while since my dad has been hassling me about it. Sorry father.

At this very moment I am doing no less than 4 things simultaneously...

1. Blogging

2. Helping Isabel with her spelling homework

3. Holding the page of Lillie's "cat's cradle" book open with my leg so she can use her hands

4. Eating cheese popcorn

As I sit here in my basement (that was supposed to have been a deep burgundy but instead turned out looking more like a pizzeria) I'm thinking of adding "repaint the basement" to the list.

In with the new:

I'm a converse girl. Always have been, always will be. I liked them when it wasn't necessarily an "in" thing to like but I didn't care. I got my first pair when I was a sophomore in HS and wore them constantly. They are the only pair of shoes that I've worn till they were quite literally falling apart but I still couldn't bring myself to throw them away. I've since purchased a few different colors but my original red pair was still in with the regular rotation. For Christmas last year my mom bought me a new red pair to replace the original but for some reason I hadn't been able to bring myself to wear them. I think it was because I knew as soon as I did, they would get a scuff or a smudge or something like that and I wanted to hold off on that as long as possible. After looking over the original pair the other day I decided I was being COMPLETELY ridiculous and busted the new pair out of their box.

I couldn't help but smile every time I looked down at my feet and I realized the old pair would make a GREAT set of painting shoes.

It was truly a happy day.

ACHOO:

So, to the best of my knowledge, the only thing I ever knew I was allergic to was cats. Because of said allergy, I never have had much of an affinity toward the furry, finicky creatures (sorry all you cat lovers out there, I really wish the little guys didn't make me so miserable!)

As I've gotten older (and after having moved out to the east coast and then back to the midwest) it only took me about 8 years of getting what I thought was a really bad cold every spring and fall to realize that "gosh, I suppose I could have allergies".

Turns out I was right.

I went in yesterday for a full allergy test and of the 64 allergens they tested me for, I am allergic to 44 of them.

Just a little worse than I thought.

Allergens including but not limited to: Cats, Dogs, and BOTH types of dust mites. The list goes on and though many of the other things are fairly unpronounceable, they basically translate to various grass/plant/tree pollens and molds.

The plan is to employ as many of the "allergen reducing" suggestions we were given and see how it goes. I am hopeful that we can come to a positive point short of tearing up the carpet.

REVIEW:

I am a multitasker (note to self, pick new paint color for the basement)

I gots me some new chucks.

Allergies suck.

Dad is happy now.

Happily,

Emily

Working working...

2010-10-05T11:52:00.002-05:00

But not whistling while I work.

I can whistle like I can swim...

...enough to save my life (or at least summon a dog),

but not so much that it would impress anyone.

I need to surf my itunes library and compile the ultimate "Smithing Soundtrack"...

...what would your ultimate "Soundtrack" include???

Happily,

Emily

New things...

2010-09-27T12:48:00.009-05:00

I have made something. Well, somethings to be exact, though there is one that is not yet spoken for.

I don't want to say that I am headed in an entirely new direction with regard to my smithing, but rather, broadening my horizons.

As far as the "world of creating" is concerned, there are several things that I love. Many I do on a regular basis, others not so much, but I have noticed that the 2 areas that I feel hold much of my desire and energies are metalwork and photography.

Due to the nature of what I do (etsy shop/blog/etc) I have found a pretty great way to be able to do both, though the desire to take it a step further was always there. The incorporation of photography into jewelry has been a quest of mine for a while now. After much thinking about what the best way to accomplish it would be, I'm thrilled to announce that I can check "figure out how to incorporate photography into jewelry" off my "to do" list.

It all started with this piece I made for someone very near and dear to my heart. Sweet baby face...

I was holding my breath, hoping and praying it would turn out right. In hindsight, experimentation on something so meaningful was probably not the best of ideas, but, after the it came out just how I had hoped it would, I decided that I am officially in love with this new way of creating.

This is the second photo piece I created and I'd like to offer it to you...

This necklace features an original flower and bumblebee photograph with a quote by Georgia O'Keefe stamped on the back. In a sea of cheesy "flowery" flower quotes, I was thrilled to have found this one. :)

WARNING: Drastic change in subject...

Though it's been in the works for several weeks now, it has been rather last-minutely decided (would I have it any other way?!) that tomorrow will be the day that I get my new laptop!

Though I am DELIRIOUSLY excited, it's almost a bit of a bittersweet thought.

Bitter because the laptop I am currently using was my very first ever Mac, and I think a little part of me shall miss it a bit (though the next one and every other computer I will ever buy will most definitely be of the Apple persuasion and I'm quite sure it will take me 12.7 seconds flat to get over any feelings of loss over the original computer).

Sweet because my "old" laptop is going to my baby brother who actually PAID me for it! Like FOR REAL! REAL money that he earned at his very own job! He's all grown up now. Officially. Well... probably not actually all the way grown up because he still wears his hair "faux-hawk" style and still has my mom make him grilled cheese sandwiches... though I can't say I wouldn't do the same when it comes to mom's grilled cheese...

Bitter because the nearest Apple store to where I live is almost 2 hours away thus I have to make a trip there and back, leaving my computer for a few days for them to transfer everything over, to then go there and back to pick them up. Oy.

Sweet because I get to enjoy an impromptu road trip. Aw yeea.

ANYWHO... I really could have summed up all of the above by saying:

"Getting a new computer. Gonna be computerless till Thursday evening. That is all."

...but that isn't very interesting now is it???

I said all that to say that I am showing this piece to you now but I plan on listing it in my shop upon the return of technology to my home sometime Thursday evening.

Until then, I would like to leave you with this question...

What things that you are passionate about have you found a way to combine???

Happily,

Emily

2 decades, 364 days and counting...

2010-09-23T19:32:00.004-05:00

Well, here I sit.

9:46 pm on Thursday, September 23rd, 2010.

I feel a little weird.

A little weird that I don't really feel weird.

Here I sit on the very last evening that I will ever be considered a "20 something".

As of late it seems when people find out I'm turning 30, their immediate reaction is to furrow their brow, cock their head to the side, place their hand on my shoulder and ask me:

"SOOO... how do you feel about that???"

The truth is, I feel pretty darn good.

Here I sit. Pondering over 3 decades of life. Some of it is just a blur, but blurry or otherwise, it's been an amazing ride thus far!

-I have been a first child/grandchild and eldest sister since the very beginning of time (the beginning of time for me that is).

-I have been a wife for 1/3 of my life and still more in love with my honey than ever before.

-I have been a mommy for 8 years... which just prompts me to imagine how things will be in another 8 years...

-Save for 2 years living out of state, I have belonged to the same amazing church ever since my parents started attending when I was 4 years old.

-I have been able to drive for nearly 1/2 my life.

-I lived far too much of my life before I ever discovered how delicious latte's are.

-I have been a business owner for nearly 6 years now but as for my passion for jewelry, if you count my single pair of needle nose pliers, several tubes of seed beads, and all the cheap jewelry I used to buy just to tear apart for "mixing and matching", that goes all the way back to elementary school.

So many other things to consider but it would take me eons to type it all out.

Here I sit.

Recalling memories, and making decisions,

for life

and for family

and for business

and for the future.

A little older.

A little wiser (I DO hope).

A LOT happier.

Life is good.

Officially the last photo taken of me in my 20s...

EXTREMELY happily and excitedly looking forward to the next 30 years,

Emily

Oh the things you overhear at a 1st-3rd grade soccer practice...

2010-09-21T11:32:00.003-05:00

I wouldn't necessarily consider our family to be a "sportsy" one (ok, I'm quite sure I'll be getting some guff from my father who was fairly athletic back in the day so I should probably clarify that "my children and I" are not typically very "sportsy"... I may have mentioned this here once before but my parents told me in recent years that it actually pained them to watch me play sports when I was young. Thanks guys.) but one thing we do enjoy is soccer (or "football" depending on where you live). My brother Matt played soccer from kindergarden all the way thru his full ride college soccer scholarship. There aren't many sports that watching them will hold my attention, but soccer is definitely one of them... or perhaps even the only one...

The little women are still relatively young to be involved in too many things. I know far too many families who have their 3 year olds in 7 different activities from swimming to ballet to tae-kwon-do and beyond. If that works for them then kudos. As for us, life is too crazy as it is not to be more picky and choosy about what we do and don't do.

Most of our team...

(Lillie is at the far left and Isabel is front and center)

THAT being said, one thing we DO do is soccer, of which I have the pleasure of sitting along the sidelines during practices and get to listen in on all of the interesting things that come out of the mouths of the little 6 - 9 year olds on the team... they include but are not limited to the following...

1. I have a loose tooth!

1b. Me TOO!

2. I am DYING of boredom out here.

3. I can do a back flip! Wanna see?

3b. No.

4. OW, my neck keeps popping.

5. This is boring.

6. Has God ever lied?

6b. No, and neither has Abraham Lincoln.

7. There's a red ant on you. (insert scream)

8. My sister dug her nails into my skin right here.

9. OOOOW! I think my ankle is broken!!!

9b. (about 2 minutes later) Ok, I'm fine.

10. In the future there are flying cars.

11. The only way to turn into a vampire is if a vampire bites you (girl listening rolls her eyes)

12. WHICH GOAL AM I GOING TO???

VERY informative to say the least.

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday... "leftover shots from the first day of preschool" edition...

2010-09-15T15:38:00.002-05:00

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday... but please do allow me a few words...

2010-09-08T17:54:00.006-05:00

Today was quite a day.

Pretty amazing.

Exciting for me, but not me alone...

Today my baby started preschool...

Big sisters were so proud...

Little friends were anxious but excited...

Sophie was all smiles...

It is official. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning from 8-11 am, I am a free woman.

Upon hearing this, some people have been prompted to say things like:

"Well well WELL, isn't it time

you had ANOTHER one???"

and

"Now that your baby is in school,

wouldn't you like to have another one to

fill the void???"

Oy vey people. Let me have my day.

Happily looking forward to Friday morning at 8:00,

Emily

Did you feel like comin' across a sale today? Ya? Well, then, you're in luck!...

2010-09-07T16:01:00.004-05:00

So I was looking thru my etsy expired listings as well as my jewelry inventory and I realized something. I still have several pieces hanging around that have been here since the beginning of time... well, the beginning of my time smithing that is.

Several of those pieces have just been sitting, many of them re-listed in the shop several times, and I've decided it's time to clean house. Gotta make room for the new you know :)

(Drumroll please...) PRESENTING...

The EmeliaRo Last Chance Sale!!!

Yep, you heard right. LAST CHANCE sale.

Basically what this entails is that several of the items that have been around since I started my smithing career have been re-listed in my shop for HALF their original listing price.

Come sale or listing expiration these pieces will never be seen again... unless of course you purchase one, in which case you have the rest of your life to stare at it, day after day until the end of time :)

To check out what's available, just hop over to my shop and click the "LAST CHANCE SALE" category tab to the left of the screen.

While you're shopping, I'm gonna go get myself some supper, grab my sketchbook, and start pullin' some of the fresh new ideas out of my brain and put them down on paper.

Hopefully I'll be mailing something(s) your way soon!

Happily,

Emily

Back to schoool, back to schoool (said just like Adam Sandler would sing it of course)...

2010-08-30T17:15:00.003-05:00

Well, today was the day!

The "big girls" had their first day of school today and from what I've heard (they started talking the moment I picked them up almost 3 hours ago and have only stopped long enough to take breaths and have a snack... They seem to be slowing for now but I'm quite sure that once daddy gets home, they'll start all over again) it was a pretty fantastic day.

I can hardly believe that I have a child in 3rd GRADE already and I have more kids in regular schooling than not... but the REAL kicker will be next Wednesday... when my BABY starts PRESCHOOL!!! (HO-LEE-TO-LEE-DO!!! I have some SERIOUS plans for my Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings) :D

Aren't they cutie faces!??!?

Happily,

Emily

Conversations with a 3 year old...

2010-08-27T16:08:00.003-05:00

Sophie: "MOMMY! I'n dun with my apple!"

Me: "Oh reeeally?"

Happily,

Emily

Where has the decade gone...

2010-08-18T16:25:00.002-05:00

Dear "The Most Wonderful Man in the World",

Today is Thursday...

...but not just any 'ol Thursday.

Today is August 19th, 2010.

Today is quite a momentous one for you and me.

Today marks a milestone of which I am almost more proud of than any other milestones we've shared (the kids are right up there but this is a BIG DEAL!)

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the day we were married.

From this...

...to this...

...in what seems like the blink of an eye.

A blink filled with more stories than I'm sure we could tell in 10 lifetimes.

I am so thankful that God gave us to each other, knowing that "each other" was exactly what we'd need.

I am so excited and hopeful for what the next 10 years will hold, then the 10 after that, then someday becoming one of those little couples you see shuffling hand in hand thru the park, still happy and choosing each day to share their lives with each other after all those years.

More in love with you than I was yesterday.

More honored to be called your wife than I have ever been.

More proud of you than you'll even know.

More excited for the future than what's humanly possible.

With all my love times infinity plus one more than you'll ever say,

Emily

xoxo

Memories of the fondest nature...

2010-08-14T15:34:00.001-05:00

My dad is a mower.

... well, not exactly an actual "lawn mower" but someone who takes great pleasure in pushing one around.

My dad has made his career working for our local power plant but his area of study in college was "park and golf course management". To this day, mowing a lawn is something that actually brings him JOY and anytime he drives by a property that is unkept, his first thought is "Man I'd love to clean up that yard".

For as long as I can remember, he has kept himself occupied in his "free time" during the summer months with a small business where he would (and still continues to) mow the yards of elderly ladies for next to nothing.

Sometimes he would get $10 for a yard. Other times he'd get a glass of lemonade and a sandwich.

Thinking back over my childhood, some of my fondest summer-time memories are those from when my siblings and I would go with my dad on what we considered to be "mowing adventures".

We got to know what each person's yard was like and got excited when certain yards would come up on the schedule (ie: "oh YA! So-and-so's yard has that HUGE old tree that is a perfect place for hiding out under!" or "So and so always lets us come inside and play with her stash of toys from when she was a little girl").

Sometimes we'd go along and other times not, but inevidebly, a few times each summer, dad would come home with a garbage can and a surprise.

At the bottom of the can would be a thin layer of grass, just enough to provide a hiding place for the baby bunnies that he would come across while he was out that day.

Sometimes they'd be teensie weensie, other times, lanky adolescents, almost too quick to catch.

They would live in the garbage can in the kitchen (sometimes requiring a window screen across the top so they couldn't jump out the top), munching on dandelion stems and relaxing for a bit until they were ready to be returned to nature.

The other day I was thinking back over childhood summers and more specifically the visits from those fuzzy little hoppers. Not 2 days later I get a call from my dad...

"Are the girls home? I have something I want to show them..."

Happily,

Emily

Peek at my Pad Thursday... bathroom facelift...

2010-08-04T15:04:00.000-05:00

Typically I tend to decorate things a certain way and if I like it that way, it stays that way until one day, seemingly out of nowhere, I am fully and utterly tired of it and it needs to change.

This moment came for me and the main floor bathroom (the bathroom primarily used by the little women) a few weeks ago.

Backing up a bit, I must admit, I have a bit of a problem (I suppose it would fall into the "hoarding" category of disorders but I'll let you be the judge of that). Whenever I visit my local hobby/art supply store, I immediately make a bee line for the clearance section and proceed to buy up all the broken, damaged, ugly picture frames with the mindset that "there's virtually nothing a can of spray paint can't fix". I then bring the frames home, stack them up in the back of my closet, some of which never to be seen or heard from again.

WELL... in an effort, not to kick my habit, but rather, re-direct it in a more positive, creative, PRODUCTIVE direction, I dragged all my frames out (19 to be exact) and after accessing their sizes, immediately hopped on etsy for a few new prints.

The following are a few pics from the newly spruced up loo...

Little women...

(these frames used to be black with gold crowns

stamped all over them - $2.50 a piece on clearance)

This is 1 of 3 prints I purchased from this etsy shop and I could not have been more pleased! This one in particular is one I'm thrilled that my little women get to look at frequently.

(This frame was quite beat up, scratched, and missing the glass - $1)

Oh yes I did...

This is another print from this gal and as soon as I saw it in her shop, I knew I needed it. Another good life lesson.

(This frame was originally white but had a bunch of scuffs and marks on it. $4)

A shot including a paper plate face Isabel made and insisted I hang up somewhere...

More pad peeks to come that will include more bargain frames and the gorgeous art that fills them!

Happy Thursday!

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday... "This photo has not been edited in any way whatsoever" edition

2010-08-04T13:19:00.000-05:00

Happily,

Emily

glimpses...

2010-08-03T00:39:00.000-05:00

Just a few of the things I have made since I last showed freshly made goodies off, approximately several AGES ago...

Tomorrow (well, technically "today" since it is after midnight of course) the kiddos are heading off with the Bubble Grandparents to the Dixon County Fair so I shall have the entire day with which to do whatever I please (and by "do whatever I please" I mean "do whatever things I need to do anyway but that are easiest to do with no children around"... like oh, I don't know, SMITH for hours?!!?? :)

Yes. That is exactly what I intend on doing...

...well that, and laundry, but that's not near as exciting.

Happily,

Emily

(posted before midnight so technically it's still) Wordless Wednesday: lemonade stand patron...

2010-07-27T00:56:00.000-05:00

Happily,

Emily

Chicks holding chicks...

2010-07-27T00:40:00.000-05:00

I know I've been posting an awful lot lately about things that really have nothing to do with the making of jewelry, but I'm kind of enjoying it. I am so much more than what my hands create!

Rest assured, I'll never stop making goodies of sterling and stone but, for the summer, other things have been taking priority in my life... you know, like vacations, and parades, and baby chicks...

What?

You say you haven't heard a word about these baby chicks I speak of?

Well silly me...

I think I may have mentioned this before but just in case I haven't, my mother-in-law (aka: "Bubble Grandma") works at a veterinary clinic.

While the vet was away on vacation, the staff took care of his mama hen and her little chick-a-dees, as well as a persnickety guinea pig named boo.

Bubble Grandma invited the little women to the clinic to take a gander at these little creatures.

Lillie took pride in the fact that she was able to

quickly and efficiently calm any chick that was "freaking out"...

Isabel mostly just caused the chicks to "freak out"...

Sophie just wanted to kiss each and

every one of them because after all,

"dey are SO TUTE!"

I was asked by more than one of my children, MORE than a few times, if we could take one of the baby chicks home, to which I replied "ladies, our home has enough chicks as it is."

Happily,

Emily

One of the things keepin' me busy this summer...

2010-07-26T14:40:00.000-05:00

I am fully aware that I am constantly talking about how busy I am, but hardly ever talking much about what's keeping me busy SO...

Here are some pics of one of the aforementioned things...

At our church we have a children's church/Sunday school and outreach program called Club Genesis. As evidenced by the name and the pics you're about to look at, you may already be able to tell that the program is space-themed and the kiddos LOVE IT!

On Sundays it serves as a place for the kids of our church to come together and learn about God in a fun and interesting way via puppets, songs, videos, live teachers, etc.

On SATURDAYS however, the focus is on reaching out to the lost and hurting kids of our city. Busses are sent out across the city to pick kids up, bring them to Club G where they are told that Jesus loves them and that their future is bright. They are given truth and love as well as delicious treats (sometimes the only food some of the kids have at any given point during the week) and are then taken back home, all free of charge.

These pics are from one of our summer outreaches where we walked in our annual "Rivercade" parade. It was hot but TOTALLY worth passing out candy and flyers and seeing all the smiling faces of kids who are currently a part of our program, as well as the excitement of those who soon will be :)

The side of out "float"...

Great minds walk in parades with similar footwear...

Ava and Como...

My dear friend Ana and her bug-eyed, noseless friend Eva...

"Captain Katy": our fearless leader...

The whole parade crew...

Happily,

Emily

Good news/Bad news...

2010-07-23T10:46:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday all!

While trying to formulate some sort of sensical post for today, I decided rather than trying to tie everything together, I'd just hit some of the high and low points for ya... (starting off, of course, with physical anomalies)...

BAD NEWS: Somehow, I managed to break a blood vessel in my hand. It hurt quite a bit at first but the pain has since subsided. It is still a puzzlement to me how one can do such a thing to themselves and not even remember how it happened.

GOOD NEWS: For the first time since I was a child, I was able to get a little bit of a TAN! Perhaps this doesn't really sound like a big deal to most of you, but I have always been of the pasty-white persuasion and "tanning" is something I've never been able to do in my adult years (burn, yes. Tan? No.) Even including that do-it-yourself spray tan stuff. After several coats, still nothin'. Covered my hand with it and smacked my sister's stomach to make sure it wasn't a faulty can and within 10 min, she had a perfectly bronzed handprint on her belly. Truthfully, I've come to terms with being so pale, though I must admit it does feel good to have a little bit of color :)

-----

BAD NEWS: My cell phone (otherwise know as "where I keep all the information I need for my life") has been giving me troubles as of late, and rather than waiting for it to explode or fry, dumping everything never to be seen or heard from again (like my last phone did, prompting me to walk around in a fog for at least a week, remembering something that was lost, saying "OH MAAAN!" and repeating that process over and over again) I decided to be proactive and...

GOOD NEWS: ...I splurged a bit and ordered a FANCY new phone... not the one I was intending on getting when I walked into the store, but needless to say, I walked out with a level of giddiness that I can only liken to a child who knows the UPS man will be delivering his/her entire load of Christmas goodies in 10 to 14 business days. (SQUEAL)

-----

BAD NEWS: After several weeks of wondering and being put on an "alternate list", I finally received word that I won't be taking part in the art festival that I had applied for a few months ago. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have to fight feelings of "is my stuff just not good enough???" but after talking to my mom (my no question, hands down, bestest, #1 fan of all time) I felt much better. That conversation went a little something like this:

ME: "Well Mama, I finally got word that I won't be doing ArtSplash this year."

MOM: "WHAT?!?? WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?!? Did they even LOOK at your stuff?!!?? Oh I just can't hardly even believe that."

ME: (smile) "Thanks mom." :)

GOOD NEWS: Perhaps it's for the best that I didn't make the cut this year. So many things going on with family and friends and other exciting undertakings (to be discussed in further detail when further details are available) that I can't imagine the level of stress that I would be under if I had been accepted. Ah well. There's always next year right?

-----

BAD NEWS: Summer is almost over.

GOOD NEWS: Summer is almost over.

-----

BAD NEWS: I want... nay, NEED coffee.

GOOD NEWS: As soon as I finish typing this I'll be loading up the kids, flying out the door, and making the 20 minute drive to the veterinary clinic where my mother in law works so the kiddos can play with some baby chicks, guinea pigs, and other fabulous creatures. On the way, I'll be caffeinating myself fully...

...(children are gathered, front door flings open, garage door rises, car flies down the driveway, squeals into the street, and disappears into the distance...)

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday-versary... (with some words of course)

2010-07-21T10:18:00.000-05:00

Being "Wordless Wednesday", I wanted to make sure to post this pic I took of the girls yesterday since I didn't really have much to say to go along with it, making this a TRUE Wordless Wednesday (I wonder if I shall ever do anything "normally"???)

HOWEVER...

Thanks to technology, more specifically, cell phone calendar reminders, I was just alerted that today is my blogaversary! "Emily Smelts" is 2 yrs old! Can ya believe it!??

Ok. Well. I suppose that's really all I have to say about it. I kinda feel like I should be eating cake or something but alas, I shall have to settle for a bowl of cheerios. Maybe I'll put some bananas on top...

Hope you're having a fabulous Wednesday!

Happily,

Emily

Well hello there!...

2010-07-20T14:01:00.000-05:00

... I don't believe we've met before... or at the very least, it's been a while :)

I'm officially back from all my fabulous, fancy-pants vacationing (if staying in a cabin the size of a boxcar with your 3 children, 2 parents, 3 siblings, and 1 niece and NO SHOWER is considered "fancy pants" well, then I was INDEED Queen Fancy-Pants herself).

A good time was had by all and though it was good to get away, it's also good to be home. Home: where a shower, clean sink water, and Starbucks are at the very LEAST within driving distance.

Here are a few shots from our adventure up north. If you asked me if I had a good time, my answer would surely be "Ooo yah. Yoo betcha".

Rub-a-dub-dub

Dad wearing the necklace I made for him, backwards, as to not have a cross-shaped tan line on his chest...

only to reveal the chain shaped tan line on the back of his neck.

Skyline

At the feet of the giant lumberjack himself - Paul Bunyan

"My mom says I'm not supposed to cross the street by myself"

Cousins covered in dirt from building their tee-pee (oh sorry, excuse me.

It's actually a "princess castle"), eating chips and drinking tea.

The only thing that would have made that moment better is if they could have been swimming at the same time.

Heaven on earth

Best s'mores ever (according to brother Chris)...

replace dark chocolate square with milk-chocolate carmel filled ghiradelli square

(I still prefer plain 'ol dark chocolate)

Bedtime bible story

Playin' with sparklers

Saying goodbye to the lake

Once again... it's good to be home.

Happily,

Emily

Wordless, but not Letterless, Wednesday...

2010-07-07T12:39:00.000-05:00

Happily,

Emily

Hittin' the road...

2010-06-20T16:13:00.000-05:00

Remember this yummy little guy from last year??? (I don't know why I always assign gender to food, or any other inanimate object for that matter, but I do)...

WELL, we're packing up the truck and hittin' the road, heading for what I'm sure will be at least a few nights filled with these :)

Upon my return I'll be showing you a few of new goodies that didn't end up selling at the little show I did a week or so ago. After I've given you a peek, I'll be listing them in the shop!

Happy week to you all!!!

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday... When 2 kids wear 1 shirt...

2010-06-16T13:30:00.000-05:00

Happily,

Emily

Mmm... yellow dye #5...

2010-06-12T21:43:00.000-05:00

Apparently when one's children spend the night at their Grandparent's house,

the lack of attending to the proper dietary needs of said children leads to a bit of

confusion

and

desperation

and

a propensity to make terrible food decisions for oneself.

For lunch today I had cheese popcorn and licorice.

I suddenly feel very thirsty...

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday... Yet another cry face...

2010-06-08T12:58:00.000-05:00

(Though I am well aware that it is in fact "Wordless Wednesday", since some of you are probably concerned as to why I would post yet another sad face photo of Miss Sophia, I shall provide a condensed version explanation):

-She wanted something and didn't get her way.

-She started pouting.

-Mr. G. asked her why she was pouting and having an attitude face.

-She realized that she had drawn the attention of several onlookers which then caused her to unleash the waterworks.

-I then pull her aside to attempt to offer some comfort, only to be overwhelmed by the need to snap a few pictures.

The End.

Happily,

Emily

Gimmie a "V"... Gimmie an "O"... Gimmie a "T"... Gimmie an "E"...

2010-06-08T12:54:00.000-05:00

I do love me a good primary day.

If you're in a state that has a primary today GET ON OUT THERE!!!

Now to check the list for today...

Coffee? Check.

Vote? Check

Make some stuff out of metal? On my way...

Happily,

Emily

Bits-n-pieces...

2010-06-02T12:51:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday to you all! As I sit here typing this, I am listening to the rain and thunder outside, as well as the absence of children sounds. Ahhh. :)

The kiddos headed off to Grandma's house earlier this afternoon where they will stay till I go get them tomorrow evening. I am working with laser focus on many things around here like...

1. Blogging.

2. Drinking coffee.

3. Listening to thunderstorm.

4. Chatting on the phone with FABULOUS people.

5. Facebooking.

6. More coffee.

7. Sketching and doodling.

8. Eating licorice.

9. itunes surfing.

10. Searching off and on for the phantom hair that keeps brushing against the back of my arm but seems to disappear every time I look for it.

11. etc.

See how long that list is! Sheesh. My day is PACKED.

Seriously, I am headed down to my workshop (every time I say that I instantly feel like one of Santa's elves... perhaps I should start calling it my "studio"???) in just a few minutes and probably won't be coming back up till sometime tomorrow evening. Ciao for now!

In the meantime, here are just a few little glimpses of some of the many things keeping me busy as of late (prior to today of course)...

It's go time...

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday... Memorial Day edition...

2010-06-02T11:39:00.000-05:00

Thankful,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday...

2010-05-25T22:53:00.001-05:00

Happily,

Emily

Conversations with a 3 year old...

2010-05-24T16:38:00.000-05:00

A few recent gems from the ballerina herself...

(With milk dripping from her spoon... )

Sophie: “Look mommy, my cereal is peeing, but it’s not really pee, it’s just mewk.”

-----

Sophie: (out of nowhere) “Do you have sumpin to tell me?”

Me: “um... (thinking)... yes!”

Sophie: “wha is it?”

Me: “I love you!”

Sophie: “Oh. Thanks!”

Me: “Do you have something to tell me?”

Sophie: “nope.”

Me: “oh..... ok.”

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday: Librarian Edition...

2010-05-19T00:37:00.001-05:00

Happily,

Emily

Mother's Day, Daughter's Birthday, Children's program, etc...

2010-05-17T15:45:00.000-05:00

Oh geez.

Life has definitely been getting in the way of my blogging lately.

My father (who can barely make or receive a cell phone call, yet can and does surf youtube like a champ, covering the widest, most random variety of search terms including such searches as: JFK conspiracy theory video, Amy Whinehouse Rehab, Acapella National Anthem, Kanye West Gold Digger, and, Texas Hippie Coalition) so kindly pointed out that I have been delinquent.

"You know, you haven't been writin' much on that smelty blogger thingie lately. You should write more so there's something there for me to read when I go check it".

Here you go dad - something for you to read the next time you check that smelty blogger thingie...

I realized all too late that I didn't even take time to acknowledge a few major happenings around here as of late, one of which was Mother's Day. Whether it's actually Mother's Day or not, I know I need to make a point of giving a shout out to the best mama on the whole planet: mine.

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, I have almost NO photos of my mom, much less any pics of her and I together since either one or both of us are usually the ones behind the camera. I had to resort to cropping one of the photos taken at Christmas time. I vow from now on to make a point of snapping pics of mama more often :)

Mom,

I love you so very much and in addition to the amazing mother you've always been to me, I am so thankful to the close friend you've become.

You are my biggest fan and a solid rock and at the risk of gettin' all mushy, I think I'll just leave it at that (maybe just re-read the card I gave you) ;) I love you Mama :)

Another big day that I skipped over blog-wise, was the 8th birthday of my eldest little woman. Yes, you heard me right. Miss Lillie Jane is 8 YEARS OLD. She has taken much pleasure in reminding me repeatedly that in only 2 short years she'll be 10, requiring the use of all of her fingers to show people her age. Also, she's exactly half way to that magic age where she'll be d-d-driiiving!!! (stuttering and voice shaking for emphasis).

Lillie with her birthday haul at her family party

Party with friends at the YMCA

Mr. G and I discussed it, and, since she was all excited about her birthday this year, we went ahead and let her turn 8, but, after this, no more. She will be remaining 8 years old forever, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILLIE BUG! Hope you enjoyed it since you won't be allowed to get any older. :)

Yet another event worth mentioning was Miss Isabel's Kindergarden Graduation as well as the spring program for the little women's school that my mom, sister, and I organized (Preschool thru 12th grade).

"Isabel the toothless" lookin all grown up, and makin' me proud :)

The show went off nearly without a hitch last night and the kids all did such a good job! It was so much fun but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad its over :)

Other things keeping me busy, including but not limited to: planting bushes, smithing silver (hard at work on custom order), hanging out with the hubby any chance I get (he too has been CRAZY busy as of late), dealing with stuff (the use of the word "stuff" being sufficient to cover a whole CRAP TON of things that I shall not delve into at the moment), etc.

Still waiting to hear back about the art festival I applied for. I was supposed to have heard back last Wednesday. When I heard nothing, I hopped on the website to confirm my unacceptance, only to see that the notification date was actually the 15th (last Saturday) and not the 12th like I had originally thought. I waited all day Saturday and yet again, when I heard nothing, I assumed I hadn't made the cut. This afternoon I received an email stating that jurying had to be extended by a week due to one of the judges having to go out of town and that they'd have it all squared away by the end of this week.

Apparently they don't realize the power they hold over the hopes and emotions of this little silver smith as I had wondered if I had made it, then adjusted my thinking to the idea that I hadn't made it, only to then hold out hope that maybe I still would make it, to then assume I actually hadn't made it, and then now, wondering yet again and waiting till the end of this week to see if I actually will make it.

Sigh.

I'll be sure to notify you once I actually hear for sure either way.

Ok. Gotta go figure out some grub for the fam and do some dishes. My favorite. NOT. Well grub really is my favorite but I was actually referring to the dishes. But I suppose to actually qualify as "favorite" it would have to be some very specific grub... like pasta with pesto, or chicken fajitas.

Hey EM! Ramble much??!!?

Oh geez.

Happily,

Emily

Peek at my Pad Thursday...

2010-05-05T10:58:00.000-05:00

So it's official. Mr. G and I are officially GROWN UPS!

What qualifies one to finally become an adult you ask?

Well, apparently all it takes is the acquisition of a decent, hefty, solid-wood dining room table complete with additional leaf for extension to be used someday when we have 3 more children (or host family farkle night).

Sitting down for the first meal the 5 of us shared around this table was so great! Everyone had their own seat and no one was crowded, or sitting in the highchair (poor Sophie) since we have been down to 4 chairs for some time now.

We had actually purchased this table at least a year or so ago from the discount section of a fancy furniture store. The reason it was banished to the clearance section was not that it was defective, but only that the people that had originally ordered it (for whom the furniture store had already put it together) decided at the last minute that they didn't want it. Lucky day for us though since apparently they were on the verge of GIVING the giant hunk of wood away as we ended up getting this table at what I think was close to a 74% discount - no joke.

They removed the legs and wrapped it in bubble wrap and away we went. Got home, put it in the back of the storage closet, and waited for the day when we'd be done with a kitchen renovation and actually have room to set it up.

Fast forward to just a few weeks ago. We had been going back and forth for a while about getting a new, interim kitchen table as our current set-up is a sad sight, chewed from top to bottom, corner to corner by a much younger, separation anxiety-ridden Rex while we were away for just a little too long. We had looked around and finally decided on the table we wanted. We were going to go back the next day to buy it after going home and measuring just to make sure. After measuring, we realized that this new table would stick almost TWICE as far out into the kitchen as our current table did. Rats. We considered our options and basically came to the conclusion that if were were gonna be getting a bigger table anyway, we may as well find a way to make the one work that we already had.

The infamous "chair that no one ever sat in" headed upstairs to our cavernous bedroom, 6 wooden folding chairs were purchased from Wal-Mart, and the table was set up smack in the middle of the "too small to use for anything else but just big enough for a make-shift dining room" room.

It sounds funny to me now that I type it out and read it back but it was almost a bit of a bittersweet moment. Our original kitchen table was really the first "major purchase" (if you can call it "major") that Mr. G and I made together as newlyweds almost 10 years ago. We went to ikea and bought a table, 6 chairs, a big wall mirror, and several dishes. We spent $220 and got it all back to our apartment in the back of our black and red Chevy Camaro iroc z. We put it all together ourselves, including sanding and varnishing each of the 6 chairs. It was the first piece of furniture that had not either been mine or his from before we got married, but was OURS from the start. However sad it was to "say goodbye", Mr. G and I were talking the other night about all the memories and things that will happen between now and 10 years from now when we think back on the night we put this table together, together.

(The heart hanging on the wall to the left is one of 2 I picked up from an

old eccentric welder artist guy, and it was cut from the side of an old John Deer tractor.

The other one is on our room and was cut from an old discarded boiler.)

In case you don't know this about me, once I get in "rearranging mode" it's hard for me to stop. This next pic is of just another little space I changed up a bit. The lamp is one I bought recently that was black and silver (not super attractive) that I spray painted red (MUCH betta') to match with the candle holders on the wall... that originally had ugly smiling Santa Clauses on them...

Happy peeking!
Happy Thursday!
Happily,
Emily

Wordless Wednesday...

2010-05-05T10:56:00.000-05:00

Happily,

Emily

What I got and what I made...

2010-05-03T23:57:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to show off a couple pics...

Something I got (and have been wanting, nay, OBSESSING over for, like, FOREVER... and WAITING FOREVER to receive...or maybe just waiting 5 days)...

And something I made...

"God Bless America... but more specifically, Iowa..."

bracelet.

(Custom order for a dear Iowan, transplanted in Canada)

It is once again the end of the school year (ALREADY) and this year, as I have been put in co-charge of the end-of-the-year program at my kiddos school, and they decided to move the program up a week and a half (leaving us with FAR fewer practices than originally planned), I am going only a LITTLE crazy. Truth be told, it really doesn't feel as crazy to me this year as I remember it feeling at this same time last year so that's a good thing right??? Right.

Unfortunately, smithing has taken a bit of a backseat as of late, but, as I should be hearing back soon and very soon about a certain show that I had applied for a couple months ago, I am intending and planning on it hopping into the front seat VERY soon.

If I have been in contact with you regarding a custom order, fear not. I AM still working and I would love to humbly offer the above photos as proof :) Your patience is worth more than gold!!!

Happy Tuesday to you all!!!

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday... with just a few words added to the photo itself as to not be cheating, though it may still be construed as cheating...

2010-04-28T15:55:00.000-05:00

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday...

2010-04-21T12:02:00.001-05:00

Happily,

Emily

Peek at my Pad Thursday on a Tuesday...

2010-04-13T13:43:00.000-05:00

Ok, so it's been a LOOOONG while since I've done one of these posts and as I was editing a few recent pictures I said to myself...

"Self?"

"Yes?"

"Who's the boss of this blog anywho??"

"Why WE are of course!"

"We???"

"Er, uh, I mean YOU, of course"

"That's more like it."

And as such boss, we... I mean I decided that I shall post these most recent peeks regardless of what day it may or may not happen to be.

As of late, I have developed quite the obsession with art prints and the framing thereof. Etsy is FULL of amazing and talented artisans and if funds were limitless, I'd have one entire room wallpapered from floor to ceiling with my favorite finds.

The following photos are just the beginning of what I fear may develop into an actual problematic addiction of sorts, though truly, how much of a "problem" can art really be eh?!? :)

It all started with this one by this lady. I had seen one of her prints quite some time ago and just couldn't seem to get it out of my head. It is simple yet detailed and printed in one of my very 2 very favorite colors: red. I wish I had these shoes - for reals.

Ruby Slippers, Gocco Print

After my first purchase, I knew I would be needing a second print soon there after so I continued my search. I soon came across this lady and having my own affinity for giving life and personality to inanimate objects, I knew she was the gal to help me with my 2nd print... (It's not yet framed how I'd like as I plan on painting that wall and didn't want to permanently frame it till said painting was complete, though I couldn't wait to get it on the wall and generic wood-type-material frame would have to do)

Custom family portrait

(L to R: Me, Lillie, Isabel, and Mr. G with Miss Sophia on his "lap".

Each fabric compliments our personalities so well!)

The next 2 are from the same shop and I couldn't be more THRILLED with them! I framed the first one myself but had the anatomical one framed professionally and though I dropped FAR more moolah on it than I was hoping, I am SOOO happy with the final product!!!

You Are All I Need

(hanging in the stairwell and only seen while walking downstairs from our room)

You Are Here

(Hanging on the wall near Mr. G's side of the bed where it both warms his heart and creeps him out at the same time.)

I have another one that is awaiting framing so rather than show you now, I'd like to wait till its a little more presentable :)

OK, that concludes this most recent peek at my pad and now I shall go attempt to come up with something creative for supper... french toast sounds good... OOOH! PUMPKIN french toast. YEP. Decision made.

Hungrily,

Emily

Crazy amazing...

2010-04-06T15:45:00.000-05:00

You know how one day you wake up and you find out you have family floating around out there you never knew existed? Well, that happened to us a while back.

I think I had alluded here on my blog once quite a while ago that there were some things that were going on in our family and that it was a bit all-consuming at that time. Well, I'm not going to get into the nitty-gritty of it all because frankly, most of it is far too personal, but, I will share this...

Mr. G was adopted as a baby and grew up the only child of two of the most amazing people that have ever held the title of "parents". Through his curiosity about and ultimate searching for the existence of biological relatives, we discovered he has 2 FULL SISTERS and a slew of other relatives that we have been in the process of meeting and getting to know.

Who knew that you could feel such feelings of love and connectedness to people you never even knew existed?

"Family" means so many different things to different people and I am both thrilled and honored that my definition of "family" has recently been edited and expanded.

Though I've managed to find a few, there truly are no words to express how we're feeling...

..."Ecstatic" just barely begins to scratch the surface.

Over this recent Easter weekend we were SO excited that one of Gabe's sisters was able to come and spend a few days with us. Though Gabe had met her already, it was the first introduction for the little women and myself and it was absolutely incredible.

Following are a few photos taken over the Easter weekend...

Coloring Eggs

Siblings

Lesson in Patience

Doing her best

The haul

Easter Dresses

Aunt Abby and the Little Women

Nothing more to say at the moment.

Just smiling

And thinking

And smiling some more :)

Happily,

Emily

Photographic proof and an invitation...

2010-03-24T12:49:00.000-05:00

Yes my friends, I know what you're thinking.

You are quite sure by now that I have been sitting at home, eating bon-bons and watching Judge Judy all day for quite some time now.

Well, I actually have some photographic proof that I have indeed been working on my craft! :)

I have been quite the busy bee working on catching up on custom orders and the following collage includes snippets of a few of them...

WHEW!

Some down, more to go.

I also wanted to let you know that if you happen to be in the Siouxland area (or will be this coming weekend) please consider coming to the Benefit Supper and Silent Auction we're holding for a dear friend of ours, Mr. Adam Way. Adam has BEATEN Leukemia (which if I told you the whole story, you would quickly realize was nothing short of a MIRACLE!) but as you may expect, he has racked up a considerable amount of medical bills. Several local artists (myself included) as well as local businesses have donated art pieces, goods, services, etc, all available for bidding. All proceeds from the dinner as well as the auction will go to the Way family.

Here are the details...

Adam Way Benefit and Silent Auction

Saturday, March 27th 4:00 - 7:00 p.m at the South Sioux City Middle School

If the above boxes of my photo collage were numbered left to right in each row, piece #3 and piece #8, along with 3 other pieces are what I have donated to the cause.

My brother Matt who is a PHENOMENAL large scale religious art painter has donated the following 2 paintings...

"EXODUS 14:14 #1"

(1 ft. x 3 ft.)

"AMPLIFIED ISAIAH 53:5 #1"...

(18 in. x 3 ft. )

Also, another incredibly talented artist friend of ours, Sean Conrad is donating one of his stunning landscape paintings...

"Summer at Lochvale"

(It is a 12x16 Oil on Linen and would sell in a gallery for $950.00 - I believe there's a minimum bid of $200 or $250 for the piece (The painting is in a gold frame in this photo, we ended up deciding on a rustic wood frame which is what it will be sold in). Don't miss your opportunity to support a great cause and purchase a piece of fine art for your home or business. All proceeds go to the benefit).

These are just a couple examples of the awesome stuff you'll be seeing on Saturday!

Ok. Gotta go get the little women from school soon and then try to work on a few more goodies before church tonight!

Happily,

Emily

Out on the town...

2010-03-20T22:01:00.001-05:00

This photo was taken earlier this evening, before Isabel knew where she would be going...

You see, like most little girls, my 3 little women, along with their cousin, have a strong affinity (or what some may even deem as much as an "obsession") with the Disney Princesses. They love them all but they each have one that they are particularly gaga about.

Lillie: "Ariel" - they have the "red hair" connection and, come on, mermaids are just plain cool.

Isabel: "Belle" - they practically share a name and they both have brown hair.

Cousin Tennaiah: "Cinderella" - both blonde and her dress is T's very most favorite color, blue.

Sophie: "Sleeping Beauty". The chick has a pink dress. What more is there to say.

Now, knowing each girl's favored princess, I was QUITE excited to say the least when I heard that the broadway production of "Beauty and the Beast" was coming to town...

Being the kiddo that sometimes tends to get the short end of the stick (Not old/big enough to do some things like Lillie and not the baby like Sophie) My mom decided to take Isabel out on a very special date, just the 2 of them.

Isabel didn't have a clue where she was going till they arrived at the theatre and shortly thereafter I received a text informing me just how much toothless-smiling and giggling was happening as soon as she got a look at the playbill :)

It's actually particularly neat for me that Isabel is getting to see that show as it was actually one that I attended on Broadway during a Choir trip to New York City my Sophomore year of high school. That was 12 years ago and that show still sticks out in my mind as nothing short of spectacular.

She'll be home soon and I am positive I'll get a play by play of the whole thing, interspersed with the biggest toothless grins imaginable.

Happily,

Emily

PS She had been BEGGING me to let her wear my flower pin in her hair and when I told her she'd finally be wearing it tonight, she KNEW she was headed somewhere fancy :)

When a squeeze tube of lipgloss falls into the wrong hands...

2010-03-15T16:05:00.001-05:00

...we end up needing to take a bath...

(beacause of the pattern on her shirt, it's hard to see just how much of it was splattered on her shirt. And yes, of course there was a good portion of it in her hair).

Lipgloss privileges have officially been revoked.

Happily,

Emily

Contemplation. Decision. Application. Anticipation...

2010-03-01T23:40:00.001-06:00

For any of you who live around these parts, or have heard me regale the tales of a couple of "jewelry shows gone bad", you know that this part of the country just isn't exactly what I would call "responsive" to the handmade arts, EXCEPT, over Labor Day weekend, when we all slather on the sunscreen and break out the strollers to head down to the riverfront for "Artsplash".

I have been going to Artsplash for several years now and year after year I am in awe of the pool of talent that is on display. From ceramics, to photography, to acrylic paintings, to jewelry...

In fact, it was at Artsplash over Labor Day weekend 2003 that I decided that silver smithing was the avenue down which I would take my creative interests.

I had first discovered my love of metal and stone while in High School, but it wasn't long after graduation that I talked myself out of it, all but convincing myself that after I was out of school, all the tools and means for me to pursue my love would be out of my reach.

I started my "life"

I pursued another love

got married

moved across the country

had a baby

moved back home

went to artsplash...

...and then, an "old flame" was ignited...

I distinctly remember walking up to one of the booths, behind it was a young woman, not much older than me at the time.

I looked at her, looked over her work, and looked at her again, and I was in awe.

Her work was so beautiful.

It was fun.

It was quirky.

It was familiar.

I remember grabbing Mr. G's arm as he was pushing the stroller. I leaned over (as to be careful the artisan wouldn't hear) and I said to him...

"You know, if I had all the right tools, I think I could do this!"

Since he knows me better than anyone else on the planet, his initial response, though not exactly what I wanted to hear, was exactly what I needed to hear...

"You think so? That would be really great! But, why don't you just think about it for a while and if you're still interested in a few months from now, we'll talk about it again".

Fair enough.

The more time that went by, the more excited I became with the prospect of becoming a metal smith, and needless to say, the rest is history.

I said all this to say, ever since I started metal smithing, it has been a "dream" of mine (I hate to over fantasize it but calling it a "goal" sounded a little too starchy) to have my very own booth at Artsplash.

I let several years go by, easily talking myself out of going for it because "I wasn't good enough yet" and "they probably wouldn't accept me anyway" or "I'm just too busy".

Well, this is the year folks.

No more excuses.

I'm not sure if I'm good enough.

I'm not sure if they will accept me.

And I'm not sure I won't be busy...

...but I sent my application today.

3 individual pics of items representative of my work and one booth shot...

And now...

...I wait.

Happily,

Emily

Happy absentee...

2010-02-18T21:36:00.000-06:00

Hubby had been gone for work.

Hubby came home.

Wifey dropped everything and made snuggling with hubby priority 1.

Though absent from the interwebs as of late, Wifey is happy.

VERY happily,

Emily

And the winner iiiiiis........

2010-02-14T14:06:00.000-06:00

(DRUMROLL PLEEEASE...)

Ok, first, before I actually announce the winner, I just want to say thank you to everyone who participated!

It is always so fun for me to hear the stories of other people!

Methinks we'll have to do this more often.

Hmmm... what should the theme of the next "giveaway comment topic" be???

OK, NOW I'm just stalling...

(RESUME DRUMROLL......)

(BA DA DA DA DA DA DA......)

(insert cymbal crash)

The winner of the "Sittin in a Tree" heart pendant necklace iiiiiis.....

Love at 2nd site...

INDIGORHINO!!!!!

Congrats lady! I'll be in touch with you do discuss the details of your prize!

Hope you are have a spectacular Valentine's day! At the very least, one to remember :)

Happily,

Emily

HURRY!...

2010-02-13T20:57:00.000-06:00

We're down to the wire with only just a couple hrs left to get in on the Valentine's Day giveaway! If you haven't left your Valentine's Day comment yet, the deadline is TONIGHT at midnight (CST).

Can't wait to see who wins!!!

Happily,

Emily

Give it away, give it away, give it away now...

2010-02-08T17:32:00.001-06:00

Ok, so it's been cold around here lately.

Like, REALLY cold.

I'm thinking since warming my fingers and toes seems to be out of the question for the time being, I'd like to do a little something that'll at least warm my heart.

(collective "awwww")

Well, as cheesy as that may have been, what better thing to give away than a piece of your heart right?...

...or rather a heart-shaped piece of metal?

(you see where I'm goin with this...)

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I think it only fitting to give one of these away...

If you would be interested in tossing your name into the mix for a chance to have your very own "Sittin in a Tree" necklace here's what I'd like you to do...

I am always so interested to hear about the "love stories" of other people, so, in the comment section, please briefly share one of the following...

"Your BEST Valentine's Day ever"

"Your WORST Valentine's Day ever"

The winner will ultimately be chosen at random from those who leave their Valentine's Day comment and comments will close Saturday, Feb. 13th @ midnight CST) with the winner to be announced on Valentine's Day! (Fine print at the very bottom*)

I can't wait to hear your stories and I suppose it's only fair I start things off with a few stories of my own...

Ok...

-WORST Valentines Day ever...

My worst Valentine's Day ever would have to be the year that I asked Mr. G what he was gonna plan for us to do for Valentine's Day and he said probably nothing because (and I paraphrase)

"We're already married. We already have each other. That's just a holiday where single guys try to impress the girls they like. Can't we just go out for the heck of it? Celebrating ON Valentine's day is just too expected".

Needless to say, once I explained to him that it didn't matter what HE thought about it and that it was just something I needed him to make a big deal about, he's done quite well ever since. :)

-BEST Valentine's Day ever...

9 month old Lillie at Grandma and Grandpa's house for the evening.

A couple of very nice and heartfelt cards.

Some GORGEOUS roses.

Fancy Italian restaurant.

Oysters on the half shell for the first time.

9 months later, Isabel was born.

(PS anyone who tells you you can't get pregnant while you're nursing is a LIAR.)

Sorry, that was really probably too much information... keep your comments G-rated people!

Alrighty folks, let's hear it!!!...

Blushing a bit,
Emily

*Aforementioned "fine print"...

I posted this picture as an example but the winning necklace doesn't necessarily have to include the same exact details. I'll be in contact with the winner to discuss the details.

In case the person who wins this necklace doesn't have someone they're "Sittin in a Tree" with, I can certainly stamp an alternate phrase.

I love Starbucks.

And dark chocolate.

But not oysters.

EDIT to the fine print:

Any "Anonymous" commenters must include their first name with their comment as a way of knowing who they are! :)

Also, no matter how many times you comment, only one entry per person will be included for the drawing.

THANKS!!!

Wordleth Wednethday... "toothleth collage"

2010-02-02T22:53:00.000-06:00

Happily,

Emily

Conversations with a 3 year old...

2010-01-27T14:38:00.000-06:00

I cannot express how fun it is for me to watch the gears crank inside Sophie's sweet little head (or"big head" rather... trying to find a hat to fit that kid is like PULLIN TEETH I tell ya...).

Once you're "grown", you really take for granted the fact that everything you know had to be learned and/or figured out at one time or another. So much knowledge is crammed in our brains when we're so young, and not just the basics like shapes and numbers, but more interesting things like sarcasm, and wit, and comedic timing.

Here are a couple of our most recent chats...

[After scolding the dog for peeing in the kitchen AGAIN, Sophie had this to say...]

"Mommy, when Rex pees in da kitchen it is SOOO YUCKY. He should pee outside in da snow but I don't pee in da snow. Dat would be yucky."

[While watching the movie "Monster's vs. Aliens", the female character gets hit by a meteor early on in the movie. After getting hit, she staggers away from the crater and says "I feel like I've been hit by a meteor" to which Sophie replies very dryly, in a monotone voice, without missing a beat...]

"cuz you did."

[And finally, the other day, Sophie and I were choosing an outfit for her to wear. She wanted a dress (sleeveless of course). I told her that would be fine but that she would have to wear a sweater with it. I picked one out and as soon as she saw it, she wrinkled her nose and said, very matter-of-factly...]

"I can't wear dat one cuz I'n allergic to it."

I'm glad I'm keeping track of all this :)

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday... with a mini explaination so I suppose when you get right down to it, it's not actually "wordless' Wednesday now is it?

2010-01-27T14:31:00.000-06:00

(I teach art at my kiddos' school every Friday and these are the "faces"

of Lillie and her 2nd grade class.

It's funny how close some of them actually are, not so much to what

the kids actually "look" like but more representative of their personalities) :)

Happily,

Emily

Waaaiting...

2010-01-26T12:35:00.000-06:00

As noted in my etsy shop announcement section, today is the day that I intended to get back to workin with silver and stone...

...and today definitely would have been the day... had a UPS employee arrived with my silver supply...

...still waiting...

I suppose I cant really come down too hard on the good folks in brown though.

We did have a blizzard.

Followed by an ice storm.

Followed by another blizzard.

Perhaps things are just a little backed up?

In the meantime, I did manage to finish this little beauty a few weeks ago (a Christmas present to moi from 'lil 'ol me) and was just able to get photos taken and edited the other night.

Just a sweet little reminder :)

"NO ONE CAN MAKE YOU FEEL INFERIOR WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT."

- ELEANOR ROOSEVELT.

Happily staring out the window, waiting as patiently as possible...

Emily

PS I had never owned a bottle of black fingernail polish till last week. I rather like it.

Just chicken in...er... checkin' in...

2010-01-17T23:30:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to stop in and say hey hi and howdy to you all!

As I briefly mentioned in my last post, I have been cleaning my way thru my house, actually designating the month of January as "GET YOUR FRIGGIN LIFE TOGETHER" month. It's been far too cluttered for far too long around here (around my house as well as inside my brain). I decided that, instead of continuing to look around and complain about it, it was high time that I take some steps to change things.

In the midst of all the laundry and dishes and trips to Goodwill, I did manage to find the time to do some sketching, try out my mama's Chicken Noodle Soup recipe for the first time, as well as make a trip or two to our favorite place to go for "treats". :)

The sketches will remain a secret for now but here are some shots of the other goings-on 'round here...

stirring

more stirring

photographing

smelling

(though you can't really tell that from this shot)

singing - of course

tasting

lunching

...aaand, treats

(latte for me - raspberry steamers for them)

And now for a little shop-talk... I am planning for Tuesday, January 26th, to be my first official day back to "work" with sterling and stone. I cannot express how wonderful it is to be my own boss and to have the freedom to shut things down for a while if necessary... and now that he can actually see the floor of our bedroom, I suspect Mr. G is glad as well :)

Hope you had a loverly weekend and here's to a happy Monday as well!

Happily,

Emily

Alive and well...

2010-01-08T22:57:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry I've been blogging less than frequently as of late.

I received a rather sweet yet panicked message from a dear sweet friend (I love you elliott!) who was glad to have found out that I was still alive after not hearing from me since my last "tons of snow" blog post. After receiving said message, it hit me that I may very well have sent some others of you into a panic as well for which I am SO VERY SORRY!

Between needing to place a whopper of a silver supply order thus not being able to make much for the time being, coming off of the holidays, being snowed in with the kids who were coincidentally off from school, having slow and at times a patchy internet connection, and making the most of my time by systematically cleaning my way thru my entire house, blogging hasn't been at the top of my "to do" (or "can do") list.

I love you all and I promise that soon and very soon I'll be back in the regular swing of things, making goodies and showing them off like the proud mama-smither I am :)

Happily,
Emily

PS The temperature is supposed to get down colder tonight than it has been in 90 years and if it goes 5º lower than forecasted, it will break the ALL TIME low record for these parts!

SERIOUSLY?!!??

2010-01-04T13:35:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I live in the Midwest. The heart and soul of this the United States of America.

Living where I do, it is understood that we will experience a vast array of weather situations.

Spring - rain, sun, thunderstorms, wind, and generally gorgeous temps.

Summer - moderate to "melt your face" heat, thunderstorms, tornados, and HUMIDITY the likes of which will make you feel like you're literally breathing liquid directly into your lungs. Oppressive.

Fall - could be your typical fall - chilly, breezy, etc. Could still be warm coming off a particularly hot summer. OR, we could just jump right past fall straight into winter - freezing temps, snow, etc.

And of course, next comes the focus of today's rant...

Winter - There have been years where we haven't even seen a snowflake till well after Christmas... and then there have been years like this...

The temp has been hovering consistently anywhere between 10º and -24º F for the last few weeks, and that is BEFORE considering the "wind chill factor". The kind of cold that is literally painful to your skin and difficult to breath in.

And as if the temps alone weren't bad enough, we got the pleasure of receiving no less than 24inches of snow over the course of a 3 day period. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the next day. We were actually traveling the first night just as it was getting pretty treacherous but as we arrived home (finally) safe and sound, I shall spare the details just in case there are any family members prone to worry who may be reading this. :)

Here are a few photographs that were taken over the Christmas holiday. As ridiculous as it was that weekend, it has snowed a little more at least every other day since then ...

Pictures taken at my parent's house while it was still snowing...

My parent's back yard half full of snow...

(that is a 6 foot privacy fence half buried just as a point of reference)

Just one of many buried cars somewhere between my house and my parents'...

At our house...

Finally got the driveway cleared in time for it to snow AGAIN...

A break between the flakes...

(more shots around out house)

I just talked to Mr. G. on the phone and GUESS WHAT?!!?!? He said they are calling for MORE SNOW within a few days. You know I was just thinking to myself this morning how we just don't have quite enough of the white stuff around here. :)

You know, I've never been on board with the whole Global Warming thing but I gotta say, it's RELLY hard to live in this part of the country and put too much stock in it.

Current temp: 3º F.

Now, to go make sure the fridge is stocked before the next pummeling...

As happily as possible,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday...

2009-12-30T13:00:00.000-06:00

(Christmas Morning)

Happily,

Emily

2009-12-23T15:34:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to pop by real quick to wish you and yours a VERY Merry Christmas from the bottom of our hearts!

Through all the rushing and celebrating, going and giving, may the true reason for the season shine through - Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

Much love and Very happily,

Emily, Mr. G, and The Little Women