Punkin Beanies

Had some fun making a basketful of punkin beanies for M. and company to play with.

I love the personality that developed in each one as I stitched up the scraps from my stash and added vintage button eyes.

The rice filling gives them the perfect amount of plopability. I think we'll try a punkin hunt tomorrow. (think Easter egg hunt for the opposite equinox)

I got so into making them that should have plenty to give as treats to my lion-hearted nephew next autumn. Isn't he just the greatest?

Cinderella Spotlight- Eleanor

We really must introduce some of the special people who are giving of their time and talent to make The Cinderella Ball a night to remember.

Meet Eleanor of The Candy Box in Richwood, NJ.

The Candy Box has been in operation for nearly 60 years and has not changed a bit since my grandmother took me there as a child. That was soon after Eleanor, its current proprietor, acquired the business in 1981. Generations of South Jersey residents have filled the little shop behind her home at each holiday season throughout the calendar year. Christmas, Easter and Valentine's Day find folks lined up out the door waiting to purchase her confections.

Eleanor explained that she does as much Christmas shopping ahead of December, because she pretty much only leaves the shop to go to church during that month!

Eleanor has been so gracious as to donate pounds and pounds of specialty candies for the candy bar at The Cinderella Ball.

Girls will be given festive paper cones to fill with the candies they choose from a vast assortment which will be beautifully presented in large jars. A feast for the eyes it will be!

Thank you, Eleanor for sharing the vision!

It's Brain Season Again!

Osage oranges, horse apples, monkeyballs, all synonyms for my favorite decorative fruit, which we refer to simply as "brains". The trees they fall from each autumn are pretty rare around here, but a few years ago I found a fruitful one which drops these goofy things on the public road. Going to scoop them up has become as much of a tradition as a trip to the pumpkin patch. They have a great citrus aroma and are credited with being a natural pest repellent and will stay rot free if kept cool for 2-3 months..

You just can't beat their lime green hue against the vivid orange of a ripe pumpkin.

I think God had some fun thinking this one up!

14 Days To A Dream Come True!!

Wow, What a full week! Preparations for The Ball have really escalated and each time we've thought that absolutely everything has been thought of, another heaven sent opportunity has arisen.

On Monday our contact from Shaohannah's Hope offered us the gift of 3 tickets to the sold-out United Tour concert featuring Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman in nearby (?) Bethesda, MD.

Not only that, there was the hope given that S. could meet with Steven to present him with an honorary invitation to The Cinderella Ball! Most opportunities come with challenge, and ours was to sort out which members of the family would go to the concert. It worked out well that in the minds of some young ones not even the United Tour can compete with trick-r-treating at Mom-Mom and Poppy's and going to the church Harvest Party.

The Banker is much more fun for the kids on Halloween night, and I am much more the road tripper, so S., N. and I headed south on 95 with great anticipation while the candy fiends set off for their quarry.

Funny thing is, I had a little mental lapse, because I thought that I remembered that about 20 years ago a friend of ours had moved to Bethesda, about an hour away. No problem. Thing is, as we sat in Baltimore rush hour traffic 2 hours into the trek I had a revelation: Keith had moved to Aberdeen, not Bethesda. Oh well, we were committed. Turns out the whole event was well worth the nearly 3 hour trip down, but what is with that Beltway traffic?! I think they need a committee of women to address the situation. Anyway.

We got to the venue later than intended, and needed to find our contact people quickly. Quick prayers were being sent up as we rushed through the building looking for the right people. The Strathmore Music Center is a gorgeous labyrinth of a building. Unbeknownst to me, my friend Michelle from our homeschool co-op whas volunteering with her husband at the Shaohannah's Hope table and seeing her put us on to the lead volunteer, who texted SCC's assitant and road manager that we had arrived.

David Trask, road manager extraordinaire.

We begged posterboard from someone in the coatroom and S. made a sign to get SCC's attention during the concert. S. got this tip from a little friend of hers who was once invited on stage with his homemade poster. Thanks Kyle!

Next we flooded the concert hall with Ball fliers and settled into our seats for the big show.



SCC and MWS did not disappoint. Each sang old and new selections. I had a moment when MWS sang "Friends", remembering that my forever friends Beth and Heather and I sang it at our childhood pastor's farewell dinner. Hmmm...quick computation....25 years ago. We thought we sounded really good.


SCC's verse which he added to "Cinderella" after Maria's homegoing is very poignant. The dance will go on.

Once the concert wrapped up we met up with our group of fellow meet-and-greeters and headed backstage. On the way, N. picked up an official t-shirt at the merch table.

All along the way, we talked with great people and saw many friends who offered their help with Ball things. S. will definitely be calling on some of those offers in the coming days. It does take a village.

In our brief time with SCC, S. explained the concept of the Cinderella Ball and showed him the beautiful invitation which has gone out to so many families in these last weeks. He received our thanks for his music and the opportunity to serve Shaohannah's Hope through it.

As an aside, I've seen Steven in videos, etc., but as I stood there talking to him face to face, I had the worst time trying to focus because his every mannerism is that of our friend and pastor. It was unreal. Like some weird scene form an alien movie. I wanted to stare through his eyes and ask, "Phil! Are you in there?! I'll get my ray gun and we'll have you out in no time!". I guess my boys' love of science fiction is really beginning to effect me. My point is, he really acts like our friend.

We said our goodbyes and set out on our long odyssey back to NJ with lots of affirmation that this Cinderella Ball has been and will continue to be a blessing to so many. One new friend we met at the volunteer's table had even written her thesis on the significance of the father-daughter relationship to our society and reinforced the need to promote it. (Wish I had gotten her Email, would love to read her paper.) Other friends carried their fliers home with promises to spread the word of The Ball.

When our heads hit our pillows at 2 AM, we were so thankful that these unexpected blessings have come our way. And that we don't live near the Beltway.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!!!

The Cinderella Father Daughter Ball was featured in this morning's edition of The Gloucester County Times. Reservations for The Ball have been rolling in all week and will remain available through October 31st to accomodate readers of The Times, while they last. Call or email soon to make reservations. You don't want to miss this unforgettable evening!
“Once every now and again, in the middle of our everyday lives, Love gives us a fairy tale...”


You are cordially invited to

The Father - Daughter Cinderella Ball

at Adelphia’s Grand Ballroom

on Saturday, November Fifteenth, Two-thousand and eight

from Six o’clock until Ten o’clock in the evening.

The purpose of this event is to celebrate the joy and love of Daddies and their Daughters. Enjoy a wonderful evening filled with an appetizing selection of exquisite dinner entrees, ballroom dancing, and unforgettable memories. Black tie optional. Daughters will be delighted and enchanted by this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
To reserve ball tickets at $35 a person, please send to Shaunessy Hanrahan at 615 Barnsboro Road, Mullica Hill, New Jersey, 08062 the enclosed R. S. V. P. card and payment in full by October 31st, 2008. Space is limited, so early reservations are recommended.

Feel free to call or email with any questions or reservations at 856.256.7570 or heycrystal@comcast.net.

Consider The Lilies

This banner and these flower pins are a gift for a dear friend of mine and I hope you will visit her beautiful blog here.

My recently broken toe has blessed me with a little down time to spend with my stash of vintage fabrics and hankies. Earlier this year I saw a sweet pennant banner like this in a Pottery Barn catalog and hoped to replicate it for some special occasion.

Baby Lily's precious life is just such an occasion! Her name's origin and her parents' great faith which you will witness through their posts will make you want to wave a banner and celebrate life just to spite death.

As I stitched and pondered the passage from the book of Matthew, I also considered other people I've prayed for whose seemingly insignificant lives ultimately impact eternity. Consider the Lilies.

Matthew 6:28-34

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all of his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?" or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'. For the pagans run after all of these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Help Wanted: Daddy/Daughter Playlist

Time to put on our thinking caps:

S. needs to compile a playlist of family-friendly songs for the DJ at the Cinderella Ball. "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman is the centerpiece of the evening and will be played at least twice to allow men with multiple daughters to dance with each one. Think Butterfly Kisses, It's a Wonderful World, My Father's Eyes, etc. Please post your suggestions on the comment page. She has 4 HOURS of air time to fill!

Other needful things: A number of corporate sponsorships have been received and more are needed in order to provide reduced-cost tickets for families who would benefit from them and maximize the benefit to Shaohannah's Hope.

Also, gently-used formal dresses could be donated to outfit some of these princesses. Again, post on the comment page if you wish to help! Thank You!!

Cinderella Ball Update

It's happening!! The ball invitations have been sent out and requests for more of them to be given to friends have been rolling in! S. has been in touch with radio and newspaper people who have offered to help spread the word. Next target: cable TV.
Little girls and big girls are all a-twitter and we're getting word that a number of daddies are sharpening their (in some cases non-existent) dancing skills.
And this will bless your heart: S. and I did our very best to be sensitive about the fact that a number of girls in our midst do not have a Daddy who is willing or able to attend the Ball. Invitations were sent to those families ahead of all of the others when possible and with a note that reads:

Understanding that not all Daddies

will be able to attend the Cinderella Ball,

girls are encouraged to honor a special man in their lives

by inviting him to be their escort for the evening.

Likewise, if a gentleman would like to

escort a girl in such circumstances

he is welcome to share an invitation with her family.

Do you know that to our knowledge, not one girl for whom we had a concern is lacking for an escort? Uncles, Grandpas, and precious friends have assumed the honor of an invitation to stand in the role of a father for an evening. What a beautiful thing. Worth dancing about!

You Did WHAT?!?! No You Didn't!!!

Oh yes I DID and I have pictures to prove it!I had a blast driving our two teenagers and some of their friends an hour and a half away to a concert at Calvary Chapel of Souderton, PA. One of the 3 bands featured was Tenth Avenue North, whose music we discovered last spring. Their latest CD became the soundtrack to our summer in the minivan. Even the 3-year-old belts out "You say let it go....".

While the kids were all in the concert hall listening to Vota, I did the boldest thing I've done, well, this week: I stalked an official-looking photographer guy and asked him if there was anyway I could go back stage and get a picture with the Tenth Avenue North guys for my blog without the kids knowing so I could blow their minds when I posted it. That official looking guy took me to an un-official looking guy who totally "got" what I was trying to pull off. I thought there might be some kind of security checkpoints, but apparently they don't consider you a threat if you look old enough to be the mother of the band members. So I found my way through a labyrinth of hallways and quickly explained my mission to Mike, Jeff, and Jason. They graciously smiled for the picture and didn't even act like I was weird. So kind.

I am a terrrible liar, so at intermission when the kids asked where I had been I non-chalantly said, "Oh, you know, just hanging out backstage with the band." Tee hee hee.

I hope I embarrass my kids just enough to be fun, but not too much; and as someone at the merch table at the concert pointed out, I hope I don't spoil the image of Tenth Avenue North...I'm not exactly in their demographic! Great guys, good music, and fantastic lyrics! Oh, and they need a bus. Let's all pray for a cheap bus.

A Fine Sunday

M. is a motorcycle man. Always has been. He loves the noise, the chrome, the speed. So yesterday when I sat in our ABF class at church and I heard a familiar rumbling outside, I flew to M.'s Sunday School classroom and excused him so that we could get outside just in time to see what has become an annual event:

THE PARADE OF MOTORCYCLES !!!

ABOUT 1000 Motorcycles!!!

Motorcycle after motorcycle after motorcycle!

I don't know what the official event is, but this is the 3rd year that I can remember that hundreds of bikers have passed by our church. They sound like a jet plane landing nearby and two years ago it coincided with the sermon. Pretty funny.

M. waved with great enthusiasm to the bikers and most of them beeped and waved. He begged me to go get all of his other Sunday School friends so they could wave too. I decided not to, and wondered what underlaying lessons I am teaching my boy; that Sunday School attendance is imperative, unless of course there is a motorcycle parade? Hopefully it is to fully enjoy those extraordinary moments that sneak up on us and thank the Lord for simple joys.

A Fine Saturday

Some days are just blissful. The Banker was home except for a quick trip to the mall with S. and I was home except for some early morning yardsaling. Kids running in and out and minimal cooking. Grilled cheese with Jersey tomatoes.

Yard sales fascinate me. They are such a social phenomenon, I think. We collect belongings along our way and at varying times we assemble them on our front lawns for 5-10% of their original retail value.

collection of vintage doilies and baby booties

As an avid people-watcher, I love to watch the seasons of life that are represented in the odd lots...baby gear, cast-off shower gifts, obsolete electronics, disregarded doilies, out-grown or out-of-style clothes.

male and female turkey salt shakers and planter

I am amused by the ones that have exorbitant price tags, as if the owner is in denial of the fact that they have carried all of the wares out onto their front lawn on the way to the inevitable curbside or Goodwill bin. I am touched by the ones conducted by loved ones at an estate sale who tell me fond stories of the memories attached to the items I am buying.

assorted vintage pyrex
neat-o picture frame

I find a false sense of security in thinking that our economy can only be so bad if we have the ability to manufacture, import, distribute, advertise, purchase, consume, and dispense of all of this marginal stuff.

thermos like my grandpop's, pitcher like my grandmom's

victorian lady's capelet

And the people who attend them. Aggressive dealers and ebayers, hobbyists, migrant workers, seniors, and pleasure-seekers like me.

handmade quilt

butterfly quilt

chenille bedspread

I'm thankful that the kinds of material things I most enjoy are pretty readily available for pennies on sunshiney autumn mornings. And thankful for a dear husband who smiles at my finds just because he knows they delight me.

SOCCER!!!!!!

Our first chance to attend one of D.'s soccer games. Loving the crisp autumn weather and golden sunshine. Go team!!

His biggest die-hard fan tried to stay awake for the big game.

Sorting buttons during breaks. The shadow is that of his sister, snapping other shots of the game for me.