This lovely mobile was my Christmas gift from the children. It's made of driftwood and seashells. I just love mobiles, and this one is such an interesting beauty. I enjoy it everyday!
Of course you can see one of my VERY MOST favorite "things" there in the background, reading her book---She too, is a REAL interesting beauty!! And do I ever enjoy HER, everyday! :o)
Another favorite thing is watching a little one learn to sew. Sophia's learning. She's been sewing her own skirts and wears them so proudly. She's sewing little things she calls "pockets", which are (sorta) square pieces of layers of fabric sewn together and decorated with big interesting buttons and swirls of machine sewing. They're really creative. I want her to make some as wall hangings. 
Here's a photo of Sophia in one of her sweet skirts, that she made last summer. Her little buddy--Aimaija, is waiting patiently for Sophia to get to the point where she's makin' her some skirts, too. Til then, she'll just have to be content to hang around in her big bloomers, I guess. Go, Sophie, go! :o)
Another of my favorite things is watching a child learn to knit. I guess it's more than just watching them learn to knit, though. I love to see that God-given wonderment within every child, and how it serves as wings, enabling them to f-l-y!
I marvel at how they automatically love to learn, learn, learn, and endlessly create, and in their hearts believe they can do anything, which with time and materials, a little modeling and instruction, and lots of loving encouragement, they can! I love the fact that it's all about the process with children. They get lost in the magic of the process. They forget about any and everything else 'round about them--yesterday, tomorrow--every fiber of their being is engaged in their all important, all encompassing project of the moment, be it 5 minutes, 5 hours, or 5 days of engagement.... eyes transfixed, their breathing slows, they bite their tongue as their concentration peaks--It really is so beautiful--every single time.
Each of the children have learned to finger knit at around 4 to 5 years old, and then have moved on to knitting on large wooden needles they've made with me, from dowels sharpened with a pencil sharpener and sanded smooth, at about age 6.
Aimaija, is a beginning finger knitter, but as she and Sophia are the best of buds, together continuously, and Sophia is knitting away on 2 needles and even circulars, now. Aimaija is **dyin'** to jump ahead and **really knit**! Sophia knits, and knits, and knits "(she's been bitten by the bug and is now smitten!) . Relaxed on the couch-- with her legs propped up on the big wooden table in front of it, in the car, she gets herself quite happily situated, and knits away.
This said, Aimaija has now taken to "knitting" each day, with 2 pencils, and to her, she is doing something of incredible significance--to me, too! She's been doing it for a couple of months and hasn't tired of it yet, though it's *all* about process, and all of her hours of effort haven't produced a single *product*! How beautiful, to hear her little voice cry out each morning----Where's my "knitting"?! Meaning of course, where are my 2 pencils and my string!
Let me tell you, this wise mama clamours to look under the couches and chairs, in the block baskets, here, there, and everywhere, 'til her knitting is found. I know the projects will most likely be freely flowing, one day, and I want to insure my fair share of toasty warm sweaters, hats, shawls and socks...... when I'm an old(er) granny, shivering with cold from poor circulation :o) :o) You go, Aimaija, go!!
This pottery candlabra is one of my very favorite thrifting treasures.......which leads me to another favorite thing--candlelight.
I so enjoy candlelight, in the dark of morning, during breakfast, on rainy days--throughout the day, at the evening meal--with the table set-- while the food is still cooking. The house smells delightful and everyone is excitedly awaiting Big Papa's arrival home and the cacophony of smiles, conversation, hugs, good food and drink, stories, and the evening, together, that will follow...........
And yet another favorite thrifing treasure--actually discovered on 2 different occasions, is this family of elephants; the mama, the papa, and baby. Especially lovely to me is art in various mediums and forms of expression --- drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, poetry, music-- depicting God's inconceivably wondrous concept of the family, and the relationships within one, however large or small, at whatever stage and/or season of life and growth it may be. 
Seashells......I'm really fond of seashells, I always have been, even long before I was privileged to live by the sea. Some of my most treasured gifts have been the simple, thoughtful gift of a seashell/s. 
And lastly, is one of my especially treasured and appreciated favorite things. This was a gift, made for, and given to our family, by perhaps the dearest, most loving, kind, and thoughtful friend anyone could ever dream of, or hope for--this amazing puzzle clock! It's beautiful and it keeps perfect time!
This beloved friend is one of those fast movin', fast thinkin', folks that takes on challenges that most of us would shudder at the thought of, while fleeing post-haste! We treasure having it, to remind us of him each day, and the immeasurable gift--of all the love--the time, the care, the listening ear/s, the laughter, kindnesses, encouragement, the chinese food, the pizzas, oranges, ice cream, he even *single-handedly* (yes, single-handeldly in about 2 days!) put a roof on our house!! (which I do have a photo of that I almost put up here, too, but I didn't want ot risk the possibility of jeopardizing this good thing that's been goin' on for so long! :o) ...... that he's so faithfully, unconditionally, graciously and freely shared with all of us, for the *entire life* of our family. 
I hope you have a wonderful day.
Lovingly, Jewels
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