Miss Molly is getting a makeover....the pattern that is.

Well I couldn't have Miss Madeline lookin all cute and not get Miss Molly done too! Donella did it again..... I love her. She makes me look good. What do you think?

The Secret Garden...

A few months back we found the perfect spot on our property, during one of our long walks, for a "Secret Garden". (That's one of our favorite movies, can you tell?) It really is perfect. It has this amazing "swinging tree" that is all crooked (this was the first selling point when choosing our own Secret Garden ya know). The clearing is set in the bend of the trail that runs alongside the creek, and the beavers have built a dam there for the perfect little swimming hole. Just beyond the swimming hole is a small waterfall, it's just enough to make the most beautiful background noise while we are there. It's close to home but not too close, I'd say a few acres away from the house. It's very private and closed off except for our little beaten path where we walk. Like I said...it's perfect....

I wanted to share some pictures and a video of our last night down at the Secret Garden. The kids were in the mood for smores so Daddy loaded up the tractor and we headed down there just before dark. On the way there I could barely hear them singing in the wagon over the noise of the tractor. I knew right off what my little angels were singing! It's the same song that Molly has requests in church every chance she gets...the song they all sing proudly every single Sunday... I'll Fly Away. Yes that old Hymn. Do you know how my heart leaps when I hear those tiny voices sing that old song? It almost always makes me tear up. When we got to the Secret Garden I hopped down from the tractor and caught this tiny clip of them singing. I wish it were more but it still gets me!

(This is a video, click the play symbol to watch)

They all had their little jobs, Tim took the bag of food, Maddie had the jug of milk, and Molly had the towel to sit on. Oh we had so much fun! They played on their swings while I took pictures and Daddy built the fire. Tim found a big spider and stomped it (Just like a boy, huh?) and tons of tiny spiders ran out! Molly had me digging trash out of the creek (we don't like trash in our Secret Garden don't ya know). And My sweet little Madeline went to rest in the wagon because she was getting sleepy. Then we all gathered around the fire and ate smores til we thought we would pop.

I know I say this all the time, but I'm going to miss this. Childhood is fleeting, everyday with them seems to pass so quickly..... Not all days are this lovely but I'm trying so hard lately to really stop and appreciate it while I have it still. There really is no greater joy than sweet moments like this with my precious family.

I've missed you so....

I am so behind on blog reading and blogging (and laundry). When I feel overwhelmed and behind I start to ignore the things that make me feel that way. I know, vicious cycle. I think it is that glimmer (OK maybe a little more than just a glimmer) of perfectionist in me, you know, if you can't do something right don't do it at all...yeah. So, I decided this morning to just start fresh from today and just move my big "behind" (Yes, I have the humor of a 10 year old boy) forward. I have missed all of your blogs so bad! Let me just confess now and get it over with...I lost your address....please forgive me. My computer started acting super nutty and hubby had to wipe it out and in the process all of my favorites were lost! I know, I know, I should have one of those blog reader deals but I'm a blog dummy and I don't! So if I have ever stopped by your blog PLEEEAAASE leave your addy in the comments section of this post. I don't always have the time to comment but I promise I ALWAYS visit everyone that comments here on my blog. I thought about going through all of my old posts but I was afraid I would be stuck at the computer for an entire day, and my lil man has been running a fever for the last couple of days so that is out of the question.

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So what have I been doing since I haven't been posting? Kidney infection, Summer cold, and yes still morning sickness (which I am completely thankful for... most of the time... LOL!). I am ready to get back into the swing of things around here, so I am going to try to post something (even if it's just a picture with a small caption) everyday this week.

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My kids have been sooo funny lately so I have a couple of cute stories to tell. I still have some great beach pictures to share too.

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Oh and did I mention that I will be on Soulemama in a few days? Yep, I will be there (in her sponsor section) for a month with a little ad for my shop. I'm pretty excited! You all already know what a nerd I am so I will go ahead and tell ya this too, Miss Madeline was on Craftsanity!!! I listen to Jennifer's podcast all the time so I was checking it out about a week ago and I scrolled down to find a picture of Miss Madeline! How cool is that?? I felt like I had been on Martha Stewart!! LOL! OK, no more bragging, I promise. I'm done.

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Sorry I don't have any pictures to share this time, I still haven't got my pictures back on my computer since the big wipe out. I did have this little ad and I thought it was better than nothing. You know I hate to post with no pictures, it just feel boring.

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Oh I can't wait for all of my links to be back so I can surf again! Hurry! I think I will post them all in the next post so if this ever happens again I will have them online, and everyone else can visit you too! Good idea... Could you leave the official name of your blog too so that I can link it that way? Thanks friends!

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xoxox,

Samantha

Just checking in....

Hey friends! Sorry I have been so scarce, but let me tell ya I have been bu-sy!! Miss Madeline was officially DONE on Saturday, so I have been shipping out pre-orders and working on all the other time consuming things that come along with pattern making. It feels so good to be done! I have a couple of blog awards coming up (I should have already posted about them but I'm a big busy loser) but that will just have to wait, because my kids need mama. Today I have a little crochet project to work on and we are going to take the day OFF. We will eat (I've already had one request for potato soup), watch, play, and pretend whatever they want! It's time for things to slow down a bit. I have been struggling through this yucky morning sickness, working on the pattern every spare minute, and taking care of the kids and the house (OK not so much the house, it's bad). I am worn out and so ready for a day like today! This picture was taken from our porch at the beach. Pretty cool huh? (Am I still allowed to say cool? What is the age cut-off for that word? Maybe I'll ask Ben, he usually knows about these things. lol!) Happy Lazy day everyone!

Which one should I pick? It is now updated on the last post!

Those were some very good descriptions! I still haven't decided which one I like the best (you made this very hard for me). I'm going to have a friend help me choose today and I will let you know today or tomorrow who won the pattern. If anyone wants to add a description you are welcome to, the contest is open until I announce the winner. . xoxo, Samantha . The picture has nothing to do with the post, but I have this thing against posts without pictures. I don't like it. So this is another one of my favorites from the beach of Jake and Molly.

Let's have a little contest. We Have A WINNER!

***We decided on Jaclyn! Her description was: "The Miss Madeline dress is as versatile as your imagination. The optional apron can be made with contrasting fabric or from a vintage handkerchief or tea towel. What a wonderful way to use Grandmas old hankies, or make your own with the exclusive bird embroidery design included.You’re sure to love the simplicity and sweetness of Miss Madeline. (on the small pattern) orYou’re sure to love the flattering, functional design of Miss Madeline. (on the big pattern)" . Jaclyn, just email me at mamacaffee@hotmail.com and let me know what size pattern you would like. ***

Do you see the part of this beautiful cover that says "description here"? Yeah...

I have yet to think of the perfect description for the covers ( there are two different sizes 6mo-4 yrs and 5-10 yrs) of the Miss Madeline pattern. What is wrong with me?? I know I want the descriptions to be basically the same with maybe one sentence that says something about what appeals to big girls or what is great about the pattern for little girls. You know, just to add a little extra selling point about that particular size range. So I have decided to hand it over to you, my sweet readers, we are going to have a little contest. Write me a description for this pattern and I will have my best sewing girlfriends help me chose which one I should use, and the winner gets a copy of the pattern when it is finished. How does that sound? Lazy? LOL! Give me a break! I have a baby who is apparently living off of my brain cells! I have a hard time completing sentences these days! PLEASE HELP THE CRAZY WOMAN! I will decide sometime by Friday morning.

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By the way, how do you like the cover? Pretty snazzy huh? My sweet friend Donella did that for me. (The same one who did my blog design too.) She is VERY good, and loves doing this for people so if you would like to get in touch with her just ask and I can give you her email address. I highly recommend her!

The Miss Madeline Pattern is now up for pre-order!

Woo Hoo! Just when I thought I would never finish (LOL!) I am finally close enough to put Miss Madeline up for pre-order! If you could only see the happy dance I'm doing right now! If you are interested in Miss Madeline head over to the shop.

I absolutely love this sweet dress, the pattern will have instructions for both styles, with and without the apron. The apron can be from contrasting fabric or from a vintage hanky or tea towel. What a sweet way to use Grandmas old hankies! The pattern will be available in sizes 6mo - 4 years and 5 - 10 yrs. The bird embroidery design will also be included! The folks who pre-order the PDF will recieve it the day it is available (by email), and the folks who order in print will have theirs mailed the day it is available.

Thanks for waiting!

Home

We are home a little early, I'm always done after about four days! LOL! I like home. We had a wonderful time! Now I'm just avoiding the piles of luggage and bags in my living room and trying to get a little rest.

I'm hoping to have the house in order by Monday so that I can finish up Miss Madeline this week. I plan to have it in the shop by Friday! YAY! There is something about posting my plans here that gives me extra motivation to get going.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the trip. The first one above is my view from the porch holding my little angel Iris. The second is Lily, and the third is the two of them on the beach just before they started eating sand! LOL! Aren't they beautiful? It's hard to be away from them when I have seen them everyday for a week, I miss them already.

I love this picture of Timothy because he is so pretty, but I hate it because he looks so old. He is losing that baby look *sniff*.

Here is my Molly looking like an angel. I'm in love with beach pictures in white dresses!

This is my Paw Paw and Granny. I hope I look like her when I'm a great Grandmother! She's just beautiful!

And here's my little Sass! She took Paw Paw's hat for her beach pictures. My little bathing beauty!