"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!" Psalm 100:1-2
Monday, July 7, 2008
Joyful Noise
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!" Psalm 100:1-2
Thursday, June 26, 2008
A Visit with Dear Friends
To begin, this is our 100th post!!! Yipee!
We had dear friends come into town from Penn's Woods for 2 weeks. It was a fun-filled time (not to mention busy!!). Here are a few highlights of the time.
Being that we are ardent acting lovers, and having to fulfill a White family visit tradition, SJ revised/condensced a movie script of Stevo's and we filmed it. The film, called Pellington Park is about a group of modern-day children who begin a "very sophisticated" dress-up game of the Revolutionary War. We all had so much fun acting in it. Pellington Park is the 3rd movie we written, developed, acted in and filmed with our dear friends. Enjoy a few pictures of the "making-of."
We also had a Film Festival while they were here. Pellington Park wasn't edited in time, but we were able to watch some other creations. Bee, SJ, MJ, Stevo and Eli all directed some (Mom's opionion - "quite creative") films that we acted in. From the FBI to the Wild West, Civil War to Music Videos....we had it all on the big screen....literally. Here's another slide show!
Finally, we got to visit our most favorite historical dress-up site ever...Mission San Luis! The day it was officially decided we would go we made a quick (but professional) trip to Bargain Box (the best place for bargain clothing, to be transformed into elaborate historical costume) and whipped up some costumes for the White boys and Emmy Xiang (none of which had ever been to the Mission). The next morning found us driving in the Homeschool Express (15 passenger van) and the Green Car (a big suburban) to Tallahassee. We were so happy to see some of our favorite historical interpreters, as well as meet some new folks. We especially enjoyed the fort soldiers "playing along" with our games. While the boys defended the fort, the girls weeded the beautiful vegetable garden. Here are a ton of pictures of that!
The moms got to enjoy time together chatting and chatting, and the parents all went out for a lovely supper....meanwhile, all of the kids planned for the next visit....
We miss ya'll soooo much and can't wait till next year, Whites! Love, Us
-ElvenMaiden
We had dear friends come into town from Penn's Woods for 2 weeks. It was a fun-filled time (not to mention busy!!). Here are a few highlights of the time.
Being that we are ardent acting lovers, and having to fulfill a White family visit tradition, SJ revised/condensced a movie script of Stevo's and we filmed it. The film, called Pellington Park is about a group of modern-day children who begin a "very sophisticated" dress-up game of the Revolutionary War. We all had so much fun acting in it. Pellington Park is the 3rd movie we written, developed, acted in and filmed with our dear friends. Enjoy a few pictures of the "making-of."
We also had a Film Festival while they were here. Pellington Park wasn't edited in time, but we were able to watch some other creations. Bee, SJ, MJ, Stevo and Eli all directed some (Mom's opionion - "quite creative") films that we acted in. From the FBI to the Wild West, Civil War to Music Videos....we had it all on the big screen....literally. Here's another slide show!
Finally, we got to visit our most favorite historical dress-up site ever...Mission San Luis! The day it was officially decided we would go we made a quick (but professional) trip to Bargain Box (the best place for bargain clothing, to be transformed into elaborate historical costume) and whipped up some costumes for the White boys and Emmy Xiang (none of which had ever been to the Mission). The next morning found us driving in the Homeschool Express (15 passenger van) and the Green Car (a big suburban) to Tallahassee. We were so happy to see some of our favorite historical interpreters, as well as meet some new folks. We especially enjoyed the fort soldiers "playing along" with our games. While the boys defended the fort, the girls weeded the beautiful vegetable garden. Here are a ton of pictures of that!
The moms got to enjoy time together chatting and chatting, and the parents all went out for a lovely supper....meanwhile, all of the kids planned for the next visit....
We miss ya'll soooo much and can't wait till next year, Whites! Love, Us
-ElvenMaiden
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Has it been....
six months already? Or I might say, has it only been six months?!? It seems like she's always been with us.
Still, six months ago today, Emmy Xiang officially became a Brown. We are so grateful to God for this blessing.
How kind of Him to give us four precious daughters...we simply don't deserve it.
Happy 6 months, Emmy Xiang!
Love, Mommy and the rest of the family
Still, six months ago today, Emmy Xiang officially became a Brown. We are so grateful to God for this blessing.
How kind of Him to give us four precious daughters...we simply don't deserve it.
Happy 6 months, Emmy Xiang!
Love, Mommy and the rest of the family
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Garden Birthday Tea Party
Gracie turned 10 and we celebrated her day with a Garden Tea Party. What a fun time! Friends were met at the door by four professional servers, and led to a sitting room, where they chatted like proper ladies. A few at a time decorated pretty hats and then they played Pin the Bee/Butterfly on the Blossom. Soon tea and dainties were served. But, alas, the ladies began to melt. The heat was just too much! So we transfered the outdoor tea party to an indoor picnic. Good thing, too, because one of the young maidens was feeling a bit under the weather, and spend almost the entire time on the couch. (Just see if you can guess who was missing at the meal...you can find her under the blue blanket on the couch...dear girl!) Later we enjoyed a tea party relay and then some sweet treats. Gracie and all agreed; it was a pleasant time!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Burning up the sewing machine
Not literally...but it is getting a workout! Fnally, I've been sewing steadily again. And it seems that when I get that machine out and keep it out, the projects multiply! YIKES!
I frequently whip up something here or there, but lately I've had specific things in mind to make. I want to make bags for us to use when we go on nature walks, kind of a haversack styled bag. It'll need to hold our nature journals, colored pencils, a water bottle, bug spray, keys/cell phone and the ever-important chapstick (Burt's Bees!), among other things. I've started one for myself using one of the kids' old denim skirts, and I have lots of denim and twill that I've saved from older clothing. It's my trial bag, so if it goes well, I'll whip up a few more for the girls.
The previous post showed the red dress I finally completed for Emmy Xiang. It was started back before we went to China, but alas, I ran out of time. I was disappointed then, but on the day we met her, since she wanted nothing to do with the doll (with the matching dress) I was reminded of God's sovereignty once again! Thankfully, her rejection of the doll didn't offended me (as it should not have!), and I was thrilled she was responding so well to her new family. When we got home I stashed the doll away to give to her later...once the matching dress was finished. Turned out to be a good plan! She loved it when she saw it, and even enjoys the doll on occassion (Pooh still wins out everytime....maybe I should make Pooh a dress. Hmmmm).
I have her quilt *mostly* done. I'm hoping to finish it soon. It lacks only the individual blocks sewn together - and then it will be complete! I quilted each block by sewing on the dots (which are circles of those yummy fabrics our wonderful friends and family sent with their best wishes and prayers for Emmy Xiang). What a joy it has been to sew it together, being reminded of the people that God has placed in our lives. It is evidence of God's grace to us, and to Emmy Xiang. Whent the quilt's done, you can be sure that I'll post a picture!
The Pooch has been the recipient of two projects...she wanted a diaper bag for her baby dolls (I love how it turned out....pink and green, with a nursery rhyme toile and rose bud, gingham and other pretty fabric. She asked for a new dress. I didn't have a pattern that I liked, so I made it up as I went. Honestly, I'm not thrilled with he result, but she is....and that's what matters most! It's in the dirty clothes (she wore it two days in a row!), so I don't have a picture yet. I plan to make a new one for her, with a style that will look a bit nicer on her....gotta find some more material! That's the hard part.
The older two want new dresses, and we've purchased pretty fabric and a modest sundress pattern (hard to find!) that is quite attractive. I've cut the Elf's, but Ladybug wants to make her own. Soon I'll get to those...because I've scheduled into our summer routine much sewing time.
Now I'll show one of the two adorable outfits I made for EX. I found some white batiste in the remnant bin at Walmart the other day, so I made a sweet slip/dress with little pin tucks on the bodice. I'll attempt more like that another time. Last night, though, I finished a sweet little yellow dress with matching bloomers (got this incredibly lightweight fabric off the dollar rack at Walmart!). After hearning my lament for bloomers for EX - she's a sweet girl, but often doesn't sit like a lady - my friend lent me a pattern for little girls. It made a camisole and pantaloons, as well as a historic civil war era dress. I modified the camisole and pantaloons to make a sundress with bloomers for EX. Lord willing, I'm definitely making more of these. Of course they'll all be a bit different. It's hard for me to make the same thing twice!
Enjoy the pictures. EX just loves her "yellow" dress!
I frequently whip up something here or there, but lately I've had specific things in mind to make. I want to make bags for us to use when we go on nature walks, kind of a haversack styled bag. It'll need to hold our nature journals, colored pencils, a water bottle, bug spray, keys/cell phone and the ever-important chapstick (Burt's Bees!), among other things. I've started one for myself using one of the kids' old denim skirts, and I have lots of denim and twill that I've saved from older clothing. It's my trial bag, so if it goes well, I'll whip up a few more for the girls.
The previous post showed the red dress I finally completed for Emmy Xiang. It was started back before we went to China, but alas, I ran out of time. I was disappointed then, but on the day we met her, since she wanted nothing to do with the doll (with the matching dress) I was reminded of God's sovereignty once again! Thankfully, her rejection of the doll didn't offended me (as it should not have!), and I was thrilled she was responding so well to her new family. When we got home I stashed the doll away to give to her later...once the matching dress was finished. Turned out to be a good plan! She loved it when she saw it, and even enjoys the doll on occassion (Pooh still wins out everytime....maybe I should make Pooh a dress. Hmmmm).
I have her quilt *mostly* done. I'm hoping to finish it soon. It lacks only the individual blocks sewn together - and then it will be complete! I quilted each block by sewing on the dots (which are circles of those yummy fabrics our wonderful friends and family sent with their best wishes and prayers for Emmy Xiang). What a joy it has been to sew it together, being reminded of the people that God has placed in our lives. It is evidence of God's grace to us, and to Emmy Xiang. Whent the quilt's done, you can be sure that I'll post a picture!
The Pooch has been the recipient of two projects...she wanted a diaper bag for her baby dolls (I love how it turned out....pink and green, with a nursery rhyme toile and rose bud, gingham and other pretty fabric. She asked for a new dress. I didn't have a pattern that I liked, so I made it up as I went. Honestly, I'm not thrilled with he result, but she is....and that's what matters most! It's in the dirty clothes (she wore it two days in a row!), so I don't have a picture yet. I plan to make a new one for her, with a style that will look a bit nicer on her....gotta find some more material! That's the hard part.
The older two want new dresses, and we've purchased pretty fabric and a modest sundress pattern (hard to find!) that is quite attractive. I've cut the Elf's, but Ladybug wants to make her own. Soon I'll get to those...because I've scheduled into our summer routine much sewing time.
Now I'll show one of the two adorable outfits I made for EX. I found some white batiste in the remnant bin at Walmart the other day, so I made a sweet slip/dress with little pin tucks on the bodice. I'll attempt more like that another time. Last night, though, I finished a sweet little yellow dress with matching bloomers (got this incredibly lightweight fabric off the dollar rack at Walmart!). After hearning my lament for bloomers for EX - she's a sweet girl, but often doesn't sit like a lady - my friend lent me a pattern for little girls. It made a camisole and pantaloons, as well as a historic civil war era dress. I modified the camisole and pantaloons to make a sundress with bloomers for EX. Lord willing, I'm definitely making more of these. Of course they'll all be a bit different. It's hard for me to make the same thing twice!
Enjoy the pictures. EX just loves her "yellow" dress!
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