Oh, 2008! What an amazing year. Full of fun, change, and unexpected things. Some hard lessons. Many good things.
I started 2008 with a commitment to play dolls each and every day with Princess of the Universe. It was called Year of the Doll House and it worked. We didn’t play every day, honestly, because the cares of life are just too demanding, but we did play a lot. It was so much fun, in fact, that we started a new blog devoted entirely to dolls and doll houses:
homemadedollhouse.blogspot.com.
January 2008 also brought a slew of “new” old graphics, a little bit of North Carolina snow, learning more about editing graphics, and some cool art books for our homeschool library.
February 2008 brought the death of my paternal grandmother. Having recently lost my maternal grandmother, this meant that 2008 marked the first year I was without both maternal and paternal grandmothers. Her death also brought about a family reunion of sorts where I got to see a favorite cousin who gave me a copy of a picture I did not know existed! What a treat. It’s a picture of my husband and me and our firstborn — the only picture of its kind. I’m so grateful to have it. I’ll miss my grandmothers and am saddened by the fact that a lot of knowledge about a different era and a simpler way of life died with them.
February 2008 also brought a breast cancer scare, more North Carolina snow, cold winter walks, my Joseph turning 17, and excitement about the approaching gardening season!
March 2008? The spring garden anticipation intensifies. Little snakes. Homemade twirly skirts and special time with Princess of the Universe, homemade hot cross buns, beautiful early spring flowers, and the first of many fresh herbal infusions.
April 2008. Spring come on already!, garden shopping, a fresh turkey, and a welcome fieldtrip to Hill Ridge Farm with my sister and niece.
May 2008. The prettiest Queen Elizabeth rose ever, gardening galore, goldfish, plenty of infusions, new kittens, and another special visit with a cousin that uncovered yet another long-lost family picture.
June 2008. Who knew that rue (Rue, not you) could be so brutal?
July 2008. Unexpected but oh-so-fun beach trip and a trip to the North Carolina mountains where we visited Tweetsie Railroad and where I got to meet Patricia.
August 2008. I harvested the abundance of sage in my garden, with the realization that fall was not far way, however hot it was at that present time. Time to prepare my mind for cooler months and less garden time.
September 2008. Brought a joyous month as I decided to follow my heart (and my daughter’s urgings) and bring Princess of the Universe home for school.
October 2008 brought my husband’s unexpected heart attack, but the subsequent thankfulness that he is doing so well. We are so grateful and working to make positive changes for him and for all of us. November and December are so recent, I won’t try to highlight those months in pictures, but here we are in the midst of winter, having had a beautiful Thanksgiving and Christmas, enjoying life, enjoying being snuggled in our humble home, and just enjoying each other.
I have had so much fun getting to know better my internet friends and I hope you will keep reading and letting me know you are out there so I can read your blogs too.
Happy 2009!
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
I just started reading your blog a couple of months ago, but they are so beautiful and inspiring to me. I hope you and your family have a lovely New Year.
Mama Hen, Thank you so much. I wish you and your family a happy 2009 as well!
Lynn
What a year, I am so sorry about your grandmother, a loss always marks a year.
I have enjoyed reading about the dollhouse and I hope that it will continuer another year.
wishing you and your family a very happy 2009!
Louise
You have had a year of surprises and your share of grief. I pray 2009 brings blessings and peace.
Patricia
Love that picture of Princess of the Universe in her tiered skirt. Reminds of a project I wanted to do with R8. Hmmmm….which reminds of my word for 2009 TENACIOUSLY PURPOSEFUL.
Heather
Louise, thank you. Perhaps the saddest part was that she was so hard to be close to. My maternal grandmother and I were close, but it saddens me to know they are both gone — 3 months apart. Oh, the doll house will continue!
Patricia, I think it’s that way for everyone. I wish you and your family too a very happy and healthy 2009.
Heather, our instructions for making the skirts are somewhere on my blog. They are pretty easy. And your word!! Wow. You will get a lot done with that one!
Lynn
Good morning Lynn
I’m glad it wasn’t me that was brutal
The pictures and the words in this post encompass all the reasons I love your blog so much.
Happy New Year hugs,
rue
Oh, what a year! Boy, my dh would be envious of that beautiful turkey. He’s already planning for the coming turkey hunting season.:-) Lovely photos, as usual!