Things I Found At The Party & A Bright Blue, Sunshine Kind of Day

via Lee's Whimsy

Oh, The Things I Find At The Party

If you haven't taken a moment to have a look around the current Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Up Party, you are really missing something.  Maybe even a few somethings.

It's a great way for handcrafters, vintage purveyors, and bloggers to share their stuff with new people....namely you.  It's a way for me to support my fellow etsy shop owners and bloggers.  It's also a fun way for those who don't aren't shop owners or bloggers to do a little window shopping.

Generally speaking, it's all good.

As usual, I really enjoyed looking through what everyone left behind at the party and choosing my picks. It's never an easy job, but I love the places it takes me. I think you'll agree.

1. Old Store Photo via Writing Places

2. Gorgeous Vintage Fabric via Vintage Sewing AU

3. Sweet Reclaimed and Upcycled Wall Vase via Coffee House Gallery

4. Dew Laden Pasture Grass Photograph via Lee’s Whimsy

5. Blues & Greens of the Ocean via Moonlight In Paris

6.  Romantic Patchwork Tote via Patchwork Crafters

7. The Most Wonderful Birth Story of Robin via Cubits Organics

Honestly, how could I not pick blogging/etsy friend Laura's story of her new little Baby Robin. Just look at him resting on Daddy's chest. So sweet.

If you have a shop or blog and haven't linked up yet, or you haven't had a look around yet, the party is still going on. Yup, it's one of those never ending parties. The best kind.

Shoutout

I didn't realize the other day, when I blogged about bil Niall and sil Caragh's anniversary, that it was also my Aunt Joan and Uncle Bobby's anniversary.

(That's Aunt Joan to my left and Uncle Bobby -

my mother's 'baby brother' as she likes to say, to the left of Gar)

Happy Anniversary A. Joan & U. Bobby. Sure do wish we all lived closer, but we just love it that you've been regulars at the 4th of July Lobster Bake!  Hope you had a great day.  You guys deserve it.

Get A Load of This!

Did you see the new giveaway? You know, the one with more than $180+ worth of awesomeness? Go. Enter. You'll be glad you did.

Bright, Sunny, Blue Sky

It seems every year, when we mark the terrorist attacks of 9/11, it's the exact same kind of day. A sky as blue as can be. The sun shining brightly. It makes it all seem like a dream to some extent. I wish it was.

I am still moved to tears when I think of our beloved city of NY and see pictures and videos of that day. Quite simply, it breaks my heart. It saddens me right down to my gut to consider the hate that must exist for these kinds of acts to be brought to fruition. You'd hope that the world had learned enough about hate, but it seems some never quench the thirst. 

We visited not long after the attacks, at the beginning of November.  The things that still stay with me to this day, that truly make my heart ache for humanity, are the posters of loved ones that were still posted and strewn everywhere....on light posts, on buildings, on signs....and being able to glimpse through a tall barricade, the shattered, broken and burned facade of the Twin Towers. 

I hope and pray we will never see another day like this in the history of my country, that we never lose so many in one fell swoop at the hands of mad men who hearts hold hate instead of love.  They can say they do these acts in the name of their God all they want, but most of us know better. There is no God that would want people to act in hate. No matter who you pray to, God is unconditional love. Let's remember that today.

(the building of Freedom Tower)