It Makes me Happy!

 When I was a young girl I dreamt of designing clothes. I would take small scraps of cloth and hand-stitch them into clothes for my dolls. But growing up in a conservative family I knew the only thing allowed was to be a wife, mother, or maybe a secretary. I kept my dream locked up tight. The high school counselor suggested I attend business school and become a secretary. My mother made the same suggestion. The only other acceptable family push was to attend a "Christian college" and find a husband, which I did. My secret remained and I worked in offices until I had children.

I would design and make clothes for myself and my two children.

As I was approaching 40 years I asked myself what do I still want to do. My children were more independent. I finally let the secret out and told my husband I wanted to go back to school. After much hard work I graduated with a degree in Apparel Design. The illustrations you see here were done during my time in design school. I hadn't looked at them in a very long time. 

Yes, that is me in those snap shots!

My mind has a bit of an engineering thought process and I ended up working for Jantzen, Inc. as a patternmaker. It was a good career choice and I loved it. When I retired I was working for Nike as a technical designer. A technical designer needed the patternmaking background and good writing skills. I worked with an amazing design team to develop street clothes, making sure the garment fit correctly and the quality was up to the standards of the company. I was the final approval before it went to production. My career makes me very proud of myself.

One of the 100's of sportswear outfits I worked on at Jantzen, Inc.

Now in writing this I was thinking we must acknowledge our dreams and gifts in every step through life, not just our careers. I have heard it said "what do you want to do with your one, beautiful life?" It is so important for our hearts to do the big things, but also the little things.

It's also important to encourage those around us to follow their dreams.

She doesn't look happy, but she shines. In shining and following her dreams, she is happy. She puts on her sparkle and shines, she dances.

I danced too, which is a story for another day.

The spirit of creativity still sits in the center of my heart. Each time I do something creative, even writing these posts, it satisfies my heart. It makes me happy. 

Just a little peak of my past dreams come true, living the dream.

Sending love,

Marilyn

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

For me the kickoff to the Christmas season is the holiday show at my favorite antique mall in Portland. This post is showing most of the pictures I took this year at the show; so, it is picture heavy. I thought you might enjoy. It is indeed beginning to look like Christmas. Next week I will share my apartment pictures. Stay tuned!

Since I have downsized I don't really purchase, just taking pictures; but these butterflies fascinated me, and I did sneak one big butterfly on to my tree this year. So far, my "live-in gardener" hasn't noticed it. Now how can you avoid one large butterfly in this pretty green color? Just saying!

This wedding dress reminded me of my mother's wedding dress. The fabric even felt the same. I used to love playing dress up as a young girl in her wedding dress.

Now why didn't I smile? I was in my happy place.

I love, love the sparkle and shine of Christmas.

There seemed to be quite a few deer hiding here and there.

If I needed a chair, I could have been tempted by this yellow chair. It would brighten any room.

And sending best wishes of NOEL as we enter the season of JOY!

Love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars

Martin Luther King once said, "only in darkness can you see the stars."  However, when I did a little research, similar quotes go back as far as the mid-1800's. Then in the Psalms, King David referred to the moment when the night is at its darkest, that the brightest star rises.

All of these references indicate holding on to HOPE.

When we can't see the way forward; we must hold on for the wild ride, the tender ride, the sad ride and notice the brightest star shining in the darkest night. For love will guide the way.

I always associate a red rose to love. Let it be a symbol for us to love one another.

Never, ever give up. Always hold on to HOPE.

Keep your eyes open.

Light candles in the dark night.

And keep singing a joyful song.

One foot in front of another will lead to love.

Sending love,

Marilyn

 

Focus on the Stars

 "Keep truth in the light" heard on YouTube

With the insanity of the world these days it is more important than ever to focus on the glimmers of light and truth. Some days for me are harder than other days.

Many of you know I live in the Portland, Oregon area. I am sure you have seen in the news that some say the city is in turmoil. As we in the area are trying to focus on the beauty of our city, I can tell you we are not in turmoil. People are out and about doing their normal living. It has been gorgeous here lately. I choose to share that beauty here.

Yes, I might go out protesting with my sign, but at the same time I will savor the beauty around me. I choose to focus on the stars.

Fall is in the air.

Gardens are winding down.

Colors are golden.

Pumpkins abound.

I bought some delicata squash at this farm stand. I couldn't resist the feel of autumn here.

My cousin's front porch. Isn't it pretty?

There are still roses in the gardens.

And dahlias all around.

Now go out and notice your glimmers in your part of the world. What are they? Focus on the stars, the glimmers, and the beauty of your world. And let truth reign!

Sending love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars

 Sparkle and Shine

When our world is dark and scary, it's hard to find the "sparkle and shine" . It's in those moments that we must pause, sip a cup of tea or maybe something stronger, tuck into your comfy place, read a romance novel or look at a pretty picture and rest for awhile.  The first picture is my cup of tea in my comfy place.

 

 

 

"Look for the small things that delight to hold on to hope." Anonymous   

 

And sometimes when venturing out, take yourself to a happy place that delights you. Look for the things that make you smile and sparkle. The below picture was taken Sunday when I told my "live-in gardener" that I just wanted to walk through the antique mall and snap a picture or two. I found this headless lady with nothing on but her sparkle around the neck. It just made me smile. She had a wrap and hat nearby, but without a sense of decorum or modesty she chose to exhibit her body in all it's brokenness and she sparkled.  

What is making you smile today?

Sending love,

Marilyn 

This Week - Back to the Joy of Flowers

 

 

 

Finally a week to take a breath of fresh air and flowers.

 

Last Thursday I had the first of two cataract surgeries.  I cannot see to read much, but I can still enjoy a flower or a thousand of them. It is springtime in Oregon and the flowers are coming in abundance.

 

 

Early in the week my "live-in gardener" and I ventured to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm.

Yes, I still call him the "live-in gardener" even though we have left the garden. He still appreciates the flowers growing and has about 20 or more pots on our patio for plants and flowers. Once we get them planted for the warmer weather I will share them (probably June), as we have a late starting garden here in Oregon. I have bought a few plants, but there will be many more coming.

 

 

Normally I pick out these pink tulips as my favorite, but this year I was enchanted by the orange ones. There was an orange marmalade that really sang to my heart.

Here is the orange ones I mentioned above.

Even the daffodils were pretty!

Then today I took an adventure with a picnic and friend to visit my favorite apple orchard.

The orchard is part of Portland, but out on an island. It is open to the public, but I never see more than a hand full of people visiting there. It is so peaceful to sit with a friend under the blossoms of spring and the ripe apples in fall.

My friend is moving away and I will miss venturing with her here, but it will always call my heart to sit right here and see the white with pink blush blossoms entice the bees and me.

Tomorrow I will venture to the Chinese Gardens for their first ever tea gathering, a festival of sorts. We will celebrate the sun with a cup of tea surrounded by the beauty of camellias blooming while searching to see what else might be blooming in the garden on this fine spring week.

 I hope you are finding some flowers and sunshine in your part of the world. Plan an adventure and savor the day.

Sending love,

Marilyn