It's bittersweet, but I'm moving over to my much-anticipated blog...The Patriot Girl Files! I have lots in store for this blog and have posted about a fun, new adventure I'd love to have your help with. It has to do with sugar and states, so come join me to find out more...
We have spent the past two days working hard in support of those who provide us with our freedom. My respect for those who are working diligently on the flight lines of our military bases at home and abroad has drastically increased -- the dirt, unwaivering heat, and long hours they endure.
Coe Polk came to visit me and tour a helicopter where I was working. He wanted to show me how he had learned how to salute. In this photograph I see myself at his age. He certainly is the son of a patriot. Sweet Coe Polk, may you always know the price that has been paid for your freedom.
Star spangled cup-e-cakes we found along our way while out of town. As usual, our life has been full. I have lots to report shortly, along with some big changes. But for now, I'm going into more board meetings to finish our plans for Operation Stars & Stripes, Inc., which I'm really excited about. I hope each of you are enjoying your summer! More soon...
Operation Creating for a Cause
Operation Creating for a Cause utilizes the creative talents of generous volunteers in many ways to support our troops. From sewing stockings to fill for our troops overseas during the holidays to knitting helmet liners for those on the front lines, there are many ways to show your gratitude to our brave heroes who strive to protect our freedoms. We hope you will join us in one of the ways listed below, or perhaps, you will come up with one of your own to support our troops through your creativity. After all, it is because of our troops’ selfless service that we have the privilege here stateside of indulging in our wonderfully diverse creative ventures.
Ways to get involved:
· Donate Fabric (Minimum 12 X 12 Inches)
· Cut Stockings & Bags of Love (Pattern Provided)
· Sew Stockings & Bags of Love
· Knit or Crochet Helmet Liners (Pattern Provided)
· Donate Handmade Cards For the Troops to Send to Loved Ones
· Sponsor a Creating for a Cause Art Event – Contact Us for Details
· Donate Items for Servicemembers to Send to Loved Ones for Special Occasions
· Donate Printing, Graphic Design, and Website Services
· Donate Grant Writing Services
· Donate Items to Raise Funds in the Operation Stars & Stripes, Inc. Etsy Shop
We would love to list you as a sponsor and promote your business as you work hard to support our troops! Thank you for your interest in Operation Creating for a Cause. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, we will be happy to provide you with a receipt for all tax-deductible donations upon request. For more information about Operation Stars & Stripes, Inc., please visit us at www.OperationStarsAndStripes.com, e-mail us at InfoOSS@aol.com, or call us at (770) 509-1156.
Note: Congrats to Gabrielle for winning the handmade tags and chocolate molds from the last post. I used Random.org but am, unfortunately, not savvy enough to figure out how to insert a screen shot. When saving it, the generator reverted back to the original page. Nevertheless, thank you all for joining along in my little trip to Wonderland. We will be back in town next week with lots to share.
Please forgive the formatting on this post and lack of words from some photos…Typepad seems to have the flu again…I am happy to play along with the other ladies and Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist and take you on a trip to Wonderland today…I hope you enjoy and have lots of fun…
Come on, we're late...we're late for a very important date...follow me...quickly...
Down the rabbit hole we go...jump on in...for a most delightful spin...
Just a little further...into the abyss we go...spinning...twirling...
And here's King Coe Polk to take us on our adventure to Wonderland...it looks as if the king has already indulged in a sweet treat or two...
Follow him through the grass...just push it aside...and out of your way...
Ribbons and cupcake trees...right up ahead...grab one as you go by...if you please...
I'll have this one...what about you?
Oh, and just look at the decorations...
Pretty tags, too??
The White Rabbit must be near...as we are surely getting closer to the party...
Please do take a seat...it's set especially for you...
That's right, go ahead, this tiara is for you...
And the fan too...just give it a whirl...a swish...and a swosh...to keep yourself cool...
I'll take a seat beside you, if you don't mind. This tiara must be mine...how does it look?
A handmade flower just for you...take a smell...marshmallows, eh? Here in wonderland they have such wonderful delights, don't they?
The King is busy taking his tea...let's join him...it's strawberry infused...be careful though...the berries around here are known to give people the giggles... The King's Queen must be near...her royal court too...look over there...isn't she stunning?
Go ahead, don't be afraid...it's magical...delicious...simply divine...
What did you think?
Another cupcake would be divine...like the one in the tree...I think I'll have green this time...
Care to join me in a game of cards?
I must warn you to be careful though...these Jokers have a habit of jumping off the cards, you know?
Hand-crafted chocolates piled high...
Care to play a game of chocolate chess with me?
Evening is quickly setting in…we must quickly begin our journey back…
Peek…
A-boo….toadstools….
Through the looking glass…one more sip…
Just follow the toadstools King Coe Polk has set out to help us find our way…
Back through the hole we go… It’s getting smaller…
And smaller…
Watch out for that grass…and don’t forget to pick a flower or two as a reminder of our delightful day in wonderland together…these smell like sugar-plums…
I hope you had a magical day...thank you for joining me...be sure to leave a little note below if you would like some tags and chocolate molds to make your own treats...I'll be back next week to draw a name...and send them your way...but for now, Coe Polk and I have lots to do, so we can escape to our own wonderland tomorrow...
Come one, come all...we're almost ready to make our journey to wonderland...put on your party best, and join me back here shortly...a sprinkle of magic will take care of the rest...down the rabbit hole we'll go...to meet up with Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts you know...
We're on our way...please join us by clicking here!
Sweet boy's grandmother, G.G., has changed her shopping habits when going to the market since he came into this world. She now hunts aisle by aisle for special surprises to bring a smile to Coe Polk's face -- pantry staples have now taken backseat to frivolity.
So this time, she brought home a bag of multi-colored marshmallows, knowing it would please both sweet boy and me. He would sort them, and I would enjoy marveling at their pastel beauty. Before she could get out the baking cups, just as suspected, he was begging to sort.
Children with PDD(and various autism spectrum disorders) can use sorting as a means of organizing themselves. This is quite clearly the case with Coe Polk. When he can't control himself, he frequently resorts to sorting as a coping mechanism. I'm just waiting until he can sort the clothes in my closet by color for me. This just might turn out to be a great thing!
While I was once the child who waited patiently to earn a treat, I am now the voice of reason pushing vegetables -- the boring mother. Thank you, G.G., for always thinking of us.
Once the mallows had been sorted, in his words, he was off to "wonderland to have a party -- come along princess Mommy!"
P.S. He stole my tiara from a little project I've been working on to show you on Saturday. A tiara no more -- it is now, officially, a king crown. And every king needs a queenprincess, so yours truly is the resident princess in this royal court. Ahhh, to be a Mommy -- life is grand, isn't it?
I snapped this photograph by accident but really loved how it turned out. Coe Polk and I spend many hours like this -- me closely following behind as he explores and directs our path.
These sweet feet will soon be wearing some casted boots to help his feet grow normally. We're making some progress lately! Hooray for medical technology! And hooray for adventures with Coe Polk! What a lucky pair we are to have each other and this life...
Packaging is quite expensive as a stop by a paper boutique a few weeks ago revealed. I'm just not much for sending my gifts off in plain ol' boring envies and boxes, so I decided to get a little creative. I stamped a few large, white envies with some of my favorite stamps. Easy-peasy and an inexpensive packaging solution!
I paired these two stamps together to make an address block -- one for the "TO" and one for the "FROM."
(Depending upon the type of ink you use, I sometimes cover in clear tape strips or slip it into a clear self-sealing bag. These can be purchased in bulk from packaging supply companies.)
We're off to Coe Polk's new therapy center. We've been spending lots of time there lately. It's about an hour away, but thankfully one of the most beautiful drives ever! Wishing you a happy day...
