New Listings!

Maria put up a bunch of new listings at Wyoming Rose Boutique. We hope you will check them out. If you'd like we'd love you to pin any on Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter.

Where There is Smoke There is Fire - Somewhere

Yesterday morning I felt like I was driving to work in a fog.  No, I don't mean I was sleepy.  It really, really looked foggy.  It wasn't, though.  For one thing, it is dangerously dry here right now.  I wish it had been fog, but it was smoke.  Every direction I looked was a smoky haze!  I couldn't tell for sure the direction or origin. I'm still not sure as there are fires to the South of us, West and North.  Again this morning the smoke is making my eyes water.  It's really a breathing hazard as well.

We aren't really all that close to any of those fires, not so far this year anyway.  Several years ago the mountain near us was on fire, though, and it was close enough that we had ash dropping in our yard.  It was just a little taste of what people all over the western U.S. are experiencing right now.  So many lives are disrupted; so many people are worrying about their homes.

Fire is so strange when you think about it.  It is so scary and so destructive.  It can be life-saving or life-endangering, used as a campfire or storming along as a monstrous wildfire.  It is also very beautiful and very powerful.

When I checked on Facebook this morning I found a lot of photos, such as the one above. I am a bit ashamed to say that I am mesmerized by the photos.  The power of fire is just so incredible.  However, it makes me so grateful for people who have taken the time to learn to battle fires on our behalf.  It sounds like one of the worst jobs in the world to me.  They purposefully run toward the danger while people like me just want to get far away.


I can't imagine what it would be like to look at a photo such as that knowing one of those houses was your's.  My heart goes out to those folks.  And worse, I see video on television of people unable to cross the barrier to get to their neighborhood to try to get to family members, not knowing if they are safe.  I am certain I would not handle that very well.

Looking at so many photos of all those fires made me realize how small and insignificant people are in relationship.  This world doesn't even really need us; maybe we just get in the way.  That makes it all the more incredible to me to know that God treasures us and cares about us.  I don't always understand why that is, but I am ever so grateful.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas Day 1

I am not always that great at coming up with good gift ideas.  I procrastinate and frustrate myself.  However, I have received some really wonderful gifts from my children over the years for Mother's Day as well as birthdays and Christmas.  I have three children so for the next three days I am going to tell you of some ways they have gifted me.

Sam is our youngest, turning 19 this Summer.  He has always been a sensitive kid.  Even as a preschooler he was a child who quietly watched people, really noticing them.  I know that he paid attention to me because at a really young age he noticed how much I enjoyed wearing cross necklaces.  So, he often finds pretty ones to give me.   Paying attention to what is important to another, rather than giving a gift that YOU'd like, is a sign of thoughtful gift-giving.   I think that's always a way to make a person feel noticed and loved.

When I wear cross necklaces it helps remind me of God's son, as well as one of my own.  

So, if you are stalled out on ideas for your Mom, think about what she really likes.  Does she like to sew?  How about starting a charm bracelet with a charm of a sewing machine?  Does she love the color green?  Maybe she needs a new green scarf.  Is she a walker or runner?  Maybe a gift card to her favorite shoe store.  I don't think mothers are wanting lavish gifts, just gifts that show you notice her as a person.  Lucky for me, my children are really good at that.

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And now, I want to apologize to Darla Q.  When I did my tutorial/giveaway I said that I'd count Facebook entries as well, since some folks add their comments there.  Well, I think Darla was actually the very first to enter.  I knew it...time passed... I forgot.  I'm sorry Darla!  Send me your address and I will send to you another gift, these earrings that I made...