Bookplates for Poky Puppies

I am a middle child.  Have I mentioned that?  I kind of revel in it, and my childhood was chock full of instances when I went above and beyond to emphasize my tragic middleness. There was the Latino Christmas Disco Band my middle cousin, Doug and I planned to start in his garage – a desperate plea for attention.  Or the time I faked my own death: changing clothes and stuffing my old ones with pillows before tossing my duplicate (complete with Cabbage Patch head, mind you) out the upstairs window, directly above the room where my family was gathered.  “Doh.  There goes Annie,” I heard them respond amidst laughter.  Still not sure if it was the thumping of my footsteps racing across the ceiling, trying to catch their reaction, or the fact that the cabbage patch doll had become dislodged during flight that gave it away. So, yeah.  A little flair for the dramatic.  But this morning I got cold, hard evidence of the seeds of my perhaps over-exaggerated middle child syndrome.

My sister Bethany emailed me this picture, a hysterical treasure inside one of our long forgotten childhood books. (Who knew remembered the Poky Little Puppy had a sequel?)  I mean, come on, even Fritzie the family dog got a piece of it after I was crossed out!

If you’re looking for a way to stake your claim on some best loved books in your library, here are a few cute ideas.  Watch out, Bethany, Sarah and Fritzie.  I may sticker over your hostile crayon cross out, yet!

{a} Just one of many lovely bookplates designed by Nicole Balch, of Making It Lovely, found at her store, Pink Loves Brown. This one is $8.00  for a set of 8.

{b} Ladybug Labels sells these, and many other adorable self-adhesive labels on her etsy shop. Best part: choose from 48 colors!  $9.00 for 28 labels.

{c} I found these fun DIY labels via decor8.  Check out Martha Stewart’s printable bookplates.  Cost: $Nada!

{d} Helen Dardik, of Orange You Lucky designed these sweet printables as a thank you to her blog readers. Super cute. Be sure to check out her neat-o-keat-o illustrations.

Easter & Life

In the wake of the heartache I’ve experienced these last few weeks, I’m finding such comfort in the gift of Spring – harsh, driving rain that pounds down with permission- even expectation- to grieve, followed by the first truly warm, jacket-free, flower-blooming days – an invitation to get out, be grateful, and keep living fully.  All this coincides with Easter, too:  my favorite holiday, an opportunity to stop and dwell on the person who matters most to me, and the gift of life He gives.

As you think about Easter, I want to share a two little gifts with you, both of which I came across through friends.

The first is a blog.  My friend Larissa introduced me to the idea of an Easter Garden, pictured above.  It was created by Ann Voskamp, and after reading her description of the process, I was quickly drawn in to her blog, A Holy Experience. I’ve been so comforted and re-centered by her writing.  Ann’s blog sets out to be “a still chapel” and it has been that for me this week.  Her writing has such a pure goodness to it. Take a minute, and read it when you have the time to soak it in, not in a frenzy of internet blitzing.  It’s good.  Also, check out her heartfelt and beautiful ideas for celebrating Easter, and more details on making your own Easter Garden- steeped with meaning and hands on learning for your family.

The second little gift is a song, that I discovered by way of one of my favorite blogs, b*spoke.  Bethany posted this just today, and it brought me to my knees.  The words tied my grief up into a tangible parcel and placed it right where it belonged, at the foot of the cross. It’s called Out of the Depths, by Sovereign Grace Music.  Here are some of the lyrics, or listen to it here.

The secret mysteries belong to You/ We only know what You reveal / And all my questions that are unresolved/ Don’t change the wisdom of Your will/ In every trial and loss / My hope is in the cross  / Where Your compassions never fail

As we embrace Good Friday and Easter this weekend, I hope your heart (and mine) is soft and open to the whispers of God – His mercy, His faithfulness, the gift of His life.