"I don't know nothing except change will come/ Year after year what we do is undone/ Time keeps on movin' from a crawl to a run"

I just went back and read my old post about Ahmic and Needle Point. We leave for our annual trip to Ahmic Lake in Ontario, Canada in just a few days. I have to admit, I cried going back and reading those old memories. My writing is meager, but the words reminded me of days past. I am thrilled to bring my daughter to the magical world of Canada and show her the camp I grew up in. Yet, it is bittersweet. No longer does Granddaddy put up signal flags and share my sour patch kids, and Granny's Folly (her boat) looks out of place without Granny in it. Nor will her sweet strawberry jam grace the table at breakfast. They are in all my memories of Needle Point, and my heart hurts that they will not be in Charlotte's. I know we will make new, cherished memories. Still, my grandparents are so much the magic of Needle Point. I worry that the stars won't twinkle as bright and the lake will not seem as enchantingly green without them there.

I am excited though; over a week with all my family! Yes, there is a plane ride involved and then a five hour drive. But if we can make it through the journey, we will be greeted by white birch trees, chill your bones water, and a boat ride that makes you feel you have traveled back in time. There are no TVs, computers, and little cell phone service; hence little connection with the real world. I'm glad. I love my phone and my computer, but it is always refreshing to go to Ahmic and realize I can do without; to spend my time walking on moss covered ground and playing card games instead of checking Facebook. And the pictures! I'm sure I will take a million.

-----

I continue to craft away though it is mostly for Charlotte's birthday. I can't believe it will be here in ONE month!!! I have made a few more hair accessories



And another dress.



My dresses always look pretty wonky because I have yet to use a pattern. I just start sewing, but I am determined to make her a proper dress using a pattern some time soon.



I try to craft while she is doing this:



But often she is rolling around the floor beside me, and dare I say it, I've even sewn a few stitches while she was in my lap!

My crafting area shows signs of all the work and is littered with glitter/beads/fabric/string and who knows what else.



I'm trying to organize my fabrics, but it's a large task considering I've been hoarding fabrics since college. I get it from my mom. We have a bit of an obsession with silver, fabric, and china. They sing to us, and we fall under their spell.



This little guy has become my best friend...



And my worse enemy. You would not believe how many burns I have acquired on my hands. I wouldn't be surprised if I no longer have finger prints!

-----

We received fresh figs from some friends, and they were beyond delicious. I attempted my first batch of fig preserves which turned out decent, but I will definitely be tweaking it.



Charlotte enjoyed them as well.



-----



POP goes the weasel!



-----

Charlotte is off eye patching. This is the last one, and the picture makes me laugh every time I look at it.



Big Charlotte is watching!

I am happy to see both those blues looking at me all day, but heavy hearted as well. Her lack of patching means surgery is next. It will not be the most major surgery my little trooper has gone through by any means. Yet, a mother is torn to see her child in pain. I am trying my best to "count it all joy" and look to Christ for strength. But it is a difficult thing. Sometimes I want to say, “Enough, my plate is full.” And I always wish it was me instead. I am trying to trust Christ, to remember all He has done for me and that His plans may seem hard but they are "to prosper [our family] and not to harm [us], plans to give [us] hope and a future".