there and back again

Nothing makes me feel quite as settled in as a fresh bouquet for my kitchen table. Nice to be home, as always. It's funny, when you've been away for a while you suddenly see your home in a new light. I wish I was I going to tell you how pleased I was to see everything organized and clutter free.... alas, ALL I seemed to notice was how UN-organized and how NOT clutter free some areas of my house are! Gee-whiz, was I wearing dark sunglasses all summer? Well, it's all crystal clear now and I'm on a mission to get this place in shape (really, does it ever end??)

Along with de-cluttering and organizing, I really want to do some long over due sprucing up around here. New pillows for the couch (long, long, LONG over due) some furniture re-arranging, some painting, and hanging a new-old chandelier that has been in a box since Christmas for starters.

While I'm busy with all that, I thought I would copy Blair's idea, which I thought was so great, and see if any of you would like to ask me any questions. You know, kind of like getting to know the blogger behind the blog as Blair said, and I'll answer them in my next post (this question is a little scary to ask, I mean, what if no one wants to! that is very possible...gulp.) So, as I continue typing with one eye squinted and a "what if I end up looking like a total dork" expression on my face...ask me anything you would like to know. Parenting, crafting, just life in general. I'm open :)

And since I was already planning to do a give-away when I got back, I'll just make this part of it. I'll draw a name or two from the comments and send a little thank you gift for reading simple sparrow. Because really, I'm just so grateful that you guys even care about my ramblings here!

edited: I have all the questions I can handle for now, thank you! But please feel free to leave a comment if you would like your name to go into the drawing for the give-away.

 

Comments

[Cass M]

Like previous comment....you are my favorite new blog as well! (New for the past few weeks.) I'm in the middle of a move and so I haven't really had time to go back all the way in your blog to really get to know more about you, as I've missed all the months of blogging before this summer!

But my most pressing question is, what camera(s) do you use for all your lovely shots? Yes indeedy, kudos on your photography, something I am really aspiring to better myself in and so I am ever curious as to who uses what, all those bloggers out there I admire.

I'm looking forward to reading and seeing more of you, 'simple sparrow', thank you for all that you share of yourself and your life.

from another Canadian...
Cass

[Natalie]

Your blog has a calmness to it that I really enjoy, so I imagine you to be a peaceful person. From what you reveal on your blog, you have raised and are raising wonderful kids. What three pieces of advice would you give to this Mom of an 8 and almost 6 year old? How do we keep our kids close to us as they enter their pre-teen and teen years? If that's too heavy, I'd love for you to post an incredibly funny life experience--you know the one where you giggle just thinking of it!

[Beth]

As a fellow homeschooling mom and crafter/quilter I'd love to hear more about how you homeschool...what are your favorite books/lessons/ideas, etc. Thanks for the beautiful blog. Beth

[Heidi]

Looks like you got plenty of questions! I'm always curious what the meaning is behind people's blog names. Why did you pick simple sparrow? Thanks. I really enjoy your blog.

[Katherine]

I have been enjoying your blog and wanted to ask you about crafting. What is your favourite part of the process: eg. choosing materials, designing or sewing it all together?
Thanks so much for sharing yourself with us all in blogland. ;o)

[Lisa]

As many people already mentioned, I too love your blog and especially your beautiful photos! My question for you...what is the best advice you can give a crafter for beginning to sell their items...how would you recommend etsy, craft fairs, or other venues for someone who would like to share their crafts with others but who still have a full time job outside of the crafty world. Thanks!

[Elizabeth]

Hi - Love reading your blog and I quite agree with many of the other comments left that your photos are beautiful. My question would be - how do you come up with your designs? I've got a fledgling craft business on the go but my problem is how to make something original to sell which doesn't infringe someone else's copyright.

[Suzanne]

Am I still in time for your give-away? Hope so! :)

Welcome back!

[amandajean]

I would like to know what your favorite craft book is...(someone probably already asked)...and good luck on the cleaning and de-cluttering. I am in the mood to do some of that myself.

your blog is lovely, and it really really really reflects the sweet person that you are. I hope you realize that. it is such a joy to read. :)

[tea time and roses]

Hi Toni....

So glad you made it home safely, and you and your family had a wonderful time! I surely enjoyed all your beautiful vacation photos...just lovely as always.. I am in the mid of a little break, but had to say Welcome Home. Speaking of reading your blog. Yours was one of the first blogs I read daily, and still remember you and Natalie of Chicken Blog being the first to comment on my little blog. I was so excited...thanks for helping me feel welcome in blog land!

I cannot wait to see all the new projects you have planned for your home... Oh, and by the way happy house cleaning to you! LOL.

Have a lovely Day...

Beverly

[~vicki]

welcome home! xox

[Francine]

Hi! So, are you looking forward to the new school year yet? What is your favorite back-to-school tradition?

[Jennifer]

Hi there~
So glad you are back. I just love all your vacation pictures... That farm is dreamy.
I guess my question is what is your favorite craft?
Jennifer

[Tea]

Here is my question (actually posing as 3 or 4 questions with the same root intent), and one I wonder about everyime I stop by your beautiful blog - has it always come this easy to you? Have you had to work hard to cultivate the beauty and order in your life or does it just come naturally? When you had littler kids, was it this same way, or did you find yourself with less time than energy like I do every day?

My family is a bit younger than yours, and I am so inspired by your heart as a mom, and the encouragement for my own family as they grow.

[1snowflake]

Hello just want to join with all the others in welcoming you back from your hols looks like you all had a lovely time.I love reading your blog it is warm and amusing and calming and gives me the feeling that you realy are talking to me. My question would be.....how do you get focussed?..there are dozens of things I would like to create but I keep flitting between them all and acieving nothing. Wendy x

[1snowflake]

oops I meant ....achieve

[suse]

Oh I did a question and answer session on my own blog some months ago and it was such fun! People asked everything from flippant nonsensical little queries to deep and meaningfuls.

I enjoy your blog - I come here once a week and see what you've been up to, but don't comment often.

My question for you (apart from how are you going to find the time to answer 300 questions), is, if you were holding a dinner party and could invite anybody you liked, from any historical period or fictional character etc, who would you ask?

Best,
Suse.

[Annie]

I enjoy your ramblings and makes me feel quit normal - especially about the clutter/declutter and flower on the kitchen table....What is your favourite biscuit?

[Susie]

Ooo, thanks for the invitation to ask. I greatly admire your decision to home-school your children -- will you tell us a bit more about your decision-making process? What prompted you to home-school? Why was it important for your family? Was it a mutual decision between you and your husband or did one of you have to convince the other? Have you ever considered giving it up? I suppose that's a bunch of questions...sorry about that.

Also, as so many others have said, I love your peaceful little corner of the web -- it's such a nice place to visit -- thanks for that. My personal favorite of your projects (so far) is the pillow embroidered with the retro trailers, with the ball fringe?! Painfully adorable!!

Yours is the second blog I've read today that mentioned a desire to do some fall cleaning. This is usually when I get the bug, too -- happy cleaning!

[linda t]

I have always enjoyed reading your blog.
You always inspire me.
I would love to know what you think of Etsy... because I am planning to get started and would love to hear what you've learned along your journey.
Thanks!

[LeeAnn]

You are always a pleasure to read.

Q: What is your most recent item you started collecting?

Q: Do you have a certain favorite color this fall you like to work with?

[beki]

Toni, I felt the same exact way about my house when I recently returned from a trip. I've been on a mission ever since to reorganize, re-decorate, and de-clutter. It was going well for a while, until I got distracted by cute crafts, darn it!

[Jessica Hood]

hello! beautiful flowers :)

[Alicia A.]

I'm hoping I'm not too late to enter, Toni. :)

[LittleMissMeshell]

I love reading your blog and looking at all your gorgeous photographs! =)