About us – Gracious Rain

February 6, 2025March 12, 2025

A Piece of My Heart Garland

For Daney-boy’s birthday this year, I made him this Valentine’s garland for his mantle.

I know what you’re thinking…

“Why would a big burly dude like Dane want a froofy Valentine heart garland?”

Well, I’ll tell you.

See, this particular big, burly dude happens to lovvvve decorating for the holidays…

any holidays.

In fact, I’m sure, right this minute, he’s trying to figure out what I can crochet for Groundhog’s day or Harry Potter’s birthday or…or…or…

You get the point.

And you know what?

I’d probably do it too.

Because I have a special place in my heart for my sweet kids who all seem to adore making life a little more fun and having something magical to look forward to.

What I really hope is that they come by it…

naturally.

Note: The pattern I used is the Frilly Heart Coaster by Hygge Crochet Co.

January 12, 2022November 8, 2022

My Pretty Puzzles

In that funny space between Christmas and New Year’s–I decided to pour out a pretty little puzzle.

There is something so soothing about turning all the pieces over, then setting them in little piles according to their shape.

Yeah, I’m one of those puzzle people who takes a few hours to organize all the pieces so that the whole experience is…you know…more orderly.

I believe the puzzle ultimately goes together much, much faster this way because it’s not so chaotic.

In fact, this happy little puzzle was probably two thirds finished when one night I woke to the sound of something very much like pebbles pouring onto the floor.

I flipped on the light and saw that old Hobbes had jumped on one end of my puzzle board and tipped it off the side of the little table it was on and just more than half of my sweet puzzle was on the floor in a broken up pile.

*sob*

The next morning, my sweet Rhenny boy helped me put it all back together and we even kept at it till it was finished! Wahoo!!

What shall I do with all this spare time? Laundry? Dishes? Take down the Christmas stuff?

Apparently not.

Heh, heh.

September 20, 2016November 29, 2022

End of Summer Bake Sale

Little Miss Chomp wanted to hold an end of Summer Bake Sale. Well, in truth, she would have preferred it to be a BEGINNING of Summer Bake Sale, but it was put off–as these things often are–until there was simply no summer left.

But she wouldn’t be deterred–the brave soul. She persevered and at last, at last, the day came. Her mom and dad made goodies for her to sell and she even used her sweet little cash register.

It was truly a hit. In fact, after seeing her “haul” I had to wonder if I’m in the wrong business.

Haa.

May 27, 2016June 17, 2016

Grown Up Toys

The kids got out the ancient Marbleworks set the other day. They needed a little help at first because they’d never really seen it before. It’s been stored away with all the other toys that “Mom” can’t seem to part with. Yeah, I know. I have a problem letting go.

The kids played with the set for about an hour–a very noisy hour of marbles clanking and crashing and spilling and shooting all over the room–and kid laughing. Lots and lots of kids laughing. That was the best part.

Of course, after a while, the big guys had to get involved to show them how it really works. Almost as much noise from the marbles, but not quite so much laughing. What can you expect? This is serious business.

Apparently.