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Category: America

customer love – American theme party!

customer love – American theme party!

Sometimes your custom order requests are just the little extra “push” we need to create a new product, and sometimes we end up loving the new thing so much that we carry it full time in our shop.

This a story of one of those things. :) We started offering our Hanging Paper Stars {see them here} about 3 years ago, and found that many of you really enjoy using them for your events and in your homes! However, because they are large and a bit fragile, they have been a total bear to ship, and the shipping fees can be a bit high. So, John and I have talked on and off about creating a DIY Kit version of the stars with the idea that you would be able to purchase all of the materials needed, all of them pre-folded so that you would only need to assemble them {meaning, very little skill required!}. But life was busy, the shop was growing quickly, and it was something that kept getting set aside for “when things slow down”. Until – someone in Australia emailed to ask about possibly getting 12-20 of the white stars!

American themed party decor | the Path Less TraveledShe was in charge of her corporate Christmas party, and they wanted to have an American theme to it – and have a bunch of our stars hanging from the ceiling! We knew that shipping that many of the stars to Australia {a location where shipping fees from the US were already high} would cost an enormous amount, and realized that this was the push we needed to finally get the kits made.

American themed party star garlands and decor | the Path Less TraveledThe gal sent us these photos to share after the event, and it looks like it was a terrific party! She also used our Red, White and Blue Stars Garlands in custom 60 foot lengths to string across the space, bunches of our Red, White and Blue Star Dessert Toppers in little glass vases as centerpieces on the tables and our Star Cupcake Picks in Patriotic Colors to top the desserts – it all came together so well!
Servers in costume at a Vintage America theme party | the Path Less TraveledSo there you have it! An idea that was stuck in the concept phase for far too long was brought to life {and now is a top seller! you can find them here} by a customer’s special request. You guys really are what keep our little shop going, in so many ways!

Do you have photos that you’d like to share? If so, you can either email them to me at elizabeth@pltmarket.com or tag them with #thepathlesstraveledmarket on Instagram – we’d all love to see your ideas! Also, I often send “thank you” coupons to the lovelies who let me share their photos with you – so if you’re looking for a coupon for your next order, sharing photos is a great way to get a discount!

 

<3

Items featured:

Large Folded Hanging Paper Stars

DIY Hanging Origami Star Kits

Red, White and Blue Stars Garlands

Red, White and Blue Large Stars Garlands

Red, White and Blue Star Dessert Toppers

Star Cupcake Picks in Patriotic Colors

{this moment}

{this moment}

(meant to post this last week, but life moves on …)

inspired by SouleMama:

“{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.”
yesterday evening

yesterday evening

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”

-Laura Ingalls Wilder


Yesterday evening was a quiet time, just the four of us enjoying playing and being together. John sent me outside to take a walk after Emma was down. He stayed with Ian, and I took a stack of letters to the mail box.
It was a bit sticky outside (it seems to hardly ever be dry during July/August), but cool enough to be pleasant. And so pretty.
I’m so glad John told me to go out.
There is something about being out of doors that is refreshing for me. And John knows this.

As I walked I decided that when I get old I want to be the old lady on the street who has the garden that is overflowing with a profusion of old-fashioned flowers.
I want to spend my time tending it, being with my family, building into their lives and the lives of the younger women around me. 
I want to wear the slightly funky but ever so lady-like clothes.
I want to have pretty dishes to use everyday, especially when others stop in for coffee and something sweet.
In my old age I want to celebrate and enjoy the simple and sweet things that make up the days.
And if it is going to happen I need to cultivate that contentment and joy now.


pictures from an october walk

pictures from an october walk

:: a little “friend” we found ::

I love fall. I love it almost as much as I love spring.

I love the intensity of color, how inviting it is to take an evening walk, the sound of the leaves as they crunch underfoot. I love the cooler weather, the crispness. I love how the grey days make me want to bake and clean. Or snuggle up with a blanket and a book.

I love fall.

my husband’s day off

my husband’s day off

As of 2:00 pm yesterday, I am officially Elizabeth Ruth Smillie. Mhmm. Not only am I married to John (which I have been for just over a month now!), I also legally share his name (!).
All because we downloaded a form from the Social Security website, found their office, took a number, and waited for close to two hours (and were treated to Access Hollywood and Days of Our Lives). The people watching aspect was quite entertaining. So were the commercials in between the agonizing instalments of “Days”. Did you know that SunnyD has orange-strawberry juice now? Looks yummy. Also, just so you know, good mothers buy their children Juicy Juice boxes. I think I’ll be a good mother, but what if I run out of Juicy Juice? Oh dear.
Then our number was called. “Would number F44 please come to window 4? Number F44 please.”
The actual process only took about 7 minutes.
The man was rather friendly (he even told us where to go to get an Ohio driver’s license!).
And then we left.

We had our dinner in Eden park. It was a gorgeous evening, just the right mixture of warmth and wind. As the sun was setting there was a rainbow in the cloud directly above us. After the sun went down it got a bit chilly, so we enjoyed it for awhile …. then home and early to bed!

2008-05-13 picnic in Eden park
constrained by freedom

constrained by freedom

– rainy night on the road 2008/01/06 –

thoughts from a long drive home

Freedom does not mean that I can do whatever I desire, whenever I desire to do it. Why? Because true freedom does not come cheaply, it is not “free”. It brings with it responsibility as well as debts of gratitude that can never be repaid.
True freedom actually constrains.

Constrained by freedom and the love that bought it at so dear a price.

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ” – Galatians 5:13-14


Who are we that You would be mindful of us
what do You see that’s worth looking our way
we are free in ways that we never should be
sweet release from the grip of these chains
like hinges
straining from the weight
my heart no longer can keep from singing.

all that is within me cries for You alone
be glorified Emmanuel God with us
my heart sings a brand new song
the debt is paid these chains are gone
Emmanuel, God with us.

Lord You know our hearts don’t deserve Your glory
still You show a love we cannot afford
like hinges straining from the weight
my heart no longer can keep from singing.

Such a tiny offering compared to Calvary
nevertheless we lay it at your feet.

-mercy me “God with us”

Jacobsen tradition

Jacobsen tradition

We go to the desert. Every January. Just after New Year. To ride, ride, ride. We drive 11 hours to the Algadones Dunes just north of the Cal-Mex border (quite the car ride). Then we stay and ride for a week or two.
This year, I drove down with Mom and Anna on Saturday, drove back up with Daniel and Anna on Sunday.
I might go back down with them on Friday. We’ll see.
It is a looong ride down. But it just might be worth it.

the Jacobsens – 2008/01/06

we got a CHP escort for part of the drive

Yes, it can be dangerous. So, where’s your gear?

new every morning

new every morning

-California Sunrise-

the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases/ His mercies never come to an end
they are new every morning/ … great is Thy faithfulness O LORD
great is Thy faithfulness

I love living in California. I even love living in the San Joaquin Valley. One thing I love about living in the San Joaquin Valley of California is that we have sunrises that do not merely cause you to catch your breath and worship, but that take your breath away entirely.
The view this morning was no exception.
Of course, there are days where the mountains seem to be non existent because of the smog, but the sunrise is always stunning.
This morning’s sunrise reminded me that God is good to me, very good. His mercies are always new. He sees my need and begins to meet it before I am even aware that it exists.
He is good.