I made each of my girls a little pebble pendant for Christmas. The stones I painted on were about the size of a nickel. I collected these perfect pebbles this past summer when we would boat on
Flathead Lake out to
Wild Horse Island. As the name suggests, the island has wild horses. Seven of them, to be exact. I've only seen them once. But when I did, I was so excited I nearly
peed my pants lost my senses. I am off topic, but it seemed important to tell you about the wild horses. Back to the pebble pendants...
I looked with purpose for the little stones each time we visited the island. I was particular in my choices. I wanted them to be just the right shape and color with a flat surface for paint, not too big but not too small. When I found a most excellent pebble specimen, I tucked it in my pocket for
elfing at a later date. It was fun to pull the stones out of their hiding spot and paint on them long after
summer days on the lake were just a memory. The necklaces hold extra meaning for my girls since the lake is quite possibly our favorite-ist place in the whole wide world. I grew up in a house on the shores of Flathead. Both sets of the girls' grandparents still reside close to the lake. My children have spent countless hours playing in her waves, sleeping in a tent by her edge with sisters and cousins, jumping into her frigid goodness as soon as they could bear it, and basking in the sun that sparkles like diamonds off her surface. It is a magical spot. Someday I hope to live on her shores again. For now the girls have a piece of the lake to remind them of her goodness and all the good things this life holds.
Edited to add: Yes. There is one pebble pendant missing. My college daughter took hers with her when she went back to school. She must like it. :-)