Fun With Watercolors

(Now on the screen I see the smudges clearer than ever.... but aren't those candy - colors happy?)

Oh I want to learn to paint so badly! I have for years and the desire to learn is just getting stronger..... I was talking to a treasured friend and former student, Emily, last night, and expressed that one of my New Year's Goals was to learn to paint. I told her that I had been trying out watercoloring, and she urged me to post some of what I had been doing on the blog. So Emily, chickadee, here it is, just for you! **Smiles** (and here's a hug for being sweet and encouraging my efforts to learn)

I have been having such fun "playing" with the watercolors! Oh my! It is very relaxing, too..... For many years I have been able to take a pencil and draw most of what I see, and I find my eyes so many times searching out the lines and curves and angles of things, admiring them this way and that, trying to "See" how to capture it on paper, but I do not have the knowledge or skill to translate the drawing to painting.

Alas! I have NO ART training at all.... not even the minimal amount one gains from public school, for I was so ill for much of my young life that I had teachers and tutors and did school at home. But I have always had the desire and hunger to learn.....

And so I have talked to my best friend, my dear Jesus, about it all.....(isn't it wonderful to be able to share everything on our hearts with Him?? Even the things that others would consider silly! And to know that He not only listens, but understands and cares....that's the kind of God He is......)

Hmmm..... so I've been thinking..... perhaps I can take a Summer painting course at the local College! Now that is something to look forward to! Until then, I'll continue to have fun drawing, doodling and "playing with watercolors"..... it's joyful fun!

Sweet Miss Khyri

Another vacation photo! This particular picture is from my 2008 visit to Chicago. I was blessed to spend a week with my dear friend Heidi and her daughter Khyrsten. Her husband Tracy and son Caleb, had gone to an Air show in Wisconsin, (Caleb is a flyboy, and loves taking pilot's lessons, and dreams of someday flying his own plane) so we girls had some wonderful "girlie time!"

We went to a tea room where we had a scrumptious lunch, shopping in some of Chicago's many stores, went to a historical re - enactment settlement, and had tea at the large American Girls store, as well as seeing the drama there. Can you tell I had fun?

Somewhere along the way, "Aunt Jen" made Khyri a fancy tea hat. (You can tell I decorated it, because there is a long string of hot glue dangling from the side) LOL!

I just love this picture of pretty Khyri, posing in her hat with her new build - a - bear elephant friend. Isn't she cute?

"There is a River"

(Click on photo for a closer look, if you'd like)

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have recently been going through some various vacation pictures. As I was looking, I came across this photo I took of rushing water near where we had our 2009 Oklahoma family reunion. When I saw this picture, an old song came to my mind, and I thought I would share the lyrics with all of you...... it sets to music John Chapter 4 in the Holy Bible, where Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. How beautiful is the Love of God! He does not want anyone to be lost without Him........

"There is a River" words and music by Max and David Sapp

There is a river, that flows from deep within,

There is a fountain, that frees the soul from sin.

Come to these waters, there is a vast supply

There is a river, that never shall run dry.

There was a thirsty woman, Who was drawing from a well

You see her life was ruined and wasted, and her soul was bound for hell.

Oh but then she met the Master, and He told about her sin

And He said if you drink this water, you will never thirst again.

There is a river, that flows from deep within,

There is a fountain, that frees the soul from sin

Come to these waters, there is a vast supply

There is a river, that never shall run dry

Fruit and Goodie Baskets

(Click on photo if you'd like a closer look)

I just finished assembling and shrink - wrapping some fruit and goodie baskets for the special speakers ministering at our Church this weekend. I am so thankful my sweet Mom was able to help me with all that wrap...... **Smiles** I am also glad she and my sister accompanied me to Hobby - Lobby tonight to look for the perfect little cream - colored name cards and gold ink and Fleur - de - Lis stamp to personalize each basket....

Our Church is celebrating (and I do mean celebrating, as in rejoicing) in our Pastor's Forty - year Anniversery at our Church.

I must say my Pastor is the best! I love him and his dear wife so much, more every day, it seems. There are no words to express how much they mean to this girl.....

They are true Christians, and total gifts from God to me, my family, and our entire Church family and community! They have given of themselves so sacrificially time and time again, and I just know their rewards in heaven will be great......

One of the Ladies........

I was going through some vacation pictures, and came across some photos I had taken before Hurricane Ike unfortunately visited Texas. Not being able to take all of my beautiful porcelain doll collection with me when we left town was really bugging me, so I made sure to take pictures of my favorites, just in case.....

Thank the Good Lord our house was not hit badly, although a couple of streets over was nearly destroyed by a tornado, and a couple of blocks over from that was ruined by the high storm surge coming up the bay.

Anyway, I thought I would share this photo of one of my dolls made by the Seymour Mann doll company. The doll artist was Gwen McNeil, I believe.

Isn't she pretty?

The "other" Jazz and Me....

Came across this recent photo of me helping my sister petsit for our friends Kathy and Tommy. Their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is also named "Jazz". Isn't he cute? Wherever you are sitting, he always wants to come be by you and gets and gives plenty of "sugar" ...
When my sister and I kneel in their living room every night to have prayer together, Jazz and the kitties gather in close..... they are soooo sweet!

I Know the Healer.....

The Bible speaks of David, who became King of Israel and Judah (and who was a man after God's own heart) encouraging himself in the Lord. When times got tough and he got discouraged, I can just imagine him reminding himself of all the times God had answered his prayers, and given him victory over the many enemies he faced.

I am battling an enemy right now..... for the last couple of years I have had repeated infections in my sinuses and lungs... now, I was adopted at birth, but I do know that my birth mother smoked. I don't know if that was the reason I was gifted with bad athsma as a child or not. As I child, I was in and out of the hospital with my lungs on a regular bases, but I remember some mighty healings from my Lord.

I know the Healer. All He has to do is speak the word and all sickness must flee!! It cannot stay in my body if HE tells it to "Go!"

In the New Testament, in John Chapter 11, Lazarus DIED, and was buried and in the grave when the Master came to visit. All He had to say, this God of all Creation, this Mighty Healer, was: "Lazarus, come forth" and the dead man came from that tomb bound in his grave clothes, alive and breathing at his God's command! Now I have heard my Pastor say that Jesus had to specify Lazarus' name when He said : "Come forth" or all the dead would have "Come forth"! That's the kind of Power my Jesus has!
I am "encouraging myself in the Lord"! He has healed me too many times for me to doubt Him now! He healed my sister of a blastoma tumor behind one of her eyes when she was a little baby.... it was so large her eye would not shut at all at night when she tried to sleep, it bulged open..... When Jesus healed her, though, He did a thorough job and she had perfect vision in both eyes all of her life until recently when she needed some reading glasses.....
I will NOT be discouraged! I will not give up in dispair at my sickness!
Because, you see, I know the Healer!
Praise His Holy Name!

For a Precious Baby Girl...

(click on pic for a closer look, if you'd like)

Since so many of you have expressed that you enjoy seeing the bows that I make for packages, etc...I thought I would share this photo (complete with ribbon, feathers, and a flower) with you all. It was for the baby shower gift of a dear friend that is like a much - loved sister to me and my "sister" sister. **Smiles** I have known her and her family for most of my life, and have been thrilled about her little one on the way. I just can't wait to get to see her sweet little face! Aren't babies wonderful gifts from God? Having no children myself, I am beyond excited when I find out that one of my friends is expecting! What a miracle! God is so Good.... He does give the best gifts.....

The presentation is part of the fun......

(Click on photo for a closer look, if you'd like)

I enjoy giving gifts to my friends! And, to me, making elaborate bows and adding a charm or an ornament, is part of the fun! I am currently in the midst of crafting and making several different things right now, and so I thought today that I would share a package that I had decorated for a dear friend a while back. I found the darling Rooster bag, and red and black ribbon at Hobby Lobby. I looked through all of their beautiful Christmas Ornaments, too, and found the shiny black Fleur - de - lis. It was perfect!
I have used Christmas ornaments to decorate bags and packages many times, and not just for Christmas, either. To me, they often add just the right touch to "finish off" the gift. Believe me, the presentation of a gift is part of the fun!
Thanks for letting me share something that I enjoy with you all! I hope each of you has a wonderful day, rich with joy, love, and happiness......... and that, above all else, You Remember that there is Someone who loves you so much, He died on a Cross at Calvary for your sins and mine......And HE was (and is) the GREATEST Gift of all.......

Spring in my Heart....

(Click on photo for a closer look, if you'd like)

It's a sunny 66 degrees here today in our part of Texas, and it feels like Spring. I know it will get colder again, but for right now, I am thinking of what kind of flowers I can plant and pot in a few months to brighten our patio and porch.

I was looking through some photos from last year, and came across this picture of the Azalea in our front yard. Isn't it pretty? As I look at it, I am reminded yet again of what an artist God, the Master Creator is! And to think He has given us so many beautiful things here on earth to enjoy.

It's only January, but it is Springtime in my heart today..... God is Real, and He loves us..... that is enough to turn even a dreary day Bright with promise.... Because He has given His children a promise.... The promise that He will never leave us or forsake us....

Praise His Name!

"Farm Fresh"

(For a Closer look at this "Farm Fresh" arrangement, click on the photo)

Well, it's a new year, and I wanted a new look for the top of my beloved antique piano (which I treat much as one would a fireplace mantle.) Since I enjoy reading my sweet blogging friend Sue's Pear Tree Lane Farmhouse blog, and have fun looking at the pictures she has taken from various spots around their farm....... I thought, why not do a country look for the next several winter months? I found the perfect tin milk pitcher at Hobby Lobby, (They have it in black and beige, also), and I found the winter greenery with berries also at Hobby Lobby, for 50% off. Woohoo!

The two cute Willow Tree figurines flanking the arrangement are gifts from a dear neighbor, and I treasure them, because she gave them to me, (she also gave some to my sister, who lives across the street). Cissy is the best kind of neighbor to have, kind, caring, and so sweet and helpful to let our labrador retriever out when we have to be gone..... she and her husband gifted us with the most gorgeous poinsettia plant at the first of December, and it is still brightening up our porch.

So far, the new year is off to a great start, and I am trusting the Lord to take care of the rest... I know I am safe in His Hands... there is no doubt about it.....