A Pretty Pumpkin, A Hint of Fall!

This is one of the gifts I "Prettied up" for my friend Davina's Birthday. Michael's had some gorgeous gold pumpkins, and I thought "Oh! They would be so cute with some ribbon bows and things added!" And then I thought "Hmmm.... I'm giving my friend some other things, but I just love giving something I've "fixed" or made myself, from my heart..." So of course I had to do one for her birthday. She can save it for Fall and use it then.

It was such fun, I may have to do another for someone else! I love doing things to make people smile!

I hope your week is wonderful, and full of joy!

Yet Another "Fancy" Gift Bag

This week I enjoyed "Fancy -ing" up a plain, white paper gift Bag from Michael's. I made a big 'ol lime and hot pink Bow, and pinned on a lime fabric flower, and then cut out THE fanciest lady of all : Marie Antoinette, and glued her on the white bag for a bit of color. She came from the D C W V Mademoiselle Scrapbooking stack. I just LOVE this stack, as it is full of glitter and fancy costumed ladies from "Queen Marie's" time period. Don't you just love her dress????? I must say, though, that the hair do is awfully tall! But, she wouldn't be Marie Antoinette without it, now would she?? **Smiles**

I hope my friend Davina likes the Bag, and more importantly, enjoys the goodies inside. I will be sharing one of those with you all, later! But for now, it's a secret! (Aren't Birthdays fun?)

Handpainted Christmas Cards

(This is the first one I have completed, it is really sparkely, though you can't tell from this pic! ;0) I just LOVE Sparkle!)

I'm ignoring the hot weather and crafting hand - painted cards for Christmas, embellished with glitter. I've had lots of fun doing this; crafting is always so relaxing! I've got a lot more ideas, and have already sketched them in. I just hope they turn out well!

I have several projects that need doing, and will hopefully have more pictures to share over the next few weeks. One of the projects is decorating up a plain beige lamp shade. I've done a lamp shade before and thought it turned out cute. So I hope this one does, too.
What have you all been up to this week? Whatever it is, I hope you enjoyed it!

Have a happy weekend!

Jenni

Good Old Summer Time...

Doesn't this glass of Iced Tea look refreshing?? Iced tea is my absolute favorite drink, and I really crave it during these hot Summer days. The good news is that we have been getting some rain over the past few days! Praise the Lord! I have mentioned several times on this blog about Texas being in a terrible season of drought. We have been praying for rain continually, and I am so thankful that those prayers have been answered these past few days. God is so Good! We were so happy to see those rain drops, you would have thought diamonds were falling from the sky, instead of water droplets!! Today, I had that old song: "There shall be Showers of Blessings" on my heart!! I definitely couldn't sing it, as I am still so hoarse from all of that pneumonia..... I sound like a tone - deaf frog with a sore throat, haha! I am really on the mend now, though, Thank the Lord! And I got to go to Church Sunday to both services! And I got to play the keyboard and Worship my Lord! Oh my, it was refreshing and strengthening, and made my heart overflow with joy and gladness! There is no place in the world like the House of the Lord! And when one has been forced to stay home due to illness, one realizes just how precious a priviledge it is to go to Church..........
My sister and I were blessed to Pet Sit for our friends Kathy and Tommy over the weekend, and we enjoyed it so much. My heart is still grieving the loss of my darling Jazz, and so I just hugged up these pets whenever I could, relishing their furry, warm little selves and the unconditional love they lavish on us humans.....
I hope each of you has a wonderful, joy - filled week!
Jenni

A "Squirrely" Snack Bar

We cut up a watermelon a few days ago, and thought we might share it with out bushy - tailed friends. We didn't know if they would like water melon, but decided to put a slice up in the crook of the tree by the bird bath, where they like to hang out. As you can see from this picture, they LOVED it! I caught a picture of this little guy through my zoom lense. At one point he really had his little self in the middle of the slice and was having a grand old time!

We get so much enjoyment from watching the birds and squirrels, and try to have fresh water out for them in the evenings. We have had a woodpecker, several brightly colored cardinals, blue jays, sparrows, and doves, stopping by for a drink over the last couple of days.

There is such joy to be found in taking time to stop and savor the simple things in life! We live in such a fast - paced and hectic world. I always find refreshment in reflecting on God's creation; the marvels of His handiwork can be seen everywhere, if I will but take the time to slow down and look.................

Sunny Watercolor Flowers

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

I am so tired of having to stay inside with this pneumonia! So I thought if I couldn't go out in the sun, I would bring some in to me, with my watercolor paints....

I'm no artist by any stretch of the imagination, and hope to take some art lessons, but I had an enjoyable time, and it took my mind off of those yucky hacks and coughs.... and it made me happy....... Smiles!

I backed the painting with pretty polka- dot paper from K and Co. I thought the sunny yellow and white dots looked cute as a back drop for all those bright colors?? I hope all of you are doing well and staying healthy and strong!

Jenni

Happy Birthday America!

(My Mom and sister got me this pretty, patriotic bouquet yesterday, and it made me smile! The two little mice are made by the Annalee doll co.)

All of this time battling this pneumonia has given me lots of time to think, and I got to pondering the Fourth of July and America, and this is the result:

"Happy Birthday My America" by Jenni, July 2,2011
Happy Birthday my America,

My precious, beloved homeland,

Your flag is still waving in freedom,

Upheld by God's Merciful, Mighty Strong Hand.

Happy Birthday, My America,

Though Scoffers and haters abound,

Though they've tried to ruin and destroy you,

They cannot prevail, or tear you down.

Happy Birthday My America,

You were founded on Freedom, and Reverance, and Love,

And though some try to force God from Your shores,

We still cling fiercely to the Nail - Scarred Hand from Above.

Happy Birthday My America,

Though You have been stomped on, battered, and torn,

Patriots are still dying to preserve Your Freedoms,

Still protecting the land where those Freedoms were born.

Happy Birthday, My America,

May You stay Strong, and Happy, and Free,

We must never forget where you came from,

Or the God that gave Freedom to Thee!

God Bless America! Land that I Love!
I hope each of you has a wonderful July Fourth!