Sunday, December 21, 2014

Immanuel

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

Emmanuel - God with us!   It is my deepest wish that all of you will feel the presence of God not only during this blessed season but the coming New Year.

Hugs
Debbie

P.S.    This is my last post of the year.   Thank You for making my 2014 lovely by all your precious visits.    I will be looking forward to catching up with each one in January.   Merry Christmas and Happy 2015.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

A Week Away!

Yes Christmas is only a week away!    Will I be ready?  At this point it is anyone's guess.    Time will tell.

How about you?   Are you ready?

Don't let me keep you if you are not.   I certainly understand.  

 May everyone stay safe as they finish preparing for the arrival of this special day.

God  Bless!





Sunday, December 14, 2014

Christmas Treasures

This time of the year I love rediscovering Christmas treasures.   They have been  hidden away waiting to reappear. This is their special season.

Some are beloved ornaments hanging on the tree.








Others are decorations sitting in their favorite spot.













Many are beloved gifts from years past.

I am reminded of the giver.   Some are gone now.  Some live far away.

Time and circumstance comes to each of us.  Not all things remain the same.   Even some of these treasures have become cracked and worn.  They just serve as reminders.  What remains is the warm joy of remembering the love and thoughtfulness that was shared.   The true Christmas treasures are always my memories.  

I hope you are enjoying some of those too!

Have a delightful week.

Hugs Debbie  






Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Smile!

This sketch of my soap dispenser made me smile.










Little Chippy stopped to visit.   He always makes me smile.










And lastly Mr. Cardinal wanted  his photo taken and that brought a smile as well.


Hope you are smiling too!    Have a lovely day.


Hugs Debbie

Sunday, December 7, 2014

"It's a Wonderful Life"

It is that time of the year when hubby and I visit Bedford Falls and check in on George and Mary.

It just would not be the Christmas season without viewing "It's a Wonderful Life."

This moon reminded me of the scene where George tells Mary he will lasso the moon for her.
There are many precious moments in the movie. This particular one is a favorite of mine.




Naturally what makes this 1946 motion picture so appealing is that in the end good triumphs over evil.   Of course my eyes are not dry when everyone comes to rescue George from his trouble.    There is such a great feeling in knowing that love of family, friends and neighbors does make one the richest person in town.

If for some reason someone reading this post has never seen this movie I hope you will put in on your list of must sees!   For certain you will not be disappointed.

   Have a blessed week!


Hugs 
Debbie

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Quick Sketches

Mixed Media
Just sharing a couple of  quick sketches tonight.  With Christmas only twenty-one days away sketching may be all I will manage until after the holiday season.

This furry friend of mine has been my latest muse.  Have done several drawings as well as a watercolor painting of him.   Used graphite and watercolor pencil on a Studio 71 sketch pad. Very little water was used so the paper wouldn't buckle.    





5" x 7"
 
A photo of a single daisy blooming among some larkspur inspired this small watercolor sketch.  It was painted on a Strathmore Ready Cut Watercolor Sheet - hot press.     These come in packages of 25.   Very nice size for outdoor work or to take along when one is traveling.


Well hope everyone is having a lovely week.
I am so glad you stopped by to visit.

God Bless!
Debbie


Sunday, November 30, 2014

"Ah Moments!"

If you are like me this time of the year finds one searching for some "Ah Moments!"

Yesterday I found a few.










Hubby and I along with my brother and sister- in- law traveled to Cambridge Ohio to Dickens Victorian Village.

There are 92 displays of Dickens characters that line the main street of this small tourist spot.

In the center of  town a lovely courthouse stands.   For the coming holiday season the villagers had decorated it with dancing lights and choreographed it with Christmas music.   Amazing site to see.








  They begin this show at 5:30 pm and it goes until 10:00 pm every evening from November 1st until Jan 3rd.









A great deal of work goes into each of the mannequins.  All this is done by a group of creative volunteers.   There are a few who will do repairs that might occur from any weather damage...others create the faces, sew the costumes, etc.  It is an all year long project.   Each figure takes about 40 hours to complete.   Quite an awesome task.


Horse drawn carriage rides are available as well as trolley tours and self guided ones. A few quaint shops are open that boast  unique gift ideas for someone's Christmas list.  Several good eating spots are located along the main street.

It is certainly a lovely place to visit and find an "Ah Moment!"

Speaking of Ah Moments...think I may have just spotted another one.    A cup of tea and a good book . Yes that sounds like a great one too.


Hope all of you will find a couple of "Ah Moments" during this busy season of the year.  


God Bless!




Sunday, November 23, 2014

Thanksgiving

Pumpkin Roll
Wishing everyone who will be celebrating Thursday a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Preparations are underway at my home.













The turkey is thawing in the refrigerator.















Favorite recipes are gathered and the menu is planned.   Now all that remains to be done is the cooking and setting of the table.    No perhaps there is something more...remembering all the reasons one has to give thanks.   My list is long - how about yours?

     "Come let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.   Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song."   Psalm 95:1-2 (NIV)      


Have a blessed Thanksgiving and a great end to November.    Hope to see you in December!  

Hugs Debbie

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Winter Came

Yes winter came early.














It arrived Sunday night bringing a beautiful  wet snow and falling temperatures.












Each branch seemed like it had been coated with white icing.












For the past two days it has been frightfully cold but today the sun peaked out briefly.  












I even spotted some left over autumn.   Lets hope a reprieve is on its way!

Warmer days would be nice.   The calendar says winter is not to arrive until Dec. 21st.    Maybe there was a mistake!  Perhaps it will get fixed soon!

For those who are encountering winter early - stay warm!

Hugs Debbie

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Keeping a Thank You List

  I have been keeping a Thank you list.  It seems appropriate since Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

Writing down  things to be thankful for each day keeps me focused on blessings that I might miss.  Here are a few of mine today.


Being able to create...






  Having plenty to eat...













Finding beauty in something growing...













 and watching the sun set on another day.


Maybe you are keeping a list too.   Hope you will share.

"I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High."    Psalm 7:17 (NIV)

Hugs Debbie










Wednesday, November 12, 2014

A Brief Visit

Indian Summer paid us a brief visit.   It arrived quietly Monday and left late Tuesday.













The time was short but dear.   Abundant sunshine, a clear blue sky, and warm temperatures made this fleeting interlude quite wonderful.











Farmers busily harvested their corn and soybean crops.   Everyone knew this perfect weather would not last.



.




 

  Sarge and Shelby joined me in the garden.   It was a lovely day to be outdoors.













Even though the visit was brief I am so happy this season stopped by.










(WIP - Summer's Delights)



Glad you did too!    Have a blessed evening.

Hugs Debbie

Sunday, November 9, 2014

A Promise

"As long as the earth endures,
seed time and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
day and night
will never cease."

Genesis 8:22

Thank you for taking time to visit.  May everyone have a blessed week.


Hugs Debbie

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Wonder

I wonder if these two know...

















maybe the dandelion











 or the mushroom have a clue.





Perhaps they do.






For certain this woolly worm knows that soon there will be snow.  He has dawned his winter coat.


Think I better too.


Hope all of you have a grand end to your week.

God bless!

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Notations


With the calendar turning to November I am making some notations.


The landscape has changed but there are still blue skies with soft puffy clouds...




A turkey vulture flying high...













ground cherries waiting to be picked












pink cosmos blooming in spite of the chilly air...














(WIP- My Furry Friend)

and  painting some of autumn's collection.

Are you making any notations?   If you are -hope you will share.  

Have a blessed week!

Hugs Debbie

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

October's Finish


The ground is covered with October's finish.   Most of the leaves have fallen.   Bare limbs and branches have shed their cloaks of color.

They will remain naked waiting for spring's return.    There is a definite chill in the air.

The sun is setting much earlier now.

Seasons come and go.   Each one brings its own special gifts.



Time to cozy up with a crunchy apple, a great novel, and a warm  quilt.    Soon the smell of a wood fire will fill the house with a lovely scent.

Hot Cider bubbling on the stove with a cinnamon stick  invites one to slow down and savor this quieter time of the year.


Before we know it Thanksgiving will be here.  



 

 
 In the meantime I am wishing everyone a delightful October finish.    God Bless!

Sow

 It is the time of the year when I begin to sow seeds for the coming season.  Discovered a different method on You Tube...they call it "...