Sunday, December 16, 2018

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year


Once again it is time to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Your visits throughout the year have meant so much.  I just want to thank everyone for all the lovely comments as well as encouraging words.    May each of you be blessed with the joy of this special season.

Hope to see you all in the New Year.

Hugs Debbie

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east
came to Jerusalem and asked "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."  (Matt: 2:1-2) NIV

Monday, December 10, 2018

Unexpected


Today I received a lovely unexpected gift in the mail.   My friend Debra Smith at monniebeanfolkart.blogspot.com surprised me with this lovely handmade watercolor journal.

She had wrote a little note that this book was for me to paint in...I will certainly do so.

Debra creates so many wonderful works of art.   Very multi-talented and has been featured in Stampington and  Company's publications.   If you have never visited her at I Paint  I hope you stop over and check out her lovely blog.  She has some gorgeous photos too that you won't want to miss.

Speaking of an Unexpected surprise "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:8-11 (NIV)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day.

Hugs Debbie 

 

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

December


Wishing everyone a lovely start to December and the blessed Christmas season.  Have a wonderful day.

Hugs Debbie

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.   The virgin's name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."  Luke 1:26-28 (NIV)

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

A Trio

Last Friday I had some time to experiment with a trio of colors.   I chose Azo Yellow - Quin. Rose and Cobalt blue.










Just these three tubes of paint produced such a variety of bright hues as well as some lovely neutrals.











As I considered the trio concept it brought to mind how many times the number three shows up in life.  So often we here the quote "A third time is a charm"... or "good things come in threes" or as my beloved Mother- in- Law used to say when two famous people died it would not be long before a third would follow. 

In art we have three primary colors that cannot be mixed to create yellow, red and blue.  Often we are taught the rule of thirds in composition.  Great paintings generally carry the same touches of color in three spots - Papa Bear - Mama Bear and Baby Bear.

I know the Bible certainly holds many examples of a threesome.   Three visitors appeared to Abraham, Jesus prayed three times for the cup of suffering to pass, Paul asked three times to have the thorn in his life be removed.

Perhaps the number three is divine?? 

On that note I will share three things that made me smile today.

Schindler

Red Poinsettias


Chippy Chipmunk eating the bird seed

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts on threes.  May everyone have a lovely day.   See you next week -  God Willing!

Hugs Debbie

Monday, November 19, 2018

Grateful

Today I am grateful for the sparrows that visit...

the thin blanket of snow that covers the woodland floor...


the fragrant aroma of cinnamon and baked apples...

the time to tangle indoors

while outdoors winter comes a little early.

May everyone who is celebrating Thanksgiving this week have a blessed one.  To my all my friends everywhere hope you are finding lovely gifts of gratefulness.   

Hugs Debbie

Monday, November 12, 2018

Brief Visit

Autumn' s visit was brief... two weeks late when it arrived.  Gone before we could catch our breath.

It did not give us the usual vivid colors that we hope to see.  Many of the trees lost their leaves before turning.

(hubby's & my shadows)
 What it lacked in vibrant foliage though was made up by dramatic skies.

There was even a lovely rainbow to remind us that some things do remain the same.

Hope all of you are having a beautiful week.   Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.   I am mending and even hobbling about! 

God Bless

Debbie 

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Broken

Some promises in this life get broken.  God's love is not one.    He always comes through even when we doubt.  Today I am spending time "looking up".

Please have a wonderful day.  Hope you will " look up" too and catch a glimpse of His love!

Hugs Debbie

P.S. speaking of broken - last week I managed to slip in the mud and break my ankle.   Maybe some of you will "look up" for me too! :) 

Sunday, October 28, 2018

..no words

Sometimes there are no words to express the deep sadness that  one feels for the victims of  vile crimes of hate.  My heart breaks for all those who are suffering not only in Pittsburgh, Pa. tonight but wherever evil exists.

"Looking up" !  Hope you will join me.


Sunday, October 21, 2018

...a lovely day


It is a lovely day when one gets to see





the sun set at the same time













the moon begins to rise.
















Hope everyone had a lovely day.  Have a great week.

Hugs!

Debbie

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Nestling in

Like this dove I am beginning the nestling in process.  We went from 89 degrees on Monday to a high of 52 on Saturday.  It seems as if autumn's cooler temps came suddenly.

 Time to make a savory stew...

Light a candle...

and select something good to read.


May all of you have a blessed week.

Hugs!

Debbie

P.S. Spending time "Looking up" for all those who were caught in the devastation of hurricane Michael.   I am sure there are many joining me .   

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Light

Like this moth I am drawn to light.

Isn't it interesting in the account of creation light was the first thing God created.

"and God said "Let there be light.  God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness."  Gen.1:3 (NIV)






Watercolor sketch
Many artists have commented that it is the light they desire to capture.











Light helps one to see clearly...

provides a healthy sense of well being...

and makes all living things flourish.



In the spiritual realm light is associated with goodness.

"You are the light of the world.   A city on a hill cannot be hidden.   Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven."   Matt. 5:14-16 (NIV)

May all of you enjoy the lovely gift of light this week.

God Bless  

Debbie

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Apple Season

Once again it is apple season in our part of the world.

The varieties are many.

There are some excellent types for sauce and pie.  Others make a great snack.

These pictured are Honey Crisp.  They are delicious - sweetly tart and very crunchy.   Sliced and served with a spoonful of  peanut butter makes them a serious treat!

watercolor sketch
   

 Also they are a fun subject to paint from life.  Not necessarily easy for me but a wonderful challenge.







This month we have been studying the book of Genesis at Church.  Today some one mentioned Eve and the apple.  Unfortunately this is a misconception.  If one cares to to take a moment they would find the Bible says fruit.  That could mean a peach, a pear, a fig or many other types of fruits.  Possibly not even a fruit that we know today.    "When the woman saw that the fruit was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom she took some and ate it.  She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." Gen. 3:6 (NIV)

Isn't it amazing how many of us like myself for years always considered it was an apple Eve ate.  Just goes to show how important it is to check out all the facts :)!

Well hope all of you enjoy a perfect apple this coming week. 

Hugs Debbie 

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Autumn


The first full day of autumn came our way today.   The weather has cooled down a bit but the landscape still is holding on to summer.


Even the grass continues to grow.   Generally by this time of the year the mowing has slowed down but not this season. 













 So the calendar may say it is autumn but we are still enjoying summer a few more days.

Hope everyone has a beautiful week.

Hugs Debbie

Friday, September 14, 2018

Storms

In this life we all face storms.  Some are more difficult than others.   Like many of you I have had my share.

What has always carried me through is knowing that God is not absent when the winds begin to howl and fear grips the heart.  "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5b (NIV)

This week once again we have seen another storm hit our shores in the U.S.   Florence is at the time of this writing bringing devastation to the Carolinas. 

There are several friends I blog with that live in the path of this hurricane.  Some of you reading this also have family and friends living along the coast that are in danger of losing their lives and homes.
Please take a moment with me to "Look Up" and pray for their safety.

Thank You!

Hugs Debbie


P.S.  I used to play this hymn at my church.   It comes to mind at this time.   Hope you will enjoy it.

Monday, September 10, 2018

Internet Connection

Due to internet connection being down at home was unable to post last evening.

Sending a quick hello from my computer at work.

May everyone have a blessed week.   Hope to be back to posting soon.

Hugs

Debbie

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Saturday

A lovely foggy morning arrived Saturday.













The distant hills were covered in mist.











As the sun rose it cast long shadows.

This big butterfly was just waking up to a new day.  Is he not beautiful?


These morning glories were getting prepared for his visit.








Shelby was more than happy to watch the sun rise. ..

And I was delighted to see this beautiful sky as
Saturday came to a glorious end.

Thank you for stopping to visit.   I hope everyone's Saturday was wonderful.

Hugs Debbie

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Zoomed

Oh my the month of August has zoomed by.   It was a busy time here.

While I was bird watching the garden grew wild and tangled.  It definitely could use a bit of pruning.









Those peaches that I thought would all be gone because  the resident groundhog was stealing them...well he left me plenty...the last of them ended up in these peach crumb muffins.









 The neighbor's generous gift of zucchini made its way into pickles.
Some sketching and plein air painting
was done.
Pastel painting and Watercolor sketch



So much for those "lazy days of summer".  Maybe if I hurry I can find them.












Looks like maybe these two did.

Enjoy what is left of August before it zooms by.   See you in September.

Hugs Debbie

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 "...