Beginnings

 April for me is the month of beginnings.

The cheery daffodils blooming always chase away the gray of winter.  They are just the start of all the pretty flowers that will make lovely bouquets.

The birds have a new song.  In the early mornings their chirps sound so sweet.  

They are an inspiration to this artist's heart. 

Yes the month of April brings great beginnings.

Hope you are enjoying some too.  Thanks for stopping to visit.   Always so glad when you do.

Hugs!

Debbie

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning."  John 1:1 &2 (NIV)  

"New Things"

 Sometimes new things can be scary.  Call it my age or the fear of change that makes the "new" bring angst.  Recently I had to purchase another phone because my old was not keeping a charge.  I felt comfortable with the one I was using.  Certainly didn't want to have to replace it.  In today's world though, we all have to stay connected.  Hmm makes me wonder how twenty five years ago one land line was all that was required for the average family.  Now everyone including the kids need their own personal device. 

Since I'm far from techie the challenge of setting up a new phone made me quite anxious.   Bless the young folks at the public library. 

They helped get it working.  (Let us "oldies" appreciate this new upcoming generation - they just may be our life - line to living in the 21st century!) 

I would much rather walk through these brambles than to figure out how to dump a contact list from one phone to another. 

Keeping to the same thought, have been procrastinating in buying a new computer.  Yesterday with hubby's help made another new plunge.   We are finally getting Windows 11 (been stuck with 7 and have managed to miss all the updated ones in between.)  Here again someone younger is getting us all set up.  He is a tech at the store and his expertise came with the package deal.  Hooray! 

Along with this new computer, high speed internet is being installed in our home this week.  The young man who is doing the job assured us that he will show us how to connect all our technical equipment once he has completed his work.  So thankful for all those younger people who are willing to come along side those of us who at times need "new things". 

Speaking of "new" have discovered a canvas called "Yes" that works with all media including watercolor.  A bit different that painting on paper but am enjoying working on this type of surface.  

Well hope you will share anything new in your lives that may be a bit scary! 

Have a blessed week. 

Hugs Debbie

                                                                                     "See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare, before they spring into being I announce them to you."  Isaiah 42:9 (NIV)   

Capture

 I am doing my best to capture all the spring blooms before they are gone.

With the warmer temperatures in April it seemed to fast forward the daffodils and tulips as well as so many of the early flowers this year.

 The dogwoods generally wait until the end of the month or the first of May before they make their show.  This season though they started blooming two weeks earlier.

Every day I spot the male cardinals.

I know they are very busy with their courting.

I am sure going to miss these sweeties.  It seems like they are only here for such a short time.

Well this is what has been happening at Harmony Hills this week.

Hope when you stop by you will let me know how spring is going in your world or for my friends in the southern hemisphere, autumn.  Both are lovely times of the year.

God Bless and have a great week.

Hugs

Debbie

 P.S. It is to be cold here this week...even hearing a possible snow flake or two!!  That may slow things down a bit.

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields it fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers."  Psalm 1:2-3 (NIV) 

Overwhelmed

How many of you feel a wee bit overwhelmed with the return of nice weather?

Yes, it is wonderful not to have to wear a coat and boots.  Great awaking to the sound of bird song out the window.

Lovely to sip morning coffee enjoying the garden after a long winter nap.

All of these make the season of spring welcome.

However, I find myself running from task to task.  Torn between taking time to capture what is blooming...

to preparing the garden for more blooms.

Then there is the indoor chores that need finished.  Seems like when the sun starts shining and the days grow longer one seems to see how much dirt clings to nooks and crannies that have gone unnoticed during the colder months.

Ah such is life at this time of the year.  

Perhaps I need to take a lesson from these two...sit a spell and quietly accept that not everything must be done at once.  There is no reason why some things cannot wait.

 Maybe visit the swing...

"Look Up" and enjoy God's Amazing Sunrise.

Guess I found the cure for being overwhelmed.

How about you?  Do you have a cure too?  Hope you will share. 

Have a blessed week!

Hugs

Debbie

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. he restores my soul." Psalm 23:2 (NIV)

Eleven Years

It was eleven years ago on a Sunday, February 12, 2012 that this blog began.

I can remember being a bit apprehensive hitting that publish button for the first time. 

Bet lots of you felt that way too when you wrote your first post.

There is something exciting as well as scary putting yourself out there for strangers to read your thoughts and make comments.

What is wonderful though, is those strangers become your friends.

       

They share their lives...their creative ideas...

their hopes and dreams.  They visit you and fill your life with encouragement.

Reflecting back over the past eleven years I can say my life is so much richer for having pushed that first publish button.  If I had not, I would not have all of you for friends and that would make me poor indeed.

Kelsey  at almost 9 months

 Thank you for your faithful visits and taking time to share your journey in this life with me.

God Bless

Debbie

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  John 15:13 (NIV)

Grace Notes

To those who read music or study a musical instrument you most likely have encountered grace notes.  They are embellishments added to the composition introduced by the composer or performer. 

I like to think of them as the extra trill in a song...not necessary but something special added to a piece.

In other creative pursuits they may be the icing and streusel on an ordinary muffin.

or a soft patch of bright in an otherwise gray sketch.

Sometimes they appear on an early morning walk

Super Moon

Pink Sunrise

or a cute face at the bird feeder!

Wherever and however - they are the extra joys added to our lives...unmerited, undeserved but sent to us from the "Creator".

Praying all of you will find some "grace notes" along the way this week.

Hugs

Debbie

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."  Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

Time Off

Taking a bit of time off...the garden beckons.   Everyone have a happy July.

Hugs Debbie

"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God  has made the one as well as the other.  Therefore a man cannot discover anything about his future."  Eccl. 7:14

Love

How many of you remember that old song from 1965 "What the World Needs Now Is Love"?

If you do you may be around my vintage!
With Valentine's Day having just past it made me start thinking about certain aspects of love.

Why is reds and pinks associated with this word?  Why do we often think that love is a noun when it is a verb?  Why don't we recognize sooner that love is more than a feeling...it is a way of life?

Genuine love is not always easy...it takes commitment...it can be messy.   Is it worth it?   I believe so.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails."  1 Cor. 13:4-8.  (NIV)

Perhaps nothing much has changed since those words were penned by the apostle Paul.  The world needed love then and it still needs it today.

Thank you all for letting me share my thoughts on love.   Maybe you will share yours as well.

Love Debbie    

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

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 

April is here!

Page from Sketchbook

Yes friends April is here!

It brought us a special gift the day after Easter.

We awoke to a lovely snowfall.

Every shrub and limb was covered.

By noon it was beginning to melt and at
4:00 P.M.  it was gone.  It was as if
it had never happened.

So yes April has arrived - she may be teasing us but she is here!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week.   BTW - this post is early - we are celebrating my Mom's birthday tomorrow.  She will be 80.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."  Prov. 31:30-31 (NIV)

Love Letters

God writes us daily love letters.  They may be written on the morning mist...

in the crinkled lines of a bloom...

 from a hilltop view...

or in the smiles of a friend or two.

Sometimes they can be hiding.  We may need
to take a closer look.

Would it not be sad if His love letters went unread?

Hope you are reading yours today.

Have a wonderful week.

God Bless

Debbie