Preparing for Change

I have been spending time preparing for  change.

The photo here was taken this afternoon - sunny with temperatures being near 60.

  

Tonight wind, rain and snow are to arrive.

It is time to cozy up indoors and do some sketching...

catch up on reading...

and some painting.

What are some of your preparations for the winter season  (or for my friends in the southern hemisphere...summer)?

Hope you will share.

Hugs!

"...be prepared in season and out of season. " 2 Tim. 4:2b (NIV)  

Simple

Sometimes simple can be so good. 

This afternoon I made Yummy Pecan Chews.   They are put together with the simplest of ingredients.  Nothing extraordinary and easily assembled.  A hint of cinnamon is what gives them a special touch.

I am in the mode of working small and simple in the studio too.  Having fun with some new color combos and keeping things uncomplicated.    

On the other extreme though, this pile of books from the library does not appear to be the same .  Oh well, we all have to go overboard somewhere!

At least this post has been simple.

Have a lovely end to January. 

Hugs

Debbie

"You who are simple, gain prudence;"  Prov. 8:5a (NIV)

Plans

 Like many of you with the start of a new year I have been making plans.  For myself it seems to work best writing down what is a priority for the coming months.

Sketching and painting is close to the top of the list.

Hoping to get a few paintings finished and ready to frame.  Also considering rejoining the art center that is located in our area.  At one time belonged and participated with other local artists.  Due to family illness and needing to spend time with loved ones it was necessary to step away.  Now there is an empty space.  Thinking becoming involved again might be nice.  (Will keep you posted on that plan).   

Of course each year I make a commitment to read at least twenty four new books.   By the looks of  this stack - am on my way to meeting that goal.

 Naturally hubby and I are planning together to spend lots of time with Kelsey.  She is our faithful companion.   In the spring we hope to find her a new playmate.  Stay tune for updates.  

Well there are other plans on the horizon...like traveling, trying a new way to grow a vegetable patch and of course a few home fix ups.  At this time though my biggest goal is to finish off these last Christmas cookies.  

Am looking forward to reading all of your plans for 2024.

Thank you for stopping by to visit.

Hugs

Debbie

"But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands."  Isaiah 32:8 (NIV)

Believe

Photo taken by Hubby

 It is hard to believe that it is already the middle of October.  Our autumn colors have peaked.  They were very lovely this year.    The past couple of days have been wet and quite cold.   Mornings have been in the mid 30's and the daytime high's in the 40's.  Not ready for these cooler temperatures.   

Been gathering in the last of the harvest.

There was a bountiful supply of green tomatoes remaining.  Did not want them to go to waste.  Decided to try a new recipe...Green Tomato Relish.   When winter flies in the door it will be nice to open "a jar of summertime ".

Also been doing some sketching trying to capture some of the special gifts that October brings.

Well dear friends have a great end to your week. 

Would love to know what is happening in your part of the world.

Hugs

Debbie

"I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life."  John 6:47 (NIV)

Time to Unveil

 Once again it is time to unveil my perfect word for the coming year.

So grab a cup of something hot and come sit a spell while I share 2022's word.

As always towards the end of November or December a certain word keeps coming to me.  It never appears as intrusive or even something I think on...it is just there.

Several weeks ago a friend of mine was sharing a thought about the letters being the same in two particular words.  It made me stop and pause.  Just the past week I had encountered the one word in several different books and passages.

The two she was speaking of were "Listen" and "Silent".  What an intriguing thought.  When one becomes silent then one will listen.

 

So there it is friends - "Listen" is my new word for 2022.  

If you have a perfect word or two, please share.

Have a blessed week.

Hugs

Debbie

P.S. Next week will give you an update on my reading list.  Priscilla Shirer's book is excellent thus far.

Believe it or not the first chapter is about listening.  What are the chances??

"...take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."  James 1:19 b (NIV)

Cozy Things To Welcome Autumn

With Fall's arrival this past week I found myself doing cozy things.

The last gladiolas of summer begged to be picked.

The cooler days made us hungry for cornbread baked in an iron skillet. (Somehow it tastes better done this way.)

Spent more time in the studio because the evenings are arriving earlier.  

Afternoon walks provided lots of treasures to gather.

These will be fun to sketch.

The wildflowers this time of the year are lovely to cut and dry.  They make delightful arrangements to hang or display in baskets.  

Lastly a pleasant book to read before bedtime makes a good ending to a day.

These were some of the cozy things I did to welcome autumn.

Maybe you will share yours too.

Take care and have a blessed week.

Hugs

Debbie

"...the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."  Matt:14:52 b (NIV)

 

Bidding Farewell

October is bidding us farewell.

It was a glorious month here.

  Color was everywhere.

There were many days when dark blue skies served a beautiful backdrop for the colorful hillsides.

So much inspiration everywhere.

Quick watercolor sketches

Trying to capture the beauty of this month is beyond my skill. 

Did a couple of quick watercolor sketches...

Pastel Painting

and a small pastel painting.   With so many lovely hues it is easy to become overwhelmed. 

Time to say farewell for now.   

Hope everyone has a lovely end to October.  

Hugs

Debbie

  "That fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley, will be like a fig ripe before harvest - as soon as someone sees it and takes it in his hand, he swallows it."  Isaiah 28:4 (NIV) 

The Last of November

It is the last of November friends.   Most of the leaves have fallen...harvest season is at an end ... deer hunting has begun.

Soon it will be time to prepare for Christmas and a New Year.   Seems like life happens way too fast.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could slow down and make the moments last?


I have just started reading a book "One Month to Live" by Kerry and Chris Shook.

It is based on the thought that if you only had one month to live what meaningful thing would you do each day.   I think it will be a perfect read for this time of the year.  Sometimes we get so caught up in the craziness of the holidays that we lose touch with why we are here and what is of importance.

Tomorrow another birthday will arrive.  It sets one to do some pondering.  While life has many ups and downs it seems vital to hold onto what matters.  In the big scheme of things as brother James penned in the scriptures ..."what is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."  James 4:14b   Upon that thought hoping everyone finds time to do what is meaningful this coming week. 

Hugs Debbie