Sunday, December 29, 2013

Remnants

The decorations are down and put away.   The gifts are unwrapped.   Those that did not fit have been returned.  

There are only a few remnants of Christmas that remain.

A blue poinsettia...









some leftover cookies....














 and best of all...

 loving memories that will live on until Christmas comes again.



Hope all of you have some remnants to enjoy as well.   God Bless and Have a Very Happy New Year!  

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Noel

"The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter's night that was so deep.    Noel,   Noel,  Noel,
Born is the King of Israel."

Since this is my last post before the 25th I  am wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas.  May it be filled with the love and joy of the season.    God Bless!  

Saturday, December 14, 2013

"LET IT SNOW!"

"Oh the weather outside is frightful...















But the fire is so delightful,













And since we've no place to go,













Let it snow!   Let it snow!   Let it snow!"













 Hope everyone is safe and warm tonight.

God bless!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Keeping busy

I should be keeping busy with Christmas only fourteen days away.   The shopping is not finished...nor the baking.   Cards still need to be mailed.    Will it get done?   I hope so.   If not Christmas still arrives on the 25th.
 










In the meantime I will make a hot cup of cocoa and take a few minutes to enjoy some lights.   Why don't you join me.




Thanks for stopping by.   I always love it when you visit.  



















  


Sunday, December 8, 2013

Birds of the Air

"Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them."   Matt: 6:26













Junco or Snow Bird
When the snow covers the ground they come...














They know there will be food here...












Tufted Titmouse
 No reason to worry...

          there is plenty for everyone.




Hope you will take a moment to look up and enjoy the birds of the air.   Have a wonderful week!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Season's Greetings

It is the time of the year to start to receive those lovely season's greetings.   Already the mail has brought sweet sentiments.  There is one that has come all the way from England.  What a pleasure it is to open the mail box and find notes from folks near and far.










 Some of the cards will be handmade... others will hold notes and letters...and a few will have photos enclosed.    All our special.
 At this busy time of the year it is nice to know that someone is thinking of you and takes time to tell you so.







Hope everyone will find their mail box filled with Season's Greetings today.  God Bless!

Sunday, December 1, 2013

December

Welcome December!  You bring such lovely gifts.    Decorations...songs of joy...














snow covered hills...













and best of all the Christmas story ... the good news...."Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."   Luke 1: 11 (NIV)



May all of you enjoy this beautiful month!   God Bless!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Giving Thanks

Today I am giving thanks for this lovely snow...















It painted each branch with white...













Nothing was left uncovered...














everything here received this gorgeous gift.


Happy Thanksgiving for all who are celebrating tomorrow.  To everyone God Bless!

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Blessings

Today I found some lovely blessings.

                     A skiff of snow
                              under a blue sky...














 

A couple of friends waiting to play...











 and time to look up!


Hope you found wonderful blessings too!   Have a great week.








Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Favorite Pen

One of my favorite pens that I use when I do sketches is the Micron.   Many artists successfully use technical pens but I have found them to be a challenge.  They seem to clog easy and it is important to clean them after each use.   With the Microns they come in several nib sizes in Black or Sepia ink.  Very versatile for sketching anywhere.   The smallest nib .005 will give a very delicate touch and .08 will render a heavier line for a bolder look.  

In the evenings I enjoy sitting down with a small sketch book and just doodling with whatever catches my fancy.   Sometimes I draw from my imagination, other times from a photo.   Most always though I use one of these pens to work out ideas or to write a few notes on a page.

Hope you will share your favorite sketching tool.  


Have a blessed day!  

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Preparing for Winter

Look who was uncovered yesterday while preparing for winter.    She was cozily building a lovely nest beneath my overturned wheelbarrow.

Naturally I gently restored her to her warm nesting place.  The wheelbarrow can  
provide this sweet one with shelter when winter makes it's visit.   For certain I will sleep better knowing she is protected from the cold.

Besides who can resist something this sweet!




Doing just a few final fall sketches in my journal.   This weekend put most of the remaining leaves down.  Perhaps now we can finish up raking what has held on til the end of the season.


Praying everyone keeps safe as tornadoes and high winds make their way over the mid west today and tonight.   Take care my friends!

God Bless.    

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Pray

Taking some time to pray for all those who are suffering in South East Asia.    Hope you will find a moment and join me.  

Thank you and God Bless!  

  

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Keeping it Simple

Sometimes keeping something simple is the best way.

Baked apples are a delicious dessert that can be prepared and enjoyed in less than an hour.

The ingredients are easily found.

Four apples (I used Ida Reds)...peeled and cored.   1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 tsp. of cinnamon, 1 tsp. of nutmeg mixed together...1/2 cup of apple juice (cider is much better) heated and four tsp. of butter is all that is needed.

Fill each hole in the apple with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg mixture. Then top with 1 tsp. of butter on each apple and pour the heated cider over the top.   Bake in oven at 400 degrees for 25-35 min.  basting occasionally with the cider mixture.







Served warm with a scoop of a vanilla ice cream makes this a delightful dessert sure to please.












Thank you letting me share this simple dish.    Hope you have a blessed day!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Spring in the Heart

With autumn making its final call...















spring is starting to beckon.

Planting bulbs this past week end had me dreaming of those little jewels that will blossom after winter's demise.

Warm yellows and cool purples make me wistful for those early harbingers that mark the season of renewal.   They bring such cheer.





So as autumn slides into winter I will keep some spring in my heart.   Hope you do too!    Have a wonderful day.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

November's Palette

The colors that make up November's palette may be more subdued than October's.   Not quite as vibrant but very warm and inviting. They are your earth tones...














 Burnt sienna...

            Yellow Ocher...










Brown Madder...















Raw Sienna.  


They lack the brilliance of bright yellows and deep reds but they make November's visit very special.  

Hope you take some time to enjoy this month's palette.   Have a great day!






  









       







 


   

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Spooky


From a far it looked rather spooky.















 Getting closer didn't make it seem less so.














Coming along side of it...















   one could see it wasn't moving.



Was it a trick?

No its a treat!

A giant mushroom waiting to be found.





                       Hope there are no tricks and only treats for you.    Happy Halloween!

Sunday, October 27, 2013

My Brother

Tuesday my brother will turn another year older.  It seems like our yesterdays suddenly became today.    Where does time go?

He is four years my junior.  Growing up that made me big sister and in charge.  I was responsible for keeping him safe and out of trouble.   Unfortunately at times that was  beyond my capabilities.  Certainly under my tutelage he learned many things.   Perhaps not all of them were beneficial.    




Life takes on more meaning when there is someone who wants to tag along to the berry patch...

take a hike...


or go sled riding.  
 

Shared memories are always the best and I am so glad I have a great brother to share mine.









  Wishing him the happiest of birthdays.  









So glad you took a moment to stop by.   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 "...