Thursday, December 31, 2020

A Wish


 Sending everyone a wish for a Happy New Year.

May God Bless You all as we ring out the old and ring in the new.  

I am ready for a new year how about you?



Hugs!

Debbie



"To be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."  Ephesians 4:23-24 (NIV)


Sunday, December 20, 2020

Silent Night


 The Christmas carol "'Silent Night" seems to be a favorite of many.  I know it is mine.

I hope you will enjoy hearing this special song performed by "Celtic Woman" .






Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  

Hugs 

Debbie

"And there were shepherds living out in the field 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 the "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:8-11 (NIV)   





 

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Believe


Everyday we are given a choice to believe.

We choose to believe that when we turn the key or hit the ignition button our vehicle will start...

flip a switch on the wall and there will be light...

or dial a certain set of numbers on the phone and get connected.




Yet most of us have experienced moments when those things have failed for one reason or another.

Still we do not quit believing.  The car will be fixed, the power will be restored and the call will connect.  We just have to keep on trusting.





This Christmas season may challenge our beliefs due to all that is happening in the world.

Let each of us continue to hold in our hearts the knowledge that in the end good will trump evil, joy will replace sorrow and love will overcome hate.

On a lighter note I believe that coffee always tastes better with a cookie or two.  How about you?

Have a blessed week.

                                                                                  Hugs  Debbie

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?"  John 11:25-26

 


Sunday, December 6, 2020

First of December

The first of December brought us snow.









 Several inches covered the ground




and trimmed the tree limbs  white.








In the afternoon sunshine it made a pleasant sight.








 Seeing that first bit of winter made me decide I would do a bit of my own trimming.

     Nothing like a bit of snow to spark the Christmas Spirit.   Hope you all have

                                         a blessed week.   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."  Luke 1:26-27 (NIV)

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Give Thanks

As November comes to a close taking a moment to give thanks.
 

 For an early sunrise...







Fall's final leaves...








a sunny afternoon walk...






the years we had this beloved pet....(Scooter you are missed).


and last but not least  for each of you who bless me with your lovely visits.  

God Bless!


"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."  Psalm 107:1 (NIV)



Sunday, November 22, 2020

Thank You!


God Bless and thank each of you for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers.

It is with deep sadness that I report we lost our nephew this past week.  He was a wonderful guy and his passing has left a huge hole in the hearts of all who loved him.

There are certain things we don't understand this side of heaven but the One who gives us life does.  

Thank you again for all your comforting thoughts and prayers.

Hugs

Debbie

"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." 1 Thessalonians:3:13-14

Sunday, November 15, 2020

Keeping the Faith


 The weather turned blustery this weekend.  

Spent time working on pages for an art journal and painting a bit.

Our church services were canceled due to the virus.  We are seeing a rise of cases in the community.

At this time our family is keeping the faith.  A dear loved one of ours is on a ventilator.   We are praying for a miracle. 

Please "look up" for us. 

God bless you friends.  Keep the faith and keep safe.

Debbie

"We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor:5 7b (NIV)  

Sunday, November 8, 2020

November Afternoon


It was a lovely November afternoon... 







warm and sunny.







Perfect for a walk.


The sky was so blue.








Found a few rose hips growing along the way.









Later planted a batch of tulips. 

Did some pruning.




Then took time to "look up" and say Thank You for such a beautiful November afternoon. 
 
Hope all of you may enjoy one too. 

Hugs Debbie

"O Lord  my God, I will give you thanks forever."  Psalm 30:12b (NIV)  


 

Sunday, November 1, 2020

Blessings


Acorns and oak leaves on the ground...









Black walnuts for winter baking...








a final harvest of veggies...  




and a few asters bravely blooming.





November may be cold and gray but it still brings its own special brand of blessings.


Hope all of you are blessed this week.

Hugs

Debbie



"The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace."  Psalm 29:11 (NIV)

Sunday, October 25, 2020

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) 

Sunday, October 18, 2020

"Anxious for Nothing"


This week's library visit found me selecting a book by John MacArthur "Anxious for Nothing".  The last copyright was 2012... first edition 1993.  In spite of the years when it was first written, the message is timeless and still relevant in 2020.

We all know anxiety and stress have been in existence from the beginning of time.  Just look at Jesus' words ..."Do not worry about your life" - "why do you worry about clothes" - "do not worry about tomorrow".  Those very missives were penned over two thousand years ago.





Even though much of culture has changed - man's need to feel loved and secure has not.  We all desire a good outcome for our lives.







When that outcome is challenged by hard times it is easy to turn inward and allow anxiety to dominate our thoughts.

I love what Corrie Ten Boom wrote "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength."

(This lady is one of my heroes.  She survived being incarcerated in a Nazi prison camp.  Her remarkable story can be found in "The Hiding Place".)


 If any of you are struggling with anxiety perhaps "Anxious for Nothing" and "The Hiding Place"would be helpful.  Both authors have good words that share wisdom and hope for troubled times. 







I will leave you with one of my favorite verses written by the apostle Paul.

 "Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Phil. 4:6&7  (NIV)

Hugs

Debbie

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Painter's Palette


 The hills are alive with color making it a lovely painter's palette.


As much as I adore summer - autumn's beauty cannot be surpassed.





There are peach hues...








glowing yellows...







vibrant reds.


The colors vibrate even on a cloudy day.

When I take in the glory of the fall season an old favorite hymn comes to mind - "For the Beauty of the Earth."  Hope you will enjoy.

Have a blessed week.







  Hugs

  Debbie

"Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them." Psalm 111:2

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Blush


 October is beginning to blush.








There are little passages of color here and there.


Some wonderful contrasts are making a statement.








Not all of the flowers are gone.  The Malva often waits until fall to share her lovely blossoms.


Sweet Violas continue to bloom abundantly.  They seem to enjoy the cooler season.







Even these two brave dandelions are not quite ready to say goodbye.


Naturally the Asters and Goldenrod are celebrating the start of October's blush.


Hope all of you have a delightful week.   Keep safe and keep "Looking Up".


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


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 "...