Art & Books

 As October comes to a close I find myself working a bit more on art projects and diving into a new stack of books.

Just finished "The Gospel According to Jesus" by John MacArthur.  This is a wonderful read that focuses on Jesus and his powerful message and what it means to be a true follower of Christ.  Dr. MacArthur went home to be with the Lord this past July.   You can catch many of his sermons on You Tube.  His life was a life well lived!

  On a lighter note...Karen White has written a new book.  I can hardly wait to dive into this one.  She is one of my favorite authors.

"The Summer House" promises to be another good book by Lauren K. Denton.  Her "Place to Land" kept me turning the page as I believe this one will do the same.

 Last but not least a couple of art books I was able to order from our lending library.  Lindsey Bugbee  has an on-line presence under the name The Postman's Knock.  She is a superb calligrapher and am excited to see that she now is a published author.  "Drawing Flora and Fauna" hopefully will keep me inspired as we start to fall into colder weather.

Well thank you all for taking time to stop by and visit.  Hope the last days of October are kind to each one of you.  

On a side note my baby brother turned 65 today.  Wow that makes me feel a wee bit old! (LOL)

Hugs

Debbie

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is there your heart will be also." 

Matt:6:19-21  

Finishing up!

 Summer is finishing up.  Tomorrow it is official - we say farewell.  As I look back on these past few months it has not been a normal season for us.  We had a tremendous amount of rain in May and June but by mid July it was so dry nothing was growing.  As of this post we have not received more than a 10th of an inch for over eight weeks.  The forecast says we may see some some showers in the next couple of days.

Well enough about the weather...the last I checked it is something only the Good Lord controls! 

In the meantime I am trying to finish up a few books that are on my list to be read.

"The Sunrise Cove Inn" by Katie Winters is the first in a series of 19 novels.  May read the second down the road. The first one ended with some things unresolved.  

Began "Our Beautiful Goodbyes" by Julianne MacLean but decided to put it aside for the time being.  I may go back to it later but for now found it to be rather difficult to engage with the characters.  In my younger days if I started a book - always finished it.  Not so now.  Age has taught me life is too short to be that dogmatic when it comes to reading something for pleasure.  "Blue Jeans and Coffee beans" by Joanne Demaio seems to be entertaining  ...will let you know if this one is a pleaser.   Lauren K. Denton is an author that writes a good story.  Just finished "The Hideaway" and wanted to read "A Place to Land".   "Women of the Dunes" takes place in Scotland.  Sarah Maine captured my attention in "The House Between Tides".  It kept me turning the page therefore am hopeful this one will also.  Well that is my stack of reading material for the next few weeks.

Am in the process of completing a few art projects and working on the "small painting" challenge.

Please share friends, what you are in the midst of finishing up as the summer season comes to a close.  Would love to know!

Hugs

Debbie

"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:4 (NIV)

  

"April Showers ...

 

bring May flowers."   With the amount of rain we've received these past few days there certainly should be flowers in May :)!

We now are enjoying a lake front view.   Have not seen this much flooding for over a year.

 Outdoor gardening is on hold for the next few days until the earth dries out.  In the meantime have been doing a bit of reading...

painting (100 small painting challenge)...

and savoring how green the field has become.

May everyone have a blessed week.

Hugs

Debbie

"You care for the land and water it ; you enrich it abundantly.  The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it."  Psalm 65:9 (NIV)

Patterns and Such!

Have you ever noticed how patterns make up our days? They can be quite comforting. 

I have been rediscovering Zentangles.  It has been several years ago that I pursued this form of art.  It is a relaxing way to just let your pen find repeated strokes that come together and form abstract shapes.  It is neat to combine them with watercolors.  There are many "You Tube" channels available to watch.  Even if you are not artistically inclined you may find this a great way to unwind. 

 Speaking of unwinding...a trip to the library last weekend produced a delightful stack of books.

I am reading the Last House by Jessica Shattuck.  It spans several generations and approximately 80 years.  All about the "age of oil".  Thus far very enjoyable read.

Winter has certainly come to stay for awhile.  We received another 3-4 inches overnight.

The birds are visiting constantly.  When the snow flies they come by for some nourishment.

Kelsey is always happy to come indoors after a romp in winter's wonderland...

Gunny too!

Especially if he can have a bone.

There are certain things that comprise the quiet days of this season.. There are patterns I fall into...like reading a good book...taking long walks with the pooches...watching tv with my sweetie and sipping a hot drink.  These form my days and bring me comfort.   

How about you?  What patterns are you enjoying?

Have a lovely week.

Hugs

Debbie

"What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 1:13 (NIV)

Be Thankful

When November comes I am reminded that it is the season to count your blessings and

be thankful. 

 

Thankful for sunshine and blue skies...

Thankful for a good book or two to read...

Thankful for family & friends near and far...

Thankful for the dawn of a new day...and always thankful for each of you who stop to visit.

Please share something you are thankful for this week...would love to hear what makes your heart glad.

Hugs!

Debbie

"And be thankful." Col. 3:15b  (NIV)

Never Grow Old

There are certain things that never grow old.  

Like a morning sunrise...

a cheery flower bed...

a basket full of  sun ripened tomatoes...

  a faithful companion...

a good book or two...

and last but not least your visits and sweet comments!

   

Have a wonderful week.  Hugs - Debbie

"The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."  Isaiah 40:28b & 29 (NIV) 

Extra Day

 February has given us an extra day this year.  There is  time to bake a batch of cookies...

Read a bit...

do some sketching...

and sample a new  recipe. (Blackened Chicken)  

What are you doing with this extra day of February?   Please share!

Hugs

Debbie

" The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.  There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man..."  Joshua 10:13b-14a  (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)

Savoring & Reflecting

 I am savoring the last few days of summer as well as reflecting on the past few months.  It seems like we were just turning the calendar to June and now it is September.

The hummers are still here but soon they will fly away to their winter home.

  

Enjoying the wonderful crop of tomatoes that continue to ripen.  Putting some away for the coming months.  It is wonderful to open a jar  and be reminded of sun-kissed days when cold blustery ones visit.

 As the days grow shorter will be spending more evenings reading.    It is wonderful to cozy up with something hot to drink and have a good book nearby.

May each of you find some time to savor and reflect the passing of this season.

Also hope you will join me in looking up and reflecting on all those who lost their lives or loved ones 22 years ago.  

God Bless

Debbie

"May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord."  Psalm 104:34 (NIV)