Time of the Year

Once again it is that special time of the year.   "Will there be snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree?"  May not get the snow and I have no mistletoe but there will be a few presents under the tree.

Wishing each of you a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!  See you in 2024, God willing.

Until then please be good and stay well.

Hugs

Debbie

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us."  Matt: 1:23 (NIV)

Waiting

Winter seems to be waiting to arrive.  It seems strange that January is more than half over and we've only had a few snow flurries thus far.  There is a rumor that we may get several inches overnight into tomorrow.  We shall see!

In the meantime will enjoy this unusual weather.

Been using these botanical washi tapes in my current January sketch pages.  They are so pretty.  May have found a new addiction :)!!  Bought them on line at Amazon.  

Speaking of waiting - look what arrived in my mail this past week.  John Scheepers Garden  Catalog.

They have such a wide variety of veggies, herbs and flower seeds.  Their heirloom selection is great.  It is always fun to read the descriptions and see the lovely art illustrations.  Makes waiting for spring just a bit easier.

Well hope all of you will share what you are waiting for this coming week.

Hugs

Debbie

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope."  Psalm 130:5 (NIV)

December

Today did not look like a December day.  The snow we had last week is gone.  It did not stay for  long.

The sky was a breathtaking blue...not a cloud to be seen.

Red rose hips glistened in the sun.

Even a few blackberry leaves were still clinging to their branch.  

No it did not feel like a day in December.   Hard to believe it is less than two weeks until Christmas.

Are you ready?  

Hope everyone has 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.  The angel went to her and said Greetings, you who are highly favored.  The Lord is with you."  Luke 1:26-28 (NIV)  

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

 

"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

America

Here in America tomorrow we will recognize Memorial Day.  For many it will not be possible to gather to celebrate this holiday.

Our world has changed and even though many of us are beginning to go out and about - we are finding that life as we knew it is not the same.

There is a longing for what was and may never quite return.

Yet in considering the veterans of the past we know the abiding loving spirit of those men and women continues to live on in many hearts today.  That has not changed.

 We see it in the faces of the nurses and doctors and all those who have risked their lives to save others during this pandemic.  May we honor these special heroes tomorrow as well.

To all my dear friends in other parts of the world may you too take time to remember those who have worked diligently to keep you safe.

God Bless

Debbie


"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."   John 15: 12-13 (NIV)



 

Hoping

everyone who is celebrating this coming week - has a blessed Thanksgiving.   To all my  dear friends in other lands may you have a wonderful week.   See you in December :)!

Hugs

Debbie

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NIV)  

Being Grateful

November's arrival has me focusing on being grateful.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner (here in America) it is nice to consider all the blessings one enjoys.

Such as beauty found in a blue sky...

wildflowers pushing their way through an old pile of wood posts...

a solitary posy bravely reaching for the sun's rays...

 simple leaves and weeds to sketch...

and last but not least - all of you who show up faithfully each week to pay me a visit.

God Bless

Debbie

"How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you."   1 Thessalonians 3:9

Garden Days

This week has been filled with garden days.














Yellow day lilies have opened bringing cheer.

Lavender Rhododendron started its lovely show (gift from hubby's mom thirty two years ago for our 10th wedding anniversary)...

this pink beauty was found at a local greenhouse (I just could not resist )...

impatiens are a necessity for a shady nook...

and of course one could not forget a few colorful annuals for the flower cart.

I adore garden days!  Hope you enjoyed them as well.

Have a lovely week.

Hugs Debbie

"Consider how the lilies grow.  They do not labor or spin."  Luke 12:27 a   (NIV)

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 

Painting and sketching

In spite of many spring chores I found some time this week to do a bit of painting and sketching.

  

The viola was painted on Yupo paper.   It is a challenging surface but also forgiving.   If you don't like something you can just wash off and start over!   

 This little piece was done on Strathmore precut watercolor paper.   5x7 is a nice size to use if you choose to make a greeting card.   

Well best go for now I hear the garden calling.   So glad you took a moment to stop by.

Have a lovely week.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not for men." Col. 3:23
(NIV)

Hugs Debbie  

"His Eye Is On the Sparrow"

Photo  by dn

An old hymn "His Eye is On the Sparrow" always comes to mind when I see these sweet birds at the feeder.   The words were written by Civilla D. Martin  and then set to music by Charles H. Gabriel.

"Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely And long for Heaven and home, When Jesus is my portion?  My constant Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me;"

Other songs have become more popular at church these days. Many are beautiful as well.   Many have lovely words .  Many are joyful.
Yet in certain times when life seems overwhelming and winter comes to the heart...there is wonderful comfort in the thought that the One whose eye is on the sparrow also is the One who watches me.

"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.  Are you not much more valuable than they?"  Matt: 6:26 (NIV).

Have a blessed week.

Hugs!
Debbie

Unfinished Paintings and Dreams

Unfinished Painting

With a rainy weekend here I found myself going through a stack of unfinished paintings.

There is quite a pile unfortunately.   Some have been put aside because  inspiration or enthusiasm for the subject has waned.   Others are big oops but the backs can be used for practice.  
Then there are those that given a fresh perspective might become a finished work.

So it is sometimes with one's dreams.   There may be some that didn't get fulfilled because the desire was lost.  They were a passing fancy.  Possibly others didn't work out because they were not right for you.
Yet not all are lost.   There is always a dream or two that given the proper time and care could blossom into a beautiful reality.

Hope my friends yours will!  

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."  Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

God Bless Debbie

Memorial Day

Tomorrow in America many will gather to celebrate Memorial Day.  There will be picnics and cookouts as well as parades and special ceremonies.  It is my hope that each of us will take a moment to remember our faithful men and women who have served in the military.

Many have paid a costly price so that we can be free.  

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

Have a blessed week!

Hugs Debbie

Hope

Cyclamen

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."   Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Hope all of you have a wonderful week.

God Bless!

Thank You!

Shelby

We just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your thoughtful condolences.    Sarge was so loved by all of us.   He is certainly missed.

   In spite of the winter weather Shelby and I continue to take our daily walks.    The fields are painted white.  Gray skies cloud the view.   The bare tree branches  reach high seeking hope that the sun will shine again.

So it is with me.

My sweet mom has been  hospitalized for a broken back (sacroiliac).  Unable to walk or move she has been bed fast since January 1st.  We thought a week ago things were improving when they moved her to a rehab center.  Unfortunately there were complications and she had to return to the hospital.  

Some of you have personally emailed me and are praying for her.    Thank you.    Your prayers and thoughts are so appreciated.  For certain it is what changes the course of things.

 "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."  James 5:16b (NIV)

"Looking Up"

Bless each of you for taking time to visit and "look up".


Hugs 

Debbie    

Rest

 

      "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.












   

    Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,















and you will find rest for your souls."
Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)





                                    

Work In Progress

As an artist sometimes I will share a work in progress.  

WIP

The painting is not finished.   It may just be in

the beginning stages or almost complete.   It may need more contrast, deeper values, or a few more details.   There are times though when I am uncertain what is needed or how to finish.  In my eyes there is something missing.  It doesn't meet my expectations.      

 Similarly I also am a work in progress.    The difference is that my creator knows exactly what  He must do to finish me.  He may soften some edges... 

               wipe out areas that need to be brighter... deepen values to show contrast between dark and light.    There may be places where my composition needs to be stronger or unnecessary clutter that leaves no place for the eye to rest.   Whatever changes He makes will refine me and bring me to a good finish.

If there is any one of you who like me might be a work in progress take heart..."being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  Phil. 1:6 (NIV).   Please have a wonderful evening - God Bless!

Winter's Sojourn

I am making the most of winter's sojourn.
 

Enjoying some warm chili and

a loaf of homemade bread.

Painting and sketching...

and visiting with all of you dear friends!

Have a blessed day.

"Be very careful then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity..."
Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV).