Saturday, March 19, 2011

Collage Class

I have just taken a wonderful class with an especially talented instructor {and friend}, Rhonda. She's teaching a beeswax coated collage technique . . .
Her artistic guidance and skill, are lovingly and generously shared with her students . . .

Rhonda has other classes scheduled at The Empty Nest in Oakdale, California . . . just in case you can't resist, either . . . :)
My camera decided to take a mini vacation at exactly the same moment I decided to take photos during class yesterday . . . sigh . . . I'm happy that it's back on the job today, but I don't have photos of the other class projects to show you . . . only mine. I'm sorry about that. They are really beautiful.
This collage has a definite naturalist theme . . . based, as it is on one of my favorite childhood books {and still, though childhood is kind of long behind me}, Freckles, by Gene Stratton Porter. If you have ever read it, I just know you'll understand! Oh, and Rhonda hand-painted the trees/branches for me! An extra special touch, from an extra special friend. I really love it! I'm hoping you do!
The birds in nest image is courtesy of The Graphics Fairy.
I've linked to The Graphics Fairy Brag Monday, here. {sheepish grin}

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Send me deep


My son, Zacharia sharing a video with precious children in Haiti {of themselves} during his recent medical mission. I think they like it. :)

I shared with you when my son was on this mission in Haiti, a medical one, a few months ago. He will be returning this Fall {2011}. Zach has just set up a blog to share, inform and hopefully even assist in facilitating these continued missions.

Last year, on the Monday before he left Friday, I called to ask him whether he still had needs. And he did! Boy, did he still have needs! He needed scrubs, enough for a few changes a day. He needed blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes . . . and a few other items that escape me right this minute. My first thought was to write a check, followed immediately by God telling me to share the blessing {of helping} with others. I realize that the cynical among you will think I'm just being cheap, but others will know whereof I speak.

I called my other children, and posted his needs on Facebook. His siblings also posted his needs on Facebook. I called friends and relatives who had asked me to let them know what he might need. Several modest financial donations, from distant relatives, even from his sister's Grandma-in-law flowed in. :) Even a couple of not so modest donations. I know!
Friends, family members, distant acquaintances . . . people we had nearly, or mostly lost contact with, started calling, and writing! And dropping supplies off at my house, at his sister's house, at his!
A friend who works for a medical supply company dropped by with three boxes full of medical equipment, like gloves and wall mounted blood pressure cuffs for the hospital, and a promise for things that might be needed for the next trip {with more notice}.
A hospital 65 miles away donated scrubs! This, because the father of a woman in Sister's Bible Study group works there, and she called him.
Hospitals, and specifically nurses in the city where he works as a paramedic donated scrubs and stethoscopes.
Friends who work anywhere in the medical field came through with donations, not just of the known needs, but items that they felt he might need. {Next time he wants to take soccer balls, too.}
Just a couple of days before he left, he sent a message to me, "Thermometers! We need thermometers!" I was out of town, so I contacted his sister, who posted it on Facebook. :) A couple of hours later, I received this text, "We don't need any more thermometers!" I don't even know the details of how that need was filled. There were certainly a lot of people blessed! Tjose who gave, and those who received . . . even those of us who were witness to all of it . . . how we are blessed!
Maybe after reading this, he will refresh my memory of the other wonderful material blessings that were heaped upon the effort to supply this mission trip. It was a lesson in trusting God to provide. Always enough, always in time.
Read the post on his new blog as he prepares for a return this year. I think it will touch you. :)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

My Butterfly in a Jar



Wanna see what I got for Valentine's Day!? I am ridiculously happy about this!
It is the Butterfly Collection, from Gemmy Industries
.
Watch the video, then when you, too have to have one, here are the two links I could find on Amazon!
Is my husband brilliant, or what!?
You are most welcome!
~Much Love!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Valentine Goodies

I know! It's been forever since I posted!


Let me tell you . . . it's been something around here. My New Year's Resolution, for 2012 . . .? I'm hibernating from Christmas till Valentine's Day

Today, I'm in the mood for something special and Valentine-y that will tickle the funny bones of my Dear Ones.


Pondering something special and sweet for your favorite Valentines? Let me share thse really cute food ideas that I ran across at Our Best Bites. Yep, cute food! I submit the evidence below.
I'm making the Lovebug Cookies for my own Dearests. Gotta get myself to the grocer! Valentine's Day is tomorrow!



Recipe for Sweetie Pie Pops


Photographs Courtesy of Our Best Bites


I found their site a few months ago, and let me tell you . . . those girls know their way around a kitchen! Once I realized that I had shared these cookie links with my Mother and my daughters, it occurred to me that you might like to know, too!


And, AND, that's not all! They have a cookbook!

It's scheduled for release on March 9, 2011



I told you they were good!
~


note, February 15th: The photo above? Mine! Neither my cookies, nor my photo are as polished as their's. In spite of thickening, I found the glaze to be too thin and runny. I think I would use Royal Icing next time. But the kids liked them! A lot! The big kids, too! {read: Daddy and Papa.}

Sunday, January 9, 2011

A Giveaway! But Hurry!


Would you just look at all of this wonderful stuff!?
Riki Jewelry is having a give-away! As usual I'm Johnny-come-lately . . . it's over tomorrow!
{January 10th}
I can't imagine how I missed it earlier! I follow Riki's blog, shop in her Etsy shop, and pine for her classes . . . sigh . . .
Don't let the late date stop you! Hurry, now! Rush over to her blog to throw your hat in the ring!
P.S. See that gorgeous box? I bought a few from her for Christmas gifts . . . I wonder how I managed to miss one?
~ Much Love! ~

After years of wanting to . . .

. . . I have actually, really, truly begun!
Not that it matters to the world one little whit, but to me . . . I've been planning for tea parties since the day that it occurred to me that my children might someday give me grandchildren! A special tea party tablecloth is especially called for . . . don't you think!?

The photo is from the {now missing} pattern book . . . Ultimately, mine should look something like it . . . I think I've altered the color scheme considerably . . . a lot of the recommended threads are not to be found. But still!
You know where you will find me these cold, dark Winter days! Curled up beside the fire with a cup of tea beside me . . .
It feels so good to have finally begun . . .

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Good Books


Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable.


~Louisa May Alcott
{My Louisa May Alcott Bookshelf, and beautiful bird painting by my talented daughter.} :)