When We Get Side-Tracked In This Life

Hi my bloggy friends!!  

~ I have missed Y♥U ~

Oh my goodness how life's happenings can side-track

us sometimes from the things we hold dear.

Getting ready to have knee surgery in a few weeks after 
going through an injury back in October.  
It seems I've 
been hobbling along since and 
coming home from work and just crashing on 
the couch with an ice pack. 

Anyways, I didn't figure I had much to say 

that would be very interesting for you to read the past few 
months...but I miss you and blogging too much
to give it up.  I've decided that even a short post is better
than nothing at all.

With Christmas on it's way,
 I started reminiscing about past Christmas times
 and found this photo to share with you
 of my two younger sisters and I all decked out
 in our look alike jumpers that our grandma made for us. 
 (photo from 1960's)



When I think about how wonderful
 it was to have a grandmother who 
loved to sew for us and how encouraging 
and wonderful it was 
to wear something so nice, it makes me
 realize how special it is
when we use our encouragement
 and God given gifts to 
help others.
  It's such a simple thing
 to give to others using our natural
gifts, whatever that gift is in each of us 
such as
 encouraging with a written card, or  
cooking a meal for someone,
 or giving a piece of your art, 
or singing a song to them, etc.... 
I think we sometimes dismiss this idea
 because we don't think 
the gift we have,
 could make a difference in the life 
of someone else.

But it can and it does!!

“A hug is the perfect gift--one size fits all,

and nobody minds if you exchange it.”

--Ivern Ball

♥

“It is expressly at those times when we feel needy

that we will benefit the most from giving.”

--Ruth Ross

I've been feeling a little needy lately

 (a little side-tracked)

so I think this week I will focus more 

on giving.

I want to give someone

the awesome feeling I had when I wore 

 that brand new jumper!!!

"For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat;
I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink;
I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
naked, and you clothed Me;
I was sick, and you visited Me;
I was in prison, and you came to Me.
...Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine,
even the least of them,
you did it to Me.’

The Gospel of Matthew 25:35-36,40 NAS

Hugs,

Resting is a Good Thing....Even Nature Does It!

“Nature does not hurry,

yet everything is accomplished.”
Lao Tzu

I think God was trying to get
my attention 
when I saw one black and
 one white goose swimming my way.
Aren't they pretty?
These geese stayed right in front of me the

 entire hour, as I was writing in my journal recently,
 at the park!

They played, bobbed for food, and even
 took a little nap, all the while
 I sat there enjoying the view.

They so reminded me that it really is okay to rest and
to just let yourself  BE.
I also was reminded of this when I read my friend Jen's blog post here.

(fun with making one of my flower photos look like a painting in photoshop)

Is letting yourself  rest and just BE ever
difficult for you? 

We should take a tip from this 
8 year old who said:

( find this quote stamp at inkadinkado)


I've been resting a lot this summer
because my
body and mind 
have both needed it.
I hope you are giving yourself
permission to do the same if you find
yourself needing it too.
It really is okay.

“Take rest;

a field that has

 rested gives a bountiful crop. “

                                           ….Ovid

Peace and  Hugs to YOU, my friends,

1000 Gifts List continued........

390.  RAIN!!!!...after our long drought

391.  hearing the birdies singing before ever walking outside

392.  letters from my sweet little 6 yr old pen pal, granddaughter

393.  movie and date night with my hubby

394.  a mother/daughter fun weekend spent together

395.  nature's example of peace in the midst of change

Can't Really Put My Finger On It

Another journal cover I just finished creating, made from an old book cover.

Love using colored tissue paper in the background, to transform the altered book. 

I sure have not been a very good blogger as of the past months.  Can't really put my finger on the reason why, other than I've been going through a weird life season. Can't even tell you for sure what makes it weird, other than it's filled with little energy, some disappointments, and even my imaginator  (yes, I made up that word) is lacking in ideas. Guess I've just needed to take a break to get refreshed again.

 Have you gone through seasons like this?

"Friends are those with whom

 we feel comfortable enough 

to think out loud.”

author unknown

I DO KNOW THIS.....
It is so important to keep a  blessing's list.
  I know being thankful is one of the keys to living this life well.  Even when we are in the moment of a trial or pain, it's so important to be able to draw strength from a blessing's list.  I don't know how many times in the past that I have re-read my old journal entries and was reminded of how I pulled through a trial long ago or seen how a written out prayer request had been answered.

Do you keep a journal of some sort?
If not, really it is something 
you can draw strength from later
when needed.

“We can rejoice too, when we run into

problems and trials,

for we know

that they help

 us develop endurance.”

Romans 5:3

This is so true:

"Count your blessings
and your problems.
If your problems
out number your
 blessings, count again.
Chances are the things
you take for granted 
were not added."
~author unknown

Hugs to Y♥U my friends,

Some Family Sharing

Our granddaughter and grandson posing on school stage, after Ella's kindergarten program..  This photo shot reminds me of those "real people" stagings Norman Rockwell would use to create his paintings from. Ella is 6  and Ezra is almost 3 yrs old. Ezra was so proud to get to stand on the school stage with his sister after the event was over.

Last month, my husband and I

took a quick trip to Pennsylvania and we made it just in time to see our

granddaughter, Ella's kindergarten music program.  She was given a solo to perform and she did a spectacular job!

At first, we were not sure we could make the 9 hour trip in time to be there for her early evening event, until over the phone

 when she asked,

 "grandma, are you still coming 

to hear me sing at my program?"

 Once those sweet, begging words met my ear,

 I and papaw decided that come rain or shine, we would be there.

Her solo was in the song DO RE MI from Sound of Music. We were blown away by how well she sang.  Here is the video her daddy recorded of her singing her solo.  After her solo, we thought it was cute how she really got into the singing with the arm swinging.

Here is a picture of her and papaw at her surprise 

birthday meal after being picked up at school and taken to Olive Garden. 

(she loves Olive Garden! Good taste for a 6 yr. old )

Thanks for letting this grandma boast and share!

Hugs,

1000 Gifts List continued...

321. the anticipation of spending precious time with those you love.

322. the joy of hearing our sweet granddaughter sing 

323. our grandson's funny, cute and clever personality

Dare Not To Think

Been thinking too much lately.  
Have you ever been in that place? 

I am trying to change up that part of me that over thinks things, or at least I'm

trying to be more aware, more intentional about catching myself

and turning the over-thinker off

 and starting the action accelerator  instead.

(this is an art journal page from a post I did last year. See it here)

I think...I mean I think and think..that maybe over thinking is

 a way of procrastinating!

“Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?”  

 …. A. A. Milne  (Winnie the Pooh)

Okay, so as a little test this week, 
when I start to feel myself
wanting to go into the over-thinking mode, 
I am going to allow myself to stay
 there only 15 minutes. 
We shall see how this turns out for me.
I'll let you know.

"Time is limited, so I better wake up every morning fresh

 and know that I have just one chance to live this particular day right,

 and to string my days together into a life of action, and purpose."

Lance Armstrong       

Have you dealt with over-thinking things 
and putting off beginning?
If so, I would love to hear your story
 and how you deal 
with it now, or how you  have overcome it.
Winnie the Pooh and I want to know! (he he)


♥

After writing this post, I went over to read Bren's blog and saw where

she wrote a post about almost the very same subject of the

 problem with over-thinking and to just stop it!

You can pop over and read it here:

 http://esynergy.blogspot.com/2012/05/just-begin-then-finish.html

1000 Gifts continued....

313.  fresh outside air to breathe

314.  the gift of "choosing" to think or not to think

315.  celebrating 36 years of marriage to my hubby

316.  for our youngest daughter's engagement to her     special guy

317.  beautiful and free flying butterflies..

318.  knowing I can trust the Lord as I wait upon Him to answer

319.  road trips with my hubby

320.  Winnie the Pooh and the way he says things!

Number One Secret For Beauty

(enjoying my nature find after my walk...so had to tip toe through the tulips..he he) 

As I get older, even with the aches, pains and wrinkles that come 

with the aging process, I am more persuaded that

the the best beauty secret of all

is this special ingredient:

A JOYFUL SPIRIT


I have found that you cannot just decide
to be joyful...because it must
come from deep inside of
a GRATEFUL and Contented HEART.
And I know it doesn't mean that you are happy
all of the time.  It's much deeper than that.
I've known some wonderful people 
who have gone or are going
through some major trials, and yet
their joyful spirit is the first thing you notice.
It's contagious!


For me, I believe that gratefulness
comes when taking the time to recognize, remember and give thanks to my
 loving Heavenly Father, 
who gave it all for me and who 
continues to love and take 
care of me.
(in spite of all of my failures)
even when 
I don't understand why in the world
I have to go through this pain and trial
of a particular moment in time.
And believe me,
 sometimes it takes me some
 extra days to be grateful during those times.
Sometimes, I have to shed many tears of pain
and cry out the word "WHY" before
I can lay it to rest in the Lord's hands, 
for at least today.
Then tomorrow I may have to give it back
 and rest it
in HIS hands again.
(grinning as I realize God's unconditional love never gives up on us)




“It is His joy that remains in us
 that makes our joy full.” ~ A. B. Simpson




He is always faithful to deliver on his promises.
He never leaves us to go through our trials alone.

He even sends new life,
 like in these pretty spring flowers to
remind us that everything must go through
it's seasons of shedding the old, 
the agony of the long
winter waiting with no blooms in site, 
before the new
growth that is buried can come out with the freedom of
 glorious and joyful beauty!

I love it, when in the middle of a woodsy area
 you find a pop of flowery color.
It's as if God himself planted it in this
exact and surprising little spot
so that it would stand out 
and bring a blessing to a person
he knows will need encouragement for the day.
Just like He plants us!






We will be on our way to Pennsylvania
 in the morning
to have fun taking care 
of our 2 sweet grandchildren, while 
their mommy and daddy are at a retreat.
....then while there,
 we will also be celebrating
 our granddaughter's 6 year birthday!
(I cannot believe she is this old already)
I will certainly be taking pictures and coming 
back to share them with you.


I know this for sure.....I am
so thankful for each of you. Truly, your
friendship helps grow the joy inside 
of my heart.


~thank y♥u...thank y♥u...thank y♥u~
you are so beautiful to me!!


Hugs,

When Loveliness Becomes More Beautiful

A pen and ink flower I created with some charcoal pencil for shading, then painted the background with acrylics. (onto 5"x5" inch gallery wrapped canvas)

Hi everyone!  
Well I managed to get another post up
 before
the end of March!! 
 My only excuse for being so slow
 is that life has it's
seasons and the season I've been 
going through over the past few months, has me
slowed down in many areas.  
(some health issues, some life changes)
Thankfully, seasons are just seasons, and they have a beginning,
 an end and a purpose.




~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“There is a time for everything,

and a season for every

activity under heaven.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Because the spring season 

comes right after the long winter, 

 it's loveliness seems even more beautiful than at any other time.

I think we need winter seasons in our lives

 so we will be more

passionate and grateful 

for the new 

parts of life that will be coming

 our way in the future. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Expect to have hope rekindled.

 Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.

 The dry seasons in life do not last.

 The spring rains will come again.”

…Sarah Ban Breathnach

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I created these flower canvases  for 2 of my

Ya Ya girlfriends who were having birthdays.

I decided not to paint the flower but to leave them

 just as is.  I like this look.

Plus, I created these the night before I gave them away

 and was pressed for time to get these little gifts finished.

   This way one can imagine whatever 

color they wish for the flower on any given day.

Here are a few things I've learned when going
through a dry season:

♥ resting is needed and a good thing-give yourself permission with no guilt allowed

♥getting your mind off self by doing something for someone else, is always such good therapy

♥HOPE is always on the horizon, because God keeps his promises.

So to you my friend, 
I'm sending a flower your way

for you to paint whatever color

your heart desires today!
May it help whatever season you find yourself in,
to become beautiful..

♥ 

1000 Gifts List continued....

306. the anticipation of giving a friend something you've made for them

307. not having to understand everything

308. planning last minute road trips with my hubby

309. the shedding of the old to make room for the new

310. SUNSHINE and birdies singing

311. grandchildren...grandchildren...grandchildren...and hugs and kisses

312. getting control back in my life over the sugar monster! YAY!!

Mug Paintings All Finished

Here is a quickie post!  

Wanted to show you my three

 finished mug paintings..

Will be putting them on the kitchen wall with some black and white polka dotted plates.

I am really pleased with the way they turned out.

I think I need to give this set of three a cute name.

Have any ideas? 

Would love your input.

What is your first thought when you see 

these mugs?

I've already had someone ask 

if these paintings were for sale or if

I would paint more for others.

Well of course!!!

I just may be painting more for my etsy shop.

www.haveadaisy.com

 And I'm thinking about creating

some printed note cards from them. 

They were really so much fun to create.

I hope you will have time this week

to sit down with your favorite drink in

a mug and enjoy it's goodness!!

Oh and light a candle

and put on some music and enjoy!

Hugs,

1000 Gifts List continued......

277. date night with hubby and a fantastic new yummy place to eat

278. the good feeling finishing a project brings

279. Writers who inspire me to become

280. Artful Blogging Magazine (so inspiring)

281. Jesus my Shepherd never takes His eyes off of me!