Sunday, February 27, 2011

Meet Stella....


Makayla is a proud new momma to a beautiful baby Guinea Pig. 


Stella is only 2 months old and is already quite the fashion diva


I delight in the pure joy on our little girls face as she proudly displays
 the front pack she created just for her little Stella. 

Monday, February 7, 2011

One Thousand Gifts

A friend introduced me to a new book that I'm really looking forward to reading. I haven't even purchased it yet, but have already been blessed to read the authors blog called A Holy Experience  What beautiful, artistic, insightful writing. Here is a little trailer about the book...called the gift of now.  I think the photographer in me longs to slow down, breath deep and enjoy and capture the gifts god gives in the simple everyday moments of life.





One Thousand Gifts....is a practice that I am going to start. It is called Multitude on Mondays...It's starting a list of things I am grateful for.






One Thousand Gifts ( #1- 44 )

1.  The Love of my Savior
2.  A fresh start every morning, every hour, every moment of everyday
3.  Music, that sooths the soul and lifts the spirit
4.  My husband who is my best friend and soul mate
5.  The two children God has gifted us to love and tend for Him
6.  Sunshine and Blue Skies
7.  Morning, afternoon and a dessert cup of coffee
8.  Seeing the delight in my sons eyes when I tell a story about when I was little
9.  Listening to my daughters thoughts & heart as she maneuvers through life, relationships and day to day challenges. Talking it through & praying together too
10. Kiss on my forehead from each family member & a prayer that mommies headache goes away soon.
11. Feeling my dogs warm body and soft fur beneath my feet as he curls under my desk as I type.
12.  Laughing and maybe even screaming as the cat does a sneak attack from behind
13.  A clean and quite house, even if for just a moment
14.  Fresh, clean, warm laundry right out of the dryer
15.  My golden soft pillow, green plush blanket and King size bed
16.  Gods word every morning, noon and night
17.  Stars in a deep dark sky
18.  Breathing deep...in, out, in and slowly out again
19.  Stretching my mind, body and soul
20.  Being still, calming down, slowing down...Hearing Gods voice  
21.  The number 4 ... in any form or fashion
22.  Visiting a neighbor; getting to know them; learning how to pray and reach out to them 
23. Smiling with a friend over the little things that "just the two of you" get
23.  Exchanging a smile with a stranger...blessing them and being blessed in return
24.  Freshly cute flowers placed in an antique jar on my kitchen windowsill
25.  Zucchini fresh from the garden cooked with lots of garlic
26. The sound of laughter; the deep belly kind
27. Playing Tickle Tackle with my kids... fseeing the excitement and anticipation in their eyes
28. Watching things grow from the tiniest seed to the biggest tree
29.  Marking our children's height on a growth chart,as a reminder that time is surely passing
30.  Hearing the sound of the school bus rounding the corner in the afternoon
31.  Petting our kitty and making him purr
32.  Walking to the creek to skip rocks, hunt for fish or go for a dip
33.  Looking up to the treetops, mountaintops and hills
34.  Going for a country drive, just to enjoy the view
35. Singing in the car, weather it alone or as a family
36.  Stroking my daughters long golden hair out of her eyes
37.  Seeing what outfit my kids choose for the day
38.  Witnessing our daughter teaching her brother little things each day
39.  Helping my son learn how to read and listening to him read us a story
40.  Having a good talk with my folks on the phone
41.  Connecting with another busy mom who "gets it"
42.  Spending time with friends that really "get me" and "love me"
43.  Being heard and feeling understood 
44.  Resting in Gods presence

Wow...I can see how this can get addicting...I just want to keep going and going....I'm all for happy, healthy habits that will give thanks and glory to God.

For every Good and perfect gift comes from Him.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Happy Birthday Daddy...

Happy Birthday to the Best dad ever!

Donuts instead of a cake this year...

 Happy #39... Scotty Totty ...We Love you!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Somethings...

I've enjoyed putting some of my favorite nature shots at a local store in town...
Just some things for "Somethings".




Here are some samples of greeting cards and prints for sale.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Choosing Thankfulness at ALL times...



I absolutely love the huge tree planted in our front yard. It's a vivid reminder of each season transitioning into another. I can truly say I enjoy each magnificent display of change it offers. The Winter months can be desolate, cold and often unrelenting with wind, rain, frost, ice and snow. The branches are barren and lonely from loosing their colorful display of crimson red, burnt orange and vibrant yellow leaves of Fall. Winter eventually gives way to Spring. The small determined buds begin to appear in abundance. Hope is in the air once again as we see the sun shining between the rain showers and rainbows. Summer brings lush green refreshing beauty, as the tree beckons children to climb, find safety and mystery in it's height and strength. Then just as every season comes and goes. Autumn appears in all it's glory and graces the world with a canvas of watercolor. To pear up to it's branches is like an invitation to breath deep, enjoy, reflect upon all that we have to be thankful for.
As the leaves fall the clean up begins and the cycle starts all over again. As I looked at these leaves twinkling in the sunlight, I felt my spirit reflect that I have as much and more to be thankful for than this tree has leaves....My heart is full of gratitude too numerous to count!

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
                                                                                                                       Colossians 2:6-7



There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven...
the Words of Ecclesiastes 3 says it best.

  a time to be born and a time to die, 
   a time to plant and a time to uproot, 
  a time to kill and a time to heal, 
   a time to tear down and a time to build, 
  a time to weep and a time to laugh, 
   a time to mourn and a time to dance, 
  a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 
   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 
  a time to search and a time to give up, 
   a time to keep and a time to throw away, 
  a time to tear and a time to mend, 
   a time to be silent and a time to speak, 
  a time to love and a time to hate, 
   a time for war and a time for peace.



In each season of life, there is an unveiling of life's,  joys or sadness, griefs or celebration. It is so good to know that God walks with us through it all. Storm or Stillness, God is with us, teaching us His will and His ways season by season.

My husband and I love to reflect upon this poem called the Paradox of man...no mater what season we are in we try to be....

Strong enough to be weak;
Successful enough to fail;
Busy enough to take time;
Assured enough to cry;
Leading enough to serve;
Serious enough to laugh;
Rich enough to be poor;
Victorious enough to lose;
Important enough to be last;
Loving enough to be angry;
Wise enough to say I don’t know;
Right enough to say “I am wrong”;
Compassionate enough to discipline;
Conservative enough to give freely;
Mature enough to be childlike;
Righteous enough to be a sinner;
Courageous enough to fear God;
Planned enough to be spontaneous;
Controlled enough to be flexible;
Free enough to endure captivity;
Knowledgeable enough to ask questions;
Great enough to be anonymous;
Responsible enough to play;
Industrious enough to relax.



Happy Thanksgiving...



Friday, November 5, 2010

Nothin' Says Lovin' ...

Like a Bun in the Oven!

I love baking, especially when the weather turns a bit to a chill and the leaves are flaring their most vibrant colors. My inspiration these days...

ARTISAN BREAD IN FIVE MINUTES A DAY

It's all about how to make great, healthy bread at home. The fun part is that it takes only five minutes of active preparation time.

This “6-3-3-13” Rule is Key

To store enough for eight loaves, remember 6-3-3-13.

It’s 6 cups water, 3 tablespoons salt, 3 tablespoons yeast, and then add 13 cups of flour.

The secret to the five minutes? Mix up a lightning-fast batch of moist dough,

save it in your refrigerator,


tear off portions over the next week or more, shape and

Bake, Be Creative, Bake some more and


Enjoy fresh bread each and every day!


Here's a link to the Artisan Bread in Five Minute Website:

Happy Baking Friends!

YUM!