Sharons Place of blessings

Update

2012-01-16T14:53:00.002-07:00

Update
I just wanted to let my blogger friends know that I am doing really well. I still have a sm amount of pain now and then( PHN). My energy is back and I have been feeling pretty good. It is been a learning process for me as to what I can eat and making sure I take some powdered enzymes before I eat. ( my digestive track has been way out of balance and that is why I got sick in the first place.) Also am taking some probiotics and a few other things. All is helping to restore my immune system. I have been going to an acupuncherist for the pain and to help boost my immune system. I never though I would do that, but I am so glad I did. This is only my 8th week and I am doing so well considering how bad I had the Shingles on my left side. We just keep praying for wisdon and knowledge and that God would restore me back to health. And He is!!! Praise God! He knows just what I have needed in all of this at just the right time.
I have been decluttering again around the house little by little and cooking and cleaning. It feels so good to be able to do things again. I do have to rest now and then especially after I eat to be able to digest my food real well. That is helping!
We have also updated out computers to a faster speed so now I can get around a lot better. It is so frustrating when it is slow!
I hope you all have a Blessed Day!

Update

2011-12-28T12:24:00.004-07:00

Dear friends.
December has been a very hard month for me. I got the Shingles right after Thanksgiving and have the usual 30 days of blisters, nausea, extreme pain etc. Now I am just having the usual aftermath nerve pain.
The good news is I am feeling a lot better and I am not taking any pain meds at all. Cold wash clothes on the area or an Ice pack really helps. The Dr said I have the Classic full blown case, Thanks!
This was all caused by ME, weakening my immune system by eating several foods that I should have not eaten. I knew I was pushing it but not to that level. So a lesson learned the hard way.
I have also learned to depend on the Lord moment by moment to get me though this. His mercy and help have been awesome! He is always helping me when I ask Him for anything. Praise Him!
My hubby has been awesome too, helping in every way he can! Don't know what I would do without such a sweet and caring hubby. I can say the same for my wonderful Daughter who has been helping me so much too!
Well that is about it for now. If you think of me I could use your prayers! This is going to be awhile before this is over. Thank You!
Have a wonderful day and a Happy New year to you all!

Thank You! Everthing in me says "thank you"

Angels listen as I sing my thanks.

I kneel in worship facing your holy temple

and say it again:

Thank you! Thank you for your love,

Thank you for your faithfulness:

Most holy is your name, most holy is your word.

The moment I called out, you stepped in;

you make my life large with your strength.

Psalm138:1-MGB

A Christmas video

2011-12-13T14:16:00.001-07:00

This is a great Christmas video. Something to think about!

Have a wonderful day!

A Christmas letter

2011-12-11T15:07:00.002-07:00

A little something to make

2011-12-07T15:52:00.012-07:00

I thought these were so cute and simple to make. Just go to TidyMom for the tutorial.

And I love the nature of these at Better homes and garden they also have a tutorial.

I am a little under the weather but will be better in a week or so. So I have not been on the computer much.

Have a Blessed week.

Lemons, some info

2011-12-01T16:57:00.002-07:00

I got this info on Lemons in an email and thought I would share it here.
Lemons and Cancer, Snopes says, yes
Useful info that may help someone ...
. Even doctors are now
saying that there is value in trying LEMON.

So, a tablespoon of "real lemon" (the concentrate in a bottle) in a glass of
water every morning.

Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Charles Street Baltimore , MD
1201.

This is the latest in medicine, effective for cancer! Read carefully & you be
the judge.

Lemon(Citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells.. It is 10,000
times stronger than chemotherapy . Why do we not know about that? Because
there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will
bring them huge profits. You can now help a friend in need by letting
him/her know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its
taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific effects of
chemotherapy. How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is
kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large
corporations? As you know, the lemon tree is known for its varieties of
lemons and limes. You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the
pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc... It is credited
with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on
cysts and tumors. This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all
types. Some say it is very useful in all variants of cancer. It is
considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections
and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates
blood pressure which is too high and an antidepressant, combats stress and
nervous disorders.

The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the
largest drug manufacturers in the world, who says that after more than 20
laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that: It destroys the
malignant cells in 12 cancers , including colon, breast, prostate, lung and
pancreas ... The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better than the
product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutic in the world,
slowing the growth of cancer cells. And what is even more astonishing: this
type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and
it does not affect healthy cells.

~*~*~*~*~*~

You can do your own research on Lemons and their health benifits. There are lots!!

A little more Art

2011-11-21T19:44:00.003-07:00

I am having fun doing a little art a little at a time for my Spiritual Art Journal. This is a watercolor I did and one of my favorite verses. When I do the words on paper it takes me a long time to draw them out. It is not one of those things that come easy for me like some who can do Calligraphy. So it looks homemade and I guess that is OK. One of the things I do is I carefully take the paper out of my journal to work on it .It pops right back in and stays there because it has double rings on it. I still need to make a cover page for it, something about creating I think.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

²⁵If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Gal5:22-26

I was so thrilled to find these Ideals Mags at a local thrift store. I have been looking for some for a long time. I just love to read them and they have beautiful pictures and art work in them.

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving!!

A crocheted Scarf

2011-11-17T21:54:00.005-07:00

I just crocheted this scarf. It is a very soft yarn in a variegated light blue and white. It only took me 2 days. The large ball of yarn will make about 5 of these, so they will make some nice Christmas gifts. I already have 2 make for some Granddaughters. I use a size 10 crochet hook and just a double crochet stitch. I like the lacy look. It was fun to make as it goes along so fast.

I got real brave and decided to model it.

I hope you have a Blessed weekend!

God is good all the time!!

Art Journaling

2011-11-12T21:06:00.001-07:00

I have been doing a little "Spiritual Art Journaling" lately. Finally getting back into doing some painting.

This is so much fun, even if you don't draw or paint. I talk about it a bit more on my Art Journal blog.

These are just my first two pages. I am trying all kinds of thing to make different pages.

If you are already doing this I would love to see your pages too.

Winter is here! We have had snow on our mountains and it has been cold. In the 20's at night and 40's and 50's in the day time. Thanksgiving and Christmas are fast approching. I am looking forward to having T-dinner at my house this yr.

Have a great Weekend!

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

Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.Psalms 106; 1

A Short Trip

2011-11-01T13:52:00.001-06:00

We took a little trip just north of us last week and I took a few pictures.

It is such beautiful country here. We drove along the Payette river quit awhile.

Beautiful fall colors

We where on a country road that had open range and this cow was not going to move for anything. He was so content right where he was.

This is our happy little Japanese Maple tree with the sun shining through it, and I love the grasses in front of it.

Have a wonderful day!!

Finished Bedroom

2011-10-30T22:00:00.003-06:00

We finally finished painting and redoing the bedroom, Sorry I don't have a before pic. The paint color never seems to come out in pictures but it is a taup tan color. The headboard wall is a lot darker. Still need to do something with the ceiling fan. But believe me it is a lot better than it was. Like no headboard and contractors white and oak color funiture. Yes I even painted the dressers. We like it and that is the main thing.
The chest that is at the end of the bed has been in my hubbies family for about 80 yrs. I recovered the top but I just don't have the heart to repaint it. So just left it like it is for now. I keep all our extra blankets in it.
We may be getting snow here by the end of the week. I guess it is almost November already.
Time to change our clocks next Sat night!
Have a Blessed Week!!

Be aware!

2011-10-21T14:03:00.000-06:00

Just something to be aware of! Posting family photos can be a very dangerous thing. Read what happened to this family
And anybody can take them off your blog and misuse them. Please be careful that you don't post anything that is to personal. Or in this case put them in Photobucket with out making it private.

A fragrant Home

2011-10-07T20:30:00.000-06:00

I am updating this older post because I have a simmering pot on the stove right now. Fall is here and much cooler temps. Hubby does not like the candles and has trouble with them burning and even Scentsy products. So this is my best solution.
Here is a site that has 13 recipes for a simmering pot that is all natural. A fragrant Home.
The longer it is in the pot the better it smells. And you can keep adding to it. Enjoy!!!
Have a blessed day!! Sharon

No more Microwaving?

2011-09-07T20:15:00.000-06:00

Another big change in our life is that we are NO longer using the Microwave. My Dr. recommended that we no longer Microwave our foods. I have had stomach issues and food issues for a long time. So I did some research and found this really good article on the Hazards of Microwave cooking. It is worth taking the time to read.

http://www.health-science.com/microwave_hazards.html
We now use a Toaster Oven like the one above and it heats and cooks things in a very short time also. I just love it! Everything taste so much better! I have a hot pot for heating water quickly. I never did like the taste of miro water.
My daughter has had one of these for very long time and I have always liked it. So I finally got one.
Stay health my friends!

Blogger Comment Problems

2011-08-31T21:21:00.000-06:00

I can not post a comment on any ones blog and they can't on mine either. It seams this is a problem for a lot of Bloggers. I am trying to research it but so far nothing has worked. If anyone knows how to fix this please let me know and leave me a message titled "Comment help" at my email-sharonsplace5@yahoo.com Thank you, Sharon P. S. Blogger is always changing things usually for the better. Meanwhile it seams to create other problems. If so many of us are having this problem that they created why should I have to spend hours trying to fix it! It is so Frustrating! I may have to just give it up! I really don't have time for these fixes.

Tips on Raw Onions and Coconuts

2011-08-05T14:03:00.000-06:00

If you like raw onions on your salad or sandwiches but not the bad breath, here is a great tip from the Test Kitchen of the Gourmet Magazine. It is very short.

Also if you ever wanted to know How to crack open a Coconut and get the meat out, here is another short video from the Test Kitchen of the Gourmet Magazine.
Some good information on Coconuts here also!
Have a Blessed day!!

More Vegetables

2011-07-22T13:32:00.005-06:00

Need to eat more veggies? Here is a very good post on The Cereal Bowl Diet by Kalish research. My daughter told me about this site and it is full of good information especially about Gluten intolerance. Here is the start of the artical "Gluten intolerance is the most significant health problem faced by my patients. It causes adrenal stress or adrenal fatigue by burning out the body’s ability to produce cortisol leading to weight problems, fatigue and depression and adopting a gluten free diet is the most significant action you can take to improve your overall health. There is no more contention around any health issue than the subject of how to choose foods that are right for you. People who want to eat healthy, nutritious foods are frequently confused about what to do. Many follow what they assume are healthy diets with the best intentions, only to unwittingly be causing health problems by eating foods that are harmful to them................"
Have a healthy Day!!

How I lost weight

2011-07-17T21:17:00.003-06:00

I have had a few people ask me how I have lost the 36 Lbs this yr. It has taken me 61/2 months to loose it. So I thought I would share my weight tips. I know everyone has to do what they think is best and what works for them. I think most of us already know what we should do but sometimes need a little encouragement.

Well first of all I am wheat, dairy and sugar in tolerant (in any form) and have been for several yrs. But I was eating to much of the things I could eat. And sometimes the wrong type of foods.
So I finally just got to the point I was sick of being over weight. I have lost weight and gained it all back several times.
This time I really cryed out to the Lord and ask Him to help me be Obedient in what He wanted me to do in this area. He is so faithful and willing if we will only ask!

So In Jan I started. I made copies of a weekly food chart (you can make your own or find one on line) and I keep track of everything I eat everyday! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and when I exercise and room for comments.

I think you have to know exactly what you are eating. It tells you that maybe there are foods that you eat that don't agree with you, or that you may have an allergy too, that make you bloat,( and most carbs will do that) that you know you should have not eaten, and so on.

I circle in red foods that are a problem for me. And try the next week to stay away from them. I also write down how I feel in my comments so I know what foods may be a problem. I do this every night! At first I had to do it through out the day.

I made a weight loss chart on graft paper and charted how much I lost each week. I found this to be very encouraging as I saw my weight go down. I keep All these together on a clipboard.

My goal was to loose a pound a week, and I didn't care if it took me all yr to get to my goal.

Starving yourself is not a long term weight loss.

At my age I wasn't going to go gung-ho on the exercise either. I started very slow 5 or 10 min the first week and so on about 3 or 4 times a week. Any movement is good. You don't want to get sore or you will quit. And it takes time to recoup. I still never exercise for more that 20 or 30 min. sometimes only 15 min. It seem to work for me.

I chart at night in a quite place, I Pray for Knowledge and guidance and Obedience to do better the next day. I take it day by day and eat small portions. If I eat a salad I still eat a small one and Not a large one.
We eat out but I still don't wavier, I stick to what I know I can eat and what is good for me.

I don't dwell on what I can not eat. I look at what I can eat and I am very thankful for it! ( It helps to make a list of all the things you can eat that is good for you personally.)

It is also important to drink water! I drink 2 qts of water a day. It will help your brain, energy, and flushes away toxins and fat!

It is amazing how much the Lord has taught me about myself and the way I use to eat. It is a life change but is a very good one for me.
So there you have it. I hope that will help!

There are lots of verses but this one was helpful for me.
James 1:22
²² But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. ²³ For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. ²⁴ You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.( my note- In other words you see yourself and do not make any changes for the better) ²⁵ But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. ( God blesses obedience and then you will be successful.)

"The first requisite of success is the
ability to apply your physical and
mental energies to one problem
without growing weary.
- Thomas Edison

PS- Sorry I haven't been blogging much I am just enjoying summer time right now!
God Bless!

A Simpler Life

2011-06-02T06:23:00.000-06:00

A Simpler life

This is part of an article I found that I thought was interesting. We are so eager to fill our homes, yet so disinterested in cleaning it out. As a result, we now require larger spaces, more storage space, and more clutter for the mind. Did you know that there are more self-storage facilities in North America than there are McDonald’s restaurants? We find it difficult to reduce the amount of stuff we own is due to our attachment to these things.
Free Your Space - When we are reminded of something we own but never use, we can impose self-inflicted guilt for leaving it unused. For example, my mother owns a several exercise machines which are rarely used. Each time she sees them, she forces herself to feel guilty. Her guilt eats away at her inner, mental space. Our outer world is a reflection of our inner world. By cleaning out and simplifying our outer space, our inner space will open up like a flower.
Appreciation - The less we have, the more attention we can give those things we own and truly need on a regular basis. Appreciation is the seed for abundance; abundance of the mind and the soul. It’s pretty amazing how little we actually need. When we clear our homes and our lives down to the essentials, we are able to better enjoy that which we do have.
Nothing external to us can give us permanent and true happiness. We actually have all we need to be truly happy, Christ within us.
Oh the Joy of being His child and knowing He is always there.
May God Bless you!!

Our beautiful Geranium

2011-05-27T16:35:00.002-06:00

This Geranium looks like an Azalea but it is not. I just love the colors!! I can't believe how good it looked today after all the rain we had last night and the 40 mile an hr winds we had yesterday! She is a tough beauty!

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet

A New Book for me

2011-05-26T10:43:00.002-06:00

If you haven't already heard of this book I highly recommend this little devotional. It is 14.99 but you can get it at Costco for 7.49. It is very unusual as in is written as Jesus is speaking to you and has the Scripture verses too. They Make a great gift too!( There is a children's versions)
Here is one of the pages:
Living in dependence on Me is the way to enjoy abundant life. You are learning to appreciate tough times, because they amplify your awareness of My Presence. Tasks that you used to dread are becoming rich opportunities to enjoy My closeness. When you feel tired, you remember that I am your strength; you take pleasure in leaning on Me. I am pleased by your tendency to turn to Me more and more frequently, especially when you are alone.
When you are with other people, you often lose sight of My Presence. Your fear of displeasing people puts you in bondage to them, and they become your primary focus. When you realize this has happened, whisper My Name; this tiny act of trust brings Me to the forefront of your consciousness, where I belong. As you bask in the blessing of My nearness, My life can flow through you to others. This is abundant life!
Proverbs 29:25 John 10:10
Hav a blessed Day as He is with you Always !!!!

God Knows

2011-05-19T14:43:00.002-06:00

God Knows
When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts...
God knows how hard you have tried.
When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish...
God has counted your tears.
If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by...
God is waiting with you.
When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call...
God is by your side.
When you think you've tried everything and don't know where to turn...
God has a solution.
When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated...
God has the answer.
If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope..
.God has whispered to you.
When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for...
God has blessed you.
When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe...
God has smiled upon you.
When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow...
God has opened your eyes and called you by name.
Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing...
GOD KNOWS!!
~Author Unknown~

Homemade pullout Shelves for the Pantry

2011-05-16T20:02:00.001-06:00

Hubby is still working on making these pullout shelves for my pantry. This pantry is about 24" deep and I could not see anything in the back part. He also make two more for a cubbard that has my pots and pans in them. It sure makes finding things a whole lot easier. You can buy pullout shelve kits, but hubby is very good at doing these things. I am so thankful! Oh there is a door here it is a pocket door on the pantry that is on the right side.
Been busy planting flower beds, weeding, sewing, watching grand kids, and keeping up with cooking and cleaning.
I had some time to enjoy a few really nice days here. But would you believe we had SNOW this morn. Our Mt's were covered. Then it rained most of the day. A cold front is moving though but it should be nice again this week end.

Note- Here is the best tip on how to clean your coffee carafes at Mennonite Girls Can Cook.
Have a great week!!

Books

2011-05-02T22:28:00.072-06:00

Here are just a few Books I would recommend.

I love books that inspire and help me grow as a Christian and I found these very helpful.

Idea and links

2011-04-27T12:54:00.003-06:00

Pie in a Jar! This is such a cute idea for a picknic or to give as a gift to a friend or nieghbor.

Here is the web site Best Bites that tells you how to make them. You can just pop them in the freezer till you are ready to bake them. Give them baked or frozen to a friend.

The Idea Room has many great ideas. Something for everyone.
And don't forget Tidy Mom, a favorite site of mine.

Do you love pepper? You should!

2011-04-25T03:00:00.002-06:00

No this is not a commercial. I just wanted to share about this. This is our new Trudeau Elite Gravity Pepper Mill from Amazon. I just love it!!! You can set the grind any where you like it. Then you just tip it over and out it comes. ( it is battery powered) No pepper on the counter. It had good reviews about it too.
Since I can't eat a lot of things I have learned and acquired a taste for a little more spice in my foods. And since I have learned all the good things about pepper, I really love fresh ground pepper even more!
The health benefits of black pepper include relief from respiratory disorders, cough, common cold, constipation, digestion, anemia, impotency, muscular strains, dental care, pyorrhea, diarrhea, and heart disease.
Because of its antibacterial properties, pepper is also used to preserve food. It is a source of manganese, iron, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin K and dietary fiber. Black pepper is a very good, anti-inflammatory agent.

The health benefits of black pepper include the following:
Good for stomach: Pepper increases the hydrochloric acid secretion in stomach and thus, helps digestion. Proper digestion is essential to avoid diarrhea, constipation and colic. Pepper also helps to prevent formation of intestinal gas. Pepper-added diet promotes sweating and urination.

Helps to lose weight: The outer layer of peppercorn assists in the breakdown of fat cells. Hence, peppery foods are a good way to help you shed weight.Good for skin: Pepper helps to cure Vitiligo, which is a skin disease that causes some areas of skin to lose its normal pigment and turn white. According to researchers in London, piperine contained in pepper can stimulate the skin to produce pigment. Topical treatment of piperine combined with ultra violet light therapy is much better than the other treatments for vitiligo. It also reduces the chances of skin cancer due to excess ultraviolet radiation.

Relief for cough and cold: In Ayurveda pepper is added in tonics for cold and cough. Pepper gives relief from sinusitis and nasal congestion.

The antibacterial property of black pepper helps to fight against infections, insect bites etc. Pepper added diet helps to keeping your arteries clean. Helps lower cholesterol.

Good antioxidant: An antioxidant, like pepper, can prevent or repair the damage caused by the free radicals and thus helps to prevent cancer, cardiovascular diseases and liver problems.

Enhances bioavailability: Black pepper helps in transporting the benefits of other herbs to different parts of body.

According to Ayurveda, black pepper also helps avoid ear-ache and gangrene. It is also good for conditions of hernia, hoarseness and insect bites. It relieves joint pain.

It is a good treatment for respiratory conditions like asthma, whooping cough etc.

It is used to treat conditions of tooth decay and toothache. In ancient times, pepper was also used to treat eye problems.
There is a lot more good things about pepper you can find out if you just google nutrition and health benefit's of black pepper. And to think I hardly ever used it before!

Have a Blessed Day!!

A Tea for a Friend

2011-04-13T18:46:00.002-06:00

Oh what fun to have the girls over yesterday for a tea and lunch. I have a friend whose name is Sharon also, and she is unfortunately moving in two weeks. She lives just down the street from me. Would you believe we were born in the same yr and on the same day and we have the same first name? Yes, I think that is remarkable. We also have a lot in common! Kindred Spirits for sure. So this luncheon was a going a way party for her. Here are a few pictures!

This is us together.

The table and Friends.

I served, Chicken apple Salad

Cinnamon Scones

Fresh strawberries

Sparkling apple cran cider

Vanilla tea

Flower topped sugar cubes for the tea

Frosted choc chip Brownies for desert

And Mints

It was a blessed day for us all!!!
Have a great weekend!

Then there was Light!

2011-04-07T15:46:00.002-06:00

Finally we have some good natural light coming in our kitchen. Yesterday the contractors were here several hrs installing out new and wonderful Velux sun tunnels. or solar tubes as some call them.Wow what a difference they have made! here is a picture of our kitchen before we moved in. No lights on and in the day time. It was to dark to even cook in, in the middle of the day without all the lights on.

This is with still no lights on with the solar tube in. It is a 21".

See the small room on the right, the door way? That is my laundry room and it is going to get a solar light next week. Yea! It won't look like a black hole any longer!

And this is a bathroom that has no window. You always had to turn the lights on. But no more. So this is what the laundry room will look like too. It is just a 10" solar tube.

I just love all the light I can get in any room so this has salved the problem.

Just had to share. Have a wonderful weekend!!

Favorite Quotes

2011-03-29T00:41:00.001-06:00

These are some of my favorite quotes that I have collected. I Will be adding more all the time. Feel free to use any of these.

God's blessings to you, Sharon

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us." Helen Keller
*You are writing a Gospel a chapter a day, by deeds that you do , and words that you say. Men read what you write, whether faithless or true; Say ,what is the Gospel according to you?

"A gentle and quiet spirit is not only imperishable; it is precious in the sight of God. It's also one of the hardest qualities to cultivate. Far from a sign of weakness, a gentle and quiet spirit is the sign of a woman who is strong in faith, mind and character."

---From the book So Much More by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet

"Proud people tend to speak of other's sins, the miserable delusion of hypocrites, the deadness of some saints with bitterness, or the opposition to holiness of many believers. Pure Christian humility, however, is silent about the sins of others, or speaks of them with grief and pity. The spiritually proud person finds fault with other saints for their lack of progress in grace, while the humble Christian sees so much evil in his own heart, and is so concerned about it, that he is not apt to be very busy with other hearts. He complains most of himself and his own spiritual coldness and readily hopes that most everybody has more love and thankfulness to God than he."

"One under the influence of spiritual pride is more apt to instruct others than to ask questions. Such a person naturally puts on the airs of a master. The eminently humble Christian thinks he needs help from everybody, whereas the spiritually proud person thinks everybody needs his help. Christian humility, under a sense of others’ misery, entreats and beseeches, but spiritual pride commands and warns with authority."
-Jonathan Edwards- Spiritual Pride

"A woman makes a better wife when she doesn't try to make a better husband!" -Unknown

Be he king or a peasant,He is happiest who finds peace at home.

The home is a most marvelous and benevolent appointment of God, and is designed, among other ends, to unite, strengthen, and sanctify the different relations of life, and thus secure and promote the mutual happiness and well being of each and all. O Winslow

If only we can make Christ an abiding guest in our home, and if we can keep ourselves aware of His being with us, our household life cannot help but grow wondrously sweet! R.C.Miller

She turns away from luxury and ease to the plainer home, the simpler life, the humbler surroundings-without a murmur." *Home-making by J.R. Miller

"Hospitality is the act of caring for one another. We can entertain all we like, but not until we care does it become hospitality." Emilie Barnes
Home is where the heart is, The soul's bright guiding star. Home is where real love is, Where our own dear ones are. Home means someone waiting To give a welcome smile. Home means peace and joy and rest And everything worthwhile. --Author Unknown

Broken Dreams
As children bring their broken toys
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God
Because He was my friend.
But then instead of leaving Him
In peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help
With ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried,
"How could you be so slow"
"My child," He said, "What could I do?
You never did let go."
- Author Unknown
The Home Circle may be, ought to be, the most delightful place on earth, the center of the purest affections and most desirable associations, as well as of the most attractive and exalted beauties to be found this side of paradise. There is one vision that never fades from the soul, and that is the vision of mother and of home. No man in all his weary wanderings ever goes out beyond the overshadowing arch of home. Let him stand on the surf-beaten coast of the Atlantic, or roam over the western wilds, and every dash of the wave or murmur of the breeze will whisper. . . . . HOME, SWEET HOME!"

from: The Golden Gems of Life ~ Gathered Jewels for the Home Circle
by Ferguson & Allen
published 1882

So far as this world knows or can vision, there is no attainment more desireable than the happy and contented home."

A pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself."---A.W Tozer

If a man doesn't know where he is going, how DARE he ask a woman to follow him."
--Doug Phillips, A Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Her Husband's Vision
Charles Spurgeon quotes----

"I have no faith in that woman who talks of grace and glory abroad, and uses no soap and water at home. Let the buttons be on the shirts, let the children's socks be mended, let the roast mutton be done to a turn, let the house be as neat as a new pin, and the home be as happy as home can be."
Charles Spurgeon
"A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble."

"Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us."

"By perseverance the snail reached the ark."

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness."

"The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation."

"We have come to a turning point in the road. If we turn to the right mayhap our children and our children's children will go that way; but if we turn to the left, generations yet unborn will curse our names for having been unfaithful to God and to His Word. "

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Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to the garage makes you a car."
--by Laurence J. Peter

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Clearly there is an appropriate kind of sheltering. When those who are opposed to homeschooling accuse me of sheltering my children, my reply is always, 'What are you going to accuse me of next, feeding and clothing them?"---R.C. Sproul Jr.
The Bible calls debt a curse and children a blessing; but in our culture, we apply for a curse and reject blessings. Something is wrong with this picture."
---Doug Phillips

One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters."
--George Herbert

The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom." Henry Ward Beecher

"A Mothers love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible." Marion C. Garrety

"As mothers we are homebuilders, we are raising the next generation of godly seed. That child sitting in front of you could be the next Billy Graham, will you be found faithful in raising him accordingly? We have the ability to change the world through our mothering with help from the power of God."---June Fuentes

You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips."

Oliver Goldsmith

"Confidence is going after Moby Dick----in a rowboat, with a harpoon and a jar of tartar sauce."

"Thank God, O women, for the quietude of your home, and that you are queen it it. Men come at eventide to the home; but all day long you are there , beautifying it, sanctifying it, adorning it, blessing it. Better be there than wear a queen's coronet. Better be there than carry the purse of a princess. It may be a very humble home. There may be no carpet on the floor. There may be no pictures on the wall. There may be no silks in the wardrobe; but, by your faith in God, and your cheerful demeanor, you may garniture that place with more splendor than the upholsterer's hand ever kindled."
---Reverend T. DeWitt Talmage, D.D
Housework is what a woman does that nobody notices unless she hasn't done it. -Evan Esar

"The attitude in your heart will determine the atmosphere in your home"

"Not every home can be House Beautiful, but every home can be filled with the spirit of loveliness and the spirit of warmth, love and caring."

There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea. ~Bernard-Paul Heroux
If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you. ~Gladstone, 1865

-Women are like tea bags. They don't know how strong they are until they get into hot water.

Emilie Barnes, "A Cozy Christmas Tea" -- Perhaps that is the true gift of a teatime celebration: It fills our cups with joy and warmth and friendship. May the echo of the teacups' message be heard not only at Christmas, not only on special occasions, but anytime friends come together."

“Consider the ravens,
Their trust in their Maker!
They sow not, they reap not,
They store not away;
And yet they are nourished
And fed by your Father:
Are ye not, His children,
Far better than they?”

Another little verse says this:

“He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim,
He does the very best for those,
Who leave the choice to Him.”

And, yet, another one tells us:

“I do not know, I cannot see,
What God’s kind hand prepares for me,
Nor can my glance pierce through the haze,
Which covers all my future ways,
But yet I know that o’er it all,
Rules He who notes the sparrow’s fall!”

When you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side. Anonymous

Take Time to Be Holy
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
-- William D. Longstaff♥

ELIZABETH ELLOT QUOTES

The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may seem to be much worse, but in the end it's going to be a lot better and a lot bigger.

I am not a theologian or a scholar, but I am very aware of the fact that pain is necessary to all of us. In my own life, I think I can honestly say that out of the deepest pain has come the strongest conviction of the presence of God and the love of God.

Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering.... The love of God did not protect His own Son.... He will not necessarily protect us - not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.

Holiness has never been the driving force of the majority. It is, however, mandatory for anyone who wants to enter the kingdom.

Do you often feel like parched ground, unable to produce anything worthwhile? I do. When I am in need of refreshment, it isn't easy to think of the needs of others. But I have found that if, instead of praying for my own comfort and satisfaction, I ask the Lord to enable me to give to others, an amazing thing often happens - I find my own needs wonderfully met. Refreshment comes in ways I would never have thought of, both for others, and then, incidentally, for myself.

Elisabeth Elliot, at Urbana 76, told of her brother Thomas Howard. Their mother let him play with paper bags she'd saved if he put them away afterwards. One day she walked into the kitchen to find them strewn all over the floor. Tom was out at the piano with his father singing hymns. When confronted, he protested, "But Mom, I want to sing." His father stated, "It's no good singing God's praise if you're disobedient."

I really don't think ... you are in a bargaining position with God. He is the Master. He is the Commanding Officer. It is not for you to have input. It is simply for you to accept the orders as the orders are given.

We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others.

Until the will and the affections are brought under the authority of Christ, we have not begun to understand, let alone to accept, His lordship.

Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your saviour, your guide? If He is, you don't need to search any further for security.
If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine!

Let us beware of rebellion against the Lord. Circumstances are of his choosing, because He wants to bless us, to lead us (even through the wilderness) out of Egypt, that is, out of ourselves. Settle the complaint with God, and it will settle other things. Be offended with God, and you will be offended with everyone who crosses your path.
“Dreaming about a thing in order to do it properly is right; but dreaming about it when we should be doing it is wrong.” ~ Oswald Chambers
“There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.” ~ Carl Sandburg
“Living your calling is possible only if you are willing to hear God’s summons and respond in spite of perceived risk.” ~ Kevin & Kay Brennfleck
Creative and art
“The goal is to live creatively, not to experience individual creative events. Resist the pressure to create something artistic and perfect in order to prove yourself creatively. The goal of a creative life is expression, not perfection; you have the freedom to pour out your heart to God, regardless of how well you do it.” ~ Alice Bass, The Creative Life, pg. 84

All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. -Pablo Picasso

“Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.” ~ Pablo Picasso
”Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely. Light and colour, peace and hope, will keep them company to the end of the day.” ~ Winston Churchill.
“To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts - such is the duty of the artist.” ~ Schumann
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” ~ Picasso
“The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.” ~ Michelangelo
“What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit.” ~John Updike

“Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better.” ~ André Gide

“It always strikes me, and it is very peculiar, that when we see the image of indescribable and unutterable desolation - of loneliness, of poverty and misery, the end of all things, or their extreme - then rises in our mind the thought of God.” ~ Vincent van Gogh
“God has given us gifts so that we can use them to benefit others, and to bring recognition and honor to him. He does not call us to seek self-fulfillment, but rather to find fulfillment through seeking to serve.” ~ Kevin & Kay Brennfleck
“Deep in our hearts, we all want to find and fulfill a purpose bigger than ourselves. Only such a larger purpose can inspire us to heights we know we could never reach on our own. For each of us the real purpose is personal and passionate: to know what we are here to do, and why.” ~ Os Guinness

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” ~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

“Dreaming about a thing in order to do it properly is right; but dreaming about it when we should be doing it is wrong.” ~ Oswald Chambers

“But one thing true artists should never do is to abandon their calling.” ~ Philip Graham Ryken

Never think your creative pursuits are a waste of time. If God planted His artistic seed in you, let it grow; nurture it. Let’s encourage one another.
“Anyone who is called to be an artist should be an artist! God’s gifts are never to be hidden; his calling is never to be denied. And like everything else that we do, our art is to be done “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17). The life of an artist - like the life of any other Christian - is a life of daily dependence on the grace of God, with constant prayer for his blessing.” Philip Ryken

“To learn to work with the Holy Spirit in your creativity, first pursue a relationship with Him.” ~ J. Scott McElroy, author, Finding Divine Inspiration

“Creativity involves a leap of faith and confidence – faith in the creative process: ultimately art is a journey not directed by product but by the passage of thought, vision, intensive observation, time, and commitment.” ~ Albert Pinkham Ryder, American Painter (1847–1917)

“Remember that as a creative person, the important thing is to create. Who sees what you make, where it goes and what it does is a secondary consideration; the first is to exercise the talent God has given you.” ~ Franky Schaeffer
“Each work of art, whether it is a work of great genius or something very small, comes to the artist and says, ‘Here I am. Enflesh me. Give birth to me.’ And the artist either says, ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord,’ and willingly becomes the bearer of the work, or refuses.” ~ Madeleine L’Engle

“Every time we hesitate to begin for fear of failing or seeming frivolous, we must fill that moment of hesitation with prayer. Then we must follow that prayer with action, with doing something, anything that will get us moving forward in the practice of our art.” ~ Janice Elsheimer

"Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art." ~ Leonardo da Vinci

So Cute Pancakes!

2011-03-16T11:58:00.005-06:00

Oh so cute bunny pancakes for the kids! I just love Muffin Tin Mom Site. She shows you how to make them. They may be a little work but I don't know why you could not freeze them. She makes such fun things for the kids and the kid in us adults too! She makes lunches fun with muffin tins and such. Check her out!

We finally got over the yuky cold that I think all of Idaho as had. My whole family has had it too. Now I have a sore shoulder, But little by little it is getting better. I have lost 15 Lbs since Jan. and I am doing well now that my thyroid is normal again. So happy about that. I feel so much better at a normal weight.
Get to watch my little Grandson today.
May you have a great and very blessed day!

Something to ponder

2011-03-14T16:01:00.002-06:00

In light af all that is going on in the world and Japan I would like to share a post that I thought is some good food for thought.
It is about being prepared, at Oklahoma Pastry Cloth blog, read here
I would also like to add that one of my favorite songs "Sky full of Angles" has this line in it that is so comforting;
You can take my possessions
You can take all my gold
Nobody but Jesus gonna take my soul.

And this one from "No Shortage"
There's a shortage on fuel oil
And there's a shortage on gas
There's a shortage on wood
And there's a shortage on glass
Things that we've wasted are now precious to buy
You know there's even a shortage on the air in the sky
But I know a good thing that there's no shortage of
There's no shortage on God's mercy
There's no shortage on God's love

AMen!! I hope we all are prepared for we no what the next moment may bring! I hope we can all say
I am ready to walk in heaven with my Lord God today!

Break and a Link

2011-02-26T14:49:00.003-07:00

Sorry I have not been blogging lately but I am taking a computer break. Sometimes one just has too!!
But my wonderful daughter who is a very good free lance writer has written some things you might enjoy reading here.
Have a great weekend!

The Wonderful Someone

2011-02-14T10:09:00.002-07:00

The Wonderful Someone

"It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."

John 16:7, KJV

The very promise Jesus gave us contains a name for the Holy Spirit that reveals the uniqueness of His nearness in our loneliness. This name, "Comforter," is equally translated from the Greek text into six other names, each of which describes a slightly different aspect of the Holy Spirit's precious, personal ministry in our lives:

Comforter: One Who relieves of mental distress
Counselor: One Who gives advice and manages causes
Helper: One Who furnishes relief or support
Intercessor: One Who acts between parties to reconcile differences.
Advocate: One Who pleads the cause of another.
Strengthener: One Who causes strength and endurance
Standby: One Who can be always relied upon

Can you imagine how wonderful it would be to have Someone with these attributes in your life? If you belong to Jesus, you do have that wonderful Someone. You have the Holy Spirit.

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

Paper Doily Project

2011-02-11T19:07:00.006-07:00

I thought this was a really cute project. You can learn more here.

My Favorite Mug

2011-02-03T14:10:00.002-07:00

As you know I love pink roses, well all roses really! So this is my favorite fine china, Crown Victorian mug made in Staffordshire, England. I had a friend in WA that owned a gift shop and she use to carrie this type of mug. I just love the shape of them, I have 4 of them and each one is very different.

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet

God's Blessing!!

Chocolate Cameos

2011-01-25T12:02:00.003-07:00

Over at Country Living I saw this picture of these beautiful chocolates cameos!

I can not have chocolate, but I would love to make them for my friends and for when I have a tea.

Go here for info. Oh these could be a temptations Huh?

Have a beautiful day!!

The Secret to a Joyful life

2011-01-15T11:31:00.004-07:00

This is an older post that I moved up because in James I am reading about choosing Joy again.

I don't know were I saw it but make a copy and saved it so I have had it awhile. It is very good!

The Secret to a Joyful life
1. I choose to see the best in people. (Unless they, or the Holy Spirit show me otherwise.)

2. I choose to have compassion on people when I see their faults and shortcomings. I choose mercy.

3. I choose not to be offended. I choose to forgive. I choose to say I am sorry when I know I am wrong. I choose to take the lower place.

4. I choose to let God’s word show me how to live. I choose to trust in the truth of God’s word. I choose to focus on His promises. I choose to believe every word!

5. I choose not to gossip or to listen to gossip.

6. I choose not to spend any more time than necessary around negative people.

7. I choose not to concentrate on the pain and the problems, but on the One who has promised to give me His grace, and strength to be an over comer.

8. I choose not to obsess over my mistakes, but to learn from them, to get up, dust myself off and keep going.

9. I choose to be a giver. I choose to invest my time, what finances I have, my care and my love in other people.

10. I choose to be a listener and an encourager.

11. I choose to take care of myself. I see no point in running my body into the ground.

12. I choose to love God and myself. Then I can love others.

13. I choose to keep the time I spend venting, complaining and whining to a minimum. It wouldn’t be honest to say I never do it, but I choose not to "live there."

14. I choose not to dwell on the past or let its mistakes ruin my future.

15. I choose to spend time with God each day.

16. I choose to edify myself with good music, good activities, good company, good thoughts, and good confessions.

17. I choose to find pleasure and beauty in simple things and not always be longing for what I can’t have.

18. I choose to dream big, to set goals and work to achieve them.

19. I choose to have integrity and to be faithful – to God, my husband, my family, my friends and my call.

20. I choose not to blame others for my problems. I choose to be responsible.

Have a Joyful weekend!!

National Hot tea Month

2011-01-08T19:22:00.002-07:00

January is Nation Hot Tea Month

Today tea is the world's second most popular beverage consumed, second only to water. It's easy to make, affordable, and offers variety in its flavors and aroma. Americans drink 50 billion cups of tea each year, 40 billion of which are served as iced tea.

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Tea Time Trivia…
The first tea bags were created by Thomas Sullivan in 1904, and made of silk.
The difference between Black, Green, and Oolong tea is a result of the changes that occur during processing of the tea leaves. They are all made from the same type of tea leaves.
Black teas are fermented, left in a cool, dark, and damp place for a time, and then heated to stop the fermentation process.
Oolong teas are semi-fermented.
Green teas are heated after picking…so there is no fermenting process.
Herbal teas are not actually teas, but are concoctions of peels, flower leaves, herbs, and spices, and are caffeine free.
The caffeine content of tea is 40 mg in one cup of tea as compared to 99 mg of caffeine in a cup of coffee.
Black and Green teas contain a certain type of antioxidant called flavenoids.
To be labeled “decaffeinated,” the caffeine content per cup of tea must be approximately 5 mg.

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If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you. ~Gladstone, 1865

Have a wonderful weekend and have a cup of nice hot tea!

My Amaryllis

2011-01-05T18:19:00.002-07:00

Things are not working to well here on my blog so I am having to upload pictures using the html editor. So I hope it turns out.
Any way here are two pictures of my Amaryllis that just bloomed last week. I love the red ones. It has been so cold here outside, so it is nice to see a flower this time of yr. Even in the house.

God bless you my friends!

Happy New Year-2011

2010-12-30T19:38:00.001-07:00

If you're running a 26-mile marathon, remember that every mile is run one step at a time. If you are writing a book, do it one page at a time. If you're trying to master a new language, try it one word at a time. There are 365 days in the average year. Divide any project by 365 and you'll find that no job is all that intimidating.

Charles (Chuck) Swindoll
Insight For Living

As we grow older in life, years somehow seem to shorten and New Year's Day approaches with an ever increasing tempo. The more mature we get, the more we realize that time is only relative; how we live means more than how long we live. Happly also we do not live by years, but by days. In His wisdom God does not show us all that lies ahead. So we enter a new year to live it day by day. What is past is past. Today we start anew, and what we do today will make our life for tomorrow. Chin up, shoulders straight, eyes agleam, let us salute the New Year, and each day let us follow more faithfully, more courageously, more daringly the lead of our great Captain who bids us follow Him.
William Thomson Hanzsche

God Bless your day tomorrow!

New Fonts on Blogger

2010-12-26T11:09:00.002-07:00

Some of the changes on blogger are great! Especally all the new fonts( 40 of them)! You all have them so go check them out and have fun changing up your blog! It is really easy!
Note- These are not on your post fonts only for your blog.

It took me awhile to figure it out, but finally did so I will share.

Go to your Dashboard, scroll down till you see "blogger in draft" in the brown box,click on it, then go to the top of your page. You will see the light blue box that says "Make blogger in draft my default dashboard" Check the little box. That is it! Now when you go to change your fonts you will see all of them! If you are not sure how to do that I would be glad to help you, just ask me!

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We had a wonderful Christmas with our daughter's family! But I am ready to get back to things looking normal again at my house. I don't care for cold weather. I am a warm weather girl. So I changed everything around here to take my mind off of all the cold. I know we have several more mo of it, but I am thinking and hoping for warmer days at least now and then.

God Bless your weekend!

2010-12-22T18:25:00.003-07:00

Cute picture!

Lots of Snow here

2010-12-01T10:26:00.003-07:00

We are snow bound and it is still coming down. I am so glad we don't have to go anywhere.

I will take the snow over the tornado's they have been having in MS and other states.

Poor folks have lost everything.

Have a blessed week!!

Improved office

2010-11-27T16:22:00.003-07:00

We have been working on the office again. Finally got our new desks in place and things cleaned up.

I think that is the end of home improvement till next summer.

So here is the after pic first. and then what it looked liked before with just our folding tables to work on.

we have a little more room and it is nice to have drawer space to put things.

We were blessed to get the desks on sale too.

Have a blessed weekend!

More painting.

2010-11-16T20:07:00.003-07:00

We have been busy painting the living room,dinning room, kitchen, and office. I also repainted our laundry room to a lighter tone of yellow. Whew! Just finished last Friday. So we are done painting for a while. Maybe in the spring we will paint the bedroom and bath. It took me a few days to recoup and get everything put back. Our house looks so different now and much warmer with a little color on the walls. I don't have any good pictures as I am not the best at taking pictures. But here are a few.

This is the kitchen before and the dining room,

And this is after, just some subtle changes.

This is looking in to the office before.

The light blue green color just didn't go with the rest of what we had done.

So we went with a bold color for the accent wall and painted the rest in a golden tan same as the living room.

Next we are going to look for some desk. We are just using folding tables right now.

Little by little these rooms are getting done and we are enjoying them very much.

We also replaced this little bookcase in the kitchen.

With this one that works a little better for us.

Hope you enjoyed seeing the things we have been doing and the changes.

Have a good week!

The seasons of life

2010-11-09T09:40:00.002-07:00

I just have to share this. It is very beautiful! Please turn off my playlist first.

http://www.openmyeyeslord.net/theseasonsoflife.htm

Before and After

2010-10-31T15:15:00.002-06:00

Well I finish painting the entrance. Now I need to get a new frame for that picture. My how one thing leads to another. I know that is an odd place of my corner hutch, but believe me it is the only place I could put it. Our daughter got it for us several yrs ago and as you can see I use it to store some of my tea pots and cups.

Here is a before and after.

After

Painting is work but I love the transformation and the end result.

By the way Hobble lobby has great stencils. It was a hard decision to choose one. But I have a lot of swirls and curls going on in other things in the house so I choose this one.

God bless your Day!

paint paint and more paint.

2010-10-30T22:34:00.002-06:00

Every day I have been painting. Didn't realize just how much this house need it. It was just the basic contractors off white paint. The whole house! Well I am off to a good start anyway. I finished the feature wall in the living room, and that led to painting the wall behind the couch. I am working my way around the room. It dose look better with the whole wall painted now. It even makes the room look bigger.

So now I am working on the entrance. It is a small area so I thought I would do something a little different. I started with a faux ( ragging off some of the paint) then do some stenciling. and rubbing in some brown tones to finish it off.

The color is more like the one with the stencil being done. Ill take one when it is all finished in a few days.

It is late and I am tired.

So have a great weekend!!

Painting and first snow

2010-10-26T16:27:00.004-06:00

Our weather today has been rain, snow and sunshine. A good day to paint. So I have this cove in our living room that I decided to paint a darker warm golden tan to warm up the LV room a bit more. It will be a feature wall as they call it. I mixed my paint with some glaze and then ragged some of it off to give it a little bit of interest. It turned out nice. I will try to get a picture of it. It is hard because of the back light I get from the window. So may be a night picture would work. Next is the kitchen in a lighter tan. But maybe next week.

OK I am adding in here the night picture I just took. But now I have deicided to paint the whole wall. Not just the cove part. My daughter and I think it looks to broken up. Besides I just love the color.

It didn't snow at our house yet, but just on the Mountains. So pretty!!!

Hope you have a wonderful week!

Like a Pumpkin

2010-10-24T17:35:00.003-06:00

A woman was asked by a coworker, 'What is it like to be a Christian?'

The coworker replied, 'It is like being a pumpkin.' God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.

Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.'

Let us let our light shine on others today!

God bless your day!

Redo

2010-10-21T16:47:00.002-06:00

We have been redoing our living room at bit. I still need to paint one of the walls. I have always wanted a fireplace and we found this wonderful entertainment center with a electric fireplace built in it. It looks so real, and we are so happy with it. It does not show up in the picture to well. We got it a Lowe's. Also bought a few decor things and some new rugs. So here are before and after picture.

Before.....

After......

We have been having the most beautiful sunny weather. And the fall colors here are just beautiful this yr. We did have frost early this morn but we got up to 77 today. Perfect!!

I have a neighbor up the street that is a BSU (Boise State University) extreme fan!!!

So they drove home with this the other day.

Is that extreme or what? Funny.

The Grand kids are here to spend the night at our house so better go.

Have a blessed weekend!

A Favorite Tea Cup

2010-10-06T19:18:00.005-06:00

Another one of my favorite cups! I think they all are as I enjoy them all.
We had summer time weather for the last 2 weeks. But now the cool weather of fall is here with a little rain now and then. The tree are turning and or lost their leaves already. It has been a busy time for me. I am attending two bible studies and watching our sweet little grandson once a week. And life in general has many things to do. I hope to do a post at least once a week.

Today one our verses in our study on Philippians is one I love and is a prayer that we can also pray for ourselves, and our family and friends.

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Phil 1:9-11

Have a blessed week!

A Book

2010-09-25T16:41:00.002-06:00

In my last post I mentioned Anne Graham Lotz book "Pursuing more of Jesus". That we are doing a bible study using a study guide. Well I ordered the book from Amazon for .01 cent plus shipping. I got it today. Not only is it a good inspiring book but has 12 lessons in it too from the book of John.

I really like her easy daily approach to reading the bible and listening to what God has to say to us. If you go to her website annegrahamlotz.com

You will see, "How to study your bible". She has free print outs on a study to get started with. It is fun!

Enjoy! Sharon

First day of fall and trip

2010-09-22T12:27:00.003-06:00

Just a few fall decorations at our house. How can you go wrong with a candle and a few ceramic pumpkins from the dollar store.

and a few small fall quilt to make it cozy! I make these several yrs ago.

We saw a few fall colors on our trip too.

This is the beautiful Sawtooth Mt range from Stanley Id.in the evening.

And this was taken in the morning.

This was where we stayed in one of the cabins. They were very nice. I just love log homes and cabins. So to stay in one is a real treat for me.

And also this one. It is the Bonner's Ferry Log Inn.

We also saw this wonderful heard of antelope.

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

I am going to a bible study and we are doing one of Anne Graham Lotz books. We are using the study guide to this book and it is a video series too! It is one of the best I have done. It is only a 6 week study. I highly recommend this book even if you don't do the study. It is one of those life changing books.

Have a Blessed week!

Trip Pics

2010-09-17T10:16:00.008-06:00

We Just got back from our 5 day trip to northern Idaho and Montana. Had a wonderful time. It was a nice break before winter sets in. I took pictures some good and some not so good. One of the highlights of our trip was to see the Kootnai River again and the Falls.It is near Libby Montana. It is one of the most beautiful rivers and the color of the water is awesome. We where blessed with perfect weather too!

This is a tamer part of the river.

We saw these Big Horned Sheep right along side the Road.

I will show more pictures later. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As you have probably guessed by now one of my favorite colors is turquoise. Maybe it is yours too. Here is a beautiful site that I have discovered that I would like to share with you.
The House of Turquoise.

Roses and Vintage Glass

2010-09-09T21:30:00.004-06:00

It is getting so cool now at night and our days in the 70's that I am sure this is the last of the roses for this yr. But I should have a lot more next yr since this was the first yr for them to bloom. I will be looking forward to that.

I thought I would show you this pitcher set that was my mothers. I believe it is 1930s and it is a type of Carnival glass, I think. It is lead glass and is very heavy. I have always loved it. I only have a few things that belonged to my Mom. I am glad this is one of them. I remember as a little girl that it was kept at my Grandmothers house. Because we lived in a trailer and travel a lot as my Dad was a contractor for the railroad. But it made it's way back to my Mom. She pass away in 94. So I have had it for a long time.

I know I am always changing stuff here, I like this one too, and will save the other background I had up for Oct.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

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

And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years,

Genesis1:4

This I call to mind and therefore I have hope because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail, They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentation 3:21-23

Autumn is in the air

2010-09-07T15:58:00.007-06:00

We had our first frost and it has been very cool in the evenings here. Time for some nice hot tea in the mornings.

Last week we took a day and went to the Train Depot here. It is now just a historical site. Love to look at old trains and things with my hubby. Then we went to the Art museum. Had lunch down town.It was a fun day! We will be taking a short trip up north soon. Can't wait!

I have been working on trying to find a theme I like for a fall look and of course have found one from my favorite background site. Cute bloglayouts by Ingrid. She is soooooo talented. I did use a different header though from Rasberry Road Designs that I made. Love the yellows in it.
Even our trees here have signs of turning leaves. Don't you just love the changing of the seasons? I missed it so much when we lived in So Calif. So I feel so Blessed to live in the north west!

Have a great week!

Candle Ideas

2010-08-27T14:51:00.000-06:00

It is almost candle time as fall approaches and the day light gets shorter. I gathered a few candle ideas I thought you might enjoy.

There are so many kinds of candles, but tea lights are one of my favorites. They are so versatile.

Have a wonderful weekend!!
~~~~~~~~~~~
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strengh of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

Hibiscus

2010-08-19T14:21:00.000-06:00

As we took our walk the other evening we saw this giant Hibiscus. I have never seen one like it. Just amazing! We also saw these others but they were normal size. So Pretty!

And a Perfect Rose!

God creates beauty, joy, and delight in flowers just for us to enjoy!

Tea Time Tues

2010-08-16T21:23:00.002-06:00

It is Tea Time Tues hosted by Sandi. So today I would like to show you my favorite china mug. I love the pink roses on it. I use it a lot. I have a hot pot I heat water in, not the microwave.
The tea pot I got at a hospital gift shop back in the early 90's in Calif . My daughter was applying for a hospital job as a nurse and while I was waiting for her I saw this adorable little 4 cup tea pot. It has the sweetest little roses and flowers on it and a rose bud on top. And I use it too!

I also found these Gluten free Pecan shortbread cookies to have with a cup of tea in the after noon or mid morning. I use to enjoy going to tea rooms, but I have not found one that caters to us GF folks so I don't go anymore. Sad. If I can buy GF cookies, cakes, breads and such why can't they and just freeze them. That way they would have them on hand when someone like me shows up. I have been known to bring my own when I have gone with a group of ladies. Oh well! I hope you will enjoy a cup or mug of tea today! Hot or cold it is good for you!

There is nothing you can do to make God love you more. There is nothing you can do to make God love you less, His love is unconditional, impartial, everlasting, infinite, perfect, God is Love!

~author unknown~

Growth and Flowers

2010-08-15T14:39:00.001-06:00

Butter Cups and Patunias

If we only knew just what our Lord meant when He said, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin." Surely these words give us the picture of a life and growth far different from the ordinary life and growth of Christians-a life of rest and a growth without effort. Yet, a life and a growth crowned with glorious results. We may be assured that all the resources of God's infinite grace will be brought to bear on the growing of the tiniest flower in His spiritual garden as certainly as they are in His earthly creation. As the violet abides peacefully in its little place,(accepence with Joy) content to receive its daily portion without concerning itself about the wandering of the winds, or the falling of the rain, so must we rest in the present moment as it comes to us from God. We must be contented with our daily portion, without anxious thought as to anything that may be whirling around us in God's glorious universe, sure that all things will be made to "prosper" for us....In our growth and our walk with Him.....

Accept each moment as it comes to you from His dear hands, as being the needed sunshine or dew for that moment's growth. Say a continual "Yes" to your Father's will. And finally, in this, as in all the other cares of your life, "Be careful for nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God that passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4 :6, 7) .

"The righteous shall flourish like the palmtree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing" (Psalm 92: l 2 l 4) .

By Hanna Whitall Smith

Train trip in Idaho

2010-08-14T11:40:00.004-06:00

Yesterday we took a 3 hr train trip with our family on this train. It was such a beautiful day and beautiful scenery! Here are a few pics.

We road in the open car. That is my daughter and grandson and me.

Saw beautiful Idaho ranches.

We followed the awesome Payette River.

Saw lots of rafters having fun!

This is a restaurant along the river.

I love this beautiful Ranch home on the river.

It was a wonderful day!! There is nothing like enjoying Gods creation!

Pantry cleaning

2010-08-12T15:56:00.002-06:00

Well it took me all day on weds to rearrange my pantries. But I think I will be able to find things a lot easier. Put all the can goods on one shelf, all my teas together, bowls, boxed food and other things. It is not a designer make over but it is a lot more functional.

This is the before pic. I started and than remembered I should take a picture. This pantry has shallow shelves but is wider.

After. I took the bifold doors off that are a plain nuisance, and I will put up a curtain for now.

This pantry is very deep so a lot of wasted space in the back and I can never see things very good. I had stuff that was way out dated I didn't know I had. Has a nice pocket door on it. This one is in my kitchen. And the other one is just around the corner by the frig.

After. Now the things I don't use very much are on the top shelf. At least I know now where everything is, I hope!

It was a good day and feels good to get that job done.

We also had a storm roll through yesterday. This was our sunset.

Love this quote!

"The first requisite of success is the

ability to apply your physical and

mental energies to one problem

without growing weary."

- Thomas Edison

Have a wonderful day!!

New washer and dryer

2010-08-11T10:40:00.004-06:00

My exciting news for us today is that 7:45 AM this morning our new washer and dryer arrived. I was barely

awake! Our old ones were 20 Yrs old and were not working very well. We purchased them at Sears after shopping around. I had a front loader once but was not that fond of it. It took over an hr running time, and I didn't like having to leave the door open because of the smell, also the spin cycle was so fast it shook the whole house.And you could not stop it if you wanted to add something. Sorry, but in my humble opinion I just think they are a little over rated. On the consumer report the Kenmore 800 series( made by whirlpool) did very well. So this is what we went with. Nothing fancy but works real well! I am so thank for them and we had the money put aside for them. You know that emergency fund we all should have!! Yes we listen to Dave Ramsey too!

Now I am off to rearrange my pantry, it needs help!

Have a beautiful day!

Edit-- Here is an update of the laundry Room with a shelf above the washer and dryer.

It also hides all the hoses.

Balloons and sky

2010-08-08T20:27:00.005-06:00

We woke up and looked out the window and saw these balloons floating close to us in the sky in the early light of morning. There where 4 of them. It looks like great fun! Maybe someday!

I love the hearts on this one balloon.

Then the other evening there were these beautiful clouds. Notice the microwave tower. There is an eagles nest on top and three bold eagles live there. We get out the binoculars and watch them some times. It is the highest thing around.

If you look close you can see two of them setting in the nest. The nest is huge!

Sorry it is so blurry but it is a long way away.

And this is a sign I make for our outside entrance. The white corners match our screen door. Do you have a name for your home yet? It is just something special to do!

Have a great week!

This and that!

2010-08-01T17:34:00.002-06:00

I just love this artist, Catherine Klein. She painted beautiful roses! When I grow up I would like to paint like her. In my dreams!!

For some really cute ideas on home school rooms please visit.

The wise woman builds her house blog.

We are doing great and enjoying our summer very much! Hope you are too!

we are having company this week so getting ready for that.

Have a wonderful and blessed week!

New light fixture

2010-07-23T15:56:00.006-06:00

Yesterday we finally got a new light up in our dinning area, It is open to the living room and kitchen. And it matches the curtain rods. I had to go to a lighting store to find what I was looking for. It looks so much better then the old one and I really like it!

This is the old one that is a 1980's design. It was to big and brassy!

Have a wonderful weekend!

New Roses

2010-07-22T10:52:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to share a little beauty with you today. These are our two new rose plants I got at Home Depot on sale last week. The first one is called Double Delight.

Love the bright pink edges on white!

And this one is called "Henry Fonda". It is a beautiful bright yellow. They wilted the first day we planted them, but have come back now. Poor things went into shock. I think they must have been fresh out of the green house.

Have a Blessed Day my friends!

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. Jude 1: 24-25

An Apothecary Jar

2010-07-17T17:47:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to share with you this little project. I have had this Apothecary jar for a while and and finally put something in it for the summer. They are fun to decorate with for the seasons. I used Gerber daisy's and a battenberg lace doily to cover the floral foam. Just some things I had on hand. Hope your weekend is going great!

Psalms 100

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise, Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.

Motivational Gift

2010-07-16T15:23:00.001-06:00

My sweet Daughter gave me these this week for my Birthday. Talk about motivation! This book is really good with lots of information about all the ways just walking 30 min a day can help us. And the Pedometer is wonderful! It tells me how far I have gone, how many steps I took, Calories burned, and fat grams burned.

It's great! I have a perfect safe place to walk in our comminity so I have no excuses. She said she wants to keep me around for a while longer. Thank you Karen!

I had that flue/cold that was going around and it left me very tired and has taken a long time to feel normal again. Plus my Thyroid has been too low. So tired from that too. This week it is up some and I am feel pretty good. So I am walking and starting to do projects again.

My hubby gave me a new light on the pole in front of our house and the sconces to match as you can see in my new header picture I took this morning. That is what I asked for, so he put them up yesterday. It's those little things that can make a difference huh? We had very old brass ones before.

Now I am working on a house number plague, a painting for daughter, and a sign. So I have been busy!

Well I am going for my walk about 9:00 pm when it will be cooler as this is the warmest day we have had so far. It does not get dark here till 10:00!

Have a Blessed Weekend!

Tea Time Tues

2010-07-12T19:46:00.003-06:00

This week I want to show you my beautiful teapot that my dear Daughter gave me one yr for my birthday. It is fine bone china- Crown Victorian, made in Staffordshire England. I just love it!!

The cup and saucer is porcelin and is from a tea room that I was working at for a short time for a friend, and bought it at a discount there.

Please come join us at Sandi's for Tea Time Tues.

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

"Hospitality is the act of caring for one another. We can entertain all we like, but not until we care does it become hospitality." Emilie Barnes

"Not every home can be House Beautiful, but every home can be filled with the spirit of loveliness and the spirit of warmth, love and caring."
There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea.

~Bernard-Paul Heroux

Tea Time Tues

2010-07-05T19:40:00.007-06:00

It is tea time Tues already? This week has gone by so fast. As you can tell I love the color turquoise and aqua. So I have these two cups. The one on the right does not have a saucer.

It was a lone cup, but oh so pretty. I have had all my tea cup for about 12 to 15 yrs.

And several were given to me. Almost all of them have an inside pattern. Those are my favorites!

Visit Sandi to join in Tea time Tues.

Have a blessed week!

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalms 1:1-3

A Site you will love

2010-07-02T22:03:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to share this site I found that has so many resourses for anyone who COOKS. Would that means most of us ladies? The site is Diane's Food and Kitchen Resources. You will want to save this one!

Have a Happy 4TH of July and remember to pray for our country and leaders.
God's blessing! Sharon

Tea Time Tues

2010-06-28T12:32:00.020-06:00

It is tea time tues thanks to Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage

So today I am showing this cup and saucer that is hand painted china. It is very very thin china. I bought it at an antique shop in Reno, NV about 12 yrs ago when we lived there. It has no markings on it. From what I understand if you purchased it in the country that it was make, they didn't have to mark it. They only had to mark them if they were sold out of the country. Is that right? Does anyone know for sure? So I don't know what country it is from.

Well it is one of my favorite tea cups and I do use it. I have used all of my cups. That is what they are for Right?

Now I just want to share an older post I did last yr on some

TEA THOUGHTS.

The TEA POT is the vessel that contains the water. Sometimes it gets chipped or cracked. We are God's vessels, with all our imperfections, designed to pour out His love and grace to others. 2 Cor.4:7

The TEA COZY represents how we are wrapped in God's love. He loved us enough to die in our place. His love warms us and covers all our imperfections. 2 Cor.5:21

Without WATER there can be no tea. Water is like the Holy Spirit. We cannot do anything pleasing to God without Him. He is the one who makes it all happen for His Glory. We are told to be filled with ,and walk by the Holy Spirit. Eph. 5:18, Gal. 5:16

The TEA is placed into the water to give it the flavoring we enjoy. If left in a short time, the tea is weak. The longer the tea is in the water the stronger it gets. The tea represents time spent in God's Word. The more time we spend in the Word, the stronger we will become. 2 Tim. 2:15

The TEA CUP holds the final product. It is like our lives. It holds what we put into it. When it holds the Holy Spirt and we are steeped in His Word the results will be a full and rich life, filled with joy and peace in all our circumstances. Gal 5:22-23

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.
Ps. 100:4-5 (NAS)

God Bless your Day!

Bloggeretts Sorority

2010-06-26T08:54:00.005-06:00

I have joined the Bloggeretts Sorority and this is the project that we did. I am a day behind on this.
I took this picture.

And make this with it.

Then we had to take a picture of ourselves. Yep, It is me.

This was a fun project and I love the picture of the girls. I hope you will all will join in the fun so we can get to know each other better.

I get to go to a Quilt show with a friend today. Should be fun!

Have a great and blessed weekend.

Hugs, Sharon

First Rose of 2010

2010-06-23T14:01:00.002-06:00

This is a picture I took last night of our FIRST rose, And it smells wonderful! I know that may sound silly but I haven't had any roses in our yard in a very long time. I planted this rose as a bear root several mo ago and then I moved it. Roses don't like to be moved at all. So I thought I lost it. I am sad that I did not jot down the type of rose it is. I should have kept the wrapper. But she is a beauty! God is such an awsome creator of beauty! It is a nice warm day of 95 here and no humitity to speak of. I LOVE SUMMER!!!!

Have a blessed day!

How to be a better blogger

2010-06-18T11:58:00.006-06:00

I read this story about how to be a better blogger and thought I would share it with you if you have not read it already. It is here: It is called Goldilocks and the Three Bloggers.

She has lots a good information and good advice.

Deck chairs and flowers

2010-06-16T15:09:00.008-06:00

It was time for some new chairs for our not quit done porch. Love- love- love the color of these. A nice contrast to the deck color and all the green. They are cheerful and fun. We are really going to enjoy them. We got them at Home Depot.

We are having a very cool day today. They said rain but not yet. It may get up th 80 this week end I hope!!!

Here are just some pics of flowers I took also.

God bless and have a blessed day!

To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thess 11-12

Tea cup

2010-06-12T11:35:00.001-06:00

This is one of my teacups I thought I would share with you today. There are no markings on it and it is not a matching set. I found this lonely little tea cup at yard sale a long time ago. I just loved it. It is very thin china and hand painted swans on it. I love the shape of it too. Isn't it fun to see things that you really like that are beautiful and bring a little pleasure to your life that don't cost a lot of money?

These are just a few of the tea towels that I embroidered and used scrap fabric for trim.

God fills my cup daily with all that I need for today!

God bless your day!!

Praise

2010-06-01T12:07:00.004-06:00

Picture from Better Homes and Garden

Praise will transform the humblest dwelling to a hallowed haven. It will light the countenance and make the plainest face beautiful. It is impossible for the man who has learned unceasing praise to be a failure. God's blessing attends his path, and God's Spirit rules his heart. He is eternally at peace with both God and man.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." 1 Pet.2:9

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is one of my favorite older posts so I thought I would post it again. Nothing new. Our weather has been different this yr and not warm lately. Hopefully soon! Looking forward to being out more!

Have a blessed week my friends!

Snow in May

2010-05-23T21:03:00.006-06:00

Yesterday we had a cold system move through and lots of rain here and snow on the mountains. It was only 42 yesterday and 63 today. Very unusual for this time of yr, set a record low I think. But it sure is pretty!

Hubby finally got a picture of some the ducks that come up the stream every day in our back yard. That is the new bridge he built. The grandchildren will love to sit on it and put their feet in the water on nice days.

Friday I had a tea to go to and helped with at our clubhouse. And that evening and Saturday we had a women's conference at out church. So this is a very welcome day of rest.

Have a blessed week my friends!

Dryer Sheets

2010-05-19T14:56:00.001-06:00

Things you can do with Bounce dryer sheets

Repel mosquitoes.
Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.
Eliminate static electricity from your television screen.Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.
Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a used sheet of Bounce.

Freshen the air in your home. Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang one in the closet.
Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce to eliminate the static cling on the thread before sewing.
Eliminate static cling from pantyhose. Rub a damp, used sheet of Bounce over the hose.
Prevent musty suitcases.Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.
Freshen the air in your car. Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.
Clean baked-on food from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in the pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The antistatic agents apparently weaken the bond between the food and the pan while the fabric softening agents soften the baked-on food.
Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.
Collect cat hair.Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.
Eliminate static electricity from venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.
Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sandpapering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.
Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.
Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight so they'll smell great in the morning.

Lovely Flowers

2010-05-18T10:56:00.005-06:00

These are just some of the beautiful flowers I saw on my walk around our nieghborhood. Yesterday I just got some more annuial flowers planted. You can't plant to early here so about the middle of May is a good time.

We had to go to the dump yesterday and this is the view we saw. It seems the dump has the best views in town. We are having rain today as a system is moving though from the west.

"If we compare ourselves with others, we will become either proud or discouraged- and neither is from God." Kent Crockett

Faux window

2010-05-14T17:10:00.001-06:00

Well I finished painting the faux window in my Laundry room. It is not great but it is ok until I decide to change something else.

This is the before.

And this is after I painted it and did the window.

Those old washer and dryer were here when we moved in last fall but they are still going. I am sure we will have to replace them soon.

I love the Laundry sign so I moved it here above the shelves my hubby put up for me.

Those are green latex gloves in the jar for cleaning, and the other ones are my soap

I am going to plant some more flowers this weekend, go to a car show with hubby and enjoy our beautiful 80 degree weather. So nice!!!!

I hope you all have a blessed weekend too!

A Blended Quilt

2010-05-13T21:34:00.000-06:00

This is just something else I like to do sometimes. This is called a Blended Quilt. It is so fun to make because you can use all those scraps and it always comes out unique and interesting. It is not your traditional quilt but you can use traditional blocks. I still need to back it. I am going to use this one for the table in the fall and winter.

This is a very good book on Blended Quilts by Sharon Evens Yenter. Hope you quilters and sewers will give this a try. You will Love it! God Bless!

Making them useful

2010-05-10T08:40:00.003-06:00

I thought I would show you what I made to hold my art brushes and pencils. They are just simple tin cans that I painted and wrapped some pretty ribbon around them. There is a small, med, and large can that peaches came in. They now match my room and I really enjoy them.

Beautiful and Strong

2010-05-07T09:01:00.004-06:00

I have a nieghbor that is not going to be home for a while. They have a lilac bush that is very old and tall. So I helped myself to their flowers and took this picture of them. Yip I am learning how to take better pictures and fix them. These flowers smell so good too!!

You won't believe what these poor precious little blooms have been through this week. Freezing temps at night and lots of wind, rain and hail and very cool days. They are so hardy and strong!

They remind me of trials and hard times we sometimes have to go through too. I have to ask myself if I can stand strong against the storms of life and still be a lovely person, blooming just where God has me, not even careing if I am seen or not, and without complaining or grumbling. Always getting my strenghth and nurishment from him, Trusting my lord through it all. May I be a sweet fragrence to Him!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Today- National Day of Prayer

2010-05-06T11:50:00.001-06:00

“Prayer is the most powerful resource we have in this life. May we as followers of Christ and citizens of the United States humble ourselves before the only One who blessed the prayers of our forefathers and showered this land with greatness ...

May God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, be once again exalted in our halls of government, in our sanctuaries of worship, and in human hearts that need His healing touch. Join me in prayer for America on Thursday, May 6, 2010 for the National Day of Prayer”
—Franklin Graham

Window but not done yet.

2010-05-04T12:56:00.002-06:00

I have been working on this faux window in my laundry room off and on for a week.

It is STILL NOT DONE YET but I am a lot closer. I will be by next week. I really want to get it done soon as I have another painting for our daughter to work on now that my art and sewing room are completed. I thought I would just post it anyway to show you what I have been up too. And maybe It will be an inspirations for someone else to try it. Just google up faux window imagies to get ideas. You can also purchase a faux window and appy it like wallpaper. They are great! But you have to have a smooth wall, and I don't. So paint was easier for me and I can get it the size I need it to be for the small wall space.

Have a blessed day!

Home improvements

2010-04-27T17:53:00.002-06:00

We are busy with home improvements this week again, Our front door was starting to peel, so we just painted it just a shade lighter then it was. The way to our door is a recessed area so the dark red helps to see it a little better and a nice contrast to our house color I think. This door way catches the morning sun so it is a nice place to come outside a have a cup of tea or coffee or even eat breakfast on my little table.

My strong hubby planted these four Thuja emerald green trees to give us a little privacy in our back yard.

Our laundry room is my project. I am painting it a light yellow. Because it doesn't have a window I am thinking I will paint a faux window on the back wall. I will show pictures when I get it all done.

We have been having really nice weather but now a storm is moving thru. A good day to paint inside.

Well that is all I have for now.

I hope you are having a good week.

A new yard and plants

2010-04-20T20:03:00.004-06:00

Today we went shopping for plants for our very bare front yard. We came home and planted all 20 plants. Whew! Are we tired. About an hour after we where done it started to rain. Happy happy plants! Even though we watered them as we planted them. God's watering is better.

Below is a before picture of the yard.

This is the after! We had curbing put in a few weeks ago first and then put in a yard of potting soil a few days ago. Now we need to put on a yard of mulch on top. We need to get a few more plant and flowers that they didn't have yet. We love the Japanese maple on the left. Almost done!

Next year we will have a lot of tulups. But at least we had a few this yr.

Spring in our back yard! The pink tree is our nieghbors, but we get to enjoy it too!

Happy spring to you all!!

Just a little more.

2010-04-17T16:24:00.005-06:00

I have been doing just a little more on my closet. I think I have finished it. I hope! I finished the curtain below and covered the chair with a strip. I made sewing machine covers for the two machines. Added some pretty boxes. And detailed the baskets to match. Now I like it very much!

I decoupaged the letter S with roses I cut out of magazines. I like the way it goes with my Sandy Clough Picture.

The room looks a little better now than this last picture.

Painted Lamps

2010-04-12T18:53:00.003-06:00

This weekend I did a little painting. I have had this lamp for a long time that I picked up at Ross real cheap.

I love the shape of it and it is just right to paint it Mackenzie Childs style. So now it goes with my newly painted sewing and art room.

This is the lamp before

and after.

At Mackenzie Childs this lamp could cost any where from $150.00 to $1,000.00. Wow! I would love to work for her!

I also painted this lamp below to better match. It was black medal and now it is a fresh white.
I found this cute printed vinyl table cloth that I just love. I painted the table legs white. It is a small 4 foot long table I use for doing larger art work. So the vinyl works perfectly. I had enough to make that little curtain underneath the sewing counter.

I found these beautiful boxes at Michael's. I love the colors and they are O so useful!

God Bless your day!

Paint Closet Pt 2

2010-04-08T13:07:00.001-06:00

I have been painting my sewing room all week with still a little more trim to paint. So the last picture I took of it it looked liked this,

And now It looks like this, and the whole room has been painted a very soft blue green.

I just love the colors now. And there is nothing like white trim!! It has been worth all the hard work.

I am still working on the curtain and I am going to paint a standing lamp and try to work in some art work also. Click on photo if you would like to read the verse I make above the work space.

We had a wonderful Easter with our daughter and family. Hope you all did too!

Have a blessed day!

Painted the closet

2010-03-27T16:22:00.001-06:00

I just finish painting the sewing and craft closet. So I went from this,

To this, It is a ment green color.I had to mix my own paint to get the color I wanted.

Now I need to paint a wall or two and I think the trim should be white. Don't you think so too?

I still need to cover the chair and make the curtain. Trying to decide on a fabric. It is now a happier space. I love color!

This was my inspiration. I just couldn't go that bright since mine is open to the room, part guest room too! But I like it!

Here is another really cute one!

Blessings!!

Psalms 91: 14-16 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Paint Projects

2010-03-26T12:05:00.000-06:00

I have been doing a little painting this week. First I painted the LG clothes pins. They were orange and purple. And then I painted the tin can and put paper around it. Then I painted the sm clothes pins.

Right now I have my new sewing closet all torn apart because I decided to Paint it a brite ment green color. I will show pictures of it again when I have it all back together.

Have a blessed weekend!

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Philippians 4:6). By obeying this promise the result would inevitably be the "peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4 :7)

Spring flowers

2010-03-24T10:46:00.002-06:00

Spring flowers for our table!

We have been having wonderful weather this month. I love spring!!

Easter is in just a few week. Time seems to be is flying by. These are busy days for us too.

Have a blessed day!!

A converted closet

2010-03-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

I have been sick with a cold that is going around. So haven't felt like being on the computer much, but I am a lot better now.

My sweet and "can do anything" hubby put in shelves and a counter in what is now my sewing and craft closet. This is a before and after. We removed the doors first.

I have my fabric stash, ribbons, and such in the plastic drawers on the floor. I still need to work on the sm curtain below.

This is a very small room it is only 10x10. On the other end on the room is a lg art cabinet. So now I have enough room do do both art and sewing. I just love it!

Below is a picture of my first sewing machine that I got when I was about 12. That now makes it 54 yrs old. Wow! We are both antiques!

This is another photo and you can see my 1968 Phaff sewing machine that I still use and works perfecty. I love those small white plastic drawers for all my sewing notions and to have at my finger tips.

Well I hope you all have a blessed weekend. I will be doing some painting and enjoying my new space.

A transparent Navbar

2010-03-08T13:51:00.001-07:00

Now you can change that awful blue navbar at the top of your page to a transparent one that will match any background that you choose. It is easy!
Just click on "sign in"(top right) and that will take you to your dashboard.
And then click on "Layout".
Click on "edit" on the navbar on the top right.
A widow will pop up, scroll down and click on "transparent light" and save.
That is it!

Have a nice day! Sharon

Tutorial on a custom header

2010-03-04T11:12:00.001-07:00

This is a tutorial for the same header but with custom words in it. And you can do this with a picture too.

This is the easiest one for me since I do not know how to use photoshop or others like it YET!

I use http://lunapic.com/editor/ It is free.

Go to the website.

Click on "browse" for your header, picture or photo. And then "upload".

Click on "edit" and you can resize it if you like.

Next click on" Draw"

go to "Text tool"

Just follow the instructions there. Click on the side and it will change to what you want.

Click a drag it into position.

Do not click on "apply text" till you are sure that is what you want.

Now down below in very small print it will say "save to your computer".

Click on that and save as.

You will see that there are all sorts of things you can do. Just play around, you can alway undo it.

now apply it the same way as the other post on headers.

Be sure to click on "instead of title and discription" before you save it. Have fun!!

I hope this is a help to you. If you have any questions just let me know.