Bonding time

Living 1800 miles away does not make for getting to know grandparents (come to think of it, neither does 200miles) . Madeleine never met her grampa, and goodness knows she doesn't remember Maama from her time of being born..so Bruce and I got to spend some time with Maddie today. (Jer had a couple of doctor appointments so we got to baby sit) I soon realized that I haven't really taken care of JUST a baby in a long time! and when there is only one- I actually don't get cranky- tired yes- but cranky , no. Anyway, after they left I got to feed her
( she really was smiling over this)

Then gave her a bottle and she dozed for a short time, when she got up she was very wet so i gave her a bath ...brought the baby tub to the kitchen sink, since there was no way I could kneel and give her a bath in the bathroom tub!
After bath, and after two changes of clothing we had some time on the couch- maama acting silly, peekaboo, silly sounds ...you know things one does behind closed doors...and then I thought of the camera! so here is a good giggle shot

a garden like no other

what a great way to teach children about the Resurrection!! Took the idea from here
so I went up to Dee's and gave her a break from the little ones for a half hour or so.
Sophia and Abby picked up small rocks, and wandered around the hillside. Bannon helped find the moss, and shoveled the dirt!
and here are a couple of pictures showing my insanity and the final product! If you look close you can see that our 'rock' with the tomb already carved in it was a great find..not to mention that I used my Heart Rock as the rock to cover the tomb after the crucifixion

"what if its HIM?"

And so the song goes...challenging us to hear God speaking to us, in our normal everyday lives. We all "hear" Him in different ways...no I don't have to hear an audible voice to know its God... though there are a couple of times in my life, when I have this "I know that I've know!" that He has spoken... I can't explain it, something impressed upon my inside...oh well that is not what I am talking about here... Today I just wanted to share a little on how He speaks to ME... I am not you, and you might hear Him differently... but a number of years ago I started to see hearts in pretty much everything...trees, leaves, bath water, clouds... you name it.. I saw a heart, and in it God was telling me " I love YOU!" so I never got upset that someone else couldn't see how the branches of a tree formed a heart, I knew it was a message I needed to accept, that He loved me.
One day a couple of weeks ago I saw this on the way to my car...and turned around and got my camera...who would believe me?

today there is only a plain triangle rock, a vague reminder of the message I got that morning..it looks nothing like a heart!!!!








then on my walk Saturday I saw another heart, didn't have my camera so I brought the rock home, and took a picture of the rock
I know there are probably tons of rocks out there that look like hearts! but to me each is a small miracle, and I am encouraged in that moment-- He loves ME!!!---- thanks for listening

the eyes... final

Andrea did pretty good...18 was dee and 24 me... I can show the pictures to any that want to see, when I see you!
thanks for looking

family

Well here is a selection of family: knefley, levendusky. Although black and white the blue eyed folks shine their color...and I think you probably would be able to identify all .. but it was fun to sit and crop, after spending hours doing numbers... very relaxing! too bad everyone doesn't look face to camera so I can crop out eyebrows. I did notice that many of us have an eye droop...some right eye, some left... and those with two colored eyes tell the tale quickly... but again it was fun....1
. 2. 3. 4.




5 6,7





8 9 10 11





12,13,14








15, 16,17







18,19,20

21
22,23 24


25,26

my flea market finds

Recently I went to the one of the local antique barn/flea market places to look around for items to make my kitchen more to my liking. I don't know why I have never done it before, but with a relocation of our belongings soon to take place, I thought I would take advantage of the new space and plan on creating my environment.
I am basically a lover of the color red, so I intend to keep a thread of red throughout my little place. I also like roses, and the cottage cozy look, without so much of the shabby chic look... I like tea...so I need a tea area

I also am fond of some of the cutsie signs, and designs that probably fall into a folk art category... so I have been challenged to become focused as to how to pull it all together.. thank goodness for electronic ability to view other peoples houses, decorating styles, and daughters who encourage me to move forward...giving me their ideas, sending me to those that can inspire me, and helping me overall to purchase what I like.
So my overall intent will be to have the red thread (as I said), utilize the trays with roses...that encompass red, pink, pale green and pale blue. A little yellow thrown in for added measure.

Now to complicate things I have these ugly green metal glasses from the 50's that just love, they are great for drinks in the summer, they keep cool for the longest time...but trying to match with my reds has been difficult, and my husband would just as soon get rid of them. (he lost the argument though) I also was given a wrought pot hanger from my that sister that I like ...and since we don't use or need much in the way of pots and pans..it holds all that of the most used. So I want to keep a little of the black wrought iron look. So posted here are some pictures of my focus areas, stove, tea supply, counter, and my little red table area.





the table has a papier mache tray leaning on wall, because I can't yet figure how to hang it without injuring it ( it is most likely an old Japanese tray...does not have the words made in japan, but does have an imprinted mark of a flower on the back.)
Well that's it for the moment....and Keila...don't worry I won't move my stuff in before you get your stuff out...but it is tempting!!

Each feather is important

Matt 6:26- Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.


Every morning I look out our window to watch the birds that have found Dad's birdfeeder! (a gift from his oldest daughter)(we are helping God in the feeding part)
At first I couldn't see it, but my thoughtful husband took the feeder from the ground hanger, and put it on the porch railing, moved the table with umbrella, and took out screen so I could get a view while at kitchen sink.
At first there were only sparrows, and gold finches
and then came the woodpeckers... these are the smaller of the two kinds (and the other was NOT the piliated)

now for the past few days we have had purple finches
there were actually three of the these finches fighting off the other birds this morning!
the pictures aren't the best quality due to my picture taking through the dirty window...and shy birds...like this one...peeking back at me with my camera! but her is some more