Love Notes

So after having breakfast with Steve, and seeing him off to work at the front door.. (yes, I really look like this in the morning..NOT! But I wish I did!!)...I traipsed upstairs to check the computer and found this:

Then went into our bedroom to make the bed...

 ..and found this on my pillow..

Then when I began my quiet time, I found this in my Bible.

..and later found this taped to a mirror on my desk.

Sigh. Thank you, Lord for my most wonderful husband!

Of course, all of them are going into my BELOVED box!

To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness.  ~Robert Brault

I WON! I WON! WON!!!

...So I've been away from the 'puter and blogland for a few days, and thought today I'd pop in for a few visits to my blogfriends. I was strolling thru Joy's lovely blog at SavvyCity Farmer,because I can always count on her posts to raise my spirits, and about fell out of my chair when I saw my picture on her post!

Apparently she had announced me as the winner of her fabulous giveaway on Sunday! Boy, it's amazing the excitement one can miss if she's not au fait (my 5 dollar word of the day) in bloggerville! ;-)

I have won this wonderful book (in which Joy's house is featured) and I can barely contain myself until I have it in my hot little hands! Thank you, Joy, for your generous giveaway, and all your sweet comments you wrote about me!!

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Speaking of sweet comments, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for the very thoughtful and kind comments all of you had made from my last few posts. You have no idea how you buoy my spirits by taking the time to share your thoughts with me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

"For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don't enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are that you're not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn't going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness." {Andy Rooney}

Thank you for adding to my happiness!!

                                                                                                                                            

Tea for Three!

One of the most lovely things to look forward to after my brief hospital stay was an invitation to tea for Courtney and I given by my very dear friend, Judy. Any invitation to Judy's is always a delight and a treasure to my soul and this time Courtney was able to experience it with me! This beautiful tablescape greeted us when we entered her kitchen.

Here is a close up view of my place setting..she used all her best china!

This darling menu card she made was at our place setting. Try as I might this picture refused to be turned upright!! sigh.

And inside was a darling 'tea etiquette' advise and the menu..yes she served EVERYTHING listed here!

I took this picture of our first serving~ Lavender lemon muffins and Black Olive and Rosemary Scones, but then became so caught up in our wonderful conversation and delicious food I forgot to take any more photos until dessert was served!!

Cream Puffs

Heart Tartlets and Krumkake

Devil's Peaks and Shortbread Cookies..all so divine!

Judy and Courtney..Courtney was as captivated and enthralled as I was!

Judy made these delightful 'favors' for us~ ALL out of paper!

Inside the darling little purse contained a vintage hankie, a package of apricot tea, a darling little pop-top necklace and a sweet ATC of a woman lounging and stamped 'housework can make you ugly!' Too Cute!

She also MADE this amazing paper cake, and gave Courtney and I each a 'slice'..

Inside were these sweet little chocolates and with a cute tag attached.

I had given Judy the Friendship Book and Courtney gave her two of her lovely flower pins that she crocheted.

After tea, Judy's husband Bill came home and we all had a wonderful visit~I was so happy that Courtney was able to experience it, too. Visiting Judy is always so magical and fun and soothing to my soul. It was just what the doctor ordered! ;-)

I am linking up to Between Naps on the Porch for her wonderful Tablescape Thursday party!

“Come let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things.”

{Chaim Potok}

My Unexpected Hospital Stay

Last Thursday morning I visited my doctor to go over some strange symptoms I'd been having. After a few questions and an EKG (which was normal) she told me to go immediately to ER~she thought I'd had a mini-stroke! I called Steve at work, who came home and drove me to ER. I've never been to ER before as a patient. Eight hours later, after numerous tests and questions I was admitted to stay overnight. I could feel my anxiety gradually rising thru the whole thing and finally asked Steve for prayer. He was only able to make a couple of phone calls because cell-phone service was so bad in ER, but it was enough to get people praying for me. (Thanks, Courtney! ;-)) It was amazing, because within minutes I felt my anxiety drain away. I turned to Steve and said "I can literally feel people praying for me!!" I began to focus on God and promises I remember from the Bible. My MIL joined us and accompanied us up to my room. Almost immediately I was then taken down to have an MRI taken of my brain. It is a long narrow machine that you're inserted to and cannot move. I'm not claustrophobic, but I have to say I was challenged in there..knowing I was going to be in there for about 45 minutes. Only a few minutes in and I felt fear and anxiety creeping up..stretching up to clasp around my neck in a choke-hold and I began to pray and think of scriptures and songs I sing in church that brought me comfort, and I heard Jesus in my head say "I am here."  The anxiety and fear just whooshed away! And in it's place was indescribable joy!  I began to pray for anyone that popped into my head-- nurses, doctors and staff that were helping me, my family, my friends, even my blog-friends!! Suddenly I was being moved out, and not realizing I'd been in there for 50 minutes said, "Well, that was cool!!" Lloyd, the technician said "I have done countless MRI's and no one has EVER said that before!"

I told him "I was praying in there and the time went by so fast..I even prayed for you, Lloyd!" Lloyd was about 30, African American, with long dread-locks.Big husky guy..coulda been a line-backer. He said "Wow, thank you for praying for me!" That just touched my heart.

I had other tests done, but I won't bore you with the details. The next day, after all the results came, in the doctor said everything was normal~Praise the Lord. We're guessing some medication I'm on is giving me the problems. I have a follow up appt. with my doctor on Monday.

What a lesson for me, though. The importance of focusing on God in the good AND the bad. The importance of asking for prayer..my pride had kept me from asking earlier..I didn't want to "bother" anyone, or cause any worry. I won't do that again! When I feel I need prayer I'll ask for it immediately. And the other lesson..the power of prayer. For anyone who's reading this and feels secluded, or home- bound for whatever reason and feels useless: YOU CAN ALWAYS PRAY!! Pray for others and know that it truly makes a difference. That may be the very thing God has called on you to do. It was only through the prayers of others that got me through a very scary situation. Think of the difference you can make in other's lives by just praying for them!! And you will make a difference!

Ephesians 1:15-20 (New Living Translation)

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere. I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.


I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Wine Bag to Friendship Tag Book

Recently, my sweet friend Judy, invited Courtney and I to 'tea' at her house. As little hostess gifts, Courtney made two of her darling crochet flower pins for her, and I made a Friendship Tag Book.

I started out with a simple brown wine bag, glued the edges together, folded it, made 'pockets' on each fold in the front to hold tags, and voila:

                 

The rest of the pictures are of what's inside after opening the book:

This is one side when it's all opened up..

And this is the other side with the 'pockets' to hold the tags.

A fun project to use up small scraps of paper.

Can't wait to show you Judy's Tea Party!! Stay tuned!

I am linking to Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.

Camille Pissarro

Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing. {Camille Pissarro}

From Hotel Coasters to Encouragement Book

Recently I posted about going through a few trials and tribulations and how important it is to maintain perspective. Per Steve's urging, I retreated to my studio and found myself looking at  some cardboard coasters I'd picked up from our stay at a hotel. I decided to make something just for me, using the good stuff, like Karla, from Karla's Cottage challenged us to do.. The front is covered with a bingo card and added embellishments.

Inside I used vintage french text on one side and vintage image from old sheet music. Then I added reminders..quotes and verses to encourage me..to help me keep perspective.

Such good reminders.."pursue what is good"....

What I didn't notice till I saw this picture was how the tag covered the verse to then read "Always Pray". Somehow I don't believe that was an accident! ;-)

I pick up Bibles at the thrift store..and I got clearance from my pastor that it's all right to use scripture torn from the Bible in artwork! ;-) The other side is again from old sheet music..such beautiful graphics!

I really cling to promises of God. They sustain me, nurture me, and encourage me!

"One act of thanksgiving, when things go wrong with us, is worth a thousand thanks when things are agreeable to our inclinations."

{St. John of Avila}

Sonya's Giveaway

Sonya over at Counting My Blessings is having her 100th Post Giveway..pop over and check it out~ it's fabulous!! ;-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE!!

Today is Steve's birthday. He's taking the day off of work and we'll be spending the day together. Going out to a movie, then lunch. Tonight dinner will be at home with his family.

Steve is my best friend. He knows all my secrets and I am secure in knowing that they are locked away in his heart..like his love for me. God has used Steve over the years to show me areas in my life that He wants to change,to grow, to improve in an all-so-gentle way. Steve is a quiet encourager~insisting I spend time in my studio because he knows that I NEED to be creative, that it feeds my soul. He doesn't complain if the house is a mess and is understanding of my lack of organization. I recently realized that his lack of complaining to really be his way of encouraging...he never belittles me or makes me feel small (I do a fine job at that all by myself!) He supports me and prays for me in all the areas of my life..from the ministries I'm involved in at church to the latest art or decor project. Somehow he keeps up with my ever-changing mind and ideas. It isn't because it comes naturally to him~it doesn't. It's because of his love for me. And he shows me a million little ways all the time.

He is a man of integrity. He is a man of strength. He is a man of God.

You know that Proverbs 31 scripture? The one all about the godly wife and mother? There's a little verse in the middle of it that caught  my eye..Proverbs 31:11 "Her husband can trust her,and she will greatly enrich his  life." One of the definitions of 'trust' is "to have confidence in.."  Because of Steve's confidence in me, it has made me strive to be a better person, wife and mother. Oh, how I love these little God-lessons from living out the life God has called me to. I've been married to Steve for almost 33 years, and am STILL learning so much~and always will!

The words to this song is dedicated to my beloved...

I Just Call You Mine

Artist: Martina McBride

I pinch myself sometimes to make sure I'm not in a dream

That's how it seems

I close my eyes and breathe in the sweetest moments I've ever known

It feels like home

And here I am~ I want to be your everything

There you are

Turning winter into spring

And everyone that sees you

Always wants to know you

And everyone that knows you

Always has a smile

You're a standing ovation after years of waiting

For a chance to finally shine

Everyone calls you amazing

I just call you mine

I fall apart~

Just a word from you somehow

seems to fix whatever's wrong

Oh, you reach into the weakest moments

And remind me that I'm strong

You've got to know

I'd be a fool not to see you, even worse

To forget that you're more than I deserve

Cause everyone that sees you

Always wants to know you

And everyone that knows you

Always has a smile

You're a standing ovation after years of waiting

For a chance to finally shine

Everyone calls you amazing

I just call you mine.

Happy Birthday, Steve....I love you...



Happy March!

Hello Friends! First off, I want to thank you for your sweet and thoughtful comments from my last post. I was so relieved to hear that you can relate. Your comments encouraged me more that you could know..thank you so much!

Per Steve's orders, I have been visiting my studio more often and notice my spirits lifting when I do...I've just been putterin' around in there, really. Just creating and experimenting with whatever strikes my fancy. Hopefully I'll have pictures to show you soon.

Happy March to you! A fresh new month with the promise of spring coming soon. Today's a beautiful day in Northern California and everything looks hopeful!

"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