Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts

Friday, October 9, 2015

Fall pumpkins...

I picked up a couple of plastic pumpkins.
You know, the kind children use to hold their candy?
 
 
They were inexpensive, a good base for my project.
 
 
If you're interested in making your own, here's the scoop:
 
Items needed:
plastic pumpkin
newspaper or plastic bags
white paint
small paper plate
burlap
raffia/straw
wooden sticks
various ribbon
hot glue
 
Steps:
1. take off handles
2. paint pumpkin white - possible 2 coats
3. fill pumpkin with crumbled paper or plastic bags for weight
4. cut slits in center of paper plate for stem
5. glue small paper plate to top of pumpkin, keeping paper in place and covering hole
6. cut strips of burlap
7. glue burlap around pumpkin, overlapping as shown
8. place sticks into the slit of paper plate for a stem
9. glue straw/raffia to cover top of pumpkin
10. add various ribbons
11. glue circle of burlap to bottom of pumpkin to cover rough edges of burlap strips

 
If you make one, let me know! I'd love to see your fall pumpkin!
 
 
 

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Gorgeous new flowers...

Look at these beauties!
 
 
Red sunflowers...I've never seen them before.
Stunning.
 

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Turtles...

Do you have a favorite animal?
I have a few...
one of them is turtles.
Not really sure...but it might be their eyes.
They seem wise, don't they?
 
 
 

Monday, October 5, 2015

A Little Visitor...

So it's Monday and the weather is absolutely glorious!
It's feeling much more like fall,
and that's a welcome change.
 
This morning while sitting on the porch,
I spied this little guy.
 
 
 
At first I thought it was a leaf
but upon closer inspection,
I discovered that it was a snail!
 
I couldn't believe it!
I haven't seen one this size since I was a child.
And it's shell?
Beautiful!
 
What new discoveries are you seeing these days?
 

Friday, October 2, 2015

Aw...beach life.

 
You know,
there's something about living at the beach.
 
 
Just about anything goes as far as decorating.
 
 
However,
anything tropical
 
 
or having to do with nature is a win-win.
 
 
And Bolivar Peninsula has quite the story to tell.
You see,
Hurricane Ike (2008) ravaged the entire area.
But after 7 years,
the peninsula is back!
 
 
So happy for the area, the residents, and weekenders!
 


 

Thursday, October 1, 2015

It is well with my soul...

The beach brings out the best in me,
really.
And this time of year is just amazing.
 
 
There are cool breezes,
crystal clear water,
and warm sand.
 
 
We took our trip during the week
so there minimal crowds.
Ok...there really wasn't anyone down there.
 
 
Summer has passed,
 and fall has officially begun.
Yay!
 

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Happy Birthday!

I have nicknamed my mother, sister, and myself as the traveling trio.
We take quite a few trips together,
and this time we headed down to the beach.
 
 
And when you're at the beach, you have to drop by t-shirt shops.
And...you have to buy matching t-shirts...it's the law.
 
 
And then you have to take a selfie...
of you all wearing those T-shirts!
 
 
And when you see these punch-out boards,
 it's mandatory to stop and take a photo.
really.
 
 
And to top it all off?
It was my sister's birthday!
Happy happy birthday!
 
 

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Good Morning!

One of my favorite times at the beach is the early morning.
Here's a photo that makes me smile.
 
 
Can you see an image of a cross in the sun's rays?
 

 

Monday, September 28, 2015

A little vacation...

I took a few days and visited a favorite destination.
Want to guess?
Ok...you got me...
the beach.
Yep, it's a favorite.
And...we just happen to have one fairly close.
 
You've most likely heard of Galveston, but have you heard of Bolivar Peninsula?
It's a small stretch of land that almost connects to Galveston.
 
 
 
And if you're traveling from Galveston to the peninsula, you get to take a ferry.
Yep...pretty neat.
And guess who also likes the ride?
...these guys.
 
 
They are a hoot.
I love their attitudes.
 
 
Yep...just hanging out because
you know, they're on beach time.
 
 
And when you see the 1852 lighthouse,
 
 
you know you're almost there.
 
 
Where do you like to travel for quick get-aways?
 


 

Thursday, September 24, 2015

The golden hour...

The leaves on these trees look golden, don't they?
That's the indirect sunlight...at sunset.
Isn't it beautiful?
Each evening, I try to catch this sight because it makes me stop and give thanks.
God is amazing, isn't he?
 
 
What are your favorite times of the day?
 

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Welcome fall...

Today, 
Wednesday, September 23,
is the official first day of fall.
Yay!
 
 
 

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Look up and shoot a pic...

I know a couple of photographers who take amazing shots.
One of their trade marks is to, "...look.up.and.shoot.a.pic..."
Well, I looked up and saw this...
 
...bees doing their thing.
amazing
 
Try it yourself...look up and find a great sight...
and keep me posted!
 
 
To Jacob and John, two of my favorite photographers,
thanks for the inspiration!
 

Friday, September 18, 2015

Surprise!

Look who I found today!

He was so content...
all tucked in and enjoying the day.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Faith, hope, and love...

This past weekend, my husband and I saw 90 Minutes in Heaven.
 
90 Minutes in Heaven (2015) Poster
 
This film is based on Don Piper's book:
 
90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life
 
Overview from Barnes and Noble:
"On the way home from a conference, Don Piper's car was crushed by a semi truck that crossed into his lane. Medical personnel said he died instantly. While his body lay lifeless inside the ruins of his car, Piper experienced the glories of heaven, awed by its beauty and music. Ninety minutes after the wreck, while a minister prayed for him, Piper miraculously returned to life on earth with only the memory of inexpressible heavenly bliss. His faith in God was severely tested as he faced an uncertain and grueling recovery. 90 Minutes in Heaven offers a glimpse into a very real dimension of God's reality. It encourages those recovering from serious injuries and those dealing with the loss of a loved one. The experience dramatically changed Piper's life, and it will change yours too."


Now, what the above B&N review doesn't tell you is that Don's wife, Eva, is an unsung hero.
Don will tell you in fact that she is the hero of the story.
You see, while this was indeed quite a horrific accident, and Don did have to endure great pain...
it was Eva that kept her family together.
It was her faith in God, her hope of recovery, and her love for her husband and children that kept her pushing forward.
 
 I worked with Eva for several years at the elementary level and she's indeed quite an amazing person. Each and every day, it was clearly evident that she expected the very best from her students and along with her compassion, love, and their hard work, they would become better than even they expected.
 
So, if you enjoy strong leading ladies,
I'd recommend Eva's book,
A Walk Through The Dark.
 
 
 
From Eva's book:
"Though it parallels that of her husband, Eva Piper's account is quite different from his. It takes readers not to heavenly places but through a very earthly maze of hospital corridors, insurance forms, tiring commutes from home to workplace and hospital, and lonely hours of waiting and worrying. This is the story of a woman learning, step by darkened step, to go places she never thought she could go and growing into a person she never thought she could be. Packed with hard-earned wisdom about what it means to be a caregiver, to open yourself to the care of others, and to rest in God's provision, this book provides a dependable source of light to help you walk through the dark."
 
 
 Now,  if you're wanting more...Don wrote another book:
 
 
 
Here's an exert from this jacket:
"After experiencing what awaits in the next life, Don Piper is able to shed light on his life and put everyday hardships into proper perspective. He reveals how life's trials can be turned into spiritual lessons, when we are open to the certainly of God's grace and love."
 
And one final recommendation,
Don has also written:
Daily Devotions, Inspired by 90 Minutes in Heaven.
 
 
 ...a great addition to your day.
 

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Jibber, jabber...

Here in the Houston area,
we are known for our hot warm, humid days.
And yes, it's true...we have them.
However, you may not know that we also are blessed with amazing days.
Like today and supposedly the rest of the week!
The temps are in the 70's-80's,
light breezes are carrying just a hint of the next season,
so sitting outside is a must!
 
Here's a short video captured from the back porch.
Listen carefully for the little squawking chirping...
 


...they are so funny! 
They're excited about something!
 
Are you feeling the change to fall in your area?
 
 


 

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Redo...

My nature is to hurry up and finish a project.
I suppose it's from having a demanding full-time job
and raising a family.
Well, that's my excuse.
Now that I'm retired, there's really no reason to maintain
that "hurry up" attitude.
 
One of my favorite movies is You've Got Mail.
I love the scene, towards the end of the movie, when Meg Ryan is finally meeting "NY512".
She's starts walking really fast, then slows herself down...
 she literally has to put her hands out to slow herself and her steps.
 

 
That's me.
I have to constantly remind myself to just slow down and enjoy the moment.
So here's my redo of a photo from this post.
I think it captures the softness of the roses placed in the blush amphora.
I love the contrast of the lace and wooden drawer as well as the mother-of-pearl seashell.
 
 
Of all the flowers in my yard...
these miniatures are my favorites.
That's why you might see an abundance of them in my photos!
 
 
Ok...do I dare say it?
Do you take the time to smell the roses?
Check out this article from Berkley.
 
 


 

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