{{ 77 }} Blooms & Bark

The texture of bark, the graceful swooping of branches, the perfectly intricate details of each bloom, their fragrance...
God identifies Himself as Creator.
Can you quietly worship as you observe the beauty He placed all around us? Do you stop and enjoy? Think what a gift it is to us...to be surrounded with loveliness. Enjoy and thank HIM.

{{ 76 }} Butcher Block

When I was little I was drawn to this chunk of wood. It held a bit of mystery as it sat in the dingy dark corner behind the meat counter. It was the chopping block when my Grandad owned Hick's Grocery in the early 40's. He sold it to my mom who sold it to her sister. It was always a part of the store which made it a part of our daily lives. I learned to cut meat, weigh it and most of all...the funnest to me...wrap it in a white package from this block. It is buttery soft with age. So glad it was salvaged when the store burned.

{{ 75 }} Breaking

"Life breaks and falls apart...But we know... He will leave nothing unredeemed! "

{{ 74 }} Classic

I like the handles...the chrome trim...the wing windows...the key hole.

Nothing compares to the unique style of the classics. 

{{ 73 }} Under the Hood

It looks complicated to me but I am told it's so simple.
One reason we have the Comet is so we can work on it. Really, does everything have to be so computerized? We now have a '62 Comet and a '63 Ford truck.

{{ 72 }} Boys

They're so cute and I love seeing them work together.

{{ 71 }} The Color of Glass

And another shot...this one is in tiny cracked pieces.

{{ 70 }} Color

I like the way this looks. It's the back windshield on R's little car. He replaced the back window. I think I find pictures in everything.

{{ 69 }} Neighbors

These little guys have been walking around our neighborhood for a couple of years. No one really knows how they got here or who they used to belong to. As one who brought her own flock of chickens to town I do know they are mature enough to be laying eggs somewhere. I wish I knew. I am always happy to hear their clucking or the scratching in the leaves. Brings a silent smile to know they are here and they can cross the busy road safely.

{{ 68 }} PePaw's truck

This truck has been around a long time. When my parents moved Stef. inherited it. She used to be faded, chipped red but now sports black primer.
He named her Black Beauty and she's tough.
We've had lots of memories with this old thing.

{{ 67 }} Dallas

And another random snap.

This is the old Dallas Courthouse.

{{ 66 }} Dallas

When we were driving home I took  wrong turn and we ended up driving downtown

for a bit. We drove past the "Grassy Knoll" just right near the place where Kennedy was 

fatally shot. I just stuck my hand out the window and snapped. This is what my camera saw.

{{ 65 }} Paint Time

Ooo La.  I got this sample of paint in the mail and can't wait to try it. I sometimes am just intrigued by the names of paint.
This is "Dried Mint".  Ordered another in the blue tones.
So generous of Valspar. Thanks you very much!!

{{ 64 }} Shadow Play

This is still one of the few things I like about this house. I hung lace curtains for lack of having 

anything else.  Now I think they are perfect for the living room. 

Ann @ Holy Experience wrote a book by the name, 

One Thousand Gifts.

I want it. I think I need it but I'm a little afraid to get it and read. Without knowing what's beyond that beautiful book jacket, I think the picture of shadow play in my living room is just one of my gifts.

{{ 63 }} Prints

This makes me want to grab my paints and do something like this.

{{ 62 }} Print

These hang against a robin egg blue wall. It is elegant and simple and sometimes I wish it were my taste.  I don't think it's me.
There's no rust...dirt...or anything else that has been my taste for a long time. Still, there's a part of me that longs for elegance.                          

{{ 61 }} Chicks

I love this time of year when the farm adds have little chicks.
It makes me want to go buy about $8.00 worth and start breeding again. Of course that won't happen in town.
Time to start planting gardens and flowers to have a beautiful yard. Challenged with too much shade I'm not sure what to get.
I recycle cans because I believe it's the "right" thing to do and with my can money I buy flowers in fall and spring. Now, decisions.

{{ 60 }} MATS

I attended my first MATS. This is me with hardly any sleep because we had a hotel. I just don't sleep well when away from home. 

Awarded my "Director" pin, I still love learning

everything I can about this business. 

Training by Mark and Chris, 

lunch with Aurora & Chris. Once again, lots 

of wonderful people.

{{ 59 }} Friends

Dear Katy....enough said.

An inspiration from my first meeting with her in Dallas. 

A legend. 

{{ 58 }} Friends

At my first Reliv National Conf. in Atlanta, GA

In our business you get to know the most awesome people.

Lisa (L) is one of those. She lives her beliefs on the mission field in Central America.

She's been saved by the Grace of Jesus and once again He saved her health

with the nourishment of the products we love. I am so honored to have met her and

so thankful her life was spared. Also with us is Marcia who consistently lifts me up.

I am reminded of this verse:

Psalm 139: 17, 18

 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand— 

{{ 57 }} Swirlz

Sweet little China cups wait to be held by tiny hands.

Reminds me of my collection of mismatched patterns.

Each hold a story.

At Swirlz you can have your own tea party and sit at teh Duff table.

Let the little ones enjoy a time of dress up and prettiness.

{{ 56 }} Swirlz

Is this the prettiest color or what? Everywhere I look I see the lovely shade of robin egg blue. I really just want to grab the handle and listen. When I was little, PawPaw had a fridge with the neatest sound. I loved to hear the opening and the feel of it as you pulled the handle. You young people won't have a clue...but if you lived in the 60's and before...you know. You remember and smile.

{{ 55 }} Swirlz

 The lovely colors of SWIRLZ. My friend from nearly 30 years ago has the sweetest little bakery.  I stopped in to visit and just had to share the colors.

{{ 54 }} Genesis

Genesis...The Beginning.

The beginning of our earth, light, water, mankind,

sin, sorrow, relocations, nations, languages, promises.

Genesis, my favorite.

{{ 53 }} Comet

R. is usually in the right place at the right time...
She's a '62 Ford Mercury Comet. We barely made it through the Dallas traffic driving at her leisurely pace. As we neared home, the last full hour, the lights dimmed to a candle's strength. There was no heat but plenty of air coming through the vents. R. was covered with anything we could find in my car to try and keep warm. She'll look good after a shower.

{{ 52 }} Birthdays

His 47th birthday came and left quietly.

The G-baby follows him and R.'s mom follows her.

Lots of celebrations, deep loss, getting past the days....

I love him deeply. Happy Birthday to the one

who holds my heart.

{{ 51 }} Sewing

Little Miss Madison's birthday has come and gone.
I'm making arpons for her to paint in. This one is:
"B" is for  Bird. Randy thinks it the funkiest bird.

{{ 50 }} Thunderstorms

It's blurry, I know.

It was dusk and the flash caused this effect. 

It was so good to have a thunderstorm...no tornado

just a storm. Earth cleansed.

{{ 49 }} Berries

Well, the little ones from Home Fellowship decided to pick berries. They denuded my Nandina. They were so proud and tied a pretty little bow on top.
Blessed are the little children....

{{ 48 }} Archways

I like archways and lanterns too.

{{ 47 }} Lanterns

I've always liked lanterns; even as a little girl. By Jr. High I was hooked and bought my first one at Six Flags. There's something that takes you back to the days of Robin Hood....well, for me that's the time perios my mind goes to. I think they are all beautiful. 

The only verse that comes to mind is..."Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105 

That's plenty.