Finding joy in the everyday

Art Friday: Susan Wheeler Illustrator Todays art is all about cute little mice and bunnies. I think they are adorable and I hope you do to. My favourite is the top one - I just wish I could join them for a cup of tea and scones! ******

Who's day are you going to brighten? Drop someone an email just to say hi, or phone someone you haven't chatted to in ages. Love you neighbour as yourself. (Matthew 19:19) *****

The year is fast coming to an end, so its a good time to ask: What have been your most favourite books this year? Please share with others what you would highly recommend. What has moved you to tears? Made you think? Wanted to tell someone else about it ASAP? ******

DISAPPEARING NINE PATCH I made it, my first quilt is completed and given to its new owner, my sister-in-law. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I could do this, but I did!!! Set your mind on something and you can achieve almost anything.  This is how it all started back in winter. It has taken me sometime to do, I didn't rush and I did have moments (or weekends) of self doubt, but I went on regardless and made it to the end.  Laying out the front to measure up the borders and sashing. All the fabric used in the main design is Japanese, I just love Japanese fabric, the colours are so beautiful and rich. Sewing on the binding Having the computer and sewing table/machine nearby is very handy. When I needed to watch a youtube clip of how to bind around corners, I could watch the clip, turn my chair and follow the instructions.  I quite enjoy hand sewing, it is relaxing and peaceful. I did this with classical music playing in the backgrou

William Hays Art Friday: Random This week is random, completely random works of art!! I couldn't decide on who to share with you, so you are going to get a bunch of paintings I quite like! I hope you enjoy this collection.  William Page Atkinson Wells Landscape, a girl in a meadow, 1905 Evening at home” (Edward John Poynter, UK, 1836-1919 Daniel F. Gerhartz Apples by Rembrandt  Vladimir Volegov John William Waterhouse Nancy Noel de Bessie Pease Gutmann ******

Give someone a pot plant to cheer up their day. "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”  ― Charles Dickens *****

Do you feel blessed? I do.  My life isn't perfect, far from it. I have suffered ups and downs like everyone else.  Does anyone have a perfect life? No Regardless, I have much to be blessed about and much to thank the Lord for. I have a roof over my head. My home is comfortable and keeps me dry and warm. I have a cosy bed to sleep in. My home allows me to retreat from the world. I have food on the table every night, my pantry is full and we do not run short. I have clothes to wear, shoes for my feet. I have good health but if I do have problems I have access to doctors, hospitals and affordable medicines. My children had accessed to good schools. The roads I drive on are safe and my car is road worthy. My job meets our needs and pays the bills. I live in a safe country free from war and famine. I have family and friends that care about me.  And I have a Lord that loves me endlessly, even w

As Christians we are expected to reach out and help those less fortunate. She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:20) Once or twice a year I go through my cloths to see what I no longer want because I haven't worn them in ages or they don't fit. I pack all the clothing into bags and take them off to the charity bin. Some people at Christmas  donate  cans of food they haven't used (found at the back of the pantry and well past their expiry date). We give away old books, knick knacks, things from the kitchen, toys, children clothes are popular etc...Just walk past any charity bin and you will see almost anything.  However, look closer at the content of the charity bin - mine are often overflowing so that isn't difficult. Lots of people give . . . rubbish, clothes that stained, a broken zip, toys that no longer work. Its one of the biggest complains from charities, the amount of items they receive that

Artist: Charles Wysocki I have posted paintings by Wysocki before - his cat collection, however he has done plenty of other paintings besides cats and I thought I would share some of these with you. They are so full of detail and the more I look, the more I can see in these paintings. Enjoy and I hope this is a nice way to end the week. A few of his cat paintings - the detail is amazing.  *****