Finding joy in the everyday

Even on a cold wet grey old day, there is still plenty of sunshine to be found - you just need to look for it. Sadly so many people grumble on a days like this, rather than looking for the joy, the simple things that can create so much sunshine into one's life. Here are  some to my favourite activities on a cold wet day: Reading Sewing Watching a heartwarming film Listening to beautiful music Enjoying a hot chocolate with friends Visit the library Make a jigsaw Make some birthday cards Quilting Baking Creating a gift to surprise someone with Call a friend you have spoken to in years Build a photo album Knit Write a letter Listen to an audio story Playing a board game What do you do to bring sunshine into your life on a grey day? We live in a world full of people who complain - they complain about everything and anything. We need to be different. Instead of complaining we need to look up and say Thankyou for all the Lord has provid...

I wanted to share a small moment in time, one evening a few days ago. This is where I relax in the evenings, you can see my comfortable chair with its cushions and rug (to keep me warm) and Ruby's favourite place, right next to me. She is a very faithful cat. Also sharing my couch is Mr Basil Bear. A special gift for this years birthday (still someway off) and on his red jumper it reads "Praying 4U, Lots of Love". He keeps me company every evening and is much loved. To the little family who sent me Mr B Bear - thankyou, he means a lot to me.   Ruby likes to keep my books warm, it does make it difficult to read them!! She can't see the problem, because when I am not reading I can focus 100% on her!! Mr Basil Bear, very soft and cuddly and perfect for hugging.  Don't know about you, but I find yellow roses to be so joyful and cheery. And these look lovely with the contrasting purple daisies.  ****

A field of vines in the Barossa Valley - this region of South Australia is famous for its grape growing thanks to the early German settlers. My ancestors settle close by. Photography by Joluise.  She considereth a field, and buyeth it:  with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. Proverbs 31:16 is an  fascinating  verse however it is also controversial for many Christian women. I have seen many and varied interpretations of this verse which has led me to have a closer look at it to see it I can understand it any better. There are those that strongly believe that this has nothing to do with a business savvy woman running her own business (usually those who have very strong views about women working outside the home) all the way through to those who see this verse as legitimizing their decision to work outside the home or running  their  own business.  What does the verse say?  On face value the verse says: 1. " She...

As you anticipate an exciting new chapter in your life, remember; The coming chapter, like every other, begins and end with God and with His Son. God will touch your hear and guide your steps - if you let Him. So dedicate this day to God's purpose and give thanks for His grace. Take a minute to write a note of thanks to God, celebrating the good things about your life right now and in the future, and expressing your gratitude. Tuck the note in your Bible or journal so you can look back at it often. This is the day the Lord has created - give thanks to the One who created it, and use it to the glory of His kingdom. From ... Living God's Way "Joy for the Journey Devotional", page 18 And whatever you do in word or deed,  do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,  giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  Colossians 3:17 NKJV ****

Artist: Robin Moline Uses a combination of airbrushing and acrylic paints in her works. For more on her portfolio visit her website ( LINK ) These painting are bursting with colour  and detail and I love them.  I do hope you do to. Enjoy.  *****

This illustration by Mary Engelbreit is rather lovely, it really sums up " HOME ".  Mary has captured HOME so beautifully -  a place full of love, joy and contentment. Treasured artwork from the children pinned up for all to see, something homemade hanging on the wall, a postcard from a loved one, flowers on the table, cookbooks in the corner,  two very happy cats watching. You can almost smell those biscuits (cookies) waiting to be cooked. This is such a cosy warm picture and one I would love to just step into.   If a stranger walked into your home - would it shout HOME to them, a place of warmth and contentment? It does take some effort to turn a house into a home and one of the ingredients is love.  ****

Photography by Joluise I grew up in an age where most mums (whether they worked or not) made almost everything from scratch and rarely bought processed food (excluding for baked beans and tinned spaghetti which we ate on toast on Saturdays!). It was also an age where it was rare to see overweight or obese people. I am talking about the 1970s. We ate simple meals, often meat and three vegetables followed by dessert (fruit and ice-cream in summer and pudding in winter). Mum didn’t get hung up about the latest fads and without the internet or TV she wasn’t bombarded with misinformation.   And we ate sugar. Mum made cakes every Saturday and they all contained sugar. For dad she made fruit cake and for us kids, we often had cupcakes with yummy icing. We always took a cup cake (or slice of cake) to school and had a biscuit (cookie) when we got home.  Whilst we were allow to eat cake, we weren’t encouraged to eat large or multiple slices as mum was determine to ...