Loving the Rain..

 the refreshing....



And after the rain...



Early Morning

                             
                                                                     A beautiful sunrise.....


In the beauty of the early morning, the day is fresh. My mind and heart are not
yet cluttered with the cares of life. It is quiet and peaceful. My favorite time of the day.
It's a chance to plan and to work through things that are happening in my life.
 It is a time with few interruptions. And the small living things are out enjoying
the morning.

A baby Walking Stick. Isn't it amazing how it blends in with the plant?

I like getting out to tend my plants before the sun has a chance to warm things up. I have to protect myself from the brutal southwestern heat. Being out and having the work done before 8:30 is what works best for me.

My gardening hat....

The beautiful Foxglove

Life-giving and sustaining water has to be poured out

very generously here.

 Next year we plan to put in some

drip systems. But for now we water with cans, hoses and a wand.

And everything needs a lot of here in Arizona. In caring for the plants,

we have to go beyond the instructions because of the heat. If they say part sun,  

I know that it can tolerate very little.

This is a southern Arizona butterfly called a

Great Blue Hairstreak

 A Horned Lizard

They also enjoy the Arizona sun in the quiet of the morning.

What do you enjoy about this time of day?

He Cares For You

By day the Lord directs His love.

At night His song is with me.

Psalm 42:8

Recycling a Shoebox for Colorful Storage

My daughter recently had a birthday and she had gotten an assortment of cardmaking
supplies. I wanted her to have something to help her keep them all in one place.
I don't like to always go out and buy those plastic containers. I had this idea. I wanted
to try using a large shoebox that I had on hand. I enjoy reusing what I have if I can.
I have quite a few craft supplies that I enjoy while attempting to be creative.

And so, here is the project. First of all, I spray painted the shoebox a cream color.
And then you will need some basic things.

*Ruler
*Pair of scissors
*Mod podge glue (optional)
*Clear adhesive paper
*A protected surface (because of the glue)

I like to sit on the floor and work. If I know a project will take a little longer,
it helps me to set up in a place where I can leave things out. I am not " a projects left
on the dining room table" kind of person. The clutter gets to me after a while.

My pictures are not very good. I didn't even think to turn the Mod Podge

glue bottle around. I'm sorry. I will work on my photography skills! AND lots of

other details.

I started with the Sissix Big Shot, as you can see. I have only two dies

so far. I used the Tattered Flower in the Tim  Holtz collection. 

 I like the raggedy, sharper edges of the flower shapes. I also

used a small tag from the Tim Holtz Tiny Tags and Tabs die.

I had just restocked my paper and so I was excited that I had

so much to choose from. So what I used was the Spring Fling and Summer Combo

 Collection from Joanne Fabrics and Crafts Store. They have such good deals

 on their craftsupplies! (I was very impressed with their look look and selection.)

The fun thing about projects like these, is that you can use whatever you have. Be

 creative and have fun! I wanted something bright and cheerful for the birthday girl.

A box end..

Annnnddd.... the other end of the box.

I Mod Podged the ends. You wouldn't have to use

the contact paper or the Mod Podge. I did because I put a lot of time into this project and

I wanted it to last. I knew the layers would get get caught and torn while getting it out and

stacking things on top. Soo.. this way, it was protected.

The top of the box had several layers, so I decide to use clear contact paper

to cover it. I wasn't sure how Mod Podge glue would work and the layers.

And I didn't want to experiment with this because it took a lot of time to

 put it all together!

Any way, here is the finished top. I was pleased with the way it turned out.

I really liked how the tag turned out.

I hardly ever have a solid plan when I begin a project like this. Just a basic idea. That's

part of the fun, however, it does take a little more time that way. By the way,

I didn't have it finished for Charlotte's birthday but she didn't mind.

My kids are used to waiting for things like that and I am so glad. Because then I

 not pressured by deadlines that don't fit.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed seeing my project.

Have fun making your own!

The possibilties are endless once you get started.

The Measuring of Others

Very recently, as I was browsing through my list of blogs that I follow, I came across
a couple posts that caught my attention. And not in a positive way. They were very disturbing.
They brought about different reactions in my heart.

Sadness. Pity. Compassion. Frustration. And somewhat angry.

One post was written in response to someone who had posted a negative comment
about her choice to spend her time blogging. And the other, a young woman who had
found herself in a place where she could wear jeans, slacks etc. She was trying to be
sensitive to her readers and so was apologizing for her change of standard. She ob-
viously thought that she may offend someone by her decision. I appreciated her
tact and thought that very thoughtful of her.

My first reaction, I admit, was not one of understanding. I was truly aggravated because
these woman were having to defend themselves in their actions. Why would  or should
they be judged?

I have been through the gammut of churches, standards and understanding in searching for
the place that was "most Holy" or "right." And to think that I have had thoughts that would
accuse these woman in the very same way, is most appalling to me. I am ashamed to think
that, I too, at one time would have looked at the dress or actitivites of another and think it
was less than noble.

So in my "new" place of  "holiness", where I have grown so mature, what am I doing? I find
myself measuring again. But this time, coming from the other viewpoint. The viewpoint
of grace.

But grace is supposed to be gracious.  Not critical and judgemental. It is meant to set free
not bind up.

What I really want to be to others is like a well of encouragement. I know how much it means
to me to have someone who really cares stand beside me and extend grace and understanding.
It is so affirming. Maybe I need it more than others. Sometimes that seems so. But, actually, I
believe that there are many who are hurting and hiding and longing for a word of
encourgement.

I stand once again in the place of needing forgiveness and prayer for humility. Wanting SO
desparately for my heart ot be changed. To get past all of this stuff that hinders and distracts
from the person that I really want to be.

I hope to grow to that place where I can truly help others see their potential and gifts.
The beauty of who they are and the possibilites that are always there.  Beyond the
small matters of the heart. Because everyone has something special planted deep inside them.
Let God take care of the changes that need to be made in a person's heart. I want to be an in
instrument of encouragement and watch them burst into flourshing as God intended each one to
do.

                                                           Blessings of grace to you.