Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

July 31, 2012

A peek at my day:  Some flowers I bought on clearance after Mother's Day - and photographed for playing in photoshop later - and these lazy days of summer are perfect for staying cool and enhancing photoshop skills:

Processed with Kim's "sunkissed" texture and a new brush for Beyond Layers students...

Outside my window...The heat is really decimating the landscape, yet this morning (rather late) I heard the "chuck-wills-widow" calling - the early morning hours, just before the heat becomes rather unbearable, are a perfect time to be outside...

I am thinking...about a conversation the good Dr. Mungadze and I had yesterday about a client...

I am thankful...for this promise of Scripture:

¹⁰ “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
¹¹ So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.   (Isaiah 55:10-11, NASB)

In the kitchen...another pan of "Texas Sheet Cake" - recipe courtesy of The Pioneer Woman...

I am wearing...a white cotton shirt and a white skort

I am creating...an online gallery format for either this blog or the website - which one?

I am going...to the pool with sweet tweener later...

I am wondering...if I will be accepted into the "Faith Artists" group here in our area...{fingers crossed?}

I am reading..."Fit in Fabulous in 15 Minutes" - it looks promising and I think I can handle the routines!

I am looking forward to...guest posting soon for a friend - so excited!

Around the house...Continuing to work on sweet tweener's T-shirt quilt + chokers and bracelets made out of the rest of the shirts...ideas found on pinterest here...

I am pondering...35 years of marriage coming up - how can that be?  I feel so young - like I am 35 years old, not married for that long!

One of my favorite things... when my DH comes home from work...

A few plans for the rest of the week: Staying cool, staying cool, staying cool, etc.....

A Scripture to meditate on from this morning:  I wrote all about it here...

Joining with the Simple Woman's Daybook community here
and
Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday here

Beyond Layers "Instagram-ish" week images

 
Something borrowed image: I am borrowing this book "The Original Sanctuary" from my best friend because it sort of reminds me of, well, the sanctuary of the altar of the Lord in His temple *sigh* - and the swallow that builds her nest there....so I am revisiting "Book Spine" poetry as a way to feature my borrowed item..I simply processed this with Daniel Box's "Early Bird" action - with a layer mask to take down some of the brightness over the dove...
 

Water image:  Clark Garden's in Mineral Wells - processed with Kim's texture "Red" at softlight blend mode+a texture to add a distressed aged edge that I found on Flickr (here) and applied at multiply blend mode...

I'm linking this creation up at Beyond Layers...

Sneak Peek - Recent work and a show

Fronts and backs, ready for words

I still find nests, eggs, and birds so charming - and I am thinking about the fall edition of the Finding Sanctuary e-course...with a few minor changes, including a sub-title change (stay tuned ☺)...I was inspired by some of what the Lord is speaking to me to make some little (recycled CD) clocks reflecting that there is a time to gather, a time to build, a time to nest (think "rest") and these make us ready when it is time to fly...are you hearing the Spirit speak to you already?

Placing the words at the hours

Ready for the mechanism...

Others feel this affinity to swallows and sparrows, the smallest and humblest of our feathered friends...I can't help but notice blogs with names like "Sparrow Song" and "The Feathered Nest", or just go to Etsy.com and you can find shops like "Swallow and Twig", "Swallow Comes Spring", "Sparrow Hills", "Sparrow and Bellflower" - and there are so many, many more...










Of course Pinterest has so many images of sparrows and swallows (I've got two "Finding Sanctuary" boards here and here) -

And then there is Flickr (just type in swallow or sparrow in the search window)....

Hey, what's Jack Sparrow doing in my sparrow search!?!?

So many ideas for the word picture in Psalm 84:3 - of being a swallow building her nest at the altar of the Lord!

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

My table display at the show and luncheon the other weekend - it was great fun and I made great new friends while selling a little art...(see the clocks near the front?  And I made a few nest necklaces, too, in the very front.)   I don't do very much jewelry, but I do keep "seeing" ideas for it...so I will carefully move forward in that as the Lord leads...

now waiting for a new resting place and available at the shop here

And now, it is time to "gather, build, nest and fly"...{smiling}

Linking up with Jennifer and other creatives at Sneak Peek Friday at StudioJRU

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

July 25, 2012

A peek outside my window:

Playing with photoshop again, trying to get an image to look more painted rather than a photo...

my sweet dh took this picture earlier this spring - looks like the bushes need trimming!

 (mouse over to see the before)

I used "Canvas Magic" from Kim's collection on this image, along with several adjustment layers...play, play, play!

Another image - I am amazed at how photoshop can be used to take a really bad photo and transform it - doesn't that sound like what the Holy Spirit does in our lives!  I am happier with this picture than with the one above...I think I am getting the hang of the procedure for painterly effects, but I definitely need more practice, too!

I used Kim's "Fall in" texture along with several adjustment layers + the kanji brush and Haiku font for the wording.

I am thinking... about how we learn so much better by example rather than by lecture...by being invited to "walk along beside" a person and gaining access to their lives - witnessing the moments strung together and how those moments are embraced or missed...how honest vulnerability is more impacting than something like "do x, y, z for a closer walk with God"...

I am thankful... for sweet tweener's sweet disposition, for the telephone, for airconditioning!

In the kitchen...I made this recipe last night with a pile of tomatoes from the garden and dh loved it (so did I) - Fresh tomato spaghetti sauce. 

I am wearing... A black tank and wind shorts (it is hot in Texas!)

I am creating... a T-shirt quilt out of sweet tweener's old shirts + headbands and bracelets out of the remaining T-shirt scraps...I am enjoying being back in the sewing mode again!

I am going... to the free movies with sweet tweener later this morning...

I am reading... (actually just finished) a book on creativity by a pastor - an interesting thought from here is that we are responsible to use our creativity just as any of the other gifts He has implanted in us.  The book: CREATE: Stop Making Excuses and Start Making Stuff, by Stephen Altrogge.  He covers all types of creativity and offers us all a holy kick in the pants (really!).

From the learning room...Science summer camp online - ROBOTS!  I am so impressed with sweet tweener as after just one lesson she is now putting together her own robots...
 
I am pondering...  a question a friend and I were discussing this week - how the church presents worship and the differences...how some churches worship with freedom yet order...it is intimate with gifts flowing and no different than what one does at home in their private times with the Lord, and then how some churches worship with a different...what?  Goal?  To lead others into worship or instruct/teach the "how"?  It seems less vulnerable, less risky?  Especially in a corporate setting?  Still listening to what He is saying...

One of my favorite things... the charm of clotheslines.

Instead of a scripture meditation, this is from an old children's book we (sweet tweener and I) found this week.  I love these words from God's heart - it is worth reading all the way through as it sums up beautifully the entire Bible(!):

You're looking for answers?

Then here's what to do:

Just turn to the Bible to find what is true,

And listen to everything I say to you.

You won't find a picture of Me in a book.

There isn't one person who knows how I look.

But don't be upset that you can't see My face.

You can look at My work in this beautiful place.

I've been alive since before time began; 

I made the whole world by My very own plan.

I'm as tall as the heavens; I'm as wide as the sea.

But even your hairs are all counted by me.

My voice can be gentle and silent and still,

And also like thunder that roars through the hills.

I sing with the waves and the whistling breeze.

And joining my song are the hills and the trees.

I'm strong as a fortress, a rock, and a shield.

But as gentle as rain falling softly on fields.

When you are unhappy that makes Me feel sad.

I'm filled with great joy when I make your heart glad.

My anger comes slowly and fades like the night.

There's no darkness in Me, just goodness and light.

I live in the world and in heaven above.

I live in the hearts of My people who love.

For I AM the Maker of heaven and earth.

I spoke, and My Word brought all life into birth.

I AM like a mother who comforts your fears

And tenderly wipes away all of your tears.

I AM like a father who wants to provide, 

 to care for your needs and to stay by your side.

I AM the Creator, the first and the last,

I'm God of the present, the future, the past.

I AM the good shepherd, who cares for each lamb.

I AM the Almighty, I AM WHO I AM.

I'll love you forever, whatever you do,

For nothing can separate My love from you.

I've loved everything that I made from the start.

My world and My people I hold in My heart.

Kathleen Long Bostrom

Joining with the Simple Woman's Daybook community here 

Beyond Layers here

and Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday here

A Sneak Peek at more Custom Work

A peek at what I have been mostly working on for artistic endeavors... 

I think I will do some blue colorways for boys' rooms

A wonderful customer had great ideas for more subway art, and agreed that I could offer prints through the shop - I should have these listed over the weekend...and  there is one more I am working on...just wanted to link up with:

Jennifer at StudioJRU and other wonderful creatives here...

Have a great weekend!

A Basket of Plums - TT

Our plum tree was laden this year! (In May)...playing in Texture Tuesday - 2 different textures...

I used a levels adjustment layer and a layer mask over the cherries

KK's "Be Still" at multiply

KK's "Sunkissed" at softlight (it brought out the yellow tones of the plums in a beautiful way 

and gave a sunny glow to the negative space of the picture.

 

Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday here

Making vintage style photographs~

I am doing a little "catch-up" for my Beyond Layers class - we just finished up a wonderfully full and fun weekend...and I am ready to get back to creativity of this sort {smiling}...

The image to the right is the original... 

The image to the left is the original...

I am enjoying learning all the different features of photoshop - tho' my images (having had a different beginning point than the class image) do look somewhat different from the example - I did deviate from the recipe just a little for the topmost picture, and the recipe was followed exactly for the one immediately above...

Let me know what you think of them!?

Color Palette fun + Sneak Peek

We have been busy with summer fun over here - the 4th was spectacular with lots of friends joining us for all the fun! I am busy getting ready for a show next weekend, but for a little peek into the "fun" I had to take a break from preparing - here is an assignment from my Beyond Layers class:

 I learned a super easy way to do a color palette with a picture this week...I love learning new creative ways - I think God must so enjoy watching us have fun creating...did you realize that we humans are the only created life that He gave the gift of creativity to?  How can we NOT create?!

More color palette fun spots (you can generate your own palettes on these sites):
Colourlovers
Color Palette Generator
Color Hunter
Kuler
DeGraeve Color Palette Generator
ColRD

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU

and 

sharing at Beyond Layers

Combining both projects for the Beyond Layers class this week:  an image of my ABSOLUTELY favorite cup for drinking coffee processed to look like an old polaroid photo. 

I have had this cup for probably 20 years and tho' it most definitely is appropriate for the winter, I also use it year round!  After this long, I really don't even notice the painted design...but what the cup has going for it is:
       that it is just the right size to wrap my hands around,
       the handle is the perfect size to slip two or three fingers through,
       it is a bit on the large size, so it holds more coffee,
       it is just the right weight,
       it holds the coffee at a perfect drinking temperature...
*sigh* - I will be lost when it comes time to break in a new one!

Discovering Genesis in Chinoiserie Mixed Media Style - Sneak Peek Friday

 My piece for the character "To Create"

Chinoiserie is a French word meaning "in the Chinese Style" - (more information here)

I find I am really attracted to this style, perhaps because I would love to decorate my Victorian home in authentic style, and this was popular in Victorian Europe...also because the "mix", much like "mixed media" really appeals to my artistic nature {smiling}...

The full piece:

 I really like the quote by Henry Ward Beecher - and as I was working on the quote, this is what the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Creation, was weaving in my mind:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)  By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God...(Hebrews 1:11 ESV)  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been

made. (Romans 1:20)

And we are made in His image...

So sweet, that the quote really reflects that God is evident in His Creation - and we are the crown of the Creation...

 
I made this postcard to help explain the development of the character:

This little postcard to explain the character's significance will accompany each print...

Sharing with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU

Simple Woman's Daybook - June 26, 2012

FOR TODAY

June 26, 2012

A peek into my day...

Processed with Kim Klassen Textures Musiclovin, and Ugglove with several adjustment layers and "the King and Queen font".  The flowers are an image of lilacs that Kim gave us to process and have fun with...I looked up the meaning of lilacs, and these purple kind mean "First Love" - so I am reminded of how important keeping our love for Jesus fresh and dynamic and relevant so His presence influences our daily life...

Daisies in the kitchen, processed with several adjustment layers and Kim Klassen's texture "Let Go"

Outside my window... Still green vistas - so much needed rain lately, the grass needs to be mown...

I am thinking...about love: God's love towards us; our love (or struggle with loving) Him; and how these dynamics affect our vertical and horizontal relationships...surely this is part of what He meant when He encouraged us to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling"!

I am thankful...for the ability to read and all sorts of reading material at my fingertips...

In the kitchen...this recipe, (made it for Father's Day recently)

Salted Dulce de Leche Swirled Brownies

I am wearing...the usual uniform:  blue jean capris (with black fringe embellishment at the bottom) and a black short sleeved T with sparkly beads at the neckline...

I am creating...mixed media art pieces with an oriental flare to showcase how the Chinese language has the story of Creation from Genesis embedded in certain characters...astounding and exciting...

I am going...to the movies with sweet tweener this morning.

I am wondering...If "The Message" Bible will be the right Bible for sweet tweener to use on her own...

I am reading...outloud with sweet tweener "Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe-rings" - such a fun summer read!

From the learning room...math fact drills!  Ah, summer learning.

Around the house...sewing, playing with pictures, creating, working through a business course

I am pondering...Why the Lockheed strikers think they will effect the bargaining table?  The company is hiring temporary people, who are hungry to work, for a lot less per hour and with no benefits...this situation is only benefitting the company, so why would they succomb to the demands of the union?

One of my favorite things...cross-stitch patterns...I'll never be able to make all that I like...

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Smocking guild on Thursday am...

A Scripture to meditate on from this morning: 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.   John 10:10

*sigh* - the difference between life and death here...what sweet tweener needs to know, to act as a filter for all the things she might come across and have to make a choice about...it is good to review my life too, to see where I might need to use this filter in my life, to see where the enemy is trying to creep in...

Lectio Divina:
We read the passage slowly: lectio
We meditate on the Word or phrase: meditatio 

We talk with God: Oratio
We are silent: Contemplatio

Joining with the Simple Woman's Daybook community here
and
Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday here

Sneak Peek: WIP + This and That

I learned about and played with "Book Spine Poetry" (book titles are the lines of the poem)

A peek at a work in progress...I am planning a series of paintings inspired by a book I am reading: "The Discovery of Genesis".  The book traces how the accounts of Creation in the book of Genesis is embedded in the characters of the Chinese language - I find it very exciting...this will be my first character to highlight....

This will be the background - sorry it is a little blurry.  Since it is still just a WIP, I think I'm okay with a little blur...{smiles}.  Check back next Friday for the finished product ♥

















Here are the supplies I am ordering for yet another idea that sweet tweener and her friends have inspired this summer - they come from Canada, so it may be a couple of weeks before the project gets complete!  Stay tuned!

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU

Simple Woman's Daybook - June 12, 2012

FOR TODAY 

June 12, 2012 

 A peek into my day....
Playing with "book spine poetry" - this could become addicting {smiling}

The Creative Call
Taking flight
The Way Out of the Wilderness

Into Abba's Arms

The Father Heart of God

Rebuilding the Real You

Taking Hold of Tomorrow

I call this one "Call to Prayer"...

Touch the World Through Prayer

Come Away My Beloved

Daring to Draw Near

Outside my window...bright, sunshine after the storms last night - everything is still green, tho' the temperatures have been climbing...I love these first lazy days of summer...

I am thinking...about how I am seeing the message of "Hearing God" almost everywhere I turn these last few days...I know He longs for us to take the time to listen...and how - or even does - He want me to share our conversations with you???

I am thankful...that God is watering my garden lately - so sweet...of course, I know others are receiving the blessing of rain too, but it really is just for me {smiling} - just having fun with feeling chosen.

In the kitchen...lots of sandwiches for meals because they are cool to prepare, and cool to eat for summertime.

I am wearing...blue jean capris and a new {white of course}knit top with a zillion little buttons.  Very lightweight and cool for the summer....

I am creating...a "Chinoiserie style" painting so I can illustrate visually some of what I am learning in the book I am reading - the Chinese character for "create" plus the significance of the elements of the character will be in the first painting...

I am wondering...what time we will go to the pool today ☺.

I am reading..."The Discovery of Genesis", a book about how the Biblical accounts of Creation are imbedded in the ancient characters of the Chinese language - wow!

I am hoping...for sweet tweener to grow

I am looking forward to...next Tuesday's free summer movie at the Weatherford movie theater

From the learning room - summer school this year - under full swing - it is good to see that "the dots are really connecting" for her and we are taking full advantage and making up for so-called lost time {smiles}

Around the house...Sweet tweener is doing more and more house-work - such a blessing!

I am pondering...about making one day a week, a "fun" day to play with science {for my science girl ☺} - a "Fab Friday" science day perhaps?!  And document the experiments with photographs so that it will be easier to remember and share with friends when it is time for "Back to School" in the fall...

A favorite quote for today...

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.
Ansel Adams

One of my favorite things...poetry, and unique ways to create it - like these "Book Spine Poems" that is part of this week's challenge at Beyond Layers...

A few plans for the rest of the week: Critter Man at the library - snakes and tarantulas - icky : p!  More swimming


A Scripture to meditate on from this morning:   

35 One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: 36 "Teacher, which command in God's Law is the most important?" 37 Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' 38 This is the most important, the first on any list. 39 But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' 40 These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."                                                       Matthew 22:35-40 - The Message

Lectio Divina:
We read the passage slowly: lectio
We meditate on the Word or phrase: meditatio 
This is the time for listening - I recently read a thought about this passage...where so often we focus on the action of our love response to the Lord, the meaning of this passage is really Jesus' response to the question "Which command is the most important?" and His response is, in the original, "Shema" the Hebrew word we translate as "listen".  The most important thing in our life with Christ isn't really about our love response,  but that we respond to His constant invitation to listen to Him...Maybe another way to say it is, He doesn't want our sacrifice as much as He wants relationship with us...and it is from this place of relationship that true obedience, sacrifice, and loving service is born from...

We talk with God: Oratio
We are silent: Contemplatio 
                  

Joining with the Simple Woman's Daybook community here
and
Beyond Layers here

What I've Been Up to This Week ♥♥♥

 Using the lessons learned for softening images with gradients and altering text in my photoshop class...
the verse was on my mind, as "gentleness" and "softly" are the words the Holy Spirit have floating through my being as I consider and talk with Miss Sweet Tweener right now...

friend heart-aches, blossoming womanhood, in the angst of becoming...

she is entering the grand adventure we all are walking in!

Another image of playing around with gradients and soft effects...sometimes I like to mix things together that you normally wouldn't see - like this daisy from the Mother's Day bouquet with the image of the sky and tree line as it looks from the mailbox at the end of the driveway...I don't know why this appeals to me - any ideas?  Sometimes the meaning comes after the art!  Maybe it has to do with Sweet Tweener, too...

Finally, I had the delight of doing a custom order for a friend (VERY similar to the image above)...I liked her idea so well, that I will be putting several of these together myself, as two other verses came to mind that will work well with weights and balances!  Yes, they will eventually find their way to the etsy shop!

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU

and 

showing homework images with the Beyond Layers students 

(check out the flickr group - the artful photographs will so inspire you!)

{Inspired Quotes} - Intention and Focus + Sneak Peek

I'll have to try this again on a different day - the image had a blue tint that I just couldn't get rid of except for black and white mode...(sometimes my little point and shoot does that) - but I want to put it in the inspired quotes link-up with the Beyond Layers group...

Those big brown eyes look so deep, and the intentions of her heart are only for good...and I wanted to play with animation again with all of her expressive eyes...ps - she got a haircut for the summer, the stylist swept up 2 1/2 wastebaskets of hair off the floor and there is still plenty on her head!

Joining with Jennifer at Studio JRU 

and

the group at Beyond Layers

Change - {Inspired Quotes}

A little playing around with images and words for Kim's word prompt "change"...the quote by Leo Tolstoy seemed to fit the image and verse from Zechariah 4:10 - I like the thought the Lord rejoices when He sees us "begin", no matter how small the step we take is...

Available in my gallery shop here as a digital download... 

and here as a print ...

Peace - {Inspired Quotes}

The photo is one I snapped on a quiet foggy morning in April - my favorite view over the driveway where the hill beyond drops down to the road below...

For Kim's Beyond Layers class - Day 2 - word prompt: peace.

We Are Like Eggs - {inspired quote}

My "Monday" inspiring quote for this week's "A Week of Inspired Quotes" assignment in Beyond Layers.  Today's word prompt is Life.  I immediately thought of this page I made for a journal I am preparing for the shop -

In life, we often want to remain in our comfort zones, our "egg" so to speak.  But just as a bird must hatch in order to eventually fly, so we too must get out of the comfort zone in order to stretch, to be strengthened, to find new skills, abilities, relationships or ? that will allow us to go further than we could even think or imagine!

The alternative to not hatching?  As C.S. Lewis puts it, we "go bad" - this doesn't mean we become unredeemable, but that we stagnate...

To hatch, we have to break forth from inside the egg - it has to be our effort...yet a voice from without can call us, encourage us, lead us into

breaking out into life!

Birds and 3 Eternal Words

Learning more in photoshop this week...using my own "Eternal Words" art backgrounds for new applications.  AND I learned how to make my own custom shapes - I used the little birdie from 

my "...and sing" piece.  I am loving the versatility that photoshop gives!

I never tire of the three things "that remain" (1 Corinthians 13)....

Joining with Jennifer and other creatives at Studio JRU

Simple Woman's Daybook - May 22, 2012

FOR TODAY 
 May 22, 2012

A peek into my day...
Photoshop play for Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday - this deer and her fawn live in some woods at the back of our property.  I suspect she is the culprit when my garden gets eaten!  Mouseover the image to see the "before" photoshop play. I used Kim's texture "Waterstained Framed" at difference mode, then copied the picture again and set the picture copy to difference, too.  I do like the graphic artsy look this created.  The original was taken at sunset by dear husband, and he gave it to me to see if I could get the deer to show up better...I wish I had kept an image of the ORIGINAL original! 

Outside my window... Sunshiny, cool morning, with the promise of mid-ninety degree heat by this afternoon.  The air is calm - the entire vista hinting at the lazy days of summer to come...

I am thinking...about how many spaces I have to organize and purge in the house (3!! The office/art studio, my garage stained glass area, and my fabric corner in the master bedroom)

I am thankful...3 things from small ones: 1) curiosity over the ordinary; 2) quick to forgive and find goodness in another; 3) the feel of a small hand gripping mine for strength, courage, love, closeness...

In the kitchen...I made crockpot baked potatoes on Sunday - so delicious and beats the microwave by a mile as far as taste goes!

I am wearing...blue jean capris, white T, and it is time for bare feet!

I am creating... a photoshop word art piece, jewelry from silverware, more work on "Finding Sanctuary" (making a journal to accompany the course) - which is the funnest of the projects so far!

I am going...to the vet this afternoon with the little white dog - she probably needs a steroid shot for allergies to get through the summer.

I am reading..."Hunger Games" outloud for sweet tweener.  We are already on book 3!

I am hoping...to get those 3 areas organized by the first of June!

I am looking forward to...summer!

I am learning...how to use my fancy new dremel tool that dh surprised me with {he's so sweet}

Around the house...a quiet, peaceful, contemplative feel

I am pondering...how counting through the Feasts of the Lord helps to make the days stay longer; that the marking of time can mark our lives so deeply.

A favorite quote for today...

God say to give thanks, to do this in remembrance of Him — because in the remembering to give thanks, it’s our broken places that are re-membered — and we are the ones made whole.   Ann Voskamp in yesterday's posting

One of my favorite things...strong coffee in the morning...

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Smocking guild on Thursday; end of year water party at Love Street Park on Friday!


A Scripture to meditate on from this morning: 

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB

Lectio Divina:
We read the passage slowly: lectio
We meditate on the Word or phrase: meditatio 
 If "as a man thinketh, so he is" (Proverbs 23:7), then it is doubly important to think on things that pave the way to hope and a good future...this ancient wisdom - whether from Philippians or Proverbs - is popular across the world in business coaching, in all spiritual disciplines, in counseling.  It is popular because it works!  But not as a perscription for soul health in and of itself, but because this discipline, ultimately, leads us into encountering God, engaging Him when His ways seem not to follow the path of goodness and loveliness, and finally being endeared to Him when we wrestle through to find the ultimate good He has ordained.

We talk with God: Oratio
We are silent: Contemplatio

Joining with the Simple Woman's Daybook community here
and
Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday here