A Yummy Thirst Quencher

With temperatures reaching 100F degrees this week staying indoors as much as possible is a must for me. 

Even in the air conditioning I had a craving

 for a tall, frothy, cool glass of 

Orange Julius.

Here is my recipe in case you do, too!

Orange Julius

1 cup milk

1 cup water

1/2 tsp vanilla

6 oz can of orange juice

1/2 cup powdered sugar

12 ice cubes

 Blend all ingredients in a blender. 

I have just returned from an exciting trip

 that I can't wait to tell you about in my next post.

Stay cool!

Hugs and Kisses

My Annabelle hydrangeas are in full bloom.  Their white snowball-like cluster of flowers make the branches bow under their weight and are so striking against the green leaves.  As I sat in my dining room with the window and word of God open to me the sweet scent of my yellow rose bush stirred my soul.  The roses have begun to fade but it is nice the hydrangeas are ready to take over the show.

I wanted to share this passage with you today, hoping it will bless you as much as it did me.

"I will bless the Lord who has given counsel;

My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.

I have set the Lord always before me;

Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, any my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will rest in hope."

Psalm 16: 7-9

My flesh also shall rest in hope.

Something on which to hang my heart.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!  My husband requested hugs and kisses today, nothing else.  Just a day to be loved on us through the gift of touch.

Blessings on your day friends!

It's Official

Summer has begun when a trip to the library means Garfield comic books.

My boys seek these out like no other.

Reading about a fat, lazy cat amuses them so. 

 It's the one thing they can read over and over!

My church has started an online book study and my current read is  "A Lineage of Grace" by Francine Rivers.  It is historical fiction of 5 women in the bible who changed eternity.  I've only begun and I'm already hooked!

Are you doing any summer reading?

Blessings!

My Graduate

I feel like I have been living in a tunnel recently as my oldest son, Joshua, just graduated from high school.  The events leading up to it, planning a party and the actual ceremony have been sheer joy and I am so grateful to the Lord for His faithfulness.

We couldn't be any prouder of our son.  He has worked so hard throughout his school years and it has paid off for him.  He was one of 14 valedictorians at his school. My son who is so soft spoken you can barely hear him spoke with such confidence and conviction during his speech.  Sitting amongst family and grandparents we were in awe!

It is a sweet ending to a chapter in his life but there is also with it a tinge of sadness.  Do the two always go together?  Our little boy has grown up and he is excited for the next chapter of his life . . . college.

Thankfully, we still have little boys who are at home.  Boys who still need nurturing and training.  With Joshua moving out soon they are already coveting asking for his room.  I think it will be good for them to move up in the ranks.  There is a bit of competitiveness amongst them and we want each of them to succeed.  Dividing the time up evenly is challenging (if not impossible!)  My prayer is they will stay close to each other.

We were so blessed to have Joshua's grandparents with us. 

They have been such an integral part of his life and it was a proud moment for them as well!  Heaven only knows how their prayers and the time they have invested in his life have shaped him.

As if we couldn't be more elated the tv station stopped by and wanted to interview him. 

So we got to see him on tv as well.  When God pours out His love and favor it really spills over!

Amongst all of the people milling around after the ceremony Joshua's math teacher for the last 3 years stopped by to congratulate him. They exchanged some last parting comments and laughs.  My son has excelled in his classes and who knows how much this man has helped shape his mind.  My boys attend public schools and every year I always pray for God to put my boys with the right teachers because they can be so important in our children's lives.  Capturing this moment in a photo was pure icing on a cake!

So, the pages of this chapter close and the next chapter is just beginning.  As with every season of life there is excitement, anticipation and a bit of nervousness.   Normal I suppose.  But with God on his side who can be against him?

This scripture is a favorite of mine and it is a promise to ALL of His children.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings!

Teacher Gift

The end of school is fast approaching for my boys.  Just one day left!  They are very ready for summer and I am, too.  I am ready for a calmer schedule and the lazy days of summer to begin.

For my Kindergartners class I had the boys and girls sign their names with neon paint markers on a spray painted terra cotta pot.  Many of the kids enjoyed embellishing with smiley faces and hearts.  I sprayed a clear coat on it and then planted some light and bright pink geraniums.  Their teacher is retiring after 18 years of teaching to spend more time with her family.  This was just a small way for us to show her our thanks for a great year and to congratulate her in her new season of life.

Are you ready for summer to begin?

Sewing for Africa

A gal from my church has started a ministry of sewing baby bedding and twin size comforters out of hand batiked fabric made by women in Ghana.  She incorporates modern fabric into Ghanian fabric and comes up with a very bright and fun mix of patterns.  You can learn more about her "Two Little Fish" ministry here.  God's hand of blessing has provided so many people for her to take her vision and make it a reality.   All profits from the bedding go to purchase a mattress for an AIDS orphan in South Africa as well as missionaries across the world.

Every week 3-4 women gather in her home to cut, iron and sew (and laugh and talk of course!)  I wanted to show you the twin size comforter I have done some applique on.  Fun little appliques are scattered throughout; won't it look great in a little girl's room?  I love how it is so bright and cheerful.

I think the buttons for the owl and birds eyes are too cute!!

It has been a joy to work with the these talented women and be a part of helping out women and children in Africa who face such big challenges.

Blessings to you!

Art 101

Months ago I mentioned I was doing some sketching and really enjoyed it but the "busi-ness" of life has prevented me from doing very much of it.  But, recently I have had the joy of sitting in on my youngest sons art classes that meet once a week after school.  It is through a wonderful program called KidzArt.  I just wanted to learn some techniques and tricks well, anything really that would help me!  His teacher graciously said yes when I asked her ( *happy dance*!)

His teacher is simply wonderful:  she doesn't allow any negative self talk, she says there is no such thing as perfect art and she will never draw on anyone's paper as everyone has their own idea of what their art should look like!  After just a few instructions the kids get busy while she walks around guiding them.  Soothing classical music is playing after the instructional time.

This week the kids were to draw a mama and baby duck near the water using example drawings.  After sketching with pencil and outlining with colored pencil then they colored in with chalk.  To make the artwork look like a painting they were suppose to use a wet-wipe or q-tip to create shading (this was so neat to see the transformation!)

I wanted to share some of the things she taught me before I show you our drawings:
1) always draw with a light touch.  There are no mistakes in artwork - just go with the flow!
2) nature always has some curve to it; while man-made things (such as buildings) are linear so use a ruler.
3) keep in mind value, called ABC:  (A) dark, (B) medium and (C) light - this will give much needed depth to a picture
4) symmetry (just like in photography) the subject looks best a bit off center (say 1/3 to the side)

Now for our artwork, first off is my sons.  He takes great care in his drawings and he works so hard to get them just right.  Can you see him apply the ABC principle?

I have to say drawing is a huge tension reliever for me.  I walked out of the classroom feeling like a 1000lb weight was lifted off my back (can we say mommy stress?)  I was so amazed that just an hour and a half of sketching could do that!  Here's my drawing.

And here is an example of a house I started a couple of months ago and haven't finished yet!  It didn't occur to me then to use a ruler when drawing it (applying the man-made -straight line principle) so it was very difficult to good symmetry on either side of the door.  Anyway, it is a work in progress.

I also wanted to share a couple of good art resources in case you are interested in sketching too.  The first is from Anne Voskamp's blog, Why Everybody Needs to Make Art Everyday.  Fear of failure is something that keeps me back more times than I care to count.  When I am faced with a blank white sheet of paper I have to fight back fear which says to me "you'll ruin it", "you'll never do a good job", and on the list goes in my head until I overcome it and pick up the pencil and just start.  So, Anne's 4th tip to creativity really hits close to home with me.  She says "when we stop fearing failure, we start being artists."  So true!

The second resource is about a nature journals.  Take a look here.  Just makes me want to grab my sketchbook and go outside right away.  The author even includes resources for the the art materials she likes the best. 

I hope you have been inspired to do something artful today.  Trust me you will be glad you did!  There is something in the creative process that really soothes the soul.