Sunday, August 26, 2012

Jeff's Project



Anyone who knows my husband knows
 he loves a neat and tidy yard.

All his flower beds in the back are bordered with large stones,
 and landscaped with shredded bark.


But the area to the right of our driveway, 
and all the bushes in front of the house
 are (or were) landscaped with river rock. 

 

A few weeks ago Jeff decided it was time
 to get rid of the river rock and re-landscape up in front.


But when he (and Danica and Zack) removed the first layer
 of rocks to the right of our driveway
 he found an old retaining wall,
 and far more rocks then he anticipated.



But that didn't stop him. 

He kept at it, again enlisting the help of Danica and Zack,
 and even his weak but willing wife, 
armed with shovels, buckets and rakes. 

These tools were helpful, but many of the rocks had to be
removed by hand... handful by handful...rock by rock.

 

Eventually, we had a 12" trench,
which Jeff figured would be deep enough to grow flowers.



The next step was to remove the rocks around the front of the house. 
 Again, he called in the reserves, and even put Danica's boyfriend David to work.


 It was hard, dirty work, but they were all good sports, 
laughing and singing as they worked.




Meanwhile, Jeff began to fill in the trench with new black dirt.



 And this morning, he washed down the driveway.




Isn't that nice black dirt! 
Makes a person want to dig right in and start planting.





To be continued...



until next spring.













Saturday, August 18, 2012

Linette Tries Watercolors


I was home alone last night...

I think I'll stop there and tell a little story.

Earlier this week Jeff asked me if I wanted to come along to draft night for his Fantasy Football Keepers League.

"I don't think so," I told him. "I went one other time and I really didn't find it all that... interesting."
"It's the funnest day of the year," Jeff told me.

"No," I disagreed. "The funnest day of the year is the day we have our SWALC concerts." (Southwest Area Lutheran Chorale. Jeff hasn't been to a concert in years.)

Jeff laughed. "It's good for people in a couple to each have their own interests."

So true.


So as I was saying...

I was home alone last night, and I decided to try doing a little art work.

One of the instructors at the Bible Art Camp I helped put on this summer taught the 3rd graders how to use watercolor and cray-pas to make rich, vibrant paintings. Ever since then I've been eager to give it a try.

Last night I finally did.


I decided to try 4 different paintings.

 

I printed some pictures from the internet for inspiration:

butterflies (of course)


wild flowers


tropical fish


and Birch trees



Next, I lightly sketched out the images with a pencil.



 



My monarch I drew with cray-pas for a more bold and distinct shape.



For the others I only used watercolor.

First the backgrounds...




Then the details...

 

 


I never got around to the Birch trees.
Maybe next time.



Here are my finished paintings.



It was fun, but I think I'll stick to quilling.

And now, pictures from our Bible Art Camp...




Art Camp.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Birthday Reflections


I learned in Bible class once that you could divide the life of Moses into 3 40-year parts. His first 40 years were spent in Egypt, the next 40 years he was a shepherd, and he spent his last 40 years with the Israelites wondering around in the desert.

It seems like my life can be divided up into thirds too. The first 20 years I was a kid. The next 20 was spent having and raising kids of my own. And now, as a 40-something grown-up, I'm enjoying life in a new way. I have the freedom to be and do pretty much anything my conscience, aging body, and pocketbook will allow.

The one who said, "Life begins at 40," wasn't kidding. This is a great time in my life. Not that the first 40 years weren't, but I'm finding a peace and contentment and, as Susan Ann likes to call it, an attitude of gratitude that has blessed and surprised me as I age. Growing old isn't such a bad thing. I think the older I get, the better I get. I don't say that to brag. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for lots of hard lessons learned along the way. I still have a lot to learn, (Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 11:2, Micah 6:8 and Colossians 3:23 to name a few) but here's what I've figured out about life so far.

  1. God is everything. (That's why He calls himself, "I AM.")
  2. Everything happens for a reason.
  3. Begin every day and every task with mediation on God’s Word and prayer, and all will be well.
  4. Less is more.
  5. The secret of contentment: Focus on the positive... what you have instead of what you wish you had; where you are instead of where you wish you were; who you are instead of who you wish you were.
  6. Rejoice always! God loves you.
I feel like there should be 7, but I can't think of another one to put there. Maybe I will over the next 20 years. Or maybe one of you can add number 7!
And now, a few pictures…one from each of the phases of my life thus far...



1967
 (I'm the one on Dad's lap.)

1995

2011

Sunday, August 5, 2012

The Ring on my Right Hand

Yesterday we were at the wedding of our niece Beth and her husband Josh.  It was a lovely day for a wedding and we had a wonderful time celebrating their special day.

During the reception my daughter Mandie noticed the ring I was wearing on my right hand. She asked me about it, and, not knowing what to say, I told her it was private.

It’s not really private.  

I just was caught off guard and wasn’t ready to explain it right then.

But now I am.


I wear two rings. One on my left hand and one on my right.

The one on my left hand symbolizes the special relationship I have with my husband, Jeff. It’s a symbol of our love and faithfulness.

A few weeks ago I bought a simple silver ring for my right hand. I wanted it to symbolize the special relationship I have with my Lord and Savior.

A few days later I came upon this verse:

For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;

    I will help you.

Isaiah 41:13


Pretty cool, huh?

So the ring reminds me that God is with me, and that He loves me, and that He'll help me. 


It's not a valuable ring. But the meaning behind it is very precious to me...

Which reminds me...




The Hobbit - Part 1 hits theaters on December13th. 

If you've got an hour and 40 minutes to spare, here's a fun sneak peek!