Friday, March 30, 2012

Tagged

My sweet friend, Amy, tagged me the other day - here are my answers to her questions! Oh, and go read hers - she makes me smile! I love how she found pictures to go with so I'm going to attempt to do the same - imitation is flattery, right?

1. If you could be any kind of bird what kind would you be?


I was scouring my brain to think of a sweet, tiny, peaceful little bird - that is the bird I'd choose. The first kind of bird I thought of was a sparrow - it is tiny though I don't know how sweet or peaceful they are. But, being mentioned in Psalms as finding a home near the altar of the Lord is what solidified my answer. What better place to nest - but near Him!

2. What is the best way you have found to make new friends?

Well, there are friends and then there are friends. {Get it?} The second kind is something that just seems to come naturally - we have a connection and it is God-sent not generated by us. In any case though, to make new friends isn't it best if we are a friend? We invite or respond to an invitation, smile, wave, get to know each other, remember a favorite thing and then surprise them with some, etc... Give and show beauty! Be real, be honest. I'm reminding myself here too because I can tend to be afraid to take the first step and it makes me come across as snobby or shy sometimes. But, when I think of how that feels in reverse - it isn't so pleasant. What do you think?

3. If you were assured of success what would you do?


Write a book. I'm not completely sure why or what the book would be about - but this was the very first thing that came to mind!

4. What 'sayings' did the most impactful male role model in your life say?


When I think of my Dad, it is less about the words he said or his sayings and more about his presence, his attitude, his life lived out in front of me. These spoke volumes more to me than words {which he has few} and these pictures are what stick with me as making an impact on who I am!

5. What is the best way you have found to make someone smile?


At the risk of sounding like number 2 - smile first! Let my smile be real and come from a deep place. Here's something I don't share very often - I like to make people laugh! I smile at people in the grocery store! And, sometimes they even smile back ...

6. What makes you feel pretty?

{Here's the picture I wanted to use but wasn't able to save it}

For me, it is a combination of things. I need to feel good in what I'm wearing, be at peace with my hair, etc... but if my heart is a wreck none of that matters. When my heart is at rest in Him - I'm more likely to feel pretty inside and out! Creating and beauty make me feel pretty too - doing what He created me to do!

7. If they were to make a movie about your life what star should play you?


I love watching Amy Adams in movies! Not saying I can endorse everything she's been in - but the few movies I've seen with her, I've loved her acting and flair.


David has always thought I looked like Grace Kelly! Bless him!

8. What do you collect?


Old stuff! Canning jars, enamelware, anything that catches my eye and I would enjoy in my home. Oh, and I collect memories too!

9. Have you ever wished to change your first name and if so, what would you change it to?

I'm sure there was a point when I was younger that I had glamorous ideas of another first name. But, I honestly really do like my name! It isn't very common, I love what it means, and seems to suit me {you know how some names just suit that person!}

Would you chime in? I'd love to hear your thoughts on these 9 things too! Thanks for the fun, Amy!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Spring!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Easter Garden

I can't remember exactly how many years ago I first saw this idea on Ann's blog. But, I've wanted to make one every year since then and it just hasn't happened for one reason or another that I can't even remember anymore. But, I am so thankful that we made it happen this year!

I do remember that one hang up for me is what to do with the plants after we're done with them for the Easter lesson. But driving around in the car the day this happened, it came to me to try some herbs and then plant them in the garden and enjoy!

Thyme, lavender and oregano plus a fern and some misty bedding plant. An empty tin can became our tomb and our littles scrounged up a few rocks. I pulled out a small glass jar and we made a little pond and treasure hunted for a couple of good sticks.

I sort of merged two ideas for this garden - the main inspiration and idea were Ann's - but I also incorporated a little bit of this Hill of Calvary idea as well. So, we planted wheat grass on top of our tomb and added a cross

It proved to be a little harder than I thought to take pictures and orchestrate this project - so most of the photos are of the garden rather than the gardeners, but they were involved and interested!


What a beautiful visual for this holy season! I'm so glad we took time to make this happen this year! And, I hope it is a beautiful memory for my children of this special time when we remember God's free gift of His Son, salvation and eternal life to us! The visual parallels are many and the reminders powerful!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

He is Risen!


Warning: This post contains a lot of photos. Apparently, half the fun for me is creating something and the other half of the fun is photographing it! :)

This was a very spontaneous craft, I figured it out as I went along and it all started because I bought one seventy-one cent wooden embroidery hoop at a very rare trip to Hobby Lobby the other day! I was also inspired by the spring and Easter beauty over at my friend Amy's blog!

I dug into my fabric scraps and just sort of made things up as I was going - and I'm really pleased with how it all turned out! The birdhouse came from my visit to Hobby Lobby as well - loooove their half price sales! The little birdie candles came from TJ Maxx.

While stitching, I turned on an audio Bible app and listened to the last few chapters of Matthew, Which was so appropriate for what I was stitching!