Hello Springtime....

Okay, maybe not quite yet, but this drawing does make me think of spring!

I needed a cheery diversion full of bright colors and happy images after spending several months thinking about the negative effects of smoking. While working on my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project I really thought deeply about the profound impact cigarettes have had in my life, mostly in the taking of loved ones by cancer and heart disease. Did I mention that I hate cigarettes....

Anyway, I will be back on the "Coffee Break" drawing series soon, posting for your critique. Thanks for stopping by!

In My Garden #1

Yes, I Do Realize It's July

Haven't posted since, well, June...life has been very "full" lately. Creating a banner for this month is on my to- do list, right after cleaning the ENTIRE house, finishing painting the Dreamhouse bathroom, processing several batches of new photos and planning my husbands upcoming trip to Iowa. Did I mention purchasing and mailing Josh & Brittny's wedding gift (sorry kids, we're not going to make it to the wedding), purchasing and mailing Josh's graduation gift (yes, I know he graduated two months ago) and a dozen other tasks that no one else in the house will do that I can't think of at the moment.

Our four day weekend to California seems like a distant memory and it was only a week ago. Here is one of my shots of some of the Woolley's beautiful flowers.

Shadow Shot Bird of Paradise

I just can't get enough of the beautiful Bird of Paradise flowers down the street from my house. Here they are with their shadows. Check out lots of cool "shadow shots" over at Hey Harriet every Sunday there is a new batch. Enjoy!

God is Laughing

The other day I was out walking and I came across these weeds with the sweetest little orange flowers. I thought the flowers would make lovely pictures so I went back later with my camera. Isn't it funny how we often take credit for things, I was going to make some pictures... like I had some part in creating the subjects in the first place. The thing was, that when I went back, the flowers were not open and I was dissapointed that I would not get the shots I was hoping for. Since I was already there I went ahead and took some photos and was pleasantly surprised with this. Today I am grateful for all of the beauty that is in my world, for a God who reminds me who is really in charge and for the simple gifts he gives me every day. 

Still Life w/Flowers

My green vase collection, fresh flowers, my mother's photo at two years old, the glass egg, the green speckled shell and Pat's crazy face sculpture. These are a few of my favorite things!

Cherry Blossoms

It never ceases to amaze me how Gods most magnificent creations are small and easily overlooked.
The quiet beauty of this blossom is but one example of this fact.

Valentines Day

Roses galore at my house on Valentines Day! My thoughtful husband gave me a lovely arrangement of 60+ miniature orange/pink roses with some tiny sweet purple flowers mixed in. It was gorgeous and I especially liked it because those are my FAVORITE roses (even though I don't know the proper name). My daughter's boyfriend gave her a dozen beautiful soft pink full size roses in a really pretty vase as well as a box of 12 CUPCAKES!!! Oh and a stuffed bear. Did I mention the CUPCAKES??

Pink Sunshine

Today I really need some sunshine and happy thoughts. These pink Hibiscus flowers are creeping down the block wall from the neighbors yard next door, The neighbors are gone but the flowers remain. Every little bit helps.