HOME ~ ♪♫♫♪

I was on a short trip lately and ............... As we flew near to home... I looked out the window and there it was.... The Mountain. Mt. Rainer in all its glory, and I took this with my cell phone...























and this one too.





























As we landed we flew below those lovely clouds into the warm rainy gray day that is Seattle. I love where I live. Thank you God.

OUCH! Sumiko!

My darling little kitty cat Sumiko, cut her back leg on some sharp metal. The vet had to put her out to clean it up and sew it back together. This is right after I brought her back home, she had to wear a collar to keep her from licking it. She is all better now and the stitches are out... but I just thought I would share this funny little photo of her in her collar, my other kitty is tentatively sniffing her out, in the background.

Boxing Cats... one in a Box

Ok... one day at my "moms dormroom" I caught my cats being cute.... here it is on Youtube...

Another reason I love where I live.

So this is not an unusual thing to see in my front yard.... it needs nearly no explanation.

Whatever ~ I love where I live.

I have heard and experienced myself the great many gray days here in the northwest! Some people come to visit and never see the beautiful mountains.... if they make an appearance...it is just a fleeting glance through the clouds. When I first moved here the trees, our neighborhood, and the rainy days kept me from seeing the mountain's for about the first 6 months. One day I turned the corner near our home and the sun had just popped out from behind the ever hovering clouds... Ta... DA ♪♫♫♪♪♪ ~ !!! I was then determined, from then till now, when I see those beautiful clouds lift, and I see the lofty heights of strength and beauty, covered in snow even in the summer, I will be glad. I will be filled with that view and really soak it into me. Thank you God! Then when my eyes fill up with the sight, it brings a kind of inspiring joy.

The hat showed up! I found it! Whew !!!

Yes it showed up! I am not sure if it was always on the back of my bedroom door, under another hat, or if "someone" put it there secrectly returning it to it's place??? I don't care I am just happy to have the hat return!

I lost my hat!

Yes, this is the hat I lost... now, how could I have misplaced it? I love this hat, it was perfect for a snowy afternoon at tea. After a long flight, I had the worst case of bed head, "airplane hair" and our rooms were not ready. So we had tea in the bar and I kept my hat on! I do wish I could remember where I left it.... if anyone has seen my hat and can return it ~~~ >> NO QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED ... its just that I miss it and wonder where it went. It is an anthropology hat and was quite dear, so there may be a treat in for you if you find it. Thanks for listening!
sincerely

this is the morning & here is the JOY!

Today in my daily verse!
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For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5
God doesn't hold grudges. His personality is not like ours; His ways are not like ours. Be free from your self-condemning chains. Be joyful this morning. Experience the grace and freedom that abound through Christ living in your heart!

Some thoughts I have had and have to keep re~learning.

Trials have no value or intrinsic meaning in the themselves... It is the way we respond to those trials that makes all the difference. J.E. Tada

My thoughts exactly..... as humans we tend to want to look only at our own hurts and either soak in the pain or lash out at others.

Both the the lamb (who soaks in pain) and the lion (who lashes out) feels the thorn prick each responds in an inappropriate way... for humans.

God wants us to "give him" the thorn and the pain and learn compassion for the experience or patience. Sometime the lesson is specific for us alone. We can either get bitter or better. Those around us will either suffer from our inappropriate responses or reap the added benefits from our learning our lesson. What a "better way" to learn how to, take care of another with pain, than have experienced it yourself.

Peace!

Here is the newest "Cover"

Cover Girl and Boy !!
There is a wedding in the near future! Soon ! Soon ! We are using this "cover" on the package of welcome to Whidbey, stuff we give out to the "out of towners".

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...to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Isaiah 61:3b

Despite even the most grim of situations, there is always at least a thread of hope. God longs to adore us and shower us with love, hope and joy. If you're seeing ashes when you look at your situation be reminded that He intends to transform them into beauty. If your spirit is faint, even to the point of mourning, expect Him to evoke gladness and praise. He is faithful - hang onto that promise.

Displaced Orphans International

Displaced Orphans International is a registered
501c(3) non-profit foundation started by a
small group of Christians in Washington State
who are intimately familiar with the critical
problems facing displaced orphans on the
borders of Thailand. DOI was formed to
provide hope to those children who currently
have none.
The board members of DOI are all employed
individuals who have been led by personal
beliefs to assist the forgotten children in this
area of the world. These children are not
recognized by any national organization as
refugees and hence receive little or no aid.
DOI pledges that 100% of all donations will
go directly to the support of the children and
that all overhead expenses such as fundraising
activities, will be borne by the board members
themselves.
Strict accounting practices are followed and
annual audit reports are filed with the IRS as
required. These reports will be disclosed to any
sponsor upon request to DOI. If interested,
DOI can make arrangements for the sponsor to
visit the orphanages in Thailand so you can see
the results of our work first hand.
BROCHURE Click HERE

We never know where the danger will come from, our idea that we are any sort of control is only an illusion. Each day we live by Grace alone.

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And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

God is doing something in you. If the going is tough, keep pressing forward. One way or other, the work He's doing is going to get done, so your cooperation and willingness to play ball will only add to your joy and the end result according to His perfect design. Embrace the journey!

Flood ~ My Soul !

And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
Matthew 25:40

Your service toward those in need is your service unto God Himself. Don't endeavor to preach the Gospel; be the Gospel.




Nashville Flood Relief
If you're interested in helping with the relief efforts for the Nashville Flood, please visit here for more information on how you can be of service.

Smell the Rodeo

Last Week I was in Texas! and... besides buying cowgirl boots and having my nails done I went to a Rodeo! As we drove into the arena parking the attendants were on horseback. Then I realized we had the best seats right in front right by the "shoots" or "chute". I got this photo with my iPhone! Wow! we were so close we could smell the dust that got stirred up as the rides and bulls left the gate. Now that was Kick~in it country fun!

Trust in the Lord

A few weeks ago this Eagle landed in the trees in my yard....snap!

Today in my Daily verse, this email arrived.......

In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

~~~~~~>> Psalm 56:10,11 <<~~~~~~

Evaluate where you put your trust and what you allow to evoke fear. Be reminded that God is trustworthy and it is in Him who you should invest your treasure of trust.

Living a victorious life requires each of us to evaluate, inspect, observe, examine and dissect our own life. Prayerfully looking for ways we are defeated, ways we are lost, ways we are cowed into not fully enjoying the blessings God brings our way. I will not be a victim and I will grab all the joy and blessing God gives! I will rise on wings like an eagles! Amen.

Shoes to be married in!

So...OK............, we saw some beautiful shoes in the most recent "In Style" magazine. My daughter was looking for shoes to wear with her wedding dress this summer.
There is not a chance that we could afford those designer dreams... go look them up on page 394, lace treasures!!! So I had a bit of a creative brainstorm. We went to the bargain shoe store and purchased a plain pair of white strappy pumps for $10!

The end result are these beautiful designer inspired pair, using ..... my old and stained, wedding dress... yep the backs were covered with the cuffs, and the toes took some of the lace from the top. We made some little rosettes from the tulle, and put shell buttons in the middle, those are on the top of the heel area. I am not sure if we are finished with the layers of lace, but I had to take these photos. WOW ! and it was so fun!

Venice with a little photoshop fun.

A few years ago my husband, my daughter and I went on a trip to Venice Italy. There were so many lovely views that I took hundreds of photos! I took a photoshop class about a year and half ago... this is the combination of one of my photos and my newly discovered photoshop skills... I really like it and though I should share it.

My latest travels.... a photo that defines it.

This little bicycle stopped me right in my tracks and I had to take the picture! It started snowing again right after I took this, like a soft, cold, single, blessing.

New Year and New things ...Looking forward ♥

Yep! They are engaged! ♥ ☺ ♥ ☺ ♥