Norman's Pastel Pencils

Made in France Pastel Pencils~Conte' a' Paris

They belonged to Norman, my friend Priscilla's

late husband.  He was an artist, not a famous

artist, just a man that used various mediums

to create beautiful images on canvas.  His art

is displayed throughout my friend's  home, serving

as reminder of the love of her life. Admirers of

his paintings,  are pleased to find many have a story.

Hearing them, speaks loudly of the

faith, the character and gentleness of the artist.

I felt honored when Priscilla gave me Norman's

pastel pencils.  I've placed them on my desk,

along side my water color pencils and brushes.

Maybe one day I'll feel confident enough to

use them.  Until then,  I'll keep them

within sight, as reminder of Norman, a

sweet man that made real pretty pictures.

Have a blessed day......Dee Dee

Shall We Peek Inside?

   Four little ones live here, and after cups

of hot chocolate with marshmellows,

they will, along with mother and father,

decorate the tree with cherished and

collected special ornaments.

Stockings dangle from a mantel where

there will be no fire in the fireplace. 

There instead, a

flat screen television is tuned into a Hallmark

Christmas movie.

The cottage is warm and toasty, outside

snow is falling.

-

The holly's up,

the house

is all bright,

The tree

is ready,

the candles

alight;

Rejoice and

be glad,

all children

tonight.

~From an old Carol

Slowly but surely that

Christmas spirit is packing it's

way into my heart....Dee Dee

The Hustle and Bustle

This great old Rockwell painting

is the image I'm getting, hearing

nightmare stories

of  crowds packing the stores,

standing in

 "wrap around the building lines"

in effort to find Christmas bargains.

I stopped into Ace Hardware

this past Saturday, my half-off

coupon clasped firmly in hand.....

on a mission to find outdoor lighting.

There I was confronted

with long lines and one

clearly spoiled screaming child.

The father, trying to amuse the

little boy, seemed on the verge

of a nervous breakdown.

Many of us in the store,

 were beginning to have

the same feelings.  Eventually

they left the store, and a soft

breeze swirled  throughout the store,

caused by a 

 simultaneous reaction of shoppers,

all together breathing

sighs of relief.

I suppose this scene

has become part of our

annual Christmas traditions,

the hustle and bustle.....

and many of us wouldn't have it any

other way.  For the most part

folks are in a festive mood.

-

We ring

the bells

on Christmas Day

Oh, why?

Oh, why?

To echo what

the angels say

On high!

On high~

~Elsie Williams Chandler

Have a blessed day......Dee Dee

An Interesting Story

Looks like a nice place to worship....

Pleasant Hill Baptist, Chatham County

North Carolina.  I found the photo

searching on google for old country

churches in North Carolina.

Can't go wrong with a search like

that, and as luck would have it, I

found a Baptist church.

To know me, is to know I love old

churches.  My fondness for them goes

way back to early childhood. 

 Most of my kinfolks(southern expression) attended

churches that look much like the one seen here.

During revivals, homecomings and

other special church  occasions,

I had the pleasure of visiting these

sweet ole'  country churches.

In those days, we moved

quite a few times. Most places we lived

   had a church across the street,

right next door or at lease

 within walking distance. 

-

 All these thoughts

about churches, has reminded  me of an interesting story.

While living in North Carolina, the church we

attended was located directly across the street

from our home.

 One night my eight year old

sister, either had a dream or perhaps

an actual vision.

 A bright light shining through 

her bedroom window had awakened her. 

 It is then she claims to have seen

 the face of Jesus

in a cloud above the church.

The incident made quite an

impression on her and none of the

family has forgotten that night,

or her story.

 When  together as family, we ask her

to tell again what happened that night.

So many years later, she willingly tells her story 

with the same enthusiasm, as the night it happened.

I do, have a fondness for old churches,

God's house, places of worship.

My home today, is within

 listening distance of

St Michael's Catholic Church.

I love to hear the church bells....

they ring such  beautiful and melodious tunes daily.

-

Have a sweet blessed Sunday everyone.....Dee Dee

My Saturday Plans

                                              

 I suppose I've

kept my Saturday pattern the same for most

of my life.  Arise early, get the chores done and

then have fun with whatever it is you like to do.

My like-to-dos are most likely a lot different

from yours, and that is what makes us all unique.

My first order of the day is laundry, and

today is a gloriously beautiful day.....light cool breeze

that will have the laundry  dry in no time at all.

A bit of sewing is next....I have to get

these finished...can't get behind with

gifts to be mailed.

A few more Christmas pillows to make,

hoping to get them in the mail early next week,

so sweet family  can enjoy them all during

the Christmas season.

Off to Barnes & Noble in search

of this book......a favorite of mine

and Christmas gift for young

grandchildren who just happen

to live in snow country....this will  also be mailed.

I hope to do some fabric cutting.  Have you

seen this little book at Joann's Fabric Store?

I love all the simple easy to make items.  It is

from this book that I found favor with contemporary

fabrics.  Our youth pastor and his wife are

expecting another little boy blessing soon and

the baby shower is December 3rd. 

 I am making burp cloths and changing

table pads from the fabrics shown here....the

terry cloth on one side makes them more versitile.

-

Oh there's lots more things that will take place today,

with the Mister and I  rather spontaneous in

what we do in our leisure time .

After dinner, when the cottage is quiet.....

I'll save the best for last.

My Bible study this week is from the book of Hebrews.

I'll study for a couple of hours,

 .....from a portion of last evening's read...

Hebrews 3:7, 8 and 4:7

We must believe in Jesus now and not delay.

Otherwise we will fail to enter God's eternal rest. 

We will reject the perfect purpose God has for

His people, in relationship with Himself through His Son. 

-

Blessings  for you all ......Dee Dee

Market Finds

Unusual lighting....burlap wrapped cord

Primitive wooden house....

An old locker basket makes a

perfect home for an antique

wooden bunny pull toy. This

display  in the children's play room.

-

Mt Dora Florida's annual

flea market is a "happening place"

attracting vendors from all over the

United States.  They bring 

the rare and  unusual things to sell.

Thousands come to purchase them.

-

"Wait to you see the treasures

I found at the market Mom." 

 I love how she

decorates using old things and

giving them new life.....

The tiny hand-painted old world

angels on my Header today were

found at the market as well....my

favorite of all her found treasures.....

so thankful

I brought the camera so I could share.

Enjoying these sweet moments......Dee Dee

Giving Thanks To Whom?

             ....Norman Rockwell

Last evening as we listened to the

 message from our Pastor, at our church

Thanksgiving dinner.....

I heard him say  something that I've pondered

for a while today.

The non-believers in Almighty God, 

to whom do they give thanks?

All over this great nation,

families come  together in a

celebration of thanksgiving.

In 1789 George Washington declared

a proclaimation of devotion to God, author

of all the good that was, that is or that will be.

-

Happy Thanksgiving

dear family and friends....Dee Dee and the Mister

My Holiday Apron

I'm wearing my "holiday apron" today.......

 a well thought out purchase, I might add.

Beginning around Thanksgiving, I

find  myself in the kitchen, a lot.

Our annual church Thanksgiving meal,

held this evening, 

has me busy preparing 

granny smith apples and other

good foods to share.

The apples look and taste so good......

and, have the cottage smelling delicious. 

While wearing this festive apron,

protection over my clothes,

I've thought that perhaps the

ritual has become more of a

continuity of tradition than anything.

I still have cherished and  sweet

memories of

my grandmother's voice...

"Let's put an apron on you Dee Dee,

don't want to mess up your

pretty dress."

-

This way of preparing  apples, a wonderful

compliment to pork or ham....choice meats

for our Church Thanksgiving meal tonight.

While leaving most of the peelings on,

I'll fry the apples with butter, cinnamon, raisens

white and brown sugar.

They are mighty good.....I'm

thinking just maybe even a little better

than usual, considering I'm 

wearing my "Holiday Apron"......

Are you having a thankful week? I am.....

Blessings.....Dee Dee

Pinecones

We picked them up 

while walking  in Weaver's Park.

I could use them for fall decor,

 then later in a Christmas garland.

They were prickly as we

carried them in our arms and

I remember that late summer day,

oh so vividly, again.

                                         ~Dee Dee

Have a blessed week....everyone!

Angels

For weeks now, I've  been thinking of

angels.....and why not? 

Didn't the angels foretell the birth of Christ?

Therefore..... they've

 always been there in the midst of

 our celebrating

Christmas.

 Some of the most

beautiful  paintings of angels come from

Byzantine art......and Russian orthodox icons.

I read something interesting today.....

It seems that  

in earlier religious Byzantine art,

angels had no wings.  In order to distinguish

them  from other religious figures they 

were at some point given wings. 

This could  be true, for in the old testament

Bible stories, angels were described

looking like men,

having no mention of wings.

Our choir is

rehearsing for our Christmas

cantata and much of our

music makes mention of angels.

In my weekly Bible study,

we are reading  in the books of Acts

and Hebrews.

Both make mention of angels.....

"Worship Him, all you angels."

Psalm l04:4 verse 7

Not only will the angels worship Him

they will and do serve Him. Jesus is

superior to these created beings.

As you can see, I have good reason

to have angels on my mind.

One other fact and my favorite

about angels....God sends them

to believers for any number of reasons.....

one of those blessings I often mention.

Have a wonderful week.....Dee Dee

Hope

A Wellspring of Hope

When we suffer, hope still

springs up in us. As Christians

we are especially able to continue

anticipating the best, even when

life tries to make us doubt it.

Why? Because our hope is firmly

set in the God of all grace,

who has already showered us with

blessings.

~Whispers of Blessings

-

In His care.....Dee Dee

"Impulse Shopping"

 I was on a direct

 mission, when entering the store. 

 I needed  a red jacket

to wear with a fancy black Christmas skirt.

Bummer....no luck here either,

so, why waste the trip, right?

I had promised  myself  to wait until  afterThanksgiving

to look  at Christmas decorations......but the

temptation in this place  was overwhelming. The store

was chocked full of Christmas delights.

Self ignored that request when I found

 these pretty Christmas dishes.

"Could I use them for holiday desert and coffee?....Yes!"

 I immediately thought of at least two or

three occasions during the holidays when I could use them. 

 I loved the red cardinals and poinsettias, and

they would look real nice on my green tablecloth

 or better yet, on the white one.

Quick as a flash, into the shopping cart they went!

Later at home, I told the  Mister of my plans and

how I "needed" the Christmas dishes.

I saw that look on his face,

and  began to have that 

little twinge of guilt.

 I had been guilty of

 " impulse shopping" alright.

My purchase had been unplanned, hasty

and perhaps a little thoughtless.  I should

have taken a few deep breaths, walked away

for a few moments and  reconsidered.

Guilty as charged, I suppose,

but they're so dog-gone pretty,

 I'm keeping them!!!!

Have a blessed weekend....Dee Dee

This morning's

view from my cottage window.......

Last summer we planted two small Hibiscus plants,

one with single red blooms and the other

a beautiful peach colored double Hibiscus.

Beneath large palm trees they are

still blooming, and blooming and blooming.........

In this photo, you can see all the buds.....the nature

of the Hibiscus plant.....these gorgeous blooms

last but one day, wither and drop off.  I've posted

on these pretty things off and on all summer long.

Now, days before Thanksgiving, they are

still making quite an impression in the garden.

-

God's bountiful gifts are ours without end. Whatever

we ask for falls short of God's giving.......~Rice

In His care......Dee Dee

Deja Vu

Playing around with Photoshop.....interesting

what I come up with.  I'm thinking a

poster for a tiny ballerina's room.

This is teacher and student.......

Same teacher....I remember when

her mother was this age, and pretty

much the same size....tiny and slender

perfect for the ballet.  Her first recital

she danced to Somewhere in Time

.....I cried.  Yes, a bit of deja vu.

Enjoy your day sweet family

and friends.....Dee Dee

A Few Things Accomplished

Busy busy day

.....spent a little time with

this young turkey drawing for my Thanksgiving cards.....

I went from one project to another....

found time for sewing making

 a little progress  in

my gift making. 

I have a special request for a

nice warm  black

scarf, and I've selected a

pretty soft yarn.

  She's going to like it.

It's coming along  and I got a good start today.

I finished up my first batch of

children's Christmas tree ornaments.

They are so adorable and I'm quite

pleased.

........they  were fun to make.

I watched Martha Stewart  as I stuffed

and sewed.....

I learned how to properly

cut the turkey, arrange on the platter and garnish

with grapes,  pomegranates and orange slices.

Been a really nice day and I

actually got a few things accomplished.

Blessings for the week.....Dee Dee

Planning Stages

Thanksgiving is right around the corner.....

Sweet...the children could

help with these little pine cone turkey

place card holders.

-

We're all doing it, I suppose.  Into the

planning stages of our Thanksgiving dinner.

I've been poking around on the Internet

looking at table decorating ideas.

Martha has some great ideas.....

formal dining and not so formal.

I'm partial to not so formal and

 this centerpiece.... I could

easily pull this off.  

Love the floral types and colors

placed in a bright orange pumpkin.

Now lets see,

I could use the green water goblets....

Hmmm.....maybe another trip

to the fabric store.....

tablecloth, maybe

small turkey patterned cotton fabric?

My creative juices are churning

with good ideas.

 Thanks Ms Stewart,

your the best!

Don't you just love our

American traditions?  I sure do.

Blessings.....Dee Dee

A Reader or Not, That Is The Question

Seen, in  section of

my ever-growing

collection of found

rare books , new books

and old favorites.

These are

purposely placed between

interesting book-ends

to draw the curious eye.

 My intentions

completely, considering the

young readers in my life.

Likable books from my past

are there....

Uncle Wiggily the long eared

rabbit that walks with a cane

still makes my heart happy

recalling his stories.

I go to the Hiding Place

Corrie Ten Boom's

story at least once a year.

If you haven't read this,

please do so.  It will bless you

in a mighty way.

Northanger Abbey

by Jane Austen, truly a

found treasure. My bookshelves

have many beloved Austen books.

Feeling a little melancholy here,

having made a decision I've

come to regret.

Looking over my prideful

collection of books, has perhaps

made me reconsider

a Christmas present request....

 a "Reader".....of some sort.

Do I really want one of these?

Am I ready to make such a drastic change?

Yesterday I purchased these.

The John Adams book, oh my.....looks and

feels so good in my hands.  I like

turning the pages and I adore the

smell of a new book. At some point, I'll

appreciate  how it looks on my bookshelf.

Hmmm.....A Reader or not, that is the question.

-

Have a blessed day....Dee Dee

I Look Closely At Their Faces

Praying this Lord's day for the children.

I read, listen and watch. 

 The Bible is

filled with stories of nations that turned

from God and His laws and rules.....

......stories that tell

 how God allowed 

enemies to destroy

once

prosperous

blessed by God.... people.

I look into the faces of the innocent...

the children,

and wonder at their future. 

Are we letting what we've beheld

as sacred..... all slip away

on our watch?

I look closely at their faces and it saddens me.

Praying for the children.....Dee Dee

Morning.....Cold

I'll have to give that weatherman credit,

he called it right last evening. When we

awakened this morning, the cottage was chilly, 

I mean robe and warm slippers cold.

The Mister and I

welcomed the change like an old

familiar  acquaintance.

I put a fresh pot of coffee on, 

prepared cinnamon raisin toast and fried eggs.

-

The art of life is to live in the present moment

and to make that moment as perfect as we can.......

-

Sweet blessings for the day.....Dee Dee

Christmas Sewing

It's that time of year.....Christmas sewing

begins NOW ....here at the cottage.

I love them and wanted to start sewing right away,

when finding  Christmas ornaments in panel form,

at Joann's  Fabric Store.

 I'm thinking a perfect project for our

grand children's home-school

Christmas tree.  They'll look real nice along

side green and red construction paper garland, 

and of course bright  red cranberry garland. 

Love this fabric...nice weight cotton,

perfect for Christmas pillows.

I'll make a couple for the cottage,

 and give others away. This time of

year I get real creative....all my

Christmas gifts boxes will have something

"hand-made by Dee Dee" tucked inside.

-

It's not the things that can be bought

that are life's richest treasures,

It's just the little gifts from the heart

that money cannot measure....~Rice

-

Have a blessed day.....Dee Dee

Church At The Nursing Home

No one could have told me a few years back,

that I would help in providing church service for

several nursing homes.  The whole experience

not only is a blessing to the

folks there, but I truly receive the greatest

blessing of all. They are my sisters and brothers

in Christ.

  My friend Priscilla and I arrive at the home

around l:00 o'clock, time

enough to visit with the residents and remind

them that church will begin at 2:00. 

These visits are special, and allow for

sharing the gospel and sometimes,

just some good ole girl talk.

  We've made some

lasting friendships during these sweet times,

..... some of these precious saints have

gone on to heaven.

Church is awesome.....

Song books are handed out and we sing

several of the old favorite hymns...familiar to

most.  Many can no longer see well enough to

follow in the book, but they know many

of the words....Jesus Loves Me

 is known by all. 

Harry plays saxophone, Debbie plays

keyboard, Priscilla and I sing duets and solos,

Lester, in his eighties...(served in Iran as

a missionary)....preaches from  God's Word.

The painting shown here....

represent some of the sweet ladies that have

a special place in my heart. They are much

loved by me and give the best hugs ever.

Have a blessed day.....Dee Dee

For Her First Mother's Day

"They are my pride and joy mom.....

can you believe how

beautiful they are?

  Smell........they smell amazing,

don't they?"

It was almost nine years ago, she gave

birth to our first granddaughter. 

Mother's day came

shortly afterwards, and we presented her

 with a gorgeous

peach colored climbing rose. 

With  special care, proper feeding and

nurturing, the rose has  thrived and produced

like "nobody's business."

Love how they're displayed in

that teal colored Ball jar, and it

looks real nice sitting there 

on her kitchen  farm table...... 

"Mother's Day Peach Roses."

-

Kinda makes my heart feel all happy.....

In His care.......Dee Dee

Goldenrod

Imagine you are here with me,

for a moment or two.  It's almost surreal,

but truly God made

and just as pretty as can be.

Goldenrod is everywhere out on

Honeymoon Island, a closer look

shows the yellow blooms heavilly

 populated by critters.

 The changes in the landscape

this time of year,  are  subtle.

 Most noticeable are the

various grasses blooming,

all  indications of  seasonal change.

Will you stay a while longer and  walk

along the waters edge? You will?

Say, are you feeling all that worldly stress falling away?

I'm real glad.....

-

If we are children of God, we have a 

tremendous treasure in nature and will

realize that it is holy and sacred. We will see

God reaching out to us in every wind that 

blows, every sunrise and sunset, 

every cloud in the sky, every flower that

blooms and every leaf that fades.~Oswald 

-

Walking faithfully.....Dee Dee