April in instagram

April 2014 in review, via my instagram:

• My mom's birthday & a delicious hummingbird cake
• Resurrection Sunday (a.k.a. Easter), on of my favorite Holidays 
• Blooming dogwoods & Yoshino cherry trees
• Lovely pastel colors

How was your April? I hope you all have a wonderful May!
God bless,

Happy {belated} birthday, Mom!

My mom had her birthday earlier this month. I wanted to post about her for her birthday, but didn't do it on time. So I felt like a crappy daughter. But here it is, her belated birthday post!
One thing that I know I inherited from my mom, among many things, is singing. I learned to LOVE harmony thanks to my mom (& her mother). She started singing as a child. She would sing in a trio with her mother and sister. She sang in the church choir, study voice in College, & traveled with her university's chorus group.
She encouraged me to practice & work on my singing abilities as a child. It is funny for me to look back, but for a little while when I was much younger, I didn't have much interest in singing. I don't know why. I can remember one time when I was going through this phase I told her that, "I'm not like you", in response to her wanting me to work on music. (I could be a pissy little thing at times). But fortunately that phase did not last very long.
She was able to strongly encourage my talent without pushing (too far) beyond what I was comfortable with. She encouraged me to learn harmony when I was younger. I had a low voice & my grandmother taught me how to sing alto when I was about 10 years old. I didn't like the sound of alto at first. It took some time before I was able to hear the beautiful blend of harmonizing voices and recognize how the alto adds to it. I then learned how different notes can complement a melody in a song, and make the sound fuller.
Music has been (& hopefully will continue to be) a wonderful part of my life. I don't know if I would have developed my love & abilities in music if it hadn't been for my wonderful mother.
Happy {belated} birthday, Momma!
Love,

being thankful

I haven't been crocheting a lot lately (or not enough to write a post about), nor have I taken many photos. But while I was riding in my Jeep I decided that I should write a post of gratitude. It does a body good to express gratitude. I know I don't do this nearly enough.
Now, I am not one of those weird people who is never in a crabby mood & acts like everything is wonderful. I have my regular moody moments. And I know that things can get pretty horrible and you need to have a crying/screaming moment or two. Life is not always wonderful, but I have learned from experience that it is good to take time & smell the roses and be thankful for them.
Here are just a few things I am grateful for:

• My mom had a successful cataract surgery. I am thankful that all went well with that.
•  I was able to spend time singing and laughing with my brother & a dear friend the other night.
•  I am thankful that we have had some nice rain to clear the air of pollen (the pollen where I live can be pretty hardcore).
• I am thankful for the longer, warmer days.
•  I am thankful for what Christ did for me & what this past Sunday represents.
• I am thankful for where I am, & at what time in history I live. 
• I am thankful for the peaceful quiet times, and the loud & crazy times.

What are some things you are thankful for?

"give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:18
 
 God bless!

Why this Friday truly is Good

The Raising of the Cross by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn.

In recognition of Good Friday, I decided to post Rembrandt's beautiful painting, The Raising of the Cross. When I first saw this work, I had no idea that it is a self portrait of Rembrandt. See that red-headed man in the blue beret in the center of the painting, helping the Roman soldiers raising up the cross? That is Rembrandt.
Rembrandt understood that Christ died for the sins of the world, including his own sins. So, it is as if he hung Christ on the Christ himself.
Remember that we find Salvation in this perfect sacrifice:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16

But, remember that the cross was not the end; Sunday is coming...

God Bless!

wordless Wednesday: April 9, 2014

Tunisian Tuesday: week 5

It is wonderful to be able to sit outside while adding some rows to my crochet! I know it won't be very long until it will be too warm to crochet outside. I will enjoy it while I can.
I know I am taking my time with this project. It is one of those things that I work on for about 30 minutes to hours at a time, while I watch some t.v. or just chillin', when I have a little downtime. After church on Sunday, & after I had gotten a bite of some delicious Asian cuisine for lunch, I was home alone for a couple of hours. So to relax I put on the movie Capote, from Netflix, poured a cup of coffee, & worked on a few rows of my Tunisian crochet project.
One thing that I like about Tunisian crochet is that it is easier to transport, compared to "regular" crochet. When you stop on the forward pass, the hook is secured in the stitches along the top of you work. It is nice to be able to put down my crochet work and not worry about my crochet hook falling out, and loosing it.
I hope you all have a wonderful evening!
God bless!

high 5 Friday

Happy Friday lovely people! I hope you all had a beautiful first week of April. It has been a wonderfully sunny week here in N.C.. I just noticed yesterday that there is that oh too familiar yellow/green layer of pollen covering all the vehicles in view. I am sorry allergy sufferers :-/
But in keeping things light & happy, here are my five favorite happenings from this past week:

1. I saw the movie God's Not Dead on Tuesday night. It was a wonderful film. I, as a Christian, highly recommend it. It was so uplifting, & it blessed me that evening. I really made me think of this verse: So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. -Matthew 10:32-33


2. While mowing my grandmother's yard, I barley missed running over this baby bunny. He was so sweet & precious. I am so glad that my aunt knows someone who was able to keep him until he is ready to be on his own.


3. I loved the colors in my April Julep Maven box! I have been using the blush I received for the last couple of days. I am hoping to paint my nails with the polish this weekend.


4. The Dogwood trees around my house are starting to bloom. I wouldn't say that Dogwoods are my favorite tree, but I do really love them.You know Easter time is on it's way whenever you see dogwood flowers in the South. I have heard people use the Dogwood to tell the story of the crucifixion. The flower has four petals, like the four sides of a cross. The flower has a center that looks somewhat thorny (representing the crown of thorns). And the most common color of the flowers' is white (Jesus washes you whiter than snow). 


5. I had my yearly physical this week (which is not fun) & received a clean bill of health (good to hear). I am not trying to brag, but am trying to show gratitude for the fact that I am, at this moment, healthy. I have many friends & family who are not blessed with good health, & I realize that we are not promised a lifetime full of health. Most people I know, & probably most people you know, have died do to failed health. I try to keep in mind that my hardiness is not infinite & I should appreciate what I am blessed with right now, & know that it can flee at any moment. 

Remember to check out Lauren Elizabeth's blog, & see her post & link-up list of other's blogs (&/or link your blog to the list!).
God bless!

Tunisian Tuesday: week 4

Hello dearies! I hope you have had a great Tuesday so far.
It is that time of the week again; Tunisian Tuesday! WHOOO! (Let's try to stay clam.)
I have made some nice progress since last week on (what I hope to be) the pillow. This is turning out to be a pretty simple & sweet project.
For those of you who didn't read my other Tunisian Tuesday post, I am using the Tunisian Simple stitch. (Check out this great tutorial on Moogly blog.)
Well, that is all I have at the moment in the wonderful world of Tunisian Crochet. Do you have any Tunisian projects (past or present)?
Have a great day!
God bless!