What do you do in your studio?

Yes, that is what she said

What do you do in your studio?
( obviously she does not follow my blog, or check facebook...good for her ! )

Well, just in case she or anyone else out there is dying to know what I do in my studio...

The wait is over...  

Enter my studio...

 As you open the door, this is what you see first.
I call it my "wall of inspiration".  All the pictures on the right have been created by friends and family.  Or they remind me of someone special.  Like my grandpa. He taught me many things.

I am not an artist.  My sister is.  My daughters are. 
 I am a writer  
The pictures remind me to use the gift that God has given to me..   We are all so unique and we all have gifts. 

Wall of Inspiration


here is   a close up 

Right there in the center of the wall is the picture of my four treasures 

Jackxin        Klaire    Sebastian   Tanner
They inspire me to be the best Grandma I can be 

 You might also see a project in the making...like the folder of the book I have been talking about writing for many years...Not sure where the inspiration for that is, but there it is for now.


are you still with me?

Coffee pot
Cabinet with ironing board !  yes I iron things
A few things I could have changed to make the picture more "perfect" but I am not perfect and neither is my studio 

Sewing cabinet
Sewing machine
Sewing mannequin
I sew things
A few more special pictures that inspire me

And, I do love aprons.  I change her's seasonally


and now    

a favorite spot 

This is where I spend most of my time, when I am in my studio.
 ( notice how creatively my hubby put an old desk, night stand and file cabinet together and then topped it with ... a new desk top   )  
Computer with two screens
a few favorite DVD's  A bit of Mickey  
Note books...I love paper things ( some time I will open the closet door to my paper collection )
Shoe clock, calendar, stapler, file box, frame, etc 
and a bit of music.

( if you get this far and spot the "music"  just say the word and I have something for you )


actually...that is all there is ...for now ...my studio is no secret.  Come over and and have some coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.     Guests are always welcome !

I live an exciting life  

coffee

Java,  Joe, Cafe,
                       Coffee...
                      anyway you spell it, 

                        it speaks for itself

From McDonald's to Canlis
Large or small
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
or all alone
On the sidewalks  of  Rome
or in your own backyard
In the desert at the seashore on a mountain
There is nothing like it
Coffee
 Beverage of choice !
Come on over
The coffee will be ready
and treats...

Then let's read together
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness , for they shall be filled.

Perfect

An evening in Seattle

It is Restaurant week, so we headed to a special place we have been wanting to try and not pay the price 
 (not including $12. parking but it only happens once a year ) 

If you are a Seattleite Foodie you might see two clues
 ( one large,one medium )
If you are not a Seattleite ,don't worry about it , this is just a blog !
(just having fun )

And it was very good coffee 
I prefer water with no ice, in case you noticed 

He chose soup
( with tofu )

I chose pasta. This is the appetizer . Very tasty.
(presentation is their middle name )
Then I forgot to take pictures of the entree - 
Cod
and the dessert... pie and chocolate tart
( but we took the tart home, you will see why soon )

Taking a walk down the long, very long hallway 

could not resist this photo for names sake

you probably guessed the necessary stop 

notice any similarity ?

Then after sharing the coconut cream pie, we drove a little farther to the grand finale' 

Almost there 

First things first ...the kitchen  
                 
                      and preparing good coffee, very good coffee  

Many delights with very good coffee
and very good conversation 

this would please any Lego enthusiast   

This was made by a Lego enthusiast 

if only you could see the 10,000 piece of Lego  art !!

But the real delight of the entire evening was spending time with the people who live here.
No names, no photos ( did not ask for permission )
For almost two hours our friends shared with us .
The comforts of their home.
Their delicious  treats.
Part of themselves.
So now we know them better, respect them more and love them even more.  
 That is how it is, when you take  time and give time.

Thank You

And thank you blog friends. I know you are out there even when you don't leave a message. Technology tells me  the numbers, just not the names.  Probably better that way. Play no favorites.

   

Three Special Occasions 

One in Tallahassee, one Orlando,  one Minneapolis 

Three memorable moments.

    The bride and groom.  A lovely wedding.  We have known the groom for quite awhile and we like him. OK, we love him. ( part of the reason to fly across the country for a wedding ).  But the bride. We did not know her. We had never met her. We had seen her picture and knew that she was a very-pretty  lady .  It was not until the reception, when her maid of honor shared her long time friendship with Amber and her inner beauty    I wish I could remember every word, but I remember enough to know the important part.  Amber has loved God since she was a little girl.  Her life has been devoted to giving honor to the Lord.    That was all I needed to hear...... 

Very happy for you Nick  and Amber.

This little gal, Opal is her name, was selling products that have been recycled. That intrigued me because my grandkids have collected bottle caps and now I have a picture of something they can make with them.         But her comments about Americans is what impressed me the most.  She was using the guests at the park as an example. They walk by one another as though they were invisible.Never a smile or a nod of the head. In her country, that would be unacceptable.  That is the word she used. Unacceptable. A feeling of being caught up in our own little world.  Self. 

 Even if she did not know the person along the way,

 she would at least smile and often even engage in conversation. 

Please smile at a stranger today. 

These two charmers were having a little visit with me and asked " am I a Christian?" I explained that they can say YES, because both of them asked Jesus into their heart this summer. 

Nothing could make me happier. 

 Three places to sit and chat 

Three places for dancing

                       a wedding, a park, at home  

With friends

With strangers

With family.

                                                                               Dining in style 

Wedding feast

Grand Hotel

Community "empty bowl" .  Pick out a bowl, enjoy soup and bread, leave a donation for those who have nothing to put in their bowl. 

              Taking care of business

Photographer

Conservationist

snowplow-er

 Three amazing bouquets 

Church side

park side

Bed side

Frosting on the cake.......

Wedding

Hotel

Birthday 

New and interesting tastes   

and always,  that great cup of coffee

So, as I reflect on a long and fun filled vacation what is still lingering in my mind 

( aside from time with family and friends of course ).

A mental picture:

The hotel lobby where we have stayed many times and are always thrilled ( yes thrilled) to hear their intercom music .  " His Eye is on the Sparrow".  Yes, at a  Disney hotel.  We have heard it for many years. I don't think it will ever change but I KNOW the one whose eye is on the Sparrow will never change. 

 He is still in control. 

YES !