A week of Refashioning

At least that's what I'm hoping to get around to this week. I started my refashioning project many weeks ago. 

I also hope to make up a new batch of my apple cinnamon jelly this week (click here for recipe).  I opened my last jar for my breakfast toast today.

With all this in mind, I got up with the chickens this morning...

... made the bed, fed the animals, cleaned up the kitchen, washed the clothes, and hung them out on the clothesline.

Then, trying to beat the summer heat, I set off up the road for my walk in the early morning coolness.  I try to forget all the to-do's running around in my head and enjoy my walk on this beautiful, clear new day. The sun has come out and burned off the early morning fog.  Not a single car goes by to intrude on the peacefulness of my surroundings.  Squirrels are playing back and forth across the road.  The birds are singing.  Cows are contentedly munching on their breakfast grass as I walk by their pasture.  The young calves pause to look up at me and we share a moment of happiness on this beautiful day. 

Then I get to the end of the road and turn around to head back, and what do I see!? 

My little Maggie!

She had followed me so silently that I didn't even know she was there.  She knows she's not so supposed to follow me unless she's invited, so she turns around before I get to her and walks/runs ahead of me all the way home.  It's not that I mind her going with me, it's just that she thinks she owns the road and that cars (if any should come by) should get out of her way, so I don't let her go unless she's on her leash.  But of course, she was nowhere to be seen when I left home for my walk so I couldn't tie her up or put her on a leash. 

Don't let her fool you, she only looks sweet and innocent.  She's much smarter than I am.

But I'm not going to let Maggie spoil my day or my walk.  I'm home now.

Maggie has collapsed on the front porch, in her favorite position, ready for a long snooze.

And I'm going to get busy with my refashions.

Wish me luck!

Dear Diary,

Yesterday was the first day of summer and I've made a decision; I'm going to enjoy it!

I've been listening to too many "They say's" lately.  You know, They say I should wear sunblock every second I'm outside, cloudy or rainy.  Oh but now, They say sunblock may actually be bad for me and I need some unprotected time in the sun or my vitamin D levels will be too low.

They said a low fat diet was absolutely necessary for me to have ultimate health.  But wait a minute, now They say I actually need fats for my body to perform the way it should!

Oh last month, They said a high carb diet would give me energy and keep me satisfied while keeping my weight stable.  This month They say, no, it's got to be low ~ or no ~ carbs all the way or I'll get all kinds of inflammation in my body!

 I don't really know who They is, but I'm tired of listening to They  and being jerked around.  I truly want to be healthy, so who should I believe?  I think I'll go to my body's owner's manual and see what it tells me.  Here's the words I'm looking for, straight from the manufacturer:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

                      Proverbs 3: 5-8

Well it's quite simple after all, isn't it?  I'll quit listening to what They say and just listen to what

He says!

Thank You, Lord, for giving such a simple answer to my many questions.

P.S.  And thank you Keren for the wonderful picture of the little girl in her itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini!  How did you know what my inner giggly girl looked  like in a bikini? :)

Want to chat ~ heart-to-heart?

Do you ever just feel uninspired?

That doesn't usually describe me. I usually can find excitement in cleaning out a closet or cooking a special meal.  But not lately.

I don't know where my bounce has gone.

I walk out into my yard, hoping for a little inspiration.

How could this perfect rose not excite me?

Could it just be my outlook?

Because now, when I look closer, I see mildew on the leaves.  Does the flaw actually make it less beautiful?

Does everything really have to be perfect to be inspiring or joyful?

I check out my Square Foot Garden.

It's just a little square out in my backyard.

But on closer inspection, it actually holds such beauty.

Again, it seems to be all in my outlook.

Beauty abounds in my yard.

I know this slump is temporary.  I know the joy is lurking around the corner.  I've just got to look for it again.

In the mean time, I'll enjoy God's beauty and abide in my favorite Bible verse:

Be still, and know that I am God.

      Psalm 46:10

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.  Don't forget to leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you. ~ Sherry

This post is linked to:  Outdoor Wednesday

More of My Colored Pencil Drawings

I finished up my colored pencil art lessons book!

Well....

...I guess I should say...

...that I finished up with the lessons that I liked best.

I skipped a few that weren't my style of drawing. I thought about going back to my least favorite lessons later but I'd renewed the book to the limit, six weeks!

So I had to take it back to the library today. It was due yesterday but the library gives one day of grace.

Grace is such a wonderful gift!

I highly recommend this little book if you're interested in drawing with colored pencils.

Colored Pencil by Eileen Sorg

Our temperatures are up, up, up, so I get up early and get all my outside work done, including my walk, before the heat hits.  After that I come inside, finish my household chores, then I have the afternoon to play away until it's time to cook supper.  What's play?  Artwork, sewing, reading, napping... It's all good! :)



Some people would call it Stuck in a Rut...

...I prefer to think of it as Happy Routines.

Sweet Hubby and I just returned home from a four night camping trip in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.  We had a wonderful time but while there, I missed my routines!

I missed my daily chores!

I missed the flowers in my garden!

In short, I missed home!

I have enjoyed returning to my routines.  It's not only a mind thing, my body even seems to crave the peacefulness of them.

I love checking them off my list.

Daily (early in the morning):

• feed and water the animals
• take walk
• water plants/work in garden

Monday

• laundry
• vacuum
• make menu for week

Tuesday

• dust
• iron
• buy groceries

Wednesday

• laundry
• sweep and mop

Thursday

• wash sheets
• clean baths

Friday

• laundry
• prepare my Children's Church lesson

How about you?  Do you thrive on routines too?  I would love to hear how you order your days.

Home, the spot of earth supremely blest,

A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.

~Robert Montgomery





This post is linked to:  Outdoor Wednesday, Good Life Wednesday