Celebrations of Beauty and Life

Here are some of the latest things to come out of Harbor View studios, interspersed with  some local experiences we've had lately. This one is for a baby named Alyssa (color, Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky, Victorian Pink). And those are some Mother's Day rhododendrons Fidget picked from the yard.
 

We've had a good bit of rain but lately the sun is coming out and we've explored more of our temporary island home. This rugged beauty is at Beavertail State Park.

As I've mentioned, God has given me the grace to truly enjoy and celebrate others' babies so I have delighted in making several of this little sweater for some precious babes. This one is for David Judah. Color: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky Sable.

Tide pool at Brenton State Park. 

For Averie. Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Antique Mauve.

Irises in the patio bed. The peonies have just begun to pop too. Everything looks so fresh and colorful after the recent rains.

 

For Peter. I tried to make this one an inch or so longer, as he was already a few weeks old when I got going on this one. Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Blue Magic.

And, the shoreline scene is finished! I am meeting my friend and client on Thursday. I do hope she is pleased. I am so thankful God has blessed the work of my hands. I continue to marvel at what He does through me. 

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 
I Corinthians 10:31

Joy Along the Way

Christmas greetings to those near and far! The season is going too quickly for my liking this year. Fidget and I returned from our quick trip to Virginia delivering and varnishing paintings. Now we are both sick. Ahhhh! But there's so much to do...

This is just the time to stop and think about what Christmas is all about. Time for a walk along shore, admiring gardens and bowers along the way, finding broken pottery and pretty shells and remembering that Jesus came at Christmas time not to give us an unending list of things to scurry around doing; but to rest in Him, and His finished work when He died on the cross and rose again for our sins. 

May your Christmas be truly merry- not just the day, but may you have joy in your heart and anticipation in the days that lead up to it. If the question is of squeezing one more thing in or having time to relax with a cup of tea and meditate on God's wonders, I hope you will do the latter. May God bless you as you seek Him amidst the bustle of the season.

Everyday Grace

We are a needy people. No one likes to need, especially in a country that prides itself on independence. It is a lot to get over when you find out you are in no state to help yourself into Heaven. This is the whole reason Jesus came and why we celebrate Christmas. He came and did what we could not. Our sin is a mortal disease. Yet Jesus was the only human who did not have the disease in the history of the world. 

It is one thing to learn you need Jesus and ask Him into your heart. Fine, we say, I needed you for that. But the rest of this, I’ve got a handle on. It brought me up short this week to be in need. Time and again God shows He knows we are a needy people, and He provides. So why should there be any shame? We need, He answers.

 This week I’ve been having a rough time not feeling well. Yesterday I thought, tomorrow for sure I can handle making dinner. But there’s not much to eat after that meal, and the thought of shopping was daunting. I thought, if only someone else could do it. That’s silly though; there are some things you just have to do. So I was floored this morning when a friend called and offered to do my grocery shopping! In fact, I started to cry. Psalm 9:18 tells us God will never forget the needy. In Psalm 69:33 the Lord tells us He hears the needy. Psalm 72:13 says he will take pity on the weak and the needy. So why should I be so surprised that God cares even about me and my needs, especially one that is so comparatively small in light of the many needs of poor countries and oppressed people? He promises, and He means it.

Sometimes it takes being needy to bring me to my knees. This is where God reminds me that grace is not just about Christmas. Grace is for every day.

Who's Got You?

Lately I’ve been really tough on myself. Approving of myself only if I live up to all the things I set out to do, knowing there isn’t time for them all. I shouldn’t say lately, because heck, I’ve always done it. Why do I do this, when I love giving others plenty of leeway? It’s like I’m saying grace is for you, but not me. I didn’t see how prideful that was ‘til I wrote it down. 

So, I was running this morning, and thinking, great now I can approve of myself, I’ve earned my self- respect for the day with this run. Then I was running myself down for being so hard on myself, when I got to this bridge. It looks daunting, but if you were going as slowly as I was, it wasn’t that bad. I was in a great frame of mind (despite the self-recriminations), just enjoying being out, I’m by myself so rarely these days. I looked out across the water and a little boat was heading out, being followed and surrounded by a bunch of seagulls. They were all around the little boat, high in the air and swooping low, and I wondered if there was a bait bucket visible that made them follow. As I made my way slowly up the bridge, I thought, that’s what God’s grace is like. It’s surrounding me, over me, going with me, all the time. And as I thought this, there were noises on the bridge as cars passed back and forth. What if the bridge falls? I thought. And just as quickly as I thought it, I heard God’s assurance, I’ve got you. I’ve got you. I’ve got you. 

Soon I was over the bridge, and when I came back to it and crossed again, I saw the little boat and another boat, both surrounded by seagulls. Surrounded by grace. There were more bridge noises, and my vision played tricks on me as the water rolling away under the bridge competed with my concentration on the ground 10 feet in front of me. The more exhausted I got, the shorter my thoughts were. Until all I heard was I’ve got you, I’ve got you, I’ve got you. I didn’t really want to go running this morning. It’s not my favorite thing. But I’m glad I went. Not so I could approve of myself. I needed reminding, Who’s got me.

Blessings of the Day

Happy Daylight Savings weekend from our current house, River's Edge Bungalow! I meant to write yesterday, but as so often happens, the day got away from me. It wasn't a hectic day, but I just never got back once the day started.


I woke yesterday in no hurry to do anything, and though I'm not much into doing a lot for breakfast, I felt like cooking. I offered Fidget what I was cooking: a cheese omelet, tiny sausages, which I am crazy for although I don't eat them often, and toast. Fidget said she wanted a Pop Tart. I was floored that she'd pick that over a home made meal. She had her Pop long before my breakfast was ready, so once it was ready I sat by myself in the dining room with my breakfast and a book. What a welcome feeling for someone who doesn't often get time alone these days. I looked around me and relished the food, savored its flavor, enjoyed the coziness of the house, the light. I sat there and rejoiced in the whole experience. I thought about how many people go hungry, and wondered, despite my prayers, how often I am truly thankful for the blessings of the day.


Fidget picking the Pop Tart started me thinking too, about how often I forgo blessings by choosing what comes easily. My thoughts veered off to the question, does God make us work for blessings? No, blessings from God are freely given despite our inability to earn them, that's grace, but we certainly can choose a path of settling for good when God would want the best for us. How often do I do that? It's something to think about this morning- a Pop Tart weekend morning for both of us- as I enjoy the blessings of the day.


Next week I will start showing some art, maybe some house pics. For now, it's time to work on my secret Christmas projects.