Fresh Lemons Anyone?

I did this little sketch of lemons as I was cooking dinner. Here in AZ the citrus trees have been swollen with beautiful oranges, limes and lemons. Our neighbor brought us fresh lemons from their tree a few weeks ago. We used them to make yummy lemon chicken.

A Sketch a Day

A sketch a day keeps the blues away.
Keeps stress at bay.
Makes me want to play.
A sketch a day keeps life simple and free.
Keeps my heart soft.
My eyes open to see.
The simplest things in life.
Are the greatest treasures to hold.
The sweetest messages told.
Keeps me young as I grow old.
A sketch a day is like a soothing embrace.
Like soft flowing lace.
Like gentle waves of grace.

(The sketch above is a bed of cone flowers which mainly grow in the mid to eastern areas of the country. The Native Americans used these as medicine for various maladies including the common cold.

These blossoms are in the same family as the daisy and black-eyed Susan. I love them because they represent healing. Each day presents opportunities for wounding or healing. I personally find healing in the beauty God created.

I almost gave up on this sketch. It was a challenge as I have such "raw sketching tools" Also I am just a beginner. I did this one with a regular #2 pencil and eraser. However, I did use a #6B sketch pencil for a bit of shading. It is a challenge for me to use the various pencils as I want my sketches to appear soft and soothing, not harsh and hard.)

Do Not Grow Weary

The Bell Rings and the announcement is made.

Do not grow weary....do not lose heart in doing good, for in due time you will reap if you do not grow weary and tired. Galatians 6:9

Harvesting grapes requires a lot of tenuous care by the gardener. As we are care takers of our own gardens...our homes, spouses, children, and extended family and friends, we may often become weary. And that is okay. However, we must not stay weary. Weariness will shut us down and hinder us from living an abundant and fruitful life. When fatigue sets in, we must take time to stop, rest, and fill ourselves up with the only water that will sustain us....the Living Water!

Learning to encourage ourselves in the Lord is necessary in times of the unknown and in times of stress. We must think on His goodness, His promises, His faithfulness, His power and most of all His love.

These are some of the things that inspire me........
Inspire me to draw and to write, and to say a prayer of thanksgiving to the Maker of all.
The sky is so blue today. And the air is fresh and crisp. A soft wind is beckoning to me, "Stay outside! Stay outside!" Oh but I have much to do inside!
Oh well, I will be back out in a while. Okay friendly breeze?

(Check out more photos from our backyard. Click on A Heart at Home to the right)

Trumpet Jewels

The daffodil is one of the first blooms that appear at the beginning of Spring. They are forerunners announcing a new season of new beginnings. If you look into the center of each bloom you will see the trumpet stand out and you can almost hear them proclaim. "Behold, old things have passed away! Behold all things are new!"

I saw these in my heart's garden and I picked them for you. These are for faithful friends and family who never withhold a kind word. Thank you for always trumpeting encouragement into my life! You know who you are! I love you!

Make your declaration
Little trumpet jewel.
Winter had you hidden
Its treatment seemed so cruel.
Now here you are again
You arise with songs so clear.
To proclaim a new beginning
Each time that you appear!

Peek In!

I was a little hesitant to post this sketch/collage. I sketched the entire thing and then added color with collage to some of it. Was not sure if anyone would be able to tell what it is. Can you tell? Let me know!!Would love to see if anyone sees it!

Antique Cupboard

My grandparents had an antique corner cupboard which held all of Grandmomma's pretty china and silver platters. I used to love to open it and gaze at all the shiny goodies that were housed there. Now the cupboard sits in my parents home with the doors open to display beautiful decorations.

The cupboard here is not a corner cupboard but it made me think of something. I do not have a cupboard for fancy things in my house. But I do have a pantry with double stacked doors as above. This is where all of our food is kept along with some big appliances.

Today was pretty hectic as I am an avid coupon user. We have saved more than 50 percent each week on food since we have lived here. And when I open the doors of "my food cupboard" I see that the exhaustion is worth it! There is so much abundance and I am grateful! My cupboard runneth over!