We added a new piece to our gallery. I have loved this piece by Joseph Garnett for some time. It is titled Balancing Rocks. It can be turned either way and you can see the rocks or is that George Washington?

Fresh Find: Sweet keyboard!

Sometimes I come across something that says stop and think. Look at me. What do I say to you at this moment? What I see and think is typically different than most, and I don't apologize for that. It is my blessing to share what is placed on my heart. I saw this item at a local collectibles shop, and I immediately knew I needed a picture about it.

Fresh Find: If I could I would have a house full of eclectic chairs to represent the people in my life who bring eclectic joy.

No one likes a biting dog, a striking snake, a sly fox, a stinky skunk or an aloof opossum!  If we want to be a friend then we should do it right and be a friend like Christ's example to us; humble, loving, kind, but with the urgency of Salvation.

Proverbs 10:10 Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Honesty, integrity and pure thoughts are ways that lead to building others up.

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3

Don't act one way and then another, simply love Christ, and from this love will flow true sweetness.

We all fall into the pit of sinful nature from time to time. No matter how hard we try to do right, we slip. The more we are in God's Word, the less we stumble and fall.

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Always ask, "What is it you are teaching me, God?" 

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I know what it is to be unlovable in the world. I too know what it is to be fully loved in Christ. Peace.

Fresh Find: I love these praise song posters!

I love seeing our out-of-town grand-sisters doing something they love! I was privileged to get to watch them do their thang this weekend. It was so fun to watch them. They are growing up. Love these girlies!!!

Fresh Find: I desire this flower press. What a fun summer art project!

I was born in 1955, and I know people who graduated from PHS in 1955. I was excited to stumble across this 1955 PHS yearbook at a downtown Plainview collectibles shop.  I was thrilled when I saw it belonged to my friend Melvin McMennamy. We attended church together until his passing several years ago. He was a great preschool worker!!! In his yearbook, there was a school newspaper that mentioned two of my good friend, Debby Kechersid's, sisters, as well as other friends family! Did you know the Bulldog Barker was once The Plainsman? There were several that I recognized in the yearbook, some fun ads, etc.

Could it be Lawrence McCutcheon's autograph?

Fresh Find: A fun downloadable newspaper format by year.

I was in the attic today getting some things down for a friend to use at a wedding. I decided to look in one of the totes that have been stored there since our kids were young. I found their piano books. They both took from Bill Deardorf. I also rediscovered the music composer project that my grandfather, Hugh Robert Etter hand wrote while attending Lamar School.

And, what a precious piece of music I stumbled upon that our daughter created when she was 10 and attending Edgemere.

Sure made this momma smile to remember these words. Both of our children are wrapped in kindness. We are very blessed!!!

Our son has his second album out.

Music skipped my generation, but I'm thankful our children are inspired by music and are growing our grand-sisters up to know the importance of music in their lives. We are a pretty creative bunch!!!

Fresh Find: Beautiful custom made drums & drum sticks.

I've always loved the pioneering spirit of our children. Aren't they sweet little pioneers? Were they happy? Stunned? Acting? Amazed? I'm still thankful we made them try many things they did not want to.

Fresh Find: A great leather break-away pet collar.

It was a great day to celebrate a Happy 9th!!! Happy Birthday to Miss J!!! We are so blessed!!!

Fresh Find: What a sweet tablet stand! I love the wood industrialness of it!

I always wonder why a story might start with the phrase, "Once upon a time?"   

"Once upon a time" is a phrase used to introduce a narrative of past events, typically in fairy tales and folk tales. It has been used in some form since at least 1380 in storytelling in the English language and has opened many narratives since 1600. Does anyone else's mind click off when a story opens with the phrase? Why not just dive in and save the words? 

I suppose how we start our story depends on if we want others to figure out where we are going or where we are coming from. 

Think about starting where there is enough action to be a draw and then ask...

Imagine if ... an invitation to let go and join in the narrative.

Here's what excites me ... this allows the passion of the vision to create enough excitement to follow.

Make sure the dots are connected so that whatever is being written might be followable.

Once upon a time, imagine if, it was a dark stormy night, here is what excites me, it's always best to start at the beginning or create a resounding ending.

I am no writer, and I know nothing about writing. I'm a sharer. 

Life Worthy Of My Calling

        Humble~Gentle~Patient~Love

Unity Of Spirit

            Peace

One Body~One Spirit~One Hope~One Lord

    One Faith~One Baptism

                One God And Father Of All

                            Over All~In All

Grace Given

            Christ Apportioned

Equipped To Service

                    Built Up

Unity In Faith And Knowledge

                               Son Of God

Mature

        Attaining Whole Measure

                Fullness Of Jesus Christ

It's Always Best To Start At The Beginning

        Here Is What Excites Me

                    Imagine If

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night

        Once Upon a Time, He Died For Me

                                        Truth

                    There is a resounding ending!       Ephesians 4

Fresh Find: Look what Coke has created! Birthstone bottles!!!

Rose Marie Wall. We called her Rose. I did not see Rose that many times in our married life, but in those times she impacted my life deeply, with wisdom. She is in the presence of Jesus.

On a cold crisp morning, we celebrated Rose's goodness. One quote that the pastor shared is one that Rose shared with him, "If I'm vertical, I'm still serving!" What a testimony to me today. And, when we are no longer vertical, we will be praising!!! Hallelujah, Amen! Thank you, Rose!

There's a sweet sweet spirit in this place
And I know that it's the spirit of the Lord
There are sweet expressions on each face
And I know that it's the presence of the Lord
Sweet, Holy Spirit
Sweet heavenly dove
Stay right here with us
Filling us with your love
And for these blessings
We lift our hearts in praise
Without a doubt, we'll know
That we have been revived
When we shall leave this place

The Imperials