What an awesome day

I'm sure many of you are experiencing this wonderful warm weather if you live on the East Coast. It's been in the 80 for three days now, and more in the near future. How awesome it's been to see so many of our Bluebirds already picking from all the birdhouses on most of the fence posts around the back yard. I've seen about 6 sets so far...but we usually have at least 12 sets come back each year...My butterfly bushes are already leafing out..as well as some of the perennials in the flower garden. This is my fav. time of year!!! I think it's all the new growth, the budding and trees and grass turning green. I can't wait getting my little raised beds ready for seeds. I'm going to have 4 more made this month so I'll have 8 12 ft long beds to plant many of our fav. vegetables. I plan to can everything this year, God willing. It's possible I'll have to have my right hip replaced...grrrrr!! I think I'm truely becoming Bionic..eheheh!!! Already have both knees replaced...Now a hip, does this mean my body parts are getting younger??? NOT.. I had a great chat with my little sister over the phone today...she's been really sick, and is beginning to feel a bit better. She's sporting a new do too, but she's the Hot Momma...not me..ehhehehe!!!

Doesn't Mar look awesome with this purple in her hair???

Check out her awesome blog

http://asplendidadventure.blogspot.com/

Ok, here's a picture of my light brown hair cut very short by Moi...I always cut my own...doesn't cost me a dime!!!

Of  course the color didn't take at the temples!

I like it!

Now just look at all those wrinkles,

psssst. I earned everyone of them too...hehehe

Share more tomorrow...am making jewelry to celebrate Winchester, VA's

Apple Blossom Festival the beginning of May!

Our colors have always been  PINK & GREEN

will share some jewelry tomorrow...time to get off now..ehehhe

Blessings to all of my dear friends, may God's awesome grace and peace be with you!!

Good morning!

After much thought and soul searching I've realized that I've let so many things get in the way of what I really should be doing.  Unfortunately I have a very slow computer so I spend way too much time sitting here trying to "catch up" on all my friends blogs without success then push myself to fit in what I need to be doing here at home.   Actually it's more than that.  I need to digress a bit to explain what's going on inside me.  When I found myself out of a job in 2005 wondering what in the world am I going to do with myself I believed turning to painting and making jewelry would fill the void.  Sure I've loved painting and will continue to do some along the new road I'm taking, but I'm not going to let it take over my life like I've let it do....you say how can that be.  If you knew me you would know what I'm talking about.  You see, I have always been a perfectionist of sorts...early in my life I never completed anything so when I got older it was very important to do more than just finish...now I'm finding the important things for me is my home, my family and my relationship with my Father...I've been trying to do it all and I just can't.   When I tell friends I got disability not because of Fibro, or any of the bothersome things that go along with it, it was my severe memory loss.  It was causing me so much stress while still working that I think I was actually very close to a nervous breakdown.  Now I find I'm causing myself needless stress by trying to keep up with all that the Net offers us.  It's more than I can deal with.  I tend to go full force into everything I do...does that make sence to you my dear friends???  Well, I haven't been feeling well for the past couple weeks, infact I put off having my mom come to stay for awhile because I just didn't feel well.  I believe I need to take some steps backwards, and take a good look at what I'm doing to myself....yes I say that because I've allowed all the "things" I've been involved with to take over....it appears going to Church and being here for those around me have taken a backseat to all that I've been trying to do on the net.   It's been a pleasure meeting so many awesomely talented people and hope I can stay in touch with many of you as I take some time to get myself back on track... I've been convicted by my Comforter that I need to spend time being there for my family and myself and those around me instead of just going thru the motions.  I'm not saying goodbye, but I am going to say I'll see you later.....I love you and want to be the woman God wants me to be.
Bevie

Blessings to all who come by!

Good morning friends.  I've been busy riding with my hubby on some of his Tow trips enjoying not only his company, but all the eye candy we see in VA.  It's snowed a couple times in the past 2 wks, however nothing that caused any problems.  More to come on Sunday. 

Peace & Grace

Be My Valentine

Little Bunnies

Meow

Be my Valentine

Our Father is in Control

Thought I'd share some of the little ATCs I've created for trading....it's been ages since I made some.  They are so much fun to do I just can't stop creating them cold turkey. LOL  Here are some of them.

I'm stilling knitting and crocheting neck scarves, cowls, and baby blankets...three of my friends are having babies in the next couple months so I'm getting them ready early!!

Just letting you all know that I'm sitting around twiddling my thumps...did I spell that right??? hhehehe~~~

My memory problems is getting worse so please forgive me if I say something more than once or leave out a word.  I send lots of good blessings for each of you as you go thru the days in front of you...remembering worrying about days gone by is just a waste of time...it's now and how we live each day from here on is what matters...giving and loving those in need not only makes them happy, but it sure does make our hearts as well...(((hugs)))

Well Winter is finally here

I can't complain now that a "real" snow storm is on it's way today cuz we have had a "gentle" time of it so far.  Yes, we've gotten some snow, but the sun has melted it all with in a day!  Warm weather has been on and off here in VA as in many other States.  Today we are expecting 6 + inches up here in the mountains, and by the looks and feel of the air outside it's gonna start any minute.  I have my fireplace going with  lots of crocheting to do. (2 baby blankets to be done in a week) 

If you were wondering why I haven't been doing much painting that's the reason.  I've been making  little knitted neck scarves, and making fine doilies.  Then there's this bright idea I had to paint a scene on the replaced wall in our bathroom.  Our hotwater heater busted last year which was fixed and the old wall replaced, but I hadn't painted it yet.  So I thought why not a mural...I used to lots of them, but since the last knee replacement I've discovered it was just too difficult to do a whole wall...painting down at the bottom was the problem..see I can't get on my knees anymore. This should be interesting to see how I finish it..ehheeh

Just the beginning of the 5x7 feet

This doily is white measuring 17.5 inches

in diameter

This one measures 29 inches in diameter

This little one measures 14 inches in diameter

Little short neck scarves, warm but a great fit

I've made all different colors with

Wool Ease thick and chunky yarn by Lion Brand

I had orders for 5 in this color, purple

Pssst, I thought if you were interested making any you can purchase the yarn for just $2.79 a skein from Walmart where all other places charges far more.

It takes only one skien to make one...I don't have a pattern but I cast on large knitting needles 9  and you would knit then purl 4 to 5 times then reversing the pattern to make the design.  Drop 2 stitches in the middle of one row then add 2 stitches on the row after...If anyone finds a pattern plz share it with me..hehehe!!!

love and peace to all of you!!!

Stay warm and safe!

Well the snow has started in the time it took me to write this blog!

Well it's finally come, my Birthday!

Today my twin bro and I celebrate our 69th Birthday....one I can't hardly believe is here...Most of the time I think of myself as middle aged...hummm do you suppose The 60s are the new 40s these days??  I actually don't feel any older, in fact I feel younger than I did a year ago.  I've recovered from the second knee replacement, and am walking much better.  I'm just so thankful God is allowing me to still be around...course I'm not afraid of dying cuz I know I'll go to a better place....but there are things I want to finish if it be HIS will.  I called my twin bro this morning finding him in good spirits too.  We have a connection even tho we don't see each other as often as we'd like.  He's in Maryland, I'm in Virginia...maybe a couple hours apart.  It's a shame we get so busy that we can't see our way to go visit.  I think this year will be different...I'm going to make a point of taking my hubby down so we can visit....I'm thinking of going to GA next year to visit my dear sister, Mary it's been about 3 yrs now since we last saw each other.  Perhaps I'll have a birthday party for our mom who will be 94 in April...that would give us all the chance to visit...

In the front yard

On the side of the house

Beautiful tree in the back yard

beyond our fence in the back

Love this tree with the sqirrel nest

Christmas Cactus blooming again

Napoleon running for the back door thinking he can

catch the dog on TV

Napoleon watching TV

Napoleon getting ready to pounce

Now I want to share some new photos of what it looked like very early this morning...what  a pleasant surprise, but it's now after 2pm and the trees are clear and the sun is shining some.  Of coursh I got the ones of Napoleon backwards..eheheh!!!

Hope all of you have a Birthday today our sometime in Feb. are having a wonderful day...God has been good to me and I'm so very thankful for His Love and peace and grace!!
Blessings to all my friends out there in Computer land~

I got this recipe from a friend, and love it...

Good morning, I was taking a break from creating new jewelry a couple days ago so decided to bake an "Apple Dapple Cake"  I have to say it was a big hit for those who stopped by before it was all gone..hehehe~~

Apple Dapple Cake
1 1/2 cups oil
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
3 cups (all purpose) flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup coconut (you can use the frozen if you like)
1 cup black walnuts chopped (you can use regular walnuts)
3 cups peeled apples ( I used apples I'd canned in water)
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup raisins ( I used dried cranberries instead)

Mix oil, sugar & eggs at once.  Sift together flour, soda, & salt then add to mixture.  Chop together raisins, coconut, walnuts and apples, add to mixture along with the vanilla.
Bake @ 325 F for 1  1/2  hrs in tube pan.  Batter will be thick!
Icing
1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup butter then boil for 2   1/2 mins.
If you want a more sweet cake use long picks to puncture cake so you can drizzle icing down into the cake.  I just brushed on the icing all over the cake...
I have to tell ya, I've baked many cakes, and I think this one is my fav.  I'll have to share my " Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake" (when I find the recipe) hehehe!!

Blessings as you go thru your busy day, and remember to start with God's word for it's the only true guide for our lives here on earth!!!  (((hugs)))

A SPLENDID ADVENTURE: more on listening

A SPLENDID ADVENTURE: more on listening

Well it's well into the New Years already!

Can't believe it's already the 5th of Jan 2012 and I'm just now post a Happy New Years to all of you.  It's been said the older you get the more quickly the time goes by.  I can't imagine it going any faster than it does now...at 68 soon to be 69!  heheheh!!

I've been doing some painting the past couple days after working for weeks creating jewelry to sell at the Christmas Bazaars during Nov and Dec 2011.  Now, we've had a little snow (maybe 2.5 inches), and the bitter cold we've experienced the past 2 days has changed to temps in the 40's and promises to be in the high 50's over the weekend.  Yay!

We've really had a very gentle winter so far so we can't complain here in the East.  My concern is that this will be the trend in the coming years making it difficult for many animals who thrive in the bitter cold.  We must get serious about changing things that will help, don't we?

I painted a black and white painting on canvas measuring 18x24" for my dear hubby.  He'd loved one I created a couple years ago, but sold to a friend who's actually made arrangements for him to get it in the event she should pass away before he does.  What a special friend I have in her.

I thought I'd share some photos of what it looks like here at home after the little snow we had a couple days ago, and of the painting in black and white, and the one I did for my daughter, Missy and her BF for Christmas.  She wanted a folksy village of sorts with NO animals. (not even a bird) hehehe!

Dewey's painting

Missy & Skip's painting

the tree that fell and busted the fence down back last week

A very cold morning!

The sun coming up this morning!

Beautiful...

Happy New Year to all

Blessings