One Lovely Blog Award

 This is the first time I have been able to celebrate a blogging award! Thank you very much to Hannah Mcconnell at "Daughter By Design" who was so sweet and shared it with me. For my  friends who aren't familiar with her blog, please stop by and visit! Her stunning creativity, and home/infant designs are GORGEOUS to say the least.

The privilege of this award comes with some criteria which I am pleased to do.First, seven things you may not know about me:


1. I grew up most my life a full on tom-boy. Many thanks to my mother and sister who dedicated much of their time to refining the lady in me before hubby and I met!


2. I am left-handed (I suppose this means I am either special, crazy, or both)! However, my identical twin sister is right handed.


3. I have had the privilege of traveling to Cambodia a couple times, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Honduras a few times also. I love the Nations and desire to see God exalted by every tribe and tongue. But I do however, have a particular LOVE for my family in Cambodia, my brothers and sisters in Christ and the Heritage House Children there.

4. I am one of 5 musicians in our family of 6. I have been playing guitar for going on 13+ years along with my father and brother.

5. I love the outdoors, I'd would usually much rather be out in the heat playing hard, than sitting in the air conditioning.

6. Hmmm.... running out of details!! My favorite food is Chili.

7. And I have learned that I love to cook, though, growing up I can remember spending time in the kitchen very seldom.

Ok!  Step 1 now finished, I get to share this award with other bloggers I know and love!

Constant in Chaos- Catherine is a real inspiration to me, her life is a beautiful image of honesty and encouragement.

Funky Junk Interiors- Donna is full of fun, thrilling, affordable ideas!

A Room For Everyone- A gorgeous home, just reading the blog title makes you feel cozy!

Studio JRU- Jennifer, who is a lovely artists also seeking to glorify God with her creativity. I LOVE meeting people with the same heart. Her work is beautiful too!

And last but not least:  Blushing Rose- Marydon owns an antique store, and has a lovely blog reflecting her store, and her walk with God. Beyond her blog, I have enjoyed her friendship and support of my blogging journey for as far back as I can remember starting it!

Thanks again Hannah! And Happy 4th of July to all. May we remember how blessed we are.

They That Wait on the Lord

"They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as Eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not grow faint."Isaiah 40:31

To wait on the Lord, is to place ALL hope in Him, who is the author and the finisher of our faith, the creator of Heaven and Earth. This painting was finished by Jonathan just a little while ago, and this verse, this lifestyle has been his inspiration for it.

It's a simple taste of Heaven.

Art Reflections

Well, I started posts a while back of a painting in progress. Yes, the artist is finally finished!  It has been a long anticipated, well drawn out process, but it is stunning, and well worth the wait!

If you remember we started with this:

 The blank canvas

An Idea

 The beginnings of creation

 A hint

And then.........................................

"Art Reflecting Art"- a 30"x30" Jonathan Howe Original! Isn't it lovely, and so unique? I can be guaranteed that NO ONE ELSE has seen a painting quite like this.

Hope you enjoyed the sneak peeks, and the finished work!

Hither to and Yon

My dear friends. I fear I owe you all a much deserved apology for my long absence! I spoke boldly to a friend a few weeks back that I would be posting soon, and unfortunately, this has not been the case.
I hope that I might find some sympathy and understanding after I explain what our busy lives have been involved in these past few weeks. We have had a month of shows, spent time planning for a camping trip, and returned only a little while ago.
Camping trips might seem no big deal, but truly, when you are taking 19 teenagers to camp in tents, it is a work of love! We richly enjoyed ourselves, and the fellowship we had with the teens we love so much.

Anyway, we are home, recovered, and now preparing to leave for the Dominican Republic with a few of our youth again in July! Time has flown, and caught me by surprise.

During our short time home however, I have been focusing on simplifying my home, and organizing my life, so that I can better, more effectively support and serve Jonathan through our business. (When I have accomplished even a portion of my goals I will be happy to share them ;). Today, as I was "decluttering", I was sweetly distracted by Jonathan's old stash of sketchbooks, all hidden away in a tub in a closet. I pulled them out, and found so many little treasures. Some he drew 10-11 years ago!

I just LOVE birds, I have some hand-carved, vintage frames scoped out for these beauties!

He has such natural talent. He sees an interesting character, a photo, someone on TV, etc... And for pleasure draws something this beautiful! This truly was such a fun stash of drawings to dig through.

Some of you are probably wondering what happened to our mystery "painting in progress", well Mr. Artist has finally decided to call it done, and signed it yesterday. You will be seeing it very soon!