Having a Bad Day?

Having a bad day?

Discouraged?

Look to God! Who cares for you!

For He loves me with an everlasting love. And will supply all my needs!

 

Baby Portrait

Well, I told you all last night that I'd post Jonathan's project... But blogger seemed to have a bit of a hiccup!  Anyway, we're back online and happy to say hello!

Last night was my brother-in-laws graduation ceremony, he has his Masters now. We are so proud. Since Sunday is his and my sister's 2 year wedding anniversary and next week is his birthday, we has a party and celebrated his month of big events!

And as a gift Jonathan has been working on this:

Ain't it cute ya'll?!

Day #3

Well, today Jonathan has ventured into other projects, for some special people in our lives... After tonight I will be posting all about it!

Jonathan has still found time to do some work on the painting however,  so here is my third hint of a picture!

The Process Day #2

Good morning!  Jonathan's already been working away in the studio.  Something about "new subject matter" really excites him... So he wakes up to paint!

Here he is in process, this was yesterdays preparation:

He's "drawn off" his canvas, laid out the size and placement, this is his first step with the canvas.
Then it's time to begin to paint away!

It's blurred on purpose!  Can't give away any more details, then this! You will have to wait until it's finished.
 This is just part of the first layer... This painting will go through several layers before it is complete.

Here he is today working some more on the first layer:

I have made most of it black and white, but there's a little more to keep you interested.  Stay in touch... There's much more to come!

Starting Creative

After a busy couple of weeks, it's time to begin creating again. We have been running and gunning, holding our heads just above the vast sea of "to-dos".  But today is the day Jonathan calms himself, and begins to make something beautiful.

So here he is, planning away on his sketch pad, in his studio. Our little room in the back of the house.

The blank canvas waiting to come to life (I love how he surrounds himself with beautiful works he's done in the past while he paints, see the portrait?)

His studio is scattered with the artist's gems...

... Looks like we're going to have a painting of some beautiful birds soon.. A new kind of painting from Jonathan Howe, so stay in touch!

Amber says "Come back again very soon!"

We Did It!

You know we all have those weeks where you begin to pull your hair out, and find a way to beat it's memories out of your brain? That was my week last week. But even in looking back, after feeling heavy of heart for the longest time, after my little "storm", I can now see clearly that it wasn't all that bad!

Monday last, Jonathan and I drove up to Alabama (I can see you're already thinking "oh-no!") to visit his grandparents. Two lovely, wonderful people. They have the gift of making you feel so welcomed. We spent Monday, through Tuesday afternoon, and left later with a HUGE aluminum boat of the top of his grandfathers old van. He was letting us borrow the van to haul the boat home.
A little over 100 miles out on our journey home (in Chattanooga),  the vans transmission went out... on the interstate... during rush hour. We were stuck in Chattanooga for four hours trying to transfer the heavy boat to our car to get home. We almost got a hotel that night, because all the mechanics were closed, but we were thankfully pressed to move on and go home, this made possible by Granddad who offered to pick the van up. We drove through rain the remaining 3 hours home, to a tree that fell across our yard! LOL So we stayed with my parents Tuesday night, cut down the tree Wednesday (many thank to my father-in-law Tom who beasted it with the chainsaw!), just in time for the nasty, heavy, string of storms to hit.

I thought to myself.... could this week get any worse?!  Well, after a couple more events through the week (which I won't bore you with further details), I was OVER it!

I began to look back through the weeks events (ready to complain some more), and realized:

I had the most delicious Pecan Pie, the biggest breakfast, and the funnest time of fellowship with my grandmother and my grandfather (in-law). We caught up, and enjoyed our time thoroughly.  We left for Alabama, the evening before the tree fell, and it fell exactly where we park our car!  We would've lost the only car we have. THEN we were able to drive home Tuesday instead of Wednesday, which, enabled us to miss all the Tornadoes. WOW! So somehow, through "disastrous" events, God was protecting us from disaster! I also have an amazing father-in-law who will bend over backwards to help us out when we need it. Who will cut down a tree in our front yard to keep it from doing more damage, WHILE IT'S RAINING.  And then Saturday.....

 We got to enjoy our blessings.

 We soaked up the sun...

 Enjoyed the views....

And allowed the Lord to reveal his sovereignty to my heart... It really wasn't all that bad... In fact, Jesus saved us this week from what could have been really bad.

My prayers go out to those who were truly impacted by the storms...

God is good, all the time!

Simple Pleasures

On a stroll the other day, Jonathan and I enjoyed nature's simple pleasures

The brightest color, on the smallest of creatures.

How what seems ordinary, can be so beautiful

And captivate your imagination

The way the sun will transform a trail, into a dreamland

The happy communities around us!

Even the odd things in this world are full of fun-filled wonder

Soaking up the spring warmth

And basking in the sun!

Isn't God good?!  Walks are always refreshing. Be blessed today!

Today I am linking with:
"Craft Edition"
"Silly Little Sparrow"
"Twee Poppets"
"Sew Chatty"

New Landscapes

WOW!!!  What a beautiful day it is today! The sun is bright and warm, and the wind gives just a soft chill to the air. Jonathan has been outside cleaning up our back porch and garage. And I have been soaking up some free time.

After re-doing my dining room walls last week, we have done some further updates, with new framed landscapes of Jonathan's. Enjoy!

 Here's some landscapes framed in gold.

 I placed them above a seating chair in my Living Room, one above the other.

(Please excuse the mess;)

 Then we have a series of natural wood frames:

 These I put in the little alcove that leads to the bedrooms:

Yes, she's still determined to be in all the pictures! What a poser ;)

Then two smaller 8x10" paintings which are added to the walls in my dining room:

 And I exchanged the large "Clifftops" painting above my buffet, for this new one, since the previous one has been juried into a show at the end of this month!

 

That's all folks! Thanks for visiting. Also, please visit these link parties, and the "Welcome Wednesday" Party!

Linking with  Lisa at "Coastal Charm", 
Fireflies and Jelly Beans ,
Paisley Passions,
House of Hepworths
Someday Crafts,
Blue Cricket Design,


and at the "Trendy TreeHouse"

Spaghetti Squash

I was introduced to Spaghetti Squash through my mother-in-law Amy. And I was shocked at how good it was! It wasn't lacking in the flavors one looks forward to with spaghetti, to me it made it even better! So, for those going "glutton-free", here is an EASY recipe!

Spaghetti Squash: you can find this in most local grocery stores, I bought mine at Kroger.

 You can bake, boil, or microwave your Squash, but I took the easiest route, and microwaved mine for approximately 15 minutes. Give it about 4 minutes per pound depending on your microwave. You will have to scoop the seeds out when you cut it open, then simply scoop the rest of the contents out into a bowl, like this:

This is after most of it's contents had already been eaten.

It's a nice, crispy, fresh texture after it is cooked.

My sauce is simple:

  Ground beef, Tomato Sauce, Onions, Mushrooms, with some Italians Spices (Basil, Thyme, etc...)

Pour it on top of your noodles, add some Parmesian Cheese, and enjoy!

A super healthy, extremely satisfying meal.

Today I am linking to:

"Hope Studios"
"Today's Creative Blog"
and "Sew Chatty"

Caught By the Light

Blues, whites, light-vintage, spring colors... All of these are so refreshing, so freeing! I love this painting for it's color!

A Busy Week

Many busy days are ahead! I have meetings with interior designers who want to use Jonathan's artwork for their designs. I have meetings with other interior design stores, all showing interest in Jonathan's work. I am believing God for abundant favor.

My walls are filled with art, all for sale, all beautiful, and though I wish I could keep them all, the fun thing is in a little while I will have all new works of art hanging in my home. It sure keeps a girl busy, when it requires a room to suite a painting! ;)

On top of all these meetings, we have the pleasure of hosting a good friend from California for the next few days. So please forgive me if there is a lack of posts this week, rest assured I will have plenty to share later!

(This week I am finally making glutton-free "Spaghetti Squash" something I have been DYING to try, I will share my results with you later.)

Still Standing

It must be nearly 80 today. SO beautiful! Hubby and I took a 2 hour lunch break, away from all the demands of work, and walked the Greenway for a few miles. Amber enjoyed herself thoroughly, and fell to the floor in a white fluffy heap, asleep the moment we got home! You know you did well when the hyper puppy is tired out.

We got some lovely river photos, field scenes, all for future painting references... But they reminded me much of this painting:

"Still Standing" a 24x36 original oil on canvas

I love the title of this painting, "Still Standing". It's amazing how beautiful age becomes...Something/someone, established, with years of history and stories, so many of them which are visible by the markings left behind... It is what makes beauty, beautiful! I love it!

Linking to: