The Queen, Anne, and the Bluebird.

 First Anne!  Did you ever subscribe to 'The Avonlea Traditions Chronicle'...in 1992?  I did and was a huge fan of all things 'Anne'.  I first read Anne of Green Gables in Jr. High school and remember writing my best friend in 'Anne' talk.  I walked in a Green Gables wonderland....lol.    In this issue, I was surprised to learn that Norman Campbell, who composed the 'Anne' music also had directed many shows like 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' etc.

 Here are some cut-outs of Anne and Diana.  Yes, I bought these as an adult...lol.

 Sweet Anne,  waiting for someone to cut  her out an outfit or two.

 This little cutie pie looks so much like my sister when she was small.  Remarkably so! Her designer is the famous Queen Holden.  This lady had paper doll sales of more than 28,000,000,  that she published in 1920.  What talent Mrs. Holden had and what a fun life she must have lived ...with this kind of talent.  And look what a cutie little 'Pat' is!  I enjoyed reading your comments about when and if you had paper dolls in your life, and ...or embroidery....or cross-stitch...= )

 A celery flower?  maybe? I liked it....

Ta Da!!  My last Lego bluebird!  My son and I put it together last weekend and were impressed again! What a Lego masterpiece.

Today, I started writing a journal...and will add collage art and 'stuff' as I go along.  I found an old journal and enjoyed reviewing what I'd written.  I have trouble writing long-hand, so this will be interesting, my journal of 2015.

Isaiah 55:6 'Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near'.

Paper & Threads....

 Paper dolls was my favorite past-time when I was a girl.  Did any little girls like to sew by hand?  I remember my Mom trying to get me to embroider pillow-cases as a teen.  No go!  I did enjoy Home Ec in high school.....knitting and sewing especially.  To make a new dress on a sewing machine...or a jumper....was interesting.

 This movie is sooo good and the book 'Girl of the Limberlost' by Gene Stratton-Porter is a wonderful favorite.  A dear friend told me once that reading this book changed the way she looked at creation.. with awe.  And that somewhere she was visiting, they had a shelf of Gene Stratton-Porter books in the guest room, and she enjoyed each one she read. They became treasured friends to her....and to me.

 I eventually finished this....an apron, but it is tucked away downstairs in my sewing room.  My Mother constantly had a project she was working on, and never went anywhere without her tote.  In it was the book she was reading at the time and her knitting or whatever.  She embroidered me a whole quilt top once.  Lavender and greens, a very pretty thing, but not as impressive as the fact she did all that stitching for me as a gift!  Loved that....

I like all things that are cheerful, and Woody certainly is a cheerful guy......'you've got a friend in me'  goes the song.  We like it all  =)  

Psalm 28:7  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Happy Valentine Day!

 Sweetly old-fashioned, just what I like!  I can vaguely remember the excitement of making Valentine shoe-boxes in grade school and exchanging Valentines.  Those were the days =) This afternoon I decorated two gifts for friends....

 Wow!  what a beauty!

 Our daughter and her family are eager to bring this little yellow lab...'Miss' home soon.  How exciting it must be to have a new baby puppy!

I've loved reading this children's book this week!  So, so much.  I am now a big fan of Howard Garis.  Have you read any of his books as a child or now?  Amazon has at least two of his books for Kindle...free!

A beautiful arrangement from my hubby!  Its so pretty, it is almost to good to be real, but it is real.  The app of the week for me is 1010!  Have you tried it?  Its sort of like tetris....only  you pick up the blocks from beneath ....no timer.   I like apps that do not pressure me.  I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day.  We are having steadily falling snow here in our part of Pa.  and very cold out.  I am reading a book I was gifted with for my Kindle.

Speaking of Kindles',  A good book is a gift that keeps on giving smiles and many relaxing hours.  I so love to read!

'Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.' Psalm 118:36

Amaryllis!

Oh Joy!  Look, my Amaryllis is almost blooming!  They are always so exciting to watch, then the saving of the bulb toward next  years blooming....my advice-just don't....lol.  I've never had success doing that.  I had to stop and look up the spelling of Amaryllis and look...the name Mary is hidden right in there.  That does it, I will call my Amaryllis 'Mary'......=)

 African violets...one of the most beautiful houseplants and easy as pie to grow.

 And look!, one of the mini orchids have buds....thats been a long time coming and Very welcome =)

 We found these at Ollie's for $5. and what a huge blessing.  I am right on schedule and everything is all laid out for me.  Every day has your Old Testament reading, New  Testament reading, a Psalm and a couple of paragraphs at the end from Andrew Murray in-depth comments to help one grow spiritually.  I love this devotional Bible SO much.

 I read this last week and it is a charming story of three sisters making their way in the world on their own.....very enjoyable.

Right now I am reading 'Promise Me This'.....this lady can write, let me tell you.  I just read her 'Hold up the Sky' and it was hard to put down.  This book is about so many things....I think I'll let you look it up on Amazon for the story line and maybe a sample.  It is very lengthy and what a story from the sinking of the Titanic and much more. I'm ready for the happy ending though....

It will reach almost 40 degrees here today and so we are going out and about.  This has been such an enjoyable Jan. & Feb. so far....lots of good reads and my daughter's work schedule has changed so lots of  fun calls from her.  Not to much snow and the wood-burner keeps us toasty warm.  About to start my day,  more later!

'Preserve me O God; for in thee do I put my trust'  Psalms 16:1

Lego Happy!!

 What a fun Birthday gift!  This humming bird was pretty easy to put together and now I get to enjoy it.  This one only took about an hour to assemble.  Mr. Poulsom must be a genius to design these amazing Lego birds! This one has a moveable head and also swivels, and...the flower petals are completely movable.

 Two done and the bluebird to go.  They are so fascinating a puzzle, and not a total puzzle....the pictured instructions are very clear.  The pieces  you handle are quite tiny though....but do-able with concentration for older folk. Maybe good for our co-ordination, I don't know.

Here we are again...showing off ...of course!  =)

A lazy lady...

I wish I would feel like sewing, but do not....but her little kitten catches my eye...those claws!!  kind of true to life, isn't it.  I am trying to push myself to go exercise.  Trying!  My daughter is buying a yellow lab puppy and they are excited!  Another month till it can leave the Mama.   Not a ray of sunshine today!  But I am enjoying some great books, in spite of grey skies.  I finished two Christian novels in a few days...they were that good.

Having Fun!

I am very pleased to show my Birthday gift from daughter and her family.  A very amazing Lego bird kit...this little red-breasted robin is complete (now) and her  tail moves up and down....her legs move and she swivels on her perch.  My daughter knows I enjoy jigsaw puzzles and sent this fun gift.  I have two more birds to complete and am looking forward to it.  It was very easy....first half or so...and when I got stuck I called hubby to the rescue. =)

By the way,  this is a European Robin, having been invented (in Legos') by Thomas Poulsom of Bristol England. He says there are over 10,000 known species of birds in the world. He says the male Robin will sing all year round to let its territory be known.  It fiercely protects its food supply area. Mr. Poulsom looks forward to 'building' more birds....I hope  he does, they are marvelous!

'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'  Matthew 11:28

My apology.....

Whoops, while wishing to share only good things,  I recommended 'The Atlantic' magazine free app.  Only briefly did I read a few articles and enjoyed the photo gallery....BUT...since have discovered it is Not something to recommend!  So sorry,  do forgive.