Springtime is here...

 We recently bought some wonderful plants for springtime planting.  This begonia is so beautiful.

 And oh, I forget the name of this and the tag I believe has since blown away!  Isn't it fascinating?  Any name come to mind for it?

 This sweet fountain needs hooked up, but the price was right and it was love at first sight.  I wish I knew how to keep the birds from sitting on their heads, but I guess you just have to take the bad with the good.

 Another charming thing I found there.  It spins like crazy and I'm crazy about it.  =)

 This is also called a firecracker plant.  I'm 66 and have never seen one of these before.  It is a vine and I'm hoping it likes it here.

And who can resist the 'bleeding heart' perennial?  Flowers are so delightful.  How good God is to us,  many things on this earth are sheer beauty and are free for all to enjoy.  I'm thankful.

Happy Easter!

'Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;  and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.'  St. John 11: 25-27

Romans 10:9 'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.'

I am so thankful to have heard the gospel faithfully preached for many years....and over 30 years ago I repented and prayed, confessing myself a sinner and asking God to save my soul.  Oh glory! ...he did..

Warmest wishes for a wonderful Easter with your husbands and family!  May the joy of the Lord be your comfort and strength, and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Strawberry Pie

 This strawberry pie recipe is tops!  Super easy and super delish.  And, strawberries were only $2.99 for  about 2 lb.  That price may not be accurate, but you get the idea.  Its close. =)

 Here's the recipe,  and is it ever easy.  (Please click to enlarge, and hopefully you will be able to read the recipe.)

And some strawberry watercolor art,  courtesy of the 'Waterlogue' app I downloaded from the itunes store.   On the knitting front,  good thing I have an excellent teacher to take my knitting to.  I ended up with 20 some increases to many.  How did that happen???   She got me back on track though.  Whew, thats a relief.  Knitting is a lot of math which I never was good at.  I'm excellent at getting confused when math is present.  Hope you have a toasty warm day.   Its been so chilly here.  And windy.  I keep  having to bring the spinning weather vane indoors.  I meant this post to be not so much reading.  But, being me.....=)

My Story Jar...'springtime'

Remember when I mentioned the 'story jar'?   Well, here it is and as easy as pie to make.   I love how it  turned out!  You can find the directions at alphabet glue dot com. (Look under samples in the sidebar).  I like the creative and easy crafts and book recommends they publish for children....(of all ages...grin) And,  through the years I've often admired candles that light up snow scenes and pretty pictures.  Who would have thought that its as easy as glueing  pictures in a  jar, and lighting a little tea light candle. This picture was from vintage clip art printed on pc paper.    love...love this!

Here is my little bird after dark....all lit up, and you can see that any printed words show up nice and clear for our enjoyment.  And, if our grandchildren's artwork or words are pasted here....the 'joy' part of enjoyment will be so sweet.

And by the way, if  you have the PBS itunes app....they have the Season Three episode 1 of 'Call the Midwives' is on  until June 17th. for free viewing!  I can't ever endorse tv shows 100 per cent...but so far...this episode was  excellent except when the nun with Altz....well,  you'll see.  (this isn't for kids though...simulated childbirth is...noisy & so on)

Its been a great week in spite of the rain.  And more rain.  I hope you have a blessed day of rest and worship tomorrow.

'Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the dooor of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing....'Psalms 141:3, 4a.  As we approach Easter... I am reminded of the horrible suffering Jesus endured for me....and I know it was for my sin he suffered and died to take the punishment for.  My eyes fill with tears.  I adore my Saviour....who died in my place.

'Who is this King of glory?  The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.' Psalm 24:10

 I enjoyed making these paper flowers so much!  I learned about them here....at Dawn's blog, and have used 3 of them on cards already.

Isn't this beautiful?  One of the prisms split the light into this color pattern by hitting the edge of the jar, which used to hold prune butter....yum.

I am saving this jar to make a story jar.  I saw this idea and instructions on 'Alphabet glue dot com'.  No spaces of course.  They charge for their children's magazine, but this was a sample they had on for free. Your child draws little pictures and you coat them with modge podge and stick them inside the jar all around.  Let that dry, then coat them again from the inside of course.   Then a tea candle placed inside and lit and the little story pictures and their colors come to life.  So to speak...haha.  I thought it was delightful and intend to make one.  I think I will buy my grandsons an issue or two for Easter. =)

Yesterday we woke up to winter wonderland....as many of you did also I'm sure!  It was pretty but it was also scary sliding around on the  hill up to church.  Better get my day started....I've knitting to do and I'm at a crucial spot....haha.  Life is made up of little dramas for me....is it for  you?

Psalm 23...

'The LORD  is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside still waters.  He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD  for ever.  Psalm 23              Hope your day has many bright moments.

Fun Nostalgia cut-outs

 Do you happen to live near an 'Ollies's store?  and have grandchildren? My husband found this coloring book--how to draw book--stained glass pages--darling animal paper dolls on heavy stock--for only $3.00.  What a gem!!!  Of course he bought me one too. I'm only 66!

 These are so adorable....they would be cute framed for a child's room or ??

 This is the glass ball my hubby picked out of many beauties for us.  Isn't it gorgeous?  And we decided to adopt the cheerful yellow begonia there on the window sill. Many of our miniature orchids have buds.   Thats always good to see.  Once they start to bloom, the blooms last for weeks, sometimes months.  With the wind howling outside and only 51 degrees....we're pretty far off from spring. Today anyway! The more flowers blooming...the better.

Had to show you this!  Our daughter is moving and sent us an early Anniversary gift   (way early....for July).  We love prisms in this family.  Nothing is more cheering than a huge band of brilliant rainbow colors streaking across the floors or walls.  This one is a professional model...just kidding.  But it is very special.  I've never seen one like this before and we are really enjoying it....=)

My friend gave me one of these and I cannot praise it enough.  This is a fantastic sponge.  It makes doing dishes, pans, stovetop.....a cinch.  And fun.....it will even scrub potatoes or veggies.  I look forward to doing dishes now.....my hubby says....you're kidding me!   haha.  I shouldn't have let him read this....he is very excellent at dishes...grin.

Craft Show fun!

 Saturday past we were able to go to the Craft Show that was about an hour from us.  We had to walk a good bit to find the entrance as the signs directing towards it were no help at all.  But we made it in....windblown and chilly.

 This clown was so nice...allowing me to get a picture with him.  I also bought his water balloons for the grandsons,  then realized that it wouldn't really be a good idea to mail them. =(

 I loved this booth....full of hand blown glass balls for hanging in the window.  It just occured to me,  I should have taken a picture of the one we bought!  Later...They were gorgeous!  My daughter and I were taught to do 'stained glass' by our local glass blower, Harry and his wife.  We have some pieces of stained glass that we made with their help that we never could  have afforded to buy.  God is so good.

 After we made our purchase....I spotted this basket. The orange glass was so vibrant....I loved it!  Now....of course,  I wonder why I did not purchase it also.(I remember why now....My  hubby chose the gorgeous ball we bought and I didn't want him to doubt his choice of them, for all of these were pretty special)  For this type of thing, these were so give-a-way cheap.  I think the one we bought was $12.  Did you ever?

And aren't these sweet!  The lady that crocheted them did a fantastic job.  As we talked, I found out that she too has a spinning wheel and spins.  Nice =)  I hope you have a great day, with no illness.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my knitting group and as the ladies talked,  we learned that 3 of them had been sick for about 24 hours straight.   One of the ladies sister threw up 18 times in that time frame.  Oh boy....I hope none of us get that virus!  All we can do is get a lot of rest and wash our hands frequently,  and try not to touch your face.  As if thats easy...grin.