Tulip Vase

Someone at church gave me this vase. They didn't want it because there was a chip in the front on the left. I remedied the chip and now I'm going to give it back to the church. It was simple and fun doing it. The flowers were my addition to go with the vase color. Though they are not real, which I greatly prefer, they are all a lovely combination. Just wish I was a better photographer. Where's my husband when I need him?

Garden Visitor

This little Ukrainian imp explored around my garden not long ago. She even found a little duck to carry around. I love having visitors in my garden. Isn't she a doll?

Ukrainian Independance Day

Today is Ukrainian Independance Day. We are having a quiet day at the house. It is nice to have my husband Jeff home. In my kitchen I put a door where a window once was so we would have access to the back yard. Of course, it is a glass door so I can look out into the yard. Everything is so nice and green now, but I know it won't be long before it is a beautiful white landscape. Makes me all the more appreciate that today three white butterflies twirl around in a lovely dance back there. I've tried to plant flowers that attract them. I plant the flowers and Jeff and I both photograph them. It is as if we are trying to capture their beauty, as if we are trying to hold onto the moment, but alas it is only a few days and they fade. It is a reminder that our time on earth is also very short, like a breath of air and we are gone. Oh for the glory of what is yet to come and the memory of what is behind. Photo by Jeff Franks in our garden.

Last Camp for the Summer

Sorry I have been so silent, but I have been doing kid's camp this week. It takes a lot out of me. In addition I've been doing it with quite a painful back, but pain meds help. We are in a little village west of Kiev called Gorenechi. Each child is crafting their own scrapbook of their camp experience. I keep thinking they will finish and we will do another craft, but they just want to keep working on their albums. Many are truly beautiful. I'll try to get some pictures on here later. Pray for a strong finish today, Friday.

River Rock Path

Jeff took the lower photo from this. I wanted to show you the new path I am working on. We buy these rocks a bucket at a time and have been doing this for several years, so I have a couple such paths around the yard. They really do make for a lovely touch. And as we approach fall, the garden is in all it's fullness and glory. I love spring with everything new and surprises, but I so enjoy fall for all the lushness and abundance that surrounds me. It is a time, for a short while, when everything is so beautiful and made more so by the fact that in, not so long a time, it will all be asleep under a deep blanket of snow. Already our temperatures have started to moderate. I still have flannel sheets on the bed, no a/c and I wore winter pjs twice this week. May your Sunday be blessed with the joy and love of the Lord.

Samson in the Garden

Jeff took this picture of 14 year old Samson, who in the heat of the day (almost 90F. on some occasions), finds a cool spot mashing down my flowers. It's a good thing he takes the same spot over and over or I'd have to do something about it. Of course, at 14 (98 people age) one can't help but make a few exceptions. We used to have his sister, Delilah who was white, but she is romping in doggy heaven now. LOOK for the good today so you can see how God is blessing you.

I Couldn't Resist!

This is something funny I ran across on the internet. Again another example of far-flung creativity. As ingenious as this is, it must be someone with a lot of spare time on their hands, which is not the case for me. Nonetheless, it is funny and worth the minute it takes to watch.

Perfection

This rose came from a bush I started with a rose stalk (stick) under a bottle. I learned this from a Ukrainian lady many years ago and thus have started many this way.

Jaime Jorge, Poltava, Ukraine

My dear husband, Jeff and the violinist, Jaime Jorge left today for Eastern Ukraine to do a concert tonight in the town of Poltava. Leah and I stayed behind. It used to be that on the first day after Jeff left (he travels A LOT) I would be a bit aimless for a day and sometimes a little bummed, but that doesn't go on now and I look forward to the times alone. I suppose you could call that growth, as I am now better at planning projects, listening to Christian music and spending time with the Lord. No, I don't sit around on my knees all day. I'm much too hyper for that, but as I work in the garden or in my studio I practice His presence in my heart. It is a time of peace and joy and a time of prayer. Today I'm praying for safety in travel for Jeff and Jaime. In addition, I'm praying that the concert would go well and many would come and be touched for the Kingdom, that there would be no interference and all equipment would work well. Would you join me in this for the next week? They will do a concert every night this week and two mornings. Altogether he will do 11 concerts in 8 days. They need our prayer support. May God be glorified.

Behind Closed Doors

Behind closed doors
we keep our hearts,
so safe and sound
all in the dark.

But trust we must
for hope of day,
That we'll be saved
from gone astray.

That we can show
our hearts the light,
and know there's hope
in life so bright.

New Widget

If you'd like to see some craft videos just page down to the very bottom of this blog and you will see a YouTube screen. After the first craft plays you can jump around to other crafts. Or you can push the button to the end to speed that up. Have fun!

Creating an Album

Front of album
Back of album.
This was made for a Ukrainian friend's birthday. I had the scrapbook, but decided to decorate it for her. I love creating, but even more when I can make things that go to a ministry purpose, which is about everything I do since I do classes and children's work in crafts. New camp coming up at the end of August. Lots to prepare for it.

Albino Peacock

How can anyone not believe in a marvelous Creator when you see something like this. Could this possibly be random chance, evolution or big bang? I don't think so. My daughter sent this to me. Probably one of those things circulating on the internet, but it was too beautiful for me to pass up and not share with you. We need more beauty in our lives. Enjoy! Thank you, Sarah.

Last But Certainly Not Least

Grandbaby number three, Tripp, shown with sister Jordan, had a birthday also in May and turned one year old. Here he is seriously studying one of his new birthday presents. Just a "chip off the ol' block" with his curly red hair and what a toughy he is. They are all such gifts from God.

July Birthday

Here's another little princess who had a birthday in July. Jordan turned four. Growing up so fast. This is granddaughter number two.

Birthday Number Six

My granddaughter, Julia had her birthday while we were in the states in May. We had a lot of fun. She was the royal princess of the day. I'm just starting to do a bit of blog catching up before my next camp at the end of this month.