Marching Towards Spring

Awake, thou wintry earth -

Fling off thy sadness!

Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth

Your ancient gladness!

~Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"


I cannot believe that come tomorrow we will be in the month of March!  I'm getting excited over the change in season and cannot wait for the snow to melt and the green grass to start peeking up from the earth.   I also am excited for the Easter swap that I'm in and getting to know Jenny from Jenny's Heart!
Last night I came home from a great week with family and friends in Phoenix.   I had a wonderful time with everyone and miss them all already.  
Being in the company of those I love while enjoying some sights, sunshine and fun was just what I needed to get me out of the winter funk that tends to hang over my head when the bitter cold hangs on too long in Nebraska.  
I have a lot of nice pictures from my stay that I will share in a later post.   Have a great day! 







Happy Heart

My heart is so happy!  It's a sunny day and warm temps are melting the snow.  Yes!  So ready for Spring!

I have finally taken a moment to snap a shot of my valentine from Elizabeth of Creative Breathing.   I just love all of her work and thrilled to have something from her.   I will truly treasure it.

Sandy from 521 Lake Street is hosting her first swap on her blog.   Her swap tag is adorable.  Vintage images are just so sweet, arent' they?  Little chickies with big eyes...

I have signed up for this tag swap and can't wait to see what we all come up with.  Craft swapping has been so rewarding to me and it's a great way to make a new friend.   This one will include some "goodies" along with a tag.  It'll be fun to see what kinds of goodies I find.  Once my swap partner is revealed I will begin my creative quest! 

Swaps give me an excuse to get creative and it's something to look forward to in the mailbox!

I've always loved snail mail, receiving letters and packages.   I  had pen pals growing up and one of them, Kristen, is still in contact with me.  We met face to face about 8 years ago when I went to the east coast for  a wedding.   It was so nice to finally meet my old pal!  I still can't believe we sent 50 cents to a teen mag who matched us up and here we are today still friends. 

The electronic age is fast and fancy but there's nothing like having something in your hands that someone took the time to write and send in the mail across the miles.

Think about joining one sometime - I highly recommend it!  



Happy Valentine's Day!

I wanted to show you my sweet valentine from Sue of It's a Very Cherry World...  I exchanged with her and Elizabeth.   Once I receive the one from Elizabeth of Creative Breathing  I will post a picture of it as well.  I'm super excited to see what Elizabeth has created.  She is such a talented woman!

Isn't it cute?  Love it!  I should have taken a picture of the ones I sent out, too.  I'm still new to the whole swapping world but it sure has been fun.  Gives me something to look forward to.   Vintage valentines are my favorite. 

Well speaking of cherries, we have a great store called The Cordial Cherry here in Omaha.   I went for the first time and I loved it!   Splurged a couple of calories on two.  You know, for blogging purposes and all!!

Whimsical and delicious.   The artistry amazes me!  There are your normal chocolate covered cherries, too.  I just had to get the froggie for fun.

Over the weekend I  had lunch and shopped with a couple friends and found the cutest red and white vintage apron!  Isn't it cheerful?

I also found this lamp!  The shade is so adorable!  Polka dota and pom poms - Sold!!   It's vintage as well.    The only snafu was that when I was tightening the lightbulb the plastic cracked.   I really don't want to return it just for that ... it's one of a kind (the shade at least)!  

If anyone knows anything about lamps - tell me if the plastic part where the light bulb screws in can be replaced?   I could tape it but that would be a last ditch effort to salvage it.   

It just makes me so happy when I look at it!!  Sorry if I  concerned any of you from my last post.   I'm okay - just had a bit of a hard week and some things were stressing me.   I have to put my trust in God to carry any burden I may have and I know He loves me and loves you, too!

I thank you for your thoughtful messages and taking time to let me know you cared.  It means so much to hear from you!

Wishing you love every day of the year (not just on valentine's day) AND a big HUG to you all!   









Faith

photo by me

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you."   Luke 17:6

Last week was a tough week for me.   I don't know if it is the cold and unpredictable weather getting to me or what?  I hate it when I get grumpy!  I hate it when I get hung up on something negative and that recording goes over and over in my head.  

I found myself asking God to help me deal some of the feelings that are bubbling up in me.  It also helps to have a friend tell you "stop that right now" when they hear you say things that are not truths about yourself.

I thank God for friends that will do that.

I will not give up faith!   Tomorrow is a brand new day! 

Photo by me

"For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."    Psalm 30:5

One of my favorite scriptures!   Great song we used to sing in church, too.  

photo by me

I am blessed to have a mother who prays for her children.   She participates in a women's small group called "praying moms".   These mamas gather together and lift up prayers for their children every week.

Many prayers have been answered and it's all in the name of love.   God bless the mamas and grandmamas that pray for their children.   How many of us wonder where we would have been if we didn't have those matriarchs standing in the gap for us? 

photo by me

James 5:1 says the "effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much"!