Jake

There really are no words to express how much I love this little 6-1/2 pounds of  doxie.  I swear he understands everything I tell him.  Good thing he can't talk! (:

Emily

There were 6 deer in the back yard for a long time eating the grass yesterday.  There was a buck, 3 does, and 2 fawns.  This little fawn decided to go over and meet Emily.  Emily is entirely made of wood and she is carrying a flower box.  She stands under a tree exactly where I placed her in 2006 when we moved to this house in Virginia.  I purchased Emily in Akron, Ohio, at an Estate Sale before we moved here.  I had no idea what I would do with her.  I just thought she was neat because someone had lovingly cut out all the wood pieces to make her and to attach the flower box.  Little did I know she would come to Virginia to live in our back yard. She has finally found a friend.

The 6 deer grazing.  You can see Emily tucked in under the trees in the middle back of the photo.

Crepe Myrtle

One of my crepe myrtles in the front yard.  I LOVE the color!

Caught

All of our beautiful purple and white petunias started disappearing about a week ago.  We thought the deer were eating them.  Not so.  The actual culprit was caught in the act this afternoon.  Mr. Groundhog!!

Crepe Myrtle

Outside my bedroom window!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Samuel !!

Sending wishes to Ohio with hopes that your 10th Birthday will be the BEST so far!! 

♥

City Hall

Salem City Hall never disappoints us with the beautiful floral displays in front of the building.

Sunset

On my way home from Vendor Night tonight.  I can almost always count on seeing a gorgeous sunset!

Reassuring Thought

When two people share a strong bond, no matter what happens, the universe will always find a way to bring them together.

Live in the Present

Worry ~ the useless emotion that does not change or solve a thing.
I just read this page and it really hit home.  It's a long read, but worth the time.

This page is from New Day New You - Devotions written by Joyce Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author:

July 23 
Calm Down and Lighten Up!

"Do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble."
Matthew 6:34

My personal definition of anxiety is mentally leaving where you are and getting into an area of the past or the future.  One of the things we need to understand is that God wants us to learn to be "now people."  Too often we spend our time in the past or the future.  We need to learn to live now ~ mentally as well as physically and spiritually.  There is an anointing on today.  In John 8:58, Jesus referred to Himself as I AM.  If you and I, as His disciples, try to live in the past or the future, we are going to find life hard for us because Jesus is always in the present.  That's what He meant when He said in Matthew 6:34, "Do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own.  Sufficient for each day is its own trouble."

Jesus has plainly told us we don't need to worry about anything.  All we need to do is seek the kingdom of God, and He will add to us whatever we need, whether it is food or clothing or shelter or spiritual growth (see Matthew 6:25 - 33).  We don't need to be concerned about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have problems of its own.  We need to concentrate our full attention on today and stop being so intense and stirred up.

Calm down and lighten up!  Laugh more and worry less.  Stop ruining today worrying about yesterday or tomorrow ~ neither of which we can do anything about.  We need to stop wasting our precious "now," because it will never come again.  The next time you are tempted to get anxious or upset about something ~ especially something in the past or the future ~ think about what you are doing and turn your mind to what is going on today.  Learn from the past and prepare for the future, but live in the present.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sharon !!!

Thinking of you today with fond memories and hoping that you are having a day filled with love and joy.  May the next 365 days shower you with many blessings.

♥

Marigolds

My marigolds are surviving these high temperatures.  They are big and beautiful.

Happy Birthday, BPK!!

Mary Bullington Art

This is one of Mary Bullington's wonderful line drawings.  Last week, while sitting with an ice pack on my knee, I colored her drawing just for fun.  She liked it and wants me to color another one.  She is thinking about making her drawings into coloring pages or maybe a coloring book!!

Living the Creative Life

Thursday evening our Living the Creative Life group met at The Village Grille.  Therry Neilsen-Steinhardt is showing her art piece "Goddess Kali" for the theme "Who is Wonder Woman to Me" and Wally Neilsen is showing his piece "Athena" for same theme.  They both did a great job!

Tricia Scott and I were there to enjoy dinner and the art, but we didn't get our theme art finished.

We all enjoyed the company of special guest, Olivia Scott.  It was fun to have this very pretty and talented ballerina with us.

Next meeting will be August 24th at Grace's Place Pizzeria.  Theme: Flight.  Start painting and plan to join us!

Again

I can't help myself.  He is SO photogenic! ♥

Our sky last evening!  Just a short span of time and then gone.  What a blessing to see this beauty for even a few minutes.

Family Visit

 I took these photos on Monday afternoon when these three visited the backyard.  They come often.  I'm glad there is something tasty in our grass.  I love seeing the little ones with their adorable spots.

♥

This little boy makes my heart sing.

Kindness

Deer Crossing

On my way to Vendor Night last evening.  This sweet one brought all traffic to a stop so she could cross the road safely.

Madonna

I found this Madonna treasure at an estate sale over the weekend.  She was made in Holland.  Beautiful.

Roanoke River

A view of the Roanoke River in Salem, Virginia.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Father Remi !!!

Saturday Morning

At my studio window this morning.

Friday

 Started the morning with this beautiful hydrangea from the flower garden!

 Rested the knee, took a few items into consignment booths, and then enjoyed Baked Ziti at the Olive Garden.

Stunning view from the Olive Garden tonight.  

Doctoring the Pain

 The magic of an Ice Pack combined with with a Fashion Statement that would never be seen in a magazine.     

After my DDS appointment and Physical Therapy, I came home and crashed on the sofa.  My sweet baby napped with me.  I love his dear little heart.

A Scorching Week

Dentist and Physical Therapy today.  I would much rather just stay home in the A/C and not go out in the heat.

July Full Buck Moon

Sweet Doe

Just now saw this sweetheart on my way back home from my consignment booths.  Also received the sad news from my neighbor that our young neighborhood buck was killed on the little road behind us.  People drive too fast through here.  I will miss seeing him.  How sad his Mama must be.

The Sky This Evening

 I could gaze at the sky forever.