Thursday, February 26, 2009

ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT!!!!!

Two days left to enter my 100th post giveaway!!

Enter in the previous post by telling of two things you are thankful for. (you can certainly leave more if you want. )

Post it on your site and be entered twice. (you can copy paste my bird nest to post if you'd like).

Blessings on your day!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh, and it is Thankful Thursday.
List 5 things you are thankful for. You can send them in, or just write them down as a reminder to yourself.

Today I am thankful for:

1. Sunshine, and no raindrops falling on my head. (thank you Lord).

2. A warm fire to snuggle up to, and a husband who brings in firewood for us. (thank you Lord.)

3. A craft room in my home, and in my store/studio. (thank you Lord).

4. Food in the cupboard, and the ability to cook it. (thank you Lord).

5. A car to get me where i need to go. (thank you Lord.)

Praise God from whom all blessing flow!!!

Have a wonderful day.

Barbara Jean

Saturday, February 21, 2009

GIVEAWAY!! ENTER HERE!! ENTER NOW!!!




Giveaway Prize: A Bird Nest!!!

It will be like the mini nests from the giveaway on my Treasures.... blog.
(For those of you who do not know: I make the nests myself. There is a free tutorial in the January post "Bird Nest Building", with step by step directions.) =0)


Also, still giving the Jellybath.

ENTER HERE!!! ENTER NOW!!!

Enter on this post only.

Simply tell me two things you are thankful for, and you are entered.
Enter twice by posting about the giveaway on your blog.
(you can use the bird nest photo if you'd like).

Drawing ends midnight Feb 28th.
Winners announced March first!!

Tell your friends!!!

(sorry, contiguous United States only)

Blessings on your Saturday!!

Barbara Jean

Friday, February 20, 2009

My friend at Diane Knott's Musings

http://dianeknottsmusings.blogspot.com/


is determined to spread some good news, instead of all the bad news we are hearing!!

So check out her blog, or write in to mine, with your good news!!!

The best news is:

God knows what's happening before it happens.
He is in control.
He has a plan for us all!!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will direct your path."

Prov. 3:5,6

Let's pray for our country to acknowledge God's sovereignty and let Him reign once again.

What is your good news?

Blessings on your day.

Barbara Jean

Thursday, February 19, 2009

100th POST GIVEAWAY PEAK!

OK. Here are the prizes for the 100th post giveaway!

You're wondering what that black and orange thing is??
Well, use your imagination, or you can wait and see it transformed, one step at a time.

This is Jellybath, and it is wonderful.
A body, foot, or hand soak that keeps the water warm 4 times longer, so you can soak longer.
It also exfoliates, nourishes, and soothes the skin. And, it is bio-degradable, made in Oregon, and packaged by disabled workers.

Whoever wins will be able to choose which fragrance they like.
It comes in lavender, milk bath, mint, and hmmm. Can't remember the other one right now.

I think i may have you do something special for this contest, but i don't know what yet.
So don't enter till you see the ENTER NOW Post!!

Also, this will be open to all my local friends who visit the shop. In other words, you do not have to have a blog to enter.

I'll be back with more news and giveaway 'rules' tomorrow. =0))

Keep smiling. Makes people wonder what you've been up to.

Blessings on your Friday.

Barbara Jean

Isn't this lovely?

GIVEAWAY COMING SOON!!!

This is my 99th post!!

Watch for a giveaway soon!!

Thankful Thursday

Good morning all.

Today is not only Thankful Thursday, it is Taablescape Thursday at
Susan's place:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

You can go there and see lists of places to view beautiful tablescapes.
You won't believe the variety!!

OK. Now down to the business of Thankful Thursday. =0)

I'm thankful for sunshine the past few days. (cold, but sunny. I can live with that)
Yesterday it was almost like summer though. Temps in the high 50's, and today it is supposed to be in the 60's!!! That's Oregon for you. Freezing one day, raining the next, sunny and warm the next. =0)

I'm thankful that i have a brother who lives close, and that i can hang out with him occasionally.

I'm thankful for the 4 little urchins and their mama and daddy, who love yogurt.
We all had an outing yesterday to the local yogurt place.
I thought the lady was going to have a heart attack when we walked in.
All 8 of us!! (My honey came too on his lunch break).

I'm thankful my husband has a job he can take a lunch break from!!

I'm thankful for a God who honors our efforts to follow Him.
His love for us never changes, even when we fall short of our own expectations.

What are you grateful for??

Blessings on your Thursday.

Barbara Jean




Monday, February 16, 2009

New Sites

Have a couple of new sites for you to look at.

http://www.homeliving.blogspot.com/

Lydia has wonderful tips on homemaking, pretty art and craft projects she has done, and there is wonderful Victorian art just a couple of posts back from the current one.

She is a writer, and has a very interesting style that is hard to draw yourself away from.
Plan on staying awhile when you visit.

Her daughter, Lilli Beth, has a blog too. She does wonderful crafts, and, I have not had much chance to look around, but I'm going back.
thepleasanttimes.blogspot.com

These are ladies right here in our Willamette Valley. (as a matter of fact, they have been into the store to visit, and I ran into them in the fabric store a couple of weeks ago.)
Very sweet ladies, and so interesting.

There is a lot to be learned from them, and they are eager to share with you.

Happy Birthday Remy

Here a few pics of our little guys birthday.
Remy, answer the door. Your guests are arriving.
Present time!!! YAY! A baseball mitt.
What do you do with it?????
OH. Balloon games, and not everyone was having fun.
(whoever thought getting hit with a balloon could hurt.
Oh, maybe someone took her balloon.)
The rest of the kids loved the balloon games.
10 kids!!!!!! Only one mishap, and not near as much chaos as you might think.
Another present????

Well, needless to say, i did not show you allllll the pics, but just a glance of our little guy's birthday party.

Our Angie is sooo creative.
It was an adorable zoo theme, on a budget.
(less money means a lot of extra work, but a labor of love for all.)

We are so blessed to have our children, and grand children close by.
Thank you Lord.


Blessings on your day.

Barbara Jean

Sunday, February 15, 2009

John 3:16



Isn't this beautiful?

http://applesofgoldinpicturesofsilver.blogspot.com/

She gave me the source too, so I'll be able to put more on.

Blessings on your week.

Barbara Jean

A Rusty Bucket, or a Perfect Pot

I just read a short, but wonderful story on Sandy's blog this morning.

http://quillcottage.blogspot.com/

Hope you'll be encouraged by reading it.
I certainly was.

Blessings on your day.

Barbara Jean

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Thankful Thursday

I have to say i did not wake up every thankful this morning.

I have been having some emotional upsets, frustrations, and life stresses, that have seemed too big to handle.
i just wanted to get off the band wagon, run away, go to sleep, or any escape. Of course none of those things really work. The problems, and stresses, and my attitude, were still there.
I did email a couple of people for prayer, knowing all the time they have troubles of their own, and feeling guilty that i would bother them with mine.

someone even sent me an email that was Ps 23, which is one of my favorites (next to Ps 139), with pictures with it.
it's words seemed empty, and I could see no beauty in the pictures. There was no comfort, or healing in it. I wouldn't let there be.

Well, God is good, and persistent when it comes to the hearts of His children. He wasn't about to give up on me, even though i had momentarily given up on myself.

I got a phone call from, of all people, my Yellow Book sales person.
(The ad for the phone book was one of the things on my list of frustrations).

Not to repeat the whole conversation, but he knew i was frustrated with things right now, the ad being one of them, and his concern was for keeping me a happy customer, and moving things along as deadline is near.
But, what came out of the conversation was his mentioning that in spite of all going on around him, (he had his own set of problems), he was grateful for all he had in comparison to what some people are going through right now. Poor economy, job and home losses, families being torn apart.

Much to my surprise, that short conversation turned my thinking around.
Then I remembered it is Thankful Thursday, and the Lord had reminded me how much i have to be thankful for.

So here is my partial list for today.

With so many out of work right now, I'm thankful for my husband's job.
I'm thankful for his hard work, and diligence to go in each day to the same routine, the same problems, the same frustrations, as the day before.

I'm thankful for the home the Lord has provided for us, and that although old, it is paid for! For the food He puts on our table each day, and the clothes to protect us from the elements.
For good health in light of the physical suffering of some.


I'm thankful for a good marriage.

I'm thankful for friends who care, though they have problems of their own.

I'm thankful that we serve a God who knows us; knows exactly what is happening in our lives today, has a plan for our tomorrows.

I'm thankful for a faithful God, who cares for us, and does not give up on us.

and I'm thankful for the Yellow Book guy, and for the reminder of how blessed we really are.

And I'm glad for Thankful Thursday, and the reminder that we have a lot to be thankful for.

Blessings on your day as you reflect.

Barbara Jean

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

YAY!!!! BABY PICTURE!

I did it!!!!!!

Not quite sure how I did it, but this is a photo of our sweet granddaughter, Rowan Zeve,
born Dec 19.

She has just started smiling and talking.
Isn't she the sweetest??!!

I know, I sound like a grandma about ready to explode in pride.
That's cause i am!!

She is the 4th of our lovely granddaughters, and we have a little guy, full of energy, too.
I am so proud of them all, and blessed that they all live close.

Doesn't she just make your heart smile.
OK. Now that i might have this figured out, i will post some pics from other blogs so i get it settled in my mind.
Then, maybe i can figure out how to get them from my gmail. (i did save one to a file, but can't get the file open now.) =0) (at least I'm smiling about it right now).

Thank you Bre, Debbie, and all the others who have been so patiently helping me through this.
Now, don't put away your patience yet. I'm sure I'll be back with another question soon!

I have posted their helpful comments so maybe it will help others, too.

Blessings on your Tuesday!!

Barbara Jean

Monday, February 9, 2009

Baby pictures

www.christianhomemaker.blogspot.com
Photos of my new granddaughter.

Couldn't figure out how to get them from my daughters blog to here, so PLEASE go visit and see our little sweetie.

Blessings,
Barbara Jean
(better know as Grandma).

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Family Sunday and Baby Dedication

Today was family day.
I started this several years ago. The first Sunday of each month, (barring an occasional interruption), the kids and grand kids come over for Sunday dinner.

We have 2 kids, and 5 grand children, all in close proximity, which i love. Since our son and his daughter, and his sister and family do not often get to see each other, and I am further between visits with our son than i would like, and their Dad doesn't get to see any of them enough, family Sunday was started.
So once a month, we all get to see each other, and it has been wonderful!
Our sweet daughter and her, "we couldn't have picked a better guy", husband, and their 4 kids, and our son and his daughter all come for dinner.

Today, however, was even more special. Today was the dedication of our 5th grandchild, a sweet little girl born Dec 19. On this occasion we all went (except our son) to our daughter and son-in-laws church, where we joined with them in dedicating their newest addition to our Lord, to commit to raising their children in His ways, where they seek support from their families and church family, and ask for prayer for wisdom in raising them. It is a time of celebration.

So, no wonder there would be tears, tears of joy in knowing they are bringing up their children in the truth and admonition of the Lord, and that they are making that statement publicly, and with accountability to others in doing that.

Today was different. Today there were tears, but with mixed emotions.
Our 14 year old granddaughter came with us to church for the first time, for the baby dedication.

Before she came with us, she wanted to know "just what do you do in church, anyway?".
Did you hear the thud of my saddened heart when she asked me that?
I know, of course, that she is not being lead in that direction, by her Dad, or his divorced wife and her husband. I know what a huge responsibility we have had to share His love, and try to guide her to Him, but somehow, being asked straight out the questions she asked, just hit me to my core.

I explained to her that we go to hear Jesus instruction for our lives from His word, to sing praises to Him, to pray for others, and to love and support our 'family' in Christ.

But somehow, when sitting there, seeing our daughter and her husband at the front of the church, and the precious children they are so diligently raising in His image, and giving little Rowen to Him, the tears that flooded my soul were not only of joy , gratefulness, and admiration for them, but also tears for our other grandchild. For a lovely, and sweet 14 year old girl who does not have that relationship yet.

My tears were temporarily put aside as friends and family were all called up to gather round our daughter's family to pray for them. So the sadness of my heart turned again to joy, as our focus was on them, and the Lord in their lives.

Now, family gone, and quiet of evening with just the two of us here, I am again praying for our son, and granddaughter, to turn to Jesus. I know it is our job to share the truth, and love and guide them, and we continue to do that.

I know God has a plan, and His timing is perfect, and we are not to lose heart as we wait on Him, but the waiting is the hard part.
Let us not lose hope as we wait on Him.
Are you waiting too?

Please pray for Pat, and Camille, that they would be able to see the truth of God's love, and accept His plan for saving grace, and have fellowship with Him.

Blessings, and may those you know and love, soon be part of the family of God.

Barbara Jean

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Bird Nest Give Away!

3 days left till the bird nest giveaway on my Treasures from the heart Blog for my 103rd post.
Drawing will be Feb 10th.

Hurry on over, and tell your friends, Just leave a comment that you want to be in the drawing.

And don't miss my bird nest tutorial in the January posts.


click here to enter:
http://www.treasuresfromtheheartgifts.blogspot.com

Blessings, Barbara Jean

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Store photos

God morning.
Since i am having trouble loading on to my other site, I'm loading some photos here of the store.

This is the chicken corner. I have loved chickens for a long time, and love painting them. The big guy up there is one of mine. Can you tell by this corner, and some of the other things in the store that i love a lot of different things?

And take a look at that adorable little dress. She uses the tops of overalls to make them. There you go, a use for those overalls that have holes in the knees!
I am a little behind on getting any Valentine's Day things done, (busy making bird nests!), but had fun making these little tissue paper roses.

Someone asked me fora tutorial on making them. No promises, but will try. They would be adorable at a tea, or even used as place card name tags. (my way of saying probably not before Valentine's Day for any tutorial.) =0)

These are some new little things for the store. The top ones are button jars. Just a cute little something for your sewing room. ( i glued buttons on as lids, so the buttons do not come out. How silly is that!)).

The jars below are special to me. They are filled with sand, with the verse from Ps.139:17,18.
"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God, how vast is the sum of them. Were i to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When i awake i am still with you."

Isn't it amazing that God thinks about us more than there are grains of sand??
I used a little timer to share that with my granddaughter, and her mouth just fell open in amazement! It boggled my mind when i first realized that, and blesses me now to think of it.

My apologies about the underlines and bold (not necessarily where i have put them).
I do not know how they got there, or how to get rid of them.
They just appeared when i started writing. My husband would say it is a "picnic".
(problem in chair, not in computer!)
Any ideas??

Blessings on your day.
Oh, It's Thankful Thursday!! Don't forget to write your 5 things down. It is a great way to start the day.
I'll be back with mine.

Barbara Jean

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Happiness is:

WINNING YOUR FIRST BLOG CONTEST!!!!

Yes, I won a prize. It is the cutest little bunny pot, and it will be on it's way soon.
That turned a happy day, into a happier one. So much excitement going on!!

Thanks Helen.

Drop by and check her blog out:

http://www.nannastreasures.blogspot.com

See you Thursday.

Oh, thankful Thursday.
Guess we'll get to be thankful all over again!!!

What are you thankful for??

Blessings,
Barbara Jean

Happiness is:

My loving parents.
My sweet guy.

Kisses, and being married to my sweet guy for 40 years.




Hugs, from my little girls.



Naps on the couch.






And more naps.
What's your happiness??
Blessings on your day.
Barbara Jean





Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Encouraging one another

I had some great thoughts to write this morning. they were all planned out.

But things change.

I spent the first 20 minutes of my morning talking to a discouraged person.
We've all been there.

Can't figure out why we re doing what we are doing. (I was contemplating that lately myself).
We lose sight of why we do things, why we started something, how God has used it, and how He will continue to use it. We give up on something because it doesn't seem to be working out like it should (or like we thought it should anyway.) We give up becasue we have lost the joy.

I've discovered, in sharing with this other person, that sometimes discouragement occurs when we lose sight of why we started doing the 'something' in the first place.

For instance, crafting. If you are a crafter, why did you start making things? Did you learn to make your first craft thinking, "I'm going to make these and make a lot of money, " or "I'm going to make this so people will love it and think I'm wonderful," or "I'm going to make these so I can be in a frenzy of shopping for supplies, and crafting till all hours and neglect other important things in my life, including my family and friends."

No, I doubt that any of us went into crafting thinking those things. We learned to make something because of the challenge. We wanted to see if we could do it. We saw something we loved and maybe couldn't afford, that we loved, and wanted with our own hands, to duplicate. We wanted it to reflect part of who we are inside.

We desired to do it because God put that desire in us! He is a creative God, and wants His children to be creative, in whatever way He has gifted them, whether it be crafts, music, drawing, ability to help others learn, parenting, what ever it is. He wants us to use it, but with the right attitude.

Now the frenzy of shopping, and doing so much crafting that other things got neglected, those may have happened along the way too. The desire to sell may have come along to, whether for need/want of extra money, or for the accolades we got when others saw it. None of these things are bad things.

But when we lose sight of the pleasure that it bought at the beginning, the calmness, the peace of mind and satisfaction, of why we learned it in the first place, of the fact that we are gifted with these abilities to serve others and bring them enjoyment too, the joy leaves us. We become discouraged, frustrated, exhausted and confused.
We wonder why we ever started the whole thing. It has all grown out of control. Our focus has changed.

How do we go back to the beginning? To the place where we started and it brought so much joy to ourselves and others?
Here are some ideas:

Take a break! Give yourself some time to reflect and evaluate.
Close the craft room door for awhile, just for awhile.
Turn off the computer, and go for a walk.
go to a movie
Call a friend. (maybe they need someone right now)
Sit and read a magazine, and have a cup of tea.
Sing a song, any song.
Singing releases something in you.


JUST SLOW DOWN!

Take a deep breath.
Ponder. Reflect.
Take time for yourself.

DON'T GIVE UP!

Don't throw in the towel! Don't throw your hands in the air and quit!
God doesn't make quitters.
He made us to keep going, keep trying, keep plugging away.

SEEK GOD!

He will give you rest, comfort, and direction.
He will renew your mind, body and soul.


GIVE THANKS

Thank the creator of the universe for the talents He has given you,
and for what health and ability you have to enjoy them, and share them with others.

Blessings,
Barbara Jean

just a thought:

I have used crafting as an example here. You can apply this to other areas of your life, like serving, and being burned out. Take a break. Take time for yourself. Reflect on it.