The road does not stop here.
It appears to be blocked, with no where to go,


but there is a path to follow,
and
God will make a way.

God will make a way Where there seems to be no way He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side With love and strength For each new day He will make a way He will make a way Verse: By a roadway in the wilderness He'll lead me And rivers in the desert will I see Heaven and earth will fade But His Word will still remain He will do something new today "God Will Make a Way" by Don Moen.

I pray for renewed hope for those
who feel like there is no way out of the situation you are in.
You are not alone.

"God will never leave you or forsake you".

He will make a way if you trust in Him.

Blessings,

Barbara Jean

Yes!! A giveaway!!
And it is a great one!
Beautiful treasures.
A 100th post celebration.

Go on over to Bellamere Cottage to sign up.
Be sure to tell her i sent you! =0))

Blessings,
Barbara Jean

The Lord tucks little bits of brightness into our lives,
but if we are not watching for it, looking for it,
we might miss it.

It might be a flower,
in a most unlikely spot.
If we are not watching,
we might pass it by, unnoticed.

It may be a white pod,
laying on the ground.
A mystery to be solved.

It may be a smile on someones' face,
that adds a bit of brightness to your day.



So don't get so busy that you miss the
bits of brightness the Lord sends your way.
It is His gift to us,
and a way for Him to say:
"I'm thinking of you,
every moment, every day."

Blessings as you watch for the little bits of brightness God sends your way.

Barbara Jean

Giveaway!!!

Look at these sweet little books.
They are the prize Lisa is giving away
over at
Fern Creek Cottage

Go check it out.,
and tell her i sent you.

Blessings and good luck.

Barbara Jean

Remember these?
(more info at end of post)
I posted them on my Treasures blog a few days ago.
I had found them on my morning walk,
and could see nothing around that might have 'produced' them.

When i walked again a couple of days ago,
i looked even harder to see what these might be a part of.

This is what i found:
a big, sort of grape leaf looking vine,
growing as high as 20' up into the surrounding trees,
and sprawling across the ground 10' almost to the road.

If you enlarge this pic you will see the mysterious things in the vine.
I ventured a closer look all around the
ground to see what they might be.
And this is what i found.
They are seed pods, just as i thought.
As far as i could see, they each held 4-6 seeds.

I laid out the parts i found to show the progression
of these.
The top one is how they are on the vine.
A green, prickly, oblong pod.

The next pic down is where the 'shell' is staring
to pull away and rot, exposing our
little white friend, the "lining" to the pod shell.

The next two or three pics are various
stages of this outside shell breaking away, and rotting.
At the bottom just the lining is left.

I've been collecting them to put in jars at the shop.
See them in a cloche at the right?



Love this picture of the leaves starting to lose their green.

And here are some that are almost totally white.

That is all about the mysterious seed pods and linings.
Still do not know what kind of vine it is,
but sure have enjoyed discovering them.
Later I will share how Good uses nature to speak to our hearts.

Blessings,
Barbara Jean

AN ANSWER

For those of you who are interested, read on.
Keetha Broyles (a science teacher)has responded
with some insight into these 'pods'.


In Biology what you have there is called a "dry fruit." That's because it contains seeds and is the ripened ovary of a flower, but it isn't fleshy like an apple or orange - - - so it is called a "dry fruit." It depends on wind and or sticking to the fur of animals to be disbursed. Fleshy fruits are disbursed when an animal eats them and then "deposits" their seed away from the original plant.

Yes, there was a flower. Remember, some flowers aren't "obvious" as flowers. The plant is obviously an angiosperm (specifically a dicot - - - I can tell that from the veins in the leaves - - - they are branched off of a midrib vein) All angiosperms reproduce using flowers.

About "sticking to fur" - - - they look rough, I IMAGINE their main method of seed dispersal IS from being blown around by the wind - - - but if they can catch on the fur at all, even only to be carried a short distance - - - that is also seed dispersal.

Thank you Keetha!!
(you can see her blog by clicking on her name in the comments section)

Aren't these gorgeous!!!

My friend Marcie over at

The Rustic Victorian

Is having a giveaway and these
beautiful tags she made are the prizes!!

Hope right on over and get signed up.
Drawing is July 25th!!

Thanks Marcie.

Blessings to all,
Barbara Jean

WHITE WEDNESDAY


My white Wednesday is posted on my other blog.
Please go to Treasures from the Heart Gifts

Thanks and Blessings,
Barbara Jean

Thought for Today

Blog Land Lifeline

Do you realize that blog land is more than
a place to show your latest craft?
Or give a tutorial on how to do something?
Or how you have fixed your house up?
Or show your family photos
and tell about your great vacations?

Those are all good and fun things,
and I'm glad blog land is full of those things.

But there is another side to Blog land.

Blog land is a life line for some.

It may be their only connection with the outside world.
They may not physically be able to get out.
Or even emotionally handle the stresses in the outside world.
It may be the only place they feel safe.
The only place they can be themselves and feel accepted.
Or it may be the only place they get any
positive feedback in their lives.

Blog land is a haven for some.
A place of refuge in a cruel and unforgiving world.
A place they can ask for and receive prayer and support,
when maybe those around them expect them to be perfect,
or do not understand how they are feeling.

It is a place where we can share our greatest joys, and deepest sorrows.

We all love (including me) the crafty, fun pages written here in blog land,
but lets not forget those who are here for much more.
Let's give them a piece of ouselves,
our understanding, and our love.

Let's continue to make this the wonderful land that it is.

Blessings,
Barbara jean

ANOTHER GIVEAWY!!

for 1 year of blogging!!

Congratulations Suzanne and glad you are here!

Be sure to get on over and enter. She has great prizes!!

COLORADO LADY

CELEBRATION GIVEAWAY!!!

sending this little angel to tell you about the
giveaway that
Marydon over at

blushing rose boutique

is having.

It's a wonderful giveaway with a whole list of prizes!
(sorry, can't get a pic to load over here).

Go on over.
Drawing is July 25th.

Blessings,
Barbara Jean

A new blog I found.

On A Wing And A Prayer

She makes very beautiful and unique jewelry.

Please pay her a visit and sign up to follow.
(i got to be first, but you can be second) =0)

Tell her I sent you too.
blessings to all.
Barbara Jean

I WON!! I WON!!!


Remember the giveaway I told you about a few days ago?
Well, I won a cute apple apron!!
Back still hurts, but my spirits are lifted!
Thanks Cheri (It's so very Cheri)

Now, get back on over there cause there is another drawing this week!!!
Including one of her adorable bird nests.
(you know how i love bird nests)

Isn't his just too cute!!!



There are new rules so pay attention!!
And, she has extra prizes for when she hits 100 followers.

Oh, and don't miss her post with the adorable and
creative little girls lamp shade she has made.


thanks for prayers for my back.
Just still limited, and frustrated.

Blessings on your day.

Barbara Jean

PS Don't forget to check out my brand new blog.
Treasures from the Heart Gift Shop

You'll find a variety of lovely treasures there.

A bit of a Slow Down.

Due to some problems with my back,
I will not be able to sit here at this 'box' as much,
therefore, shorter or not as many posts till it is better.

thanks for your understanding and prayers.
Barbara Jean

Another Giveaway



Melissa, at Keepsakes by Melissa
is having a giveaway for a Cricket Machine!!!

Hopin' I win, but will give you a chance too. =0)
Ends July 15th.

Get on over and check it out.

Blessings,
Barbara Jean

Shabby Creations is having a giveaway!!!

Go on over and check it out.
Easy to enter and Great Prizes!!
Drawing to be held July 25!

Blessings Everyone!!
Barbara Jean

GIVEAWAY

Go on over to
It's So Very Cheri

For her great giveaway.

The sign is one of the nice prizes she is giving away.

I'll let her explain the rules.
blessings,
Barbara Jean

Char, at Happy To Design

is the wonderful hostess for Sunday Favorites.

An opportunity to rest from creating a new post,

and post something special from past listings.

This was what i feel i am supposed to 're-share' today.

Thanks Char!!

Hurting People

Hurting People........ Hurt People.

They don't mean to. They are just hurting so bad it is hard to be nice to others, hard to see the good in people.
They have a choice when they are hurting, to either fall apart and let themselves cry and be vulnerable, or to become hard, cynical, and negative. They can choose to let people in, or keep people out. Healing, or continue hurting.
For some, it feels safer to keep up walls up, and protect themselves, rather than let anyone else know they are hurting. They may appear to have it all together, or may appear to be stand-offish, or snobby, but inside they are lonely, hurting people.

For others, who are able to let themselves be vulnerable, and share their hurts, there is love, understanding, support, and healing. There is growth. They are able to take what they learn and help others when they are hurting. They are more sensitive to others, because they have felt the pain themselves.

This is something to consider the next time you are hurt. Did the other person really mean to hurt you? Or were they just in their own pain and could not see the love and good around them.

And, how about next time you are hurting? Will you put up walls to protect yourself? Or will you let people in who will love and support you? It is your choice.

Blessings on your day, whatever it brings.
Barbara Jean

A Great New Blog!!

Inspirational Techniques Tutorials

Well, It's not new, but I just found it.
It is full of craetive ideas shared by many people.
I'm going to see if I can share my bird nest turorial on htere.

Go check it out.
I'm gong back when i have time to devour it all!!

Blessings on your day,
Barbara Jean

Especially when there is a 100th post giveaway in the works!!

Congratulations to Debbie at

There's an Angle on my front porch.

Go sign up for the giveaway and tell her I sent you.

blessings everyone.

Barbara jean

"Taste and see that the Lord is good;

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"

Ps 34:8