Curious Acorn

Monday, June 20, 2011

And the livin' is easy

"Tell you what I like the best --
'Long about knee-deep in June,
'Bout the time strawberries melt
On the vine, --some afternoon
Like to jes' get out and rest,
And not work at nothin' else!"

James Whitcomb Riley

Counting blessings

402 - a pleasant way to spend the afternoon

403 - remains

404 - hayrides

405 - the scent of honeysuckle in the night air

406 - pewter plates

407 - just washed

408 - chocolate chips under glass

409 - summer reading

Joining Ann today

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

In high feather

Been collecting them for years -

Someday I might make something artsy with them. Not sure yet.

But for now I just stare in wonder at their sheen, color, form, and sometimes intricate patterns.

I hear them say--no, shout--GOD IS.

God, a magnificent, caring, personal Creator.

A posy to consider: that He would so grandly dress something so inconsequential

Does it sound fanciful that every time I find a feather on one of my nature rambles, it makes me giddy?

Because to me, it's a love token that He's trained my eyes to find. And I snatch it up with delight!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Birds, Bees, and Retro Meanderings

It all started with me noticing my little honeybees hovering over the birdbath and swooping down like garden fairies for a drink. Just standing there watching them made me so happy. I've learned that honeybees benefit from a having a water source near the hive to keep them healthy, so I was glad for our homemade birdbath, a homeschool project made by our eldest boy and I about eighteen years ago.

The idea came from volume two of the hippie-licious Family Creative Workshop books from the early '70's. The collection was given to us many years ago by a friend who thought they might be useful to a homeschooling family.

After all these years, they're a little worse for wear but still in circulation at our house. The youngest and I love to pull them out to see what may inspire. Anyway, that's where we found the how-to for making a cement birdbath.

After some research online, I still think this is the best method by far, even though this picture is not much help. Family Creative Workshop can still be found in some libraries. If you can't find it but you're interested in making one, let me know and I'll help you with the details.

So here we are in 1993 proudly displaying our mama-and-son project.

And here's the handsome fella all grown up with a baba of his own. Maybe they'll make one someday, beings that the grandbaby adores "tweet-tweets". Sheesh! Where does the time go? Thanks goodness I haven't aged much...*cough*

If you're still reading at this point, thank you. Feelings of nostalgia make me long-winded.

Oh, and one more thing - the stones decorating the birdbath rim belonged to my husband. He collected and polished them in a rock tumbler when he was a little boy.

Family Creative happy memories all around.

"And the seasons they go 'round and 'round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game."

Joni Mitchell

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Almost as good as being there

My girl and her husband live at the bottom of the world. My girl is having her first baby. I wish I could be there to pat her belly. I can't. Not yet, anyway. But in the meantime, I'm so grateful for this little film. Her dad and I can't watch it without wiping away tears. Thanks, Rhys and Joy, for generously letting me share this.

And thank you for the video, Jade. We pray God will take you far with the talent He has given you. You're already a legend in our house.

So dear friends, please watch this little film and celebrate life with us.

Boy? Girl? from Jade Lee on Vimeo.

399 - celebrating God's blessings

400 - your children's children

401 - technology that shortens the miles

Joining Ann today

and Laura

Friday, May 27, 2011

Charming

Not quite Idgie Threadgood, but learning. Who da thunk you could fall in love with a bug? But I have. These are the gentlest of creatures, and I do feel very relaxed and at peace around them.

Here I am checking on the hive for the first time

Is my bee shirt on inside out? Yes. I was so excited about getting out there that I wasn't even paying attention

I want to thank my husband for standing by. Even though you can't see him, he was giving me words of encouragement. And thanks to my daughter for taking the photos, especially because she's not crazy about bees

Good girls

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Still in Progress

"Life cannot be divided into a spiritual part and a non-spiritual part. If Jesus Christ is indeed Lord, he must be Lord of all in every area."

Francis Schaeffer

A self-portrait of sorts, a work in progress, like me. Rough spots brushed smooth. Less shadow, more light, please. Paint, pray, play. I know my limitations, but I also know that You're greater than my limitations. Use everything, even my shortfalls, to bring You glory. I'm still reaching.