Mermaid's tears

Come along, me hearties! We be robbin' the sea of her treasures...

Fer the price of a silver thimble and an acorn, this windswept lassie agreed to lead us to a hidden pirate's cove, where the treasure lies


Shiver me timbers - ye might think us addled as we went searchin' as the gale storms were brewin' and the winds blowin'. Arrrrgh! But these conditions be just right for the booty we be seekin'.


Sink me! Here we are, me buckos. Low tide - the best time to search! So get yer deadlights workin'...


Here I be, Red-hand Jill (me pirate name), lookin' to see if what I found be true

this old salt, me life-long matey, with treasure in his grasp til we reach safe haven


And here be our plate of swag...sea glass, also known as "mermaid's tears".

Do you know it takes at least thirty years for a piece of glass to churn through the waves to smooth the edges and soften the colour? The discarded made beautiful. Aye, treasure indeed.

Choosing to count

Joining Ann today


Counting blessings

You never know
You never really know
And you can't have people figured out.
One friend came in
Out of nowhere with lit
Sparklers in both her hands for me,
And saved the day when I had run away
To envy and black feelings
And the world at night
Could see the greatest light
Too much light to deny.

from July
Karen Peris


220 - red Converse

221 - tree love

222 - fresh peaches

223 - the "it's not really good for you, but we don't care 'cause it's delicious" homemade trail mix

224 - thrifted mats

225 - things that sparkle

226 - moths and mint

227 - Royal mail

228 - sunlight at 5 o'clock

Relentless

"Godly love endures beyond life's hurts by pulling us relentlessly toward the never-diminishing care of the Father."
Bill Crowder

oil pastel on canvasette


I'm not eager for your wounds,
But I know they are faithful.
Putting self to death
And my heart full-blown will live again
Like a tulip in the doorway of your house.


Joining Emily today

When the going gets tough, the tough make pickles

Okay, so the pictures are garish and the lighting is yuck. And I hate the colors. But trust me, the pickles are yum--crunchy, easy, yum. That is, if you like pickles. Last week was a bit stressful for our family. I heard somewhere that eating crunchy things relieves stress. That's why they give you peanuts on an airplane - did you know that? But never mind that. Here's the recipe:


1 gallon jar
3-4 cucumbers sliced the long way
2-3 onions, quartered
2-3 garlic cloves

Stuff everything in the jar. Add a tablespoon or so of dill seed. Two cups of vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar 'cause I like the taste, but white is fine).
A half cup of kosher salt. After this, fill the jar with water. Screw lid on, and shake. Leave for one day on kitchen counter, then two days in the fridge. Ready to eat. :)

The pickled onions taste especially good with crusty bread and butter.

Still counting

Joining Ann today


Counting blessings

"Even if I knew certainly the world would end tomorrow, I would plant an apple tree today."
Martin Luther

214 - the saints who have gone before

215 - iron and wood

216 - texture

217 - butterfly conventions

218 - hummingbird

219 - comfort food

A Tale of Two Jades

This is a most favorite necklace from my sweetheart. It's called greenstone, or New Zealand jade. Greenstone carving is of Maori tradition, the Maori being the native people of New Zealand. The different carved shapes symbolize various virtues. The shape of this particular piece represents determination. Even the shade of green of this piece of jade has a name - kohuwai - called after the greenish moss growth in a slow running stream. It's very special to me.

Even more special is our young friend Jade Lee. He is a most talented film maker / photograher / God-lover. It would mean a lot to me if you would take a visit to his new blog, and even leave a comment. It's a good thing to encourage one another. So when Jade is a well-known film maker one day, we'll be able to say "we knew him when...." and perhaps claim a role in one of his films *ahem*

Partners with angels

my painting of a Raphael angel - oil on canvas


I wasn't eavesdropping. Your voice carried into the quiet of my home, through the open windows. Loud, worried words caught my attention and caused me to stop, listen, and pray. Pray for you, your family, the guy you were talking to. "God, help them all. Give them wisdom and protect them". It occured to me, Lord, how amazing it is, how you strategically place your people, eyes and ears open.

I thought of Amy, who last week shared her story of the lost girl she was moved to pray for. And another soul sister (I wish I could remember her name) who upon seeing the rumpled guy stumble out of the mini-mart, was first frightened, but whose fear melted into compassion when she really looked at him, and prayed for him.

When I remember these things, when I get to participate, then my insides sing How Great Thou Art, because You are there, and we Your children were born for times such as this. Partners with angels. Prayers like incense. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.


Joining Emily today