Writing Objectives.....

It is complicated.

Chelsea finished the Pa. State Requirements

for graduation during the last school year.

We allowed her to "walk" in the 

county wide graduation.  But because of her 

age I was not willing to rock the boat with the 

school district and we will report this year

as her final year of formal High School Education.

I have no problem doing this
as Chelsea will be working

every bit as hard
learning fine arts, public speaking, 

working in retail,
baking, photography,
learning the electric guitar,

song writing,
teaching children where she
does childcare.... and more.

We will visit a local college
on Tuesday morning to investigate

classes available to her during this school year.

As she is very shy she wants to take a class in 

public speaking.  

Yes, it is her idea.
She doesn't like
being uncomfortable

in this area.
So her answer?
Work on it!

When we were in Kentucky
Chelsea met a woman who 

worked for the music company
where she wants

to intern in a couple of years. 

Would you believe this woman also 

graduated at the age of 15 and worked

an internship with the company before 

being hired there permanently?

That was all Chelsea needed to hear!

She visited with this woman
on a couple of occasions

and learned what the requirements
are for internships....

that has set us on this course.

Chelsea is very, very goal oriented.

So, as I said, I have no problem whatsoever

writing up her objectives for this school year.

They include but are not limited to:

Art:
Painting, photography, sketching, sales on Etsy

Music:
Songwriting, Electric Guitar, College Level Class(es)

English:
Poetry, College Level Speech Class

Math:
Business Math, Work in Retail

Bible:
College Level Class

Home Ec:
Continuing her interest in baking and
healthy cooking

A Fine Arts Program if I ever saw one....

but if you could see the hours that go into these interests

you would be mightily impressed.

I am!

Her first canvas

A very common sight around here.....

Photography 101

What not to do.....

Last night I decided to list this new candle in my Etsy shop.  This meant I needed photos.

Now, I have learned how wonderful natural light is in photography.  I know this. 

However, I just wanted to get the candle listed so I took these in the kitchen....

with the flash (Gasp!) and slapped them online.

I knew better.  I even told the ladies I chat with on our Christian Artists Team that I 

wasn't happy with the photos.  Of course they were kind and said they looked pretty 

to them...but I knew.  I knew that my impatience had caused me to do less than my best.

So...this morning found me outside in the natural light taking photos that show the 

true colors and shine of this lovely piece.  Just look at how it came to life!

Only time will tell if I actually learned this lesson.

Patience.....natural light.

They are so important!

Another Component,
as pointed out by my dear friend Vee,
Blending of background and style of subject.

Now, as I told her, I knew better.
I had to come inside for the camera card and meant
to grab a pretty doily.
I forgot it and was just too lazy to
come back for it.

So....after she suggested it I decided
to take photos again.
I love doing this and so it was no hardship.
I went outside with a little stool I use at shows.
It was all set up...I snapped a shot.

But it just wasn't making me happy against the
grass.  This candle would not be one you would likely
burn on a deck.  It's a bit dressier than that.
So back inside to find a well lit spot.
Set up again.
Here you are....

Now, I didn't do any cropping or editing on these.
They are simply to show the difference in display.

Thanks, Vee.
You are my conscience sometimes.
Scary.

Chick Pick'n

It felt like a normal morning.

Time outside with the dogs...

chatting on my Etsy Forum,

posting here yesterday.

And then it changed.

Georgia popped by and we were chatting.

As she went to leave I suggested she peek

in on the chicks...in the tub...in the garage...

with their momma.

Then it seemed kind of dark for them so 

I suggested that we should carry the tub

out back so they could enjoy some sunshine.

After getting the tub outside and onto a 

table I began to worry that some 

predator might be able to move the 

screen and get into the tub.

That led to a decision to see if I could catch

and move the rooster who lived in the 

side of our chicken house where we wanted to 

put the momma and chicks.

I began the process on my own.

Georgia, who had gone to her house

came back out to ask a question and 

got into more than she bargained for.

I cannot tell you how often this happens

to the dear woman.

Being near me is a bit like being near

a hurricane.  

Scary, really.

So there we were.

I had climbed into the chicken yard...

in my bare feet, in a long skirt.

Turns out chickens are short and the 

spiders have spread webs all across

the top of the chicken wire.

Uggh!

But after I got over that.....

I began cornering the rooster.

He was pretty fast and kept 

getting away from me.

Finally he went into the coop

where after two tries

Georgia nabbed him.

She held him capably while 

I climbed back out of the pen.

You have no idea what a feat this was.

The door to this pen is high.

Not to the ground.

You literally have to climb up and over,

through a very small door.

I'm not small.

But, I did it!

((insert cheeky grin here))

I then opened the other coop and

my city raised Mother in Law

put that rooster in as if she had been 

doing it her whole life.

(If you don't count the screams from both of us)

Oh, how funny.

But this meant that we just had one hen 

who is sitting on a pile of eggs left on this 

side of the coop.

Perfect.

Time to move the Momma and her babies

into their new home.

We opened the wire top

carefully...

but even so one of the chicks

popped out and was chased under the coops

by my very helpful pup, Bandit.

There was no time to waste,

we had to get the rest into the coop.

So there I was "Chick Pick'n!"

when Georgia remembered she was supposed to 

be at an appointment.

She ran off....

So, after moving the remaining seven 

chicks into the coop with momma

I waited and waited for number eight to pop

back out from under the coop so I could give

him back to his momma.

He didn't show up.

I tried not to panic.

The Momma was clucking and clucking.

She was worried, 

I just knew it.

After a while I looked in and thought there

seemed to be a lot of chicks in there.

Lo and behold they were ALL there!

Eight little chicks

happy as could be.

That is one benefit and danger to them 

being so stinkin' tiny.

That little bugger found a bitty hole and 

returned to his momma all on his own.

Want to meet the chicken family?

Here they are....

Love that medicated chick mash!

O.k. Momma, what will we learn today?

I wouldn't mess with us!

I love breakfast!

Momma mentor....

Always on the go!

So, there you have it.

A snapshot of the craziness that

I call life. I embrace it.

Love it. Would get so bored any

other way!

Samson? And Wonderful News!!!

Chelsea was doing a photo shoot of her big 

brother.  I guess this was an artsy shot.

Since I have very little to share today....

this is what you get.

I could talk for hours about the candle stuff

but Chelsea says that gets boring.

I trust her input.

I will tell you that my friends, Joe and Susanna,

have gotten word that they can come and meet 

their new daughter. 

Because of the timing of this trip Joe 

will not be able to go

so Susanna will travel alone.

Brave woman!!

But, it is the next step in getting little 

Katerina to her new and very, very loving home.

I think Susanna would walk through fire 

to save this sweet, helpless child.

God is good.

Meet Monika, her Mosaics... and More!

For years I have dreamed of being able to 

make a mosaic backsplash for our kitchen.

I just know it would be gorgeous!

However, 

I am afraid.

Afraid of tearing into the project 

and making a mess which I am 

incapable of finishing.

So.....I have done nothing.

Absolutely nothing about it.

However, I have found a lovely lady

in Florida who could perhaps help me

bring mosaics into my kitchen....

even if they aren't on the wall.

A cake platter

Glass Cake Cloche

 Everything that Monika lists

has that "Oh.so.feminine" feel 

to it that makes that little girl

in me smile. 

It takes me back to that childhood bedroom

that was pink, pink, pink....

because I loved the color.
We have laughed since remembering
the male guests who were given my
room in our parsonage.
I was the one to give up my room when
visiting preachers came.
I wonder what they thought of a few days
or a week in the pink room with white furniture?
Funny to think about now....

Now, pink can be an accessory and 

doesn't have to be the main event.....

I know someone who would love it if I had this......No more glare in his eyes as he tries to sleep.

Monika is a gem of a lady with 

an awesome sense of humor.

While I have never met her in person

I have come to love and respect this 

dear lady who speaks German, 

English and at least two other 

languages.  Good grief....

I can barely speak proper English!

If you would like to see more of Monika's 

amazing work you can check out her

Etsy store at

My European Touch.

I am sure you will be pleased

by this simply adorable shop!

Auction for A Great Cause

IF you knew that there were two children

languishing in an orphanage in Bulgaria...

would you wish to help?

IF you knew that these children had parents

longing to bring them to their forever home...

Would you wish to help?

Well, IF you are so inclined there is a very specific 

way to help.

Since my friend, Susanna has come back into my life

deep in the midst of an adoption of her own

my eyes have been opened to the needs of 

children in Bulgaria.

Thankfully, the money is nearly in place for 

their little Katerina.

Joe and Susanna are now in the waiting stage

for the Bulgarian government to assign 

them as Katie's parents.
Then they will go for a first visit

before a second allows her to come home.

However, Shannon and her family are 

still in the fundraising stages for their 

two......they are holding an online auction

on their facebook page.

Currently, I have a hot chocolate mug

in this auction, My friend Sheila has a cosmetic 

bag and there are all sorts of items including adorable hats,

earrings, baby shoes

a shrug, a bracelet and other things that 

have slipped my mind.

IF you are interested you can visit

the auction by clicking 

ON THIS LINK.

Just leave your bid in the comments under

each photo.

We cannot ALL bring home children

from other countries.

However most of us can 

assist those who have been 

called to this ministry in their homes.

In addition, let me show you the photo 

of a little girl who is in desperate need

of a life saving adoption.

This is Teri Lynn...

She needs help now.

Susanna has a more current photo

on her blog post.  I have linked below.

Much of the money has already been raised...

all Teri Lynn needs now are willing hearts and

a home......

I share this because I never know 

who God might lead to click on 

this blog and who just might be the 

family, individual or couple to 

save this young girl's life.

For more information about her

please read Susanna's telling of 

her story.

I can not tell it better.

To learn the miracles happening
in behalf of Teri Lynn you
can read what
No Greater Joy Mom has written.

Thank you for reading

and for anything you can do 

to spread the word.

Today....

I will search for juicy peaches and.....

Burgundy gingham ribbon.

Also need to take or find a 

photo of a Purple Dress for a 

proposal on a Fundraiser.

Totally unrelated items

but 

that is what I am

in search of today.

What are you up to?

EDITED TO ADD:
KJ surprised me by offering YOU
a peach candle
in a giveaway.
I hope you'll go over and check
out her blog.
KJ has recently moved from busy
California to the mountains of Idaho.

Please head on over and meet
this creative and lovely lady.

Her blog is quite
"Eye-dyllic"

Fun at Longwood Gardens....

More Photos from our day at Longwood

last week....

We had walked the Brick Walk and then 

were headed to the Conservatory.

The day wasn't scorching 

but it was definitely hot in the sun.

So, when I saw a bench ahead

and it happened to be in the shade

I longed to sit down.

I resisted.

Jonathan did not.

This brought "scorn" from his sister

which led to a group of photos

from many benches in the garden.

After all....

who can resist "irritating" their 

sister.... or daughter, 

if it is all in fun.

She's not really mad.

Just loves to make faces.

I played around with the Fancy 

Collages in Picnik.

These are from the 

Heritage Collection.

I had to get in on the fun!

Those are my granny sunglasses...

which I love.

Even if they do make me look 

silly.

I do hope you'll find some

time to play with your family.

Make memories.

There is always work to be done

but your family is growing and

changing. 

Time spent together is 

precious!

Heat Wave, Houseguests and a Funeral

Yep!  That's what's up here.

How about you?

My friend, Shelley, is coming

to visit again.

I love her.

She lets me be me.

This time she is bringing

one of her daughters.

The one that I used to envision 

married to Mikey.

You know how moms 

can be when the toddlers are

growing up together.

Aww...wouldn't that be sweet?

All that silliness.

They were both the 

same kind

of nuts.

They both got
random massive
nosebleeds.

We haven't spent any quality time with Julie

for years.  Shelley has come to visit on her own.

Well...now we get to see how this funny girl

grew up.  

I'm looking forward to it.

What I am not really looking forward to is a 

funeral tomorrow.

Warren and Mikey's friend, Mike.

A tragedy of a life gone too soon.

But since we know God doesn't make 

mistakes and that Mike loved the Lord

I'll just have to get over it.

I'm sure the last thing Mike would want 

now would be to return to this fallen world.

Imagine...being in the very presence of 

our Lord and Savior.

Sigh.....

One day!!!

The HEAT!!

Killer.

Literally.

Please take care of yourself if you

are in the zone of this extreme

heat and humidity.

We'll be pushing 100 degrees

by Friday.

Views From the Sky

It is safe to say that I will never fly in 

a hot air balloon.

Not if I am in my right mind anyway.

So, I am so thankful that Chelsea, Mom and Georgia

went up for me.

Chelsea's photos give a fair representation

of the beauties to be found

when looking down on Lancaster County.

While I am sure the experience

is way better than 

the photos can show...

but I am quite content with this.

 The next two photos are of the Sight and Sound Theater.

You realize how big it really is when you see

it from this vantage point.

 The pilot of the balloon said that occasionally the 

Amish will go up for rides.

They will then look down and discuss the 

fields of friends and neighbors.

Who planted thiers straight or who

had a crooked line.

Why did they plant corn in

that field, or whatever.

Kind of amusing....

A farm pond reflects the balloon beautifully.

 I think some of the cows might have been a 

bit distracted!

And then they had landed!

Creative shot, Chelsea.

Great job!