Self Portrait Challenge - { low key }

"We all need to have a creative outlet - a window, a space -
so we don't lose track of ourselves."

-- Norman Fischer



This is the last week for the Self Portrait Challenge theme - "High Key/Low Key".
To see more interpretations of this theme inspired by different lighting schemes, click here.

days four thru six

Florida vacation

days four, five and six :: Sanibel Island


the little place we stayed (in the second unit from the right)
Tropical Winds - this place was exactly what I'd hoped for, right on the beach...

dolphins pairs came bobbing by every once in a while
see the huge mound of seashells on the sand?
it's like that along the entire beach...


I have never seen so many shells on a beach in my whole life!

day three

Florida vacation

day three :: the Magic Kingdom






storytime with Belle :: my girls were helpers as Cogsworth & Lumiere!




Dreams Come True Parade :: Beast/Belle/P.Charming/Cinderella in right photo


dinner @ the Grand Floridian Resort with Cinderella


Prince Charming, Anastasia, Drizella & Lady Tremaine , too


my bite-size chocolate mousse :: yes, it was delicious, and gone too soon!




I've started editing pictures from our days at Sanibel Island,
here's a sneak peek...

Which do you like better?
The color...



...or the black & white?

a finishing touch

Just listed several new hair flowers in my etsy shop,
including the one shown above...

These would be great finishing touches for
a spring bride or her flower girl!

days one and two

Florida Vacation

day one :: SeaWorld






day two :: WordSpring and visit with friends




each mannequin is dressed in garb sent over from their country...
you can push a button in front of each one to hear John 3:16 in their language...
the empty space closest to the camera on the left
represents the 3,000 languages that still do not have a Bible translation



the scroll at the top of the fountain reads (in Greek),
"He will lead them to springs of living water..."
Revelation 7:17b
translations in other languages are submersed in the basins of the fountain...


a learning center for the history of Bible translation


friends who we wish lived closer!
(notice how the two serious ones ended up together at one end...)

Self Portrait Challenge - { high key }

enjoying the warm sunshine on my beach vacation just a few days ago...



This month's Self Portrait Challenge theme is "High Key/Low Key",
inspired by bright & low light settings. Go see more by clicking here...

just a little longer, please

I really didn't want to come back. But life must go on.
So here I am after 10 days of a really fabulous vacation, already wishing I could go back to...

Sanibel Island.


Here's the view from right outside the door of the little place we stayed.




I must admit, I peeked at my email a couple of times while I was gone, and was amazed that my first giveaway contest commenter, Nic, guessed it right away! Knowing who won highly influenced my shopping for the giveaway prize. Intimidated me, in fact, because Nic is originally from Hawaii - what kind of island-ish stuff could she possibly want?? Then I stumbled upon something I knew instantly was the right giveaway prize, because she & I share a common passion for books...



Sanibel Scribbles by Christine Lemmon, a local Sanibel resident
I bought an autographed copy, and it's yours, Nic!

(hope you don't mind, though, I read it on the drive home!)


We did a whole lot more while in Florida, but I'm still catching up on laundry, unpacking, and cleaning sand & trash out of the van, so more pictures will follow eventually...

s u p e r vacation s a l e

We are leaving this morning for our first ever official family vacation! We are all very excited, and I personally have been looking forward to this trip since the year started.

See if you can guess where we are going...The pictures in this post are your clues...
The first person to guess correctly will get a special treat I'll bring back for you from our trip!That's right - I'm going to find something fun for a surprise giveaway while on my vacation!This won't be a postcard or a cheesy souvenir, people!
Trust me, I will be getting you something nice that I would want to keep if I could.
So be sure to leave your guess in a comment!



Also, while I am gone, I am offering a special sale to all my blog friends and customers!

20% off your entire order from my etsy shop
PLUS
free shipping if you purchase 2 or more items!

You will not see this special mentioned in my etsy shop, it's only posted here on my blog.

When you check out through etsy, include the word "VACATION" in the notes to seller section. You can pay right away & I will refund all discounts, or you can wait until I return on April 20th and I will send you a revised Paypal invoice.

When I return from vacation I will ship all orders immediately (the 21st!)

Fingerprint Friday { bluebonnets }

For today's Fingerprint Friday, I'm sharing some more shots from my trip to a bluebonnet field this week.

Technically a lupine, these sweet spring wildflowers blanket the roadsides in Texas from March to May.

It is a sight that causes me to catch my breath every single year.







There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in:

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints.

2. Be sure to link so others can find the entire list of participants! Go over to PamperingBeki's blog to add your link to the list of participants.

arise my love

For me, Easter is far more significant than Christmas. I know we all love the Christmas season, but without Easter, Christmas was pointless. Without Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, and the salvation we all can have because of it, His birth would have been insignificant.

The following song represents more to me than just Jesus death and resurrection. As I listen to the words, and hear the Father say, "Arise, My Love!" I know these words were meant for me, and for you, because we are the love of God's life, the desire of His heart.



arise, my love
the grave no longer has a hold on you!
no more death's sting
no more suffering
arise,
arise, my love!

boys and bluebonnets

In case you didn't know this, the bluebonnet is the Texas state flower. They grow in vast spreads, and across the state people stop every spring to capture some photos amidst the carpet of color.

I had the pleasure of photographing my nephew Drew and his little friend Mikey yesterday. They were very brave, because it there was a cold, strong wind out there with us.


Drew & Mikey




dude, what's that?




meet Mikey - he has some seriously amazing eyes...












and here's Drew...
he's 2, which means he doesn't really hold still.
ever.






love the glee on his face here...






ok, we're done now...