Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Joylicious!

This is a picture of my friend Johnnie's, grand daughter. I don't know what Kaydi saw at Disney World and to me that's not important. I just adore this picture of joy. Her spontaneous, happy surprise goes from her head to her toes and her mom, Jill, captures that moment. Her dad can feel her joylicious energy and smiles, too.

I grin every time I see this photo and just want to squeeze her. :)

Wouldn't you like to feel this joyful? And be contagious to others?

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." John 15:11

Would God smile and love it if I showed that kind of joy over Him? Would He want to squeeze  me? (Hint: read above verse. :) ) Help me to be joylicious!

Photo:Jill

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Whitey-Tidy

My kitchen cabinets. Totally 80's right? They are that laminate, which I know you "can't" paint. Okay, there ya go, you know I'm gonna try anyway.

Went to Home Depot and talked with a guy in the paint department and said that I knew that you couldn't paint laminate, but why? He answered, "Oh, you can. We have paint right over there."

Whoo, hoo. I rushed to see the colors, my mind swirling with ideas already. Found it. It came in bright white and bright white. So I picked the white.
Whew, kitchens are a job! Our first time painting cabinets. It took 3 coats. Please ignore my stuff all around-haven't rearranged yet.

I did say it was our first time right? Well, we had only one mistake. We fixed it before I thought to take a picture-but here it is.

My pantry cabinets-the top ones, we put on backwards. You should've seen me try to jump up to reach the handles. Ha, not a pretty sight. I wonder if I can keep these bright whites all tidy-white? But I do love the look.

"Wash me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life." Psalms 51:7 (MS)

Oh Father, sometimes I feel like I need another white-wash, but it's only surface stuff. Once You've washed my soul for eternity, it's only my exterior that gets the smudges.

God's wash comes in bright white or bright white. :)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Tarpon Springs Sponges

Tarpon Springs is just a few miles north of where I live in FL. This town was incorporated in 1887 by Greek immigrants. Sponges are their main tourist attraction. (Although the food and tourist stores are great, too.)Boats are available to take you out where you can watch them dive for the sponges.

This Greek gentleman cleans and trims new sponges to sell. Most of the sponges are not this color, they must be dyed, first. He cuts the excess parts that are rough or unsightly and cleans out the rocks.
Here are just a few types that they have for sale. In the stores they tell you that the more you use the sponges the cleaner and better they get. Just be sure to squeeze the excess water out. They are supposed to last a long, long time.

"And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2

Do I sit and learn-like a sponge, yet I never squeeze that blessing out to others? Father, dye and clip me to be the "vessel" for Your use. Don't let me sit, soak and sour.

Photos:karenevans

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Spanish Moss

The ethereal qualities of Spanish moss found in the south is all a part of our charm.

 
Here, the trees appear to be wearing crystals, thanks to the afternoon sun.

But this lovely plant, though it cannot kill a tree, does bring harm. It can slow its growth by cutting off the sunlight from the leaves and branches. It makes the tree less wind resistant, a danger for storms.
And since I've been on a roll with yucky posts-I'll add that three types of bats really like this stuff. Along with certain snakes and rats. They love to hide in its cover. Gross, huh? Now how 'bout that Southern charm? No wise cracks.

But there is good. Moss has been used for mattresses, car seat padding, mulch and more.

 So what's a refined, cultured person supposed to think about moss? I say, look from a distance and take pictures, but don't let it grow on your trees, ya'll hear?

"How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!" Psalm 32:1

What things do I have growing or hiding in me, yet is in plain view of God's eyes? How blessed to be forgiven.

Photo:karenevans

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Loitering Leafrollers!

It's that fun to say? Kind'a sounds like a Batman phrase. But believe me, they are not so fun.

See if you can tell what this is.
I'm talking about that green thing with black on the top.

Well, of course~it's a Leafroller loitering in my back yard!

I have a problem with loitering in my yard. Specifically under my oak trees.
Each spring these green caterpillar/worms spin a single string of web from the branches of my oak trees all the way to the ground. They sway about in the air because they are so light. YUK. (You know there are things about spring that aren't so pretty.)
The green Leafrollers/Leaftiers devour foliage and become a great delicacy for Mocking birds. Great. I just wish I wouldn't run into their little one-stringed web and get them on me.

If they aren't eaten by birds, they turn into little moths. Feast on, oh wing-ed fowls.

"What a wildly wonderful world, GOD! You made it all, with Wisdom at you side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalm 104:24

How did You ever think up all these different things? Father, may I respect the wonderfulness of Your variety.

photos:karenevans

Friday, March 11, 2011

Ick on a Stick

I noticed a white flappy thing on this branch and a lizard with his orange throat bulging in and out. Oh, I just had to get my camera! Again. :)

Anyway this lizard looked anemic and he started eating that white filmy thing.
I thought he must be an albino lizard and I still didn't know what he was chomping on.
In just a few seconds of watching and waiting he started to change color. By the time I walked around to the other side of the bush he had almost finished his snack and was now the color of a regular anode lizard.
Curiosity made me look up info on lizards. And yes, some of you might all ready know, they do molt. I didn't know that. But what is really icky is that they eat the shedded skin. I found out that the skin gives them calcium and nutrients. And they are fastidious about their grooming-so they don't like to leave a mess behind.

I thought this was amazing, even if a bit gross.

"If therefore any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Oh, how I was ugly in the Lord's eyes, before He made a new creature out of me. And He took all my mess away.

**Pray for the people of Japan. I have no words for the devastation seen on TV.

photos:karenevans

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Home Again

Here are some of us at the conference. These are my good friends Clella and Laura and Johnnie-Kindred Heart Writers all. But sadly our fifth heart, Jeanie, could not come.  Sniff....sniff. We all only get together one time a year...

But we had food!!
Oh, there's a story about those cupcakes! If I'm bribbed, I might tell.

And style shows.
And met more new friends. This is Alisa.
Oh, and of course went to the wonderful classes, bought books, met editors, authors, agents, and became inspired once again.

Conferences help me renew my dedication to write. (They can be daunting, too.) But whooeee. Fun!

I think whatever interests you have, a good learning get-a-way should be required.

"Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." Matthew 11:29

Lord, help me be a good student of Your grace.

Photo:karenevans

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Florida Christian Writers Conference

Ha, talk about different POVs! (Points of Views)

That's what is fun about a conference. You meet different editors, writers, and agents all teaching their specialty. Plus meeting some great friends. Sooo, I'll be there through Sunday. Hopefully, promoting my latest goofy writing to some willing editor.

I will be back blogging sometime next week with my mind full of instructions and techniques. (My bag will probably be full of new books too. yikes-sorry hubby.)

So ya'll behave yourselves while I'm gone!

(Do you know which one is me?)

Blessings