Too Cute To Spook!

"Too Cute To Spook!"

I have such fond memories of eagerly dressing up in home-made costumes and visiting neighbors for candy, doughnuts, and hot apple cider on Halloween night! Mom and Dad always walked along with us, chatting with friends, as we went house-to-house with our buddies.

Today, my husband and I are the neighbors who wait at the door with a huge basket of candy and a big welcome for the children! I always look forward to the adorable parade of princesses and pirates, firemen and fairies, cute bumblebees and baby pumpkins! :)

Wishing y'all a fun and family-friendly Halloween!! :)

HARVEST QUILT

"Harvest Quilt"

Autumn is coming to North Carolina! The evenings are nippy and the tops of the trees have been painted orange and gold. It's time for some of my favorite things... apple crisp, chrysanthemums, colorful leaves, pumpkins, cozy sweaters, and warm quilts. :)


"Harvest Quilt" is my little tiny way of celebrating the JOYS of Autumn! It is available for purchase in my Etsy shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS.

BABIES "R" BLESSINGS

"Made In Heaven"

My husband, Joe, says I have a "colorful resume"! As our family's college tuition earner, I've held MANY part time jobs over the past ten years. I've worked as a receptionist at my home church. I've been a salesperson in a scrapbooking store and in a Christian bookstore. I've cared for infants in a daycare setting. And, most recently, I've been a nanny for two fun-loving preschoolers. Each job has held its' own challenges and blessings. Looking back, I'm certain that the Lord has used each circumstance to help me grow and mature... and I am GRATEFUL!!

This fall finds me in yet another new role. I'll be teaching at Reynolda Preschool and Kindergarten. Happily, I'll be working with infants, an age I thoroughly enjoy! I've spent the past two weeks setting up the brand new nursery... kind of "nesting" before the babies arrive. I had fun gathering board books and music and colorful toys. I created a bulletin board where we can display pictures of our growing babies. I tried to use my mother's heart and my artists' eye to create a warm and happy environment where these little ones will feel safe and welcomed!



What a joy and a blessing it is to be able to nurture these little children, Lord!!... to discover their unique personalities and to help them grow in good ways! Please give me patience and wisdom as I care for each one in Your Name... Amen


"Made in Heaven" is available in my Etsy shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS! :)

LIFE'S A BEACH :)

"Chillin' At The Beach"

I grew up in a beach-lovin' family! :) The highlight of our entire year was always a laidback vacation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There was something fun for everyone!... sailing, fishing, jumping in the waves, building sandcastles, and lots of beachcombing.

But I think my favorite thing was just chillin' on the beach, taking it all in and enjoying the sunshine!


"Chillin' At The Beach" is available in my Etsy shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS!

MOM'S MINIVAN

"Mom's Minivan"

Just something silly & fun in honor of Mother's Day and the coming of summer vacation! :)

Believe it or not, back in the day when MY guys were small, the minivan was yet to be invented! Still, I remember so well packing all my kids and their friends and their "stuff" in the back of our station wagon, in search of summer fun, adventure, and a little escape from the hot, humid weather! Most of the time, our destination was the neighborhood pool, where the kids splashed all afternoon and I played "lifeguard" from under a poolside umbrella.


*sigh*...So many happy family memories!! :)

(...sunscreen, anyone???)


"Mom's Minivan" is available at my Etsy store, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS!

HEAVENLY HANDIWORK

"Heavenly Handiwork"

My husband and I recently made the trip from our home in the city to his family's home in the country. We traveled at night under a nearly-full moon. Like a true "city girl", I found myself amazed by all the millions of stars twinkling overhead! The words of the Psalmist came to my mind...

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of His hands."
Psalm 19:1

Thank you, Lord!!... When I lose sight of how infinite and powerful You are, You gently remind me by all You've created.




"Heavenly Handiwork" is available for purchase in my Etsy shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS

THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA

"The Princess and the Pea"

Once upon a time, in what seems like a very long time ago, I was the happy (and busy!) Mom of two rambunctious boys. Our home was filled with primary colors and all things little boys love ~ legos, trucks, Playmobil, and Ninja Turtles. My guys liked to dress up and have adventures as cowboys and Indians, pirates and superheroes. As they grew older, we accumulated a basement-full of rollerblades, bikes, and skateboards. Without a doubt, ours was a home geared toward BOYS!

...And so, it should not have been a big surprise to me that taking care of Jane (a sweet baby GIRL, then 8 months old) would be a real learning experience for me.

Even from a young age, Jane seemed drawn to all things pink and sparkly. She loved to play tea party with her many dolls, and delighted in the world of fairytales, princesses, and make believe. Jane's favorite way to spend a rainy day at home was to dress-up in her pink princess dress (the purple one just would not do), and dance in the playroom with great joy and abandon. At lunchtime, she never grew tired of hearing stories about the many adventures of Princess Jane...


Many thanks, Jane, for helping me to remember the wonders of being a little GIRL. This sweet princess is inspired by YOU!!



"This Princess and the Pea" is available in my CafePress store, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS, on a variety of baby & kidswear.

TIDINGS OF COMFORT & JOY!

My husband, Joe, and I have recently received several New Years cards in the mail from friends near and far. They've helped me realize that there are others like me who are still wrapping up Christmas, "UnDecking the Halls", and sweeping up tinsel in mid-January!

As always, these letters have told our friends' many stories... a new baby, a job change, a wedding, a family vacation, graduations, goals achieved, many ordinary moments, and extraordinary milestones. And sometimes the most honest of these letters have also brought news of difficult life changes and personal losses. Truly, for each of us, every new year holds something new...

And so, as I pack up the manger scene and take down the Christmas wreath, I think about how comforting it is to know that, into our everyday lives, Jesus was born. He is our Emmanuel ~ God With Us. He invites us to walk with Him into each new day.


May your New Year be filled with the comfort and joy of walking with Jesus each day!


From my sketchbook ~ Prismacolor pencil & micron pen on graph paper