Cello on the Beach

Last weekend I wanted to go to the beach, but everyone thought it was too far for a day trip.  So, boo...no sand for me.  Still experimenting with drawing digital pictures.  I liked this picture of a man playing his cello on the street, and thought it would be fun if he was playing to the birds. 

You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. 

Amos 6:5                

 

            

 

Shade Shroom

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."

Psalm 91:1 ESV    

    

Another day, another software.  This time it's Photoshop Elements 15.  Definitely has more oomph to it.  Much better color selection, and a wide variety of brushes.  I guess I was boring, I only used 4 or so.  In any case, I think I like this...no switching pencils, sharpening, and it is definitely faster than layering pencil...which is my only gripe about colored pencils..I seem to lose interest after a few weeks on one drawing.  And the best part....NO SCANNING!

Holy Hamster, Ratman!

Ok, I don't want to get carried away, but really I am having way too much fun with digital doodling today!  Everyone else went to bed, and I just couldn't help myself...I just kept on doodling! 

But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. Psalm 37:11 ESV   

Digital Doodling--A first for me!

"Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
    they sing among the branches."

Ps 104:12 ESV

I am loving this new laptop.  I can doodle on it!  I did this while I was watching TV, and it was so much fun.  I used Plumbago, which came on the laptop.  I haven't really looked into doodling programs, and figured this would do. I used the pencil for most of this, and the highlighter setting for the background. I switched to the pen for the leaves, and back to the pencil for some detailing.  I may have to play with digital doodling more often.  What do you think?

Love to Doodle

"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun."

Eccl 8:15, ISV

It has a been a while, but I haven't stopped doodling.  I did this little picture on a card for a friend. It was supposed to be the camellia sinensis plant (tea plant), but I got a little wiggy with colors. I know, I know...my obsession with tea.  I just love it.  I will have to put some thoughts down sometime on why it is so appealing to me. 

I did the "Turtle Watchers" while I was watching TV. I don't know why but I really seem stuck on police shows.  I like the BBC ones because they aren't gross, gory, or perverse.  So far I've watched Sherlock, Death in Paradise, Shetland, Hinterland, and Wallander which I finished the series while I worked on this particular doodle.

I like doodling...there is no pressure for it to be any good.  It can be done quickly, and anywhere, anytime--even while watching TV or eating (another fave I'll have to address later). And...if you have the time (which I rarely do), you can do some really cool things.  I am still trying to find my own style, my own passion in what I doodle...I tend to be all over the map.  But, it is fun.

Halloween is a TREAT!

This is my yearly note on why I love Halloween, and why you should, too!

******************

Fall is my favorite time of year. As a redhead, I'm supposed to dress like mulch, so the colors of Fall suit me well. I love the crisp air, the smell of apples, football, and of course, Halloween. What, you ask?!?! Halloween? Its an evil demonic holiday, I'm told; its celebrating things of Satan; its dangerous; its pagan; and on, and on, and on...... Oh, but if we all dress as Bible Characters and throw a party at church it makes it okay? PUH-LEASE! Quite frankly, I think Christian's have really missed the boat when it comes to this holiday. Huh? Before anyone gets overly insulted, let me explain.

The origins of Halloween truly are pagan. The Celts believed at this time of year the dead returned to visit their homes. They would light fires and sometimes wear masks or disguises so as to not be recognized by the travelling ghosts. The Roman invasion came and as a result added their own twist, celebrating Feralia, the festival of the dead, and Pomona the goddess of the harvest. As with every other pagan holiday, we Christians supplanted them with a "Christian" event to offset the temptation to succumb to the evil festivities. That is why Christmas is in December (The Roman festival of Saturnalia), and Easter is in the Spring (the fertility festival). These fall celebrations became All Hallows Day, or All Saints Day. The evening before became holy, thus All Hallows Eve. After the reformation, the holy day was not widely celebrated, and even banned among colonists. But when the European immigrants came, they brought their customs and traditions, and Halloween became a favorite holiday, particularly among children. Why? Because of the treats, of course (which, by the way, stems from the British poor going door to door begging for food).

So, why the history lesson? I think it is important to understand that Halloween (and most other major holidays), though pagan in origin, has morphed and changed as time has marched on. I believe that just as it has before, Halloween can be changed into a powerful holiday that Christian's can enjoy and celebrate for God's glory! I'm not talking about holing up in our churches, going to shopping malls, dressing up as Moses or Jonah, or turning up our noses and turning off our lights. If there is one thing that is unique about Halloween, it is the fact that it is the only holiday that your neighbors expect you to knock on their door. To me, this is HUGE!

We are called to GO into the world, not to COME inside and ignore the world. Jesus was always walking into the midst of the world, eating with sinners and tax collectors, going where the "holy" people thought he shouldn't. Why on earth wouldn't we take this opportunity to follow his example? Get our of your house! Meet your neighbors! Form a community and claim it in His Name!

But Chrissy, you say, the commercial focus on Halloween is ghosts, goblins, and witches! So? That doesn't mean I have to focus on that too--well, unless I'm casting them out in the name of Jesus! I choose to focus on the Lord! I decorate my home with the things God gave us--pumpkins, cats, colorful leaves, and things of that nature. It looks festive, yet not icky. I encourage my son to dress up--I love the fact that kids can use their imagination to be whatever they want to be! I don't allow horror costumes because aspiring or imagining you are a witch or zombie, I feel, is not pleasing to God. But I'm certain He delights and smiles at little ones roaring like dragons in awe of a creature God could have made; saving the world as superheros by the power God gave them; pretending to be a doctor or pilot with skills from the Lord; sashaying as the beautiful princesses God made them to be; or being brave knights, showing the courage God gave them in the face of danger.

Oh Brothers and Sisters, wouldn't it be just like God to use a holiday so focused on and abused by the enemy for HIS ULTIMATE GLORY? I LOVE when God does that! Lets not miss the opportunity we have in this holiday! Let's be a light to our neighborhoods! Form relationships so people will get to know you and ask you what makes you so different! Take advantage of the fact that your neighbors are waiting for that knock on the door! Take back this holiday for the King of Kings!

If you are up to this challenge, I have a few ideas outlined below to help you in this quest!

* Focus on the Lord--Pray over this Halloween, your neighborhood, the children; relate your decorating and costumes to the great things of God. Talk to your kids about why you don't like the creepy things. Let them know that God gave us this holiday to use our imaginations and to meet/say hello to our neighbors.

* Take advantage of the fact that your neighbors are expecting you--Take your kids trick-or-treating yourself! Don't stand at the street and watch your kids run to the door. Walk up there with them, greet your neighbors and introduce yourself if you don't know them. Chat for a minute before you leave, and always smile!

* Give out good candy--As a child, I always went to the houses I knew that had the best candy! I wasn't interested in Bible tracts or Jesus pencils, and I'm sure most kids today agree with me. Let your life and kindness send the message...not a pamphlet.

* Have a Halloween party--do a festival of games on your front lawn, like a bean bag toss, or the duck pond for little ones. Have prizes--and of course GOOD CANDY. We have a Hallow-Weenie Roast each year and roast hot dogs, have some beer (for adults), soda, and hot chocolate available.  The neighborhood (and not so neighborhood) kids are regulars and look forward to it every year.  The local teens come back over and over with different friends each time...one group of kids even went and brought back their parents!

* Don't snub--if a parent allowed their little one to dress up as the devil, don't start chastising them or the child. Instead tell them what a beautiful little boy God gave them, and chat with them as you would with anyone else. You can pray over them as you're talking and later on! Remember, YOU MAY BE THE ONLY BIBLE SOME PEOPLE EVER READ! Let them see God's Love in you!

* Plan an event in your neighborhood--Talk to your neighbors. Maybe you can work a block party. Send flyers out encouraging people to trick-or-treat. Have a secret prize at one of the houses. Whatever you do, do it in YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD! Hmmmm...moon bounces aren't too expensive to rent......

* Have Fun! Halloween was always so much fun as kid. I have great memories of dressing up  (I STILL dress up as an adult!), surprising my neighbors with my costume, and of course, the reward of treats at the end.

So, won't you join me in this quest? Lets pass a tradition of joy and community, praise and glory on this holiday. Let's claim Halloween for God's Glory. He is able--we should be willing!

God bless you this day, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Please, God, bless!

"Therefore, as you GO, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age.”  Matt 28:19-20  ISV

Refuge from Chaos

Every day is a new battle. 

    Each day starts fresh.

        Each draws to a close with the realization
        that I am a horrendous sinner.

            Each day finishes in forgiveness. 

My refuge from the chaos is remembering who is in control.

"God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that God's righteousness would be produced in us."  2 Cor 5:21 ISV

Orange Creamsicle-a Vitamin C Powerhouse?

My teeny glass...the sick boys in the house got big cups!

Does anyone remember those Orange Creamsicles you used to eat as a kid?  If you loved them, than you are in for a treat!

I've been on a kick to get my kid to eat better, and that includes more vegetables.  One great way to get him some veggies is to put them in his smoothie.  Now, this is an art form, I've learned, because you can hide a lot in a smoothie, but if its not done right my kid turns up his nose at it.  "It smells weird", "It taste funny", stuff like that.

As a result of these fails, I've been focusing on making smoothies in flavor profiles he likes.  Since I have changed my tactic, I have made an apple pie smoothie, a chocolate cherry smoothie, a carrot cake smoothie, and today's experiment, the orange creamsicle smoothie, that he LOVED!    I was so excited I thought I would share.

This smoothie is a Vitamin C powerhouse!  Great since the kid and hubby have been battling a bug this week.  It is high in manganese and very high in Vitamin A as well. It has NO dairy (bad for sniffles!), and no added sugar.

You will need a high-powered blender.  I used a VitaMix.  Also, you can use a frozen banana for a more frozen type of drink.  If the sugar is too much for you, omit the dates and replace with liquid stevia or nothing at all.

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie (3 servings)

2 cups water
2 oranges
1 banana
1 tsp Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C powder)
1/2 cup raw cashews
1 small knob fresh ginger
2 carrots
1 splash Vanilla Extract
4 dates
1 cup ice

Peel oranges, banana, and ginger.  Put all ingredients in the blender, blend, and serve.  Enjoy!

"Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;"  Gen 1:29

A Bit of Artful Magic...

I haven't doodled in a while, but I haven't been completely stagnant.

I love Disney.  Disney offers something that most organizations fail to...the experience.  If you go Disney, you know that every detail is looked after.  You know that their product is developed and executed with precision and excellence.

I also love Star Wars.  Although Episodes I, II, and III were rather disappointing due to lackluster acting, an awkward romance, and doofy sidekicks, I still love the good vs evil storyline, and the kick-butt for justice Jedi.

So, you understand why I couldn't help myself.  I had to decorate these magic bands.


It was just too much fun.  I'm wondering what else I can paint!

God is so good. He looks after every detail, from the least to most important.  Nothing is unknown to Him.  And need I mention the most heroic story ever, the ultimate triumph over evil?  The King, the Conqueror, the Lord, the Saviour, Jesus!

Please, God, bless!

"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all." 1 Chron 29:11

Fave Pic from Day 249

Fave from Day 249:  Saw rain in the desert, and thought a fish pic would be a good fave pic to share.  Isn't he cute?

"The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;"  Is 35:1