Happy Easter

Have a Happy and Joyous Easter!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week 13~Have Faith

There are many of us who are religious and there are many of us who are not, but most of us, religious or not, have faith in someone or something.  A faith that gets us through our day, a sickness or even a death.  Faith is held by each of us, it is what keeps us believing that there will always be a positive outcome even if we can't see it at the time.

My faith is very important to me although I don't talk about it much here on my blog.  It is very much a part of who I am.  I believe in God and Jesus as His son.  I believe in the power of prayer and worship and God's Word.

My faith would not be what it is without the Bible.  Throughout my life I have found comfort, strength, encouragement, peace and guidance through this book.  There are parts I don't understand and parts that make no sense.  My faith in God is what gives me understanding a little at a time as I need it.  

My faith is made stronger when I read God's word and apply it to my everyday life.  I wouldn't want to be without it.  

To see what others have to say about faith, visit Sally at The Studio Sublime.

I hope you have a blessed Easter weekend!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Do you know anyone who always has drama going on in their life?  Or someone who it seems just can't catch a break?  Or someone who is so busy going in so many different directions from sunup to sundown, that you wonder when they sleep?   When I encounter people like this, I'm very grateful for my quiet, ordinary life.  I've had the drama and the extreme busyness and I'm much happier without it!

I'm also thankful for
     *  new recipes to try
     *  my tea in the morning
     *  Sunday afternoon drives
     *  Cadbury creme eggs!
     

What are you thankful for today?

Have a great Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

My yard is full of weeds.  It's such a pretty purple though!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week 12~Observe The Curve

We move, live and love in curves.  Arms, legs, and bodies curve to propel us into the life around us.  Branches of trees curve to embrace the breeze.  Letters curve and form words.  Curves can keep things apart, hold things together or create a path.  This week take a moment to focus on all the different kinds of curves that surround you every day.

I got excited when I read this week's prompt.  I'm a curve girl!  I've always preferred curves over straight lines and it shows all through my house.  I chose to focus on this antique ink well my husband gave me many many years ago for my birthday.  I'm so in love with the graceful curves!

To see more curves, visit Sally at The Studio Sublime.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

This past weekend Sean was visiting from Denver and Erin and Shylee came for the weekend.  I was so very thankful to have both kids here at the same time again.  Sean moved to Denver last August and I have sure missed him.  So why I didn't take a single picture while everyone was here, I don't know.  I guess  we were kind of busy laughing, talking, eating, playing, and just hanging out!  

I'm also thankful for 
     *  the pinky orangey color of a sunset
     *  Shylee's snorts when she laughs
     *  the quiet when everyone else is in bed
     *  the coziness of home

What are you thankful for today?

Happy Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Signs of spring!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week 11~The Possibilities Are Endless

There are many things around us that hold so many possibilities, a child's face, a seed of a flower.  This week pay attention to your surroundings and your daily activities and show us what holds endless possibilities for you. 

Sunrise at Virginia Beach, September 2009

I thought this challenge held endless possibilities!  I had so many ideas but it was a busy week and I never had a camera nearby when I needed one.  Nor could I get up early enough to catch a sunrise.  And in the end, it is a sunrise that holds endless possibilities for me because it is the beginning of a new day.  What an amazing and wonderful gift!

Visit Sally at The Studio Sublime to see other endless possibilities!

Have a wonderful wonderful weekend!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Today I'm thankful for
     *  pretty things to look at
     *  eating dinner while it's still light outside
     *  new friends from the FB support group
     *  signs of spring
     *  the anticipation of a family weekend
     *  the birds serenading me in the morning

     What are you thankful for today?

Have a wonderful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week 10~All Wrapped Up

This week I've been all wrapped up in trying new recipes, like this Lemon Rosemary Chicken.

It sure was good!  I will do some tweaking the next time I make it, but it's definitely a keeper.

I've also been wrapped up in

     *  planning the weekend my son comes to visit

     *  the redo of my sewing room.  It's a very slow process for me.

     *  figuring out what to get my granddaughter for her fifth birthday

Visit Sally at The Studio Sublime to see what others are wrapped up in.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

I believe that every day we wake up and get out of bed is a gift.  I think most of us just see it as another day to get through with all of our obligations, jobs, chores, kids, and expectations to manage.  But when you take time to notice what is around you, you will begin to realize that even the little things in the midst of a stressful, busy, chaotic day are gifts and we should take the time to be thankful for them. 

Even things that are annoying can be worthy of gratitude when you look at them differently.  Take my husband's snoring for example.  As I laid in bed last night wishing he would just be quiet for 5 minutes, I realized his snoring meant he was alive and still with me.  It meant he was in my bed and not someone else's.  I was very thankful in that moment of frustration and fell asleep quickly after.  

I'm also thankful for
     *  the way the sunlight shines through the lace curtains leaving a pretty pattern on the wall
     *  music that touches my heart and makes me weepy
     *  the aromas from a home cooked meal
     *  hot water to take a shower
     * a phone call from my son telling me he's coming to visit

What are you thankful for today?

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

My Annie dog.

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week 9~Knock, Knock

This weeks prompt from Sally.

Let's open some doors to see what awaits us on the other side.

Is it a door that holds opportunity?

Is it a door that holds a story?

Is it a door you have been hesitating to open?

Is it a gate to a new life?

A door to a new adventure?

Is it a door that holds a memory?

Is it the perfect door for a simple picture?

You have arrived at the door for a reason, open it up and step in!

This is the front door of my house.  When we drove up to the house with the realtor, I fell in love with the door.  It wasn't long after we bought the house before my feelings changed.  It's like having an open window for everyone to see inside.  I like my privacy and I feel like I don't have it with this door.  We talked about replacing it but it fits so well with the house that a typical door would just take away from the overall look of the home.  I never would have dreamed that I would have such a love hate relationship with the front door of my house!

To see other doors visit Sally's blog,  The Studio Sublime.

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo Annette xo