Howdy Pardner

It's been quite a while since I've shown a picture of our newest grandchild, James. He turned 11 months old yesterday. I can hardly believe it.  The years seem to be flying by.

He is so darling and as always, I can't remember our family without him.  He is such a special gift from God.  It's a long story but we were extremely surprised when Chris and Andrea announced the big news to us.

Here is a link to the awesome news I shared at the end of 2010.

Andrea worked at a crisis pregnancy adoption place.  They turned in all of their papers and a Lifebook--the "in crisis" mothers would look through the books and choose a family they wanted to have their baby.  Chris and Andrea were never chosen--this went on for a little over a year and our hearts were getting heavy again--

And then bam!  Andrea announced that she was pregnant.  God knew all along what was in store for our family.

We would have loved an adopted child so very much--one that came not from our bloodline but our heartline.

However, we got one that came from both and he is a little character.

He has the cutest fake smile he "does for the camera" every time he sees a flash.

We are in love.  Thank you Lord.

Finally, My Art For Sale

Finally, I have placed some of my art for sale on FineArtAmerica. 

 I hope you will click on this link or the one on the sidebar and take a look at it.

 My goal is to add at least one piece per week (hopefully more) so I hope you will check back from time to time and see the updates.

 Here is my artist' bio--it was interesting making myself write about "being an artist."

One of my very first memories is asking my mother to draw for me. I loved watching the pencil strokes she made and seeing something so simple become a piece of art, well, in a five year old's view, it was art.

I remember a JFK pencil sketch I did copying his portrait from a Look magazine cover. I also remember walking by the art room when I was in college yearning to be in there painting but knowing I had to have a career that would provide a dependable income.

I think I must have been afraid of failure also because I never took an art course even as an elective. Looking back, I really regret that.

A busy life of marriage and family preceded a 20 year career as a public school teacher. During those years, I was always creating something and was happier when I was creating.
Along the way, I did take a few calligraphy, oil and watercolor classes. I had a small calligraphy business for a while but found I could not keep up with teaching, family, and a business.

After retirement, I started to paint more and joined a watercolor society. When one of my paintings was chosen to hang in an exhibition, a granddaughter asked me if I was an artist. Right then and there, I had to decide how I was going to answer her. It was a huge decision to make--to call myself an artist. But I did. I told her I was an artist.

Making that decision led me to develop my own style--I am a very loose painter, designer and calligrapher. Most everything I create has a loose, relaxed, impressionistic or abstract feel to it.

I don't like staying 'in the lines.'

I will be adding pieces weekly so I hope you will check back often.

Hope you enjoy and God bless you. 

_____________________________ 

I am finding that it is very hard to humble oneself enough to promote their own artwork--some might think it is a prideful thing but for me it is more of a humbling to ask for help.

So, if you like my work and feel comfortable doing this, would you be so kind as to like the Facebook or Google + buttons right below this post or give me a shout out on your blog.  I would be ever so grateful.

The Critter Whisperer

Would you picture this for a moment? A picture of an all-American girl--maybe 11 or so, dark curls, gorgeous complexion, face turned up to the sun, utter happiness displayed on this precious profile as a majestic butterfly lights atop the bridge of her nose and rests there.............

 A friend of mine posted the scene I described above of her daughter on Instagram today and I have "photography of children and nature envy."

It is such a beautiful moment--the light and the bokeh are to die for.

In the caption, my friend refers to her daughter as "the irresistible critter whisperer."

I've seen other pictures of this child with critters of all varieties seemingly drawn to her and yes, I would have to agree with that assessment.

However, when I read that, I had this thought: Sometimes I feel like a complete "critter" in the eyes of my God. But all He has to do is whisper my name and I am in awe of Him, ready to do His bidding, to follow once again.

Of all His incredible Names, I never thought I would be calling Him "the critter whisperer," but that's what He is to me today.

How about you? Ever feel like a "critter" in His eyes.

So thankful He sees us through the filter of Jesus' precious blood--making the scarlet sin of our critterness into the likeness of crystal white snow.

© all photographs, art and text property of Elizabeth Dianne unless otherwise noted

Weekend Worship

O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!




You have set your glory
above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise


I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.




When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,




I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.




What is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?




You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.




The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.




He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.




The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.




Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.




O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!


A collection of verses from the early Psalms-

Storehouses of Love

Can you imagine what the storehouses of God's love look like?  Just think of the storehouses and jars where He gathers all the waters of the sea.

The only thing is after thinking about it a little bit, I don't think God stores His love.

I think He just spreads it far and wide and is totally extravagant in sharing it to any and all who come hungry, thirsty, empty, humble, in childlike trust and belief.

In His oceans of love, our hearts are free to soar--to free fall into the overwhelming depths of His everlasting arms.

This is a fast little watercolor I painted this afternoon--hope you enjoy-- Love when I find a creative part of me and it comes out. © all photographs, art and text property of Elizabeth Dianne unless otherwise noted
My contact information is listed on the sidebar.  I always love to hear from my online friends. Sharing with