[Celebration] Giving Thanks Today and Everyday

Pumpkin patch

Hello, November, the season of pumpkins, pumpkin pies and thanksgiving in the U.S.  The history of thanksgiving dates back to the early 1600's when the Pilgrims gave thanks to God and celebrated the bountiful harvest after all the hardships that they experienced.  Pumpkins were a very important food source for them because it is very nutritious, delicious and has a good shelf life.  Nowadays, pumpkins are being used mostly for halloween decorations.  Many families with children visit different pumpkin patches and make carving an annual activity.  I just hope the children don't lose the real  meaning of the thanksgiving.

Pumpkin patch

One of the perks of taking public transportation is that you get to see and experience things that you'd otherwise miss when you're driving.  This time a year ago, I saw a pumpkin patch in one of the local churches in our area.  I wanted to check it out but by the time I had the chance to, they only had a few pumpkins left.  This year, I promised myself that I'd go before they were gone.   

Who said that pumpkin patches are for kids?

I would like to end this post by sharing with you the verse that we have in our dining room:

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

His love endures forever."

1 Chronicles 16:34

Be blessed!

♥  michelle

[Verses] A Big God for a Small Me!

How are you my friend?

Have you ever thought that you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders?  That there is no end to your hardship?

That there is no hope for you at all?

Well, I felt all of that last week.

I have this knee-jerk reaction sometimes when challenges come my way and instead of facing it head-on, I tend to withdraw.  

And sob.  And cry... as if it would do me good.

Thankfully, God's word, His promises, the prayers of my husband, family and friends lifted me up.  

It's amazing how God speaks to us through His word, the Church, people and circumstances.  The theme of KHCB's broadcast last week was about worry and anxiety (and me).  Oh yeah, I believe that it was not an accident.  Nothing is.  

Friends prayed for me.  They are truly God sent.  

It's nice to pray together.  Try it if you haven't yet.

Finally, it was and will always be a comfort to know that my husband assured/s me with these words: 

"♥Don't worry, I will take care of you.♥"  

Awwwww....

Then he shared with me this passage of scripture that he read during his Thursday devotion.    

Oh what a comfort to know that God will never give us something that is beyond what we can bear.

He is a BIG GOD for a small me.

Amen.

Have a blessed week, my friend!

Drop me a note and I can pray for you too.

Or better yet, we can pray together.

♥  michelle  ♥

[Focus on Life] Week 23: Typography

It's Week 23 at Ms. Sally Russick's Focus on Life over at The Studio Sublime and the prompt was:  Typography - the power of the written or typed word can be more powerful than you thought!

The style and appearance of printed matter has an effect to how we view items, websites, businesses, book titles and the list goes on and on.   Is the typography pleasing to the eye, does the font pull you in, draw you away, make you feel inspired?  This week focus on the printed word and see what the words are saying to you!

I wanted to share something that's been my bestfriend for the past months.  I love receiving stuff from the mail!  The excitement is overwhelming at times especially if it's something that I have eagerly waited on and more so if it's a surprise package.  Woot woot!

USPS

Most people these days prefer to write emails or send text message through their smartphones.  That's good but sending someone snail mail is even better.  There is something about opening a letter or a card from someone you know.  I know you hate getting junk mail, utility and credit card bills - you are not alone - just shred and throw them away.

Send someone a letter and make that someone happy.

Visit the other photos HERE.

Be blessed!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Focus on Life Week 14] Up Close

It's Week 14 at Ms. Sally Russick's Focus on Life at The Studio Sublime:  "Up Close."  Our task this week was to use our macro shot to see how close we could really get.

This afternoon, we went to the Japanese Garden and enjoyed every minute of it!

Take a look at these pine needles... I love the fresh green color!

This lovely azalea was just screaming "shoot me!"  The stamens look so delicate and very dainty.

This last photo is the post of the bridge taken by the pond.  It's so rustic, weathered and very nice!  I like how you can see the stream of water in the background.

I had a nice time taking macro shots of objects of nature.  I usually take macro photos of my craft projects, polymer clay, jewelry and handmade cards so this was a great challenge.

Get ready to be Up Close with the other participants HERE.

Have a great weekend!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Focus on Life Week 9] Knock, Knock

It's Week 9 of Focus on Life with Ms. Sally Russick and the theme is:  "Knock, Knock."

This is what I wanted to share with you today... "Our Door."

My husband and I have been married for 4 years and we made our first major move last April 2012.  We drove almost 19 hours from state to state, with loads of stuff - clothes and boxes of "my toys."

We have always been around family which was nice especially for me migrating from another country but we had to be on our own.  It was all in perfect timing, all according to God's perfect plan!

We stayed with friends for a few months just enough for us to find our own place and here it is... "Our Door."

The process in finding our own place was fun and exciting!  We prayed for it and decided on a 2 bedroom apartment which was big enough for us and my loads of crafts and tools.    It was fun visiting stores and shopping to find furniture and other techie "needs."  I have realized that no matter how long you have been with your husband, you still learn something new about one another... such as in choosing what to buy, where to put the sofa, etc.  - you know what I'm talking about.  After a few weeks or arranging and rearranging, we were happy to be finally home.

There is a frame hanging by our kitchen that reads:

RECIPE FOR A HAPPY HOME

4 cups of Love

2 cups of Loyalty

3 cups of Forgiveness

1 cup of Friendship

5 spoons of Hope

2 spoons of Tenderness

4 quarts of Faith

1 barrel of Laughter

To this, I add:  A load of God's grace and mercy.  It is what binds us together as husband and wife.

Thanks for reading this far.  Off to the other blogs you go, my friend!

Click on the LINK.

Enjoy!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Focus on Life Week 8] Monochromatic

This is week 8 of Sally Russick's Focus on Life and the theme is MONOCHROMATIC.

I hardly use black & white and sepia in my photos so Sally really challenged me.  Both of these photos were edited using PicMonkey.  

Focus on Life Week 8
Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia, 2012

This was taken in Sydney, Australia in 2011 during our family reunion. My husband and I took a Sydney harbour sunset cruise and it was amazing!  I particularly love this photo because it captures some of the iconic images of Sydney, New South Wales, and Australia:  the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House in the background.   The bridge is also called "The Coathanger" because of its arch-based design.  The bridge is open to tourists who are brave enough to climb it, such as Ms. Oprah in 2010.  My husband and I are working on our "height issues" so its not on our bucket list for now... or ever.

Focus on Life Week 8

I took this photo this week when I saw how the sun shined on the branches of this tree.  Its past mid February and these branches will soon turn green with life - not that it's "dead" now but it will spring with beauty pretty soon.

This exercise in monochromatic photography or editing inspired me to explore more.

I will try to take photos of people and portraits, play with light and such.

Now it's time to check out these LINKS.

Enjoy!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Focus on Life Week 6] Feel the l♥ve

It's Week 6 over at Ms. Sally Russick's Focus on Life and the challenge is to "Feel the love."

Focus on Life Week 6

"Ewe and Me will always be for-e-vaaaaaa!"

Our path may not be green and bright all the time,

but as long as you and I are one, it will always be fine.

Happy V♥alentine's Day, my Dear One!

And to you my friend, may you feel the love today and always!

Let's share the love and keep hoppin' to other blogs.

Click HERE to start hoppin.'

Happy weekend!

♥  Michelle  ♥

Spring with life! [Wordless Wednesday]

 

{photo taken at Lake Elizabeth, Fremont, Ca}