Time to plant!

"For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations." Isaiah-61:11



The next three pictures were suppose to be after some other ones but after I finished writing I realized that I forgot, so here they are ... a little out of order!*grin*


As you can see , my grass looks terrible ....Josh is determined to change that! Yeahhhh!

I came out from my little shop to see that Becca had stop working and was dangerously playing....Becca!*grin*

Okay... I do love to see how my children get along so well!!!!

( This was the beginning)sigh!

Today was such a wonderful and blessed day! My children as well as my 2 extra students , were anxious to finish school so they could come outside and help me plant.

I had worked early this morning and later when they came , they told me that I could finish my sculpting work because *they* would surprise me!!!!!!!!!!!*grin*

Becca and Ruth Ann , started to plant the garden....

Today they planted collard greens, lettuce and broccoli....

They have their own system of doing things!*grin*

Little Ben wanted to plan flowers for me...aww...Ben.... you are so sweet!*double grin*

Ben also knows well how to do this...

A little at a time....

I walked to the back yard to see how Gabby and Lydia were doing....

I laugh to see Gabby with sun glass... she said the sun bother her eyes..... oh Gabby!*grin*

I love this little spot.... I come here almost everyday to fetch some herbs for my cooking.

I always have oregano, lemon balm,rosemary, thyme and lavender.

It was about time to plant ....cilantro, parsley,,basil and others!*grin*

Benny did an excellent job! ((( Thank you Ben!!))) later on this will look fantastic!

The girls did great too.

What a wonderful Day!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Jesus , for your blessings and for simple things!

Spring is here!

ahh... how refreshing to have cool air and warmer temperatures. God's creation is praising Him in a very way... and my heart desires the same!
This is one of my favorite flower trees.... it is not my favorite because willow trees are the ones that I love the most but the Ornamental Pears are just beautiful. We have two mature trees and then bloom twice a year .... in the spring when there are no leaves .... a gorgeous and massive white *flock* comes to bring the good news of warmer weather.... it is the first tree to bloom in the Carolinas., I believe. Mine are not full bloom yet but because I was walking around taking pictures and enjoying the this blessed day, I thought to share with you any ways.*grin*

We have a *pomar* . It is a word used in Portuguese to discribe a place where only fruit trees are planted. Our is not fully mature yet because we started planting only couple years ago. We have 11 pears , 11 apples and we plan to plant this year, 11 cherries and 11peaches. I am not sure what we willbe doing with all the crops but I will think about when the time comes. *grin*

The pictures above is my mature peach tree. It is 5 years old and yeild mature fruits . All my trees are organicly grown so the fruits don't look marvelous but they sure tastes the best and they are good for us.*smiles*

Daffondills are the first bubs to comeout of the ground and I am glad they bloom twice a year... I love the delicate look and the leaves.

I have thousands , I mean THOUSANDS of bulbs planted. We normally replant every fall 1000 to 2000 bulbs and some times they mutiply or they dissapear...sigh.... I think it has to do with the weather.

Next week we will be starting our garden... I am soo excited and I can't wait to be bare foot onmy soft garden.... it is wonderful!*grin*

Tilling my garden

One of my true pleasures is to plant a veggie and fruit garden. Below is a picture of my garden from few years ago. It was late spring and most of the strawberries were picked already.

Every year I try different things.... that drives my husband crazy sometimes,because I LOVE veggie and i like to try new ways to make it and also to plant some different ones. Mark is not much into vegetables although he eats some . I *try* not to make things like * eggplant casserole surprise* !!!!*grin*... Okay ... some times , I DO! Here I am tilling the garden. I will have to till few more times to make it a real nice and smooth bed. I am anxious to plant the potatoes but the ground is soaking wet .....

I love old fashion tool ** That works** but boy, how I LOVE my modern tractor! It is so powerful and easy to handle!

I had go go over and over few times to break all the weeds root system...

Not a very nice picture of my final tilling job but you can have an idea. I plan to take pictures when the children I am start planting.....soon!*smiles*

Making memories....

I am sharing here some of the precious moments of my life.... although my younger son, Ben was in Florida with dad and Kate wasn't feeling her best and decided to stay in and cook us a wonderful meal...grin.... below are my other five children.... what a day and all started.....

Last night snow.....
Can't believe is true.....

Three missing four.... A dare to me....

( I was in my little shop)

A sweet invitation.....

An answer....

(( sure thing!!! *grin*))

Not sure if I should run...

Thankful for my wonderful handmade snow boots!

Some rather 4 wheeler...

others old-fashion sliding....

in a handmade one...

felling like 6 when already 22...

Still time to be a kid...

building up speed...

been silly...

Truly tasting the snow...

Herb garden covered...

My post card...

life is good because of Jesus and the special moments that are giving to me in each and everyday.

I love each of my children because they are all wonderfully made!

My farm....

Taking the time.....

Hello dear reader and friends,

I will start by telling you that I tried and tried to rotate this picture on my software and although it showed rotated, when I uploaded it was always side ways.... my choice was to delete or not, so I re sized larger (at least) in case you like to see the details.( just click on picture).

I started this picture about 2 weeks ago. I did 3 sketches and my second one the baby was darling . I was not able to capture the same feeling ,sigh, and made me think how much more practice I need.

Then when I decided to draw on my watercolor paper, I changed almost everything I had sketch.... it made me think back when I was in 4Th grade and my Portuguese teacher in language told me that I would probably be a writer because when ever she compared my sloppy copies with the final draft essays , it was like reading 2 complete different papers.

I was never able to do the same over and over .... it was boring to me!*grin*

Now , I am trying to discipline my self in many aspects on my watercolor practicing.

I have been spending about 20 to 30 minutes ( maximum) daily on this painting. Not only I want to let the paper dry completely before I add more colors and layers, I am also enjoying my time .

I am showing you some of my *props* . After I had draw I realized that I need to paint everyday around the same time so I can get the lighting right. I was tempted to paint last night,grin, however when I sat on my chair , I took a minute looking around and smiled to my self because I am also learning to be more patience! *grin*

I had a nice cup of tea instead and read a book for a little while!

Here you can see how adding the colors things start to change. This is real challenge for me and I am looking forward to see how it will turn up.... I know that I will either love it or hate it.... but again, when I look some of my early oil paints or dolls I want to laugh too, but all were part of my growth as an artist so I do have an appreciation for it.*grin*

Thank you for stopping by and if you feel comfortable , please leave me a comment... it is always such a *treat* to hear from *you*!!!*smiles*

Beautiful light!

God's Word, like a lamp, illuminates. It helps us discern spiritual danger so we can avoid it, and it points us in the right direction to take our lives. It lights the path we take through life
~Psalm 119:105


I have decided to try different paper in order to find the one that I love the most and it is most suitable for water colors. Right now I feel a little *lost* and I think is because I am learning something new. Yes, I have always painted but water color is a new medium to me and the freedom is not something that I feel comfortable yet.
When one uses oil paints a lot of *control* is given . I have never painted with oils that did not take a long time. layers and layers is what gives an oil paint its beauty....
Layers is also used on WC however in a much softer way and the colors must run and find its way.... so different.
I am trying to *let go*of the control thoughts and training that I am used to from the oils and let the colors from WC find its on life.
I think it will take time for me to improve but I am truly loving to spend the time with this new medium.
I have a new sketch and I am growing in love for it... grin... I know... sounds silly but is true.
The sketch is an image of an older child trying to give a little sister some medicine( or food) I am not sure yet...
Drawing objects is also not easy for me.... I never did before... it has always been people , animals , flowers , woods... never a ..... table!
I am using my own rooms as models and incorporating into my drawings ... I am looking forward to spring when my flower beds will start to bloom and I can then sit and sketch from there.
Well.... I will close with these pictures that I thought *more than once* in sharing or not, I really dislike my looks but I figure you would appreciate , like I do, to see what a beautiful lighting that comes from the window where I sit and although I have many other places to call *studio* , my favorite ones are this one and my rocking chair next to my warm 1920 Majestic Stove. *grin*

Difficult Studies