behold the man

How deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One,

Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,

Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished.

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything-

No gifts, no power, no wisdom;

But I will boast in Jesus Christ,

His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer;

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom.

at last, a couple of photos

Courtesy of my mother, who let me borrow her little uploading gizmo, I finally have a couple of recent jewelry photos to post. Even then, the color isn't very good but you'll get the idea. The first is a series of three necklaces, kind of all on a theme, five short strands of mixed pearls and crystals, finished with bead cones and chain to the back of the neck, then closed with lobster clasps. I thought they turned out rather well.


This (or something similar) is what I will send to be juried to the Flinthills Symphony art show soon. The silver pendant was made with PMC impressed with Kansas prairie grass for the texture, then set with a champagne CZ.



Since our big snowfall last weekend we had two smaller ones, including this morning. Yesterday it was 75 degrees, today 40 with snow. Argh.

a wonderful gift

We have some dear friends who have just purchased a new home and found something in the basement they weren't entirely sure about. He thought it might be some kind of dishwasher or other appliance. Hmmm. Well guess what--it's a big electric KILN and they're GIVING IT TO ME!! I'm fainting from the hyperventilating. I truly cannot believe it. We may have to rewire the house for it, but by golly, whatever it takes I think we'll do. Thankfully I have a husband who is handy at that sort of thing.

In other news, we may be getting another 6" of snow this weekend. Grrr.

a new/old photo

I came across this old photo of my husband (before he was my husband) and I in our college days. We were young.

I am feeling much better, thanks for all your good wishes.

snowed in and tummy travails

I must say it's just as well we couldn't go anywhere this weekend because we've been visited with a stomach virus. I won't go into any details; suffice it to say a little of that goes a long way. I may indulge myself and take a day off work tomorrow. I surely won't be much good in my present state.

I hope the rest of you are in fighting form.

we only thought it was spring--blizzard ahead

I'm getting rather sick of winter weather, especially since we've had such a nice bit of spring in between. We're forecast for up to 15" of snow here today (blizzard warning) and no one is thrilled. Except for the kids, of course.

I had nice daffodils and crocus blooming. This should put paid to that. However, starting on Sunday we will be in another warm up so at least the white stuff won't stay around long. And we really do need the moisture.

It has been announced that Art in the Garden will not be held this year. It went on for eight years running, so it's not surprising that in this small community they were running out of willing gardeners. Maybe it can turn into an every-other-year event. I hope it doesn't go away altogether. So I have (hopefully) three art shows this year. That's still plenty.

I hope it's more clement weather where you are!

don't give up on me

Oh dear, awol again.

I can only plead extreme busy-ness and a camera that suddenly won't let me plug it in to the computer to upload photos. And maybe I'm kind of distracted and unmotivated. No excuse, really, but that's the story.

I will post enough to say that I'm fine, my family is fine, and things are actually going well. Also, for anyone who is interested, I have lost about 20 lb. by now, so I'm pleased with that.

I have a couple of exciting opportunities coming up this summer. One is a chance to exhibit (if my work gets past the jury process) at an event called the Flinthills Symphony, featuring the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra giving a concert in a pasture in eastern Kansas. Should be fun. There's a similar but smaller show in a small town near here that I'm also planning to participate in, plus the annual Art in the Garden and Artful Taste of Autumn events. I think four shows seems like enough, especially since I'm still exhibiting at the VAAM Gallery and there is such a thing as spreading yourself too thin.

The newlyweds are getting along fine. The usual adjustment phase I think, learning how to live together. It's a good thing they'd dated for three years before they married. At least they had maybe an inkling of how life would be.

I am now going to check in on all the blogs I've been neglecting these few weeks. I hope to do better in the future, and especially to work on getting my camera to cooperate so I don't have to post without photos.