Grace That Is Sufficient - The Story of a Table

In this month, in this week, in the US, we focus particularly on our tables and what happens around them.  With that in mind, I'd like to share a post I wrote previously for The Graceful Artist.  

We have a round oak dining table. It is larger than average at 52" in diameter. And it has 6 legs held together in a circle. I've only seen one other table with legs like this. But this table isn't special because it is large or has unique legs. Our dining table once belonged to my husband's grandmother. But when we received it 30 years ago, the previous years had taken their toll. 

 Many years of cold Winters and hot Oklahoma Summers the table stood alone, abandoned in an empty house. Gone were the times with family dinners and laughter. Or the moments of anticipation of yummy desserts as pie crust was rolled out carefully onto its surface. The table had been forgotten. Twenty long years later, the table was rescued. Not by the one who had left but by the grandson. He lovingly used antique restoration skills to bring new life to the old table.  

The old finish and glue were removed and replaced. And beauty was restored to the table. But the effects of being in extreme temperatures for so many years left scars on the table. There was some warping in the 2 leaves. And there was some cracking. And the joints of those unique legs were not as sturdy as they had originally been. But the table is beautiful none the less and we love it. 

We make adjustments for its challenges and choose to keep this table as a very special part of our home. When the leaves are not in place there is no warping. And when we use the leaves to allow 8 to dine together, we simply use a table cloth and none is the wiser about a bit of warping. To protect the legs, we use this table as our special table and not the one in the kitchen where dough rolling might take place. We sit here for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or birthday dinners. We sit here to work on family photo albums. And I sit at this table to record my workshops. Laughter and love has returned to the well worn table. 

   
When I look at this table, I am reminded that in my spirit, I have some cracks, some warping, and some places that aren't as strong as they once were. Life takes its toll on us all. And yet, like the table, God continues to find purposes for me, to bring beauty into my life. Isaiah says that He makes beauty from ashes. I am reminded that we need not be perfect. We need not have always been in the right place. We might even have felt abandoned. God still chooses to bring intentional direction into our days. Second Corinthians 12:9 says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." What is the purpose for which you have been made? Has life created some challenges for you? God's grace is sufficient for you still. No matter what, this day holds a purpose for you and God can bring the beauty into your life for the task at hand.  

May you have a very blessed day of Thanks wherever you find yourself. 

 
Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Happy Day of Thanks

 

I have several friends that have been posting a gratitude list daily on Facebook.  I love that.  I love the idea of perpetually finding something new to be thankful for.  I love the thought of being intentionally thankful.  I wish I had done that too.  But I was busy and, at least mentally, in a whirlwind.  So I didn't do it.

I'd like to make a small list here.  I'll keep it short for your sake.  : )
 

I am thankful:   

1. I have a daughter with whom I can still laugh and have fun.
2. I have a son who has grown to be a man I respect.
3. I have a husband who loves me still even though the years have begun to show on me. 
4. I have the privilege to live the life of an artist with creativity all around me.
5. for my local students and my online students from all over the world.  What fun they are to know!
6. for the honor to have rescued my sweet furry friends and to enjoy their company daily in my studio.
7. for my faith.  It is what sustains and energizes me.
8. for technology.  Although it exasperates me, I could not accomplish my business without it.
9. for the many many miraculous things I have seen develop in those I love in the last year.
10. for the perpetual and amazing patience of my God.

And thank you, my dear blog friends, for joining me here from time to time.  May your holiday time be blest with delight, gratitude, and grace.




Wind and Honey Creations

A Few Days in Eureka Springs

I recently spent a few days in Eureka Springs, Arkansas with my family.  We each came from our separate places of residence and met there.  Two of the four of us had been there before.  I was one of the ones that had not.  We enjoyed our time together and enjoyed the unique atmosphere of the town.

The locals complained of the unusual heat they were experiencing. But we LOVED the moderate temperatures compared to the 110F plus temperatures we had been experiencing for weeks prior to our trip. 

This is the Sweet Spring noted from the 1800's for its sweet water.  The spring is down a number of very old winding steps. 

This vintage water fountain still works.  The fountain and this wonderful old bench are both by the Sweet Spring.

The whole town has a laid back atmosphere to it which was just what we were needing.  We visited art galleries, quaint shops, and antique stores.  Each of the restaurants we visited were extraordinary.  Of course photography was not allowed in the galleries.  And I guess I was always too hungry when in the restaurants because I never remembered to take pictures there.  

I would LOVE having a studio on the top floor of this building!

I especially noted the vintage and unusual musical items I found.  Arkansas is a very musical state.  

I'll share a few other images with you on another day.

Wind and Honey Creations

Decadence Abounding!

This beautiful circle of temptation is the New York style cheesecake my daughter made for me recently.  It is topped with ganache and fresh strawberries and the crust was made from crushed almonds.  Oh My!!!  It was soooo good and soooo rich.  Of course there were absolutely no calories.  Don't you know that if you are having wonderful family moments that the calories don't count?

Now........off to the tread mill!

Facing Forward

My journal has finally arrived for the Sketchbook Project.  Its funny how a little book with a plain brown cover can be such an exciting arrival.  Its blank pages hold potential for new ideas, thoughts, images, and creativity.  How much fun is that!?  The topic I chose for my project is Facing Forward.  Its seems appropriate to me as we come to the end of summer and prepare to enter September and Autumn.  I know most people think of new beginnings in January with the change of the year.   But to me, that always just feels like the middle of winter.  I'm sure all those years of school have affected my mindset.  September just seems more the time to face forward to new beginnings.

I found this precious little nest in the yard a few days ago.  It has been hot and dry here so there have been no blusterly storms to toss the nest out of the tree.  I choose to think its owner was also facing forward.  Perhaps her young little inhabitants had matured and grown to the point that they no longer fit in the tiny nest which is only about 3 inches in diameter.  Perhaps they are enjoying a feast with their friends on the watermelon I set out last night for the turtles.  Certainly there was enough for Cleopatra, Claudette, Miss Mae, and Goldie to share with the birds and even with the squirrels.

And as I think about facing forward, I've just come from my husband's parents house where we went through a box full of old family photos.  Some are quite old with no name.  It is sad that now no one knows who they are.  All we know is that they are family in some way or another.  Many of them are young, facing forward to their own futures so long ago.   I've included one here that I'd like to share with you for your own art projects.

Celebrations and New Beginnings

Yesterday was a day to celebrate freedom and independence in the US.  We joined the tradition of many families across the nation as we had a cook out.  My son was the main chef for the day.

One of the things he created was this fun drink dispenser made out of a real watermelon.  He filled it with a refreshing concoction he made with fresh watermelon juice.  I LOVE watermelon!  He knows the way to his mama's heart.  It was a great day.  The weather brought us tropical humidity and the air was sultry.  But we decided to choose to ignore it and just have fun anyway.  We had the cookout on our huge covered front porch.   I like to call it the veranda, just for the drama and fun of it.   Everybody needs a little drama in their life.

And on the subject of celebrating freedom and independence, I'd like to introduce you to a new Etsy shop KAporcelainware.  This shop specializes in earrings made exclusively in porcelain.  Each unique earring is crafted by hand from the wet porcelain clay to the actual assemblage with the wire findings.

 KAporcelainware  is the creation of Kate and Allison.  Kate is my lovely, bright, and talented daughter.  (Yes, I guess I'm a bit prejudiced here.)  And Allison is her very gifted and innovative friend.  Together they have created this colorful and inviting shop.  I hope you will take a moment to stop by and look around.  Maybe even order some earrings in the color you need for that new outfit you just bought!


Wind and Honey Creations

A day of Memories

Last week was the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S. Traditionally it is a national holiday of thanks. But for me it has also become a time to think about what I have to be thankful for in my personal life. I try not to get so caught up in the feast and preparations of the day that I forget to be thoughtful and thankful.

This year we had planned to spend the day at the home of extended family. Two days before Thanksgiving Day, our plans changed and my daughter and I made a quick list and trip to the grocery store. All other tasks were put on hold while we baked. For the first time in many years as we set down to the table, it was just the four of us. Rather than feeling like the setting was lean, I found it to be quite nostalgic. I looked around the table at the faces of my 20 something kids and remembered the year when they were 6 and 9 and we celebrated this day with just the four of us. We did team baking that year also.

The kids and I have found community in the kitchen since they were preschoolers. We baked together for holidays, for many homeschool projects, and sometimes just for fun.

I've included pictures of the pies my daughter made this year - pumpkin, pecan, and apple,cranberry, pecan (a new one this year). And also a picture of her baking bread for her Grandpa's Christmas present when she was 2 1/2. She had a little help from her Daddy that day.