Do you think it is possible, that the fashion designers who created this outfit...

and this outfit...

and possibly this outfit...

and maybe these food labels...

got their inspiration from this perfectly designed seagull?

Today, fashion, décor, stationary, and the beauty industry are using the colors seen here.
My uncle captured these pictures on the beach in Florida, yesterday.  My immediate
thought when I saw them, was the questions above.  Did they copy this exquisitely
designed little creature?

Upon close scrutiny of this picture, I find myself marveling at it's beauty and it's intricacy. 
Amazing!

If man did copy nature in it's color styles of today's world, they did a smart move, because
I think the crispness of the gray, white and black, is so attractive!

(photo from evolutionofstyleblog.com)

It convinces me that God truly is a master designer, and His creations add so much to
our everyday world, quietly, and without fanfare.  I must admit, this is the first time in
my sixty years, that this particular thought came to my mind.  Hence, I share this
"little something" with you today.

But, I will say, I am thankful that other bright colors do exist too.  If all the world would
be gray, white and black, we would long for color, wouldn't we?

Thanks to my uncle's photography, and the photos from Google.

A Saturday morning miscellaneous post.

 

A few of my recent winter favorites.

 

 

Tiny orange "Halos".  Our favorite dessert/snack!  So small, so flavorful, and so sweet!
This is what I found lining the wooden table by my husband's recliner, late last evening:)
He says that he is eating them for his health.

His special Saturday morning breakfast...French toast made with the "Archer Farms
Raisin Cinnamon" breakfast bread from Target.   Yes, it does have a bit of melted butter,
but remember, he had the "Halos" the night before, so it all balances out...or so he says:}

The wreath was a gift to me from my daughters, this Christmas.

My middle daughter created it for me, and I think it looks so nice

hanging on the big wooden mirror at my back door. 

It was a new project for her to tackle and I like the textures and the

touches of glitter she added to it.  What a special gift it is to me!

 

The slice of black walnut wood that my brother cut from a tree recently.

It looks so good on my kitchen island.  "Anthropologie Stores" have

wood pieces like this for sale, but mine was a gift.

 

The new sunflower drink cover that I was given.  It does a great job of keeping my morning
coffee hot.  Since "hot" is how I like my coffee, this new gadget works for me.

 

Recently, I sat at my sister's table, for a Christmas dinner, and she had

created these beautiful favors.  She took an empty jar, painted the lid gold,

drilled a hole in the top, and installed a crystal knob from "Hobby Lobby".

  She had a gold and white name tag tied onto the front of it, and had

it filled with a sheet of white tissue with gold designs on it, and a few

pieces of chocolate candy. 

 

 

Now, it adds a touch of pretty to the vignette in my bathroom, and

is filled with cotton balls.

 

When I just do not have time to wash my hair, this new product

sure does the trick.  I read about it and it's rave reviews, so I tried it.

Now, I am recommending it to you.  An inexpensive and effective

alternative to hair washing when time is of the essence.

 

This sleek new EOS container of raspberry hand cream that I now

carry in my purse.   My hands seem to get so dry over the winter.

I like how it does not take up much space in my purse, and I

really like how it makes my hands feel.

 

As for the Nivea lip product, I like that too.

At the drug store where I purchased it, they had light pink and

sheer coral. 

The color is sheer, and the moisturizing is soothing.

In my book, it is a fun new product!

 

 

I like the "Night Owl" coffee sign that I was given this Christmas.  I added it

to my kitchen coffee table area. 

 

Yes, I do have a small area of my kitchen, dedicated to "coffee", my favorite drink.

I close with my thoughts regarding the world situations of this past week.  What in the
world is one to think, when with every news story, it all seems scarier and more
chilling?  Well, today, this story seems to express my heart thoughts perfectly;

"Years ago the captain of an ocean liner took his young daughter along on his run from
Liverpool, England, to New York City.  One night when all the passengers were asleep,
the huge vessel ran into some violent weather.  The wind came sweeping over the water,
and mighty swells rolled across the bow of the ship.  All moveable objects were being
tossed about, and everyone soon sensed the imminent danger.  Many sprang from
their berths in alarm and began to dress.  The captain's little girl, eight years old,  was
awakened and cried out, "What's the matter?"  When told about the storm, she asked,
"Is my father steering the ship?"  Being assured that he was, she put her head on her
pillow, and in spite of the howling gale and crushing waves she was soon fast asleep."
~unknown

Corrie Ten Boom says it best, when she says, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown
future to a known God."

Thank you for stopping by, and sharing in my "little something."

She and her granddaughter spent time creating pottery pieces together at a local studio.
As her granddaughter tackled the pieces of her choice, our friend chose to create
and paint her own pieces.  She carefully and painstakingly created these beautifully
done, unique snowflake designs for her friends.  She explained that she did them
for us, because each one of us is uniquely created, and each one adds different
aspects to her life.  The lovely painted piece sits on my kitchen shelf, and serves as
a reminder of her thoughtfulness and artistic skills, done with love for each of
her friends. 

Very early this morning, I captured pictures of real snowflakes outside my front door. 
In the darkness, quietly and without fanfare they came, covering everything they
touched.  I could not help but take these pictures.

In light of these tiny photographed treasures, I would love to direct you to a

most fascinating article I read lately, about snowflakes.  It was written in

1925, by Wilson Bentley.  You might agree with me after

reading it, that you will never look at the little ice treasures in the same

way again. 

He says, "Under the microscope...every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no design
was ever repeated."  One sentence, but the awesomeness of his words is totally more
than my mind can possibly comprehend.  No two are the same.  Just like no two
fingerprints are ever the same.  Amazing!!!

He also said, "Under the microscope I found snowflakes were miracles of beauty."

You can find his story here;

  http://www.icr.org/article/snowflake-Bentley-science-man-god

 

Sharing a few photos from my part of the country this morning, and a

some reasons that "snowflakes" continue to leave me in awe, as they

fall around me.

"You will never find time for anything.  If you want time you must make it."
~Charles Burton

"Happiness is not a matter of good fortune or worldly possessions.  It's a mental attitude.

It comes from appreciating what we have, instead of being miserable about what we don't

have.  It's so simple--yet so hard for the human mind to comprehend.

No matter what your situation, things could be worse.  Count your blessings and enjoy

a little happiness while you may."  ~John Luther

 

My house is quiet.  First time in a few weeks.  The holidays came and went with record
speed.  My heart holds treasured memories.  I am most grateful for a new year ahead.  I
have always liked clean slates.  I am the one who bought so many new, empty, and
sometimes pretty notebooks convinced that with a new year, I would become the most
organized and efficient person ever!  To make certain that would be the case, I even
purchased a new favorite pen with which to do my new project:)  Then, I don't know
how it happened, but by the middle of February, the new notebook got brushed under
other papers, and the new pen found it's way to the bottom of my purse, leaving me with
a  somewhat discouraged feeling.  Now, at this time in my life, the new notebook and
free flowing pen don't seem as important to me.  No, for me, the importance lies in
taking time for the most important things in front of me, for coming to grips with the
fact that living with gratitude is far better than wishing things would be different, and
for living each day to the fullest.  Maybe it is my age, or perhaps it is the climate of
our world today, but I pray that I begin to grasp the fact that every moment that I live
is a gift, and gifts are never guaranteed.  My prayer too, is that as I live, I share the
same grace with others, that God has shown to me, throughout my life. 

I don't know what you are facing in the year ahead.  But what I do know is that
you all have been a blessing and an inspiration to me throughout this past year,
as you traveled on your own unique, and oftentimes quite difficult journeys. 

Thank you so much for all of your visits here, your kind comments, your encouraging
emails, and your gift of friendship.  It too, is an extra special blessing to me.

Happy New Year to each one of you!

 

We came from three separate states and met at a log house in the mountains of western Maryland.

For all of us, it was our first time to celebrate the Christmas holiday away from our homes.
It was sixteen of us in number, eight adults and eight children aged eight and under.
I will only share a few of the highlights with you all, as there were many during our
short four-day stay.

The table above was set for our Christmas celebration breakfast.  Thanks to the Dollar
General Store, the flashing light glasses added a fun, festive touch.

Gifts were opened, with plenty of help always available.

On a side note, our son-in-law and his brothers recently shaved their heads, showing
support to their brother who is now going through chemotherapy. 

We played many different games, at all age levels.  This was an intensely competitive game
of Monopoly.  Properties were being bought and sold at a rapid pace.

The game of "Charades" was another game that added lots of laughter to our evening
entertainment.

Who knows how many games of Foosball were played.  Interestingly, the little guy
beat the big guy.

Painting and coloring were a constant activity by one or more children.  "Cheese-Its" were
the treat of choice quite often.

Since we live far apart, we needed time to get reacquainted with each
other,  which was especially true with the youngest member of our family.

 

 

Due to the creativity of our daughters, a "nail salon" was set up for three special little girls.
Anticipation was high, and much thought was put into the color selections.
 

 

Time was spent outdoors, walking the trail along the lake. 

 

 

There was even time for short lessons in nature to be given to the younger ones.

 

 

An invitation was extended to a special tea party, where much attention

to detail was given:)

 

 

Matching nightgowns for the girls and their dolls, were part

of their Christmas gifts.

The male members of our family stepped up to the plate (no pun intended) at some
of the meal preparations, and the clean up afterwards. 

Then, like everything in life, it came time to say goodbye, and go our separate ways.  I am
sure we will all treasure our memories of the four days together. 

I hope you all hold some special Christmas memories in your hearts.

Thanks so much for stopping by!