How It Got It's Name

The Merry Fox, that is.  It is named after my grandmother.  Her name was Mary Alice, we called her Mama Alice. She was born before 1900 and lived to be almost 100. She was a very pleasant woman who enjoyed playing the harmonica while the grandkids "square-danced". She came from a family of pastors and preachers. She played the piano and organ for her church. She also endured many hard times. However, she remained faithful and true in spirit. Her favorite saying was "Trust in Jesus and obey and He will lead you all the way."

I'll write more about her in future posts. Meanwhile I hope you enjoy the paintings I post.  I really appreciate your comments!

Spring is a Wonderful Time of the Year

How I love Spring! The new growth of leaves on the trees hides the bareness of winter. Lawns sprout up with wild flowers -- wild violets, Easter flowers, little buttercups, tiny little daisies -- yes I know some call these weeds especially when in the lawn, but to me they represent the newness and freshness of the Spring.  God's promises of what is to come.

Dogwoods are blooming.  The magnolia is beginning to show buds. The red maple is shining and showcasing its blooms.

Some say that when Spring is in the air, so is love. My love for my family is always present. And so is my love for God.

A watercolor I painted. I hope you enjoy my small messages and my paintings!
Have a great day!

God's Gift to You

Many of us know the saying "Your talent is God's gift to you, what you do with it is your gift to Him." 

Is art my "talent", or is it my desire? Maybe my talent was to be a good mother and wife. Maybe my talent lies in my bookkeeping skills that keep my bills paid, or spotting good "sales" that keep my bills low.

Aren't these all talents? Does one talent pre-empt another?

What if you feel your talent isn't appreciated by others? Does that mean you have no talent in that area? NO! Being appreciated by others is a good feeling, but is that honoring God? Using all of your talents is honoring God. That's all. It is between you and Him.

Let all of your talents shine! God Bless You!

H.A.L.T.

Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired -
Before making any decision, stop and think with this little word, HALT, especially if you are feeling stressed out, hungry, angry, lonely or tired.  It is easy to allow our emotions to affect our decision-making and often that is not good! It has really helped me in the past and present.

Actually, I really am a homebody. And, now, most of my decision making involves what to make my husband and myself for supper and more importantly what color do I paint next!! I love to experiment and am always looking for more ways to dabble.

Yesterday I accepted an invitation to go photo-shooting with a friend. We drove about photographing buildings, trees and whatever hit our fancy. It was a great outing! And really put me in the mood to paint!

Here is an old barn that I did on location  on one of our earlier jaunts!

Thanks for stopping by - Have a great week and do some exploring!!

THE GRASS MAY BE GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE...

But, it still has to be mowed. Often I see others works of art as better than mine. I am not jealous, well maybe a little ;)...but mostly I see the flaws in my own works.  In striving for perfection, the greener grass, I often destroy what was working. Helen Van Wyk used to say make it, break it, and make it again. I enjoyed watching her tv shows! I'm not sure she was talking about the tiny flaws that I see that most do not.

I wonder how many of us look at our flaws, our imperfections, as giant craters instead of concentrating on what is right with us. What we have, what we can share, what we can do for others.
Enjoy today!

A GREAT SONG

“It is no secret what God can do, what he has done for others he’ll do for you."  A great song. What does it mean though? Is He going to make me strong, like Atlas? Talented as Michelangelo? Showing one of my works in progress to a friend, she said she could only draw stick figures. She has many talents that I don’t have, including sewing . I cannot sew a straight line! I have to spend several minutes setting the machine, and then very slowly stitch. It becomes very tedious, so I limit what sewing I have to do to mending.



I receive lots of compliments (although never too many!!) on my art. Yet, I see the flaws. I know that I will not achieve perfection so I just do the best I can do. That is how I try to spend my life also, doing the best that I can do and leaning on God for the rest. His saving Grace is available for you also.

A portrait of Love:

Have a blessed week!

WHAT PLEASES HIM

Boy that is a title that will bring 'em in - LOL. 

When I struggle to find the words that He wants me to write, I pray.  Sometimes all week a word will jump at me and I know that is the key to write about. Sometimes I don't get that feeling. Then I wonder why He isn't directing me. Does He want me to quit writing? Does He expect me to find the words?  When my mind goes to questioning I remember Philipians 2:13, God is working in you for you to do what pleases Him. He is going to be working in me for a long time.

IDLE BOATS

Idle boats, like idle people, provide no pleasure.