 I loved Joan Walsh Anglund's books as a child, and still do. She's one of my favorite poets and illustrators! For an interesting interview with Joan, click here A Child's Thanksgiving Prayer
by Joan Walsh Anglund O Lord, our thanks we give this Day For family, home and friends, And lift our thoughts in prayer to You From Whom all Good descends
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 "The Nurturing Heart" Brooch by Joy Theda Bjork (approx. 2.25 x 2.5 inches) I met the lovely artist and author, Joy Theda Bjork in the Created to Thrive Mentoring Program, and purchased this beautiful handmade brooch from her. The card that came with it says, "You are His Beloved. Take care of yourself first, then others. Psalm 139" Joy lives in Sweden now, but used to live in NJ! I met her in person recently at the Gathering of Artisans Conference. Contact Joy on Facebook if you're interested in your own 'Nurturing Heart' brooch-- she creates it with your color preferences. She also has a wonderful book, "After Divorce, You Can Live Again" which can be applied to recovering from any traumatic experience. I highly recommend it! My friend Antonina recently shared this powerful quote with me from Brennan Manning's book, The Ragamuffin Gospel. What if you discovered that the least of the brethren of Jesus,
the one who needs your love the most, the one you can help the most by loving, the one to whom your love will be the most meaningful-- what if you discovered that this least of the brethren of Jesus… is YOU? I recently came across Matt Tommey's podcast while searching for Christian artist resources. He offers a boatload of free resources that I have just begun to explore! His outreach is to creatives of all kinds including writers, musicians, crafters, and artists.  Below are free links to an awesome "Gathering of Artisans" Conference held last week in North Carolina, that Matt broadcast Live on Facebook. (I don't think you need to have an account to view.) He offers many more free resources you can access on his website, including his podcast. Click here. Enjoy!!
https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/videos/320083972134773/ https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/videos/1931739053786867/ https://www.facebook.com/thethrivingchristianartist/videos/2265851443648769/ https://www.facebook.com/matttommey/videos/10215117647389179/ For those who’ve experienced loss, you might identify with these quotes from C.S. Lewis’ A Grief Observed, “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear,” and “The death of a beloved is an amputation.” Ironically, on this roller-coaster called ‘grieving’ we also have these powerful promises from God’s Word, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed,” Psalm 34:18 (NLT) and “[The Spirit of the Lord] has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,” Psalm 61:1 (NKJV). Amazing! I purchased a device that allows me to scan Dad’s slides to my computer. I am pretty speechless to see these romantic photos of Mom and Dad, ages 21 and 26. The love and joy I see on their faces is beyond words. These were taken the week after their wedding on July 8, 1960 at the "Honeymoon Capital of the World"--- Niagra Falls!  Outside their beautiful cabin
 Lake view near their cabin?  Fun in town
 Beautiful newlywed I recently attended an incredible guided tour of the Pennsylvania Capitol Building in Harrisburg, PA with the Eastern PA Branch of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. The capital is amazingly beautiful! (Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so these shots were taken with my flip phone.)
 "Designed and manufactured by Henry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930) of Doylestown, the floor is interspersed with close to 400 mosaics illustrating the state's history, animals, industries, occupations, and modes of transportation."  "When Theodore Roosevelt attended the dedication of the building on October 4, 1906, he said, 'This is the handsomest building I ever saw.'" We also got to meet and visit the studios of Jonathan Bean and Lauren Castillo, two incredibly talented, award-winning authors and illustrators at The Millworks. Here are a few of their book covers (below).
 "As you may know, our goal is to change the culture by publishing great books with strong moral values. We do not consider LPC to be a "Christian publisher," although most of our authors and editors would probably call themselves Christians....
 In The Story of With, Arnold introduces the concept of "Kintsugi"-- the Japanese art form of repairing broken pottery with gold. In an excerpt from the book the character Ryder says:
"It's the art of repairing what has been shattered by infusing golden lacquer in the fractured places." "But that just highlights the brokenness." "That is the point. Rather than hide the imperfections, they highlight them by filling the cracks with liquid gold. They view the repaired item as even more valuable, because it is now unique from all other vessels." pp. 148-149 and "The Creator can put the fragments of your life and heart back together with His healing light. Simply give the pieces to Him." pp.154 Wow! I'd never heard of Kintsugi, but I love including gold paper or paint in my artwork. About 20 years ago I completed this fabric collage/paining (above) with gold paint.
“I think I can understand that feeling about a housewife’s work being like that of Sisyphus (who was the stone rolling gentleman). But it is surely, in reality, the most important work in the world. What do ships, railways, mines, cars, government etc exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes? As Dr Johnson said, ‘To be happy at home is the end of all human endeavour’. (1st to be happy, to prepare for being happy in our own real Home hereafter: 2nd, in the meantime, to be happy in our houses.) We wage war in order to have peace, we work in order to have leisure, we produce food in order to eat it. So your job is the one for which all others exist.”Wow-- I love C.S. Lewis! For more about this quote, click here. Let's hear it for homemakers!!  Muwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!  For a fun read, check out the original vampire rabbit: BUNNICULA by Deborah and James Howe
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