One of my favorite verses is “And we have known and believed the love God has for us. God is love.” I John 4:16. Knowing and believing God's love remains a lifelong pursuit of mine. It was the love of God that brought my husband, Evan into my life in 2006 at the age of 41. Inscribed on our wedding bands is “God is love, 1 John 4:8” along with our wedding date, 6/30/07. A friend recently shared this amazing quote with me from Mark DeJesus’ book, Exposing the Rejection Mindset, “What if you knew your were fully loved,
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Me and RVAA President Margaret McGovern
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Having fun creating paper collages!
Thanks to my immensely talented, kind, and creative friend, Diana Patton for taking these pics!
"When it All Falls Apart: How to Recover from the Loss of a Loved One"
Audio Message by Dr. Carol Ministries
I follow Dr. Carol's "Relationship Prescription" podcast, and found today's episode's about grieving helpful.
If you're dealing with the loss of a loved one(s), check it out. (This link takes you to her webpage. You will have to click on this title once there.)
Audio Message by Dr. Carol Ministries
I follow Dr. Carol's "Relationship Prescription" podcast, and found today's episode's about grieving helpful.
If you're dealing with the loss of a loved one(s), check it out. (This link takes you to her webpage. You will have to click on this title once there.)
Special Guest Photographer: Harry Jakubowski (Dad) • I join the family!
I was scanning a sleeve of Dad's slides yesterday that included images of family events in the spring/summer of 1964. I don't remember ever seeing these, and once again, am blown away by the "time capsule" images of our young family, my childhood home in Glen Burnie Park, MD, our relatives, and surprisingly-- my pregnant (with me) Mom! Dad took these pictures using a manual Voigtländer Prominent Synchro-Compur 35mm camera, which he (apparently) obtained during his college years in the 1950s. By the 1980's when the popularity of Kodachrome (slide) film ebbed, and I believe he moved onto a higher-quality Nikon, Dad gave me the Voigtländer to use when I took photography classes in high school. Photography was definitely something we had in common, and I wish Dad and I could have discussed photography more. He had quite an eye, and many of his photos (below) are stunning. Whenever I look at our young family, I find the 'baby' pictures of my brothers John Christopher (now 56) and Douglas (deceased) especially adorable!
Easter 1964 (John Christopher holding Mom's hand, Doug in her arms)
John Christopher's 2nd birthday
Guess who's the extrovert and the introvert? (LOL)
Happy Doug (I remember taking baths in this sink!!!)
Trip to Washington Zoo, summer 1964
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25 year-old Mom looks hot and tired! :(
Me looking into Mom's beautiful face
Me, my brothers, and cousins Linda (holding me) and Ellen
From left: Uncle John and Aunt Dorothy with Linda and Ellen, Baby me with my paternal grandparents, Stanley & Barbara, and Mom and boys
(I realize this post is less specifically about Mom, but wanted to share these photos.)
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.)
(Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so these shots were taken with my flip phone.)
 "The Capital was designed in the American Renaissance style by Philadelphia architect Joseph Huston, who envisioned the building as a 'Palace of Art'." (Text from brochure)  View from the gallery of the House Chamber, featuring the 35 feet square mural, "The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania" by Edwin Austin Abbey |  "Architect John Huston borrowed the Capital Rotunda's features from the Paris Opera House, including the Grand Staircase and three-tiered gallery."  In 1902 Violet Oakley was the first woman artist to receive a large commission for adorning a capitol building in the United States. Her incredible forty-three murals (created over 25 years) are breathtaking! |
"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.'"
'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).
  It was a fun and inspiring trip, and has me interested in writing/illustrating children's books again! |   |
For more by this crazy talented artist, click here
A friend recently asked me if I'd read Ann Voskamp's book "1000 Gifts". She said it wad a great blessing to her during a difficult time in her life. I went to Ann's website and came across this page with the video below.
B E A U T I F U L ...
B E A U T I F U L ...
This is Wanda B. Goines. At the time this video was filmed she was 92 years old.
She calls this poem “The Gift Wrap & The Jewel“. The words are printed below.
She calls this poem “The Gift Wrap & The Jewel“. The words are printed below.
| I looked in the mirror and what did I see? But a little old lady peering back at me. With bags and sags and wrinkles and wispy white hair And I asked my reflection, "How did you get there? You once were straight and vigorous And now you’re stooped and weak. When I tried so hard to keep you from becoming an antique!" My reflection’s eyes twinkled and she solemnly replied, "You’re looking at the gift wrap and not the jewel inside, A living gem and precious of unimagined worth, Unique and true, the real you, the only you on earth. The years that spoil your gift wrap with other things more cruel Should purify and strengthen and polish up that jewel. So focus your attention on the inside, not the out, On being kinder, wiser, more content and more devout. Then when your gift wrap’s stripped away Your jewel will be set free, to radiate God’s glory throughout eternity." |
 My friend Susan Miller wrote this precious poem about Mac. We LOVE it! To see more of Susan's writing, visit her blog at Sue's Nook She participated in National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) during the month of April! Way to go, Susan!!! | Mac's Entreaty by Susan Witmer Miller Guilty you say? You think 'twas me? I'm as innocent as can be-- Waiting patiently here for you To play like you usually do. Chewed the couch? You think I'd do that? I suggest that you ask the cat. He's been acting guilty today. Look for him in his hide-a-way. No, this isn't my guilty look. I'm just posing for your next book. Get out your pencils and you pen. Write a scene and then draw me in. |
Thanks again, Susan!
Allie Taylor’s “Through Her Looking Glass”
Raspberry Peach Almond Shortbread Bars
(Click here for recipe)
 | I found this recipe on Allie Taylor's awesome blog, "Through Her Looking Glass" Check it out! These are super-easy to make and super-delicious! I actually used blueberry jam instead of raspberry... very similar to another recipe from Allie-- Pecan Crumble Blueberry Shortbread. YUM! |
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