All good things come to an end

Since August I've been working as a floral designer in a fun, rather ritzy shop. All our work is custom, and we focus on contemporary tropical designs. This is in a newly developed area not far from my home. The scheduled worked perfectly into my family obligations, and the pay was sweet. I was using the income to pay for my daughter's college classes which was most helpful to the family budget.

Unfortunately, with the newness of the business colliding with the current economic climate, yesterday we were told the shop was for sale, and it would be the last day of employment.

I was one of three designers, and we were told we'd be called for special events, i.e. weddings, etc. when the owners could not handle all the design work. We were also asked to work the week of Valentine's Day.

So, here's a post of my most recent designs in the shop. I didn't always have my camera with me, but when I did I took photos of my work to establish a portfolio. I'll miss working, creating, and earning. It was fun while it lasted, and I hope to continue this work when the economy recovers. My dream job would be to work in the White House florist shop, or another in-house design center of that scale. Who knows, when dh retires, maybe I take a job working as the florist of a cruise liner, and design at sea. Ahhh..... dreaming here.

New Background

So, what do you think of my new header photo and background?
My daughter, who's opinion I usually seek, but don't always agree with, said she didn't think the photo matched the background. I respectfully, disagree, but wanted to ask you few readers.

If you need a fresh new look for 2009 blogging, check out The Cutest Blog on the Block for lots of ideas, both free and purchased. But, don't forget to let me know what you think of my new nest.

Photo Credit: My husband took this photo early one morning as the sun rose over a nearby lake where he likes to watch birds.

Lamentations 3:22-24
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“therefore I will hope in him.”

My listening ears

My listening ears have been enjoying the Annie Moses Band.

Never heard of them? Neither had I until our church recently hosted a concert. Now, if you've listened to my playlist, you know to some degree the variety of music I love. Everything from opera to bluegrass, to folk and old rock and roll. I love it all! Well, I'm not too crazy about Rap, other than Toby Mac whose a Christian artist who keeps his lyrics focused on Christ to some degree. Back to Annie Moses.......this band helped lead our worship before the concert later on a recent Sunday evening. I was amazed at this family and their amazing gifts of instruments, including piano, harp, and many strings. Annie, the lead singer in the band has an incredible voice, and her mother and sisters are wonderful back-up singers. Visit their site to get a taste of this celebration CD of Christ's birth. Then order it online. It's not only a terrific CD, but includes a DVD of their live performance. They'll be on TV this week too. Check out the schedule here.

What are you listening to?

I saw this anchor on St. George Street in St. Augustine, FL. and immediately thought "Word-filled Wednesday Photo!"   I had my daughter take a picture just for this scripture.   Go visit the160 acrewoods for more Word-Filled photos.  

Oh Happy Day!

We've just returned from St. Augustine, Florida where we celebrated our oldest son's graduation from Flagler College. Yippee!!! God gave this young man a wonderful mind, a great sense of humor, an amazing ability to memorize, a curiosity about the world in which he lives, and a love for people.
Thank You, Lord for these gifts through this son.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Join me friends and pray as this young man seeks employment and God's path for his life.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

After a wonderful Thanksgiving, I worked in the shop on Saturday and came up with an arrangement for the front table. It's done in an over-sized martini glass, and I had fun using some roses and mums and hypericum berries for a festive piece.

Working in a floral boutique really gets the creative juices going, and I love working with customers to find the right custom piece for their needs. I have a large to-do list this year to prepare some things for Christmas here in my home. I need to finish this afghan I'm making for my husband. The colors look horrible on the green pool table, so try and imagine them without the ugly green background. It's really warm as I sit with it in my lap adding row upon row to make it big enough for him to completely wrap himself in it for his quiet time in the morning. He comes downstairs before dawn, makes coffee, feeds the dogs, and sits in his favorite chair to read his Bible, and very soon he'll have this cozy afghan to keep him warm.

One thing I want to make right away is this lovely wreath from The Red Thread. I'll add scripture and a Christmas song and we'll use this for during advent. Now that our kids are young adults and are in and out, we don't "do" advent like we used to when the kids were little. Advent began with lighting the advent wreath and reading through devotions, singing a song, and having a special snack before bedtime. If we're able to do devotions a couple of times a week we're doing really well in our hectic shedule of school, work, evening activities, etc. Sometimes I miss those days when mom and dad were the only ones with a driver's license.

What projects are you working on in your home to make it look like Christmas?

Behold, the virgin shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Isaiah 7:14

Word-filled Wednesday

As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:35

I read this scripture this morning and thought of my son, who is a very patient man. In this photo he's fishing with my husband in a beautiful place not far from his home.

Speaking of patience........our pastor who taught Sunday on Ephesians 4:1-6 on The Priority of Unity said something important about impatient people, whom I can count myself in that category more times than I'd like to, he said, "Impatient people want it THEIR way, RIGHT away, and ALL ways. Ouch. He also said when we allow disunity to exist we're robbing Christ of his glory, who's suffered the ultimate sacrifice. I remember too many times of being impatient with this son, and I need to repent and "bear fruit with patience."

Update: God called me to a test of my repentance, and gave me a chance to do this immediately after I published this post. This son called me and I heard the Lord's voice say, "Here's your opportunity to repent." Thank you Lord!

Word-filled Wednesday is hosted by The 160 Acre Wood. Come visit for more inspiration from God's word.