Marvelous & Holy

You see a painting & it's beauty - it doesn't take a brilliant man to know that a painter created it. 
You see the earth and it's intricacies of design, the perfect workings of the human body are evidence enough for the existence of an Intelligent Designer. 
Consider the human eye: it is made up of more than two million working parts - TWO MILLION!  The eye is a ball with a lense on one side that has a light sensitive retina made up of rods and cones inside the other. The lense itself has a sturdy protective covering called the cornea that sits over the iris which designed to protect the eye from excessive light. The eye contains an amazing watery substance that is replaced every four hours, tear glands that continually flush the outside clean, an eyelid that sweeps the secretions over the cornea to keep it moist, and eyelashes to protect the eye from dust. On top of that EXTRAORDINARY muscles are attached to the eyes that instantaneously move the eye and shape the lense at the same time for the function of focus.  Did this amazing piece of complex machinery come together by some mindless process & random series of accidents?  Atheists have to muster up the faith to answer, "yes" to that question. I don't have enough faith to be an atheist. [alwaysbeready.com/Charlie Campell] In speaking about the human eye, Charles Darwin (world renowned proponent of Darwinism, natural selection, & evolution) says, "The eye to this day, gives me a cold shudder. To suppose that the eye [...] could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree."  Even Darwin knew there had to be something, or rather, Someone greater.
It seems so simple to me to KNOW that there is a Creator.  
Another example for you: 
"You could leave the barren side of a mountain exposed to wind, rain, the forces of nature, chance and millions of years of time …and you would never get a Mt. Rushmore, let alone a living, breathing human being. Why? It takes intelligence. You need intelligent intervention. [It took 400 intelligent workers fourteen years (1927-1941) to carve those four faces. And George and Abe just stare at you. They don’t talk. They don’t smile. They don’t do anything. How much more intelligence would it take to create a living breathing human being? Good question.] As Dr. Norman Geisler points out, it would take great intelligence to create a robot that operates like a human, and it would take even greater intelligence to create a real human being. No one alive today would believe that the faces of Mt. Rushmore came about by millions of years of... erosion, wind, rain and undirected random acts. And yet atheists believe that real-life human beings with… 206 bones, 640 muscles and hearts that beat over 100,000 times a day…are the product of a mindless, random series of accidents. This is foolish." (Charlie Campell)
And even greater truth, this one is my favorite, that this Creator - that created the vast mountains & fields & oceans & everything in them - this Creator created ME in His image.  I bear the image of Christ!  Christian, how encouraging to us!  He could have made the beautiful mountains or the deep oceans in His image, but he chose to make US like Him. I simply cannot contain such amazing news.  I am in complete awe of my God's love for me. "Oh love of God how rich and pure, shall forevermore endure.  How measureless and strong, the saints and angels song we sing, HOLY HOLY!"
How can you not believe, I ask you?  Or rather, how can you believe & keep the news to yourself?  We only have one job, and that is to go forth and make disciples of ALL nations!  Whether that be leaving the comfort of our own homes to tell others, telling our neighbors while checking the mailbox, or moving to a third world country, spread the Good News!  Jesus, perfect and without sin, came to this earth and took on the image of man.  Not only that but he came without reputation.  He dwelt among us and yet even those who SAW Him denied Him.  I will not deny my Father, nor keep His reputation quiet.  He is the author of my life, the designer of my physical being, the lover of my soul, and I am made WHOLE because of Jesus' atonement on the cross. He died and rose again so that I can go to heaven - that's good news enough!  I get to go to heaven and be with Him forever!
Challenging myself to "make disciples" today and everyday.
"Oh God be my everything, be my delight. Jesus my glory, my soul satisfied!"


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Back Porch Refresh

For the most part of our time here at the Oleander house, our back porch has been less than desirable.  With our herb garden growing larger and larger each day the sun rises, we decided to move it closer to the kitchen (instead of having it out front) so that we could have the visual reminder of using it!  I also have been slowly cleaning and reorganizing the garage so a few pieces have been dumped and a few repurposed.  This baker's rack is my grandma's and I can't seem to part with it so I put in on the porch to serve as a new home for my herbs (and a few other collections)!  I like that my plants have a sunny new spot, although the end of their lives is much more imminent now..... hopefully I will get a dining set out there soon so we can enjoy the crisp fall evenings that we have been so blessed with!

Vintage Storybook Painting Series

As I make a mad dash to the end of the week, I have had very few hours at my actual paying job.  I am a little bummed about this while I watch Pete running around like a chicken with his head cut off, and me not working at all, however, he assures me that it's okay.  He's too good to be true - really.  

Anyways, with my time pretty freed up (aside from applying for other jobs, cooking, cleaning, laundry, church, etc...) I have been trying to scramble as many items as I can for my upcoming show!  For those of you who have yet to hear, and I'd be shocked if you hadn't - I am in another art show this Friday!  To find out more info just click here!  Also, the reason for this post, almost forgot, is to show you my newest painting series.  I have always loved vintage children's picture books and have taken a liking to them even more so in my recent travels through cyber space.  Here are a few my newest paintings.  I think they would be absolutely adorable in a nursery, playroom, or even a "grown-up room" - why not add a little whimsy to your life?  Without further ado I bring to you.....

The Meek Mr. Fox

The Lonesome Song Bird

And All The Family Gathered 'Round

(Comments & Critics Welcome)

Chicken In A Blanket

Now now now - before you go accusing me of publishing repeats (cheesy chicken pockets) just read a little further - har dee har har.  These little babies are VERY different from my cheesy chicken pockets.  Cheesy chicken pockets involve chicken cutlets, mozzarella cheese, and tenting with toothpicks.  Whereas chicken in a blanket is much more kid friendly as far as preparations go and includes a different kind of cheese - cream!  Here it is so hold on to your hats!! (randall original recipe)

RANDALL SCALE
Grocery........................$10-20 depending on chicken prices
Skill Rating..................easy, a kid could do it if mama turns on the oven
Serving Size................family of 4-6
Prep Time....................about an hour from start to finish

INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz. cream cheese 
• (do not get low fat or your dinner will taste like low fat = ish)
• "The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook." -Julia Child
• 2 T milk (doesn't matter what kind, just to make it a little creamier)
• 3 cans of Pillsbury butter flake crescent rolls
• 4 pre-cooked chicken breasts shredded (skinless & boneless preferred)
• be sure not to overcook them, you can even under cook them a little as they are going to continue cooking in the oven. 
• cook them in an olive oil coated non-stick pan on high heat to get a little bit of a skin on each side, turn down heat to medium-low and cover - this will ensure tender breasts that are easy to shred and not arduous to handle.
• S & P to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix cream cheese, milk and shredded chicken until well combined.
2. S & P to taste.
3. Pop open crescent roll cans and form dough into shape pictured below.
4. Grease baking sheet.
5. Preheat oven between 350 & 375.
6. Spoon heaps (like lime sized, bigger than a golf ball) onto middle seam and form blanket by pairings corners a & b together and pinching shut.  Then take corners c & d and wrap, smoosh, pinch til all the guts are closed in and nothing can escape.  Be sure to completely seal your blankets!
7. Place on baking sheet 3-4 inches apart, they will get to the size of a baseball so be sure to leave adequate space.  Bake for 12 minutes.  Remove from oven, top each with a dollop of butter, put back in oven for additional 5 minutes or until blankets have reached an all over goldenly delicious hue.  
8. Pair with rice pilaf, salad, or nothing at all, this piece can stand alone.
9. Enjoy!

painthesky creates!

Here's a few of my newest additions!  If you are interested in any of these pieces please come out to CANVAS 6 that is taking place in just a few short days! (11-5 from 8p-1a)  I will be selling these and many more little treasures.  Also, for those of you who cannot make it out to the show or live, perhaps, kind of far - like another state - please let me know if you see an item you would like to purchase.  Otherwise, whatever doesn't sell will be put up on my etsy shop for anyone else to buy.  Thanks for your support and enjoy your harvest weekend!

Old & New Marie Antoinette  

Bows 'n Ice Cream Feathers

Golden-Rose O'clock

Applecore? Acorn

Key To Turquoise

Leafing Love

Junk Food Junkie

Rosie Republique Francaise 1608

Dearest Rustic Chic

Green & White Twirly Swirls

Fetching Tulle Tool

Hand-Sown Mint Green & Gold

Holy Pumpkin

Last night I was at the ladies bible study and had the pleasure, and I mean pleasure, of indulging into one of these babies.  Let me just say this to wet your whistle - if you don't know what a whoopie pie is you are missing out and will be sorely mistaken if you don't try this recipe out.  Not only is it appropriate for Halloween and Thanksgiving, but it actually tastes like fall!  To persuade you further, know that I am not a sweet lover when it comes to baked goods.  I generally don't have an aching for cookies or ice cream or pies or cakes, but this particular morsel caught my attention.  It is just so so good, so please, just eat it.  Don't look at the butter & sugar & all that jazz - JUST EAT IT!  You know you want to.  On another note, IKEA has their fabulously famous Christmas ginger snaps out and ready for sale in the cutest holiday cookie tins.  I already picked up a tin and will probably buy more as gifts - great little salty-sweet cookies. Mmmm mmmm mmmmm.  (I realize this statement is somewhat contrary to me not being a sweet lover, but these  cookies are more like ginger crackers so there.)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, 1 stick melted, 1/2 stick softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
• 1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt
• 1-2/3 cups flour
• 4 ounces cream cheese, chilled
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

Get ahead
Freeze the whoopie pies for up to three days.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment 
   paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar 
   until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, 
   1 teaspoon vanilla, the baking powder, the baking soda and 3/4 
   teaspoon salt. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour.
3. Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon, drop 12 generous mounds 
   of batter, spaced evenly, onto each baking sheet. Bake until springy 
   to the touch, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with
   the cream cheese. Add the confectioners' sugar and the remaining
   2 pinches salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; mix on low speed until 
   blended, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy,
   about 2 minutes.
5. Spread the flat side of 12 cakes with the cream cheese frosting. 
   Top each with another cake.

Better Than New!

There is this fantasmic little joint about 15 miles down the highway from where I live.  It is only open on Wednesdays & Saturdays from eight to noon.  It's not often that I get to go down there because I usually am working on either or both of those days and because it's a little bit of a trip I am not usually motivated, but today I had a friend go with and it was tons of fun!  The conversations from the older ladies that run the place are entertainment enough. However, the loads of neat vintage and "nearly new" items that are fairly priced and hard to find put this place over the top.  It doesn't look like much from the road, but oh the treasures you can find if you have the time to dig!  Today I snagged quite a few nifties pictured below.
My favorites being first: two awesomely awesome "train cases" i.e. suitcases.  These are perfect for art shows because not only are they adorable, but you can pack all of your supplies in them while you commute!

chocolate brown & ivory in color and true to their name: nearly new!

The reason I actually went today was to snag a few items for an idea I saw on a blog entitled Red Velvet.  The tutorial seemed easy enough, so I have decided to give it a go and use them as displays for an upcoming art show I am in on November Fifth!  Here's the supplies I gnabbed!  

Some pretty little vases you say?

Some antique china? 

Put em' together and whattaya get?

Homemade, unique, and charming cake stands!

I just love them to bits!  I can't wait to epoxy them together and set up all my handmade jewelry and hair accessories! Are any of you doing any DIY yourself projects?  Anyone gettin' busy with some hot glue or even the serious gorilla stuff?  Do tell!

P.S.

Don't forget to stop by Canvas 6 on November the 5th!  I will be a featured vendor (blushing) and hope to see you there!  Plus, there will be so many actually talented artists that will be sharing their amazing work so stop on by!  Here's a link to tell you more info!  Also, bring a friend!