Fall, Yes, Fall...aaahhh

Too Soon?

I don't think so!

It's funny, I think about pumpkins and Autumn beginning about the end of July. I mean ...it's on!

I've been sketching so much lately and pumpkins are a favorite subject to explore. In the past few weeks, I've been a bit obsessed.

There are 9 of these sketches available on the website at the moment and who knows?, there may be more before this gets out of my system.

I've thrifted and collected some of the sweetest frames, painted them to highlight these little ink/watercolor pieces beautifully.

What is it about the simplicity of black and white and a fancy frame? Whatever it is, it comes together for sure.

So, I've tucked them into Fall inspired displays, on vintage books, with milk glass, and paired with soft blue canning jars.

Each one has their own look and personality and live together just like a cool pumpkin patch.

Recently, I had taken an old corner cabinet that was painted a blue/gray color and sanded that baby down to reveal the wood tones.

I'm finding the unpredictable patterns in the cabinet finish with the dark frames and the delicate sketches are living together so well!

I'm even thinking some softer orange pieces on vintage paper as well as a print of "Receiving the Assignment" (the raven) in a frame could be a great addition.

I'll be heading outside to cut a few branches from the apple tree to add. ( I like the texture of those branches.)

What is it about just this though?

Super simple

My Favorite Aesthetic

Black-White-Wood-Metal

Lots and Lots of Natural Elements.

I'll be outside gathering sticks and such

Happy Fall Inspired Decorating!

Blessings, Tina

Words and Sketches

"Feather"

I've been an avid and enthusiastic journal writer since childhood.

Even the moments where I'd open to the next page, empty and filled with clean, blank potential and I'd write down a single word or a personal phrase, I considered even that brief activity an official entry in this recording of the day.

Still do

Several years ago, a shift from words an phrases turned into doodles and drawings.

The words that I used to release onto a page became a visual of feelings and thoughts that released something back to me.

This has become an activity and habit that is truly healing and, quite often, like a seed that is planted and nurtured..it grows in meaning and value. Many of these little entries have grown into paintings and they themselves have evolved to have deep meaning to someone else.

In this daily practice, I've learned that everything we do in the daily has the potential to become something bigger and more important than what we could ever imagine as we are routinely doing our thing in that moment.

So, are our habits important? Is our routine simply routine?

or is there more?

Make a mark today no matter how small. It may grow to feed and heal another in a big way.

Blessings, Tina

"A Wise Choice"

I don't know everything, but in recent days, even what I think I know has been in question and in constant review.

The thing is, I am the one questioning and reviewing ...submitting all the feelings before a perfect and Holy God and seeking to be in alignment with His character and rejecting anything that resembles the character of the enemy of our souls. Surrounding myself with those who do the same act of submission. They are wise counsel.

In a world that screams loudly..."This is right!", "This is wrong", "You should do this thing!", "Fall in line here!", "Hashtag this!", "You are this!"............, I see how we struggle, not only to find solid ground on which to stand, but standing strong when it shakes.

The increasing volume of voices of judgement, defining who people are contrasted with the same voices claiming "Hey, you do you", are loud and full of emotion.

One of the biggest words that have sent me to my knees has been the word..."should"

You should do this, feel this, be this, choose this, like this, hate this, and on and on...

"Shoulding" is the new shaming.

All of this has caused this soul to get quiet and get in a place of stillness and do some heart work, ask hard questions and seek real answers that have eternal perspective. Even that wise silence is judged in these shaky days.

With all the chaos, how do I sort out what to receive and what to reject?

What am I called to carry with me into the next season?

in order to make that choice, what's needed is good discernment.

Discernment is the ability to judge well.

The quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure;

an act of perceiving or discerning something (merriam webster)

In the pursuit to discern well, wisdom is the key element.

Wisdom is the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment...

a sense, an understanding of what is good and right ....

and I would add, apart from all the "feels"

If I follow the feels unchecked, wisdom doesn't lead and my discernment is flawed.

So, in this season, where the ground shakes with enemies, both visible and invisible, wisdom must rule my choices.

Choices of what to receive and reject, what to carry or cast out, which voices to listen to and which to invest in and let go of.

I need that true North...the standard, otherwise, I'm just winging it and twisting in the wind, looking for guidance with no compass.

God's standard is Love...

If I allow LOVE, as defined by the ONE who loves fully, ETERNITY, that has been set in the hearts of us all, and WISDOM, that is promised if I ask for it, to be the standard, I believe the voice of truth will guide and direct as wise decisions are required on the choices set before me today.

This piece of art is created in the midst of this season of chaos. She has a quiet confidence as she wisely chooses what she'll carry into the next season of her walk on this side of heaven, but she doesn't hold it tightly or close as she may be asked to give it away. She knows that, as she moves, what she's carrying may only be for this moment and it may not be for her, but she keeps walking in peace knowing that what she needs for the next moment will surely be provided.

This is her walk. No one else can walk it and she's a good steward of what she receives as she travels. This is her assignment and path. Because she knows her Creator has a purpose attached to her passion, she can discern with wisdom and make a wise choice.

In Love,

Tina

James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking NLT