To All My Blogging Friends - Merry Christmas

For Unto You A Child Is Born - His Name Is Emmanuel!

The Birth of Jesus

Well somehow I have missed almost all of November so I decided to put together pictures for the words I missed...enjoy!

For the month of November there will be WORD PROMPTS to look deep into your being and reflect on being positive!  

Week 45: Grateful

Grateful :filled to the brim with feeling the appreciation of kindness;

                 :thankful

Don't stress, some times its as simple as a quiet cup of coffee on the morning drive to work.  

I am grateful for my two granddaughters and the wonderful parents they have. 

Week 46: Faith(ful)

:loyal, constant, and steadfast.

:having a strong belief 

The toughest thing to do sometimes is have faith.  Faith in yourself, your path in this big crazy world.  We get so down on ourselves and its tough to climb out of the hole.  This week we will focus on being full of faith and  happy with our everyday lives.  

I am faithful to attend my church, First Baptist of Lake Rousseau where my cup is filled each week. 

 Week 47: Hope(ful)

feeling or inspiring optimism about a future even

:a person likely or hoping to succeed

What object, person or place signifies hope for you?

I am hopeful that my son will finish college.....he is working hard and I am proud of him!

So there you have it for the last three weeks. Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Til next week....hopefully......

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life - Week 43: Your Favorite Color.

We are getting down to the wire and this week to finish out October's theme of Color,  its all about YOU!   What is your favorite color?  Do you have one? a few? Are you a warm person or cool? Is it all black and white with a few grey areas?

Oh, well, anyone that really knows me, knows my favorite color is PURPLE. Yes, I like other colors...aquas and bright colors. But PURPLE has always been my favorite.  I could have loaded this post up with TONS of purple "stuff" but I think you get the picture. And        speaking of picture....here is my offering for PURPLE!

      And yes...my wedding ring has an amethyst in it!

     By the way....I am a warm color person....but I still love PURPLE!

For more great colors, check out the links below.

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus on Life 2014 - Week 42 - The Color Of Evening

This week our challenge was to capture the "golden hour" or that time of evening between total light and total dark.  I really didn't have a place around here that I thought would work so I asked my daughter who is an up and coming photographer to take some in town for me.  She took one of her friend playing her guitar with the sun behind her.  I did brighten it up a bit and put a "soft touch" to it.  Came out pretty good! For more beautiful evening pictures check out the links below.

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 41 - A Punch of Color!

COLOR!!!!

That is what our challenge was for this week....COLOR! And here are my offerings for COLOR!

All from my yard!!! For more COLOR, check out the links below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life - Week 40 - COLOR

This week Sally tasked us with photographing COLOR.  This is the perfect time for it.....but here in Florida, we don't really get the beautiful fall colors that people up North do. But I did go around and take pictures of my flowering Bromeliads, and some ground cover "weeds". And then a single picture of a seed pod from a Magnolia tree.  I never realized that when the red seed popped out what was left behind....

The close up pink, purple,yellow and white pictures are the stalk flowering bromeliads and then I have the star bromeliad. The close up of the stalk flowers look almost fantasy/ethereal/sci fi......

And I did check the "weed" flowers, there weren't any four leaf clovers....:-(

I can't wait to see what others posted.  So enjoy my pics and then check out the links below for more!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 38 - One & Week 39 - Hands

To catch up with my weeks as they just seem to be flying by, last week's topic was ONE....hmmm...one what...I did think about it but just didn't get to post. So I thought ONE...since I am a child of God, I have ONE GOD, and he gave me ONE Husband. I don't have a picture of God but I do have a picture of my husband...He is the one God gave me and I love him to pieces.

For this week, out topic was hands....again, hmmmmm, but I did go through my pictures and find ones where with out hands, 1) I wouldn't have been able to take the pictures, and 2) with out hands what is going on the picture would be. We use our hands for so much...sometimes I think we forget....

I couldn't model my green ring, or hold the stick for the Parakeet to sit on and eat. My daughter wouldn't have been able to give me the thumbs up, my son wouldn't have been able to play his game while holding his niece, or in the little pics at the bottom, show expression by throwing ones hands up or tell the bird to come closer.

We do so much with our hands, with out them I wouldn't be able to type this post. So I am glad God created us with hands AND feet....lol

For more great hands check out the links below.

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 37 - Windows

Well I can't believe September is here and the year is almost over....the time is flying!

This week Sally challenged us to do windows....I haven't been anywhere lately that would have had nice windows....It has been a stay at home week.  I even looked through some of my older pictures and couldn't find anything.

So, I took a couple of pictures of the window I look out of each day as I sit at my desk and work on the computer or do my jewelry work.

My bird feeder is there and in the corner behind me, is a birdbath. I love watching the birds and the squirrels that run and fly in my yard.

So with that, my window on the world!

Over the year I have posted the birds, squirrels, and wildlife I see from my window. It isn't much to look at, but it helps keep me grounded.

For more great windows see below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 35 & 36 - Outside and Door

Well I am a week behind again....but being retired makes you so busy.....seriously!

But for week 35, it was for end of summer and out side. So my husband and I and my son, Nicholas, were running errands in Inverness, FL and I have always wanted to stop at this little park just off the main highway.  It is called Cooter Park because the turtles in the pond are called Cooters.  And there are a LOT of turtles in the pond. There is a wooden walkway out into the marsh area and pond that you can walk around and gaze into the water and believe me, beside the couple of alligators, there were lots and lots of those cooter turtles. And fish too. So after we walked around a bit, it was hot, I got my son to pose by the turtle statue depicting the Cooter Turtles.  After lunch at Panera's, we headed home before the well known after noon showers hit.

For this week, I thought....DOOR???? That really threw me....I hunted through picture upon picture, even back a couple of years and NO door. Do I was really challenged by this one. Now my desk with my computer sits in the dining area, NEXT to the kitchen. After jumping on my son to quit standing in front of the refrigerator and just gazing inside, it HIT me. REFRIGERATORS have doors! And in my house, it is probably the most used door.  SO I decided to use my refrigerator door as my offering for this weeks challenge. As you can see I have "stuff" on it, held with all those cute magnets one tends to acquire.

 



For more great doors check out the links below. Hopefully I will be on time next week. Til then...

Veralynne

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life - Week 34: About the Ground

Well...I made it on time...whoot, whoot.....

Of course here in Florida, the ONLY thing outside on my ground are ANTS, ANTS, AND MORE ANTS....and some fleas...

So I decided to post some OTHER pictures that have been taken in my yard over the past several months...They include, THE GRASS, bugs, flowers, a bird, a Gopher Turtle, spiderwebs with dew on them, and the black and white is the ground in my front yard after a rainstorm.

So this is what is in my yard when there are NO ANTS...lol.

For more great "About the Ground" shots...check out the links below!
And thanks for looking!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life - Week 33 - The View Of Above

Well most of this week has been rain, so I haven't really been outside to " Look Up" but I do have pictures I have taken recently.

One is of my grandson Tyler, and my granddaughter Elfie "Looking Up" and then there is the one from Gatorland where the bird seems to "Looking Up", so I used those along with some sky shots.....

It does look like today though we might get some sunshine...so maybe I will go outside and "soak" up some rays....

Have a great day and week, and check out below for more wonder views of "Above".

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life - Week 31 & 32 - Outside

Well...I guess summer must be really passing fast, I missed last week, I don't know what happened to it, but it up and flew by......Anyway, for week 31 it was Outside the box......I had no idea what to post for that...but then I found some pics of a game my son had to create for his college class. It had to be totally non computer or analog as they say. It is a game he created, with a little help from me...... where it was kinda like checkers but the rules were different....it was hard for him to do this as he is a computer junkie.....so we brain stormed to come up with this game...so this our THINKING out of the box...

For Week 32, it was Fresh Air.  I haven't really been out much, because in FL it is HOT and I don't do HOT very well, but I am posting a couple of my grandkids outside, and one of a butterfly in my garden and a picture of one of my little gardens, and then a couple of storming weather which we do get a lot of here in Fl this time of year. 

For more great OUTSIDE pics, check the links below. Thanks for looking!



An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life- Week 30 - 2014 - Celebrate - YOU

Wow....celebrate me....this one really left me in a quandary...I know we as women tend to think of ourselves last, which is what causes more sickness, and illness, (I think) to over come us. We are so busy thinking of others, and what we need to do, get accomplished, that we forget ourselves...

So I figured what better way to celebrate myself than the people and things that mean the most to me!

You've seen them before, my family and my jewelry....if I were to go to meet the Lord tonight, this is what I would want to be remembered as.....Wife, Mom, Grandma, jewelry designer and ME!

For more hop over to the others listed below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 29 - Celebrate - Sweetness

Wow, almost missed this one.....really need to put my calendar where I can see it better.

Sweetness...sugar, candy, family moments, family pictures....lets see what I got......

Granddaughter #1, great niece, cousin 3 times removed, great nephew, great niece, and granddaughter #2..

Now how is this for sweetness.....

For more sweetness check out the other links below.....

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life Week 27 & 28 - Celebrate!

Well with all the festivities last weekend, I didn't get the chance to post...so here is my post for Week 27, celebration. It is a german chocolate with cream cheese/maple syrup icing, topped with crumpled bacon!

My son wanted it for his birthday in May so I made it...Wasn't bad!

Then for Week 28 - Celebrate the season - to me it is green growing things and those are in my gardens...

I love my gardens...though I see with all the rain we have had...I need to do a bit of weeding...lol.

Hope you enjoyed your time with me...til next week...."Celebrate, Celebrate, Dance to the music......"

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 Week 25 and 26 - Colorful and Free Space

Well I got caught up with LIFE again and missed last week so I have to catch up again. So for Week 25 for colorful I have....These are from a design program on my computer done to music....I love it!

And for Week 26 - Free Space - I SEE YOU!!!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life - Week 24 - FUN

Ok...well this was tough as I am usually behind the camera....so I thought about it all day, and since it was a rainy day I couldn't go outside....I am to "old" to jump on the beds....so I decided...ok, let's just clown around....just doing different types of clown faces....it was hard, because my son was taking the pictures and we were just cracking up so hard....but without further ado....here are my fun clown pictures...

My son and husband were cracking up so bad it was hard not to do the faces...so enjoy...and have "FUN".


For more check out the links below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 21,22,23

Somehow the weeks have just gotten the better of me and I have missed the last two weekly posts....though last weekend we were away on a mini vacation in Kissimmee, FL to see my daughter's boyfriend's graduation (yes, he has long hair at the moment, longer than usual, as he was just in a school play as Willy Wonka where he did an excellent job of acting and singing, and needed the long hair.  Is getting ready to join the Navy in Aug!)

and visit Gatorland where my daughter works....

and just kinda of relax..

.

So I will do my best to catch up.

For week 21 we were to fill in the blanks....


At or In the _mornings_,   I  like to go take pics of the flowers or birds in my yard....

For Week 22 of course is What is in Bloom....well, this is what is bloom in my yard...

And finally for this week 23, being silly...I don't know if my picture is silly, but maybe brave....but my kids were being silly!!!!!

so there you have it...for more great shots, check out the links below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 20 - Look Down

Well, that was easy for me this week. I have another photo blog I follow and in having to take pictures for it, I had to take some of the ground...so I was looking down most of this week.

I have some rain in the street, some birds in the wet grass, a picture of one of my gardens that says it really needs to be weeded, a picture of water in leaves and the water dripping off my car onto the ground.

So it wasn't to hard to get my pics, hope you enjoy!

For more great "looking down" photos, check out the links below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life - 2014 -Week 19 - Good Things Inside

I can't believe it has already been a week since we last posted...I have been so busy with my Bead Soup Blog Hop that the days have gotten away from me.

But when I saw the prompt....it threw me a little, so I started going through my pictures..and I have a LOT of pictures!

As most of you know, I am a nature freak. I love to take pictures of nature and I always seem to have plenty of it out my window! So when I came across the pictures of  this squirrel that just insisted on getting to my bird feeder I knew I had a winner.

It is an on going joke here to see how long I can keep the squirrels at bay from the feeder. Sometimes I win, sometimes they do! This time the squirrel won.

As you can see he scampered up the pole and was able to grab the feeder and after a few spins got it so he could get to the seed inside....I do have a baffle that is suppose to be on the pole, but on occasion, they are able to get it to fall and up they go. And they say animals are dumb....NOT!

So I hope you enjoy the collage I made of my very persistent squirrel! And the jump to the links below to see what other goodies my fellow posters have posted!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life - 2014 - Week 18 In Your (Their) Hands

This weeks challenge was a hard one for me....my "babies" are grown up.....and I have grandchildren...but I wanted to use my kids....

The pictures in the collage are of my middle son, Nicholas and his sister, my baby girl....(sniff, sniff), Sydny.  At that time, two years ago, they were in the Civil Air Patrol. They had both been in for 5 or 6 years. Their dad, my hubby Steve (other officer with jacket on) was also part of the C.A.P. I volunteered as needed, hence, no uniform...

Anyway, these pictures are of them receiving medals and promotions. I don't remember why at the moment, but I look at these pictures and say to myself

 "NO! Where are my babies?" "Where are those little bodies that I used to hug on my lap and give kisses too???? Where are they????" "Bring them back!"

But of course we know that won't happen....SIGH! But in light of today's challenge...I submit to you two of my three "babies"!

For more, check out the links below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 17 - Evening Moments

Well this week's post will be a little short as I had eye lid lift surgery and it is still a little hard to focus with the swelling. Though I can say I am feeling pretty good today. The surgery was Thursday. I laid around all day Thursday and Friday so today I am feeling pretty good. Just being care so I don't over do it.

My end of the day is pretty much the same. I am either watching tv, reading or beading.  And of course I don't have any pics of that...so I do have a dog that doesn't know she is a dog that when she goes down for the night, likes to be bundled up!  Of course she doesn't stay that way, but that is the way she starts out.

For more adorable pictures of end of the day check the links below. Til next week!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus on Life 2014 - Week 16 - Best Captured In Black And White

Well this week is all about black and white...most of us know the song of the 70's by Three Dog Night - "Black and White" and it really fits in well here.  But I am sure that is not what Sally meant.

I don't have no where near as cute a picture as Sally, but mine is different.  Last week we had a pretty good rain storm come through during the night and the next day when I went to get in my car, the sand under it looked like my pictures. Honest, I didn't have to use a bw filter or "Picasa" it..... Not knowing at the time we had "black and white" coming up, I took the pictures as I am always on the lookout for really cool designs and these fit the ticket.

So enjoy my "sand art" then jump over and see the other great "black and white" works of art.

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 15 - A Moment of Focus

This week our wonder host and mentor Sally Russick has challenged us to get a moment of focus.  Her sample is her dog with its head under the couch. But the picture is really up close and personal.

Funny think about her picture, my dog always seems to sleep with her head UNDER something..... the bed, the couch, the night stand, the coffee table....I guess they need the darkness......lol

Since I am in the down hill slide of tax season, I haven't really taken any pictures, BUT, I did get a chance to get outside last Sat and do a bit of yard work.  I have what I call my cactus garden, but that is because it has one large pan cactus in the center.  I was working around it and notice a gecko on one of the branches sunning it self, so I sneaked back in the house and grabbed my camera and came back out and took some shot of him.  He didn't seem to be overly concerned I was there...so I snapped away.  He almost looks like he was posing for me.

He seems so content......wish I could just lay out in the sun.....lol.

For more great moments in focus check out the links below.

Til next week.....

God Blessings!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus on Life 2014 - Week 14 - Frozen Moments

This month we are doing moments frozen in time....to me that is memories....wonderful, sweet memories.

Today though she wants us to post about our morning moments....at this point in my life.....no bottles, no 3am feedings, no getting the kids off to school, just relaxing and waking up with my coffee!  I love it, and if something disrupts my morning routine, well,  I can get crabby....lol.

While I drink my coffee, I do my morning devotions, then on to emails, facebook, etc. I also get to look out my window at the wildlife vying for my attention. This morning...I am being "told" the feeder is empty.....As soon as the dew dries up more I will go out and refill the feeder and put more corn out for the squirrels....such a life....I love it!

For more great morning pictures, check out the links below.....

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 13 - Eye Level

Well this weeks challenge was one of the easiest for me.  I have a window that I look out of all the time to watch the birds and squirrels play in my yard. I have a bird feeder that the squirrels just love to try and climb and get around the baffle I have there to deter them.   It is funny to watch.  Then the birds I have come to the feeder, I have Bluejays, Cardinals, sparrows, doves, Redbellied wood peckers, american goldfinch, black crested titmouse, black capped chickadee,warblers,brown thrashers, and I have seen hummingbirds in my garden.  I also get crows, and ibis in the yard on occasion.  So it can be quite a site out of my window.  Some days it seems like they are lining up at the feeder.  It is funny as there is a pecking order....if the woodpecker is there he is first on the totem pole, then the bluejays and cardinals, then the smaller birds....it is really fun to watch.  Sometime the crows and the squirrels get into little matches to see who can grab what from the squirrel feeder I have around the tree on the ground....lol...

For more great sights head over to the links below..

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus on Life - Week 12 - Expressions

Well...since I have been working I haven't had as much time to get out and get some really good pictures, and even though I work at Walmart...................I don't think they would like me taking pictures....SOOOOO...I hit up my friends and family on Facebook and added some from my stash.  They are my kids, grandkids, nephew and his wife( with mouth piercing), daughter in law, soon to be son in law and his mom....and well just quite the collection......lol....enjoy! And while you are at it check out the others listed below....(good thing we don't have webcams..................)

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 10 & 11 - Checking Out

Well....I don't know where the days have gone...but they were meandering by...now they are RUNNING by and I am having a time keeping up.  Plus last week I had to cover extra shifts since my boss had to be out of town for a funeral.  So by the time I got home, rest was the only thing on my mind.

But for week 10, THE BIG PICTURE, I am showing the tree across the street from me that I watch move through the seasons. It was a foggy morning here, hence, the "veil". I really enjoy watching this tree as I see it from my kitchen window and I love watching it bloom in spring, then full growth during the summer, the losing of the leaves in fall, and the stark branches in winter.  If I were to get close you would be able to see the tiny leaves and such starting to grow.

For week 11 - BEAUTY ALL AROUND, I didn't really have anything current that was beautiful as in a sunset and such. But I had taken a picture of this sign that is close to my house. I see it just about every time I leave the house and turn west on the main street.  I know it isn't awe inspiring in beauty, but it does always catch my eye and it does make me 'THINK'!

I hope you have enjoyed my catching up and getting my "beauty" posted. For more beauty check out the links below.  And hopefully, I can keep on track.  Or at least I will always "think" about it!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life - Week 9: Macro Photo

Well, another month is here....I guess time is marching on....(no pun intended...heheheheh).  Anyway, here in Fl we are starting to see a bit of spring, my nose and eyes can attest to that fact.  Had to get some stronger Allergy med.............but Sally has asked for us to get up close and personal with the outside...not a problem with me, most of my pictures are of outside, if not of jewelry.  So here is my offering for this weeks challenge!

I have this hibiscus plant right out side my kitchen window and it has produced ALL winter long and still is.  I love looking out and seeing 2 or 3 flowers bouncing around in the wind. I could have gotten closer, but you would not have seen it in all its glory.

For more great Macro's check out the links below.

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life - Week 8: Cabin Fever - Capture Color

Color....not this week here....been rainy the past couple of days....did have a couple days of sunshine...but nothing is really blooming yet....so I decided to pull from last spring and throw out some colors....a couple I played with in Picasa and changed the colors around....but they are bright and cheery and I know so many of us need that right now with all the bad weather we have had to endure...

So I give you my offering of color:

For more great shots of color visit the links below....til next week....

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus on Life 2014 - Week 7 - Cabin Fever - Collage of Love

Well, I missed last week...I didn't think it would be so hard, but it was the 1st anniversary of my mothers passing. In fact I missed the same week in 2013. But I made it through...they say the first is always the hardest...and it was. I know time heals so I will be patient.

But this week is all about love.  I did a collage of the ones I love that are still here.  My husband (front and center), my children, ( the girl with red hair at top, and the guys on the right and bottom) my daughter in law pictured with my son on the bottom and my two granddaughters...(left side of pic).  My husband and I are going out for breakfast this morning to celebrate Valentines as I was feeling bad yesterday.  Fighting a cold or sinuses...not sure which...though the pollen here in Fl is outrageous....my car is covered in it even after raining last night.

Anyway....I hope everyone else had a good Valentines and had lots of love.  With all the cold weather I am sure there was some snuggling to keep warm. So spread those love vibes.

For more loving...check out the links below and until next week....Hugs and Kisses!!!!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 5 - Cabin Fever

While I know what cabin fever is...I can say....I haven't had it THIS week.... I work for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service here in my little corner of the world in Florida and I have been hopping.  I am off today and hope to get around to the different blogs. (And as a side note......id theft is on the rise.....even if you don't usually file taxes or are not getting anything back...file!  This way thieves cannot get hold of your identity as easily.  We are getting warning from our corporate office to check, check, check people's ID to make sure who is filing is who is on the paperwork.  Better to be safe than sorry!!!!!)

BUT...of course we haven't had any snow or frigid weather like I have seen on the TV and in the posts from family and friends I have scattered around the US.  While I like snow....I will say I am glad I am in Florida right now.

But even in Florida we get cold temps...and with it FOG. Fog can be dense and ugly to drive in but I took Sally's advice and just stepped out my front door and snapped some pictures.  There are ones looking through the screens where the water is "running" down the screen, I have one where you can see what look like little white caps in the yard, but they are spider webs with dew. Then close up of my plants, "green" that are wet from the fog, and then some long range views showing the fog.  The one with the tree by its self is a tree across the street from me.

So while we don't have snow...we have do have fog and I hope you enjoyed my little show from my part of the world....for more great shots, check out the links below.

And tell next time.....click, click, click...that camera!

Focus On Life 2014 - Week 4 - WORDS

I really sat back and thought about this one.  

MY word for 2014 is "continue". In 2013 it was grow, which I think I did...but for 2014 I want to "continue".

But Sally said "What word speaks to you, makes you laugh, makes you feel good about your being and who you are in that moment.  Is there a word that stands out, you find interesting, you think is fun to say. "

My son who is now 21, comes up with some "big" words on occasion that kinda floor me as I am not used to hearing him say them...but of course I can't think of any right now.

But even though I don't "see" these "exact" words...I love to know when I have new email....my family is so spread out and I belong to so many things, that getting new emails really makes my day.  So I decided to go with those famous words...

Though I do like getting snail mail too!

For more to see click the links below.

Thanks for visiting!