Peace In The Pieces

God's ART!

2011-09-01T14:20:00.005-03:00

The Master Artist - how magnificent are HIS creations!
The Heavens are HIS handiwork!!!

And the SEAs .....

Flowers -

I trust these pictures have been a blessing to your soul!

Resting in HIM,

Ruthie

Winter Wonderland!

2011-01-20T14:48:00.006-04:00

Just thought I'd post a few winter pics...

I'm not much of a winter fan but I do love to see the snow staying on the trees and bushes

The BIG tree beside our deck!
A view from the deck looking down into the backyard...

Another view from the deck down into the back yard -

Looking out towards the road...

Snow covered trees -

And last but not least - here is my Teddie-boy!

Have a wonderful day ... only 2 more months until the first official day of Spring - not that I'm counting or anything!

Blessings!

Resting in Him,

Ruthie

A Summer Mish-Mash!

2010-08-04T12:37:00.014-03:00

Here is a sampling of the photos I've taken this summer... It has been an incredible summer so far weather-wise! Lots of fun with friends and family!

The other morning I awoke to the cattle in the backyard... I didn't get a picture of Mr. Bull - he was long gone by the time I had my camera in hand! Probably a good thing! This is April and Moses, our 2 newest additions.
These are the 2 mommas! There have been some rainy days -

And magnificent days -
These pics were taken at Stoney Island beach - about an hours drive from home... when we arrived there my 7 year old granddaughter exclaimed, "This was worth the drive." I am in full agreement with her.

This is Port Maitland Beach ... a much closer beach ... the one we usually visit.

And of course, - Flowers!!!

The Western sky - from our deck!

I hope you have enjoyed a peek into my world -

I am so blessed to live where I live; to have the family and friends that I have!

God truly is a good God and I praise HIM!

Blessings on your day today!

Ruthie

Winter Artwork...

2010-03-26T17:17:00.006-03:00

I read somewhere the other day that "doodling" is art! So - here is some of my winter artwork!

I can't NOT do it! Hope that makes sense! I have always wanted to "draw" or "paint" - maybe someday I'll take a lesson or two! :)

Hope you enjoy what you see here! If you haven't tried it - give it a shot! You will feel totally relaxed in the process!

Here is a teardrop and the bottle that God collects them all in!

One of my favorite foods is pizza! I've never seen one quite like this however.

The shape of this one is taken from a plate I have that was my moms - I remember her using the plate when I was just a youngen.

Here is my library!

Yearning for Spring!
Some swirls!

The KISS!

An Onion!

Circles & Flowers...

Happy Spring!

Ruthie

BEADING Fun!

2010-03-15T17:42:00.008-03:00

HEY!

This is March Break week and we have company.... daughter and granddaughter for most of the week. Such fun! We have been doing some beading.... hope you enjoy this pictoral peek into some of our beading projects!

This is 7-year old Madison's bracelet! She chose the beads and the colors, and mom helped her start and finish the project! Great job!

These next four were made by Angela-Rae.... I think she's found a "hobby" she loves to do!

This is a magnetic bracelet!Here are my current projects!

Thanks for stopping by this place where I share the things that bring me joy and peace in this crazy world! I hope you too, have things in your life that do the same for you!

Of course, the biggest blessing for me is having these special girls home!

Blessings and Hugs!

Ruthie

Snowball Teddie!

2010-01-19T11:44:00.006-04:00

I just have to share this! This little fellow (a Yorkie) is such a joy - he is just too cute sometimes! Oh, mind you, there are times when he and the big guy (our Border Collie) get together that they get on my last nerve.... but when it's just him and me ... well, He's my buddie!

We had major snow yesterday .... today the sun is shining and the snow is melting. He was out on the deck earlier this morning and had his head buried in the snow and came up totally white!

Here they are a few pics of his morning escapade!

Covered in snow balls!

I had to put him in the sink and spray warm water on him to melt the snow. He couldn't walk ... he was jumping around like a rabbit.... quite funny!
Here he is after ... getting dried off.

"Ah! Thanks Mom!" --- do you suppose that is what he is saying?

And here he is now, after that big ordeal - resting in the sunshine!

Hope you got a chuckle out of this pictoral view of "A Morning In The Life of Teddie"

Blessings and hugs! Ruthie

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T12:27:00.006-04:00

Greetings everyone!
Over the past month I discovered a new-to-me "artform" called zentangling.... the resulting "doodles" are called zentangles. [Zen = relaxation; tangle = doodle]

Go figure! Doodling as an art form! However, it IS very relaxing and releasing; and peaceful! I'm lovin' it! Today I am going to share some of my creations with you! Hope you enjoy your peek here! May the New Year be good to you!

Here's my hand and then one with Madison's 7 year old hands!

I love to draw hearts so of course I've done a few of these ... I like this one the best!Next you see a couple of "winter" flowers .... I so love spring and wait each year for the flowers to pop out of the ground!

Christmas was so awesome this year! Roads were great for travel - we spent time with all the family! As I reflect on the Birth of Jesus I have to think about the reason He came to earth ... His purpose was to go to the cross for me - for you! Christmas began that great journey of LOVE. How thankful I am!

The rain pelted down one night while we were at my daughter's - all that was left of the snow in the morning were a few white pathces here and there. That picture inspired this "doodle"!
I try to give a title to every doodle but just couldn't come up with one for this so .... it remains "un-named"!

This next one has to be my favorite - I love adding color!

We watched the fireworks in Halifax on TV at midnight New Years Eve! Of course, this doodle was inspired by that! I started it just before midnight and finished it on the 1st of January 2010!

Then yesterday - January1, 2010 - I took the tree down and put away all the decorations; what a sense of satisfaction when that is accomplished for another year! When order is restored!Inspiration hit me again!

All my storage of "stuff" is upstairs - did you notice the "stairs" in this one?

I hope you enjoyed you're journey here today! Have a blessed New year!

May you're hearts be filled with Peace ... in the midst of all the pieces!!!
Ruthie

2009-12-09T13:45:00.010-04:00

Our Christmas tree has been up for about 2 weeks or so ... I so enjoy the serenity that I get from having the tree lights on and no noise in the house... maybe some soft music playing!

I thought it would be cool to share some of my favorite Christmas "ornaments" with you all. My style is certainly eclectic - I do not have a "themed" tree - Hey! Maybe I do! The theme is "all those things I love!" I like that and I'm stickin' to it!

This birdhouse was made for me many years ago by my "baby" brother - he died from melanoma 13 years ago this past fall! This birdhouse has always had a special place on my tree - front row and center! He loved the birds as much as I do - maybe more! - he actually raised peacocks, doves of all kinds; and other "strange" birds. I miss him - but Praise God! I'll see him again some day! WoooHooo!

[didn't mean to go all sentimental on yah.]

This "ball " is also something he made... I have other "pieces" around the house that were from him ... he loved to work with wood as well - somday I'll show you some of that stuff!I really like the old fashioned Father Christmas ... I had 2 of these; however, our Buster (Border Collie) got hold of one this year and he is no more! {The Santa, not the dog! LOL!}

This one hangs high on the tree so he can't get at it.

My life-long career was in the Nursing field ... first in acute care, then long-term care, and for the last 25 years of my career in Nursing Education! I feel very blessed to have had the opportunities I had over my career to help people and to teach and ... so much more! This was a gift - isnt she cute?

Here is another one! I graduated in 1970 from a 3-year diploma program - in those days we wore white uniforms and caps with our black bands - my, we were proud of our caps! Had to have the cape too! I can remember walking with my uniform and cape, feeling such a sense of pride in my chosen profession. I sometimes think that is missing today. And I know it has nothing to do with the uniform etc, etc but something has been lost over the years. She looks just like I did 40 years ago!

I also adore angels... I have no biological sisters but the gal that made this angel for me - so many years ago has been my "sister" for almost 40 years... [Love yah, Myra! ]

Isn't she beautiful?

This large glass ornament is so simple and yet so elegant...
I met my now hubby 14 years ago this month ... he gave me a candle and a couple cardinals for Christmas... here is one of the cardinals - maybe that is why they are so special to me! It wasn't until maybe 3-4 years ago that I ever saw a real live cardinal and I love them! I feel that God is blessing me everytime I see one!
I could show you so much more - if you are still reading and looking - thank you for that! Here is our tree...

I have a nativity scene that I display each December. It is ceramic & I painted all the pieces to it... here are the wisemen!

If you would like to see a picture of the whole scene click on the link below - it is the header of "This Is The Day Rejoice" http://thisisthedayrejoice.com/

Thanks for visiting with me today!

Wishing you a blessed Christmas filled with joy and peace and love!

Ruthie

Life On The Farm...

2009-11-11T12:28:00.008-04:00

Here is a pictoral view of life on the farm - for me!
This is a beautiful morning view from our sunroom! We see gorgeous sunrises [ of course one has to be up in time for that! :0 ] and the most magnificent sunsets!

This is an old tree that was growing here when we arrived a little over 11 years ago. It only blooms for a week or so - in early August - it is just gorgeous!

Close up view of the "flowers"...

We no longer have train service to this end of the province; the old track was taken up and the trail passess thru our property - here is a little girl and her dog walking on the 'track'!

Believe it or not, the best squash in the county is grown right here!
Here's 'the man' checking his crop!

Animals - of all shapes and sizes!

Free-range chicken!
This guy is just tooooo cute ... but he's also nasty to have around. How can anything so cute be so destructive, I wonder? I can just imagine he's saying "who are you?"
Roses blooming on October 31 - have never seen this before! and they are still in bloom today!(November 11)

Here's the farmer and his 'side-kick' taking a much needed break!

An escaped pig!

Pickles!!! Ummmmm!

This one missed the slaughter - Somebody brought some 'chickens' for hubby to slaughter and this one got away! I wonder if he's aware of how fortunate he is at this moment!

And - last but not least - here is one of those magnificent sunsets! What a privilege to see such evidence of God's glory!
I hope you enjoyed this tour of our simple life - although there are many days when it certainly does not feel simple b/c of "stuff". May you be richly bessed today!

Resting in HIM,

Ruthie

Beads, Beads, and More Beads!

2009-10-30T09:40:00.006-03:00

Good morning!

This morning I want to share some photos of my first (well, not really first - probably second) attempt at making jewellery. I am an amateur in the best sense of the word ... and am doing this for my own pleasure - and to bless others with gifts! So look out!

I'm having a blast with this!

Here are some of my current creations!

Hope you enjoy!

My new watch!

And finally - A Salvation bracelet: using crystals of 6 colors: black = sin; red = His blood; white = purity; blue = Holy Spirit indwelling; green = new growth; yellow = heaven!

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

Have a wonderful day! Isn't it beautiful out! Cool and crisp and fresh!

Thank You Lord, for this day!

Ruthie

Itsy-Bitsy Spider ....

2009-08-17T20:00:00.005-03:00

I am not a lover of spiders - what they do fascinates me but I find them kind of creepy .... they don't freak me out or anything like that - I just don't like having them around! :)

The other day I went out to take some pictures of my flowers - this clematis in particular ---

and there was Mr. Spider weaving his web ... he didn't like me disturbing him and tried to scurry away but I managed to get a few pics. Try to appreciate his individual "beauty" and his awesome skill!

Blessings on yah! *Ruthie*

He's Home! :)

2009-07-29T20:30:00.005-03:00

Well!
I picked up my new puppy today... he is just adorable... all 1 pound and 5 ounces of him! LOL!

The lady who had his mom and looked after her and the pups since birth, is having a hard day today! The other male had already gone when I arrived to pick up JT. As I thanked her so much for providing me with this opportunity she began to cry! So - guess what? There were 2 of us crying then!

I've had JT outside for a little run on the deck, and at another time around the yard. He's had "supper" and has slept a lot! Of course, he had some cuddle time! :0

Buster - Kev's 7 month old Border Collie - who is soooooo handsome - met JT at supper time... he wasn't quite sure what this little thing was!

Here is JT sleeping in his crate...
Here is Buster wondering what this contraption is and what is that in there?In this one they are looking at each other...
I then picked JT up and held him so Buster could introduce himself to the little one!

Hope you enjoyed!

I promise not to bore you with lots of pics of the dog (s)...

Hope you've had a great day!

*** HUGS ***

Ruthie

After The Rain!

2009-07-13T10:56:00.008-03:00

Hi all!

Today is another day "after the rain". We've had a lot of these days this summer... the gardens are suffering from being too wet! I went out this morning and took some pics - here are a few of them!

A Rainy Rose:

When I was young we were told that when there were lots of these"dew webs" on the ground it was a sign of the sun coming out bright and strong... I only found this one today so .... guess it'll stay damp and cloudy. :(

Here are a couple more! Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by! ***** Ruthie *****

A Beach Day

2009-07-05T22:42:00.006-03:00

The other day I spent some time walking on the beach with a friend and her grandson - we had a great time. There was a gentle breeze; it was slightly overcast; the water was cool but bearable - and it was just such a good time! These are a few of the pics I took...

Have a wonderful day!

May it be filled with moments that take your breath away!

Hugs!

Ruthie

Photo Challenge #40 - Up Above

2009-07-01T17:41:00.009-03:00

The Current Photo Challenge at SCS is to "look up" and take pics "up above" - as I looked thru my photos I found I had a few...This first one is of myself and my daughter lying in a hammock (taken 3 years ago!) and the second one is the view we had from that hammock! It was a beautiful summer day spent with aunts and cousins!

This next one is a view of the sky on a Saturday not too long ago... isn't the color gorgeous?

Here is one of the Farmer's Market sign ... I used a zoom so the perspective may not be as it would be if I had just taken it showing the height of it!
These next two are taken from our deck - one during the day, the next one at night....
both with the same branches in the forefront...

Here is the peak of an old building in the downtown area.

Hope you enjoyed these... we're heading out soon ... see you another time! Blessings! ............ RUTHIE

Gary's Chickadee's

2009-06-26T17:04:00.005-03:00

Hi Everyone!

Here is a repeat photo from fellow amateur photographer - Gary Russell - this is a bird house in Gary & Myra's backyard with a mother chickadee sticking her head out of the little hole...

One morning this past week Myra called and said that mom and babies were out, and had flown to their patio ... she gave me a "play-by-play" of their antics ... while Gary snapped these pics. Hope you enjoy them! Such awesome little creatures! They actually watched mom gather food and feed them; as well as saw them at their first attempts at flight! How cool is that? This little guy is on the edge of their patio table - doesn't he look like he's "hangin' on for dear life", hoping a big wind doesn't come up?

This next little one is under the table - don't you love the look on his face? I can almost hear him saying, "Mom. Why are we out here? It was so nice in our house? What's up?"

I hope these bring a smile to your face and a joy to your heart! May you give thanks for the little blessings God sends your way every day! Have a great weekend!

Blessings on yah! ....... RUTHIE .......

FLYING Creatures

2009-06-21T14:30:00.007-03:00

I just had to show off this funny-looking fellow! What an amazing creature... just a moth! But oh! so beautiful in construction - and all I'm looking at is the outside.

Every year we see the most strange looking moths around our place ...this is the first of many!

Here he is on Friday p.m. clinging to the window screen of the shop.

Then Satruday noon he was on our backdoor... do you see the "hearts" on his wings?
This one is taken looking down on him - so I could get a view of his face... I'm sure people driving by must have thought I was a little carzy as I was perched almost upside down to achieve this! :)

Doesn't he have an "interesting" face? And look at the"hairiness" of his head and "legs"
I hope you have been as fascinated by him as I am!

This noon - Sunday - when I arrived home from church I found him caught in a spider web. :(

May you never forget how awesome each creature is ... and how magnificent the Creator!

Have a wonderfufl day!

Peace and Joy!

Ruthie

Beautiful Flowers of The Season

2009-06-17T09:25:00.006-03:00

Good Morning on this beautiful sunny morning!

I so love this time of year - when it isn't even officially summer - and everything is regenerating; it seems like I see new flowers around everyday! Here's just a sampling of them!

The familiar Lilacs - they give off such a wonderful fragrance... although I have recently had someone tell me they are OK outside but can't stay in a room where lilacs are as they are allergic to the smell.

The Japenese Quince -

Columbine -

The Iris - This flower doesn't last very long - isn't it beautiful ? And so intricately made!

Hope you enjoyed!

Blessings!

Baltimore Oriole

2009-06-08T00:26:00.005-03:00

Here are 2 great pictures of this beautiful bird ... taken by a friend - Gary Russell.

Gary and his wife live in town - about 10 minutes away from where I live.

The other day she called me to say they had seen this bird in their back yard!

I have never seen one and was as excited as they were!

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Ruthie

A Day With "The Girlfriends"

2009-06-05T09:34:00.010-03:00

I can't imagine life without my "girlfriends"!

Yesterday - June 4th - was a beautiful day! The Ladies Bible Study Group went on a "field trip" - as we do every year at the end of the season. We "frenchied" and we shopped and we ate!

Look at the size of that salad...

After lunch 4 of us walked on the beach for over an hour! It was wonderful!

Here are some pics of the beach!

Footprints in the sand!

The wonders of it all!

Heading home!Hope you enjoyed this glimpse into a wonderful day! Blessings on yah! Peace and Joy!

Ruthie

It's a Bird! It's Plane! It's a Squirrel!

2009-06-02T16:38:00.008-03:00

What a beautiful day this has been!

Even tho it stays a little chilly I have had the patio doors open to fill the house with freshness!

Of course, the birds are singing and having a great time at the full feeders.

I just happened to look outside a little earlier and saw another visitor at my feeders - a young squirrel. This is not the best picture in the world b/c I took it thru the window ...

please forgive the fuzziness of it.

He did run away when I went outside... ran under a shrub and just stood there looking at me... wonder what he was thinking!

He was pretty tame - I was able to get quite close to him without him running. He was just too cute! However the squirrels are a nuisance - and when you live in a old farmhouse like we do you don't want them creeping inside! Nor do I want them eating the birdseed!

Here are a few more of him on the deck and his friend in the tree!

Thanks for peeking in here! I hope you enjoyed your visit!

Blessings on you today!

May there be Joy in your heart!

Ruthie

Ducks In A Row!

2009-05-28T23:02:00.005-03:00

Do you have all your "ducks in a row"? I venture to guess that most of us don't most of the time!

Well this Momma sure does... I took these pics at a friends house the other day. They have 2 families of ducks nesting and growing in their pond! How cool is that!

Enjoy!

Ruthie

Do You Have the Time? #29

2009-05-22T09:42:00.011-03:00

Greetings on this beautiful day!

I have been having great fun with my camera.... and have some interesting photos to show you over the next little while .... I will NOT post regularly to this site! I don't have the TIME to do that ... but will post as led to do so!

This is another SCS challenge from a while ago ... I love this area in town on the waterfront... When my granddaughter was very small we went there one day to walk and for her to play and she called it "going to China" ... all I can figure out is that the structure reminded her of something she had seen in a book re. China! She would say to me on later visits, "Can we go to China, Grammie?"

The parts of this clock you see here were in the old firehall tower when I was a child .... I don't remember if it rang in the morning but I do remember that it chimed at 5:30 every night!!! Supper time! Time to "close up the town" I guess... things were much different then than they are today! More peaceful and laid back; lots of family time; stores only open one night a week; local butcher down the street; local fish market around the corner; the local banker and pharmacist knew you; bought chees right off the block!; you found a pond outside to skate on in the winter; I could go on and on! Guess my age is showing, isn't it?

Oh my! Where did all that come from! TIMES sure have changed!

BUT - Praise the Lord! - He is in control of it all!

Here are some pics...

Hope you enjoy!

Ruthie

My Moms Teacups

2009-05-17T20:04:00.009-03:00

These teacups belonged to my mom. I love these for their vibrant colors! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

This last one here was an inspiration to me... it was the first one I photographed and it inspired the colors for a card I made { http://rainbowkreations.blogspot.com }

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings!

Ruthie

Feeding Time!

2009-05-17T03:00:00.001-03:00

I keep a bird feeder or two going year 'round! I read the other day that the feeders are for me :o - not for the birds ---- They will find food, as that is an instinctive thing for them. They are so precious to me and so much fun to watch that I can't imagine not having them around! Of course, I have been taking pictures of them - still trying to pin down Mr and Mrs Cardinal......they are pretty quick and I haven't had the patience yet to sit long enough I guess! BUT - one of these days!

I took some pics a few weeks ago of the chickadees. Here is one fellow with a seed clutched between his feet... and then just the shell! Hope it was good!

How amazing they are! One of God's little creatures!

They are "Blessings In Disguise" to me somedays!

Have a wonderful day!

Smiles and Hugs!

Ruthie

Photo Challenge #16 and #33

2009-05-16T12:12:00.007-03:00

This is too amazing!
Or maybe I'm just a silly old woman!

Yesterday I was in Splitcoast Stampers, posting to my card gallery and I noted a section re. photography - of course, I had to investigate it!
I found the sites of some amazing photographers out there!
I decided to participate in a couple of the challenges! Just for fun! :O

Well! Here is the result of that! Another blog - go figure!
But Hey! I'm retired so I can do as I want, aye?

The first photo is for challenge #16 - "Around the House"...

And these last two are for the "Go Vertical" challenge #33 ...

Thanks for peeking in! Enjoy your day!
Ruthie

PS - the picture in my header is of a stained glass window in a Hotel in St. Louis... this is the Hotel where I and a couple friends stayed when we went to the Joyce Meyer Women's Conference in 2007... what a grand city this is! Wish I could go back with my NEW camera just to take some pics of the old architecture there! Awesome!It is now June 2nd and I changed my header today so thought I'd add the stained glass window here for you to see.