Whispers of Grace

Pink Speckled Gladiolus - Velvet Lime Girls

Our studio garden is filled with whispers of grace lately. Soft-petaled, dew-kissed flowers greet us each morning with freshly washed faces and delicate smiles. Some arise from dreamy slumber and others meet the day with a nice long stretch.

"Dreamy" Impatiens - Velvet Lime Girls

"Stretching" Impatiens - Velvet Lime Girls

A few wake-up with perky, petite faces. Bright and alert at the first ray of sun.

Asparagus Fern Flowers - Velvet Lime Girls

Miniature Hummingbird Bush - Velvet Lime Girls

And some just saunter around for hours in their pink slippers and pajamas.

New Guinea Impatiens - Velvet Lime Girls

Oh, do they know how beautiful they are?

Even the hardly-ever-noticed-ones, like the diminutive lavender flowers, shyly lifting their faces along sprigs of thyme. Who even knew flowers this exquisite nestled among thyme?

Thyme Buds - Velvet Lime Girls

Thyme Flower - Velvet Lime Girls

Thyme Flower - Velvet Lime Girls

We think The One who created them knew. He knew about every-single-little-detail.  And this attentive care is a mere shadow of the attention to detail that He lavishes on you.  He actually says you are far more beautiful, far more valuable, far more exquisite than any of these flowers.

Even if you wear your pink slippers and pajamas until noon.

Split-Second Morning Glory - Velvet Lime Girls

You are so beautiful wrapped in grace,

The Velvet Lime Girls

"You surround me, front and back... I am beautifully and wonderfully made ..."  

Psalm 139

Living in Full Bloom

Living life in full bloom is the best way to live.
We've been doing just that this summer in our studio! 
The art tables are full of flowers and treasures from the garden and they've been bringing a bounty of nourishment to our souls as well as our palate.
                 

We've also had the lovely hum of grandchildren in the studio this summer. Their petite handprints covered in paint, original works of art and occasional sprints across dew-covered grass have brought in a fresh breeze of giggles and inspiration to our studio.

                                         

These tiny finger-painters, bubble-chasers, feather-finders and gigglers really know how to live life in full bloom! They find joy everywhere and squeal in sheer delight over the tiniest little treasure...like this soft, delicate bird feather nestled in the leaves.

These little ones who dance around so carefree and light have brought new insight into what living life in full bloom is all about.  They find joy, treasures and giggles in the ordinary, everyday rhythm of life.
  
The free and light pitter-patter of these little ones in our studio is a beautiful reminder of one of our favorite quotes:

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?  Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.
Matthew 11:28-30 The Message 

So we hope you'll take a moment today to rest, relax, laugh, (maybe even chase bubbles) ... and begin to live your life in full bloom. You are so beautiful in full bloom.

Living free and light,
The Velvet Lime Girls