THRIVE

Thrive … it’s such an encouraging word. It just makes you want to pull yourself up and reach for the stars again … like this little passion flower growing in my garden. She’s growing in a forlorn section of my garden, an area overlooked and covered with weeds. Who would ever think that such beauty could come out of this mess? But here she is, with her perky little head adorned with enthusiasm, dressed and ready to go, as if she’s strolling into a grand gala.

Wow, what an entrance she makes! She barely notices the desolation around her and instead brightens her entire surroundings.

We’re encouraged to live this way. And we can, when our strength finds its roots in the nourishment that comes from connecting with God. Years ago, a psalmist said it this way ... You’re a tree planted by streams of water… your leaf does not wither…whatever you do prospers. Psalms 1:3

So, no matter what surroundings or circumstances you find yourself in, sink your roots down deep, nourish yourself in connection with God... and begin to flourish and thrive again.

Laura

Ballast Rocks

I have a collection of prized possessions in my garden … three ballast rocks from the Outer Banks.

A few years ago, my Dad would regularly dive down and haul these heavy rocks from the waters off Roanoke Island to use as borders in his garden.The rocks are protected today and only the “old-timers” seem to have any in their yards. I admired their beauty and recently my Dad gave me a small collection. According to Dad, ballast rocks were used to stabilize the early ships and counterbalance the stress and strain of wind on the sails, giving the ships stability and enabling them to sail without danger of capsizing. I’m told that these rocks, so essential for safe voyage, had to later be thrown off for safe passage into the new land. The throwing off of the ballast rocks created a lighter vessel that could safely navigate the shallow, rocky waters that encircled the new land and new opportunities. Had the ships held on to the things that had once provided security, they would have never been able to arrive at their destination safely.

Ballast rocks are a great reminder to let go of things…even things that may have brought security… and embrace change. Change that can bring about new opportunities and “new land”. Change that will never come without letting go of the old way of doing things and navigating into new thoughts and new visions.

“Forget the former things.. I will do a new thing.” Isaiah 43:18-19

Laura

Squash Blossoms

Each morning in my summer garden a series of squash blossoms unfurl and show off their bright little faces. They are a fleeting show and by late morning they pull their shades down and close up … the show is over until tomorrow morning when a fresh new group arrives. I’ve learned to respect their timing if I want to catch a glimpse of them in their full glory.

Timing is even more important if they are to be enjoyed as a divine culinary experience … known here in the South as, fried squash blossoms. Umm, just the thought of these lightly crisped, creamy morsels makes me swoon. These beautiful airy blossoms wrap their delicate petals around a savory cream cheese filling, swan dive into an egg batter and then frolic around in a dusting of flour & bread crumbs before they are glorified with a quick olive oil flash fry. Whoa … just brace yourself for the first bite and the explosion of creamy flavor that fills your mouth. There’s just nothing like it … and it’s only found in a rare commodity…fresh squash blossoms.

Timing is everything with squash blossoms. Picked too early, they can’t contain the filling … picked too late, they shrivel and lose the filling.

Squash blossoms are a little like the opportunities God gives us each day… and timing is important here too. Opportunities of giving time, giving a smile, giving an encouragement will present themselves each day and we can fill them if we are looking and don’t let them pass us by. The explosion of flavor from these filled opportunities doesn’t even compare to the fried squash blossoms.

Laura

P.S. Recipes for fried squash blossoms abound on the internet, but if you’d like mine, just send us an email @ info@velvetlimedesigns.com

New Artwork!

It’s been a busy summer for us... traveling, staying home with the kids (and trying to find just one spare hour a day to be creative), swimming, playing....you get the idea. We’ve been busy creating and thinking and planning. And we couldn’t wait any longer to show you some new artwork. Remember when you were a kid in art class and you’d weave paper or make mosaics? (We sometimes get the best inspiration from their ideas!) This is just the beginning...there’s more to be uploaded. And we’ll be offering prints soon on Etsy.

Sallie’s Seeds

A packet of zinnia seeds has slept quietly in my kitchen drawer for almost two years. Given to me by my friend, Sallie, they weren’t entirely forgotten, just neglected by daily schedules… the intent to plant them was always there, I just never seemed to find the time. Early this summer I was thrilled to have a morning free and eagerly clasped the packet of seeds and planted them in the rich soil of my flower garden. Ahhh, … I could just feel their relief to be in their new home … a place where they could flourish and become everything that was hidden inside of them. How amazing that these dry, brittle, unimpressive seeds that I thought might not even be alive could produce the creations that now cover my flowerbed. Brilliant, vibrant, expressive colors with little yellow faces have exploded from these unassuming little seeds. Who would have thought such beauty could be contained inside? It made me think of how God views us …. His little seeds on this earth. Many of us have yet to flourish and become everything that has been hidden inside of us. We need to plant ourselves in rich soil and that takes a little time. This week, find time to nourish yourself with a little time with your Creator. Sink yourself in the rich soil of prayer and reading His Word …. And get ready for the quiet explosion that will come. You are a seed just waiting to bloom.

Laura

A season of singing...

Winter is over ... Spring is here! The daffodils have bloomed and paved the way for lilies of the valley, lilacs and the first roses. Fragrance fills our garden right now and just wraps itself around everything in sight. The promise of brighter days is evidenced everywhere. I love spring and the refreshing covering it brings to all of the harsh winter. There are only more fragrant and beautiful blooms to come and a walk through our garden holds secret little whispers of great things about to come. This classic passage seems to echo the garden voices:

“The winter has past, the rains are gone. Flowers appear on the earth, the season of singing has come” -Solomon’s Song 2:11

Be encouraged today! No matter how hard your winter has been, it is past. A season of singing has come.

*Laura*

I wish....

So here I am sitting today and doing some thinking (oh yes, here comes the brain dump!). How often during your week do you say "I wish...", followed by whatever phrase it is you're wishing for at the time? These are small, inconsequential things, I know, compared to the plight of a lot of people in our country and the world right now...but they are my wishes and I'm writing them down to share with you. They are in no particular order -- well, except for maybe that first one. That one's pretty important in my life right now. These are just how they came out.

I wish

... people used kinder words towards each other...especially to the ones they love.

... things that are SUPPOSED to be easy WERE actually easy and that you didn't have to fight for what was right.

... that dogs aged at the same rate as humans.

... that I could eat anything I want and not gain weight.

... there was an endless amount of time in my day so I could CREATE the art that I want to create everyday.

... I could do more to lift the burden off the shoulders of the people that I love and care about.

... there were easier instructions to get from Point A to Point B.

... my internet connection was always 100% reliable.

... that summer never ended and I could wear shorts and flip flops year-round (without moving!)

... I could go to Italy (and Europe, in general) some day to study in person all the artwork I studied in books.

... I could step back in time about 5 years and change the course of just a FEW things to make it better now.

... that sometimes I could freeze my kids in time so they wouldn't have to grow up.

... that politicians and salepeople would stop calling my house.

... I had more time to sleep at night (maybe that should be GIVING myself enough time to sleep).

... I could close my eyes and be physically transported instantly to the beach whenever I wanted!

... I didn't wear my heart on my sleeve so much.

... I didn't trust people so much to take them at their word. Sometimes it comes back to bite me.

... that I had learned earlier in life to put even more trust in God for everything (I've had some pretty good teachers for that along the way).

... my husband would stop trying to talk me out of that new Camaro that I want (not that we're even getting a new car any time soon...but it's fun to WISH!).

So that's my list...for now. I think my next blog needs to be about what I am thankful for – and that's a pretty good list. I am leaving you with some quick artwork I did. Kind words to share with someone who needs it today. And kind words for the people I love and care about and need to hear it today...they know who they are (at least I hope they do!).

*Marybeth*