A Peculiar Trip Hastypearl

A Peculiar Trip

Hastypearl

As you know, we have a second home in Redstone, Colorado.

Its been a dream of ours for our whole adult lives.

I cant think of a trip, literally since the mid 70's that I wasn't Euphoric 

about every moment we were there.

For me, it has always been...Remarkable!

We spent 9 days there recently for what would be our last trip of 2015.

This trip held no early plans, 

and following a very busy last trip up for an Art Show that I participated in, 

to be honest, I was really just looking forward to chilling and relaxing.

I mentioned on FB, that I would give a report on our trip.

The wheels seemed to come off right from the start.

Really, not any more than a large percent of travelers 

can testify to in modern traveling, 

but it was a challenging trip up.

Period.

To shorten the story significantly...it just went downhill from there.

The details aren't really important, 

although we humans really do Love to tell and hear details :)

What was way more important to me

...was the Peace that I had during the downward spiral.

Yes, we can Practice it in our personal walks, 

but its really about what happens Inside of each of us,

 at those times.

Maybe you aren't even aware of how Peaceful you are, 

because at the time, 

you are really in the Middle of Gods focused Grace on you...

like the pebble that hits in the circle of the waters ripples.

But when people begin to speak back to you, 

that you sure seem to be at Peace about things, 

you Know in your heart, that its True.

At tough times, we have a decision to make...

Am I going to Collapse?...

Or with my (endless) dose of Grace,

am I going to Push through the "assignment against me",

 as a friend recently put it.  

I'm not saying that I get it right every time, 

but I know that the Spirit of Peace is available to me, 

if I'll take it.

As I was downloading and editing these typical Colorado Fall images,

I confess, that for the first time, 

similar shots that have been covered over with Euphoria, 

are this time, colored by a tinged memory of Challenge.

There are soooo many lessons to be learned, 

just from that last sentence.

Still, they represent a time that I KNEW that even with the things 

that were happening to us...

God Was Still In Control.

Regardless of yours and my circumstances... 

THAT wont Ever Change.

The scripture below, is often reserved for funerals, 

to encourage us when we lose a loved one...

but I'd much rather use it for the Living, 

as it is also speaks of an option for Confidence, 

in Challenging times...

Romans 8:38

...And I am Convinced that Nothing can Ever separate us from God's love.

Neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow---

not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.

Words of life for Confidence 

...even in Challenging times!

Thanks for stopping by.

You know that I love that you do:)

xo Laura

Who Is In Your Tribe? Hastypearl

Who Is In Your Tribe?

Hastypearl

We all have a tribe.

Family. 

Friends.

Co Workers.

Some remain the same in your life, but with others, it can change from day to day.

Some days, I don't see any of those in the list above, but if I'm open, 

it could surprise me who could be a support to me.

I'm fortunate, to have my mother and sister, niece, nephew and kids, 

cousins and in laws, 

that live near by.

As a result, we cross paths with them more.

Mothers Day, 2015, turned out to be one of those kinds of days.

I met my mother and sister and cousin where else...

at a favorite Mexican Food Restaurant.

I ran into some friends from my youth at the restaurant.

Important tribe for many years.

Our garden is in exceptional form, due to surprisingly mild and rainy conditions, 

so I invited them over to my house for a garden tour.

Its fun to set up a special dessert party away from the restaurant...

and I like to pull out my pretty things. 

I love to include hastypearl art work when I can.

This is  Amelia Birdheart.

Aviator, extraordinaire!

I used flowers from the garden for our centerpiece.

I thought they looked great with my Anthropolgie lampshade.

My sister knows me so well.

Referring to a recent blog post that you may have already read, 

she gave me a bag of...

Butterscotch Candy :)

My BIL, SIL, mother and sister, toured with Larry and Darcy Doodle and I.

The weather was perfect for a flowery stroll. 

Finally, we usually end our visits, with a family photo 

that I can share with the rest of my family.

My mother is headed towards 87 and is still entirely independent.

Again, its wonderful to have family nearby.

Tribes change over the years, but your core, 

are the ones that love you regardless.

Tribe times can be easy or hard, but its still wonderful to know 

that there are people to build us and encourage us and love us,

 no matter what.

Tribes take work.

Just because you are family, doesn't mean that you can take advantage.

I hope that you have people in your life, that are worth it even in the tough times :)

If you are a Mother, 

I hope that your Special Day was one you'll remember....

And a message to the Many Women, some my age and some older 

that have served as Next Tier Mothers and Sisters to me, 

I want to say how important you have been in my life.

I appreciate how you have ministered to and fed me.

I wouldn't be the same Without YOU! 

THAT Tribe is Large and Extraordinarily Special... 

and Never stops growing!

As always...Thanks for stopping by hastypearl....

I hope that you will...often!

:) Laura

Mixed Media Bird FUN !!!! Hastypearl

Mixed Media Bird FUN !!!!

Hastypearl

Those of you that know me, know that I love a challenge, 

especially in the studio.

I'm not a very cooperative directions follower, so I confess, 

I kind of like to make things up as I go along.

Last year, I had the wonderful experience of  attending

 the estate sale of a Clock Repairman, closing down his business.

Did I love it...well, I went back three days in a row!

Still, I wish I had bought MORE.

One of the items that he had lots of, were Vintage Clock Cases.

I can imagine that he had taken apart and married 

bits and pieces and ended up with lots of leftover parts.

Enter...Wood Clock Case Finials!

Yes!

I had No idea at the time, that they would end up 

being the bodies to Mixed Media Birds, 

but as you can see...they Did!

With a little engineering, and LOTS OF HOURS...

Joyous Hours, 

this little Flock...was born!

I loved thinking of different characters 

to Anthropomorphosize (take that new word, spell checker)!

 The top bird...Maybe a fine Gentleman?

Perhaps even Downtown Abbey's Mr. Carson? :)

The Orange Rebel with the big black hat below him, of course...

Argggg, Jack Sparrow...(get it?:)

A Caribbean Pirate, of Course!

Under him, Oui Oui...A French Bird with Beret and Scarf.

And here we have Amelia Earhart, Aviation hero, totally comfortable in the skies!

And finally, what group doesn't have a Clown?

Yep, there's Always a Clown.

I wrote lots of details about the creation of and description of this Crazy Crew

 over at my Hastypearl Etsy shop!

I hope You will take a look.

I'm having a ball in my studio these days!

If you have a character that you would like for me to custom make for You, 

You can contact me on the right side of this posting, 

or convo me through Etsy!

I love working with customers:)

Keep me in mind for your 2015 Gifting Needs!

I love that You stopped by!

And Hope that You will again, soon :)

Enjoy these Wonderful Days....

Laura aka hastypearl