A Song of God’s Majesty and Love…

Every day I will bless You. And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall praise Your works to another. And shall declare Your mighty acts.
I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts. And I will declare Your greatness.
They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.
The LORD is good to all, And HIs tender mercies are over all His works.

Psalm 145: 1-9

Well, maybe the “woe” is too strong a word, but at times it feels that way.

So, let’s see…where do I begin. I think the last time anyone in Bloglandia knew what was going on, here at Brambleberry Cottage, was last year. Maybe it’s time for an update.
Last year hubby was unemployed and much was accomplished around here. We painted and built and worked in the garden. We built raised vegetable beds in the backyard and nibbled on lettuce, radishes, and other yummy veggies.
My new semester started and with it came a new job for hubby. I think it’s a bit peculiar that his job at Boeing ended the first day of my last semester while his new job began the first day of this semester. But anywho, this semester has been both challenging and woeful.

I’m not sure what it is, but every time I’m enrolled in an art/graphics class I feel so inadequate about my abilities to create anything worth looking at…weird, don’t you think? Me too!  Well, this semester I have two drawing classes, a sewing class, and Quick Print on Friday. I love my Quick Print class!!! I love my sewing class!!! I despise my Doodling & Noodling class as well as my Intro to Advertising and Graphic Arts…yuck! Yuck! Yuck. The two classes I despise (another strong and maybe overly dramatic word, I know) are Tuesday’s and Thursdays beginning at 8 am. I’m not sure about the other students, but I think 8 am is way too early to start class. We all shuffle through the door looking slightly catatonic and find our way to our seats.
So, this is where the “woe” comes in. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, my instructor and I seem to be at odds with one another and nothing I do is right.

I’ll bet you didn’t know you were going to have to listen to me whine, did you? Please forgive me as I continue my tale of woe :-).
You may be wondering about my strange little pictures so I’ll tell you what they are. We were given an assignment where we had to create pictures that represented a word out of nothing but characters from 1 font family. These were a few of my finished designs. My instructor was not thrilled that I chose fonts from home instead of the computer lab, but after the fact I remembered that I specifically asked, “can I use fonts from home?” to which she replied, “I don’t think there should be a problem since they’ll be converted to outlines.” I think part of the problem may be that we are both forgetful and neither wants to fess up to it. Oh well, such is life. I keep telling myself to get over it and go on. Easier said then done. Am I making any sense or are you completely confused?

Any way the next assignment really has me stumped and I just can’t seem to get it done. The good thing is I only have 5-6 weeks left then I’ll be done for this semester and hopefully only 1 semester to go…but then there’s more Quick Print classes…so much fun for a girl who loves to print!!!

OK, I gotta run for now, but hopefully I’ll be back sooner than not.
Hope you all have a fun rest of the weekend!!!

xoxo Cori

After the Rains

What is it they say…”April showers bring May flowers.”
We have had plenty of rain this year and it’s been ever so glorious!

This morning, as I wondered through my garden, I noticed all the roses had opened over night.  Almost as if they knew the rains were coming and wanted to bathe their petals in the gentle cleansing drops from heaven. Have you ever noticed how the light is different after a rain?
The sky is bluer, the clouds are fluffier, and the sounds of the earth ring clearer.

Before going out to my garden this morning, I saw the funniest sight through the kitchen window. The back end of a huge possum strolling down the path with a head of lettuce  tucked safely in its mouth. I would have loved to have taken a picture of her (or him), but my camera was in the other room.  Apparently this little bunn missed it too.

There have been two doves coo-cooing in the wisteria for days and I wonder if they’re the same two that fly in every spring. They build a nest in the branches of the vine and the mother patiently sits and waits for the appointed time, for her little clutch of babes to arrive. She is so quiet and still that you’d never know she was there. And no matter what’s going on below she will not abandon her wee ones. It’s amazing how the Lord has created in them a protectiveness for their young. I think we humans could learn a lesson or two from the doves.

I have two classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a 3 hour gap in between so this is where I can be found during that time, daydreaming beneath the shade of the wisteria tendrils, while contemplating the heavens and all the riches they store…and ignoring my homework.
I think this has been the hardest semester I’ve had when it should have been the easiest. My Tuesday-Thursday classes are both drawing classes and drawing is not something I do well, at all!! So, I’m trying to spend time each day doodling and noodling, but that’s another story for another day.

I saw an old friend today

I saw an old friend today.
One I haven’t seen in years,
but each day, every day, I pass her craftsman cottage
on my way to school.

And as I pass by I send up a little prayer
for her and those that are in her care.
I wonder how she is, how her life has been going
as I hurry on my way
and I say to myself, “if I see her tending her roses
I’ll stop to say hello,” but I’ve never seen her there…

Until today. A day when I had to hurry on my way.
Does she ever think of me or even remember my name?
Does she know that I am praying for her
sometimes twice a day?

Some Bunny thinks it’s Spring!

Even though it’s still blustery cold outside!!!!
But then Bunnies are always ready for spring even in the dead of winter.

Last week my friend Nancy and I drove to Riverside to check out the historic Mission Inn…
but this post is not about that.
It’s more about what happened at the end of the day.
Nancy had been wanting a new camera and finally got one for her birthday, so who better to call then her shutterbug crazy friend Cori. Off we went for a day of picture taking, exploring, and just plain ol” fun!
I met Nancy that morning at her mechanic’s in Tustin just across the street from one of my favorite stores…”Whimsy.” have you heard of it? Have you been there? Twice a year, Whimsy hosts one of the most amazing Artisan Fairs filled with, well, amazing artists and their wares. It’s called “GLITTERFEST,” and you guessed it! It’s filled with all kinds of glittery goodness.

(Me thinks this Bunny lady is taunting me with her tiara’s. Do you think she will let me try one on)?

Nancy’s car wasn’t ready by the time we made it back to the mechanic so we decided to venture across the street and visit Whimsy. It’s a wee little store jam packed with all sort of creative wonders and in the back, right out of view of the front door, is my favorite section. I never know what I’m going to find there, but it’s always a delightful surprise. This day was no different!!! 

As I rounded the corner, there she was…all decked out for Spring.
All I could do was stand there and laugh at her ridiculous expression and choice of silly attire. It was almost as if she was yelling at me, “HEY YOU! Yeah you! Come here! I want to show you what I’ve got!! How would you like to buy one of my tiara’s???” Can you hear her too, or is it just me?

Anywho, this spring’s Glitterfest will be held on March 10th and here’s a list of some of the amazing artist who will be selling their wares…
oh! And wouldn’t that be funny if my Bunny lady friend would be there to greet all the guests at the door?? I think it would be most delightful!!