C is for Cheers

According the the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the interjection "cheers" has three uses:

O Lord, My Strength, My Redeemer
Oil Pastels, Sharpies, Calligraphy Marker, Watercolors, & Mead Sketchpad
Moo-Mania - Famous People
Creating and Sharing Mixed Media Art
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #347
Eva & Kristin's Paint Party Friday - Week 47 Year 5
Kim's Show Your Face - Focus On Eyes
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday - Week 213

1 - used as a toast to wish everyone happiness, as in "Cheers!  May we all be acceptable in the sight of the Lord."

#thankyou for the Love
Tim Holtz Mini Ticket Die; TH Tiny Things, Travel Ways, & Hashtags Stamps; TH Distress Ink Pads; DIY Shop Crate Paper; Kraft Cardstock; Recollections Flower Embellishments; Tulip Bead Paint; Micron Red Pen; & Jute Twine
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Love Is In The Air + Use Red
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Create With Critters
Karen's Word Art Wednesday #218

2 - used an informal way to say "thank you," as in "Cheers to all my followers, as well as everyone who took the time to leave some love in my 25th Wedding Anniversary post last week."

My Weekend Visitor
iPhone 6s Photograph Edited on Pixelmator
Our Beautiful World #131 - Bright
Denise & Roger's ABC Wednesday - C is for Cheers
Sue's Image-in-ing

3 - used as an informal way to say "goodbye," as in "Cheers!  Hope you stop by my blog again next week."

I hope you enjoyed my very short post this week.  :)

B is for Blissful

It is hard to believe, but my wife and I are celebrating our Twenty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary… time flies!  Although it has been a blissful experience filled with a plethora of blessings, we've had our share of trials.  Throughout the years, we've also been honored and humbled when people say we are good role models.

25th Wedding Anniversary Explosion - 1/3 Closed

25th Wedding Anniversary Explosion Box - 2/3 Open Front View

25th Wedding Anniversary Explosion Box - 3/3 Open Back View
Martha Stewart Scoring Board; MS Eyelet Border Punch; Tim Holtz Tiny Tabs & Tags, Tickets Die, Cargo Stencil Number, Tattered Pinecone, Garden Greens, Baroque Photo Corners, & Mini Flourish Dies; TH 100th Collection Stamps; We R Memories 1-2-3 Punch Board; EK Success Corner Adorner Heart and corner rounding punches; Making Memories Mini Stapler; Basicgrey Notch & Die Cutting Tool; TH Kraft-Core Cardstock; Kraft & Metallic Cardstock; Vintage Print, Kraft, & Scrap Paper; TH Remnant Rubs; MS Borders & Photo Label; TH Distress Inks; Scotch Advanced Tape Glider; Adhesive Foam Pads; Thermogrip Glue Gun; Uniball Air; Silver Beads; Metallic Ribbon; Wire; and Twine.
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Best Friends
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Ombre
The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #20 - Time Flies
CropStop Linky Party #12 - Anything Goes
Karen's Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #218

I don't know if we are truly good "role models."  However, we do live by the words found in Joshua 24:15, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  His heavenly grace has taught us how to deal with our inequities, and His heavenly power provides us with a stronghold during times of tribulation.

Luke 1:37 Art Journal Page
Mead Sketchbook; EK Success Circle Ruler; Caran d'Ache Water-soluble Wax Pastels/ Prismacolor Pencils; Sharpie Micron Pen; Uniball Air; and Scotch Decorative Tape
Creative Tuesdays
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #346
Creating and Sharing Mixed Media Art
Kristin & Eva's Paint Party Friday - Week 46 Year 5
Kim's Show Your Face

Secondly, we thrive in having open lines of communication, honesty, and respect for each other.  For example, we serve as sounding boards for each other when issues come up at work; we don't keep secrets about our children or spending habits; and we cherish each others passions, like the time I spend in my art studio.

Circle of Love
Nikon D3300 Photograph
Our Beautiful World - Blue
Sue's Image-in-ing
Denise and Roger's ABC Wednesday - B is for Figure in Blue
52 Photos Project: Week 38 {Blue}
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday #212

Last, but not least, we value the time that we spend with each other.  Rather it is time spent with our friends and family, devotional time, or simply going antiquing at a local thrift store, we have fun!  These are the special moments that we treasure and provide uplifting conversational themes during our low times.

Therefore, although I'm not sure we are good "role models," I can certainty say that the 25 years I've spent with my wife have been truly blissful… thank you Lord!  I also want to thank all my followers, as well as everyone that takes the time to leave such thoughtful comments.  May you be blessed with blissfulness!

Z is for Moments of Zen

I believe that moments of Zen are not exclusive to Buddhists.  According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Zen is the Japanese form of Buddhism that aims at enlightenment by direct intuition through meditation.  Hence, centuries ago Zen Buddhist priests designed their austere sand and rock garden configurations to enhance meditation and as an appreciation of beauty in simplicity.

NOLA - Summer 2015
iPhone 4 Photograph
Our Beautiful World #128 - Calm
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday #209
Denise & Roger's ABC Wednesday - Z is for Moments of Zen

It is my understanding that Zen is a sensory experience that allows a person to be fully aware of the "here and now."  It is about being so totally focused introspectively, that time and space are irrelevant.  It is about filling the present with profound joy, peace and clarity, so that it may become a peak experience.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - The old has gone; the new is here!
CaranD'Ache Watersoluble Wax Pastels; Cray-Pas Oil Pastels; Gelli Prints; Hand Carved stamps; and More
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
The Mixed Media Challenge #20 Time Flies
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday - #344
Kristin & Eva's Paint Party Friday - Week 44 Year 5
Kim Dellow's Show Your Face

I believe there are other ways to achieve moments of Zen.  Quality time spent with loved ones, recreational reading/writing, and quiet nature trail walks are just a few examples.  Even in the hustle and bustle of daily life, I have achieved moments of Zen when looking through the eye of my camera lens or sketching in public areas.

Neighborhood Christmas Celebration
Tim Holtz Artful Dwellings, Mini Openings, & Tiny Shapes Dies; Cardboard & Paper Scraps; Plaid Royal Coat; Hand Illustrations; Words&Crafts Word Stamp Kit; Martha Stewart Sequins; Fiskars 1/16" Hole-Punch; and wire.
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Winter Wonderland
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Party
Karen's Word Art Wednesday #217

As a Christian, I believe that a major moment of Zen is Epiphany, which is observed on January 6th, and commemorates the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the gentiles.  I can only imagine the feeling of awe the Magi experienced when realizing they were in the presence of the King of Kings.  Wow!

Anyway, thank you for stopping by.  I also want to take this opportunity to thank all my followers, as well as everyone who took the time to leave a thoughtful comment during 2015.  May 2016 be filled with moments of Zen for everyone around the world!