Blossoms are HERE

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ginger-lady-bugs-adventures/id429837536?mt=8

I see blossoms all over as I drive the roads of Fresno County. It looks like God dipped a big paint brush into the pink paint and sprinkled acres and acres with various tones of pink. I think I'll stop and to see a blossom up close.... What a beautiful design that only God could make. Yes, blossom time is here and Ginger Lady Bug is once again visiting the Blossom Trail. Maybe she will meet up with her friends Macy and Mallory, the twin honey bees. I can hear the bees are buzzing, going from blossom to blossom. Another beginning, filled with the most beautiful colors ever. This is a beautiful site!!!

Under the Weather

My face and upper teeth hurt, I cough a lot and my nose is stuffy. Now how exactly does that coinside with the pharse "under the weather"? I will have to do some research to find an answer. I remember my mother always told me to "gargle" with warm vinegar salt water..... Yuk! Thats like eating a warm sour pickle. Maybe if I put a warm wet wash cloth on my face the pain will let up. Even better I could mash up fresh garlic into the warm water before I put the wash cloth on my face. I think it is suppose to be a natural antibiotic...... Boy does that stink!! My face and upper teeth still hurt. You know my Mom use to tell me about making a mustard poltice for a cold......wonder if that was spicy mustard or plain... Wait a minute, the salt, vinegar, and garlic would have made a great salad dressing, but it didn't help my pain so tomorrow I am calling my doctor to get something for a sinus infection because being under the weather isn't fun.

Catch the Moment before it's Gone

Tonight I spent some special moments with my sweet Mama. She's 90 years old and still misses my Daddy who has been gone almost 6 years. She looks at his picture and tells me how much she misses him. They married when they were 19 and were a team that worked and played together. My Daddy loved to fish so Mama took up the sport and soon could out fish him. They were always competing. Mama cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Daddy's favorite breakfast was biscuits, gravy, eggs and sausage. Mama made everything from scratch and it was wonderful. When I was a little girl Mama and I would put a quilt on the lawn, look at the clouds and imagine what each cloud looked like. She taught me to use my imagination. We didn't have much money, but Mama could look at a dress and sew one for me that looked just like it. She and Daddy were hard workers, but they also took time to enjoy each other and their friends. My Mama is still very competive and loves to play table games and when she wins, which is most of the time, she looks up with those twinkling blue eyes and gives a big smile. So tonight as Mama and I talked, it reminded me to catch the moment before it is gone. I hope you tell those you love, in words and deeds, just how much they mean to you while time is on your side.

Monday Morning Bread

Oh what a beautiful morning. It feels like a beerock day to me. Cooking gluten free has been an adventure all it's own. Converting recipes is an art in itself. The challenge is to feel the texture of the dough as you add, rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, arrowroot powder and try to match it to the feel of wheat. Not easy and it doesn't match exactly. So then I just make sure it has the elasticity to cover my cabbage/meat stuffing. That's like my life as challenges come, I try to keep my attitude right as I deal with things and people that are not as they used to be, you know change. Victoria say's it best in my novel that will be released soon, ..have joy in each moment, before it slips away...Yes there is joy, and I am about to go into the kichen and claim joy as I make gluten free beerocks....Have a Happy Day...gingerleebull.com

Remembering

 Last evening was like going down memory lane at the #Schoolhouse Restaurant and Tavern in Sanger.  It was built in 1921 and housed K-12.  The dinner was wonderful, service outstanding, music lively, and the comfort of home. It reminded me of days gone by.  Days Momma and I would lay on the grass and watch the fluffy white clouds drift by and we would imagine what form of animal they looked like.  Momma encouraged me to use my imagination and I dedicated my first children's book to her and her character is my best friend, Nellie Gnat, and Ginger Lady Bug carries her on her back because Nellie can't fly. Wonderful memories#GingerLadyBug.com   

Hearts

Yes, today is called Valentine's Day and there are "hearts" everywhere.  As I think about the message of the "heart" to most, it means love, laughter, fun and being together. 
But for a moment I want to think about 'LOVE' the love of God, the living "Word" of God, Jesus Christ who gave His all for us.  What LOVE, a love that we can't really fathom because it is bigger than life as we know it and it is eternal which we don't understand and it is always forgiving.  It is through the blood that Jesus shed at Calvary that our Heavenly Father see's us who accept this gift of life as we follow Him.  When we accept this wonderful gift God see's us as righteousness, because He is looking at us through the blood of His only begotten Son.   LOVE!!!! 
May we remember to forgive just as we have been forgiven and love others as we love ourselves.  If we don't love ourselves, we will never be able to love others, so remember we are very special, because we were created in the image of God and were bought with a price, the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus.
We Are Loved......
Happy Valentine's Day....every day..
   

Night

As the shadows of evening spread across our town, the whistle of a slow moving freight train whails as it passes through in the night.  There is something very peaceful about the sounds of night.  The ticking of the clock becomes louder as there is no competing sounds to be heard.  I think that this is what night should be, no competition, a time to let down and relax.  The shadows around me are safe and non-intrusive, like a soft blanket inviting me into a peaceful sleep where my mind can rest.  I thank you Heavenly Father for this day you have given me and look forward to the reappearing of my savior Jesus Christ when joy and rest beyond all human understanding will be mine and all those that follow Him, forever and ever.  These things and lovely and pure.  Amen.

Rain

Woke up this morning to the sound of rain....at first I thought I was dreaming and had to focus on the sound to identify it in my brain.  When I decided it was in fact rain, I snuggled further under the covers and took another nap.  It has been misty most of the day and hopefully the mountains are getting some snow.  The seasons sort of merge together like water colors on wet paper.  I think I'll make some potato soup, sounds good for a rainy day.

Spring filled Friday

Today is one of those days that take you back to childhood.  The goods times when you just watched nature hum.  Plants are budding with new life and the sun has warmed the front porch to a perfect place to have lunch.  Surrounded by the sights and sounds of spring feels like the covering of a warm blanket on a cool afternoon.  I think a nap might be the icing on the cake to make this a perfect day.  Thank you Lord for this, another blessing I have been granted. 

Writing a novel Going Through the Steps

Having an idea that begins with a picture in your mind, then to create that picture on paper with words can be a challenge yet rewarding.  Sometimes the story becomes a living being that just takes off as your fingers try to keep up with the thoughts that are flying through your mind.  That is how it has been with me so far.  When I begin writing, I may look up at the clock and 4 hours have passed and it only seems like minutes.  When I was writing and illustrating my children's books, the process was much different.  I had a story line and the message  which were all transferred onto paper with words and pictures.  As I created my watercolor stories it was a labor of joy.  I have now three published books that can be found at gingerladybug.com

I have taken a break from children's books and entered a new learning experience. Now as I am creating a novel, my ability to transmit my thoughts through painting has to be translated into colorful words of discription that draws the reader into my story.