Friday Afternoons

 

It's Friday afternoon ... the weekend is about to start. I come home from work and - what is the first thing I do? Well, I boil some water, because it's time for a cup of tea or coffee.

This moment, chatting with my hubby in the sofa, is a time of the week I appreciate a lot. Letting go off the thoughts related to work, just being here and now, settling down. Enjoying the warmth of the tea  cup in my hands, togetherness ... 

A small, yet meningful and important tradition for Friday afternoons.

 

 

What marks the beginning of a weekend for you?

Is there a moment or something you look forward to during the week, that usually takes place on Fridays?

 

 

Wishing you a happy Friday ...

Let's enjoy the weekend!

 

Nina

 

 

 

Sharing with

 

 Friday Finds

Friendship Friday     Friday Photo Journal 

Simple Things Sunday Weekly Top Shot

 Textures Savor and Unleashed by Kim Klassen, Coffee Break by Nancy Clayes





Hearty Hearts

 

 

 

It's been quite a while since the last time I crafted ... So as the inspiration to make these light paper heart garlands came over me, I didn't hesitate.

 

White hearts are light and airy, like snowflakes. They bring a wintery feeling to the livingroom - as we're waiting for the snow to fall, dreaming of a white Christmas.

 

I used paper from an older book, and some pearls I had at home - I'll post a more detailed DIY inspirational in the weekend.

 

"Hearty hearts" are swirling softly and creating shadow hearts on the window frames and walls... reminding that:

 

The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart.

 

 

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I hope you have a good week,

 

Nina

 

Sharing with

 

Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

Kent Weakley's Sweet Shot Tuesday
Communal Global Tuesday Around the World

 

I have added 2 layers of Kim Klassen's beautiful texture 1111 to these photos.



The Lasting Beauty

Let your adornment be what’s inside — the real you,

the lasting beauty of a gracious and quiet spirit,

 in which God delights.

 

1. Peter 3:4 The Voice

 

 

 

Hillsong: None but Jesus:

 

In the quiet
In the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there I am restored
When You call i won't refuse
Each new day again I'll choose

There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise

In the chaos in confusion
I know You're sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will
When You call I won't delay
This my song through all my days

All my delight is in You Lord
All of my hope
All of my strength
All my delight is in You Lord
Forever more


:  :  :

Blessings to your week, 

Nina
 

:  :  :


Here's a printable of
The Lasting Beauty, 1. Peter 3:4 for you 

 

Sharing with: 
 

Still Saturday, The Weekend Brew,
Sunday Stillness, The Sunday Community

 

 



People Matter

Photo taken and edited with iPhone. I added afterwards Kim Klassens beautiful texture 1111.

The fact, how much people matter, has become so clear to me this week.

I've realized once more how much I appreciate the colleques I work with, and how grateful I am for having work. After two weeks sick leave it's been so nice meeting colleques again, alongside getting back to daily routines.

The greetings, textmessages and calls I received on my birthday made me really happy - hoping one could give as much joy and happiness back, as one receives ...

Just being aware of these people, that does mean a lot to you, even if they're far away or if you seen them  just every now and then, does make a difference ...

 

Having a strong bond between one another makes it easy to connect, feeling as it was just yesterday, you met last time, even it's been a few months ago.

I guess it's the shared experiences - the history, that binds us people together ... identifying with one anothers story, circumstances, even if it would be quite different from yours. And when you meet, it's like you've never been apart ... that´s beautiful!

People you've learned to know via writing, blogging, sharing the same interests, matter. Being inspired by one another ... following one another's life with ups and downs, becomes a part of your story. You matter.



I leave you with these thoughts ...
Until next time,

 Nina

Sharing with

 Friday Finds

Friendship Friday     Friday Photo Journal 

Simple Things Sunday Weekly Top Shot

 

On Books and Reading

 

Textures: Lisa by Kim Klassen & Mele - Kalahani Collection by Love That Shot

“I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten;
 even so, they have made me.” 
Ralph Waldo Emerson

The dark evenings are inviting us to grab a book and sit comfortably in the sofa ... I read a lot of work related literature about psychology, counselling, child develeopment and learning, but late in the evening I like to read different novels, poems and biographies. It is usually in the holidays, that I can go deep with a series of novels.

The long summerholidays in the countryside in my childhood were filled with outdoors activities and reading ... I remember reading the Five, Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, and all Tolkien's books during the warm summerdays. Since then, books and holidays has been a perfect match for me.


Textures: Naturally by Kim Klassen & Lucille by R H West

In the mornings I'm reading just one Psalm and a short devotional. I keep coming back to my favorite devotionals, which are Oswald Chambers's My Utmost for His Highest, Søren Kierkegaard's Purity of the Heart is to Will One Thing, Ann Voskamp's 1000 Gifts and Watchman Nee's The Normal Christian Life.

I've been reading  lately a few crime novels by a Norwegian writer Jo Nesbø, and I'm about to start reading a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, called Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.

For the Christmas holidays I've thought about diving into Karl Ove Knausgaard's selfbiographic series My Struggle. Knausgaard is a Norwegian author, who has written 6 autobiographical books.

I have a file, where I write the titles of the books, friends and colleques have recommended - It's nice to find the list, when going to library ...

Do you remember the favourite books from your childhood -
What are you reading at the moment?

Nina

Sharing with

 

Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

Kent Weakley's Sweet Shot Tuesday
Communal Global Tuesday Around the World

Tender and kind God

 

There’s no one quite like you among the gods, O Lord,
and nothing to compare with your works...
And the great things you do—
God, you’re the one, there’s no one but you!

... But you, O God, are both tender and kind,
not easily angered, immense in love,
and you never, never quit...

... As you, God, gently and powerfully
put me back on my feet.

verses from Psalm 86 (The Message)

Michael W. Smith - Joy Follows Suffering

Blessings to your week, 

Nina

:  :  :


Here's a printable of
Psalm 86 for you 

Sharing with: 

Still Saturday, The Weekend Brew,
Sunday Stillness

Shades of Brown {Nurture Photography}

 

 

 

The landscape is changing ... the bright colors of autums slowly fade, while the different shades of brown are appearing.

 

 

 

As the rain ceased yesterday afternoon, I took a walk by the lake ... for the first time in 10 days! I walked slowly, breathing the fresh air and enjoying the sunshine.

 

By this bridge I met a talented photograpger, Karin, who specializes in taking pictures of birds. She had spotted a mandarine duck laste weekend, and showed me some breath achingly beautiful photos. We shared our experiences of nature phtography and exchanged e-mails ... Such a happy surprise to meet her and get to know her!

Seasons change ... nature around us spires, blooms and slowly witheres ... to spire again in some months. Witnessing the beauty in all seasons is a priviledge.

 

 

... Thank you Kristi and Rebecca for the Nurture Photography Challenges, that makes us look for the special delights in every season!

 

Nina

 

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Nurture Photography 

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