GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

Here is another wonderful give-away that I would encourage you to participate in. This is NOT a costume but "regular" everday clothes. And not just one, but 12 Pieces when you consider that some of the pieces are REVERSIBLE!!! These skirts are ADORABLE, too!! Oh, I really do hope I win this one. And, if not... WAHHHHHH!!! (like i do not know that my chances are slim to none. come on, people, i am not stupid! but i must try anyhow... :-)

GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

Joy Deeann Carson Art...

Dancing Waitress At Midnight

Rahab (on left), Gideon (on right)

FaceDown

Holding It Together

Samaritan Woman

Jochabed

Jochabed Weaving

Coin Searcher... (This one, in particular, touches my heart in this season I am in...)

Adulterous Woman


I posted about this newfound artist, Joy Deann Carson, a little while back, but I did not show any of her art at the time. I just HAD to show you SOME of my favorites of hers. Hope I did not overdue it, Joy!!!

And, here is a quote that her father wrote to her in a journal he created for her when she was just a kid. It has since been a tremendous source of inspiration to her. May it also inspire you, as I feel it applies to all of us...

"Your foundation is secure in the promises of God. God is strong enough to hold onto you... He will not let go. If you really believe that then you will be free- truly free... Free to create like your creator- free to envision what is not so that it can become... free to let your life be a canvas for the Artist of Life- that your heart will allow the Spirit access to all the colors of your life.

When you believe that God CAN and God WILL, your hands and eyes will work in perfect harmony, like two lovers dancing as one.

You will paint from the passion rather than the pressure."

Sit back, ENJOY, and Soak it up!! Sigh... And you can see more of her work at her two sites...


http://joydeeanncarson.blogspot.com/

http://www.joydeeann.com/

Welcome The Newest Member Of Our Family...

Stanley is our "Foreign Exchange Student" who is from America. He was sent by our cousin, Caleb, so that he can experience what it is really like to live in Italy. Being that Stanley is recovering from his trip here, we wanted to announce his arrival at least, and let you know that you may be seeing more of him in the near future. And so, it seems that his first adventure is... being blogged about. :-)

Caleb, we are so excited to have Stanley with us. Thank you for thinking of us... We love you and miss you!!!

Jean Sibelius Postcard From Nancy T...

I received this RAK (random act of kindness) postcard from my blogging friend, Nancy T., and really like it so much.

Here is some of the history regarding the man, Jean Sibelius, as taken from her blog found at http://neatcs.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/men-on-sunday-pca/ Enjoy!!!

"Jean Sibelius was definitely a clever one. He is probably most recognized for “Finlandia” from which came the melody for what I think is the National Finnish Hymn, one of my favorite melodies of all time. ( My Scandinavian friends can correct me on this). But it is said that his music is credited with playing a role in establishing the Finnish national identity.
Sibelius was born in 1865 in Finland and lived through more than half of the 20th Century. He died in 1957. One of the composers who took a direction slightly different from the norm of the 19th Century, he composed beautifully melodic pieces and tone poems. It was a simpler style with less harshly-defined thematic structure than his contemporaries were using. Sometimes criticized because his compositions lacked “complexity”, his scorn for his critics is expressed in this famous quote.
“Pay no attention to what critics say. Nobody ever put up a statue of a critic.”
I think it is unfortunate that Sibelius stopped writing music when he did. For the last 30 years of his life, not only did he stop writing, but would hardly even talk about music. Having worked on an 8th symphony in the late 1920’s, he apparently never finished it and no one ever heard a note or saw a page of manuscript. He is quoted as saying, “If I cannot write a better symphony than my seventh, it shall be my last.”'


I put that quote that is on the postcard in bold print, as I liked it so much. A very good reminder, to the one being criticized and also to the one DOING the criticizing... What do you want to be remembered for?

Thank you so much, Nancy!!! You are a blessing to me!!!

I Have NO Words (shocking, isn't it?)...

As most of you know, I have a "thing" for my African family... even those I do not know. I have a financially-sponsored brother in Liberia whom I keep in touch with, and get way to excited when I hear news about Africa and those living there. Okay, not excited about EVERYTHING. I checked into one of the blogs I like to keep tabs on, and was greeted with some posts that I just had to share. Please check them out in order, for a reason. May your heart be touched to do more than say, "Wow, that is just too bad..." Pray, for that is the WORK, but also pray that God will show you how maybe you can do MORE. Soon...

http://moziesme.blogspot.com/2008/10/ghosts-of-mozambique.html

http://moziesme.blogspot.com/2008/10/wordless-wednesday.html

http://moziesme.blogspot.com/2008/10/wordful-wednesday.html

Belated August: Our Trip to Sant'Irene, In Calabria...

Antonio took this picture of me while Anthony got us registered at the "villagio".

Pictures while Anthony getting us registered into the "villagio"...


Miranda found a jumping buddy in another little girl her age who also had super curly hair.

There goes Luca! No posing for him... He is having too much fun in motion! :-)

There was another little girl there about Miranda's age who had the same curly hair. Cute!








Bananas growing in the tree...

Dario LOVED the sand...


Uncle and Nephew, and brothers-in-law, too...




The pool was NOT a hit! They wanted the BEACH!! And, why not?



One of my most favorite photos of the trip!!























Oops, caught me!

YUM!

Another of one of my most favorite photos of the trip...
























































I will only say this... Both Anthony and I returned from our trip to the beach feeling like we had actually had a vacation! THAT is big news. With five kids with us we, each of us, had a blast.The kids participated in Baby Dance in the evening, where they called all the kids down to participate in some choreographed songs just for them. After that there was a time for all to laugh to some skits put on by those working there. I don't get all the jokes, but Anthony laughed a lot, and he even participated one night. There were also activities during the day. We often just went to the beach, but when the kids wanted to there was craft time, bocce ball time, volleyball, and some other things. There was even a mini soccer tournament for them. Anthony was volunteered often to participate in the adult contests. The workers figured out pretty quickly that he was a willing participant. :-) So he did a few different things, volleyball, ping-pong, soccer, tennis. He almost won the ping-pong contest, and he was disappointed that the man who beat him was old. :-) But we were told that one of the participants used to play professional ping-pong, so we tend to think it was him. Anyhow, He DID win the competition for tennis. The last full day we were there, there was an award cerimony where he received a funny little "gold" medallion and the boys received a certificate as well for their participation.

We were constantly approached by the retirees on vacation, complimenting us on our well-behaved youngsters. Who Ate! (And five of them!!!) Now THAT was quite a treat (Thank you, Jesus! For helping us raise them as best we can...), and we made quick friends with a few of the older couples who missed their grandkids, or just wanted to enjoy our kids for a bit. It was just so nice. We did not hang out with the younger couples. Although they had "blue-collar" jobs like Anthony, boy were they a snooty group. (Hoity-toity, MOM and CARLY!!! :-) ) And, besides, they complained the entire week, while we were having so much fun. I don't know what that tells you... that we were weird for having fun or that they were just full of discontentment... Doesn't matter. So, moving on...

I got to go out on the ocean in a kayak and just have some much needed devotional time. It was amazing. I learned quite a few lessons, things that God impressed on my soft heart during those days. Things about "be still", "seek and you shall find", hearing and knowing His voice, etc... Sigh. Beautiful quiet times with Jesus. I got to shell hunt amidst all the rocks, and found a few different little treasures (mom, you would have appreciated that.) I even got to do some papercuts of our trip. Keepsakes, if you will. And, did anyone ever have urchins in your pasta? How was it? A man near our umbrella went out in the water and bagged a bunch of urchin so they could EAT them. Who knew? Cause I didn't. Luca and Miranda were amazed. See, even educational moments there. :-)

My only regret is that the last two days I missed a lot since Dario had a fever due to two teeth coming in... As soon as they came through the fever disappeared. There goes the theory that you don't get a fever from teething. Poor kid. Oh, and on our way home, our transmision almost completely went. We barely made it home. Thank God we arrived safely and it completely went after we arrived. Phew!

The place used to be a convent many years ago. There is still a religious feel to the place as it is very simple, a statue of Mary is there with candles all around, and some other various things, but it was right on the water, had air conditioning, a buffet, and was fun. Great for large families with little interest in over spending on their vacation. The price was perfect for this all-inclusive trip.

Here are some fun pictures of our trip... We went with two other couples and their families. Carmine and Roxana have two girls, MarieSophie and Ester. Augusto and Claudia have two boys, Augusto and Ascanio, and a third boy on the way.

Sigh... we have all wished to be back there at one time or another since we have been back home. That is a good sign, and we would welcome another 4 hour trip just to go back again sometime. :-) THAT also says alot.

Papercut Versions Of Some Classic Children's Stories...

I marveled at these cuts, and thought I would share them with you...

http://elsita.typepad.com/allaboutpapercutting/2008/10/papercuts-inspired-by-classic-childrens-stories.html?cid=136003951#comments

The Quest For Deliverance...

Here is my entry for the monthly writing contest located at the link below. The topic was on "ghosts". I am not interested in horror, but have experienced the horrors of a tormented soul. Here is a night that is very much like some nights I have passed in suffering. May it encourage you to seek "Deliverance" from your own "ghosts" as well... http://scribbit.blogspot.com/2008/10/ghostly-write-away-contest.html


The Quest For Deliverance
by Celita Perillo


Here I am... waiting for the alarm clock to buzz OFF, but knowing that I will have to take the initiative and lift a weary arm to do it by hand. Oh, if a night seemed to stretch into forever, this was it. Exhausted as I was, I still only decidedly closed my eyes in restlessness for a couple of hours.

I am being hounded. By my failures. By my past. By memories clinging, taunting, and torchuring my mind like gleeful, ghostly demons.

I know I have dealt with these feelings before, but they are back- full force. It is FEAR that nips at my heels calling for me to surrender into despair. It is immobilizing, debilitating, and distressing, to say the least.

I cannot seem to escape from its grasp, no matter how hard I try. Even though tears glide endlessly down my cheeks, and a heavy groan presses from my lips, the weight of it all threatens to suffocate my overwhelmed heart. My soul cries weakly for relief.

It is as I reach to turn off the still shrilling alarm clock that I notice it... peaking from the drawer of my night stand is a burgundy, leather cover. It seems to beckon me, whispering, "Draw near, and I will give you rest." But, all night I have fought, and Discouragement and Doubt prod me back into my self-pity. My frenzied Soul shrieks at my Heart to trust. And so, I hesitantly lift the book from its repose.

I stare at the cover, wondering what to do. Numerous times I have read, confidently and assuredly, with blessing and thanksgiving. This time, I am numb. I have NO WORDS. Like a cry for assistance, a tear runs down my well-tracked cheek. Slowly I open the delicate pages, hoping, while Fear wrings my clutched heart.

Ever so quietly I lend out a prayer so faint, so distant... "O, Help Me!" It would not be noticeable to anyone. Under normal circumstances the slight-sounding request would be dismissed without a thought in my busy day, but today, my frantic heart reaches for it desperately.

I glance at the open pages before me, trying to focus between my swollen eyelids to the printed words. As I do, my pounding heart stops. These words were meant for me...

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

My flailing soul had become so overtaken by the darkness brought on by Fear that I had forgotten the truths that I had previously dwelled on in other days. In my need for encouragement and sustenance, these words reached out to my thirsty soul in the same way water calls to a man who has been driven to trudge through a long and wide desert.

Finally, with my hands shielding my face, I whisper, "God, deliver me from this weight that hurts my heart. Take away this fear that threatens to destroy me. Make me whole. Give me strength to ward off these thoughts, these doubts, and help me to dwell on things that are 'true...noble...just...pure...lovely...things of good report...things of virtue and that are praiseworthy...' (Philippians 4:8) Cause me to find rest, sweet rest in the shadow of Your wings, once again... Amen."

With a sigh, I rise, placing the Bible on my nightstand. I am no longer tormented by apparitions of my past, or hurt by mocking visions of my failures. I pause to look out at the morning with its orange-hued mountains and dew ladened trees, and I smile. I am have not completed my journey to healing, but... I am better.

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength." (Isaiah 26: 3 and 4)

Please Pray For These...

On October 15th I posted about this blog entry. Since then Bring the Rain has received 2095 Comments thus far. Please take some time to read them, and to pray. There are so many women who are hurting still after the loss of their children. You WILL cry, there may be a time when the hurt you feel for them may seem like a burden too heavy to bear. The point is... "take everything to God in prayer..." as the old hymn says. We need to pray. For that is THE WORK. Amen.

http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2008/10/october-15.html

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

I have mentioned a few give-aways from this site, now, and each one of the gowns or outfits that I signed up to try to win have been so lovely or remarkable, but, this one BEATS ALL. I am SERIOUSLY impressed by this woman's talent and imagination. You MUST come and see this beautiful child's play gown.

Decor To Adore, you will LOVE this!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Early October's Fun Visit From Jonathan, Beth, and Family...

:-)See, Jonathan! Got'ya!




















































I have so many "belated" posts to catch up on, but before I do that I wanted to post some recent photos of our time with Cousins Jonathan, Beth, and their kids, Joshua and Caleb. (sorry so late, guys)It was a different and memorable time together, and it was a laid back time together. We had a great time being very real. :-) We enjoyed our family time together, first at my sister-in-law's house on Saturday and then our house on Sunday. Really. It was a bonding time. We adults laughed about old times and got reacquainted with the changes life and God grow in us with time, and we ATE lots of good food, like my mother-in-law's homemade pasta, for example, and figs. The boys had great "boy" time (running, playing, jumping, rough-housing, making up flying matchbox cars games, finding lost money, playing, and just enjoying laughing and being together- and they were such GREAT sports about posing for all the pictures I wanted to take. Aren't these great?!), and Miranda had a blast keeping up with them and joining in on the fun. What can I say, she is the only girl amidst a troup full of rambuctious boys. :-) For sure our kids bonded so tightly that Caleb chose us to send his Stanley project to. I cannot wait to get it so I can post on that, too, but for now, enjoy these photos... Have a great day!

Shenandoah Costume GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Today is the last day to sign up to win this adorable play outfit for your daughter or another little girl in your life!!! Hurry on over! Shenandoah Costume GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

October 15- National Day of Remembrance for pregnancy and infant loss...

I had no idea what today is, but I was quickly reminded as I checked in to Bring the Rain's site linked below. Please check in as well, and I know you will be blessed. This particular entry hit home for me. Blessings to you... and healing... and peace...

http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2008/10/october-15.html

A Cool Techy Thing To Do...

My friend at http://snippetygibbet.blogspot.com/ tipped me off to this neat widgety thing that can tip you off to when someone links your or mentions you in their blog... It really does work. The only think I noticed was that it does not mention if you are featured. No problem. It is a nice way to know what others are saying about you. And an interesting way of being in touch with others, too. I like it!!!

http://areathriftyone.blogspot.com/2008/09/this-is-showing-off.html

Well, And, So...

You must know, at this point, that I have a soft spot in my heart for art based on Scripture. Well, I have recently become aware of this artist, Deeann, and her work. You must check her out. Her work includes a lot of Women of The Bible: Rahab, Esther, etc... and some others that have not been mentioned in an entire story but are still so worth remembering. You will be amazed and overjoyed as you encounter her perspective of these Women of Faith.

http://joydeeanncarson.blogspot.com/

http://joydeeann.com/

Another Quilt Give-Away (See My Side Bar For More)...

Check out this very ORIGINAL quilt made by Elizabeth at the link below. She developed her own original pattern and is doing a give-away just because. Pretty nice of her, isn't it? Well, if you would like a chance to win, click the link here or on my side bar. Have fun checking it out! And have a great day!!!

http://pigtailsandsnails.blogspot.com/2008/10/quilt-giveaway.html

A Really Sweet "Sisters" Give-away...

For those of you who have a sister or a friend who is like a sister, this give-away is too cute not to mention... check it out at the link below... you can pick between two different give-aways, actually, and both are sweet. Which do you like best? Feel free to check back in and let me know... I picked the sister dishes. :-)

http://suaviloquy.blogspot.com/2008/10/second-sister.html

Come See!!!...

I have recently posted some new papercuts and ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) that I have completed. Feel free to read the comments I have put under the photos. Some are very personal and hold a lot of meaning. Thanks for checking in! Blessings, and Have a great day!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spice-c7/

For Those Of You Who Are Interested In Seeing What I Love About Papercutting...

I have just recently found this site. It is must-see. You will love it even if you Do Not papercut! Really! Oh, my goodness, it is full of everything you need to know, elegant and beautiful from the get-go, and I am even listed as a "Papercut Artist"... EEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I am sqealing with delight and would be jumping up and down sqealing if I was not writing this... :-) Please go check it out! You will not regret it...

http://elsita.typepad.com/allaboutpapercutting/

Five Things Meme Tag...

My blogger friend, Nancy, tagged me with this simple and fun get-to-know-you, and so, I thought it would be fun... Here are five random things about myself...

1) I can cross both eyes, or even just my left one by itself. :-)

2) I love paper and colors and small odds and ends, which might be why cardmaking, scrapbooking, and artist trading cards are some of my favorite things to do.

3) I played violin for 3 years in elementary school without ever really learning to read music. I played by ear, following along (and not always really well... eek!), and to this day I can follow notes, but tend to lean on my ear to keep up. Does that maybe mean I may have a learning disability as far as reading music goes? Always wondered.

4) When I was a senior in High School, and year book details were being organized... there was a particular entry for the year book about "where such-and-such person would be in ten years". Well, someone thought it would be funny, and another person thought it funny to publish, that they thought I would be a NUN... I was not easy, did not date, and I guess, holding to my beliefs made someone uncomfortable out there. But, as you know, I am not a nun, though I love my Jesus. I am dedicated to Him, married happily to my hubby, and have five kids... Nope, not a nun. :-)

5) I love old 30's, 40's, and 50's movies (romance ones, mostly)... I used to be able to quote trivia about movies and old actors like crazy, I have been known to pray for the ones who are living, and I cry when one of them passes away... Boo-hoo about Paul Newman!!! :-(

And now, I will tag a few of you, in hopes that you would like to participate...

Octamom

Snippety Gibbet

Takin Time To Smell The Flowers

Mozi Esme

Susan

Have a great day!!

"L" For Belated Thankful Thursday...

ooh, so many...

1) Love in all its Lovely forms: between Loving husbands and wives, siblings, Little kids, parents and their Little children, parents and their grown children, Loyal friends, extended family, etc...

2) Lilies, Lilacs, Larkspur, Lamprey, Laos, Laptops,Laundromat, clean Lavatories, Lavender, Leaves, Learning more about and from my Jesus, Leaving a Legacy of faith

3) Luscious, Lightening, Lamentations (book of the Bible, Lamps, Lighthouses, Landscapes, Languages, Lanolin, Lanterns, Liberia, Lineage, Literacy, Literature

4) Lilith, Luca, Lisa, Luke, Layla, Laila, Leann, Leandra, Martin Landau, Leia, Abraham Lincoln, the Lynch family,

5) Lion, Leopard, Lynx, Larks, Ladybugs, Llama, Lambs, Lapdogs, Lattice, Laughing, Laudry free days, red Licorice, Lifesavers, Light from the sun

6) Leotard, Letters of the alphabet, Letters that come in the mail, Leaning into kisses, Leisure walks on Laid-back days, Lettuce, Liberty

7) Laymen, Lawyers who actually help families, Lessons from special talented teachers,

8) Labeling things, Laciness, Labor and delivery and getting to see our new Little one, Lisps from verbal Little Lips, Lactation, Lithographs, Livelihood, really enjoying Life!!! my kid's Loaded questions

9) Labor Day, Ladders used for decoration or to reach fruit up on high Limbs, healthy and unbroken body Limbs, not being Laden with burdens, Ladles,

10) Lagging behind during nature walks, Lagoons, Lamenating, the Lame being made to walk again,

Belated August News: Kathy's Baby Shower...

Kathy is the bright-eyed, smiling, strawberry blond in the striped shirt...










My friend, Elaine, and I joined forces to put a baby-girl shower together for our expecting friend, Kathy. It was held on the base, as you will notice by some of the food items and the general feel of the party. It turned out so nice. We combined both her American and Italian friends and her mother-in-law and had an interesting time translating in between, but it was so worth it. Check out the yummmy food table along with the cute Watermelon baby carriage that Elaine and her friends got together for the occasion; Elaine and her beautiful, homemade fondant cake; Julie's Diaper cake creation; my paper flowers as part of the favor; and shots of the games. We did three games. One was to have two people work together just using one hand apiece to completely dress a baby doll. First team finished without cheating won. We did a memory game using items used in caring for or distracting a baby or small child... Whoever got the most memorized and written on a list, won. We also did the pin game, where you each where a pin and avoid saying words like "baby" (in English or Italian or in any other language), "pink", etc... I made some papercuts for the prizes and some for part of the favors as well. It was a lot of work, but it was nice to see how nicely it came together, and to bless our dear friend. It was planned to be a surprise, and she surely was, which was also a plus!!1 :-) So, Hope you like seeing our busy but fun day... :-)