Friday, September 2, 2011

drum roll please...

the winners will be announced first thing in the morning...

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Going....going....

...you have until midnight (MST) today to enter your name in my contest and have a shot at the silver, copper and glass bla-bling ring. Take a look at my Giving it Away post for all of the details.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Give it Away...

It's been a busy summer and I have not made the time to update my little blog space. But I'll make it up to you now by having a fun little give away....well, actually it's a pretty big give away. I made this ring with sterling silver, copper and Italian glass. The glass rods were cut into little pieces, then tumbled to give them a soft-sea-tossed finish, then they were set in a sterling silver and copper ring. All hand made.


And, YES, I am giving it away! Just follow my blog, my twitter, my facebook or sign up for my distribution list by sending me an email at tajones1463@made-inthe-shade.com and your name will go into the hat. Sign up by midnight, 9/1/2011. I will hold the random drawing early the next morning and I will notify the winner on 9/3/2011. I also have a cool prize for a second winner. But wait! There's more! If you write a tweet or a facebook post referring others to my Made in the Shade business page, let me know and I will enter your name twice!


Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Joy

Psalm 30

I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O LORD my God, I cried out to You,
And You healed me.
O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.”
LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong;
You hid Your face, and I was troubled.
I cried out to You, O LORD; And to the LORD I made supplication:
“What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit, Will the dust praise You, Will it declare Your truth?
Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!”
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.













Prayer: Father, please forgive me for my often shallow attitude about joy. I confess that my version of joy is often nothing more than an emotion or feeling based on current circumstances. Help me to fix my eyes on You, the Author and Finisher of my faith. I want to live my life against the backdrop of eternity, exchanging temporary happiness for eternal joy. I pray that You will continually teach me to choose joy in whatever lies ahead. ~ Amen

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Me, Me, Me...

Have you been wondering why I haven't posted in a while? Me too. I've wanted to write something intelligent and witty on several occasions, but the press of a busy schedule and deadlines and the feeling of "who needs to hear about my life?" have kept me away from the keyboard.

So, I guess I'll play catch up a little, since it is already June and May is gone with the wind! hmmm, will the wind is still here, but May is indeed gone none the less.

It was a fun month, one of my favorite. I love lilacs, it is one of my favorite smells...they bloom but once a year and the blooms last just a few short weeks in the month of May. I have two bushes in my yard. One is white and is about 10 years old. The other is pale purple and is about 4 years old. I have a neighbor a few houses down who has one that is deep purple--I would love to have that color in my yard! I think I have bush envy .

This May was our first annual women's retreat to Angel Fire New Mexico. My friend Kristie and I along with God planned it. There were only 5 of us who went and we had a fabulous time! We talked about Joy. I got to give the message--that was a little stressful, but also fun. We split the cost of a private cabin in the woods and the food and it was very affordable yet luxurious and cozy. We had so much fun that we are going to do it again next year. (If you want to be included, just let me know.)




After we got back, the pressure was on becuase I had the Fiber Arts Fiesta to get ready for. This was a new show for me this year and I had heard that it was a busy show. So I needed to get busy and make buttons, buttons, and more buttons. At the same time Christina started a new job and I was on full-time Gramma duty. It was a challenge to jugle the schedule, but it all worked out. The show was great. I'll do it again. It only happens every 2 years. It was very well organized and there were many beautiful fibers and quilts to see.


I have been having a blast with Amara. Her and I have been doing a schedule on the days that I watch her and she is loving it. "What's next Gramma?" She is so curious and full of joy! She really is a blast to hang out with. She started gymnastics and she really loves it! It's close to home so we don't have to drive far to go.


I could talk on and on about her--that's what Gramma's do. But I'll just tell you one more thing (it happened yesterday, the last day in May). If you know Amara, you know that she is a total tom-boy, she doesn't like girl clothes, she wants to wear boy clothes, she wants to be handsome, not cute, she wants a boy haircut. Well, yesterday her mom took her for a haircut and she now has short hair--a girl style, but short. She loves it!!!! Last night we would catch her looking at herself in the mirror and fixing her hair. She kept saying, "just gel and go." No more rats, brushing and pigtails! She's a great kid!


Now it's June and the schedule is already full. I have the New Mexico Challenge show in Santa Fe in a few weeks. Then I have the New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair the week after that. That is a new show for me. I hope that I will do well. I only juried in for Jewelry so I won't be able to take some of my big sellers like wine stoppers and bottle openers and pens. I hope that it is a good show. I have a lot that I need to create to have enough Jewelry for that show, so my schedule is cut out for me for the next month.

We are fitting in some fun though. We are going to take the new camper to Elephant Butte Lake for a camping weekend. Our friends Bridget and Ron live there. We have been planning to go see them for the last 5 years and now we are finally making it happen. I'm so excited to see them and to go fishing and swimming and boating!

Oh, one more thing about May. Since we had the Fiber Arts Fiesta on memorial weekend, we didn't make our annual trip to Carlsbad. So we were in town for Trish's (Wayne's boss) pool opening party. Amara went with us and had so much fun. She swam and jumped in the pool for a good solid 4 hours. It was good to see her have so much fun. At the end of the day all the kids roasted marshmallows on the gas grill and made smores. She was in kid sugar heaven!

Well, as you can see, all is good here at the Jones's. I could tell you a hundred more things...but I'll let you go for now...I need to get my day started. God bless your week. ~ T

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Doing what is most important...

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV).

I really do love Thursdays. Thursdays come fast but enter slow. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday fly by with all of their rewarding responsibilities and then Thursday...wide open, full of possibilities. Today's Thursday has entered with a drip, a drop, then a slow and gentle rain, no wind, just a soft and soothing cleansing...so soft, the birds are still out singing their spring song.

Was it just last week I was wondering how long? How long must we go without rain?

Have Thursdays always been this way? I don't think so. I occurs to me that this day is a gift amongst all my gifts. A gift of peace and refreshment in the midst of my responsibility and striving.

Four years ago, I set aside my Thursdays for fasting and praying for prodigals. It started with my son and my friend's children...it has grown. Now Thursdays are a gift of time spent at the feet of Jesus...letting him take my worries and comfort my worn heart.

Looking back, I know that Thursdays have not always been this way. But now, they are a sweet peace and I hear my savior call, "come, sit, let's talk." And we do, we sit, and we talk and His peace overflows me and becomes me.

Friday, March 25, 2011

HE speaks...

As I study God’s Word today, I’m confronted with my doubts...”He doesn’t really love me...He’s looking at all my short comings and He says, “throw this one back””...I know these are lies and I determine to ignore them...to set my face on HIM...to trust and believe despite how I feel...but I still feel and I wonder.... “does HE love me? truly? Will HE help me? really?” I want to scream at them to “shut-up!” How can I ask for forgiveness for my doubt and in the same breath-thought doubt more?

Silently...don’t even say it in Your mind...the heart mumbles, “speak to me LORD, please show me that You are there.”

And, I go about my day, check email...a new devotion from Skip...about love...about love? Yes, about how the LORD asked Peter if he loved HIM.

I hear the LORD whispering in my ear...I LOVE You...yes, you! I love you with a divine, fervent, intense, unswerving love! Okay, LORD, thanks for the reminder...was that really You speaking to me. Again with the doubt? Please forgive me LORD.

And, I go about my day, check email...a new devotion from Our Daily Bread...about Peter’s failure and the LORD’s restoration...now Father God is squeezing me tight in HIS arms and whispering, “I love you Teresa. I truly do. I truly, truly do. I hear you, I see you and I love you so much.”

God moments. How thankful I am that HE knows me, HE understands and HE walks this walk called life with me, supplying and sustaining me every minute of every day. I trust HIM more and more every day.

I hope you have God moments every day!

Monday, March 21, 2011

If You Know Wayne....

like I know Wayne, then you know that out of all the "honeydoo" items, he really despises anything plumbling related. Before he even starts--when the idea is just a small seed, he begins to mumble, "I don't have any idea what I'm doing."


So, wasn't I surprised last year when he called to tell me someone had dumped a perfectly good cast iron sink in his dumpster at work (yes, we are a dumpster-diving, trash-picking family LOL!). I asked him "are you sure?" I'm thinking, "he knows he's going to have to install this sink--right?"

He says he's sure and brings home the sink. It gets placed in the yard....and sits there....for six long months and more....it sits there. Now it's full of dirt and de-composing leaves. In fact, if he ever does install it, I'm not sure I will be able to get the stains out. :o(

Then, this weekend he does it! He started on Saturday and lost steam mid-day and I thought he wouldn't actually do it. But he did. He started by installing a new facet in the girl's bathroom (it was leaking). Then he got started on the kitchen sink. I think the reason he hates it (other than knowing nothing about plumbing) is that it is never straight forward. So the first roadblock was that the hole in the counter was a little too small. After a trip to the shop to get his router and a stop at the hardware store for a piece we didn't know we needed...and a large sawdust/glue mess all over the kitchen...the hole is now big enough and we hoist and heave it into place.


The next roadblock is the drains now don't match the pipes. He gathers all of his spare parts and tries to get something to work...alas, another trip to the hardware store where we try to find a piece that is 15" long, but all we can find is 14" long. :o) suddenly I see a kit that looks like it will work if we change the connection where the dishwasher comes in. At first he says no, but then his eyes light up and he says yes, you're right. "Yes, You're right!" He said that several times, he was so happy. (I love it when he says that.)

With our purchase in hand, we head back home and he installs it. Then we test it...several leaks and several hours later, the leaks are stopped up and everything is working perfectly! And my new sink is so beautiful! And it is cast iron, so there won't be any holes in it (the last one was fiberglass and had several holes in the sides). And, a little bleach and it's a pretty sparkly white!


So, when you see Wayne, give him a high-five. He gave up a weekend for one of his most-hated jobs, and he did it all because he loves me!

Multitude Monday

Do I get an A for effort? I know I'm not consistent every Monday...but I'm still going :o)

50. My husband who worked all weekend to install a new facet in the girl's bathroom and a new kitchen sink and facet for me in the kitchen
51. My "new to me" kitchen sink and beautiful new facet!
52. Clorox and Future wax -- my used sink looks pretty as new
53. Joeleen
54. Communion
55. 50% off my new George Foreman grill--for a total cost of two dollars and fifty cents
56. Mondays, get to work on my BSF lesson for the kids and clean house
57. My broke down car
58. New Mexico skies, weather, scenery, everything!
59. Amara and Christina are getting a fun vacation and Auntie 'Chelle is getting to treat them
60. Our new camper
61. taxes are done and turned into the accountant
62. warm home and good food
63. my grandparents
64. BSF
65. the Bible
66. Christian brothers and sisters who are awesome writers and write great devotions and encouraging words in books and in blogs and newsletters
67. My brothers James and Jeff who both turned another year older this month.
68. My Aunt Myrna who knows how to see the good in all things and over look the bad
69. Mom
70. Finding Jesus in the book of Isaiah
71. Amara comes home in a few days
72. Peace of God

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Special Thursdays...

I usually don't have a whole lot on my calendar on Thursdays. It is a day set aside to pray for my immediate family, my extended family and for my friends with prodigal sons and daughters.

A few years ago my son decided he no longer wanted to be a part of our family. I cried and raged at the unfairness of it all. How could a son, an only son, abandon his mom, his family? As with all trials I tried to figure it out. What did I do wrong? What could I have done differently? What was God trying to teach me? Is HE even paying attention to this disaster in my life?

I decided to stop the raging and the questioning and to pray. To pray and to fast for my son every Thursday. It started with just me and a good friend praying for our kids and the kids of our friends, then other prodigal parents joined us. For over 3 years now we have been praying and fasting every Thursday for our prodigal children and our families, our marriages. God has heard us and we have had praise reports of reconciliations and restorations.

I still have not heard from my son. However, God has given me peace and I know that HIS will is perfect and that it will be done (lessons that HE has taught me through this pain). I miss my son....but God knows when the cookies will be done....

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Multitude Monday on Thankful Tuesday :o)

30. a warm house on a cold morning
31. all my family still tucked safely in bed
32. a new day ahead of me with adventures and joy to be discovered
33. my Savior Jesus, who is my best friend and constant companion
34. our new camper
35. a whole new batch of cabochons just waiting for the return of a kiln door
36. Skip
37. Sam
38. Deborah
39. brothers
40. the hope of spring
41. a window into the lives of people who make me happy
42. the hope of lost ones returning
43. Wayne's uncrookedness
44. My unstiffness
45. Safe in the shelter of God's hands
46. rice puffs
47. Amara's smile
48. God's goodness
49. Mercy

Monday, February 7, 2011

Multitude Monday

20. the angels of God who surround and protect us.
21. warm socks
22. God's spirit of peace over my family.
23. a day in the studio.
24. vacation in San Diego in the winter time.
25. a warm home with running water.
26. dreams, faith, hope.
27. new mercy from God every morning.
28. the hope of spring, the joy of the first flower.
29. God's favor.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Multitude Monday

Whoops, I missed last week...but that is understandable...last week was jam packed! This week is a little better. :o) Here we go....

14. taught an Etsy class on Saturday and the students loved it!
15. good sales in my Etsy shop.
16. Brittany was released on Thursday and got to go home with her family.
17. I got a new mentee this week, Joeleen.
18. we get to go to San Diego for Valentine's day.
19. God's mercies are new every morning.

have a blessed day...You are loved by an awesome God!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Random Information about my life...

My life is a series of get this done--what's next--check--squeeze this in--rest--now what, etc, etc.

I have regularly scheduled schedules interrupted by my life :o)

Today is Tuesday and I do a Bible study with the girls in detention every Tuesday evening. Tonight we read the book of Jonah and discussed how loving and gracious God was with Jonah and with the people of Nineveh. This volunteer work is coordinated through LifeQuest.

I got to spend an hour in the studio this morning working on some large beads for my friend Kristi in Colorado who wants to make her beautiful lantern necklaces with them. I'm actually listening to the music on her blog site right now. Check it out--both her music tastes and her jewelry.

Then I took my friend Leslie McNertney for a pedicure, lunch and a movie. We saw the remake of True Grit. It was a good movie and our burgers at Johnny Rockets were delicious! It's been too long since we've done that. I will be taking her for a pedicure on the 3rd Tuesday of every month; I look forward to catching up on a regular basis.

Tomorrow is Wednesday and I always have BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) Amara and I both go--get out of the house around 8:30am. BSF keeps me busy most days as there is about an hours worth of homework each day. I know some of you may be cringing now and asking why I would voluntarily subject myself to that much work. All I can say is I want to know God, to truly know him as much as any human can. It's in His Word that I find his character. He is more amazing than I ever thought or than anyone has told me. It's in BSF that I've gained the discipline to really study and dig for the truths found in the Bible. After BSF Amara and I usually grab some lunch and some play time in a city park. Wednesday nights we go to church for mid-week service at my church Amara and her mom, Christina and I.

Thursdays are a special day. I get to fast and pray for my prodigal son and the prodigal children and grandchildren of many special friends and family. I try to keep this day open and will often spend it in my studio alone with my art and my conversations with God--discussing all the people I care so much for.

Nothing scheduled on Fridays usually. It's a good day to work in the studio and catch up on housework. The last Friday of the month we hold a church service for the girls in detention.

Saturdays usually belong to my honey, Wayne. However, this Saturday and next I'm teaching classes for the Bead Society of New Mexico. I usually attend church on Saturday night because...

on Sunday morning I visit Brittany, the girl in detention that I'm mentoring--if you are inclined to pray for her, she has a parole hearing the 27th. She's been locked up for 2 years and is excited to go home to her family. She's changed a lot in those 2 years--I've know her for 1 and have seen her grow in her faith and humility. Please pray that she would do good on the "outs." Sunday afternoons are dinner with the family and hanging out at home.

Mondays are often open and spent in the studio and hanging out with my granddaughter, Amara. Except the 4th Monday of the month, I have the Bead Society monthly meeting. Did I mention that I am the President of the Bead Society this year?

Whew...lots of things going on each day...in between all that I spend time with my sweet husband--Wayne, fit in some time with friends, and create art--hopefully for sale!

There's just a little peek into my hectic life! On another day I'll tell you about all the cool people in my life....ttfn

By doing this rambling list of my schedule. I can see why I'm feeling so busy, but there is nothing I want to cut out! Better time management, that's what I need.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Multitude Monday

7. Safe trip to Carlsbad, NM
8. Fun time with Wayne, Amara and Christina
9. Saw a herd of deer this morning, 9 of them
10. Garlic shrimp fettuccine for dinner with salad and pot stickers
11. Wayne loves me
12. another birthday in the rear view mirror
13. a smile in my heart because I know where my help comes from...Psalm 121

Monday, January 10, 2011

Multitude Monday

I discovered this blog (A Collection of Days, by Hip-Chick). She does something called Multitude Monday and I think it's a great idea, so I'm going to borrow it. I will do my best to post each Monday with at least 5 things I am grateful for.

1. My warm home on this crisp January morning
2. Peaceful early morning quiet time with God
3. All Christmas decorations taken down and put away until December 2011
4. Living room cleaned and rearranged
5. A fun day with Amara, grandma and grandpa yesterday
6. God's provision in all things!

I hope you have a blessed Monday.