by Great Joy Studio | Aug 19, 2013 | Field Trip
Once a year the “Old Rock Church” (St Patrick’s of Armagh) near our house holds a picnic in a fundraising effort to maintain the church, cemetery and grounds. Yesterday our family attended the annual event for the first time. The day began with an 11:00 service which was uniquely inspiring, just to be sitting within the (rarely open) historic country church walls.
The stations of the cross are depicted in these unusual antique framed prints which hang in typical fashion down both sides of the outside walls. Beautiful!
A single bagpipe followed the service in memorial.
by Great Joy Studio | Aug 16, 2013 | Home Arts
The homegrown tomatoes are finally ripe, which means, time for BLT’s! Everyone’s favorite summertime sandwich, right? On the new deck too, by the way. What made these taste even better . . . we used Whole Food’s Seeduction bread. A present from my friend, thank you Annie.
Loaded with seeds, nuts and whole grains, a very yummy loaf!
by Great Joy Studio | Aug 2, 2013 | Field Trip
We’re having a difficult time catching up with ourselves this summer due to a heavier than normal schedule. That’s why it was especially nice last week to take time out for some pure peaceful picking. Blackberry picking that is!
My daughter found a quaint berry picking farm, Huckleberry Hollow, earlier this year, just thirty to forty minutes from us. It was a perfect morning, unseasonably cool and almost no other pickers. Although there were far more red berries than black, we still picked over 10 quarts of ripe berries. 
I washed and froze all of mine and look forward to blackberry cobbler, my favorite, this fall. Yum!
by Great Joy Studio | Mar 25, 2013 | Personal Touch
I never tire of a snowy view and I’m enjoying the one we have now, just out the (Joy) studio window. My photos do not do justice to the Palm Sunday surprise, that we woke up to yesterday morning. It’s very Dr. Zhivago, and I love it! 
An unfinished trellis project is even pretty covered in God’s snow.
The shots above were taken just outside the work area where I was trying to focus on work.
However, I couldn’t resist the beckoning wintery scene, from taking another snowy hike this morning, to capture more of our frozen (in) time.
Below is a, some things just have to be said passage, and comes (like the spring snow) at the appropriate time too, Luke 19:28-40
The Rocks (or snow) Would Cry Out
28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
by Great Joy Studio | Mar 5, 2013 | Field Trip
I had the pleasure of seeing my daughter’s new offices for the first time and helping to decorate her space over the weekend. The new building is great and half the distance she previously had to commute. And – She now has twice the space and two large walls of windows, a huge treat.
A little over three months ago, her work place experienced a fire and the building was not salvageable. So, after working three months from home, it was fun to see her get settled into the new digs. She works as a graphic artist and it was a relief to learn that her hard drive (containing the majority of the company’s design files) did survive. However, all other equipment, furniture and supplies including ruler, Pantone books, light box, stapler, nearly everything, etc. were purchased new. Nice! 
Above is one of her art pieces from a college assignment who is now keeping her company on the job. Decorating updates to follow.
by Great Joy Studio | Jan 7, 2013 | Field Trip
The 2013 Amarica’s Gift Mart in Atlanta is scheduled for this week. I’ve gone back and forth seems like, a million times, on my decision to attend this year. I’m due to depart for there today. Still on the fence. I guess I won’t know until I’m out the door. God willing, is my guess. 😉
Once a year the “Old Rock Church” (St Patrick’s of Armagh) near our house holds a picnic in a fundraising effort to maintain the church, cemetery and grounds. Yesterday our family attended the annual event for the first time. The day began with an 11:00 service which was uniquely inspiring, just to be sitting within the (rarely open) historic country church walls.
The stations of the cross are depicted in these unusual antique framed prints which hang in typical fashion down both sides of the outside walls. Beautiful!
A single bagpipe followed the service in memorial.
