Until Next Time, May Happy Days Abound!

In April 2010, I launched Leisure Lane. It was a place to gather and share some of my “talents”. Though it didn’t turn out exactly the way I had hoped, I’ve met some lovely people along the way, enjoying the many talents around the world and in my own “neck of the woods”, and for that I’m grateful.

However, Leisure Lane has seemed to come to her season of winter; a quiet repose has settled around her and a stillness that echos only the wind through her trees. I’m not sure where to take it from here…truthfully, I’m not sure where to take me from here. I really don’t know what direction my life is going at the moment, and my last few posts are evidence I have nothing of any real interest to share with you. So, I am taking an indefinite break from blogging and internet media until I am able to discover something of more significance in myself that’s really worth sharing. I hope to occasionally hop over to visit some of my blogger friends who are always creating the most lovely things.

Thank you for your visits, your comments, and your friendships. It was a good run for the most part, and I don’t regret one moment of it. May your days be blessed, may your life be fruitful, and…

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Love,

Marianne ♥

P.S. No need to leave a comment, as I won’t be back to check them in the near future. Thank you.

Turning Over a New Leaf – Literally

Welcome to Leisure Lane, friends, and Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers out there.

When we decide to start life anew, there’s usually a decision to turn over a new leaf, as well – usually a whole tree load, like beginning a new exercise routine, or deciding to eat healthier, rest more, etc. – you get the idea. For me, it was all of the former (again), AND to stop eating off the indescribable “yunk” (yuck and junk) that was in the over-the-counter lipsticks. Even some of the so-called “natural” brands still have some less than desirable items in them. Not that I’d completely rule out those brands, but, if I can get something better, I will.

I came across 100% Pure products a few years back and promised myself “one day”. You know how that goes . Well, that one day came, and I hopped over to their website for some orders. Let me say that 100% Pure is not paying me for this post or in any wise knows of me, except for my orders.

What drew me to their products was the fact that they REALLY are 100% pure! Their products are fruit pigmented and you can read all the ingredients for each product as listed on their site. The pigments are strong and last a long time.

I haven’t tried all of their products, but they are always offering specials, which is how I got the above products free, which were being offered if you spent a certain amount. Even the mascara is pigmented naturally  – the one that came in the free offer was their Blueberry and is pigmented with blueberries. You can even smell a hint of them. And even their containers are sturdy and pretty! I can’t bring myself to throw them away!

The free products came in this sweet makeup pouch.

With a delightful lining.
(apologies for the blurry photo)

They are pricey (but no more than the big brand department store), and I will say that some of their colors don’t perfectly match the swatch color on their site, so it may be hit and miss; but their return or exchange policy is very easy. But so far, I like their products immensely, so it’s worth it, in my opinion.

If you want to research them more, there are many personalized swatch and review Youtube videos out there. That’s how I did most of my research, while waiting for the right time to purchase.

Well, I just thought I’d share. If you’re interest in checking them out, you can click here on 100% Pure, and it will bring you to their site.

Thank you for strolling by today, and…

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

O Happy Days!

Hello everyone! I hope you are all enjoying a lovely weekend. Just a quick note to let you all know I no longer work at the job I had. God’s mercy is new everyday! Now I am free to go and serve the Lord – to pray more, to find more, to be more! I look forward to spreading my wings as God leads with new direction.

Thank you for your constant encouragement and patience. I appreciate every person who has visited Leisure Lane – both friends and casual acquaintances – you have made this journey more loving and tolerable. Always remember to stop and smell the roses – you never know what inspiration may come from it.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne ♥

He Raises the Poor…

“He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap.” Psalm 113:7

Good day everyone, and welcome to Leisure Lane, where truly, and by the grace of God, anything is possible! I’d like to share the goodness of God and how much He is willing to lift up anyone who calls upon Him in faith and truth. For many years, I have been a slave to a job that was taking so much and giving so little in return – a job that was never consistent, always nerve-racking, and one that found every way possible to keep its part-time employees from ever seeing the light of day. In a job like that we can lose who we truly are and our purpose for living because we are constantly exhausting ourselves on the hamster wheel of the world’s system of doing things.

During these years, I admit that my faith was up and down – not as consistent as I would like. Then not long ago while in prayer, the Lord led me to Psalm 116:10. It reads, “I kept my faith, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”. That spoke volumes to me. It settled my heart by reminding me that even in my most discouraged moments – even when I felt like giving up and couldn’t pray, there still remained a spark of faith residing in my spirit; faith that God hears my cry of despair, understands my plight, and is more than willing to encourage and lift me up if I will give Him even that tiniest spark. And so He did…over and over and over. And even in my darkest moments, I still continued to give to others – to encourage another poor downtrodden soul and to sow monetary seeds of hope because that is what I needed.

In the beginning of 2019, I said to a couple of close friends, that I believed this was the year of the beginning of my harvest. And things began to happen. Not long after that, I was reminded that I was able to begin to collect social security and so applied. Then, something I least expected…my deceased mother’s house, in another state, went up for sale and sold within 9 days of listing! For reasons I will not discuss here, I truly had given up that would ever happen. November of 2018, I had already cut back my hours at work to save what little of my nerves and well-being were left. God told me to completely quit, but I didn’t have the faith for that at the time, and humbly told him. So, He worked with me where my faith was, but never stopped blessing me. He LOVES us and wishes us the best if we will only receive it. Now, after a most recent circumstance, I may be out of the job totally. That will be a blessing and I will let you know.

What I would like you to take from this testimony is to never give up hope and gather whatever faith you have, and let God fan it with His divine presence and Love. Keep the word of God in your eyes and in your heart because they are the answer to our dilemmas. Jesus said, “It is written; man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. So, I am here to tell you how true that is. God wishes our best and is willing to guide us on the path we should go, and He doesn’t wish it to be the grueling experience we so often help to make it. But, our part is to keep His word in our mouth, in our ears, and in our heart (mind, will and emotions), for they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:22).

I am looking forward to more blessings that I may be a blessing. And, I pray that this post will help you to continue in your faith. One piece of advice I would give, which was given to me by the Lord…NEVER speak from your mouth when you are tired. Usually, negative thoughts begin to come when we are tired. Simply breathe, give whatever care you have to God, and get some rest. In a more restful tomorrow you will be able to speak His promise over your situation with more faith. That is what I’ve come to discover. Remember, He meets you where you are and is forever willing to bring you farther in faith and into your joyful purpose. I am not saying that I have “arrived” in the perfection of faith, but it is a lifetime labor to “enter into His rest”, as Paul says. It will get easier as we surrender more and more to trust in the One who created and loves us. I give Him praise and Him the honor that He deserves.

God bless you today and always, and…

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Clover All Over

Hi, everyone, and welcome to Leisure Lane. I hope you are enjoying a lovely spring day.

Well, if you aren’t allergic, don’t underestimate the beauty and simplicity of clover. It’s all over and makes for a quick, easy, and pretty small bouquet. You can also add some colors with yellow, blue, or other colored wildflowers growing around your yard. I picked these yesterday, before the yard received a mowing.

When my sister and I were little girls, we would pick clover and tie them together to make crowns for our heads – does anyone else remember doing that?

I hope you enjoyed this little post. Delight yourself in the Lord and the day, and…

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

I Heart Cinnamon and Sugar

Hello everyone, and welcome to Leisure Lane, where ANYTHING is possible – really!  I ♥ cinnamon and sugar, and had to share this with you. I just made myself a cup of tea, and once in a while I like to add a little mixture of cinnamon and sugar. I keep a mixture of it in a small container. Today, when I made the tea, I decided to put some of that good stuff in it, so I took the tiny little spoon/scoop that is attached to the container, scooped out a bit of the sweet mixture, and dumped it into the tea….Look how it landed! A sweet heart shape that let me know God is always on my side. I had been talking to him a bit earlier before making the tea. I hope this gives you hope that God is on your side, as well. He is always listening, loving and ready to answer us at every moment.

Back to the cinnamon sugar mixture – I used maple sugar instead of white sugar…yum.

Thank you for strolling by the lane. May you be blessed today and everyday, and…

until next time, may happy days abound!

 

Marianne

It’s a Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Day!

Hello everyone and welcome to Leisure Lane. Today I am over-the-top happy because after nearly 3 months of (and I exaggerate not) dark, overcast, gloomy skies, the SUN is shining! Yes, the sun…the glorious sun. It should last for a couple of days before going back to gray. So, while I was outside soaking up some of this glory from heaven, a song came to me and I’d like to share it with you. I hope you are enjoying a sunny day, wherever you are.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

A Beautiful Day

Come and join me and say,
“It’s a beautiful day;”
The clouds disappeared,
And the sun is all cheered.
There’s no worries in here;
My mind is all clear…
It’s a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day.

There’s no time for a funk,
I don’t want all that junk,
That the world tries to give,
I’d much rather forgive.
But we can all sing,
And get into the swing…
Of a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day.

Cast your cares over to the Lord
And before you know it, you’ll be restored.
Just put your burdens right in His hand,
And sing hallelujah all through the land.

Let the cool breezes flow,
With my get up and go.
Don’t mind if I dance,
Or friskily prance.
Can’t hold it back now,
I’ve got my hand to the plow…
It’s a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day.

There’s no time to waste,
Now that the sky is all chaste,
And the sun’s all ablaze
I just have to give praise.
I don’t know about you,
But I know this is true…
It’s a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day.

It’s a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful daaaay!

 

Marianne Coyne©March 19, 2019

This song came to me outside in the sunshine, after months of dark, overcast weather.

 

Every Day Is a New Day

Good day, everyone and welcome to Leisure Lane. I hope you are enjoying a wonderful New Day!  Back in mid-January I wrote a little song that came to me as I sat down to breakfast. Well, as you can imagine, breakfast had to wait a bit while I wrote it down. I’d like to share it with you in hopes you, too, can experience a new day any time of the day when we count our blessings. It seems to put things into perspective, giving us a new lease on life. Enjoy the poem/song and your new day, and many blessings to you.

Every Day Is a New Day

Every day is a new day.
Every day is a chance at Life.
Every day is a new day
To put behind you all your worries and strife.

And remember all the blessings that God bestows,
They’re the only things that matter, O heaven knows…
Today is the day, it’s a new day
To begin your Life.

Every day is a new day.
Every day is chance in the now.
Every day is a new day
To acquaint yourself with all of the WOW.

Just remember all the blessings that God bestows,
They’re the only things that matter, O heaven knows…
Today is the day, it’s a new day
To begin your Life.

Marianne Coyne
January 16, 2019

 

A Midwinter’s Spring Cleaning

Hello everyone! I hope the new year is being good to you, so far.

Believe it or not, we are seeing trees begin to bloom in the area. What!? Yes, trees beginning to bloom in this, so far, very mild winter we are experiencing here in coastal Texas. So, I’ve been taking advantage of some necessary “spring” cleaning. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like clutter, and a “little birdie” is telling me some really good things are about to happen. So, cleaning and uncluttering is a must to let in the good about to manifest. Also, by “behind the scenes” happenstance, the rest of my Knittington Fairy cards are in a new tea room that opened recently in our town. It’s a wonderful place and a co-owner loved the fairies. I’m keeping my heart opened for good things to begin to find my work. And with prayer, I’m keeping opened to God to be led on the perfect path for me.

As you may have read in a previous post, I have semi-retreated from the job I have, so I’m only working about 2-3 days a week. That has done wonders for my well-being and energy level.

What about you? Are you having some good feelings about 2019? And what is your weather inspiring you to do? I’d love to hear from you.

Well, that’s all for now. Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Novellas are Making a Popular Comeback

Check out my author’s page to see this and more books.

 

Hi, everyone. Hope you are enjoying the beginning of this new year with good health.

Allow me to tell you why I love writing #shortstories and #novellas. I can pack a lot of story into a short amount of reading time, which allows the reader to relax with a good story (and their favorite cup o’) without having to take too much time out of their busy schedules to finish it. I believe novellas are seeing a popular comeback. I’d love to hear what you think about the subject.

Thank you for stopping by Leisure Lane, and…

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne