81. New glasses to better see the beauty of God's word and creation
82. Tart, crunchy pickles
83. Spending a Sunday afternoon with my daughter
84. Fresh kale and Swiss chard from the garden, bringing health to the body
85. Caring doctors for my mother
86. A warm and lovely place to attend worship each week
87. Flannel sheets when the Spring weather goes into hiding
88. So many generous hearts, reaching out to disaster victims
89. The love of learning new things
90. Again, the fragrant lilacs
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Signs of Spring on a Cold Saturday...
Just as I was getting used to working in the garden, planning for Springtime diversions, and swapping my tired winter clothing for Spring-y pieces in my closet, the cold returned. And there's a chance of a wintry mix in the morning!
Blessed with a positive outlook and the love of a faithful Lord (and a very patient family!), I continue to look toward warmer weather and Easter joy. I no longer have little ones at home, but a little seasonal cheer does every soul good. So here's a look at some of today's sprinklings...
Blessed with a positive outlook and the love of a faithful Lord (and a very patient family!), I continue to look toward warmer weather and Easter joy. I no longer have little ones at home, but a little seasonal cheer does every soul good. So here's a look at some of today's sprinklings...
Doorway Greetings: A ribbon wreath created by a dear friend and a tiny Easter banner |
Signs of Spring Buffet |
Egg Cup... we dyed and decorated these blown-out eggs last year |
One Egg Cracked Open... and look what came out! |
Primitive Bunny Reading Stories... on the rocker from my father-in-law's childhood |
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Spring Day on Flannel Jammies Farm
Asparagus peeking through |
Radish seeds sprouting in the garden |
Rose bushes |
Japanese Maple budding |
Blooming Rosemary |
Lilacs in full bloom and fragrance |
Beautyberry coming back |
Hibiscus, too |
Fairy garden |
Goat in the greens |
Bee Balm |
Daisies a-plenty |
Bright Forsythia |
Succulent pot |
Hostas return |
Violet and Hyacinth |
Hydrangea |
Dogwood branch |
Dogwood Buds |
Variegated Hydrangea... my favorite |
Daylilly spilling out of a crock |
Dogwood Branch and Birdbath |
Boxwood and Hawthorne... and an old mower/cultivator |
Monday, March 21, 2011
Gifts I'm Thankful For...
71. Finding inexpensive cardigans for the in-between season
72. Amazing inspiration at a Spring craft marketplace
73. Cranberry beans in the crockpot
74. Buds and blooms all around our gardens
75. Tender asparagus spears, straight from our garden to our salad
76. Friends sharing sweet stories
77. Granddogs coming to visit
78. Reminders of the brief time we are given
79. Faithful and Godly examples all around me
80. The sound of my dear husband's truck pulling into the driveway at the end of a long day
Monday, March 7, 2011
Spring morning Gifts...
61. Lilacs ready to burst with fragrant bloom
62. Rains for the garden
63. This week's ashes
64. Opening the pantry to find abundance
65. Warm baths, soothing, refreshing
66. Tiny birds singing songs so big
67. Salads picked just steps from the kitchen
68. Squirrels running and jumping and playing
69. Clothes drying in the sunshine
70. New work for the hands
62. Rains for the garden
63. This week's ashes
64. Opening the pantry to find abundance
65. Warm baths, soothing, refreshing
66. Tiny birds singing songs so big
67. Salads picked just steps from the kitchen
68. Squirrels running and jumping and playing
69. Clothes drying in the sunshine
70. New work for the hands
Friday, March 4, 2011
A New Direction...
Once again, I am going against the flow. I've arrived again at the fork in the road.
And again, I've waited and pondered and chosen the path of less work, less money, and more joy.
The last year has been a challenging one. A new job for me. A new job for Treasured Husband. A new job for Sweet Daughter. New pursuits for Precious Son and his Wonderful Wife. A slowing down for Mother Dear. It's been a year of constant change and constant searching and constant adaptation. I'm tired... worn by the shifting priorities and survival moments and just-trying-to-keep-up.
But again, God is in the midst. Calling me to calm, wooing me back to the Word for relief. He is my refuge, my strength, my salvation in those moments when I know I've reached not the fork in, but the end of, the road. When I hang my head in despair, He calls me to take one more look, revealing that it's only a bend in that road.
So I have a new direction, a soft spot to land, part-time publications work for my hands and more time for the real and true things. It's a sweet surprise. I am awed and grateful.
And again, I've waited and pondered and chosen the path of less work, less money, and more joy.
The last year has been a challenging one. A new job for me. A new job for Treasured Husband. A new job for Sweet Daughter. New pursuits for Precious Son and his Wonderful Wife. A slowing down for Mother Dear. It's been a year of constant change and constant searching and constant adaptation. I'm tired... worn by the shifting priorities and survival moments and just-trying-to-keep-up.
But again, God is in the midst. Calling me to calm, wooing me back to the Word for relief. He is my refuge, my strength, my salvation in those moments when I know I've reached not the fork in, but the end of, the road. When I hang my head in despair, He calls me to take one more look, revealing that it's only a bend in that road.
So I have a new direction, a soft spot to land, part-time publications work for my hands and more time for the real and true things. It's a sweet surprise. I am awed and grateful.