Wednesday, July 27, 2016


I was flipping through old photo albums, and discovered a picture of this bouquet of flowers
that my friend, Arlene brought for me, from her garden.  I remember when she gave them
to me, and how impressed I was that she grew them, arranged them, as a gift. 
They dressed up my kitchen table so beautifully, that I took a picture of them and
saved it.   That was the summer of 1994 according to the date in the photo album.  Knowing
her, she probably gave out hundreds:) of bouquets that summer, but this one was so
special to me!

Flowers, as you know, have always been a reason I look forward to Spring and Summer.
My love of flowers, was instilled in me by both of my dear grandmas.

Years ago, I picked up a little book titled, "Thoughtful Gestures", by Daria Price Bowman.
The subtitle was, "Words and Gifts That Say You Care."  The book contains many great
thoughts, words, ideas, and inspiration.

In the one chapter titled, "Gifts That Grow", I read this short story;

"When a woman from my neighborhood died tragically at the age of forty-one, leaving
four very young children, her many friends wanted to create an enduring memorial to
her.  On a chilly day in the fall, a group of parents and children gathered on a small hillside
at her children's school to plant five hundred daffodil bulbs.  The following spring the
daffodils pushed their way through the cold earth, and as they opened their cheery yellow
trumpets, the entire community was reminded of Mary Ellen.  And every year, as the
daffodils prosper and spread, her legacy will live on."  ~Daria Price Bowman

When I read this part of the book again, I was reminded of what a good idea the daffodil
planting was.  Truly, a gift that keeps on growing.

 

Today, I filled an old flea market pitcher with flowers from around the house, to give to a
friend. 

"True isn't much that I can do.  But I can share my flowers with you...And sometimes share
your burdens too..."   ~Maude T. Preston


Whether it is pretty, delicate Queen Anne's Lace growing by the farmer's field, or...


Or bouquets at the local farmer's market down the street from where our daughter lives, that
happens every Saturday morning, during the summer months...


Or a cluster of Black Eyed Susan flowers cut spontaneously for you, from a friend's garden...


Or a lovely, fragrant pastel colored rose clipped from the rosebush, outside the window...


Or a colorful arrangement sitting by the sink, from the newly created cutting garden of your
sister-in-law...



Or a brilliantly colored, festive arrangement that arrives at your door, after your Mother's
passing, flowers speak love and care.  A gift of flowers makes every occasion better!

Another idea I would like to share with you from the book I mentioned above;

~"When you receive a bouquet of flowers from a friend, save a particularly beautiful bloom
to press in a heavy book.  (Put it between two pieces of waxed paper to avoid staining the
pages.)  When the flower is fully dry, enclose it in a note to your friend."

Or, an idea I like to use, is to take a pictures of the flowers or the flower that were given to you,
copy it, and place it on the front of a plain white card, with the your sentiments of thank you
expressed inside.

 
One more flower idea that is also quite effective in blessing one's day, is to receive a card in the
mail with a picture of flowers from the sender's gardens, displayed on their porch.  Really,
it just as much of a spirit lifter, as actually receiving a bouquet of flowers, because it
says, that someone cares and is thinking about you.  Don't we all love that?

Happy Tuesday to each one of you!

Monday, July 25, 2016



When the weekend temperature is near 100 degrees and the humidity is high...


When the flowers in your garden look wilted and seem to be crying out for water...


....... we all are so thankful for the privilege of being invited to my brother and SIL's "farm pond" for the day!  Yes, that was certainly the place to be.  All of the extended family (that it suited) headed west, for a day of fun being together.


Young and old alike.  For this little guy, it was his first kayak experience.....at least on this pond.


Here father and daughter seemed thrilled to be together.



















Second cousins learning to know each other for the first time.



 
I loved watching the older ones taking an interest in helping the younger ones.
 

Then of course, we are always thankful for our Aunt Lou who kindly makes us her
specialty iced coffee drinks.  They are exceptionally delicious in any type of weather,
but even better in this heat.


We are all most grateful for our host and hostess, and our day at the farm!!!!

I hope you are able to stay cool today!

Thanks for stopping by!


Tuesday, July 19, 2016


For years, this nice wooden chime clock sat in the upstairs closet.  The clock was a gift to
my dad, from the company.  Inside, his name and the date was engraved on brass. 
This clock was placed in the closet because we had misplaced the brass
key that was used to wind it each week.  As we were cleaning out the closets, we found
the key.  Now, once again, it sits in our home, ringing out it's pretty chimes, every 15
minutes. Are we happy with the chiming process now?

Well, last week, at the same time, my husband and I both remarked, that the chimes seem to
be ringing constantly.  It is a continuous reminder to us, of how fast time is going, and
quite honestly, we aren't sure we appreciate it.

Recently, we had another stark reminder of the rapid pace of time.

 
It happened when our daughter and her grandma, sat at the same dinner table, as me and
my granddaughter.  I sat there observing it all, and I can't express to you, how it felt.


 
How did it happen so quickly?  A blink, and here it is.  And, if I live to see it,
in a few brief years...
 

I might be sitting with my great-grandchildren, trying to balance them all on my lap, as
my Mother-in-Law is doing here a few weeks ago.  I really like this picture!

These thoughts on time, and the speed with which it travels, clearly remind me of a poem
that my grandmother taught me.  She had it printed and framed in her home;

"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power,
 To tell just when the clock will stop, at late or early hour.

To lose one's wealth is sad indeed.
To lose one's health is more.
But, to lose one's soul is such a loss
That no man can restore.

The present only is our own,
 So Live, Love, toil with a will--
 Place no faith in 'Tomorrow'--
 For the clock may then be still."

~Robert H. Smith 1932-1982

I pray that the older I get, the more I am reminded of the importance of each minute I have, 
and that somehow I take time to pass on that concept to my grandchildren.

"My times are in Your hands."  Psalm 31:15a.  This verse was one that my Mother
quoted so often in her life:). 


Here is a gift for you today!  Thanks for taking the time to stop by to visit me.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016


Fresh from a local farm, to my kitchen island.  Always a looked forward part of the summer. for me!


Found this recommended recipe, along with many highly favored zucchini muffin recipes on the
Internet.  But, this is the one I tried, and this is one I will keep.  They are moist, flavorful, and
can be frozen.  I doubled the recipe.
If you want to try this delicious recipe, you can find it here;

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/06/18/award-winning-zucchini-bread/print/



A few months ago, I visited "The World Market" with my daughter.  I spotted a wall of the cutest
purse gift bags.  They looked so real and were on sale:).  I purchased a few of them, for times
when I need a gift.  Zucchini muffins in a purse...what a fun gift when I need one today.


Placed the muffins on plastic wrap, in a double row, and then carefully wrapped them up.


After all, it is always good to bring a smile to someone, right?

Happy Wednesday!

Friday, July 8, 2016


 Ten years ago today, our grandson was born.  As you all know, years can fly by, and we've had so much fun with him.......so blessed to have him as part of our family!!!



His energy, his fun spirit and his outgoing personality, give him a long list of friends.



On Tuesday evening, we celebrated him and all his special qualities, with a big (cupcake) "10"
cake.


Here he is now, with a bit of birthday cake on his face, but a most handsome, young man, never-the-less.



He has many who love him, including this little guy, one of his youngest cousins.  With
patience and kindness, he works with him and instructs him. 

We are so thankful for him, and wish him many more happy birthdays ahead.

Monday, July 4, 2016


How about you?  Any unusual happenings in your July 4th holiday?  Anything out of the
ordinary, like perhaps coming face to face with a Peacock?  Did it happen to you?  As you can see,
it did for me.  Twice in a span of two days, I came within a few feet of one of nature's
most magnificent birds.  Actually, I was a bit awestruck, as I studied it's brilliant
colors and exceptional design.
 

As if intentionally placed, I discovered this bird sitting on the hood of a blue pickup truck
at a nearby farm, that I visited with my family on Saturday.  Proudly he sat there, so still that
I almost walked right past him.


He stared directly at me, and I slowly moved close enough to the car, to lean on it and stare right
back at him. All I could think of as I took in his exquisite beauty, was that God certainly is an incredible designer and artist.  So many brilliant colors and perfect designs covered every
inch of this bird.


Today, again on different farm visit, we encountered another one of the proud, strutting birds, in a
big open meadow.

 
It did not seem the least bothered by the chickens running around it.


I used my zoom lens, and captured a close up of his uniquely created plume.

There are so many special celebrations for this July 4th holiday.  I assure you, that I am probably the only blogger, that shares her Peacock encounters, instead of festive and patriotic subject matter.  But, it may add a smile to your day.  I do hope it helps you see things that add wonder and amazement to your every day, whether it is a holiday or not. I marvel at God's creations.

The reason for our local farm visits, were because our daughter and family were spending a few
days visiting us, from their home in the Midwest.  Treasured moments for sure.


Thanks for stopping by today.

Wishing you joy and wonder in the week ahead.


              

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