How Does Your Garden Grow?

Mine is growing and giving me some veggies. I’ve had the pleasure of picking my first English peas…so sweet and tender; and heads of beautiful green broccoli. I love it! The horse poo has paid off.

~ The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for Him there~

George Bernard Shaw

I am most at home in my garden where it doesn’t matter if I wear make-up, my clothes don’t match, or that my shoes are dirty. The birds sing to me, the butterflies flutter by in their beauty, and a cool breeze flows by. Swoon~

Throw on you rubbers and take a walk with me through my garden…

Rows of tall green plants full of blooms and tiny pods of sweet peas…

Huge leafy broccoli plants with flowery heads begging to be cut...

Lined up green tops of onions growing and reaching toward the sky…

Bushy leaves on the bed where the potatoes sleep…

Tiny little plants growing up to make some okra…

Huge leaves connect each of the squash plants as they build a canopy for big bright yellow flowers which reveal little baby veggies…

Cucumbers trying their best to reach the fence to trellis on…

and bell pepper plants getting a fresh start, along with

some new tomato plants which I have already caged.

Along the edges are some mixed wild flowers growing

from their youth with petunias and daisies all around.

~ The best way to garden is to put on a wide-brimmed straw hat and

some old clothes. And with a hoe in one hand

and a cold drink in the other, tell someone else where to dig.

~ Texas Bix Bender

LaughOutLoudCute!

I get pleasure from my garden where I feel the sun’s warmth,

I get to dig in the dirt with my hands, and I get the delight of reaping my rewards.

I am at home in my growing space.

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells, and cockle shells,

And pretty maids all in a row

When I don my yellow rubber ladybug shoes, with gloves on and tools in hand, I begin to cultivate my love of gardening. And when I tire and need a sit-down; the “pink” chair is my resting tool. Yes it is pink! Jackie even sits in it for a while! So…what’s on the menu for supper…baked ham, homemade mashed potatoes, fresh English peas, and sweet tea. Grab a fork and come eat with me!

~ Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint,

and the soil and sky as canvas.

~ Elizabeth Murray

Go dig in the garden and bury all your troubles…you will find peace there.

How does your garden grow?

              

My word for 2010-Experience

I’ve experienced growing things.

Peter Henderson Seeds and Mary Mary graphics found in Google search.

Hidden Things To Do

My to do list:
~A photograph for Lens.Us.Together group. Theme this week: Hidden
~Sew…got some new fabric, from the thrift store of course…to make aprons and potholders.
~Hem my cupcake PJ’s which I cut off into capis, will add a row of cute ribbon on each leg.
~Laundry
~Catch up on blog reading.
~Upload the pictures I took this morning.
~Mail a birthday card.
~Mail a thank you card.

My I am doing list:
~Planning a two nighter trip with the bestie…YaY! So excited!
~Listening to the roll of thunder outside today. Rain is coming.
~Trying to put together this post with some insight and meaning.
~Laundry
~Editing the photos I just uploaded.
~Watching my seeds sprouting up in my little indoor greenhouse…so cool!
~Watching it rain…its here. Enjoying the solace.
~Thinking…

A word for you today

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:11 KJV

This is also my photo for this weeks Lens.Us.Together. theme~Hidden

To Hid — I have laid it up in my mind like a choice treasure, to be ready upon all occasions to counsel and caution me. This does not mean to keep it to myself…we are to share God’s word and what is in our heart.

To Store Up — hide, treasure, be hidden, conceal, lay up, keep in check, bury, being deeply seated in our hearts, to know, understand, and trust.

If God’s word is carved in our hearts, we will be more able to resist the attack of Satan. We must dwell in His word and instructions; memorizing scripture, concealing it in both heart and mind, so that we will have daily victory over sin in our lives and over Satan.

God’s truths, which have been left on record for us, are to be more than memorized. They are to be studied, internalized and personalized to the extent that they become a part of us as individuals. When this happens, a transformation occurs that changes the way we look at the world and the way we react to it. God’s word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, teaching us the way and the truth.  In God’s word we can learn to depend upon Him and make His word a treasure worth laying up, and there is no laying it up safely except in our hearts.  Hearts are fed on the bread of life, and with our lips we feed many.

The Bible is the very breath of God. *I love this phrase…It really speaks to me.*  It is alive and will change you and your life because of its vital connection to God. Read your Bible and experience the breath of God. ~Rev. Richard Gravitt

If we stay in God's word, no one can take us out of God. No devil, no circumstance, no person...is stronger than God's word. We will stumble but He will catch us; we will be deceived but He will reveal to us the truth. His word will keep us humble and close to Him as we develop a special relationship while spending time with Jesus himself every time we visit His word.

Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. ~John 17:17

He is the Word.

              

My word for 2010-Experience

I’ve experienced the hidden word in my heart.

Living more with less

Pushing Buttons

With this week's theme for the Lens.Us.Together. group being "Flawed"… it set me to thinking about the many things that are flawed; especially my own. I pondered what I could photograph that would reflect a good idea of something flawed. There are broken pieces of china, chipped paint, cracked things, busted things, worn out things and just simple imperfections. I love Leslye's, at Spread Your Wings, photo of her flawed Bible along with her quote:

"A bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t." 

I love this...I would call this Worn Strong. Reminds me of my own Bible.

Just about everywhere you look you can find something that is flawed. We have such a high expectation of what is perfect in our eyes that we seem to always find blemishes and defects in everything we look at. We are supposed to be the perfect size, have the perfect outside appearance, the perfect hair, the perfect teeth, and the perfect everything.  But I have found that we all have our own personal flaws; some of which are well hidden and some of which are very visible. I have learned that I should accept my flaws and little imperfections and celebrate them. I will celebrate the fact that I can walk with no pain, see clearly with the aid of glasses, and accept the fact that I am who I am. 

My body is scared from a crushed ankle, broken leg, a broken heart,

bad dreams, having a baby *I call those love marks*,

too much sun years ago, loving to eat and letting things slide

*I think they are all sliding south*.

In the perfect world I would have little buttons I could push to "fix" my

less than ideal self. Here are a few I would have close by ready to push:

• Skinny
• Longer neck
• Taller
• Soft Skin
• No Wrinkles
• Smarter
• No Grey
• No Scars
• No Blemishes
• Sun~kissed
• Pink Glow
• Flawless Skin
• No Make-up Needed
• Nice Thoughts
• Good Manners
• The Right Words
• Outgoing
• Fuller Lips
• Totally Perfect

These buttons are only available in the perfect world, whatever that is. I think it’s found in TV land and on the covers of magazines. We are absolutely too hard on ourselves, trying to meet those higher standards set forth by unrealistic people. So I’m going to stop beating myself up, and take my buttons, toss them in the ocean and deal with myself the best I can with what I have. I have to accept the fact that God gave me the look He wanted me to have. I’m perfect in His eyes… yet I know I disappoint Him in other areas of my life and I am daily working on those things.

I am a constant work in progress.

Lord, give me the strength to change those things I can. The patience to accept those things I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference.

I hope the little fishies in the sea will enjoy my buttons

when they figure out how to push them :)

                   My word for 2010-Experience

I’ve experienced my flaws

Love's Fluffy Sweetness

~Love’s Sweetness~

Sugar and strawberry cream

Gentle kisses with soft whispers

Milky icing of a cupcake dream.

Fluffy sweetness of endless love

Spoken warmly from rosy lips

Sent from the heavens up above.

Being only mine…

Two hearts~One love

Through to the end of time.

~cora

Love is in the air…..do you feel it…can you see it? Cupid is shooting his arrow straight to our hearts. We are loving the simple things in life…we are loving hanging out here in bloggerville with friends and sharing our thoughts and ideas. And I love that it is snowing. Yes I said snowing…in the deepest southeast corner of Alabama. A rare thing for us to see …and so beautiful none the less. One of my recent posts was about spring...well boy was I rushing it a bit...wishful thinking is more like it.  It started early this morning with heavy sleet as Jackie left to go to work...waiting to see if there are going to be any power outages. Shortly after he drove off, it began to snow and got heavier and heavier. It is beginning to accumulate; our back deck and roof are covered. The ground is beginning to turn white. So a Snow Day we have! I will soak it up for all that it is worth and enjoy it. Beauty is all around me.

 I see Red Robins, a pair of Cardinals, and a little Wren bouncing around wondering what all this white stuff is invading their southern hemisphere. Talk about sticker shock!

It's snowing in the South!

Now I know all you snow-bird friends are laughing at me because this is a common thing for you…but you have to understand how rare this is in LA..Lower Alabama! My few inches of the fluff do not compare to the amount you get to play in...but I’ll take it. As I look outside I see that it has covered my little garden...and just when my English peas were beginning to break the dirt. I believe the broccoli will be OK as well as the onions. But I don’t really know…I’ve never had snow on my crop!  *Please note that when I snaped these shots this morning...they only show light coverage.  It is still snowing and coming down heavy now and forecasted to continue through early evening with a hard freeze tonight* WOW...

Thank you for all the encouragement and good luck wishes for the opening of my Etsy Shop. I’m really excited about it.  I'm aware I have to be patient knowing I won’t become a millionaire overnight…maybe in a few years...but not overnight.

I’m headed off to make chili in the crock pot for tonight, hoping we don’t lose power as it is really coming down heavy. They have already closed all the county roads and I’ve lost the signal to my satellite TV. I hope everyone has a beautiful Valentines Day. Sending lots of love and sweet dreams your way…Butter cream frosting and chocolate cherry filled hearts, everything SWEET, and some of the biggest snow flakes I’ve ever seen! Stay warm in your heart.

Snowflake kisses...

Living more with less.

My word for 2010-Experience

I experienced Heavy Snow

Kreativ Perspective

Kreativ Blogger Award

~because there are so many wonderful and talented bloggers…..

you know who you are!

*winking*

I grabbed this award from Dani, a wonderful and talented writer.

And I'm tagging everyone on this one. Tag you’re it…take it and run,

answering these seven questions about yourself.

Be sure to let me know that you've played along so that I can read your responses when you post them. Have fun!

Here are my Q & A:

1 ) Who was your favorite teacher in school?

Mrs. Dansby, my second grade teacher. She was very smart and thorough.
I still know her today and see her every Sunday at church.

2) Do you have any hidden talents?

Well now if I told you they wouldn’t be hidden any more…

3) What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Raising Holly, my daughter, to be the woman she is today.

4) Do you believe that there are aliens or life on other planets?

I have no idea, but I figure if there are any, God made them too,

just like He made us, because He made the whole universe.

5) If you could go on a road trip with anyone who would it be and where would you go?

Well that would have to be Holly…we have the most fun at anything we do.

We, of course would go yard-sale-ing, our favorite trip to take is the World’s Longest Yard Sale.

6) When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An artist of course….

7) Do you have any phobias?

Heights…and falling from high places.

Also throwing-up…it makes me sick to throw-up!

It's your turn now...

The perspective of seeing with imaginative eyes.

Being different.

The perception not of the crowd.

Breaking the mold of want-a-bees,

Following the viewpoint in your heart...

With a stance of attitude for the unseen.

Perspective is a judgment used to

Play the games of scrutiny with fresh eyes.

To capture and freeze a moment of mental vision.

It’s all in the perspective.

Lens.Us.Together.
Theme~ A New Perspective

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,
we'd grab ours back.

More...more than enough

I shared some homemade chili. I always make more than enough.

:

I shared some less-worn clothes from my I-never-wear-this closet.

I should hang a sign on the door that says “Spoiled Lives Here”.

:

I shared love. I received a hug.

:

I’m baking bread. I made Pico de Gallo.

:

I bought fresh pineapples for $1.50 each!

:

I bought a vintage apron with some hand stitching on it for $2.00.

:

I saw an old high school coach in the thrift store. We talked. We both love that place.

:

I love being inspired by you.

:
Life is good and sweet. I have more than I deserve.

:

I should hang a sign around my neck that says “I'm Spoiled”.

:

I have more than enough.

*************

In The Shadows of My Morning

It’s cold...

Things are frozen.

The sun is making its way to me.

It’s a fresh new dawn.

The light from the window radiates a gleam.

…a gleam on the orange sweetness.

Fresh squeezed daylight…

Casting a shadow of my morning.

I so wish you could join me.

Lens.Us.Together.

Theme for this week~Shadows

**********

PICO DE GALLO

6-8 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1/4 c. chopped purple onion

1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced

 1/4 c. lime juice

3 tbsp. fresh finely chopped cilantro

Salt & pepper to taste

1/8 tsp. cumin

2 ripe avocados

Combine tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, lime juice, cilantro, cumin, and salt and pepper in medium bowl, stirring gently. Cover and chill at least 6 hours. Just before serving, peel and chop avocados, and add to tomato mixture, stirring gently.
Serve with tortilla chips.

Remember to stir gently and enjoy!

Sharing the bread baking is for another day dear friends....

((hugs))

A Christmas Calm

As I busy myself getting ready for Christmas, I need to pause among the wrappings, the ribbons, the name tags, the mounds of tissue paper, the baking, the making, the decorating, and find myself. Have you ever gotten lost in all the hustle and bustle of a holiday season? I have to stop and dig myself out of the mountains of card writings, picture taking, list making, the go here and the go theres. Late in the evenings, I finally settle down for some rest time and watch a movie. 
There are lots of Christmas movies on almost every channel on TV . Pop some corn, drink hot chocolate and enjoy them. Some of my favorites are the sappy ones of romance, and love, family reunions, and the home for Christmas ones. I enjoy the funny ones too like Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story. As I watch I wonder…..what do some of these movies actually have to do with Christmas other than the time line was during the season? Regardless; they are still good movies. If you have not seen Christmas in Canaan on the Hallmark channel….it’s a must see! 

There is one thing that I have noticed though…..it always snows at the end of almost every movie!! What’s up with that?

Back to my original thoughts of Christmas chaos…..we must take control of what is laid before us. We must find some calmness in all the hurly-burly hullabaloo and hubbub before we forget what Christmas is all about.

We must stop.

Stop and listen to Christmas.

See the joy on little faces

As love radiates from their heart.

 Share the feeling.

 In the calm still of the moment…

capture it and hold on to it tight.

Sit back…reflect and savor the Christmas in everyone.

*Hear love and angel voices*

~See kindheartedness~

Have a silent night.

Witness the miracle.

Give and Share a calm Spirit.

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Touch Heart to Heart.

All is calm.

Feel the peace.

Find your holiday calm.

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.

~Smile with Joy~

I look forward to each day with you!

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence

of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. "

~Burton Hillis

Lens.Us.Together. Theme for this week~Calm

My Childhood Passion

As a child we think as a child, we play as child, we dream big, sore high, and imagine the impossible. Children possess the ability to play hard, create, pretend, and discover all things new. Memories were made….built from love and the talents of our young minds which were pure at heart.

One of my many childhood passions was playing Chinese Checkers with my granddaddy Sam. This was something we both loved to do. Hours would go by before we realized it. It was a pastime passion of fun, laughter and competition. This passion was among many which include my drawing set,
my paints, playing in the dirt, and Barbie dolls.

Go back to the time when you were younger….a child….and recapture your passion.

What were you infatuated with as a child? Where did your passion lie? What do you remember that was
"Oh so very precious" to you?

It’s good to remember our passions…….Please share your childhood passion with me!

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child; I understood as a child, I thought as a child……"

1 Corinthians 13:11 KJV

This is a part of our 52 weeks of sharing a selected theme at Lens.Us.Together.  This week was my pick for the theme~"A Childhood Passion".  Share some of your passions with me that you had as a child.

Introducing...

Gosh…so much has been going on lately.

First I would like to present to you a new blogger site which

I am proud to be a part of

~Lens Us Together~

It’s a photography blog, born just this week, which will prove to be an adventure to say the least….walking the course of 52 weeks in a year with the story shown through our photography.

We are women that want to do a year of weekly challenges depicting our lives one week at a time.

Go on over and visit with us, and join us as a follower so you can keep up with us if you can! You will discover new places, new ideas, and some awesome creative photos. Women are storming the world…even in photography.

I promise you will be pleased.

PS...you will find some of my work there! Enjoy!