God's Abundant Gifts

Winged Visitors

2011-12-22T13:20:00.004-05:00

This time of year is always so crazy that we just simple don;t make the time to sit and enjoy the simple things around us. So today while Mark and Emmy are out shopping and Michael is busy with Mindcraft I have a cup of tea, some chocolates and my camera and we are posted at the kitchen window. The other day Ms Renee gave me some star suet bird feeders. I put them out under the pergola and the birds have loved them. They are almost all gone. These were just some of our visitors this morning. I am sorta bummed that there were no Blue jays. The woods behind Skyler's are full of them. I can see and hear them but I haven't found what will entice them to come to our table for a visit. I'll keep trying.

Does anyone have any idea what this little lovely is? Kathy tells me that this is a tufted titmouse.

A very regal Morning dove.

Mark's favorite...a Carolina wren

female Cardinal

A very feisty male Cardinal

Another one of those cute little grey birds.

Wren's backside

I think this is some type of finch.

Maybe tomorrow I will put out lots of sunflower seeds and some pieces of apple, the just maybe the Jays will come.

When I think of birds I think of Mr Mockabee from Mt Washington Baptist Church. He always sang one of my favorite old school hymns, His Eye Is On The Sparrow. I sure do miss his sweet smile and his joyful voice. He touched my heart.

Silly Gift

2011-09-17T16:17:00.000-04:00

Days have gone by and I see this plant just hanging around. And then today I don't know why but it feels like such a gift to me. It might be the purple color that reminds me of the drape on the cross at Easter or how the skin of the pod is transparent...kinda like God can see thru our skin into what is important inside. This vine has come to the end of it's season just like someday we all will come to the end of ours. I hope that I will have been able to let others see what is important to me on the inside by letting it grow all around me on the outside.

The Gift of Burnt Biscuits

2011-09-05T08:22:00.000-04:00

When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed!

Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that ugly burned biscuit. He ate every bite of that thing... Never made a face nor uttered a word about it!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom

apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he

said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits every now and then."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he

really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your

Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!"

As I've grown older, I've thought about that many times. Life is full of

imperfect things and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything,

and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what

I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults -

and choosing to celebrate each other's differences - is one of the most

important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today... That you will learn to take the good,

the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God.

Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a

relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal - breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base

of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent - child or friendship!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."

So, please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burned one will do just fine.

I borrowed this from a friend on FB

Small Wonders...Of Every Kind

2011-08-27T17:47:00.001-04:00

I get so excited when kids gets excited! I love the looks on their faces and I love the tone in their voices. Yesterday morning Luke came running over on his way to the bus stop to tell us about the 'poisonous' praying mantis that was in the crack in their sidewalk. He (the praying mantis) was so small. I picked him up and moved him to higher ground so he wouldn't get stepped on. Doodles was fascinated with it. So much to that we made several trips to Ms Renee's house to check on him to make sure he was okay. I love it when you learn something new about something you thought you knew everything about. I didn't know they could be brown with green legs. Or that the little spike things are really dangerous because they are so sharp they can cut you. And they are not poisonous (I already knew that) But the wonder of little minds and just being able to sit as watch as the wheels turn and their brains are able to come up with the questions..that is what I live for. I am blessed to be able to have little ones around me daily. I hope I never get to old to appreciate the wonders of these unbelievable creatures God has put in my path...I mean the two legged ones.

Praying Mantis

2011-08-24T14:17:00.000-04:00

A few years ago we ordered some praying mantis eggs. We waited and waited and waited and finally one day they hatched. Millions of little brown praying mantis babies hatched in the window sill. I have see a few that are brown and about 3 inches long and I am wondering if those could be some of our babies. The today Doodles got so excited when she saw this green one. I wold have missed it if not for her pure joy. The next thing out of her mouth...'Wammy, hurry, go get you camera and take some pictures.' And so we did. She even had me catch it so she could touch it. It's just the little things that make me smile! I am glad that I can still see things thru the eyes of children. It is what keeps me young.

Dinner Time

2011-08-22T10:53:00.003-04:00

I am so thankful that these birds remind me of a time in our lives when we were first married. It seems like so long ago but the lessons that we learned we will keep with us always. Because of a family business going under we were forced to really think about what was top priority in our lives. Putting food on the table and keeping a roof over our heads were tops on that list. I can remember many time when I wasn't sure I could eat another green bean from our garden. Mark's aunts sent us some of the cheese the government was giving them. We mixed up instant milk and put it in the milk jugs so the kids would not know what they were drinking. Several friends would show up with pies and cobblers (the recipes I use today). We would be invited out for dinner. dinners would appear at our front door. It was a very humbling time.

A retired postal worker would always ask me how things were going and he would hug me and give me a hand full of dollars and tell me to go to the store and get the babies something good to eat. I know that these people and this time made a lasting impression on me. I am always looking for ways to help others. I know I have been there and I know what they are experiencing. I know it is not easy. It is so hard to accept the goodness of others when you feel so embarrassed. But that is okay. Lessons are learned.

Even with the birds that are in our backyard. I feed them and take care of them because it is my way to give back. Might sound silly but they are important too. I get hours of entertainment from them. They make me take time to sit to rest and reflect. I think you can always find a lesson in everything around you if you just look. And there are many opportunities for us as a family to give back and help others. It makes me feel like I listened to what God was trying to tell me and now it is my turn to help someone hear what He is saying to them.

We have been truly blessed over the years and I hope God will tell me the job He had for me on earth...that I did well.

It's Just The Little Things

2011-08-21T13:00:00.000-04:00

I guess that this summer I have been a little more observant of my surroundings. I sit and watch the funny hummingbirds out the kitchen window during breakfast. We now have five and each has their own personality and look. And they are like crazy road rage drivers. They dive bomb each other on the feeders at the window. Sometimes they even crash into the window. I expect that one day I will see one 'playing' dead on the patio.

One day I will be able to photograph them and they will be crisp and clear instead of fuzzy. Someday...

We have a pair of cardinals that pick out the sunflower seeds from the feeder.

I think the squirrels sit and wait for me to put food in the bird feeders. As soon as I get inside they are up and chowing down. This one is pretty healthy I'd say.

I worry about this little fellow. He is so thin and scratching all the time like he has fleas.

He just doesn't took to healthy to me. He even let me get really close this morning. I'm just a little scared of this one.

I am so thankful that I am able to sit and just watch "nature'...as Michael calls it...out the kitchen window. The little kids love it as much as I do. They get excited when a hummingbird comes to the feeder. They are always wanting to feed the birds and they will lay for hours watching the squirrels and chipmunk eat seeds out of the feed off the family room. I am amazed that God was so creative in making all they types of animals that we can see. The colors, body structures, how they work, all the textures and colors, how they move in the world together. Boggles my mind. And I am thankful for that gift and the gift of being able to sit at my kitchen window everyday.

My Mother's Hands

2011-05-24T10:53:00.001-04:00

My Mother's Hands

My Mother's hands are tired and worn
The skin is cracked, the wrinkles are deep;
The knuckles are swollen and red with pain
"Years of labor of love" is the message emitted.~ ~ ~ Though her hands appear unattractive
And though they are wrinkled with age;
These were the hands that once lifted me up
To face life with determination and courage. ~ ~ ~
Though her hands are now so very weak
These same hands wiped away my tears;
They comforted me in my hour of need,
And soothed away my childhood fears. ~ ~ ~ These were the hands that wiped my brow
When fever raged and health was not whole;
Her comforting words and her loving touch
Brought healing to body, mind, and soul. ~ ~ ~
Now tired and worn with bulging veins
Her hands are unappealing and seem useless,
But these were the hands that washed my clothes
And showed me the path of self-forgetfulness. ~ ~ ~
My Mother's hands reached out for others
And ministered to those who were not well,
Her loving hands tended to all their needs,
Indeed, her old hands have a great story to tell. ~ ~ ~
My Mother's hands folded in prayer for
The God of Heaven to watch over her family
And keep them safe from the evil one
And finally be saved for all eternity. ~ ~ ~
Many of her prayers were answered for
They moved the Arm that moves the world.
Her prayers had always been for
Daily needs and the salvation of souls. ~ ~ ~
My Mother's hands reached out to Glory
And clasped the hand of her loving Savior
Who died for her on the cross of Calvary
And showed her tender mercy and loving favor.~ ~ ~
Now resting in Jesus, peaceful and sweet
My Sweet Mother, wrinkled, tired and worn
Had ceased from her labors on this earth
Soon to be awakened in the Resurrection morn. ~ ~ ~
Then, in Heaven and in the Earth Made New
My Mother's hands would once more
Resume their labor of love in
Serving Jesus her King forevermore.

Copyrighted © Lydia Haga 2004

Pink

2011-04-27T14:36:00.000-04:00

Pink is my favorite color of this time of the spring for so many different reasons.

Refreshing My Soul

2011-02-07T14:36:00.001-05:00

Look what Mark found this morning! Spring is just around the corner. I will be sad to see all the snow melt away. It amazes me that God is so smart that he came up with all the stuff that surrounds us...all colors, sizes, shapes, smells, textures...blows my mind. I'm sure glad he did!

Robin Egg Blue

2011-01-23T18:54:00.001-05:00

The sky was such a happy Robin egg blue today. And how fitting that a Robin should be sunning in the tree. It was so nice to see after having such cold, windy and grey days around here. Kinda put a little pep back in my step.

A Small Nest

2011-01-01T11:58:00.002-05:00

I am going to have to do some research on this nest. I am praying that it is a hummingbird nest. Finding a hummingbird nest in the woods is one of those things that has been on My Bucket List for a long time. Yesterday we were driving around Adams County looking for the "Clothesline of Quilts" mural trail. I was looking out the window and spotted this. I couldn't make Mark understand that it was very important that he stop and backup to check it out. So this afternoon I will be doing research to see if indeed I have in my hot little hands a hummingbird nest. Oh please, please let it be so!

White Sunhat

2010-11-22T23:12:00.000-05:00

This youngster was enjoying the shore, recently in San Diego.

This was a couple of weeks ago, before the cold - 50-60 degree - weather moved in.

white

2010-11-22T23:10:00.000-05:00

we had a little snow on a recent trip to gatlinburg....it sure was pretty.

i want to wish everyone a safe, blessed and happy Thanksgiving!! :)

White Skies

2010-11-22T14:13:00.002-05:00

Last Friday Allyson and I were out playing in the driveway. We started talking about all the leaves changing color and we noticed how blue the sky was. We talked about it for a little bit. And then she asked me where the white sky was? White sky? I assume she was asking about the clouds...where were the clouds in the sky. So today we were doing the same thing and she looked up and said, 'look Wammy, white sky.' We had a lot of white sky today.

indigo

2010-11-13T10:03:00.000-05:00

i wasn't really sure what shade indigo was, so i googled it and found 2 answers...one was "between a blue and violet" the other was a deep midnight blue. i thought this beautiful Christmas tree fell into the first category.

blue

2010-11-13T09:58:00.000-05:00

sorry to be so late, but here is my blue....beautiful blue sky just after a rain in the smokies last weekend!

Double Indoor Rainbow

2010-11-12T16:17:00.004-05:00

I wanted so much to capture a picture of an indigo bunting but that didn't happen. Instead while I was pondering what to do, I looked up to look out the front window to see what the dog was barking at and found this on the wall behind the couch.I think the sunshine was coming thru the front window and reflecting/refracting on the beveled glass of the coffee table and on to the wall. Pretty Cool...a double indoor rainbow. God gave me that one for sure.

Indigo sky

2010-11-12T10:38:00.000-05:00

I think my sky, this week, has been indigo.

Blue Skies

2010-11-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

Thought I better get a really good shot of the beautiful blue sky we were blessed to have today. I know that winter is coming and I am going to wish I could see this beautiful blue again....a million times before winter is over. Don't get me wrong, I love the snow and the crispness of the air but I miss those blue skies. Makes you appreciate the change in seasons even more.

Ocean Beach Pier, San Diego

2010-11-05T14:05:00.000-04:00

95 degrees in Novemeber. I love how the sunlight dances on the water.

Sky and Sea,

2010-11-05T13:45:00.000-04:00

San Diego, on Wednesday.

Blue All Around

2010-11-05T09:11:00.001-04:00

Oh, to have a peaceful day like this again. The skies were so blue and the water a completely different shade of blue. Early morning simplicity.

Weeds

2010-10-12T23:23:00.000-04:00

Beautiful weeds.

Upshot

2010-10-12T23:22:00.000-04:00

Green palm fronds, in my front yard.

green beauty

2010-10-12T21:51:00.000-04:00

this shot is an oldie...but one of my favorites. i shot this in mexico...haven't seen a green butterfly before or since. :)

Seasons

2010-10-12T14:07:00.003-04:00

Fall is special to me in so many ways. I love all the colors, smells and tastes of this time of year. Gardening has been in full force for months and now it is time to close up the yard and dream and plan for next spring. Wouldn't you just love to know how all of this was rolling around in God's head and how it all came to be? It is beyond my comprehension. I have a hard time coming up with a weeks worth of dinner menus.

We Got Swooped

2010-10-08T13:07:00.005-04:00

I have always hoped to see an owl in the wild. I have even toyed with the idea of going on a night hike at one of the nature preserves but just have never made time to do it. God did it for me this past weekend. We were driving down the hill from having wedding photos taken at Devou Park and a big bird almost swooped into our windshield. I looked in the woods to see if I could find out what kind of bird it was and this is what I saw.
I was about to climb out Mark's window to get a good look. And wouldn't you know...I didn't have the other lens with me. (I gotta start carrying everything with me). Can you find the owl?
I am going to ask Michael if he will do the research to find out what kind of owl this is.

Another thing to mark off my Bucket List. Seems my list is getting shorter. Wonder if I should be concerned? Still looking for that hummingbird nest.

yellow

2010-09-06T00:33:00.001-04:00

for years and years...as long as i can remember actually, alabama was truly a land of cotton. over the last 10 years or so, little by little, many cotton fields are being replaced by subdivisons. the past couple of years, however, we are seeing oil fields replacing some of the old cotton fields....sunflowers are being grown and sold for vegetable oil and biodiesel. beautiful! i definitely see them as some of God's abundant gifts. :)

The Beginning and The End

2010-09-03T17:20:00.003-04:00

It seems to be that season of plant life living out it's last days. No matter how much I water or how much God water's this time of year everything looks so tired and worn out. Even the most hardy black-eyed Susan's have seen better days. Life in the garden goes on. The plants supply the seeds for the hungry birds in the winter. A resting place for a garden spider. They provide me with a good harvest of seeds to share and for planting for next spring. I dread this time of year. The yard looks so drab unlike all the life I see in the spring. But I know that better days are coming. I just need to be patient. It is a just kinda like life if you think about it.

Our Hearts

2010-08-29T09:13:00.008-04:00

Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to outpatients at the clinic. One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. "Why, he's hardly taller than my 8-year-old," I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body. But the appalling thing was his face, lopsided from swelling, red and raw.Yet his voice was pleasant as he said, "Good evening. I've come to see if you've a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, and there's no bus 'til morning." He told me he'd been hunting for a room since noon but with no success, no one seemed to have a room. "I guess it's my face ... I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments .." For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me: "I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning." I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch.. I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us. "No, thank you. I have plenty." And he held up a brown paper bag.
When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn't take a long time to see that this old man had an over sized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her 5 children, and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury. He didn't tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was preface with a thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving him the strength to keep going.. At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children's room for him.When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and the little man was out on the porch. He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, "Could I please come back and stay the next time I have a treatment? I won't put you out a bit. I can sleep fine in a chair." He paused a moment and then added, "Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don't seem to mind." I told him he was welcome to come again. And, on his next trip, he arrived a little after 7 in the morning.As a gift, he brought a big fish and a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen! He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they'd be nice and fresh. I knew his bus left at 4:00 a.m. and I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us. In the years he came to stay overnight with us, there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden. Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk 3 miles to mail these, and knowing how little money he had made the gifts doubly precious. When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbor made after he left that first morning. "Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away! You can lose roomers by putting up such people!" Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice. But, oh!, if only they could have known him, perhaps their illnesses would have been easier to bear. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude to God. Recently I was visiting a friend, who has a greenhouse, as she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, "If this were my plant, I'd put it in the loveliest container I had!" My friend changed my mind. "I ran short of pots," she explained, "and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn't mind starting out in this old pail. It's just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden." She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven. "Here's an especially beautiful one," God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. "He won't mind starting in this small body." All this happened long ago - and now, in God's garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b)

My cousin sent me this in an email. I am thankful for two reasons...that she considers me worthy of such a story. And I am hoping that you were touched by the words. Makes you think of how we view others. God made us all just the way he thought we would be perfect. We just need to change our hearts towards others sometimes.

another sunset

2010-08-27T23:22:00.001-04:00

grayton beach state park

red sky at night...

2010-08-27T23:09:00.001-04:00

sailor's delight....

august sunset in panama city beach, florida

It's Just The Little Things

2010-08-27T18:32:00.002-04:00

I am so fortunate that I can work from home. But it really isn't like work to me. Don't get me wrong some days are more challenging than others but at the end of the day I can smile and say that I had fun. I have always said that I would have a house full of kids. Kids around me until I am 90. Never really want to be an empty nester. But I know someday that will happen and another chapter in my life will begin.

I am blessed to have little ones with me during the week...other than my own who are quickly growing and will be spreading their wings. But my little buddies, they are the ones that keep me young. All those years I was blessed to be a preschool teacher come in handy. Then all the years of foster care have given me patience. All the years of raising our own kids...gave me tons of experience. Then there are all those others kids that have come and gone in my life. I can cay that they all have taught me lessons about life. They all hold a special place in my heart. God has surely given me abundance joy and an abundance of gifts. And I am truly thankful.

Proud

2010-08-11T08:49:00.002-04:00

Seems every time I am on FaceBook this week, someone is posting a video of soldiers surprising loved ones . They get me every time. I cry like a baby. Last night I was sitting on the porch trying to get a pic of a goldfinch and the flag just jumped out at me. We are so lucky and privileged to live in a land where we can made our own decisions. We are safe. All because men and women work hard to give us these things. I am proud to say that my dad and father-in-law are veterans. Several nephews are in the armed forces now. One is getting ready to be deployed. Sure puts things in perspective. I am a proud American. And most importantly...we are all under God.

All Creatures Great and Small...

2010-07-08T16:06:00.004-04:00

...the Lord God made them all. I have been told if I want to photograph a butterfly,I need to be still and very patient. They land and eat. And then fly away but they usually come back to the same spot quickly.

Queen Annes Lace

2010-07-05T11:15:00.005-04:00

The Wild Carrot (Daucus Carota) or Queen Annes Lace is one of many umbelliferous plants to be found growing around the world. Although the species name for this ferny plant with the elegant, white lacy flowers is "Daucus carota", the same one used for cultivated carrots it is not the same plant. As a member of the carrot family it has a long taproot and lacy leaves. Dig up and crush a Wild Carrot root and you will find that it smells just like a carrot. I like the legend better...

The American legend says that Anne of Denmark (1574-1619), queen consort of King James I, was an expert lace-maker. The central flower of the carrot's umbel is reddish-purple. This odd flower was placed upon the umbel for the time Anne pricked her finger and a drop of blood stained the lace. According to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary the name Queen Anne's lace did not appear in print until 1895, two hundred seventy-six years after Anne's death.

Another says:
Queen Anne’s Lace is said to have been named after Queen Anne of England, an expert lace maker. English legend tells us that Queen Anne challenged the ladies of the court to a contest to see who could produce a pattern of lace as lovely as the flower of this plant. No one could rival the queen's handiwork. She however, pricked her finger with a needle and a single drop of blood fell into the lace, that is said to be the dark purple floret in the center of the flower.

There are several anecdotes as to why the Carrot Flower is named the Queen Annes Lace.

1. Queen Anne's Lace: so called because one tiny purplish floret in the centre is the queen. The white florets make up her lace collar.

2. The reddish flower at the center of this herb is also referred to as a drop of blood from Queen Anne (1655-1714) who pricked her finger while making lace, drawing a drop of blood.

3. English botanist Geoffrey Grigson suggests that the name of the plant comes not from a Queen of England but from Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary and the patron saint of lacemakers.

4. The origin of the name is reputed to be based upon an English legend. Supposedly, when the future Queen Anne arrived from Denmark to became the queen of King James I of England, wild carrot was still a novelty in the royal gardens. The legend states that Queen Anne challenged the ladies in waiting to a contest to see who could produce a pattern of lace as fine and lovely as the flower of the wild carrot. The ladies knew that no one could rival the queen's handiwork so it became a triumph for Anne.

5. One fable associated with the name of this plant describes the occasion of Queen Anne of England pricking her finger while working on lace, staining the lace with blood. If you look closely, you'll notice that each large "flower" has many small white florets with a red/purple dot in the middle.

6. Queen Anne's Lace is also known as Mother Die, because if you brought it into your house, according to superstition, your mother would die.

7. The white clusters apparently reminded the British of Queen Anne's lace headdress.

Here's a poem. By Mary Leslie Newton

Queen Anne, Queen Anne, has washed her lace
(She chose a summer's day)
And hung it in a grassy place
To whiten, if it may.

Queen Anne, Queen Anne, has left it there,
And slept the dewy night;
Then waked, to find the sunshine fair,
And all the meadows white.

Queen Anne, Queen Anne, is dead and gone
(She died a summer's day),
But left her lace to whiten in
Each weed-entangled way!

Amazing Creativity

2010-07-01T12:14:00.005-04:00

I am looking forward when I can sit with God under a big oak tree on the most green, plush grass there is and talk to him about a lot of things. His imagination will be the first thing we talk about and then I plan on asking the more serious questions that have puzzled me all my life. What is one question that we would ask?

Wings

2010-06-29T15:48:00.001-04:00

I was sitting outside watching Doodles play inthe pool and this butterfly swooped down to get a drink of eater serveral times. Then it moved on to the hosta blooms. I have never seen a butterfly try to get it's entire body in any kind of bloom.

A Little Boys Smile

2010-06-24T21:36:00.006-04:00

Last night Mark found this turtle coming into the yard from the ivy. He called me and I picked up the turtle and took it to the garage to find something to keep it in.

Michael was a little timid about picking Bowser up but once he saw me pick him up he was okay with it.

Does he look like someone just made his day? He was so excited and couldn't wait to show Luke. So today we let Bowser back into his world because "he is a living creature that needs to live in the wild."

Baby Birds

2010-05-27T11:27:00.003-04:00

I don't know how she does it but every year a little grey bird builds a nest down in the post of Luke's basketball hoop. We see the parents working on the nest and then one day we hear baby birds. Then Mr John gets out the ladder and we watch as they grow from skinny naked babies to feathered birds. I'll have to get the bird book out to see if I can figure out what kind of bird it is.

Beautiful Weed

2010-05-19T22:08:00.003-04:00

Mark and I have been working really hard trying to get the yard back in shape....and man do we have along way to go. Last weekend while putting up our FreeCycle .org fence I saw this beautiful little purple weed. I've been thinking about it all week. Thinking that God created something so beautiful out of a annoying little weed that is eating up our vinca vine. I keep thinking about Sarah Beth and the legacy she leaves behind. Such a beautiful soul. But cancer is such a horrible thing. It just continued to eat away at her day by day. Until God decided that it was time for her to have a new body, free of pain. Something horrible but with a beautiful result. Each year this little vining flower will show up in our vinca vine. Each day someone will read LoveYourGuts.com. Sarah Beth's mission in life will live on thru her thoughtful words.

Bleeding Hearts

2010-04-10T22:57:00.001-04:00

Mr John made the most beautiful flower bed in the front of their house. I am so jealous! Emmy took this shot of his bleeding hearts. I am hoping to find some for our yard. We have pink ones but these white ones are so beautiful.

Pure White

2010-04-07T10:02:00.000-04:00

I was walking through the ivy this morning and found that we have some totally white daffodils. I have never seen any like this before. They remind me of lace for some reason.

Sharing Spring

2010-04-03T21:40:00.000-04:00

I am sure by now just about everywhere you can find signs of spring. I sorta cheated this morning. I was sitting on Aunt Kate's porch enjoying a cup of coffee on the swing and saw all these beautiful flowers. Just thought I would share. Hope they brighten your day...as they did mine.

New Life

2010-03-21T15:26:00.000-04:00

This morning I am feeling the effects of spring allergies. I have a sinus headache from the bridge of my nose to the small of my back... and the squeakiest voice on the planet...but I love spring!Seems something new comes up every morning. Today I found these little purple flowers. The look like Siberian iris but I don' think they are. The yellow and purple are so vivid. I am so thankful for the first owners of this house. He was an avid gardener. The people who owned the house before us...not so much. It is so fun to be surprised each spring at what comes up. A rebirth of sorts every year. We have been able to add little bits here and there. This year might be the year of only maintenance and clean-up. I don't care...its Spring!

Slow Rebirth

2010-03-15T17:03:00.000-04:00

Last week when Allyson and I were swinging on the porch this poor old dried up clematis vine looked so bad. I had my doubts that it would ever green up. The today while waiting on the dog I notice just a tab bit of green and a little 'peach fuzz' at the base of the bud. Spring always amazed me. The same as God always amazes me. We are sorta like that clematis vine. In the winter of our life, we start out all dried up with no direction. Then spring comes and fills us with life and we bloom all over the place. Then hard times hit and we sometimes revert back to our old selves. We have our ups and downs just like this clematis vine. We may not feel God's presence in our lives all the time but He is always thre nudging us forward to the things He would have us do.

Reflections In Water

2010-02-05T10:16:00.000-05:00

It is so amazing to me that this little drop of water that falls from the sky can be a great thing and at the same time in a totally different aspect, can bring the world to a screeching halt. We are expecting a huge storm starting this morning and continuing into the weekend. All because of this little drop of water. The reflection amazes me.

Raindrops

2010-01-18T10:19:00.000-05:00

Some people don't like the dreariness of rain. I love it. My grandmother and I would always sit on the front porch under quilts and watch the storms as they rolled thru. I have never been scared of them. I love the way you can smell the rain even before it gets to you. I love the roll of thunder. Lightening fascinates me. Last weekend I was visiting my Dad and it started to rain. We were getting in the car and I saw these droplets on his juniper bushes. I have learned to have my camera within hands reach where ever I go. So standing out in his front yard in the rain I captured the rain. Just another way God tells us it is okay to slow down and enjoy what has been created.

Wonderful Snow

2010-01-10T16:13:00.000-05:00

Snow is one of my all time favorite things. I love how it feels outside. I love how it sounds when it is falling. I love how it changes things. I just love it! I think God gives us snow to try to make us slow down. Today we were out driving around looking for interesting snow shots. Little did we realize that we could have stayed in our own yard.

I was amazed that this shot cam out as well as it did. I can actually see a real snowflake.

There a kind of candy that I know I have seen at Cracker Barrel that look like crystals on a stick...that is what this branch looks like to me.

I got the idea that I could take pictures of snowflakes close up with my new camera. As you can see I still have a lot to learn about this camera.

I think these shots are pretty amazing. Snowflakes do look like the snowflakes that we see hanging from Christmas trees as ornaments. I plan to try this again and would love any suggestions anyone can give.

Transitions

2009-10-02T13:06:00.000-04:00

I know it has been a very long time since I have even thought of this blog...much less gotten an entry together and I hate that. Sees that live has just gotten in the way.

I was thinking the other day about how there is such a gradual transition between the seasons. One day we are hot and humid, then the next morning we are digging out the sweatshirts. Then I look at the yard that I should be getting in shape for the winter. The transitions of spring to fall flowers. Green to reds and golds. Green pliable leaves to brown crispy ones.Then I found this flower that show transitioning so well. One side is bright and cheery while the other is beginning to dry up and fade away. So many new transitions in our lives with jobs, schooling, friends moving away, babies growing, dogs getting older...all within the circle of life...just the way God planned for it to be.

I See Spots

2009-07-01T00:15:00.000-04:00

I was looking thru one of the books from the library or a magazine we had and starting seeing all kinds of things with spots. Here are just a few of my favorites that I was able to find in our yard this week...This is just one of the many foxgloves that we were able to grow from seed this year. I love the spots.

When Ellis and Alaire and I were playing in the driveway this morning I found this shadow of the old green chair...the one that Alaire chalked all over...no problem the rain will wash it off.

Ellis found these water droplets on this spider web this morning while he was riding his bike before going home to Colorado.

Spots

2009-06-30T03:05:00.000-04:00

Here are some spots from our recent vacation. A cushion starfish, a peacock's tail and the tail of a JetBlue airplane.

Green

2009-04-26T21:09:00.001-04:00

I guess this is sort of Eye-spy-ish. I haven't been real creative with my photography lately but I've sure enjoyed taking the time to walk around and take pictures of alot of spring's arrival. There is a big difference between looking around at all of the blooms and changes in the hills and trees vs. actually squatting down beside a plant or bud and photographing it with your closest eye. For there is where we see the real beauty. Being still, taking the time to really look at the subtle changes all around us. Such a gift from God.

Jewles of The Earth

2009-04-22T10:45:00.001-04:00

Today is Earth Day. And this is one of the jewels in our garden. This is a Lady's Mantle. I love the way the water droplets looks like diamonds. That is how I describe it to Mark when I can't remember the name. And he always knows what I am talking about.

Go out today and looks around you...soak everything in and think about ways that you can take care of the earth that God has created for us to enjoy.

Legend of The Dogwood

2009-04-12T03:00:00.000-04:00

An old beautiful legend says that, at the time of the crucifixion, the dogwoods was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to put such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus in His gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all said to it: "Because of your sorry and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large to be used as a cross. Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms will be int eh form of a cross-two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints-brown with rust and stained with res-and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember."

The Starts of Spring

2009-04-03T13:14:00.001-04:00

tulips staying warm

daffodil says Hi!

dogwood blooms facing up like little peeps in a choir!

a hosta unfolding

pear tree blooming on a spring day

weeping cherry tree blooms

dogwood bloom begins to open

Spring has sprung, in Murrieta

2009-04-02T16:45:00.000-04:00

Lemon blossoms, smell so sweet.

Tiny Narcissus, bobbing in the wind.

These two shots are of the Jasmine, right outside my front door.

This wonderful geranium is also at the front door. This is an amazing plant. Eight years ago, I saw a geranium growing out of the asphalt in Cypress, CA, near my daughter's house. My climate is a little more challenging than hers, Chaparral vs. Coastal; so I figured if it'd grow out of asphalt, with no irrigation, it's grow here. I've given tons of cuttings away. It's really hardy.

Rebirth

2009-03-31T13:34:00.001-04:00

Time has gotten away from me...and so has the yard all all the little jobs that keep sneaking up on me. But I am always amazed at what comes up in the spring. A lot of the things I forgot they were there. So this morning I walked right out the front door and took three pictures of the first things I saw.A few weekends ago I went to WV for a few days. While I was gone it must have been a little bit warm because Mark was able to get outside with the loppers. He loves trimming bushes in the spring. I always think he trims them way back way to much. When I left this burning bush was about 5 feet tall and 4 foot wide. Now it is about 12 inches tall and naked as the day it was born. But I think there might be hope...I see a few green shoots and some buds forming.We have been babying this clematis for two years...this is the year that it should take off. It has the largest and prettiest blooms I have ever seen. One day there was nothing there and the next time I looked it seems to have sprouted a hundred leaves. And if your yard doesn't already have some of these...you are King/Queen of the Garden. The closer I looked the more I find. This is the first 'bloom'. They are like a little army...sneaking around and jumping out at you from all sides when you least expect it. I know God has a sense of humor with that 'flower'.

Looking Towards Spring

2009-02-28T14:28:00.001-05:00

The yard is a much right now. The air is cold and damp. But I am looking to the future..Spring iscoming, I know it is. We have little green things peeking out of the yuck. I want to share so color from last summer.

Spring Remembered

2009-02-28T03:05:00.000-05:00

Here are some shots from this week, walking around my neighborhood. It's still cold here, for California.

I don't know the name of the first flowers; I usually spot them as I drive the freeways, so I call them Freeway Flowers.

Above is an Oriental Poppy, and below the humble dandelion.

Cloudy sky and bare trees.

Here are some shots from Spring, '08.

California Poppy and a fly.

Middle photo, another name unknown, and below lupine.

spring

2009-02-28T03:04:00.001-05:00

oh how i love spring. it is really my favorite season. time of rebirth, color and mild temperatures...and always welcome have a long dreary winter. :) we do not have much spring color right now....the few things that have bloomed have been stung by freezing temps...but we are closer each day to a world of beautiful colors. this is an old photo...i've not been out much with my camera lately...though no excuse for today...absolutely goregous! but i've been very lazy.

H2O

2009-01-30T03:08:00.000-05:00

Seems like we are all running a little bit behind this month. That's okay. We will do better next month when thing have calm down a little(pssshhh...who am I kidding?)

Water, that's interesting. The only water that we have is in the house. Thank the Lord we have heat. But if I remember right, even when the electric goes off we still have hot water...because we have a gas hot water heater. Do you know which kind you have?

So back to water.Our trees have been coated with this frozen water for almost a week. Early in the mornings it is so peaceful, I think sometimes I can hear fairy wings...the snow has diamonds sprinkled in it and the trees shiver in the cold.We call these windowcicles. I found these out our bedroom window this morning when I was looking for the a yellow tailed flicker.
We have been checking each morning to see if they have grown over night. Looking out my window during the different seasons is something I look forward to each morning.

Drinking from the Waters

2009-01-30T03:07:00.000-05:00

I have been a real GAG blog slacker. I am struggling to keep up with life and my own blog but I think I'm going to make it over for the water entry. And not because I have some awesome water photography. Well I probably do...I know I have a library of beautiful photos of rivers and oceans and lakes that we have visited over the years scattered throughout my archives. But when I heard the topic of "water" these photos are what came to mind, strangely. I guess they are just special to me because they capture so much for my eyes...and good memories. We were at Hawks Nest and it was a hot September day.

Great family time roaming our beautiful West Virginia...but the kids were hot and thirsty
and so when we came up on this little rock made water fountain it was like buying a new toy at Toys R Us. I had just bought a new camera and was testing it out so I squatted by the fountain and watched them quench their thirst. They loved it and so did I watching them. And although theres no fanciness to these pictures I love moving water like this captured still. (you need to click on the photo in large form) It even looks enticing and thirst quenching. Which of course means yes I must tie in a lesson here.

Our thirst for Christ can be quenched if only we come to his waters. Sometimes I feel so guilty that I do not live up to or give God the time I need to be devoting but I do feel comforted that I still have that constant thirst...that need and desire is there. I just need to do better at drinking it all the time. Because I know the satisfaction and benefits I would reap are just like in these photos of my kids that hot September day when they found this fresh cold water for their dry throats.

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after you
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you

Water through my eyes.

2009-01-30T03:05:00.000-05:00

I haven't been a slacker, but I am late posting, today. Sorry, Jan, time just got away from me. What's my excuse, I have none. I've been really busy, just being retired.

Now for the subject WATER. I love capturing photos of water,

so I limited myself to recent captures.

This first one was taken in the Long Beach harbor. That's one of the Tall Ships that was visiting the port. It's an educational vessel and they give re-enactments.

This duck is hunting for his next meal, this is a pond on our golf course.

These rain drops are on a potted plant on my patio. I took it 11/27, when Carrie was visiting from North Carolina.

I love reflections, and this is another shot of a golf course pond with a duffer reflected in it.

Water isn't always calm, even on the golf course. Here the stream that meanders all through our community has overflown, and sent the footbridge free.

Below, I was leaving Mom's in Seal Beach on my way home when the

reflections of the CalTrans sawhorses, caught my eye.

I take a lot of photos while driving, if I can do so safely.

water

2009-01-30T03:04:00.001-05:00

sorry i'm late posting...early january i got this hair-brained idea to go back to school and get my bachelor's degree (i have an associate's in nursing), and with daily life, family, and work activities, i've barely even opened up my blog these past few weeks. i think posting will be sporadic for a while, but you never know when i might pop back in! :)

i love water shots...rivers, ponds, the ocean, puddles, the movement, reflections, the stillness...water just appeals to me. i took these shots last spring in during a visit to gulf shores, alabama.

reflections one afternoon at a lil road side park

gulf shores zoo

the beach

December Challenge

2008-12-30T03:10:00.000-05:00

This month it's my turn to choose the Photo Challenge. I thought the theme FAMILY would be appropriate for this month. So, put your thinking caps on and put your finger on the shutter button and click away. Show us who your family is or how you feel about your family.

Jan approved the new posting times:

30th 12:10 AM Original Challenge Topic Explanation
12:09 AM Emmy
12:08 AM Jan AKA Wammy
12:07 AM Kathy
12:06 AM Leigh Ann
12:05 PM JP
12:04 PM Gina

Ellis Family...Revisited

2008-12-30T03:08:00.000-05:00

I was searching for family shots and realized that we don't have many. That could be my New Year's Resolution...take more shots of the family as a family. Two January's ago when Trevor, Cassie and Ellis were here for Christmas we had one of Cassie's friends from college drive up from Lexington to take pictures. Mark chose the park and we all met there. I only remember it being dreary, overcast and COLD...none of us had heavy coats. Let me just stop here and tell you what a fun time it is to get all these yahoos together for a picture. None of us really like having our picture taken.
John is a very patient man. He tried so hard to capture the family. He must have taken a hundred shots. I don't think there is a single shot where all of us are looking at the camera and smiling at the same time.But he did manage to get a few different shots of Michael. Now, there is one who HATES to have his picture taken. It is like pulling teeth. But if you take a picture of something he has made and sneak and capture him admiring his masterpiece...that's a way different story. I love this one thru the wall of the bridge. This one makes me smile...so I will leave you with that. And promise when Cassie and crew are here in a few weeks to take more family shots and post them later.

The Prytz Family

2008-12-30T03:05:00.000-05:00

This is how Bob and I started out, on 5/2/1964, the second half of the collage is us, this year at a minor leage ball game. The joys of our life are our daughters, Carrie and Sharon. In the collage, at 2 & 4, dressed for Halloween, then at 16 & 14, posing for me with their braces still on. The bottom row are current photos, Carrie and Sharon.

Here are some photos showing how we grew, as a family. The first on is about 1986 at a LAPD Christmas party. Sharon, Bob, me, Carrie.

This one is about 1 1/2 years after Carrie had married Ole. They met on a blind date, set up by mutual friends. They were seniors at different high schools. They were put together because they were both so shy. During the first date they barely spoke to each other, but never dated anyone else. Their friends were pretty smart.

This last photo shows our family, as large as it got. It was taken about 1 year after Sharon married Marcelo. Marcelo isn't legally part of our family any longer, but he is very active with our extended famiily, because he's Odens' father.

family

2008-12-30T03:04:00.001-05:00

ok...i know i'm late, but posting anyway. my family is truly a gift for which i am very thankful. we are not perfect by any means...but we are family! :)

i only have a couple of photos and they are old. the top photo was taken Christmas a couple of years ago and pictures myself (front, 2nd from left) with my 4 siblings and parents.

here are our grandchildren. this was taken last year and one wasn't in attendance. since this time, we've added another, and next year we'll have yet another addition. i jokingly told my dad last year that they needed to buy a bigger house as theirs was getting smaller every year. :)

this has made me realize that we really need to try and get everyone together for more family shots.

GAG #9: Giving Thanks

2008-11-30T03:05:00.000-05:00

We have just ventured into the season of thinking about our blessings. We come from so many different backgrounds that I thought it would be interesting to see and hear how different families mark the coming and passing of Thanksgiving. Maybe a picture of who was seated around your table...a memory from you childhood...or your favorite dish, including the recipe to share. The sky is the limit on this one.

Thanksgiving Memories

2008-11-30T03:03:00.000-05:00

There was a time when we got up at 4AM and drove to KY to stand out in the cold and help people with the preparations for the Thanksgiving Day Race. We would work the race and then we were off to O' Charley's or TGIFriday's...somewhere where someone else cooked the meal and cleaned the mess up after. When I was a little girl we would drive all night to Indiana to my Great Uncle and Aunt's house. All the cousins would show up. We would sit down to dinner with about 25 relatives, so I knew and some I didn't. It was always warm in the house because there was a really big fireplace...one that you could almost stand up in. Uncle Paul had an old barn with donkeys and an indoor pool. The men would go out rabbit hunting and the rest of us would play games, sleep, watch TV or go outside to see what we could get into. Before those years we would go to my grandparents house with all our cousins and have dinner. I have always been surrounded by lots of family members at Thanksgiving. Except for those years we were in WI. This year we had to put only one leaf in the table (we have four...so you all are invited next Thanksgiving). We had the traditional meal, a whole turkey that Emmy doctored up which turned out really good...my speciality mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing requested by Bryce, Emmy's green bean casserole, my favorite sweet potato casserole, Miss Connie's cranberry salad (Mark's favorite), warms rolls, Michael's favorite, corn and carrots...Michael's special requests . Sarah's all time favorite, pretzel salad, and cranberry sauce in the can (yuck, but Em and Tini love it), an apple pie, a pumpkin pie and a new dessert made for all those that don't do well with sugar, a layered chocolate dessert and the all time favorite... sweet tea. I was going to post a picture of the pretzel salad but when I went to take the shot the dish was in the dishwasher. So I guess I'll jsut share the recipe without the picture...

Pretzel Salad

2 cups crushed pretzels

3/4 cup melted butter

4 tablespoons of sugar

Mix all of the bove and press into a 9X13. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 minutes. Cool completely.

Cream together 1 (8oz) cream cheese

1 cup sugar

1 (10oz) cool whip

Spread over cppled pretzel crust.

Mix 1 large strawberry jello

2 cups boiling water

Add 2 (10 oz) bags of frozen strawberries to jello. Stir until slightly thickened and pour over cream cheese mixture.

Cover and place in fridge for 2 hours .

We missed having Cassie and her family with us...but they are going to get to come in January, so our table with be full to overflowing. Let the chatter and endless ribbing begin!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-30T03:00:00.000-05:00

On my table were two favorite dishes that my family feels deprived if I don't serve them on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. The first is the jello salad that my Mom always made, served in the bowl she always used. The bowl is over 65 years old. It's one of those dishes that you know how to make by osmosis; orange jello with pineapple, carrots and celery. The second dish is Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake. This is a fairly new recipe for me, the last 5 or 6 years. I decided to serve my apple cake last Christmas and my grandson, Oden, was very disappointed; not that he didn't like the apple cake, but he REALLY wanted the Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake. This year I introduced a new recipe, Corn Casserole, I believe we have a new favorite. It was a real hit.

This year my table is pretty plain. We started with only 4 planned for dinner, Bob and I, and Sharon and her son, Oden; then my oldest daughter flew in from NC, for a surprise visit; then my Mom cancelled her plans so she could join us, too. She hadn't seen Carrie for 4 years! So we became 6; Jan, Bob, Carrie, Sharon, Oden

Jan, Oden, Carrie, my Mom, Bob

Jan, Carrie, my Mom, Bob, Sharon

My favorite memory of Thanksgiving is from the first Thanksgiving dinner I cooked after I was married, I was 21. I invited my sister and her husband, my parents, Bob's parents and sisters, and my sisters' in-laws. So there were 12 of us for dinner in our small one bedroom apartment. Every thing was going well; I made my pies, both pumpkin and apple the night before, and done most of the prep work. The turkey was roasting, about half-done, when the heating element on our electric oven stopped working; (and I'm having 12 for dinner). I knocked on a couple of neighbor's doors, until I found some one home, who would loan me their oven to finish cooking the turkey and cook the yams. Good neighbors are truly priceless.

I'm actually thankful for many things. If I had to pick one thing it would be my family, I'm very lucky, we're a unit. When my daughters grew-up and spread their wings, they never left us behind, we're still part of their lives and I'm very thankful for that.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-30T02:59:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving is usually at Mom's and Dad's. All of us bring food, but Dad smokes the turkey and Mom makes the cornbread dressing and sweet potatoes. This year half of the family wasn't going to be present for one reason or the other, so Dad smoked a turkey breast.

Dad has always been particular about how things are sliced...he likes it even and just the right thickness...so he generally does the honors.

I've noticed over the years that their house has gotten smaller and smaller...the grandkids have gotten married and are now bringing great grands in...so we got in the habit a few years ago of serving buffet style.

I love Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for and it's one of the few times that most of our family gets together in one place at the same time. As I mentioned, this year there were a few missing, and I always hate when everyone isn't present, but for those who were there, it sure makes it special. Here are 2 of my grandchildren.

This is my 3rd and newest grandchild...he is 4 1/2 months old and such a happy baby.

Here is my son. He usually goofs off when I'm trying to take his photo, but I was very pleased with this one. I may even frame it.

One of the main things I am most grateful for this year is my Mom. She has been sick a lot this past year and is finally feeling better and getting some strength back. I am so happy to have another Thanksgiving with her. Here she is pictured with one of my brothers.

We had a wonderful Holiday, and I hope all of you did as well. God Bless you all!!

Photo Challenge #8: churches

2008-10-30T03:03:00.001-04:00

All last weekend I took pictures from the car as we would pass an old country church on the back roads in Amish country. They all for some reason tended to be a little blurry...DUH. This was the best shot I could get. I love the darkness of the entire picture. They weather that day was so overcast. But yet there is a brightness for the fall season in the browns and oranges in the shot. The door and stoop are dressed for the season. Very inviting don't you think? I wonder what the pews look like? I imagine them being darn warn oak with no padding for comfort. I can only imagine what the stained glass windows look like on a bright day. Can you hear the congregation singing Amazing Grace or the Doxology being accompanied by the piano? And what about he choir...maybe ten ladies and three gentlemen? I can hear some babies crying. And I can also hear the strong voice of that country pastor telling the wonderful story of salvation. Wonder if anyone will come forward to be baptized on the Sunday?

Feel The Love

2008-10-30T03:03:00.000-04:00

Emmy has chosen the topic for this months photo shoot...churches. I think back to all the churches we have been members of. And then I think of the all the wonderful people who are the churches I have 'grown-up' in. There is the church not far from home that I attended when I was little and later on was married in. The church that I attended with Mark where I became serious about all this God stuff. The church not far from my first church where I was baptized. And where the church family let me spread my wings and try things with their children. Then we moved away from our roots and moved to Ohio where we searched and searched for a church home. We finally decided to bloom where we were planted. This was our home-away-from-home-church. I was also privileged to be able to work with the children and youth of this church. And again...it is the people that make the church not the four walls and the steeple. Once again God uprooted us and we had to find a new church home far, far, away for all those we hold near and dear. Our new church was not like anything we had ever experienced before. The hugeness of it was so unfamiliar. But the love shown was the same. Friendships that are everlasting no matter where we go to sleep at night. And one last move to our church now that is on the other side of the city. All that to say that I wanted to show you all of these buildings of churches but unfortunately, that is not going to be possible. But I want you to feel and understand that it is defiantly not the church building that makes the church. It is the people within...that love you no matter what, that will drop whatever they are doing if they know you need anything, those that share even when they don't have much left for themselves, those who will cook for you when they know you need it most, those who will give the shirts off their backs, that will drive hours to surprise you, love your children as much as you do, make you feel like family, call you just to check in, will send pictures of their kids and grand kids because they know you care, contribute to a whim, call to invite you to important gathering at their churches, who will cry on the phone with you, will give you a hug with no words because they are hurting just as much as I was...I could go on and on. I love my 'church people' more than they will ever know.

P.A. Churches

2008-10-30T03:02:00.001-04:00

I could have easily submitted some photos from Salt Rock U.M.C...the country church I grew up in. But I did spot a few neat ones on a recent road trip to Pennsylvania. There's this one spot right off the busy interstate that always catches my breath. I love it! I believe it is in Cumberland Maryland. But its in a quick turn and no quick simple access off so all I can really provide is non-quality photography. Its a fast drive by hang out the window type photo shoot so its more about quanity than quality with this one. Look at all of those churches! I don't even think I captured the other ones nearby. I just love that quick view. They all sit nestled in a valley.

The last photo is somewhere? in Pennsylvania... I have no idea where-it was just right on the way to our destination. What you must envision with this picture though is that the church sits a top a hill...all alone with the cemetery. Its just plopped right there on the side of the road with the autumn hills all around it. The hill side kind of reminded me of God's outstretched arms around that little simple church. It was very quiet and still with a subtle breeze there. So serene. And so welcoming to just "be still".

This was a fun category. I didn't have a lot of time to put into it but can you just imagine a portfolio of all of the churches and their beauty! They are everywhere. And there is something about a church. I think its because people know there's so much more than the building. Its a safe haven. It represents love and unity and most of all...it is God's House.

*I like the silence of a church, before the service begins better than any preaching. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, California

2008-10-30T03:00:00.000-04:00

I thought I'd show a church that is uniquely Californian. We have 21 missions in California, founded in the 1700 and 1800's by Spanish priest. They worked their way up for South America, through Mexico, to California. Some of the history of the missions is very negative, but today, we are left with the current beauty.

This is the front of the church. Built in 1798, San Luis Rey is the largest of the 21 California Missions. It's nickname is "King of the Missions"; it covers 56 acres. It is a historic landmark, and is operated by the Franciscan Friars. They receive no funds from the Catholic Church or State or local governments.

These are the flags of welcome, at the Mission, U.S.A., California, Mexico and Spain.

This is the entrance and interior of the graveyard at the Mission. There were some interesting sculptures, and a lot of trees. Most of the trees had small wind chimes in them, to catch the breeze. That made the environment very serene.

The Mission has all types of native plants this collage shows types of cacti and succulents.

Once a week the Indians that lived at the Mission walked down all these steps, to do their laundry. The water flowed out of the two gargoyles. Scary stuff.

The grounds of the Mission are full of wonderful flowers, too. Most of the flowering plants survive on little water, this is arid California, after all.

I hope you enjoyed this mini-tour of the Mission San Luis Rey.

Churches

2008-10-30T02:59:00.001-04:00

i love old churches. here are a few i've collected. this is a replica of the tabernacle of the Old Testament period....taken this summer on a tour of the Holy Land in eureka springs, ak, on the grounds of the Great Passion Play.an old church in germany....i wish i could remember how old. :)st louis cathedral on jackson square in new orleans...i wonder how it fares today after hurricane katrina.... i liked this old quaint church in nw georgiaa pretty wedding chapel in the great smoky mountainswhen we were in the san diego area a couple of years ago, we passed this beautiful church several times. it was just off the interstate. i thought 'ethereral' every time i saw it...especially at night when it was all lit up. i had to snap quickly as we drove by...after several attempts, i finally captured a shot i liked.

Photo Challenge #7: Strange Things In Nature

2008-09-30T03:05:00.000-04:00

I have learned and finally understand that God has sense of humor. Just look at all the different and unique things in nature. For example...I have never ever seen a mushroom like this as long as I have lived or been digging in the dirt. Come along and see what Emmy, JP, Kathy and Leigh Ann have come up with on this strange category.

You can check out their blogs if you click on their names. I'm sure they would love the company and you could even leave them a comment.

Nature is the art of God. ~Thomas Browne, Religio Medici, 1635

Mountains

2008-09-30T03:04:00.000-04:00

So I still don't have a working battery for my camera, yes, I know that I am lazy. So I went throuhg my pics that I took from the plane window on the way home Seattle last summer. I don't really know that it is really to strange but I so think it is pretty cool. I think that it looks like those relief maps that you have in elementary school, (onlya prettier)

Amazing Glories

2008-09-30T03:03:00.000-04:00

I didn't think I would have too much trouble with this category. Oh, but yes I did. And I was the one that came up with this brilliant idea. Okay, strange things in nature. Maybe I should consider taking a picture of everyone in this family, including the dog. We are a strange bunch around here...just ask the neighbors...they will tell you.
One morning when I was walking the dog around the yard...our morning ritual when Mark is out of town or I am up and moving while he is taking Sarah to school...
I was checking on the status of the bottles. We had a little bit of wind the night before and I was checking to see how many bottles on the bottle tree had survived. And this is what I found.
There were several bottles with morning glory vines inside the bottle. I guess they were trying to keep warm and knew that if they went into the bottle it would be like living in a greenhouse. I really have no clue or understand the reason that the flowers grew and bloomed inside the bottle. Strange for sure. I decided not bothering them would probably be the best bet. Today after working in the yard, I went back to check on the bottles again. I counted five bottles with flowers blooming inside. Really...amazing.

Grody Beetle Thingy

2008-09-30T03:02:00.001-04:00

For some reason I had great difficulty with this category. God knows theres tons of strange things in nature! I even considered snapping a picture of myself...after all I am a creature made by God. But lucky for me the other night in the church parking lot was something strange. Leigh Ann was even there to witness it in "real life". And she can vouch for its gross-ness and strangeness. In fact, she was the one with the handy camera in her purse to help me out with this entry. It is very strange...I have no idea what it is but it did get crunched by our sweet youth standing around looking at it after our little photography session with it. In the car as we left Nathan asked Aly (who contributed to the bug crunching fun) "What did that little thing ever do to you?" Okay it wasn't little and it was so nasty. But guess he has a point...it is one of God's creatures...just like us.

"It's not a bug - it's an undocumented feature.”

spiders are our friends (?)

2008-09-30T03:02:00.000-04:00

this is a category i'm sort of prepared for. i'm always seeing something in nature that i find interesting or amusing or amazing or breathtaking or even disgusting..and, yes, even strange. God, the Creator, only does things all the way. so there's always something to discover Him in. and it seems to me that even if i've seen a thing a thousand times, it can be new - can be seen in a different light. the past month or so i've been watching a spider outside my dining room window. i'm not a big spider fan. usually when they're around me they end up smashed or flushed. my aunt linda always says "spiders are our friends"...i guess that's true, but i'm not in love with them. i've left this one alone, though. it has fascinated me. busy busy busy all the time, building and rebuilding a web connected on one side to the edge of the roof of our screened in porch and on the other end to my grandmother's rosebush. spinning and spinning over and over again. gives it a place to be. gives it a way to get what it needs to live. sometimes there's nothing stuck in the web. sometimes it hits the jackpot. this picture was taken on a jackpot day....it had whatever the green creature is (looked like a grasshopper to me) and some daddy longlegs to wrap up for later. after that it was back to work, repairing the rips in the web that its sustenance had caused. it's interesting to me that the very thing it needed is what tore down what it had been working for. hours of labor taken down by what turned out to be a blessing. spiders seem to take it all in stride - they're just doing what spiders do. if my 3 boys were reading this right now, at least one of them would be saying, "i know, i know...there's a spiritual lesson in this."....guess what? they'd be right!! so now i'm asking myself if i live my life like that. do i just do what a leigh ann does? work and labor and build on this life i'm given. some thing or some circumstance or some one flies in and tangles things up. instead of seeing it as tangles...as inconvenience...do i look at it as a blessing? or at least try to find the blessing in it? if i can't recognize the blessing, do i at least see the lesson? God has a reason for it all, good and bad. so i believe there is something to learn from everything that comes my way. everything that flies into the webs of people i love. doesn't mean i have to like it. just means i need to pay attention and learn. this is not a new lesson for me. but i seem to need reminding. maybe spiders (at least this one) really are my friends.

Strange Things in Nature

2008-09-30T03:00:00.000-04:00

Jan's choice this month is Strange Things in Nature; I had a hard time with this one. Maybe it's because I'm in California and everything is strange, so I'm just use to it.

This beautiful grass, has always struck my as odd.

How often do you see blue grass.

And how about this tree?

It's leaves are never green, just purple, then dusty purple.

Then, here is a tree that has a green trunk, not brown, or mottled bark color, green.

These examples are from my neighborhood!

It's not exactly like Mr. Roger's neighborhood, but it's a good one, too.

Photo Challenge #6: Things That Fly

2008-08-30T03:05:00.000-04:00

How many things can you think of that can fly? Leigh Ann came up with this challenge. I was just sure that since she and Kathy have spent what seems like the entire summer basking in the warm sun of the beaches in NC, they would have chosen seagulls or pelicans. But oh no, they surprised me with the entries you see below. You all are too good. Some of you might be wondering where Emmy has been. Well, her camera battery refuses to charge. She hopes to be able to replace it this weekend.

Another point of information...it has been suggested that since school's back in session, that we do these little challenges once a month instead of every two weeks. I gave in and said okay...didn't really want to but I felt for all of them. I'm just some old Wife/Mom/Wammy/ChildCare provider that has nothing to do all day. Those young whipper snappers just can't keep up the with old mighty one.

This just in...We have a new member to our group...JP...hope we all will be able to learn something from you in the blogs to come. Welcome.

Blessed Bees

2008-08-30T03:04:00.001-04:00

Since this is my first time contributing to God's Abundant Gifts, I thought I'd pull some "bee" shots from my files. Without these industrious little guys, our flowers wouldn't be as beautiful as they are. I live in a retirement community in California, and have a small backyard, but I have a nice garden with tons of roses and many other plants.

The sunflowers and hollyhocks that come up, in my garden, are all "volunteers". Seeds brought from birds, the wind, or my birdfeeder. I'm very blessed.

Thank you for letting me join.

Lesson Two

2008-08-30T03:04:00.000-04:00

Last weekend a friend called to see if I had an empty bed where he could crash. Of course I do...as always...our front door is a revolving door for company of all kinds. I can't remember for how long we have know Jay and his family...years and years let's just say. Jay comes about once a year to take cool pictures of old buildings and stuff and maybe to tromp around in haunted houses. His pictures are amazing. Last year when he was here he told me about the ' thirds' rule. "You don't always have to have your subject in the center of your photo." This year I asked him to show me how my camera works. He did that and more. We were out in the garden looking for cool things to shoot and all of a sudden Jay yanks my camera out of my hand and starts taking pictures of a butterfly that has landed on, what else, but the butterfly bush. He took some shots and I took some shots so I can't actually tell which ones I took. But I think they are really nice so I will share them all.

The butterfly is a flying flower... ~Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun

Baby Bluejays

2008-08-30T03:03:00.002-04:00

I love flying things. Isn't that one wish we'd all like to have is to be able to fly and see that awesome view? I love bluejays. Although they are fiesty and can kick my cat's butt on any given day...they are one of my favorite birds. Their beauty, confidence and famous harsh "jeer" vocals always capture my attention. This particular day I photographed the babies that exited the nest and the Mom stayed close by watching her young. Birds have got to be the neatest creature out there that God has given us. For something so tiny, with no arms & minimal defense ability-they sure know how to live amongst the wild-soaring in the air, feeding their young, building their nests and caring for them until they learn how to fly--it is just amazing. They are tough. I challenge you to sit and do a little "bird watching". Its not just an old-people hobby-and you may find you really enjoy them. Sitting and watching birds also enables you to sit in nature and be still...and get close to God.

things that fly...

2008-08-30T03:02:00.000-04:00

I know that jan is expecting sea gulls from me this time. so I'm intentionally NOT sending sea gulls, even though I do have some pretty great pictures of them from this year's time at the ocean. while we were on vacation we went to play putt-putt golf a few times. we went to a hawaiian themed place this particular time. these pink flowered bushes were everywhere (yeah, jan...I have almost zero knowledge in the plant area). whatever they are they really are beautiful. this butterfly seemed to like it too. he/she/it made a quick flutter near us when I was juggling golf ball/golf club/camera so I think I probably came pretty close to missing the whole thing. I took it quickly and got ready to take another - looked through the view finder and the butterfly had already flown away. brief opportunity to glimpse something beautiful. glad I was paying attention.

Photo Challenge #5: God's Abundant Creatures

2008-08-16T11:35:00.000-04:00

I just couldn't help myself. I had to pictures these darn cicadas just one more time. Especially since Kathychose this challenge...God's Abundant Creatures. I have to confess that these stupid things went way beyond abundant! Thank heavens they are the 17 year cycle ones! Now I am sure that she has peeked you interest. Come and see what we have for you this week. I am going to bet the ranch that Leigh Ann and Kathy both have some sort of sea creature...they have been on vacation at the beach for about a month it seems. While the rest of us just keep plugging no where near the fun in the sun.

Backyard Critters

2008-08-16T11:34:00.000-04:00

All week I have had my eyes opened to the creatures that live in our yard...mainly the backyard because it seems that I spend most of my time there.I seem to attract bees which is not a good thing. I was really careful when taking this spot...again risking my life for this blog...Bees were all over the place this day. I honestly didn't spend too much time out in the yard that morning. But I thought this been on the black-eyed Susan's. I have never noticed how symmetrical God is in some of his creations.This is a jar fly. It is a cousin to those lovely cicadas. I can remember as a kid catching these and tying a string to their back leg. They fly all over the place. It is like having a kite with ADHD. Emmy wants to try it but seems that we can only find ones that have flown their last fight.I was burning sticks and stumps lat week. I was taking a break sitting on the bench talking to one of the girls on the phone when I saw movement out the corner of my eye. I thought it was a mole. What ever it was, it went straight into the fire pit. I jumped up and tried to catch it. This crazy toad went all over the fire pit. Even into the hot coals. Again I risk life and limb for this blog...I reached into the coals and grabbed the toad. I'm thinking that his feet are blistering so I quickly put him in the fountain. He sat there for a really long time. I am figuring that he was either in shock or that cold water was taking away some of the sting. It lookslike he got the begabbers scared out of him...if you know what I mean!I almost grabbed this little winged wonder this morning while weeding. Liked to scared me to death! You can't tell but the wings of this creature are a very very light green and transparent. If I was guessing, I'd have to say that it is either a jar fly or some other relation to the cicada. YUCK! I'm still searching for more creatures. So be sure to check out Leigh Ann, Kathy and Emmy to see what amazing creatures they came up with.

Little Green Frog

2008-08-16T03:03:00.000-04:00

This category was hard for me because I LOVE God's creatures. And being at the beach there are oodles of them that I have captured but Jan would kill me if she had to upload them all. Seagulls, sand pipers, turtles, praying mantis, pelicans, dragonflies, jellyfish...I could go on and on. So I had to pick my favorite & its these darn cute little green frogs hanging out by the pool. And they make such beautiful singing at night! God is ever present in so many aspects of my life but he seems to speak to me personally the most through his creatures. I have a soft spot for them & I just see so much of his handi-work when I see them. The patterns on the turtle's face or even the idea of his shell on his back. The way a bird or a crab travels through the sand and leaves its own travel design behind...the way the pelican glides over the air way better than any man-made air craft can soar. It is amazing. Sometimes I wonder why God put all the creatures here. I know there's a chain of command there-that "circle of life" which in itself is bewildering but I also think he uses these little animals to grab the human's attention of His constant presence in our lives...even if through the eyes or sounds of a critter.

Pete, The Good Crab

2008-08-16T03:02:00.000-04:00

God's amazing creatures..I've got a lot of pictures for this but I'm on vacation and taking the easy way out. I barely have time or inclination to maintain my own blog! we were on the beach the other morning and on the walk over some of the kids found a crab which they named pete (I think). pete was a good crab, they said. upon his release, I took his picture for them. pete was either winking at me or he was a little camera shy in the first one. but I got him after all.

and here's another one I'm including just because I just like it. it's a little risky to stand underneath a bunch of seagulls in flight, but I did anyway. I'm a little envious of birds sometimes. I think it would be so amazing to be able to soar.

Photo Challenge #4: Everything Old Is New Again

2008-08-02T11:13:00.000-04:00

This is a real challenge. It comes from Emmy this time...something that you use for a different purpose then it was made for. Emmy is known far and wide for being our resident "tree hugger". I actually think she is one the right tract... reduce (she reduced her electric bill something like $125). Recycle...and for this challenge...Reuse. Why now give it a try...can't hurt.

In case you can't tell...the picture is of an old broken bird cage that has an old crow in it.

Hisbiscus

2008-08-02T11:12:00.000-04:00

Okay this was a difficult category for me. I'm not one to take something old and make it new again for some other purpose. I've never really had the eye for vintage. I can't creatively turn spoons into windchimes. I was stumped. Maybe because my brain is already on vacation this week. Anyway, I really love this beautiful Hibiscus. I think its neat that at the same given time the plant is blooming in all of these different stages. Soon parts have old blooms falling off, some are in buds and others are full bloom. All in different stages of constantly renewing itself to be beautiful at all times. And the Hibiscus has lots of uses-an antifungal & emollient . The bark has strong fibers that Hawaiian chicks make grass skirts with! It can also be used to make wigs. The medicinal properties contain cures for ailments. And its extracts are good for making protective hair oils-making a natural shampoo. Dried hisbiscus is an edible delicacy! And we've all seen the Hawaiian women wear the single flower tucked behind their ear...which ear is used to indicate the wearer's availability for marriage. So this pretty hibiscus definately has uses from old to new. I wouldn't be surprised if Jan's next feat finds her soaking hibiscus leaves and flowers in water and using a wet grinder to make a thick paste to make that natural shampoo.

Right Up My Alley

2008-08-02T11:11:00.000-04:00

Thank you Emmy! I'm all about the three R's....reduce, recycle, and reuse. Flea Markets and other people's garbage are my favorite places to find things to give new life to. I had so many to choose from...a quick walk around the yard and house and look what I found...
This is the newest treasure to come through the front door. I have had the electricity conductor (the glass thing)for years. Last weekend we found a holder for it at Lehman's Hardware in Amish Country (a later log blog, so get ready). In the conductor there is a bees wax candle. The bench once was in my Mom and Dad's house. The clock face once was in a really nice clock that Mark and I have had for hundreds of years...that is until it fell off the wall a few years and broke into a million pieces. This once was an old milk crate that milk was delivered to the grocery store in. Now, at our house, it hold all the plastic garden shoes right outside the backdoor...easy access for all the gardeners. Then we have several things in this shot. The watering can is now a fountain. The old buckets is now a planter. The stool used to be in Ms Renee's backyard. The clay pot used to belong to my other neighbors grandmother. And then there is the ever so popular bottle tree. The trunk is a old log that was in the yard at one point. The bottles are from my neighbors, and some are from Bryce at work. I'm still collecting wine bottles for other projects that I have planned for the yard. We just made two wine bottle candles. The actual anme is winelights (the pictures were blurry so they aren't making the blog...maybe at a later date over on the side.) I found this fork hiding in the newly blooming hydrangea bush. I remember setting it in a bucket of concrete and then burying it in the yard in WI in the garden gate bed right next door to Ms Yvonne's. We have been looking for more because we actually need a new one to us for use in the compost bin.( Hey that's another one...used leaves and table scraps to make compost for the yard). This is one of my favorite uses for old windows. This one holds some old ivy from years and years ago. The brass this is a piece from the old clock that broke, remember...it is the pendulum. This frame is on the kitchen wall. Then we have this one with all the Ellis Family family photos. I switch these up and sometimes it will be old pictures of the Meadows side and other times it will be of the Ellis's. Who knows it just might turn into the Ellis and Alaire Gallery one day.
This is all that I have time for right now...I got a million of them...took lots of pictures last weekend in Amish Country of projects that we are planning for the yard in the years to come.

Little Red Plastic Thingies

2008-08-02T11:10:00.000-04:00

what's old is new again...when jan told me that I thought "what in the world is emmy thinking??"...then I remembered emmy's our favorite tree-hugger and I thought I figured out what I was supposed to do. after it was confirmed by emmy, I realized I probably wouldn't have much trouble doing this particular challenge. I'm on vacation, so that could present a problem. but I'm staying at my mom and dad's. they were born in 1931 and 1929. and my dad is a depression boy, no doubt about it. he saves almost everything. ("never know when that might come in handy..") I told him he was the subject of my entry this time and told him what examples I planned to use. he's good with it. and he gave me some other examples of stuff he saves to reuse. like the big box of spare parts screws and washers and so forth that he's saved from other things. he used some of that just the other day to fix the toilet seat. "they make that stuff like that so I'll go out and buy a new seat." whoever "they" are, they don't know my dad. and emmy, he does want me to make sure you know his love of (obsession with) reusing things has nothing to do with the environment. =)

this is a bucket full to overflowing of the little red plastic ties from the garbage bags dad uses. he ties the bag shut then trims off the ends to use those little parts later. he said the garbage guy wouldn't know what to think if his bags were tied in pretty little bows.
this is one of the many uses for the little garbage ties. sturdy little things.
dad bought some new beach chairs this year, some of the older ones were giving up the ghost so we were in need. first or second day out, one of the new ones busted. the little white dealie popped off the back and the chair fell over on one side. instead of scrapping the chair, dad knew what to do. he went to the hardware store and bought a turnbuckle. actually he just told me "I needed one so I bought four." (did I not say he was a depression boy?) anyway, he used the new turnbuckle and an old wire coathanger and fashioned a dandy little fix for the chair. and the chair seems even sturdier than when it was new. and do you see the little splash of red in the second chair picture? that's a garbage bag tie. it lets us know that this is the chair that's been doctored up. so many uses...

Photo Challenge #3: Nature's I Spy

2008-07-20T13:40:00.000-04:00

It was my turn to choose a topic. I never realized how difficult being creative and in charge is. Trying to come up with a topic that is challenging and fun was definately something I am glad that I olny have to do every fourth challenge. But I know that the ladies will always do their best to make us all look good. One of the best things about doing these photo challenges is that you have to learn more about your camera...what specail things it can do...and then how to download the shots and how to tweek them just a bit. I don't have that part down yet. Hope you enjoy our Nature's I Spy Challenge.

Just in case you are wondering...this is a photo of a newly opening black-eyed Susan.

Indiana Memories

2008-07-20T13:39:00.001-04:00

I spy with my little eye...something round...and bumpy...and beautiful. This little treasure is one of many that we have collected in Indiana's creek beds. One summer we visited Indiana and Nathan's late Uncle Steve drove the tractor and pulled us all through the creek beds on a flat bed as we spotted and retrieved these fine jewels. We had Haley & Alyson in tow and they loved this treasure hunt! There can be some great mineral specimens inside of them. They are sphere shaped on the outside and have a partially hollow cavity inside that is lined with beautiful sparkling quartz crystal on the inside. They begin as bubbles forming from glaciers that covered Indiana many years ago.
Over time the outer shell hardens and water forms inside which results in a variety of minerals (quartz, amethyst, calcite, chalcedony or jasper). So each one of these is unique in its composition and the only way to discover what is inside is to crack it open. Some people call them "Mother Nature's lottery ticket" because the anticipation of what is inside can be exciting as it could hold some great value such as amethyst, ankerite, aragonite, goethite, siderite or honessite-selling by the "carats" and being quite rare. Most Indiana varieties began as cauliflower-like growths of salt called gypsum. When we brought them home from Indiana we just enjoy them "whole" placed in landscaping. (Although here is one picture of one broken Jane has in her flowerbed) Nathan's Dad built this little well years ago by placing them in cement. These pretty rocks are called Geodes (greek for "earthlike"). They are beautiful treasures in nature and I like to think that God sees us just that way. Unique-not one is alike-and all has an inner beauty inside. But you cannot carelessly smash open a geode, you must cut or crack carefully to reveal the shining interior. Isn't that how each of us like for others to learn about who we really are? To carefully and slowly and ever so gently discover what makes each one of us special. I have also learned the more I grow in God-the more I understand that my life is always on His GPS. It is significant. And by reminding ourselves we are each very different-unique and specially made by God-then we are reminded that nothing in our life is arbirtary. Everything has a purpose.

I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born. ~Isaiah 44:2

Aren't those the coolest things you ever did see? You are going right out now to the creek to see if you can find some aren't you?