Where to Begin…

 

Good morning Folks ~ I hope you all had a lovely weekend and that your week is off to a good start.This morning it looks like we may get some rain, which would be nice for the gardens.

Ok, it’s been a few days since I’ve posted about happenings here at Plum Cottage so I’ll try to get caught up in this post.

On the 23rd of January I received an email from Firefly Books Ltd. The lady wrote saying she had seen my blog and noticed that I love roses and enjoy gardening, and asked if would I like to receive books and then write up a review for them. She listed the three books with links to them on their website, and I wrote back and of course, said ‘Yes!’ Well, yesterday I was out front working in the patio area when I heard some talking and it was getting closer as it was coming up my driveway behind me.  I thought who the heck is that and was a little aprehensive. Well, it was a Fed Ex man with my box of books. Yay. I put the box inside my little screened porch, and finished what I was working on.

I brought the box inside and opened it. First photo not very interesting.

Oh my goodness, these are beautiful books. The one on roses is a hardback. I felt like it was Christmas. I felt thankful & blessed, and look forward to enjoying these books and writing up reviews for each one. Also, there will be a give-away, for each book in it’s review, so be watching for that.

Every spring I start thinking about roses, and flowers, even though I can grow them all year, this spring is no exception. But, living on my limited income, I can’t always just go out and get what I want. The other day, I was reading something and this verse jumped right out at me, “be content with such things as ye have”, Hebrews 13:5b. Oh my, a good lesson for me at this time. I walked around my humble little, weedy tropical gardens, looking at everything and started thanking God for my many blessings. The roses I do have, all have new growth, so many things are growing and blooming nicely, there are lots of bees and butterflies, birds using the birdbath, gentle breezes, cool weather, scents are also filling the air. I have a roof over my head, a comfortable bed, clean hot and cold water, food to eat, clothes to wear, a van that gets me where I need to go, and so much more.

Below is part of my driveway, there is more behind me from where I am standing. This photo was taken after I raked up a LOT of fallen leaves and debris. It looks so much better.

Here are two photos of garden paths on the west side of my main garden area. What paths you might ask, as they are hidden by weeds and overgrowth. There’s a path right in front of me in this photo, and one to the left on the other side of the crepe myrtle trunk and ferns.

Here is a shot of some forward progress. Still a lot more to be done, but this is a start. One thing that motivated me to really get going, is one of the ladies of my small group in the BSF Bible study that I go to, wanted to come see my gardens. YIKES! I gave her excuses as to why I couldn’t have her over right now, and she graciously said to not worry, and just when I can. Here’s the other side to this little story, she has cancer that has come back after many years being in remission and starts her first chemo treatment today. I had asked her if she needed any help with anything or just wanted some company, to let me know. What she asked for, a walk around my gardens where she could enjoy the flowers and I could tell her what things are, and I denied her her request. I feel terribly ashamed. But, I am working on making this little place presentable for visitors. I may not get all of the property cleared first, but that will happen eventually. Keep me in your prayers. Pray for Ola also as she starts these treatments.

For the past two weeks I have been crocheting every single day on prayer lapghans. One was for Ola, one is for another lady in the larger BSF group, Ros, who also has cancer and has been going through treatments. These two ladies have both touched my heart with their love of God and their positive attitudes about their health.

Ola was given hers last week and she loves it. I had asked both ladies what their favorite colors are then went to Walmart to see what they had in the yarn dept. Ola is going to use her lapghan each visit for chemo which lasts 4 hours each session.

Here are the yarn colors.

The variagated yarn to the right was for Ola, the other two colors for Ros.

(the colors in this photo below aren’t true, taken with my smart phone, as I needed to buy new rechargeable batteries for my camera, what a shock the price for them was since the last time we bought any. But, they do last for years.)

I used the Granny square pattern for both lapghans and a large hook.

I hope to be starting another one soon, after I find out the colors needed.

During Christmas time I made two beaded hearts for my sisters, and sent them out last week. They love them, and now I can share them with you here.

We lost our mother the end of last year and I wanted them to know they are loved, so made these for them. Favorite colors used, one likes birds, the other peacock feathers.

Ok, I think that is it. My stomach is starting to tell me it is time to break the fast. Sky looks a little clearer so maybe I’ll be heading outside to work on a project of two. I want to work in the screened room off the back of house. I keep trying to think of a way to fix the wrecked screens by the raccoons, one that won’t cost me $800 as I was quoted by one screen repair person. My dear husband would have already had this fixed, but alas, he’s not here to do earthly projects for and with me anymore. Until I figure it out, I’ll work back there making it pretty anyway. Dealing with plantar fasciitis for 5 months last summer and dealing with some depression, really put a halt to my working on things.

This is the east wall of DH’s workshop, which organizing the inside of is another project, that will take time. (Plum color faded out after years of sunlight hitting it.) We found those screen door inserts curbside, aren’t they cool?

This is looking northeast.

This is looking at the west wall of scullery. I have some nice outdoor fabric to cover that cushion with, and that may be my project for today.

It is the beginning of a new year, and with God all things are possible. He is my strength when I am weak, and I am to be anxious for nothing as He is working all things out for good and His glory and honor.

Have a great week wherever you are, whatever you are doing. If things aren’t going so smoothly, call out to God and ask for help. If things are going smoothly, thank Him.

FlowerLady