Friday, March 8, 2019

Joy and giving thanks

Good Friday morning dear Folks ~ Thank you all for your comments on last post. There is always something to deal with in our lives, and hopefully we can handle them, learn from and grow through them. 

The month of March is marching right along. This is my birth month. I will be 70 years young on the first day of spring. Where oh where has the time gone? I met my dear husband on my 17th birthday. We didn't start dating until months later, but meeting him was a best birthday gift to me from God. Little did I know that we would end up marrying and having 43 years together. 

I am thankful for this 70th year birth month. Yesterday I was blessed with having a new 'handyman' come here to Plum Cottage and take a look at my list of projects and doing some of them. I was told about him about 3 months ago, but didn't meet him until a week and a half ago at church. He can do LOTS, including crocheting. He told me that when he saw some crocheting that I am working on. He is going to be able to help me clear this property of 'junk' and needless to say, I am thrilled to bits. He is a curbside shopper, a dumpster diver, has a sense of humor and I thank God for him. He and my dear husband would have gotten along just fine. I've been praying for help for the past 6 years. We don't always have our prayers answered when we want them. We must have faith and be patient, trusting God that He will work all things out, for His honor and glory and for our good.




 
I have


Yesterday Dale fixed outdoor faucets for me so that now I don't have to drag hoses around. I have the usage of all faucets again. YAY.

My living room ceiling fan light pull chain would no longer work, it was stuck, I tried several times and it still wouldn't budge. This happened right after I put new bulbs in it. Well, yesterday I pulled on the chain to show him my problem and lo and behold the chain worked!!! I looked over at him in shock and he said that happens a lot when he goes to work on something for someone. He suggested I make sure to pull the chain straight down.

He changed out light bulbs in two ceiling fixtures.

The fan for the 'power' part of my desk top computer was what was making the noise, so he took that out and home with him so that he can get the right size for me. He was going to see if he had any in his computer stuff.

He hung the architectural piece that has been sitting on my living room floor for months, and he cut and put up the mantle shelf for over the TV.



Two views of the mantle at two different times of the day, daylight and evening.





 I love the whole look!!! My DH would love this and I know he will thank Dale when they meet in eternity.

Now for some color and beauty from the gardens. I wish you could smell all of the wonderful scents that are happening here. Just heavenly. Jasmines, roses, lime and lemon blooms, other scented flowers also. 

                        The next two roses are 'Carnation Rose'. A nice scent. 





George Tabor Azaleas 

Louis Philippe rose with a wild flower that grows all over the place.

This is climbing 'Maman Cochet', with a wonderful scent.

The frog prince has laid his crown down on a mushroom.


    Peach hibiscus.


                                  
'Prosperity' Roses'



'Sandpaper vine' called this because of the texture of the leaves. Also called 'Queen's Wreath'.
 
There are more pictures but I'm waiting for them to be downloaded, so I will end this post now.



          Have a wonderful weekend and remember to set your clocks ahead one hour.
                                                              FlowerLady



27 comments:

Thelma said...

I need a handyman like you. I've been alone for 10 yrs.
You flowers are beautiful. So pleasant to look at as we still have snow on the ground and sick of winter I'm anxious for Spring to see mine pop out of the earth.
I am your newest follower. I'm happy to have found your blog. You are so talented.

Out on the prairie said...

What a nice selection of flowers, I wanted to smell each rose.You are blessed to make a new fixit friend, I paid $150 to have a fan put in my laptop. I would like this guy also, curbside catches my eye sometimes. LOL

ellen b. said...

Hurray hurray for your handyman who is very handy, indeed. Love the mantle and that whole area with the mirror and all. Looks nice. Well our granddaughter shares a birthday with you and she's turning 2. This is my birthday month, too. I'm turning 68. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

Your new 'mantel' looks fantastic, Lorraine, what a clever idea!!!! I'm so glad you found someone you trust to come in and take care of some projects...it's important to us ladies that live alone in our homes. I'm lucky to have my sweetie to help me out, but when I have a big project I have a contractor who is also a friend whom I trust in my house alone while I'm at work.

Nancy J said...

Down here, we too are so blessed to have a draftsperson, a builder, plumber and now a handyman. The last one, a man and his wife, who I had already met over the front fence.. (as she, and her name is Jean too.. walked down to town, admired the garden makeover and additions..) came to remove some very high cupboards. One hour and all done, and we now have new friends. Love the way that your man came along, and so much done to make life easier. After that morning, I am not so daunted about the rest of the work ahead. Love the azalea and the frog, all is wonderful in your garden.XXX

Dewena said...

That's wonderful that you found a handyman ready to help with some of the hard to do chores! That is such a help. Your mirror area is beautiful, Lorraine! The lighting is lovely there.

Will it be time-change Sunday already? I hadn't realized that. But then I ignore it anyway and stay on my favorite time, what I call God's Time!

Bless you and keep you, sweet friend,
Dewena

Kit said...

Hello my dear friend! I am so excited for you and being able to get some things done. Makes one feel good. And you are so right, we may pray but God will choose when is the best time to answer them. We are waiting to hear on whether my oldest will have back surgery and now might be the right time. You take care and enjoy all your improvements. Love, KK

Ruth Hiebert said...

I'm so glad you met this handyman.Looks like he will be a blessing to you.As always ,I love the flowers and wish I could see them in person.
Just recalled a wooden plaque I had in my flower bed years ago,It said something to the effect, welcome to my garden,I would like my roses to meet you.

Ann said...

My birthday is also this month on the 21st.
So glad you found a handyman to help you out with some of the things you need done. What a blessing that is.
Your mantle looks wonderful and the flowers are gorgeous

Mother Em said...

When your handyman gets tired of the Heat, tell him there's a lot of things to be done here in Georgia. Glad he came into your life and helping.

GretchenJoanna said...

Thank you for the flowers, Lorraine!

I know how wonderful it feels to have a handyman complete several jobs that have been waiting around - glory to God, for connecting you to this man! I hope that lamp pull continues to work :-)

Vee said...

Oh a handyman is a wonderful person to know! So glad that you have found a good one!

Terry said...

Hi Lorraine!

Happy birthday month! I am so happy for you that God has sent you a wonderful person to help you around the house and garden. He crochets so he must be wonderful! I love that! Your mantle looks beautiful! Your flowers are always so gorgeous! Would you believe I had a hibiscus, here in North Jersey, that survived and thrived our harsh winters for several years? It brought us such JOY! You brought a smile to my face when I scrolled and saw the pillow. You blessed me with JOY by including it in your post. Thank you!

With love and prayers,
Terry

NanaDiana said...

Awww, Lorraine....That guy came along just for you. It took a while but it sounds like you found the perfect person that was tailored just to your needs. How exciting and wonderful is that!

Everything that he has done looks good. Love that the light switch that "didn't work" worked while he was standing there watching. lol Murphy's Law!

Your flower pictures are as beautiful as always. Wishing you a happy upcoming birthday- we are the same age. How the heck did we get this old anyway? xo Diana

Louca por porcelana said...

Amazing flowers and gorgeous mantle!I am glad you have someone to help at your projects...God is good!Hugs!

Terra said...

I admire how much your new handyman accomplished quickly. He sounds like a find. You have a real knack for creating beautiful spaces in your home like the area around your TV.

Henny Penny said...

Plum Cottage is looking so pretty, inside and out. I'm glad you have found someone nice that can help you. He sounds like a good man. Your flowers are just beautiful. I can hardly wait to see the sun shine again and feel the warmth, and see things green and growing. We have had weeks and weeks of rain and clouds. Enjoyed this post.

Junkchiccottage said...

Hi Rainey,
I love love that mirror over the mantel. How gorgeous at all times of the day. Love seeing your pretty blooms. I have a few more months to go before I can see pretty blooms like yours. I am glad you have found that sweet handy man to help you with things around your sweet cottage. Happy Birthday early. I am not sure if you got my email back from your comment on my blog so if you could email me that would be great. I need your address.
Hugs,
Kris

Anne Payne said...

Wow! The architectural piece looks magnificent!!! And I love your roses...always! {{hugs}}

Friko said...

Gosh, you’ve got roses and all manner of wonderful blooms already. How enviable. Here only the very earliest spring flowers are out and it’s bitterly cold today with sleet on top of everything else.

I just read your previous post. Don’t be upset with yourself, that sort of thing can happen only too easily and the thrift store haul at least made up for all the aggravation.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

So thankful to hear that you have found a handyman that can help with all those projects on your list, such a blessing from the Lord! Your mantle looks lovely, and most especially with the light shining through it! and oh my, all those gorgeous roses! How do you keep track and remember all their names? They are so beautiful! So happy to hear this bit of good news for you :) Blessings and hugs!

Zaa said...

OMG, Your mantel looks lovely .. and the light reflects so beautifully in your antique mirror... How lucky to find such a Handy Man.... especially one who really can do as you wish and works quickly... It's truly a blessing !!! You must be relieved to have it all done...Plum Cottage looks very happy indeed.... and your flowers took my breath away...We're still hugging 6 feet of snow..but it's starting to warm up and melt so there is hope for SPRING... Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures... The sunlight in your mirror made my heart sing... Big hugs

bj said...

Happy Birthday month...
I never realized how much Bill did around our house until he was gone. I run into things every day that I don't really know how to do. The good thing is that my son is here close and he does so so many things for me. Also my son in law lives close and he is always doing something I want done. Right now, the only thing I want done is a long shelf above my tv in the dining room....I don[t know how to drill holes for those screw things nor how to find studs very well.
I love that gorgeous mirror of yours.
So so glad you have found your handy man....
love to you.....xo

Hootin Anni said...

You and I turn 70 this year! (My bd was in Feb.) Love all your flowers & that mantle is fabulous. Your pull chain episode sounds so familiar.

gld said...

The flowers are just beautiful! We are so far away from color and scent so I really appreciate seeing yours.

I am so glad for you finding a handyman. We have one now too, 2 in fact with expertise in different areas.

Have a wonderful day.

outlawgardener said...

I'm overjoyed that you found such a wonderful handyman. Your new mantle, architectural piece, the whole room looks fabulous! Thanks be to God! Your garden must be a joy to the nose as well as the eye.

M.K. said...

I'm so thankful you now have help, and it seems God has sent just the perfect person. Amazing at all that he did on just that first day! That must be a relief. All your flowers that you post photos of are just gorgeous, but my favorite is always the hibiscus :) So beautiful.