Thursday, May 21, 2020

I have...

Good morning Folks ~ before I get started with 'doing' things, I wanted to say that I have much to be thankful for. Your prayers, words of encouragement along with listening to 'The Blessing' and other uplifting music on you-tube, reading scripture, devotionals and other bits and pieces, has lifted my spirits. Jesus is my strength when I am weak, and I certainly have my weak moments. So many in this country and around the world are going through so much hardship right now, that my moments of weariness and depression seem very petty in the overall scheme of things. May God have mercy on us all.

Beaches are now open, more stores are opening and there is 50% capacity happening at restaurants. Traffic has picked back up on the roads as workers are now going back to work. I'm not planning on going out again until maybe next week when I'll need to go to the grocery store again, wearing my mask and gloves.

We've had some much needed rain, which of course makes my tropical jungle cottage garden grow all the more. Will share next some of the blooms happening around Plum Cottage.

 This amaryllis surprised me as I did not plant this in this location. I did pull up a bunch of bulbs from a pot and a little one must have fell in this space, gotten buried a bit and then decided to grace me with it glorious presence.  This is in my 'secret garden' space.



Next, are the blooms of this wonderful hibiscus with it's huge deep red blooms. I bought this last year I think, or the year before.






Here is a sweet little rose with a wonderful 'rose' scent. It is 'International Herald Tribune'.



Below is 'Don Juan' climbing rose, which is blessing me with lots of blooms. Wonderful rose scent as well.


Here is a huge aloe, it is beautiful in it's form and in the coloring. Great for putting on skin as it has healing properties.


Here are two leaf hearts found recently.



Last but not least by any means, is my sweet little Miss Tork. This time she is sleeping in the laundry basket on top of clean laundry waiting for me to stop procrastinating and fold and put it away. I also need to find the right spot for this wonderful old painting bought many, many years ago.


Ok, that's it for now. I need to get up and get 'doing', part of my 'being' present in the moments I am blessed with.

Love, hugs and prayers ~ FlowerLady

21 comments:

ellen b. said...

Glad to hear you were encouraged. Beautiful blooms in your garden...

Melanie said...

I am so glad you're feeling a little better. :-)

The blooms on your property are amazing. And how wonderful that you can grow aloe outdoors there, too.

Your kitty is so beautiful. Mine love to sleep on clean laundry, too.

Love that painting. I hope you find somewhere to display it.

Nancy J said...

Miss Tork, a perfect spot for a snooze. Your red Hibiscus, years ago my Mum and Dad had their Ruby wedding anniversary, in 1977, and were given one so like that, It was planted in a sheltered spot, no frosts where they lived, and it bloomed so well.

Dewena said...

Those brilliant colors in your garden would definitely cheer one up! And what a gift to find a surprise amaryllis popping up. They are favorites of mine. Maybe if I plant the bulb that never bloomed this winter inside it will give me a bloom outside. I usually have great luck bringing amaryllis back to bloom inside by putting the pot on my porch over summer and then putting it in a dark closet to go dormant at the end of summer for a couple of months but this one just put on leaves all winter.

I hope you continue to feel hopeful and encouraged because your posts always encourage me. Stay well!

Ann said...

You have so many beautiful flowers in your garden. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Miss Tork looks like she is enjoying that basket of laundry.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I think, if we are honest, we all have so much to be thankful for. I love all the flowers. just so much beauty in God's world.

Anne Payne said...

We all need encouragement, dear Rainey! I'm glad you're feeling better. If I ever make it back to S FL to visit my sister, I so want to come give you a hug and sit in your secret garden!! Your flowers are lovely! Have a blessed and restful weekend, my friend {{hugs}}

Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm said...

Good Morning Rainey - after a week of chilly/cold, rain, no sun it looks like it *may* be over. I still have a few plants to stick in the ground...vegs and herbs...but feel like running away from home today.
Except for no church and library, life hasn't changed for me nor my family. Actually, parents have been overwhelmed since Feb with a burst water line in their home and construction workers coming in 5 days a week.
None of this is a surprise to God is my mantra. Be well, stay safe and love from
Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm

Lynn and Precious said...

Count on a kitty to help with warm dry laundry! If only it helped iron
out the wrinkles. We have had 5 days and 5 inches of rain and today it is
so dark, but to warm up to 70. It has only been in the 50's and boring.
Your flowers are always incredible. My Black Swallowtail chrysalis are
hatching one at a time. I have 6 to go and hope the sun comes out so they
can hatch and fly off. One hatched on Wed. in the dark wet day and hung
on to the twig until Thursday afternoon. It had a wet day and night!
Going out almost seems like too big of a chore now. Hopefully the virus
will not lift it's ugly head with a vengeance. Have a wonderful and safe
weekend. Lynn

Ellen D. said...

Your flowers are so wonderful - such vibrant colors and so huge! Thanks for sharing.

Kit said...

Such lovely flowers! Glad you are doing well. We are wearing masks when we have to go out but I have given up shopping. I have quite fallen in love with online shopping. You take care. Love, KK

Hootin Anni said...

I have a don Juan also. Love the shape of it's bud also & the delicate scent! Unlike any climbing rose I've seen. Love the huge wine colored hibiscus...wondering if our garden shops have them here. That amaryllis is a treasure!!

Rebecca said...

What lovely blooms! Your state is a bit ahead of ours... I have NO idea how to navigate this time. I try not to compare my plight with that of others and just live in the present as much as possible....

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Miss Tork knows, as all good kitties, that a nice clean pile of laundry is the best resting spot! So sweet! Oh my goodness, your flowers are so lovely!
Have a wonderful weekend. Stay safe

Morning's Minion said...

It is always a soothing break for me to view your lovely flowers--and with a cat added--a perfect 'visit.'
Gardens are especially meaningful at this time. Thank you for sharing yours.

Junkchiccottage said...

Miss Tork is adorable. Glad to hear all is well and you are doing great. Your flowers always inspire me especially your roses. I have planted roses this year from all your inspiration. Hope they take and grow and grow. Happy Memorial Day.
Hugs,
Kris

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Hello, Lorraine. As long as we can stay well we are blessed. It is up to us now as while the stores, beaches, etc. are opening and people seem to forget that there is trouble out there. I see so many not wearing any masks and it makes me downright mad! How dare they not take into consideration that they need to take precautions so that we all can remain well and safe. I believe that it will all be shut down again and then what have they gained? I'm glad you are staying well and your garden must be such a source of pride and beauty for you. The flowers and the photos are just gorgeous and Little Miss Tork is so sweet. I love a comfy kitty..Take care my friend..xxoJudy

Anonymous said...

I love the color red.

Hubby and I have been married a very long and happy time. 48 years!!


From
Pamela

Louca por porcelana said...

Amazing flowers!Hugs!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Cats always find the softest, cleanest places to take their naps, don't they? Miss Tork knows how to enjoy the moment! So good that she is there to keep you company in this difficult time. Your flowers are so beautiful and such a nice surprise to have the amaryllis blooms! A little surprise sent from above, I'm sure. The painting is lovely. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, dear friend. Sending hugs xo Karen

M.K. said...

Hello, dear FL. It seems to me that beautiful flowers just LONG to bloom for you! I'm not surprised that amarylis just appeared like that - it was wanting to bloom for you. I read about your masks you made. They look great. I also made a mask where I put a something in to help shape the nose. I put in a double thickness of green floral wire. Of course, after its second washing it has started to rust, and now it's discolored the mask there, so I may not use it anymore. It was my favorite one.
So glad you got to get out to shop a little. It feels good, even if it is so different from usual. Gardening is a wonderful stress relief and enjoyment. We are about to get too hot for me to be outside, but this morning it's cool and overcast. I need to go put in the rest of my okra seeds.
Much love to you!