Baby it’s cold outside

Good morning Folks ~ Saturday was gray, windy, rainy and the temps went from warm and humid with the a.c. on, to growing chillier as the day wore on. Sunday morning 7:27 a.m. was the coldest at 44 degrees and real feel was 33 degrees. This morning it got down to 43 but real feel only got as low as 39 degrees and that is because we were not having the wind like yesterday morning. That makes all the difference.

I’m sitting here in capri pants, a t-shirt and bare feet. Have not put the heater on. It’s around 68 inside and probably about the same outside. I worked outside in the secret garden for around 30-45 min. and it felt good. Came in for lunch, and now I feel like catching some zzzzz’s snuggled under the blankets.

The other day I was visiting  a blog and I don’t remember which one, but I saw a yarn give-away and decided to check it out. They have two give-aways, one for individuals, and one for groups who knit or crochet items for charity. I signed up as an individual as I have been crocheting either prayer shawls or comfort lapghans for other widows or ladies who need some love and encouragement. I don’t even know how many I’ve made in the 5 years since my dear husband left this planet. It is something I enjoy and my prayer is that each recipient will feel God’s love surrounding them in their time of need.

If there are any of you out there who would like to enter the drawing, here is the link: Yarn Canada. The drawing ends Dec. 15th.

I was blessed with peace and joy Saturday and I know it is because of the love of God and all of the prayers and well-wishes from all of you.  Thank you. Saturday afternoon I was sitting here in my space, and something caught my eye through the open blinds, I looked and lo and behold it was a humming bird. Such a treat to see. I should think about investing in a feeder for these flying jewels so that I can get some photos of them. They flit so fast it is unbelievable. I was thankful for the gift of seeing this one even for a second.

Here are some more blooms from my gardens for you to enjoy.

These white blooms are from the Montanoa atriplicifolia (Yucatan Daisy) or common name is  ‘Daisy Tree’.

In the background  below, are the purple blossoms of, Philippine Violets, the white flowers in foreground partially covering a metal floral chandelier is some kind of ‘weed’. Hard to get rid of, hard to pull out, have to be dug up.

I need to find a place to hang the chandelier. We found it curbside many years ago.

Thunbergia erecta, ‘King’s Mantle’ shrub.

Below is the first bloom from a vine I bought this past spring. They didn’t know the name of it. I love it. Maybe someone out there with tropical bloomers can identify this for me.

Last but not least for this post, is ‘Miss Attwood’.

Happy holidays to all ~ FlowerLady

To be absent…

from the body, (death) is to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

I knew beyond a shadow of doubt that when the medical team said my dear husband had died, that he was with Jesus, our awesome God and Creator. Knowing that has given me much peace these last 5 years. Today is the 5th anniversary of his home going.

I still miss him terribly, every single day, but my grieving has lessened and that is a good thing. Grieving is something we ‘grow’ through, it is different for each of us. Jesus has been and is my strength each and every day.

Sometimes it seems like my dear husband just left yesterday and at other times it seems like forever ago. I feel his love here at Plum Cottage as I am surrounded by so much that reminds me of him. All of the projects we worked on inside and out, the gifts, music, flowers growing in my gardens, momentos of our life together. I am thankful for the 43 years we had together, living, laughing, loving, encouraging, forgiving each other..

Below are some ornaments hanging on my main, small tree. Symbols of love for each other and from others.

The one below was given to me by a dear widow friend. Someone had given one to her when she lost her husband, and she found one to give to me.

Soon after my DH left this planet, I heard this song while driving down the road one day, and I felt and still feel that it was meant for me right then. I just couldn’t believe it and drove with tears streaming down my face. Songs come and go on the radio, and this song is no longer played. I heard it at the time in my life that I ‘needed’ to hear it.

‘Even If’
by Kutless

Sometimes all we have to hold on to
Is what we know is true of who You are
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane
That could never change who You are
And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn’t come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn’t come

Lord we know Your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are

You’re still the Great and Mighty One
We trust You always
You’re working all things for our good
We’ll sing your praise

You are God and we will bless You
As the Good and Faithful One
You are God and we will bless You
Even if the healing doesn’t come
Even if the healing doesn’t come

(Italics mine)

***

I did the embroidery/beadwork on this piece below before my DH left this planet. After he was gone, I cut the white fabric into a heart shape and mounted it to a heart shape cut from a pair of his old blue jeans. The heart on the right represents him the one on the left me. Two hearts bound and interlocked together with love.

These two ornaments below were the last ones given to us by his mom before she passed away 25 years ago. She gave us kids a new ornament every year. Meet Mr. & Mrs. Lion.

     

This is a little porcelain ornament that Mom also made. She is such a sweet delicate piece. She’s about 3”- 4” tall.

She also made this little egg ornament one year, from a little blue Robin’s egg I think.

This I picked up somewhere. As you will no doubt notice there is a heart theme going on. I am a romantic, love hearts and flowers, still watch Hallmark movies, even though they make me cry. They also make me clap my hands for joy, because love prevails and there is nothing better than that.

I made this many yeras ago, and it is stuffed with dried lavender.

I also made this red crocheted heart.

DH gave me this hand painted, blown out egg one year, on the other side is a rooster.

This little snow people couple was made by a friend in Country Life forum many years ago.

This little crocheted stocking was made by another friend from that same forum. We had 3-4 ornie swaps over the years I was there which was a lot of fun and we all have sweet ornaments from those swaps, all handmade.

This was made by a blogging friend for me that first Christmas without DH.

I will end this post with the quirky watercolor I painted of us. The twinkle in our eyes and smiles on our faces are only a glimpse of what we will be like forever in the company of our Savior and all who believe in Him.

Joy unspeakable and full of glory.

FlowerLady

December blooms ~ lots of them

Good morning Folks ~ I hope your December is off to a good start. I’m finishing up decorating, tinsel on trees, and setting up the Nativity. Not doing as much as in years past.

There are a lot of blooms happening here at Plum Cottage gardens. All of the rain, and the sun being at a different angle, and heat a lot less, makes all the difference. So, without further ado, (more work, ceremony, or fuss), here are the photos taken since the first of this month.

Dwarf pink poinciana tree. Grown from seeds gotten last year from Butterfly world.

Ruby hibiscus, I think this was grown from see also and it self-seeds nicely.

Pink Muhly grass faded out to a nice tan color in morning sunlight.

Texas sage. I love this and so do the bees.

Tropical hydrangea.

White bougainvillea, from friends Nanci & John a few years back.

Salmon bougainvillea which has been here since we moved in, in 1973.

Garlic vine flowers and the blue pea vine flower.

Philippine violet.

Candy corn.

St. Francis with Louis Philippe roses in the background.

Zebra longwing with hamelia paten blooms.

A garden spider, don’t know what kind.

I think this is a Vanda orchid of some sort. Given to me by a friend many, many years ago.

‘Coral knockout’ roses

‘Mm. Laurette Messimy’ rose

‘Mozart’ roses.

‘Miss Atwood’.

‘Winecup’

Unknown bud

‘International Herald Tribune’ rose.

‘Louis Philippe’ roses, from an old rooted cutting from the first rose bush that I bought at the flea market and got me into growing roses sometime in the early 80’s.  It is also called the ‘Florida Cracker Rose’. Very easy to grow.

That’s it for the blooms. Hope you enjoyed them. I know a lot. if not most of my viewers are seeing lots of brown, and bare branches, not much color. I hope these outdoor, any time of year, ornaments of God’s will brighten your holiday spirits.

Now here is a recent blessing. A couple I know from church, have become good friends. We were talking the other day about my van and how the mechanic had said this is a great running vehicle and should last me quite awhile. I said, well, it does have that rust on the roof front edge that is not getting any better and a body shop wants around $800 to paint the whole top. The husband of this couple said he would sand the rust areas and paint them for me, no charge. Oh my goodness, I love the way God works things out. My friend also patched three holes and I am very pleased with the results. I smile now every time I look at the van. The van only has a little over 43,000 miles on it, is a 2001.

Here is my door’s wreath, the wreath was a freebie from someone who no longer wanted it. I took off the red ribbons and gave it a fresh shabby Plum Cottage look, using some old floral fabric I had with purples and blues in it, tore it into strips, tied together and wrapped them around wreath and made a bow of sorts at the top, streamers at the bottom.

Ok, I need to get going, have errands to do before I finish decorating.

Happy Christmas holidays to all.

FlowerLady

From ‘Much-Afraid’ to …

Hinds' Feet on High Places

Good morning Friends on this first day of December. This morning I have a book review for you. I’m a bit late on getting this up and I apologize to the publishers for that.

Last year I received a copy of the little book "Mountain of Spices" by Hannah Hurnard, when a friend was clearing out some books and told me to take what I wanted. The book really touched my heart.

This year I saw that Tyndale Publishers had the book "Hinds' Feet on High Places" by the same author to review and I sent for it.

I was not disappointed. I was blessed. I was encouraged. I read it through twice and will most definitely read it again.

This edition also has lovely artwork on front and back covers as well as throughout the book.

The book is an allegory. "a story, play, poem, picture, or other work in which the characters and events represent particular moral, religious, or political qualities or ideas" ~ meaning taken from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary.

The scripture that this book directs us to is this one found in Habakkuk 3:19

"The LORD GOD is my strength, and He will make my feet like hind's (deer's) feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places."

~~~~~~

This book is story about a young woman whose name is 'Much-Afriad', who I can totally relate to being, as I’ve been that way my whole life and most especially since my husband went to be with God 5 years ago this month.

Much-Afraid came from the 'Family of Fearings', so did I. Through her life in this book she learns to call on and trust in 'The Shepherd'. I am learning to do this daily.

This book hit me right between the eyes, it spoke to my heart.

In the book you read of how tender and compassionate 'The Shepherd' is. I'm not going to tell any parts of the story, it is something one must read for themselves.

Below are some gems from this book.

"Then," said the Shepherd, speaking very gently again," I am going to lead you through the danger and tribulation, Much-Afraid, but you need not be the least bit afraid, for I shall be with you.  Even if I lead you through the valley of the Shadow itself you need not fear, for my rod and my staff will comfort you."

"For I will cover thee with my feathers and under my wings shalt thou trust." (Ps.91)

"I have loved thee with an everlasting love: with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." Jeremiah 31:3

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5

******

I highly recommend this book to everyone seeking a closer relationship to God. To those who need encouragement in this life. To those who are 'much afraid'.

What I’ve taken away from this book and tucked into my heart, is the desire to be changed from ‘Much-Afraid’, to the Shepherd’s little handmaiden ‘Acceptance-with-Joy’ and ‘Bearing-with-Love ’.

God's blessings on all of you.

FlowerLady