Thursday Thankfulness

You know, when people go the extra mile to send you some cheer when you've been feeling bad, I call that God's amazing grace shining through His people. One of our dear blogging sisters, who shall remain unnamed but she knows who she is, blessed my heart with a lovely card in the mail today. Thank you, dear friend! It made my day. It also made me wish I could be more like her...sometimes I think about doing that extra special nice thing, and then I get side tracked and forget until it's too late. I pray that God will help me to be more thoughtful...and I thank God for those who already are. What a blessing!

And I thank the Lord that I am starting to feel much better, both with my shoulder/arm, (thanks to the steroid shots and also the Lord's kindness) and also the laryngitis and sinusitis/coughing is gradually returning to normal. I still can't sing, but I am praying that I will have some kind of voice by Sunday morning so I can sing God's praises! If not, I'll mouth the words and He'll know my heart anyway.

Also, I will be starting physical therapy on Monday for my shoulder, so I pray that will help my arm to get stronger and heal the tears inside. One step at a time.

So often I show you the beautiful sunsets that we enjoy here on Still Waters Pond, but I rarely share the cloudy skies.  This is how it looks out there right now...and I am thankful for the cloudy skies, because there is a hope and promise of some much needed rain inside those clouds:

It has been so very dry and dusty and the air is full of pollen and often smoky as well. That contributes to much of our sinus issues here at this time of the year, and so we are very thankful when God sends the showers to cleanse the air and give us fresh air to breathe again. The weather forecast says it's coming, so I am waiting and praying.

This afternoon when I went out to get the mail I stopped to smell the flowers along the way (yes, I know that will also trigger a big sneeze, but they were so pretty!)  Actually I just took their picture.

This is the Carolina Jessamine that grows wild in the trees and along the fence at this time of year.

It is a beautiful herald of spring.

Another herald of spring is the azalea bush, though not wild...this is one that I planted a couple of years ago, but it is blooming now as well.

Back inside the house I have managed to put out a few decorations for Valentine's Day. Nothing too elaborate, just a little bit of hearts and color...

Lily Grace and her friends are ready for a Valentine's Tea Party...

Lily Grace sends her love to you all.  

I just saw this picture on Facebook...my sister had shared it.  I guess it kind of fits me perfectly! Or at least I hope it always does !!!

I kind of like this very rustic rocking horse at Dixie Cottage, although it may be a little too rustic to let a little grandchild play on...I think it's meant more for "decor" than actual rocking rambunctious children.

Here's just a few pretty and interesting things that caught my eye this week at Dixie Cottage:

I think this refinished French Provincial style dresser is very lovely.

And I think this antique vanity/dresser would make some young lady very happy...(or maybe some more mature lady as well!)

Now this is something I wanted for a long time at our last house where I was doing a lot more with my back yard "decor"...This garden potting bench is really cool...

I just think that would be so much fun to have...

Now, here's a wonderful vintage chest of drawers with a lovely design...I think it would be perfect for my guest room...but I can't take home everything I see...I may just have to paint the one I have...

Now here is something very unique! Can you guess what they are made from?

I would have never guessed...now, they can be used either as a flower pot or a bird feeder...and they are made from...

Old vinyl records!!  Amazing! This vendor paints the record and then somehow melts it in the oven in a bowl...I don't know exactly, but that's how it turned out!  Very clever indeed!! (please look up specific instructions before trying this at home!)

Well, I am thankful for so many things...my family, my friends, my health...even with the little issues I have I know it could always be worse, so I am VERY thankful to God and do not take my health for granted.  

Oh...also I managed to get our taxes done this week! Hooray! and even bigger hooray, we are getting some $$ back!! Yay! Yay! Yay!  I am thankful for Turbo Tax, which makes doing our own taxes online very simple...and because ours are so uncomplicated with very little input, we can do it for free! That's even better!  I have used this method for several years and I even do our son's taxes on it, and I am very thankful for this method.  

I guess that's all for tonight.

Here's a verse to ponder:

Exodus 15:2

"The Lord is my strength and song,

And He has become my salvation;

He is my God, and I will praise Him;

My father’s God, and I will exalt Him."

When my own voice cannot vocalize and sing God's praises, I can still praise Him with my words written here and with my whole heart.

Amen.

 

Sunday Evening Spring Stroll

Good Sunday Evening, Friends! I hope this finds you doing well and enjoying a peaceful evening.

I've been enjoying some lovely evenings out by Still Waters Pond, watching the sun go down. 

Also enjoying the spring flowers that are starting to really bloom...namely, the Azaleas!

This particular azalea bush was a gift from my sister last year, but we got it planted too late for the blooming season last year.  Thankfully, it has grown and developed into a lovely bush full of blossoms this year!  It's still small, but you can see it is loaded with buds. It's making me smile for sure!

Something else that makes me smile is this patch of wild Sky Blue Lupines that is growing where we take our daily walks. I wish I could transplant it to my yard, but I'm not sure it would grow there. So hopefully it will continue to grow in this area where we walk and I can enjoy seeing it there.

And bring some home to enjoy as well:

I'm also enjoying these little wild purple "fairy flowers" (that's what I call them). They are a weed, but they are so delicate and sweet and I love to see them  growing.

In case you've missed me, I've been a little bit busy. Thank you all for your comments on my previous post, as well as those of you who have been visiting over at The Adventures of Lily Grace and left such sweet comments there. I apologize that I haven't done much answering of your comments, but I do appreciate each and every one.

Anyway, if you visited Lily Grace on Friday, then you know that I went to help out at our son and daughter in law's store on Friday, "Dixie Cottage".  They've been so busy trying to keep up with all the orders they have for painting furniture as well as custom orders, etc., and it's difficult to work on projects and keep up with the customers in the store at the same time.  So, since I was feeling a lot better I said I would love to try and spend one day a week helping them out at the store. Not sure if I will actually be able to do it every week due to other commitments, but I will do my best. The store is an hour away from where we live...in St. Augustine, and so it isn't that easy to just run in and help out for a while and go home.  It's an all day commitment.  But I do enjoy talking to people who come browsing around, and hopefully encourage them to buy something at the same time! 

Here's a few pictures I took of a few of the current items in the store:

Isn't that a lovely little desk, with all the interesting decor around it?

"Be Our Guest", won't you please?

I love the upholstery on these dining room chairs. My daughter in law selects the fabrics and does the re-upholstering of the dining chairs that they refurbish.  She does a great job!

Here's another cozy and lovely dining room setting. I wish I had a place for this:

Here's a cute little drop-leaf table and chairs, plus many other interesting items surrounding it.  They do custom painting of furnishings...you can pick your own colors.  But all that refurbishing, painting, and finding good solid used furniture to refurbish takes a lot of time and energy.  Thankfully they are young and able.  I wish I could do more to help out, but I'm afraid my painting and refinishing of furniture days are pretty well over. But I can ring up the sales! That's the fun part! Praise God!

It was a fun day...but I was glad to get back home to my own recliner (and bed!) that evening! "The old gray mare she ain't what she used to be..." LOL.

Today it was wonderful to able to be back in Sunday School and Church, after missing last Sunday due to a bout with vertigo.  If you would like to come along with me, here is the pre-recorded video of our choir singing an old favorite hymn, "Tell Me The Story of Jesus",  followed by a wonderful message from our pastor from Psalm 51, "Create In Me A Clean Heart, O God", click on this video link below.

Here are the words to this familiar song so you can sing along:

"Tell Me The Story of Jesus"

"Tell me the story of Jesus; write on my heart every word.

Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.

Tell how the angels in chorus sang as they welcomed His birth

God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.

Chorus:

Tell me the story of Jesus; write on my heart every word.

Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.

Fasting alone in the desert, tell of the days that are past.

How for our sins He was tempted, yet was triumphant at last.

Tell of the years of His labor; tell of the sorrow He bore.

He was despised and afflicted, homeless, rejected and poor.

Chorus:

Tell me the story of Jesus; write on my heart every word.

Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.

Tell of the cross where they; nailed Him, writhing in anguish and pain.

Tell of the grave where they laid Him, tell how He liveth again.

Love in that story so tender, clearer than ever I see.

Stay, let me weep while you whisper, love paid the ransom for me.

Chorus:

Tell me the story of Jesus; write on my heart every word.

Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard."

I can remember singing that hymn as a little girl, especially the chorus. I loved to hear the stories of Jesus then, and they have stayed with me all these years. I am very thankful to have been brought up in a Christian family that took us to Sunday School and church every week. But you know, it's never too late to start if you didn't get to go as a child.  Find a good Bible believing church and start going right now!  I was so excited to see that we accepted eleven new members into our little church today! That was really a blessing! 

 God is working in our midst, even in the midst of so much turmoil in our world today...perhaps even as a result of the turmoil in our world.  People's eyes are being opened to the truth that this world is not our final home, and we need to be ready for our eternal home.  Actually, today was also an amazing day in the life of one of our oldest members of the church, as she passed from this life into her eternal home at 6:00 a.m. this morning, following a brief illness. I believe she had just turned 92 in January. She was very ready to go and anxious to see Jesus face to face.  I couldn't help but think about her this morning as we were singing praises to the Lord...she was right there with Him in person, and I am sure she was rejoicing as she bowed before His presence.   

"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body 

and to be present with the Lord."

2 Corinthians 5:8

Well, I guess it is time to close this for the night. I look forward to hearing from  you and also to try to get caught up with you and your events. May God bless each of you and give you peace...Amen.

 

Friday Foto Friends - A Case for Closed Doors, Open Windows

Good Morning Friday Foto Friends!  If you are a Facebook friend, you've already seen this Christmas mug full of my morning tea. I love to sit at my computer in the morning, checking up on "friends" here in blogland, Facebook and email, and sip a cup of tea. Usually the tea gets cold because I forget to sip as I visit with friends...but it's still a great way to start the day. Once I finish this cup of tea we have our morning devotions/Bible reading, and then usually take a walk before breakfast.

This week has been a bit chilly in the mornings, as you can tell by the steam on the windows...this is where that tea mug usually sits... (Not always on top of that box of Christmas Tea, but that was what I was drinking...wouldn't you like to have a cup of Christmas Tea with me? I'd love to have you join me!)

but because it was the inspiration for this sign above our kitchen sink/windows. Our son the sign-maker (a.k.a. Ben's Wood Signs) made this sign for me a few years ago at my special request...it is one of my favorite things in this kitchen. I love looking out these windows as I wash dishes and prepare meals, and ponder how heaven and nature must be singing...

Back to the morning routine...even on chilly/frosty mornings we still take our walk. Here my hubby is strolling down our road...

He doesn't often need to wear this wool plaid, quilt lined jacket, but this week it has felt good. This jacket is very special to him. It is the one thing he requested from our middle son's personal belongings following his passing from cancer over four years ago. When we would visit our son and his family in Maine, he would always let his daddy wear this jacket when we went out in the cold weather up there.  My hubby was very pleased when our daughter-in-law presented him with this jacket. He now wears it with much pride and love.

Sorry, didn't mean to wander into sad thoughts. Actually, the jacket makes my hubby feel close to our son for a little while.  And that's a happy feeling. I kind of like it too.

Okay, moving along...I discovered something blooming in the Secret Garden today!!!

 This is a very pretty ruffled white camellia!  This particular plant was a gift from our "flower and plant lady" last year, and this is the first time it has blossomed since then!   So pretty! Thank you, Karen!

And...I also noticed these azalea buds starting to open!! These are also plants (that I got from my plant lady!)  that were planted in the Secret Garden last year, and this is the first time they've blossomed since then! I know, they are kind of early, but I believe these are the kind that blossom at different times throughout the year.

 Does anyone else see a little dog face in that blossom above? See the two ears, eye, nose, mouth? I just noticed that! How cool is that?

Again...another of the azaleas blooming in the Secret Garden!!!  There seems to be some kind of face on this one too...the one that is opened up more...am I crazy or can you see it too?   Not sure what kind of creature this one is, but it is cute and is wearing a little flowery hat.  (I am writing this late at night when I should be in bed...that might have something to do with seeing these faces in the flowers...LOL)

Now, if you look really closely just to the left of the porch post right in front of you in the middle of the picture, look out in the weeds across the road and you will see a little black blur. That was one of two bears running into the woods this afternoon (Thursday).  Hubby called me to the window and said there was a bear walking down the road. I grabbed my camera just in time to see not one, but TWO bears run into the woods as a truck was coming down the road and they were getting out of the way. One of the bears was kind of small, so it may have been a mother and cub.  We haven't seen many bears lately, so this was another surprise!

Okay, these next few pictures will be different.  As most of you are aware, we have been talking a lot about moving sometime in the near future, if and when we can sell our current home.    We had been looking at a house for a month or so in the area where we are planning to move, hoping that no one else would buy it before we could have a chance to put a contract on it.  We have taken several rides up to look at this house and property, just to see if it really would be a place where we would like to live. I kind of had my heart set on it, and was imagining how I would place the furniture in the house and what improvements we could make in the yard, etc., when we discovered to our dismay last night that the house now has a contract pending on it. SO...back to the drawing board. But these next few pictures were some that I took in the yard of that house last week. This is a moss carpet on the ground, with some tiny mushrooms here and there. It was such a pretty green, and so velvety, I couldn't resist taking these pictures...

Another view of the moss carpet...

And this toadstool was pretty cool...

It was growing alongside this old tree stump that is covered in lichen and moss.  Yes, this house had a woodsy, shady yard and lots of interesting old flowers and plants. It needed some work around the yard to be sure, but I like a natural woodsy yard.  However...we now know that this is not the place God has planned for us to live, so we will continue our search as we wait for our house to sell. It helps me to have something to look forward to so I can make mental plans for what needs to go with us and what needs to go elsewhere.  God knows what is best for us, and we will rely on Him to guide us to the "perfect" home for us.

I think you could call this week's "adventure" a case for "Closed Doors, Open Windows"....When God closes a door...He opens a window...so I can't wait to see what "window" of opportunity He will be opening for us, hopefully soon!

Now let us go through the looking glass and travel down the rabbit hole to see what other adventures our Friday Foto Friends have been experiencing this week!!  The gathering place is over at Deb's place, "Breathing in Grace", and you will meet the nicest people there!!!  Have a blessed and beautiful day...I'll be out there somewhere letting "Heaven and Nature Sing"....

Friday Foto Friends-Rejoice!

Well, I was saving some pictures for this Friday Foto Friends post, and then some other stuff happened which was more interesting...so now I will try to post the best of the choices so you don't have to scroll through so many pictures!

First things first...many of you have been wondering about our Sand Hill Crane Family...and I am very happy to announce that Baby Crane #1 made an appearance this morning!  There was a lot of squawking and flapping going on on the little island where the nest is, and I hurried over to see what the commotion was all about, and this is what I discovered:


If you will notice that little tiny fuzzy creature to the right of the parents, that is their sweet little baby:

What all the squawking was about was that Cormorant over behind them to the far right...getting too close to their baby. The Mama Crane actually chase him right off the water...

 After that Mama settled back down on the nest to await the arrival of baby #2.  Papa stood watch and foraged for food on the little island, while the baby "colt" stayed close to mama.
Not only was the cormorant a threat, but we still haven't captured the alligators in the pond, and there are always the other predator birds around...eagles, hawks, owls...

I went around to the other side of the pond to get a closer view from a neighbor's dock (with their permission), but there was no sign of the baby. I think she may be napping under mama's wings, as it was very cold and windy today.  

This was a much better view, but it was quite a long walk and it was very cold today, so I don't know if I'll go that far again. We shall see what tomorrow is like.  (I'm writing on Thursday evening)

So, that's all of the Sand Hill Crane Family for today. But wasn't that exciting news?

Post script:  My friend Terri D. (My Friend From Florida), sent me this link to more information on why Sand Hill Crane babies are called "colts".  Thank you, Terri! http://raptoreducationgroup.blogspot.com/2009/05/young-sandhill-cranes-are-called-colts.html


BABY #2 ALERT: CLICK http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2018/03/update-to-sand-hill-crane-story.html  FOR THE LATEST NEWS JUST IN!!

Now, on to the other pictures from the week:

This next series of pictures comes from our ride through the historic area of downtown Ocala, Florida this past week. The azaleas and majestic old oaks were so lovely around these big beautiful homes, I thought you would enjoy seeing them.

Looking through the front windshield of the car makes this one a little off color, but it was still so beautiful:

The lighting was better for this one...

So then we came back home and I took a few pictures around our yard:

This dogwood tree is actually in our neighbor's yard, but it is so lovely right now I had to take a picture

Slowly but surely the wisteria are opening up and blooming...I like the shadows on the fence

Some of the white azaleas I planted in the Secret Garden:

A squirrel's nest high up in an oak tree...the oaks are shedding their leaves right now, making the nests more visible

These two Red Bellied Woodpeckers are sitting high on top of an electric pole!  Shocking, isn't it?

And here is one of those same woodpeckers high on top of our dead holly tree in the back yard:
I love the way the morning sunlight is shining through his red head!

And now I bring you back inside the house, through the front door, and into our foyer. This is what you see when you come inside:  "Welcome to Our Neck of the Woods, Where Life is Good...Fresh Air, Star Gazing, Quiet Spaces..."

And this little chalkboard reminds us to "Rejoice!"...As this IS the day the Lord has made...
(from Psalm 118:24)

I can think of no better way to start the day, can you?  Recognizing that this day...no matter what the weather (today was cold and windy!), no matter what is happening in the world or even in our own personal lives...Rejoice!

I had the privilege and joy of taking supper to our dear friend Sharon today. Sharon is battling cancer, and today was a difficult day because the new medication they have started her on was causing some very unpleasant side effects.  This new medicine is a "targeted therapy", designed especially to attack the DNA of her particular strain of cancer.  It is a pill that she must take 2 times a day for 12 months, and then they will determine what is next.  This medication is extremely expensive, and she had to be approved for a grant to cover the cost since insurance would not cover it.  (Praise God! She was approved!!)  This is in place of further chemotherapy or radiation, and the oncologist is very hopeful that it will be beneficial for her.  So, we are praying that the unpleasant  side effects are only temporary and that as her body adapts to the new medicine the side effects will hopefully go away.

The thing I love about my friend Sharon is that no matter how she is feeling, she finds reasons to rejoice.  She is the most beautiful example of God's grace in action I've ever seen. Instead of feeling sorry for herself she is reaching out to so many, sharing her testimony and the love of God with everyone who will listen.  She sings praises to the Lord every opportunity she can...and when you come away from spending time with her, you feel as though you've been in the Presence of the Lord as well.  He IS present there, I have no doubt...and that is why I say it was a privilege and joy to take supper to her and her family today.  "Amazing Grace...how sweet the sound..."  Here is a link to Sharon's Caring Bridge journal if you would like follow her amazing story: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sharonwatson/journal

Well dear friends, I guess that is all for tonight.  I think I will go ahead and post this tonight because it may take two days for you to read it all!  Seriously, I just want to praise the Lord for His kindness and goodness to us this past week (and always).

God is good! All the time!  All the time! God is good! 

Amen!!

Please skip over to Deb's place at Breathing in Grace and see what our other Friday Foto Friends are posting (on Friday morning!)