Long Hot Summer

Whew! It's been a long, hot, and busy summer here in our corner of the foothills of North Carolina. August isn't looking any better, except for the sometimes pop-up afternoon thunderstorms. Those storms have been pretty fierce lately. But we saw the most incredible double rainbow the other day. I think it's the first double one seen here on our farm in the 24 years we've lived here. 

My photo doesn't do it justice. at. all. 

As for busyness, the chickens, cat, and puppy keep me hopping all day every day. I never knew so much work went into raising a puppy. This one was dumped in our yard back mid spring and our youngest adult son wanted to keep her so we did. She is a running, rolling, jumping ball of energy; perhaps a Vizsla Terrier mix. The vet says maybe so we're going with it. LOL In this photo she was about 12 pounds and now she's almost four times this size, weighing in at 44 pounds last week!!! 

My husband and I started landscaping the front yard, which we've been wanting to do for years. At our age, we work very slow....and painfully. But we're pretty much finished! Again, my pictures aren't great and don't capture how nice it actually looks. Anyone who has ever been here knows it's a HUGE improvement.

I have two books for review purposes so I'm excited to share about those when I'm done. It's been a slow summer for reading too. Somehow my days are filled up with busy work and by the time evening comes, I have no energy left to even open a book. 

I'd love to know how your summer is going! Have you been gardening, reading, writing, lazing by the pool, or babysitting grands? 

Whatever you've been up to, I hope most of all you're staying strong in Christ! The world is certainly a little more crazy than it was last summer but we can trust Him to give us all we need, and to help us get through all the tough times.

*** SNOW DAY ***

 I was delighted to wake up Thursday morning and see a blanket of snow covering everything! It was just enough to cover the yard and bushes but not affect travel. In my estimation, that is the perfect amount.

Hearts can be found in a myriad of places, even on the end of a branch. 

As the sun began to shine, it gave a lovely hue to the backyard. The snow melted quickly off the branches of our Willow but it still made a pretty picture. The juxtaposition of white and gold tones fascinates me. 

I've meant to post more often this year but blogging has taken a back seat. Hopefully I'll pick up speed in February. I'll be sharing a couple of books I've read recently, one in particular next week.

I sincerely hope you're all well and getting much accomplished in 2021. 

Hold fast to your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!!

~Anne

Gentle Reminder

There seems to be so many loud and often times angry voices about masks and when I saw this graphic on FB yesterday, I knew it needed to be shared. 

Image/Graphic -- I am not taking any credit for this image. It was shared on Facebook.

I understand there are people who are immuno-compromised and it's risky for them to go out. But please put a little more thought into why someone might not be wearing a mask and stop saying they are being selfish and/or don't love others. And certainly stop calling into question someone's Christianity because they choose not wear a mask. That's just plain judgmental. Here's a really good article on that at JenniferRichmond.com.

I will be meditating on the following verses and asking the Lord to calm all our anxieties, thereby bringing His peace to our hearts. 

John 16:33

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Psalm 4:8

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Daniel 10:19

“And he said, ‘O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.' And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, 'Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.’ ”

Isaiah 53:5

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Bluebirds!!!

My husband made a couple of Bluebird houses and within 24 hours, we had a pair coming to visit and check them out. I crouched down on the front steps behind a big plant and was able to catch a few images. 

Dad's on the lookout while Mom investigates.

Mom says, "I think this might be the perfect home to raise our babies in. Come and see!"

"Honey, I think you might be right. There's plenty of room and a lovely view!"

"The tree back here will give you a great vantage point to watch for predators, too."

"I'll go try it out!"

"Yep. This is a great place to keep an eye out for intruders and my blue feathers really stand out among the white blossoms! I am one gorgeous guy!!" 

Matthew 13:32 English Standard Version (ESV)

It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Live to Him!

Time Flies When You're Having FUN!!!

I'm not sure where September went but it flew by! I can't believe it's October already.

This my dear friend, Tracey and I, at work. Yes. Work!!! 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

This was after a busy non-stop four hours! 

I started a part time job in September as a Keto Baker's Assistant!!! I haven't had a 'real' work-outside-the-home job since...well...ever!!! And by that, I mean a paying one! Not since I graduated high school and before I got married, that is. It's a lot of fun and even though it's not too many hours, I am not used to standing on my feet for several hours at a time. It has shown me how out of shape I really am!!! As if I didn't already know.  :-) 

You can check out some of the sweet treats Pro Baker Tracey Ferguson and I make right here. Tracey is also a certified Essentrics Instructor and Keto Health Coach. 

Read more about Tracey on her website at: Live Sprightly Co, or connect with her on Facebook (Be sure and LIKE her page to receive updates), and Instagram! 

What's everyone up to now that summer is officially over?? 

I still can't believe that! 

Review ~ The Scripture Memory Map for Women by Barbour

Published August 1, 2019
Barbour Publishing, Inc

What Does Scripture Memorization Look Like? . . .

Find out in The Scripture Memory Map for Women.

This unique scripture memory journal is an engaging and creative way for you to treasure the truths of God's Word in your heart. Each page features a lovely 2-color design that guides you to write out specific scripture memory goals, thoughts, and more. . .which then create a specific "map" for you to follow as you memorize God's Word. Each map includes a spot to record the date, so you can look back through your journal and see how God's Word has been ingrained into your daily life. The Scripture Memory Map for Women will not only encourage you to become more familiar with God's Word. . .it will also help you build a healthy spiritual habit of Bible memorization for life! 

My Review

5 STARS!!!

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this creative journal but I love it! It’s perfect for ‘mapping out’ whichever verse I want to memorize while prompting deeper thought as to why the particular verse is relevant in my life right now. This is a great way to meditate on a verse. I find the prompt “Knowing this verse will be helpful when” really causes me to be honest with myself because I have to write it down. Seeing my answer in print makes a huge difference for me. Add to that the spiral binding and pretty illustrations and it’s a winner!

I was provided a review copy from the publisher with no expectation of a review.

Morning Visitors

Genesis 1:20-23
Then God said, "Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. 
Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind."

My morning view is slightly obscured because of the screen but there is no getting by without it in the marsh! I know. You don't see Marshes in the photo but directly behind the homes across the street is dense Marshland and it's also right behind ours. The mosquitoes and yellow flies love to dine here so for our own comfort,
we must have screen! :-)

We've slowly been finishing our porch and landscaping our yard. As I'm not a big gardener, I don't want too much stuff to tend but I am loving our Black Crepe Myrtle. We have one on each side of the brick walkway and they are gorgeous. The morning is overcast after tremendous storms yesterday. Not the best for photos but I'm offering some anyway. :-)

We have many lovely birds but one of my favorites are the Mourning Doves who come by all day long. They love perching on top of the staff that holds our cage feeder and a thrifted wrought iron chandelier that has no votives. 

I have small peat pots, with big globs of hot glue on the edges so they don't fall through the holes but still drain well, placed in the votive spots and fill them with Safflower seed. The friendly birds aka 'songbirds' love them. The mean birds aka Cowbirds and Starlings, do not. 

Psalm 136:25
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.

We keep the cage feeder filled with Wild Bird seed and the tiny birds just throw out what they don't want so the Doves, Blackbirds, and Ducks have plenty to eat. I usually fill the feeders every other day. We have a lot of  House Sparrows here. Some even live in the eaves of neighboring homes. But not ours. We made sure all entry points were repaired.

This morning was a great morning for bird watching. We saw a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird!!! I didn't have my camera handy when he came by the first time so we just sat super still and watched him feed from the Hummingbird feeder I JUST hung up on Friday. He then flitted over and landed on a tree branch not far off the porch. He stared and stared at us for the longest time. After he flew away I went immediately to get my camera. I am so glad I did!!!

What I failed to take into account was the fact it is 73* inside and about 80* outside and really humid. My lens immediately fogged up but he was back!! I had to snap the photo quickly or risk missing him. After getting the first one, I quickly wiped off the lens and got a second one.

Hazy but still beautiful!!!

As I was admiring Mr Hummer in one tree, a big Red-winged Blackbird landed in another.

Foggy lens and screen don't deter me though. I still enjoy capturing God's creation especially when the next one is the first I have EVER seen of this bird. I'm not completely sure what kind it is. I'm thinking either a Blue Bunting or a Blue Grosbeak. 

He looked over right at me. Wasn't that nice of him??

If you're a birder, what kind do you think he is?

That's my exciting morning bird watching from my screened in front porch.

Now it's time for food and devotions...one feeds the body and one feeds the soul.

Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, "It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone,

 but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Review ~ Cards of Kindness for Courageous Girls: Shareable Devotions and Inspiration, Compiled by Barbour Staff

Paperback, 96 pages

Published May 1st 2019 by Shiloh Kidz

Courageous Girls Are Kind!

Your heart will delight in spreading kindness and inspiration wherever you go with these shareable Cards of Kindness!

Flip each page to discover a positive life message that will both uplift and inspire your heart—and the hearts of other courageous girls just like you. Once you’ve read through the devotion and pondered the message of loving-kindness, tear out the card and pass it on to another girl . . who will then be encouraged to keep the "Courageous Girls Are Kind" movement going. . .by passing the card along to yet another courageous girl!

Each Card of Kindness will spark positive, faith-building discussions with other like-minded girls. You’ll enjoy spreading kindness and God's love, page by delightful page! 

Be blessed, COURAGEOUS GIRL!

My Review

5 STARS!!!

Cards of Kindness is a lovely devotional and sharing book for girls! It’s durable and can be carried in a purse or backpack so it’s always on hand to read encouraging words and share with others. Each perforated card has a short devotional, a Scripture verse, and on the backside whimsical illustrations with positive and uplifting thoughts to be pondered. I highly recommend Cards of Kindness for girls of all ages! :-)

I randomly opened the book and the page headline read When You Need to Forgive. It’s about a friend hurting your feelings and maybe you’re angry or you’re holding on to the hurt. It talks about an opportunity to show Jesus to this friend. I was a little stunned as I recently was pretty upset about something and yes, I was feeling a good deal of anger toward a friend. They didn't know it but I did. I knew it was wrong to feel angry and had already asked the Lord to forgive me but how awesome was it for me to find further encouragement and confirmation in the pages of this sweet little book?!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Around the Yard

~Song of Songs 2:12~ 

Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.

I thought I would share a few of our successes as far as perennials go here in VA. We've definitely had our ups and downs figuring out what to grow. I planted over 40 bulbs last year and they all rotted. I won't be trying that again. Our soil is too wet and the water table is pretty close to the surface so drainage is a problem. 

The old fashioned Roses were here when we moved in and are starting to bloom. 
I'm pretty sure they're Knock Outs.

When fully open, they're a delicate soft pink in color and will have multiple blooms on one stem.

Our brick walkway goes to the backyard and we had planted a beautiful Palm tree in front of the Artemesia but it died. It actually froze to death because we forgot to wrap it. 

That was a big disappointment. 

I replaced the Palm with a wrought iron plant hangar I bought from a friend last summer. Little did I know she would reach her heavenly home only a few months later. I'm glad I have this visual reminder of her. In a few weeks, it will hold a couple of annual baskets.

There are two large mounds of Ajuga on the right and I'll probably transplant or buy more to fill in the blank space on the left.

The dead looking clump in the top left is actually a divergent shaped ornamental grass. When at its peak, it is huge and gorgeous! It grows about 3' tall and drapes out at least that far, hiding the gas meter. :)

The Burgundy Glow Ajuga were in two small containers and they're spreading like crazy! I read somewhere that in some places it is considered to be extremely invasive. I like it and it seems to be hardy, so I'm keeping it!

I love how it stands out with the bright lavender shades in front of the Euphorbia.

Two small containers of Sedum Acre Gold Rush I planted last year survived the winter!

The yellow is brilliant against the dark brown mulch. It's a little slower to spread but eventually it will. I can be patient for this beauty.

While I was weeding the other flower beds, I noticed this clump of 'weed' (as my husband referred to it) growing all alone among the grass. I thought hmmmm....that's kind of odd. 

As you can see, I quickly dug it up before he mowed over it! I transplanted it into a pot until I could find out what it was.

Isn't it beautiful???

They're so delicate and tiny and they close up in the evening.

I knew this wasn't an ordinary 'weed'. 

It's actually a wildflower commonly known as a Rain-Lily!

The scientific name is Zephyranthes Atamasca and there are many genus of it. Turns out is common in SE VA. It thrives in coastal areas, preferring acid boggy soils rich with leaf mold. That about sums up our yard! I'll transplant it to back into the ground in the 'rock' garden area where the Palm was and hope it survives and spreads. 

And now for my indoor crowning glory...

Uh. Yeah. I have killed every Orchid I've owned. This one was in the dump bin at Lowe's last year with only one bloom on it. I brought it home and it promptly fell off. I was bemoaning its inevitable fate to my sister and she told me to water it once a week by running cool water over the bark, don't let any water touch the leaves, and don't move it from its location. It seems to like being nestled against the coffee pot.

A few weeks after following my sisters directions, that shoot came up, followed soon by three more! I was completely thrilled but thinking it was too good to be true.

Then one by one, those little tiny buds started opening and soon I had 13 blooms!!!

How about that???

It's a miniature Cattleya Orchid and the blooms are only a little over an inch across in any direction. As you can see, the color is a soft buttery yellow with pinkish purple freckles and streaks.

 God made something so tiny, intricate and delicate 
and blessed me with it! 

If you hung with me through this long post, CONGRATS!! haha

I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of our triumphs here in VA. I'm really not much of an outdoor gardener. Yard work is not fun or even stress relieving for me, as it is for many of my friends. :-) 

I'm thankful to have discovered a few beauties that bring me great joy to see them flourishing, though!

How about you? Do you garden? 
What successes and failures have you had?