Savoring Simplicity

Thank- you for days when alarm clocks are silent,
along with the wind.

Thank- you that boy who has had fever for three days, is somewhat better,and will soon be back to this..
 .

Thank- you for reminding me that health is a gift,     and should never be taken for granted.

THANK-YOU FOR DIRT, AND THE WAY IT PRECEDES BEAUTY.

  Thank-you for the word YES, and the way it makes people happy.

Thank-you for porches to escape to in the afternoon ,to watch daughter with horses while other daughter plays piano beautifully.

   Thank-you that disappointments come to make us strong,
and keep us thankful,
and believing that " all things work together for good.(Romans 8 :28)

I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very exciting happens,but just those that bring simple little pleasures,following one another softly,

 like pearls slipping off a string.

(L M Montgomery.)

Laughing at The Days to Come....

" She can laugh at the days to come....."(Proverbs 31:25) this is the verse that pops into my head as I realize I forgot to bring in the laundry and the long awaited rains have come.

For some reason this verse has been my theme for the last few days, as oldest daughter tries to settle back into life with six other people after coming home from first year away at school.
" Laugh at the days to come " as we try to find her a job and fit all her belongings back into the room she shares with her sister.
"Laugh at the days to come" as we woke up to a world covered in white;  four months too late.

Laugh at the days to come"as I think about my empty clay pots waiting to be filled,just as I need to be empty of self before I can be filled.


Life certainly takes on a much lighter note when I choose to " laugh at the days to come......"

My two youngest, with their cousin Victoria.

They help me to "laugh at the days to come."

Garden Shed Lore

Definition of a Garden Shed:
 part Whimsy
  part Logic.
Gentle Keeper of Mysteries.

There is two doors, one for the
practical needs of tiller and lawnmower.
One to enter what has been turned into a play/ dream house.
My two youngest girls cleaned it last spring. ..

It was a labour of love.

Some day I may have it looking like one of those garden sheds I've seen in magazines.
             

Or perhaps turn it into a studio of sorts...

but for now it is a ramshackle array of memory and hope.

Though Much Is Taken,So much Abides....(Tennyson)

Why this restless,uneasy feeling? It's Monday morning, normally I am happy to putter about the house on Monday mornings setting things to rights after the bustling weekend.I thrive on a certain sense of order in my home;especially beds that are made and clean bathrooms.I love to hang my laundry outside and revel in the wonder of an unmarred week.
This morning there is something brewing in my spirit. I felt it beginning yesterday and try as I might, it hasn't yet been quelled. It feels like a mixture of that old fear/anxiety monster that I thought had departed.
Children growing up. WHY does that unsettle me so? Is that not what we want them to do?
We raise them to have wings,think for themselves, make decisions on their own.We want independent,capable,contributing to the good of society, moral, soon to be adults.
I pick up the pair of shoes my youngest wore to church yesterday.The ones that she said pinched her toes and are too small.It isn't a crime to outgrow something. Why does this at times fill me with such sorrow? It seems to be such a harsh reminder sometimes.
"There will always be beautiful clothes for them to wear",I console myself with this as I sort through her drawers to take out what's too small.
I pray for oldest daughter and peace in a decision over where to board for her second year at college.
So many things that need an answer.So many things that aren't up to me anymore.

I feel a peace begin to surround me. I hand these fears of the unknown to the One who knows just what I need,and has bountifully provided them for me.
I think of what I heard one sports commentor say last night "if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans."
 God, your ways are always the best.I hand you my fretting,fears and failures.

In Ann Voskamps book  One Thousand Gifts  she says " we shame the Bridge Builder with our worries,"
our demand to just stay here,or go back, but not to go on and again He comes to carry us, flailing and anxious." All fear is but the notion that God's love ends."




For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord,plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.
                    Jeremiah 29:11

Creative Children are Happy Children...

  Megan at Lilac and Lavender is an artist that creates beautiful graphics. She has an eye for detail and I love to see what she comes up with!  Recently she mentioned pressing flowers and drying them between the pages of a book.  I thought of this lovely card my daughter made with some flowers we had pressed.
   

                                               

                                           

It's so sweet...

she also made this frame..

ALL GROWN -UPS WERE ONCE CHILDREN~
ALTHOUGH FEW OF THEM REMEMBER IT.
     Antoine de Saint Exupery

I have a spot in my basement to display there art and some of there entries in our fall fair.

Wishing you a happy and creative weekend.

Parched Places

There will come a time when the broken spirit will soar...

When the fears of our lives will be banished.

Our God will come for us,

and He will save us

Those of us who have not been able to see,

will enjoy the splendid visions that God intended for us.

Those of us who couldn't hear...

will witness even the smallest whispers of His voice.

Bodies that have been worn down by this world

will be restored to perfection

and the wonder of God's intent.

And those of us who had no voice,
will be able to sing like the angels.

            AND THERE WILL BE STREAMS IN THE DESERT.
                  ( From streams in the desert )

 for in the wilderness shall waters break out,and streams in the desert.And the parched ground shall become a pool,and the thirsty land springs of water... Isaiah 35 :6,7.






      It has been an unusually dry spring thus far.
      I'm really hoping for some April showers
      To bring on the flowers!

From Our House To Yours...

 

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Happy celebrating our risen Lord!

Oh ,What an Opportunity

I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve

the world;or just enjoy the world.

This makes it hard to plan the day.

(E B WHITE)

Ways you can improve the world...

spread hope, spread love,

give of yourself.

Give long hugs.

Wave to someone even if you don't know them.

Hold the door open.

Call that friend even though it's " not your turn."

Listen to the birds,

Do they worry?

Doesn't God care for them?

Are you not more important?

There will always be trouble if we look for it.

We see whatever we want to see.

Open my eyes to what's right here.

This day ; all sparkling new and glistening.

I wanted to share this photo of my youngest, having a picnic in

"the sunny spot"

I recall this day as clear as a bell,( I just can't believe it's been five years!)

it was one of those days like so often over the years, that my

children taught me more than I could ever try  to learn elsewhere.

Children know how to "seize the day."