I'm off...

. . . to the ocean!!! I won't be back for a while and I shall greatly miss reading all of your encouraging posts! It will be something I shall eagerly look forward to on my return!

Many blessings dear readers!

My Herb Garden is...

Finished!!!!  *Big* sigh of relief. It took us a while to get everything I needed and I'm soo glad it's in! (More pictures of it coming soon.)

^Me mixing top soil and soil conditioner together^

More pictures of our garden:

Cukes

Tomatoes

^Raindrops on corn^

a wittle baby squash!

This is Irish Spring soap. Why do we have it in our garden?

Because it is guaranteed to keep away deer!

Blue Lake Bush Beans!!!

For years we've grown pole beans, the kind that gets huge if you

can't get out in the garden one day. Hence we thought bush beans would

be a wonderful change! And it has been.

beets

Thyme to water my herbs... : )

Have a blessed Memorial weekend!

A Lovely Award

I was awarded by Moriah at Uniquely Fashioned for His Glory! Thank-you Moriah!!

Here's the rules:

1. Post the logo on your blog and/or within the post.

2. Pass it on to 12 other bloggers.

3. Add links to these 12 bloggers within your blog.

4. Let them know they are receiving the award.

5. Share the link of the person from whom you received the award.

I am passing the award to:

Allison Grace at Strength and Dignity are Her Clothing

Frisbee Girl at Thoughts of a Princess

Katelyn at The Blog of a Southern Belle

Charity at Yhwh's Cowgirl

Emily at A Picture's Worth One Thousand Words

Johanna at An Old Fashioned Girl

Yes, I know there are only six. If you would like this award, send me a comment and I'll add you to the list!

My Cup Runneth Over

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER

There is always something over,

When we trust our gracious Lord;

Every cup He fills o'erfloweth,

His great rivers all are broad.

Nothing narrow, nothing stinted,

Ever issues from His store;

To His own He gives full measure,

Running over, evermore.

There is always something over,

When we, from the Father's hand,

Take our portion with thanksgiving,

Praising for the path He planned.

Satisfaction, full and deepening,

Fills the soul, and lights the eye,

When the heart has trusted Jesus

All its need to satisfy.

There is always something over,

When we tell of all His love;

Unplumbed depths still lie beneath us,

Unscaled heights rise far above:

Human lips can never utter

All His wondrous tenderness,

We can only praise and wonder,

And His name forever bless.

-Margaret E. Barber

I love this poem! It simply tells how we must, always, trust Jesus. No matter what is going on "there is always something over."

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Just the black notes...

This is really neat! Check it out:

http://pjcockrell.wordpress.com/2007/11/22/amazing-grace-just-the-black-notes/

Blessings,

The Simple Things in Life

The simple things in life, those that little children see, are often more beautiful and wonderful than anything we, in our fast-pace culture, understand.

A child understands what it means to "stop and smell the roses." When they begin to take their first steps the learn that it takes perseverance and many a "try, try, again" before the challenge of walking is accomplished. They look up to us and our reaction to things.

How will we, their brothers and sisters, help show them the Loving Shepherd who looks after His little lambs?

Haydon (above) Gave me these "treasures!" (below)

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

Hope ya'll have a great week!

Of Terrariums and the Outdoors

For my birthday, my thoughtful cousin, Mari, gave me this ingenious invention-an herb terrarium. In the pete we planted teeny, tiny oregano seeds. Do you know how small those seeds are?! I was excited when the sprouts began coming up!

.the terrarium.

Can you see the little sprout coming out of the side?

Thank-you Mari, for a lovely gift!

Here are some more pictures that I took the other day:

"...a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. But a rose just couldn't smell the same if it were a thistle or a skunk cabbage..." 

~Anne Shirley - Anne of Green Gables

^privet in front of an old bird house^

I thought this one was rather interesting. (It's an old rail road tie.)

{lol, by the way...you've never been at our house long enough unless you hear the train barreling through!}

This is the first year we've planted corn! I love to see it growing.

Our chicks are getting bigger! LOL, they love their food!

^our small barn at sunset^

Which do you like best?

Hope your having a blessed week!

Photography Contest!

Hurray! Johanna at An Old Fasioned Girl is hosting a flower photography contest! There is no editing aloud. The deadline is May 15!  You can enter 5 pictures so here's mine:

Hope you enjoyed the photos!

A Wonderful Blessing

We have an annual fair that comes through our town. The many booths are full of delightful, hand crafted items. I am very interested in instruments from different cultures and my hands always itch to try out the unique and beautiful melodies. While walking through the fair, I was delighted to find such an instrument. It is called the Kalimba and was invented by the people of South Africa. A middle-aged couple at the booth were showing people how to use them.

I came back later that day and found a song book on the table, full of hymns. Excited by the titles, I flipped through the pages and started playing on one of the Kalimbas. After finishing a conversation with some other people the man turned toward me.

"Do you have one of these?"


"No sir. But I love to play different kinds of instruments like this one."


"Oh."

I kept on playing the simple, lovely hymns, while humming the tune. The sound was beautiful and I couldn't bear to leave just yet. The man turned and took one of the Kalimbas off the shelf and, grabbing the hymn booklet, placed them on the table. I'll never forget what happened next.

I looked up. The man smiled and said simply:

"You know what? I think you should take this."

"Really?"

He nodded. Tears filled my eyes. I was breathless.

"Wow. Thank-you so much."

His wife gave me a bag to put it in and after saying thanks again I ran home. When I started to tell my parents I began sobbing. The generosity and kindness, goodwill and love of the couple amazed me. God must have known that was what I needed. Not the instrument. But the love of Christ that was seen in those giving people. It was a simple act, yet, so meaningful to me. Thank-you Lord!

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiswprthy-think about such things. What ever you have learned or receved or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Philippians 4:8-9

God is so good!