Thank You in Advance, Lord

Trusting in the name of Jesus as Gustav pounds at my door.





In that day they will say,
"Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the LORD, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."

Isaiah 25:9

Spring Wood

I'm about ready to make a BIG decision. A really big decision that was prompted when the wonderful little forrest that was behind my property since the beginning of forever was destroyed. No more trees. No more blue birds and cardinals. No more raccoons. Zero. Zip. Nada. Gone are the summer nights when I could sit on the patio and listen to nature's chorus. Gone is the late night skinny dipping in the hot tub. Now I must listen to the traffic and see neon signs when I am relaxing in the backyard. I so hate what has become of the beautiful, serene patch of woods that adjoined the property of my cozy little cottage that I found myself a beautiful lot....and it's loaded with trees.

'Spring Wood' is new addition just being developed that, I believe, will suit me just fine. All the property is full of beautiful hardwood trees and I have found a wonderful corner lot that I think is absolutely perfect. I am meeting with the developer in the morning to review the restrictions and, hopefully, will be signing a contract shortly thereafter. My cottage is truly quite a wonderful place and I have no doubt that it will sell very quickly. I'm so convinced of that that I will not be putting up a 'for sale' sign but, rather, the realtor will show the home to pre-qualified buyers whom she feels would love it as much as I do. She's already told me to be prepared to move quickly because once it is shown it won't be mine for long! A little scary? Yes. But really exciting too. For the sake of posterity, I probably need to go ahead and take lots of pictures.

So, I'm thinking. Thinking of French Country or maybe Texas Hill Country style with that wonderful Texas limestone, a shiny tin roof and a big ol' wrap around porch with rocking chairs and beautiful flowering baskets hanging from the eaves. I don't have a clue what the final decision will be, but as long as I have a wonderful kitchen, open and spacious rooms with high ceilings and lots of windows, big jetted tubs and wood and stone floors I'll be okay. And, of course, I must have a nice, sunny place for a garden.... And lots of closets. Sheesh. This list could be infinite...

So, that's all the excitment in my corner of the kingdom for now. They only have half of the streets in now, so it will be a while before the constructions begins on any houses. Nevertheless, I'm planning. And dreaming....



The temporary entrance to 'Spring Wood'
View from the west side of the lot..
and the south...
and another south side view.

Babes

School starts Monday and my feelings are a kind of bitter-sweet. Sweet, because the beginning of the school term ushers in fall, my absolute favorite season of them all, and sad because it marks the beginning of a new era in the life of Savannah, which, of course, effects me as well. I can hardly believe that my grandbaby is about to go to middle school. It seems like it was just yesterday when the long awaited ultrasound revealed that the desire of my heart was about to be filled...a baby girl was soon to arrive. I'm sure I would have been just as elated, well... maybe...had the stork brought a boy, but after having two boys of my own who are only 12 months and 5 days apart I was ready for some pink, some lace, and, of course, some big ol' hair bows in every color of the spectrum.

Savannah made her grand entrance on November 29, the day after Thanksgiving in 1996, and I don't believe she could have looked more like her dad and her Uncle Jarad if she had tried! I truly believe the minute Justin laid eyes on his little princess, every thought of having a son melted away. Savannah and Justin are big fishing buddies and her every conversation is frequently dotted with references to 'my Dad.' She is indeed a chip off the old block!

Savannah at birth.

Justin Matthew, 1 day old.

Shifting gears...just as unbelievable is the fact that my baby boy, Jarad, just turned thirty. Jarad was without doubt the sweetest little guy I've ever known in my entire life. Even as a little child he was extremely kind and tender-hearted and always concerned about the feelings of those around him. One would be hard pressed to find a child as loving and as sensitive as Jarad was.

Jarad in kindergarten...

From the memory bank....when Jarad was in kindergarten he came home one day and announced he wanted us to get some 'well-u-fare.' When I asked him to tell me about this 'well-u-fare' his explaination was quite simple: When you get 'well-u-fare' you get to eat breakfast at school and they have cereal everyday! That conversation came shortly after the announcement that he wanted to be 'lurgic.' Once again, I asked for elaboration, at which time I was told, "When you're 'lurgic' they give you juice with your lunch and you never have to drink milk at school again!"

Many, many sweet memories exist of those early childhood days. Sadly, it seems as though I merely blinked and they were gone.

Friday Thoughts...

"Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly." -Langston Hughes

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A Rainy-Peachy Kind of Day

The rain is steadily falling, day 4, I believe it is. The garden is soggy and it's just too yucky to do anything other than indoor projects today. My friend stopped by early this morning, on her way to work, and shared with me a box of organic peaches she was lucky enough to receive from another friend. I wasn't in the mood for canning, so I decided to prepare them for the freezer. I once read somewhere that your freezer is like a safe deposit box and you should regularly make deposits as well as withdrawals. That's an interesting philosophy that seems to be true indeed. I'm sure on some nippy fall or winter day, in the near future, I'll make a 'withdrawal' from the bank and prepare a wonderful cobbler or homemade pie!

A sink full of really big peaches!

I didn't have any 'Fruit-Fresh' on hand so I crushed some vitamin C tablets and sprinkled the powder on the peaches so they would not turn dark. Works just like the expensive stuff!


Sliced, 'sprinkled' and almost ready for the freezer. My grandmother gave me this 'Texasware' bowl for my hope chest back in the early 70's and I think it came from Perry's five and dime store. I see these bowls on e-bay all the time now, usually labeled 'vintage.' Where, pray tell, did the time go and what the heck did I do with it?? Do girls still have hope chests? My, what fun that was!

Double bonus. This batch yielded lots of good organic matter for the composter.

I prefer to freeze fruit in single layers on cookie sheets before transferring it to freezer bags. That way, when I need 2 cups of peaches I can measure out exactly that, rather than getting a 'block' of peaches.

Outta Here...

A secluded lagoon at the beautiful San Luis Resort
One of the many wonderful gardens of San Luis

My bags are packed, the gardens are watered and the cottage is spic and span. The house sitter has instructions for the bird and Andi who, this week, refuses everything but rotisserie chicken. That's okay. The laundry is all done and fresh, crisp sheets from the line fit tight and smoothly on the bed, a welcoming pleasure to come home to. Gotta remember the charger for the camera. I'm out of here, off to my favorite spot on the island for a few days. Hopefully the weather will cooperate but, even if it doesn't, it will be wonderful.

Talent.

When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything you gave me."
~ Erma Bombeck

Home Ain't What it Used to Be!

There is a magic in that little world, home; it is a mystic circle that surrounds comforts and virtues never known beyond its hallowed limits.

I think I'm about ready to sell the cottage. I think. Actually, it was never really a cottage but, rather, a spacious two story home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a great room, formal living & dining rooms, a kitchen & breakfast area, mudroom, covered patio and 2 car garage, sitting right smack in the middle of 2 beautiful lots. But what I longed for was a cottage, and that's exactly what I have created. A spacious, yet cozy cottage with a wonderful clothesline made by my Dad, 4 raised bed vegetable and herb gardens, 4 fruit trees, bird baths, bird feeders, a wheel barrow spilling over with brightly colored flowers, and an American flag hanging near the front door. The inside---which is filled with warm colors and lots of natural light---is brimming with antique quilts made by my grandmother, vintage trunks, a beautiful collection of rugs, stained glass lamps, wonderfully scented candles and handmade soaps, fresh flowers, lots of pictures of family and friends, my own personal art, overstuffed pillows and French country antiques---many with quite a story, I'm sure. Much of what I treasure is cast offs which I salvaged, pampered, and fell in love with. Pictures will follow in coming days.

But with time comes swift transition, and the wonderful little patch of forrest that was once beyond my back fence has been destroyed, only to be replaced with a high dollar gated community, with property being peddled by a smooth talking investor who is offering lots of bells and whistles to the prospective proud mortgagees. I'm sure the homes will be almost stacked one on top of another and one will probably be hard pressed to find even one garden or clothesline among the masses. Sadly, there will be few trees.

I miss the forrest and absolutely hate what I now must see when I'm gardening or hanging out laundry. But rather than gripe about something I can't change, I think I shall simply move on. Oh, I'll miss this place, no doubt about it, but life has taught me that homes are not built but, rather, homes are created. Created with lots of love and joy and filled with treasures that bring back sweet memories and offer comfort. I'm up for the challenge, I just have to decide when to take the plunge.

All that remains of this once beautiful, majestic old oak is this toppled down tree top, tangled in the power lines.

A wounded branch, rests near my herb garden.

Andi's favorite spot to sniff the flowers!

My absolute favorite color crepe myrtle. Pure crimson.

Peek-A-Boo!

Rita-baby loves banana peppers straight from the garden.

A sweet, tropicana hibiscus.

Some Plum Good Stuff

My friend was given a case of plums that seemed to come from an extra good crop and, lucky for me, she shared them! So what does a single girl who happens to be 'tween relationships do on a Friday night? Well, she makes jelly and jam, of course. Need you ask? Sheesh. So I boiled jars and lids and washed, cut and simmered those wonderful little jewel toned beauties until the juice turned to jelly, then sealed them in jars to be safely stored away for those nippy fall and winter mornings when you're just craving a little summer freshness. There was about half a jar remaining in the pot so I put that in the refrigerator and had it for breakfast this morning. Well...not just that. There was also a big, flaky biscuit. some REAL butter, a slice (or maybe 2!) of thick, smoked bacon, and some fresh squeezed orange juice. Sheesh, you can't eat jam all by its self!

A sink full of big, beautiful juicy ruby red plums...

Chopped and in the pot.

Simmering. The aroma is heavenly!

Beginning to thicken...

Seriously thickening. Sure wish I could bottle this wonderful fragrance!

The bounty, sparkling like rubies, in the windowsill.

She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family...Proverbs 31:15

08/08/08

Almond orchard near the cave of John the Baptist, Israel, March 2006

Though I have never been a believer of numerology, I am a bit intrigued by today's date--08/08/08. In the spiritual world, the number eight signifies the time of new beginnings. Of further interest to me is the fact that we are currently living in the Jewish year 5768, the year which scholars have declared to be the "Year of Samekh Chet---The Year of the Full Circle of Life---A New Beginning is Yours." Upon realizing this, my mind was quickened to the passage in the book of Isaiah (43:19) wherein Isaiah declares God's mercy by repeating what God has proclaimed,
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." NIV

In our society we typically mark January 1 as the time for 'new beginnings'---the starting point for making positive changes in our lives, changes often related to physical, spiritual or financial matters. But why should we wait until January to start anew? What better time is there than today, 08/08/08, to start losing those few extra pounds or start setting aside a few more dollars? My, if I change my exercise routine and prayer life and a few other habits starting right now, I could be light years ahead when the new year rolls in! And maybe, just maybe, there really is something special for me just around the bend. Maybe today really will mark a new beginning. My new beginning. But it must start with me...

"But it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
I Corinthians 2:9 NKJ

Simply Beautiful...

'Evolution of a Rose'

This phenomenal piece of art from his series "Order from Chaos" was done my very dear and special friend, John, who just so happens to be quite a famous artist. World famous, in fact. I love this painting so much that it seems I can almost smell the sweet perfume of the rose when viewing it. For one who needs an explaination, John states:

It is my little slam on the theory of evolution. The same principal applies to this painting as it does to 'natural selection'. The same chance that all life and the amazing creativity and variety that is found there all happened by accidental chance, is the same probability that the rose in this painting just 'happened' out of the chaos of paint in the background. The paint in the background is the same color I used to paint the rose, its just a jumbled, haphazard, accidental application, not the 'masters touch', as it were. To add a little intensity and acidity to the argument, the painting is entitled, 'Evolution of a Rose.'

What a brilliant and special man John is---and he is truly as unique and wonderful as his breathtaking work. I am very, very thankful to call this man 'friend.'

Balance

The gathered debri left by Hurricane Edouard. Minor, indeed.
Today's harvest. The tomato vines are still producing like crazy. Pure, organic goodness.

God listens. And He speaks too. And when He said "That's enough," Hurricane Edouard calmed down and moved on, leaving hardly a trace of his early morning visit.

Gotta Add One More Day of Happiness...#31

What a wonderful day it was! Yesterday I met 50 of my dearest friends in the world at Pier 19 in Galveston for a day of fishing and fun aboard the "Capt. John Williams'--- the biggest, newest, fastest deep sea vessel on the island. We sailed about 100 miles out in the Gulf where we caught our limit of red snapper, then loaded the boat with what seemed like a ton of other types of fish which weren't limited. The boat rocked and reeled on the rather rough waves, which resulted in quite a number of whiter that snow faces frantically grabbing for an empty Wal Mart bag because making it to the bathroom just wasn't gonna happen because #1, someone had already beat you to it or #2, you were just too darn sick to walk, let alone on a such a quickly moving floor. But love runs pretty deep among these folk. We played and laughed and joked and fished and puked together for 12 hours, with neither a cross word nor any feelings of embarrassment due to the manner in which all dignity was lost in our public displays of, well, vomiting. Sheesh. Therefore, today I must proclaim that happiness is having wonderful friends who can puke with you Saturday and laugh about it on Sunday.

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 30

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." Psalms 91:11

Happiness---and comfort---is found in knowing there are angels watching over us night and day.