In spite of chilly temperatures and clumsy workmen putting in the fence post, my baby azalea plant bloomed. I was so excited. Azaleas are the city flower, where I come form in south Ga., so you know I had to have one. I just didn’t know if it could withstand the winters here in Iowa. So for Cee’sFlower of the Day challenge, I give you my white azalea. My peonies are not blooming yet.
And as always, with the beauty of flowers making you smile and helping you feel its kindness, remember to spread that kindness everywhere. Kindness is a virtue we can should exercise often.
Did you know there were over 15 different types of sun flowers, of just the tall ones ranging in height over 14 feet. Crazy. Cee has challenged us to share our sunflowers on our Hunt for Joy. Sunflowers are so awesome. I love seeing a field of them when they are blooming. I was given a packet for May Day but our temps have still been going down in the 20s at night so hopefully this week I can get them planted.
But I will share with you my sunflowers from last year that the birds planted. It was quite fun watching them grow under the feeder then I moved them when they got tall enough to move.
Flower and bee, brown center long yellow-orange petals
I was amazed that even though I used the same brand of bird food, the sunflowers were obviously were different varieties.
Yellow center, bright yellow petals that were shorter but fatter
This last one had three blooms on the same same stalk with smaller blooms than the others.
Smaller bloom but multiple blooms.
Sunflowers are a smiling flower. I think they make us all smile. So smile often, enjoy the flowers through the spring and summer and remember to be kind.
Can you put a value on kindness or encouragement. Not really, but when it is done from the heart, value is created. Today I received the sweetest card, not expecting one, but it really made me smile.
Where I was trying to be an encourager, I myself was encouraged. Thank you back, Miss Dotti.
During this time of added stress of our lives, it is all the more reason to be kind and encourage others to hang on. This will pass and while things may be different forever, maybe we will be stronger for it. I am encouraged by a picture I have seen that zooms through the internet to remind us that God has our back and with that we are ever strong.
So I remind you to relax and breathe in the Love of God and he will hold you in His hand and shine on you with shower’s of with peace.
So I encourage you to spread kindness and encouragement as much as you can. You never know just how one small drop of kindness can create a ripple effect that goes around the world.
Coming from the southern states of the US, we have a different idea on taste I think that most states as it seems to be more of a “foody” area than other states I have lived in. Now that I am in the midwest, I am not seeing the taste variety. Cee has challenged us this week for the sense of taste and tasting is a high sensory in my book.
My lunch of leftover BBQ chicken legs, corn and peas from last was pretty tasty and now I are going to top it off with homemade pound cake covered in blueberries with whipped cream. Mmmmm.
Can you add too much whipped cream…maybe… if you use the entire container on one item.
Some people prefer the “fru-fru” food as I call it, where it is prettier to look at and not much quantity. Not me. I want rib sticking food with good flavor and plenty of it.
Fired pork chop with pepper gravy, turnip greens, black-eyed peas and stewed tomatoes on buttered toast.
Or if you want it all running together, that’s okay too, especially for breakfast.
Eggs covered by sausage gravy smother in buttered grits. Covered-smothered…it’s a southern thing.
But regardless of your favorite dishes, while food is for sustenance, it must also be tasty and enjoyed. It brings about conversations at mama’s house. So while you are savoring thoughts of you favorite dishes, remember to think on kindness. Kindness is needed now to help strengthen out hope through this current crisis.
Today I had to go to Lowes to get the hardware to finish my fence. It’s a very dangerous store for me this time of year as they have a great garden section…BUT I was very good, I just took pictures.
The colors of spring
I think these were my favorite today
So now we are concentrating on the project of getting the fence up. But once that is done…all bets are off. New fence = new flowers. I have seen some awesome containers that hang from a fence…just sayin’…
As you are enjoying your spring, or getting ready to enjoy your spring, remember flowers understand kindness as well, so always be kind.
Cee’s beautiful Flower of the Day challenge is a favorite for this time of year. Come join in.
Sometimes when you get in a position where you see the fragility of the world, you realize just how fleeting life is. Nancy Merrill has challenged us to use a photo with the idea of Fleeting. So I give you my ideas on fleeting and hope you enjoy.
Me when I was 6 or 7
You really don’t realize how fast life goes until all of a sudden you are knocking on 70’s door. And then watching your babies have babies…they don’t stay babies long with the oldest headed to college this fall.
Three of the 7….
But we also are challenged with a new life as we know it which is not only fleeting but a bit scary…
It will pass, not my picture but thought it needed posting
And we cant leave out the beauty of nature and even scripture reminds us the fragility and fleeting of it stating the grass will fade and the flowers will wither. But for now lets enjoy the beauty of spring.
Lemon Slice Calibrachoa
And since life is fleeting, all the more reason to be kind. Kindness is a true reflection of our soul.
Good morning friends. Hope you are doing well. Today looks to be a beautiful day, so lets see what God brings our way. I write this Words of Encouragement each morning for my church family to help lift their spirits through this time of trial where we are staying at home and thought today’s message may help others feel God’s peace.
Trust...what a hard word. When I think of trust, I think of things that I am certain will benefit me or that I know fully what will happen. Today we are fighting over the trust of political issues, concern of trusting our own instincts over daily situations, trusting we will be safe going to the grocery store…and trusting that God sees all, knows all and loves all. And guess what…He does, He is our rock of trust with which to stand firm.
I love some of the pictures I have seen on Facebook with Satan yelling at Jesus in how this pandemic closed the churches and Jesus quietly replies that the church is not the building but is in my people and that His church is ever strong. When we look around at how through technology we are spreading the love of Christ and how people who never bothered to pray before are now praying. The church is alive and well.
God will use whatever situation we find ourselves in to accomplish his goal. He will continue to patiently wait to see what direction we chose at the fork in the road and then guide us to benefit us and His kingdom.
Jesus Calling devotion this morning reminds us that if we trust God…really trust God with our entire being, then nothing can separate us from His peace. This is how we foil evil, by growing in grace through the very adversities meant to bring us harm.
So do not fear any day as it comes your way but relax in His sovereignty knowing that he is holding your hand and will bring good out of every situation you will encounter.
As you begin to trust, remember to be kind to those who are still trying to trust.
Boy do we need to escape from this mess now, and this is a great way to do that. Some of us are busier than ever and some are at a snail pace. I am somewhere in the middle but lean more toward the snail. I wanted to color something to make it feel like spring, even though we are still in long sleeve.
Come join in the our fun way to relieve stress get in touch with your inner child. Linda G Hill hosts this prompt once a month as The Escapist Coloring Club Prompt.
And remember to always be kind with all people and all creatures, especially when things are so unhappy. You may never realize the affect you have in doing so.
Maybe in two weeks I can really start playing with flowers as hopefully by then the yard project will be complete. fencing in the front so dogs can be off the chains.
But I did get a few hanging baskets and a few things in my planter. Hopefully this cold weekend will not be enough to do damage to what is already planted.
Daisy checking out the angel’s flowers. She loves plants.Close up to see the beauty of these blooms
These are Calibrachoa, and a favorite flower as they are hardy and come in several colors. This color is called Tropical Sunrise, and I can see why.
Cee’s prompt for FOTD keeps us looking for that every colorful flower. Flowers make me smile, which reminds me to be kind. So I remind you to try to find ways of showing kindness in these no so easy times. Every ripple counts.
In photography, your light source is of great importance, whether it be behind, in front, bright or shadowed. It helps tell your story through the eyes of the camera…and you. I like taking picture of how the sun shines around nature to highlight its beauty. Enclosed are my entries for 2020 Photo Challenge #18 featuring Light.
Bright and Shadows
The March snow we had was heavy and wet but its beauty was highlighted by the bright sun behind the trees that made neat shadows.
Spider web
Webs are magical as they reflect their silver lines in the rays of the sun.
A personal favorite, flower, bee and sun
The brightness of the sun and the rays sifting through the petals.
Sunset
Even as light begins to fade, it still has beauty to share, And as always, I close with a reminder of showing kindness in all that you do. It could create its own sunshine.
For the Love of 