Mary Mary

Mary Mary quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

I'm so excited. Since we moved to town almost 5 years ago, I haven't grown one thing.

Well, last year I got one tomato. One.

This Easter I had my neighbor over for lunch. His mother had passed and he was alone.

A couple of days later he came to till my yard and help my garden spot.

I credit him for much of this.

I can't wait to get busy with the tomatoes. The sqaush put out lovely blooms but no good produce.

They don't like wet feet and I think I got them too wet. I'm just excited to have something growing.

Beautiful blooms made by my Father, He waters & warms them.

I have found great joy.

Life Abounds

There's "Life on Margaret". 

So many changes, so many challenges, hurts, joys.

Most importantly, there's Life.

We stick by eachother on our street. We carry eachother's load. We have changes coming and

what will become of the family ties that we've created between us?

We're pretty much like what a church should look like and that bond

is stronger than some because it's the Jesus blood that creates this bond.

It's everlasting and through eternity.

Yes, there's Life on Margaret.

Remarkable, really, the way the Lord speaks when you go before Him. Today's OYB reading that jumped at me was: Judges 6:14 Then the Lord turned to him (Gideon) and said, Go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midianites.  I am sending you!

WOW!

I'm not rescuing Israel but this speaks strongly. It says, this day has been prepared. I've lined everyone up to be there. (Says God) You are equipped, ready and it's time; "I am sending you!"

What is the Lord telling you to do? He's speaking; are you listening? Do you know His voice or has it been so long that you weren't sure Who that was? Are you so close that you know the sound of His whisper? He's speaking to you.

{{ 74 }} Classic

I like the handles...the chrome trim...the wing windows...the key hole.

Nothing compares to the unique style of the classics. 

{{ 73 }} Under the Hood

It looks complicated to me but I am told it's so simple.
One reason we have the Comet is so we can work on it. Really, does everything have to be so computerized? We now have a '62 Comet and a '63 Ford truck.

{{ 71 }} The Color of Glass

And another shot...this one is in tiny cracked pieces.

{{ 70 }} Color

I like the way this looks. It's the back windshield on R's little car. He replaced the back window. I think I find pictures in everything.

{{ 69 }} Neighbors

These little guys have been walking around our neighborhood for a couple of years. No one really knows how they got here or who they used to belong to. As one who brought her own flock of chickens to town I do know they are mature enough to be laying eggs somewhere. I wish I knew. I am always happy to hear their clucking or the scratching in the leaves. Brings a silent smile to know they are here and they can cross the busy road safely.

{{ 64 }} Shadow Play

This is still one of the few things I like about this house. I hung lace curtains for lack of having 

anything else.  Now I think they are perfect for the living room. 

Ann @ Holy Experience wrote a book by the name, 

One Thousand Gifts.

I want it. I think I need it but I'm a little afraid to get it and read. Without knowing what's beyond that beautiful book jacket, I think the picture of shadow play in my living room is just one of my gifts.

{{ 61 }} Chicks

I love this time of year when the farm adds have little chicks.
It makes me want to go buy about $8.00 worth and start breeding again. Of course that won't happen in town.
Time to start planting gardens and flowers to have a beautiful yard. Challenged with too much shade I'm not sure what to get.
I recycle cans because I believe it's the "right" thing to do and with my can money I buy flowers in fall and spring. Now, decisions.

{{ 49 }} Berries

Well, the little ones from Home Fellowship decided to pick berries. They denuded my Nandina. They were so proud and tied a pretty little bow on top.
Blessed are the little children....

{{ 46 }} The List

Oh! Don't you love it when you can mark something off your list?
I have one more item to go. I'm not real motivated to mark that last one off either...it just has to be done.  UGH.

{{ 45 }} Food

Maybe this doesn't look to good...hahaha
I found a recipe/tip on Balancing Beauty & Bedlam
and tried it out. Yay! I can do oatmeal now!
You simply saute your apple bits in a little butter and add the oatmeal. Cook, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. I make sure I do lots of apple. This is a great time to use those apples that are on their way out...
you know, the kinda not crisp anymore apples.
I feel good knowing I'm eating something healthy.

{{ 43 }} Lanterns

 Wouldn't it be neat if I had thought to light the lantern?
I didn't want to disturb the snow.  Lanterns have always
been attractive to me. They make me imagine what life was
like in old days, hold a mystique, make me thankful when
the electricity is out. It takes you to a simple time and with
life as busy as it is...Simple is nice.

{{ 41 }} Lines

Lines.....

Oh yeah, and snow. Again.

{{ 39 }} Valentine's Day

I remember the days with my sweet children when we made Valentines.

There would be glue, scissors, paper, doilies, crayons, glitter.

Miss the days of see ing what their little imagination would dream up.

{{ 38 }} Bernie

Bernie got loose today while we were having our Valentine lunch.

The boys came home to get their guns and he opened the door and 

quietly left. He ran around all over oue neighborhood.

One neat thing about asking help: you meet the neighbors around the corner.

I met the man and when he saw my runaway moments later he helped catch him.

The young Dominos pizza man locked him up in the building and the neighbor

 drove up and down the streets looking for me. I was on the other side of the main road.

I prayed the whole time...nearly sick. Bernie is the riding companion to R. as he

drives back and forth to work and Bernie spends the night at Harvest House too.

So relieved to have him back home where he belongs. Thank you Dominos pizza man,

thank you neighbor whom I would have never met...."it takes a village".

{{ 37 }} Away With You

I just don't know when I've been so glad to see something leave. Let me take a moment to say:
Praise The Lord!    Thank You Jesus!
It's been on my "to do" list for over a year. Yesterday I sold the pop up camper for what we paid and didn't lose a dime. We used it once....sad to say but true...
once. I am so used to our Airstream that nothing else compares.

{{ 35 }} Air Force 1

Can't tell you how many times this box has "nearly" been thrown out.

I keep holding on. I know...you're laughing.

A few years ago, when President George W. was in office we were 

commissioned with a job.

We lived in a tiny community out in the country; my kids would say "Nowhere".

Our engraving business received a box of tools to be engraved especially

for Air Force 1. They would ride on the plane with the President in case

anything went wrong and they needed to work in flight.

I was honored to say the least. So from tiny little T-town to Air Force 1 they went.

I just can't seem to throw out the box

so I keep packing things in it and putting it back in storage.

{{ 33 }} Ground Hog Day

My almost 5'2" self looks long. No, this wasn't taken today. I daren't go out much. It's bitterly cold to the point that my car was a little freaked out and just said  ICE. No kidding. It's 12 degrees with a windchill of -2.
When I was little I played "step on shadow". I still like my shadow.
Madison visited in Oct. and as she pranced around the camp fire one night she suddenly stopped and said, "My shadow finds me watching the stars." She had seen Peter Pan; her imagination had taken off.
It was one of those magical toddler moments; I wanted to bottle it up andkeep it to take out when I am missing her so badly.
Do shadows captivate you?
Does it carry you back to a time when all was simple?

{{ 30 }} Love Is....

I made this for Candace & Andrew. It's one of their favorite verses...

Oh, that we would remember when the moments are rough.