"So long"

 It is time to say "so long" to June.  Where did the month go and why did it go so fast?  

As July comes this week and the 4th is only a few days away - am reminded that life is short and we need to live in the moment. 

Life here on planet earth is far from perfect but each day holds opportunities that should not be missed.

As always it is easy to forget the present focusing on what is to come or even looking back at the past.  

 Yet it is in the "here and now" that we experience gratitude for the sunshine, the rain, the breeze and all manner of blessings.  When we fix our gaze on what is lovely and admirable one find's "the peace of God that passes all understanding".

My prayer for all of you dear friends, is that you will find genuine joy in today leaving the regrets of the past behind and avoiding being anxious about tomorrow.  

Have a wonderful beginning of July.

Hugs!

Debbie

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  Phil:4:6 & 7 (NIV) 

Joys of June

 The joys of June are rich with the sights, smells and sounds of this lovely time of the year. 

  Naturally flowers provide a wonderful display of color.  Larkspur fills the garden with continual bouquets. 

(Notice my shadow)

 The sweet smell of hay evokes memories of all my summers growing up on the farm.

The sound of rain and the rumble of thunder in the distance - 

 often leaves us with the beauty of God's promise...His rainbow.  

Thank you for visiting and allowing us to share some of June's joys.  Have a wonderful day.

Hugs from Harmony Hills

Debbie

"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.  Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."  John16:24 (NIV

Eight years

Dear Dad,

It has been eight years since you went home to heaven.  Such a long time since I heard you say "Good Morning Daughter".  You always knew it would be me calling early.  I would say "good morning and how are you?"  You would say "I am good and how about you?" 

What I would give to hear your voice one more time.  I miss your sound advice and wisdom...I miss your jokes and teasing...I miss your laugh.  

Thank you for teaching me how to live...giving me a love for animals...and most importantly raising me with a faith to follow the Lord.

I know you are in the most perfect of places and someday I will see you again.  In the meantime I am so thankful I had you for my dad.

Love Always,

Your Daughter

Bless all of you for stopping by and letting me share a small tribute to my father today.  Have a good week.

Hugs

Debbie

"Listen to your father, who gave you life..." Prov.23:22a (NIV)

Abundance

We have had an abundance of rain in the last couple of days.  To say we are very soggy is an understatement.

Chippy Chipmunk is not bothered by all the moisture.  He still manages to make his way to the bird feeder for his daily nourishment.

 

The flowers are happy.  These New Guinea Impatiens flourish under an abundant amount of water.  

On the down side, I am hoping the seeds in the veggie patch did not get washed away. 

We had several inches of rainfall in just a few short hours.  Many roads were closed on Friday due to flooding and mudslides.   

June thus far has been a very wet one.

Spent some time this weekend  perusing this lovely book by Claus Dalby.  It has some gorgeous photos as well as featuring famous gardeners such as Vita Sackville-West and  Gertrude Jekyll.  Certainly a good book to enjoy on a rainy weekend.

Well hope next post I can report that we received  an abundance of sunshine.  

May all of you have a blessed week.

Hugs

Debbie

"Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."  2 Peter:1:2 (NIV)

Came and Went

How quickly the month of May came and went. It was here and in a blink it was gone.  This year we were unusually cool and wet.

In spite of the weather the birds sang, the flowers bloomed and the grass grew.

I worked on a few small paintings (100 small painting challenge) when it was too wet to work in the garden.

Even found a bit of time to read.

"Help is Here" by Max Lucado was wonderful...Creative Abstract Watercolor by Kate Rebecca Leach will inspire you to paint and doodle...The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton I just started and within the first chapter I was hooked.

Kelsey and Gunnar

When the sun shone these two kept me busy outdoors.

Well hope all of you had a good May as it came and went.  

May June bring you joy.

Hugs

Debbie

"...the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.  For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter..."  Ecclesiastes 8:5B-6A (NIV),  

Remembrance

 Here in the USA, this weekend marks a time of remembrance.  We celebrate this special holiday with cookouts...parades...and cemetery visits.  It is known by some as Decoration Day and others Memorial Day.

For myself it is time to remember all the men and women who have served this country.  May their service and sacrifice never be forgotten.

Also I visit the graves of my beloved parents, grandparents as well as my husband's family.  I know they are not there but it seems appropriate to leave some flowers and pay tribute to what their lives meant to those who knew and loved them

Remembering can be sad but it also has a hidden blessing.  It reminds us to slow down and appreciate the people  who still remain with us.

God Bless

Debbie

"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."  Luke 22:19 (NIV)

Precious Days

May is filled with precious days.  Generally the weather at Harmony Hills is lovely...not too hot and not too cold.  

As you can see in the above photo the Baltimore Orioles have arrived.  They are here from May to the end of July.  I am kept busy with slicing oranges and filling up bowls of jelly.  They are gorgeous birds.  Naturally the male's coloring is more flamboyant than the female but both catch your eye when they visit.

Pink Bleeding Heart are in bloom.  Their heart shape forms make me want to pick up a paint brush.

This yellow daylily is the first to make a show.  Its petals last only a day.  Perhaps that is why it is so precious.

Woodland Hyacinths may be small but they do not go unnoticed.  They enjoy a patch in the shade which brightens the garden.

The wallflowers are adding color to the veggie patch.  Soon they will keep company with the beets and lettuce that were just planted. 

Last but not least  the blackberries are in blossom.  Hopefully they will bear lots of delicious fruit.

Yes, May is full of many precious moments.  Hope you are enjoying this special month.

Hugs

Debbie  

"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land."  Song of Songs 2:11-12 (NIV)