Wednesday, June 27, 2012

An Evening Walk

I brought the camera along on my evening walk .  Hope you enjoy the view!
 It is a routine that I hike two to three miles every day.   The weather is no deterrant.  It keeps me fit.  It helps me relax.  It reminds me of the blessings that God gives.  

 All seasons have their beauty - summer is special but a lovely snowfall is wonderful as well.

    

I have a worn path that winds through the field back of our home.   The hills are dressed in their finest greenery tonight.     

The air is soft... the sky a gorgeous blue.


Grasses are blowing in the breeze.  Birds are singing.  There is a feather on the ground.


I naturally gather it up.  These tokens that are left behind always draw me close.  They are so pleasant to touch ... to study ...to admire.     


There are many wildflowers along the way.   I take time to pick a few and bring indoors.  They will make a sweet bouquet.

I am so glad you came along with me tonight.  Hope you had fun!
 


                                                      As always take care and God Bless!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Amazing transformation...

What an amazing transformation this small white flower underwent.  In just a few short weeks the delicate petal became a gorgeous fruit. 
 Considering this small miracle I reflect on how we as humans are transformed as well.  We are given the gift of life with no clear knowledge of where that life will take us.  Certainly we make plans.  We have our dreams.   Some of us may achieve our hopes...others will find that their paths take them to places they never planned.



Having attended several graduation parties this past month.  I reflected on what lies ahead for these new graduates.  Where will life take them?  What will be their challenges?  Perhaps they will differ a bit from ours.   Still the basic human need remains the same.   To love and be loved.  Everything else is just what's in between.

Love is the tool that transforms.  It can heal a hurt.   It can mend a broken relationship.   It can right a wrong.   Love can change all things.   It did over two thousand years ago... It still is today.



Think I will go transform these berries into a pie - thanks for stopping by.  Have a Blessed week!



Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Summer is here!

Summer is here - it slipped in the door today.  The temperatures in NE Ohio are very warm and humid.   The weather man is predicting a cool front coming in tomorrow evening.   That will be welcome.  Some much needed rain arrived on Sunday and Monday.  The garden seemed to leap overnight.   The flowers had a lovely bath and everything renewed.

I took the opportunity to enjoy morning's mist with Sarge.   He always joins me as I move about in the garden.  We check out what is blooming.   Perhaps a weed or two will get a pull.


With the arrival of this warmer season the mowing slows a bit and the frenzy of spring passes.    Summer is my time to sit back and relax.   I catch up on my reading and art.

  I have stretched a couple of sheets of cold-press and hot press paper - revisited some old sketches -

      



gathered a few photo references - and am in the process of experimenting with some different color mixes.

Will keep you posted as things progress.

It is time now to go "look-up" - hope you will too.
Looking Up

Wishing you God's Blessings for a wonderful summer!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

We paid a visit to...

 We paid a visit to the School House Winery this past Friday evening.   " Relay for Life" was hosting a fund raiser on their premises.  
It is a lovely and interesting spot less than fifty minutes away from our home.   It is an old school house that has been turned into a winery.    We had never been there before.   They were raising funds by serving grilled burgers and hot dogs and having a DJ and Karaoke night.  The weather was perfect.  There was a gentle breeze that floated over the pond that lies on the property.  



The school house itself is a beautiful restored building where they serve wine, cheese, and meat trays.   Also they have a menu of pizza, pasta and such.



It is one of those small local family owned businesses situated in a rural setting.   There are picnic tables where you can dine outdoors.  The atmosphere is casusal but quaint and charming.

My husband and I enjoyed the entertainment and visiting with friends.   It also was so nice to be able to give to a wonderful cause.   Like so many we have lost family and friends to cancer.   I pray that someday there will be a cure.   There are so many wonderful men and women who give of their time and talents to help make a difference all across the world.    I appreciate their efforts and applaud them for the sacrifices they make on behalf of all of us.   Cancer is definitely no respecter of age, finance or sex.   It can come to any of us .   Thank you to everyone who helps with this great organization.  May God Bless you all!

Hope you enjoyed the visit - stop back soon.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Welcome to my summer...

Welcome to my summer office, studio and sanctuary.   This is where I am when I'm home.   This is where you will find me when I cannot be found.
The deck is surrounded by huge old oaks that create a shady place to work, read, and paint.  We often have our evening meal here.   It is where I start my day and generally where it ends.

Bicycle - A Gift From Hubby


There are pots of impatiens, begonias and ivy for the butterflies and hummingbirds to visit.   Sometimes a toad or tree frog make their way up on the deck . 

Hot afternoons find the kitties taking their siesta underneath a table or chair.   Sarge my faithful companion is always near by.   It is our spot to take some time to relax and savor the gift of summer. 

 This nook is where I set up my art studio.  A perfect spot to be creative.
There are two lightposts that give light when night comes.   The swing in the alcove affords a soft haven to read or catch forty winks on a Sunday afternoon.

  I love being here - this is my vacation place - this is my sweet spot.

 
Drifting


Thanks for visiting - hope you enjoyed seeing my retreat.
God bless!

  

Sunday, June 10, 2012

See how the flowers...

" See how the flowers of the field grow.  They  do not labor or spin."  Matt:6:28   - This is a favorite verse of mine.
  As I took my afternoon walk around the yard I  considered the "lilies of the field".   They just dance in the sunshine.  Perfume the air.   Provide nectar to the bees and butterflies.   They do not have goals.   They are not puffed up with their importance.   They are here to give beauty and joy. 

    
They exist for our pleasure and to play their part in the great scheme of things.

Worry is not part of their being.   They know why they are here.  They know what they are to do.  When their petals begin to fall and their loveliness fades they simply return from where it all began.    

Wouldn't life be much sweeter if we all could take a lesson from the flowers.  To accept what each day brings and not be anxious about tomorrow.

Hope you all have a blessed Sunday!   

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

A few bits and some pieces...

Just a few bits and some pieces of life to share.  
 As you can see I've been berry picking.   It came early this year.    These juicy sweeties were ready by the end of May.    I baked a shortcake and lightly sugared the fruit.   Made real sweetened whip cream for over the top.  (I was certainly not counting calories).   They were delicious.  Nothing like fresh strawberries to get summer started.

On another note my kitty Smokey met with an accident (not sure what happened- may have gotten kicked by the neighbor's cow).  He has a cracked knee-cap.  Doc our local vet  did not have to set it.  We did have to be careful for a week and keep him rather confined.   That proved to be a challenge.  Also getting anti-biotic into him twice a day was no picnic.  I think I had more medicine on me than in him.  He is on the mend.  Cats are truly resilient.  Perhaps there is something to that " nine lives" bit.

Finally finished the summer mulching.  Does anybody remember when this practice started?  Growing up we never mulched. (That probably gives away my age).  Now every year I find myself like so many others piling these colored wood chips all around the garden.  It looks nice when one is finished.   I confess there are some of my woodland beds that do not get this dressed up.  If I did all the borders I would still be working when the autumn leaves were falling.  

Here is a piece of what is blooming in the garden now.
Foxglove
Scooter on the Prowl !

Clematis
   
Took a bit of time this evening to work in my sketchbook.   I may not always find time to paint but I try daily to draw or doodle.   When I do this I feed my soul.
Thank you for taking some time to let me share a few bits and pieces.   Have a great day!
God Bless.   

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Not So Much Where We Went but Who...

We went riding one Sunday afternoon with our dear friends Mr. and Mrs. B.   They too have a motorcycle.   It is always fun to share a ride.  Our friendship spans over three decades.   We have made so many wonderful memories.   It is a such delight to spend time together.

Dick and I had been wanting to ride over to Beaver Creek State Park.   They had never been there.  It is about forty miles from our home.   The day was beautiful-no rain in the forecast.

The Park offers a shady place to picnic, fish and hike.   There are huge pines and a stream that meanders through the grounds.  What makes it even more special is the old restored Gaston Mill.  It was built in 1830.   It was part of the Canal system in the area.   There is a church, schoolhouse and a covered bridge from that bye-gone era as well.

Gaston Mill


In the summer the buildings are open for people to stroll through at their leisure.   There are a great many artifacts housed in the Mill.   The place is not only rich in beauty but in history.

Church and Schoolhouse

It was a delightful day.   Sharing a place makes it so memorable.   I am certainly glad to have had our good friends ride along.  Life's journey is made richer by friendship.   What a blessing from God.

Covered bridge

Thanks for coming too.   May God bless your journey!








Sow

 It is the time of the year when I begin to sow seeds for the coming season.  Discovered a different method on You Tube...they call it "...