Blessings

 The blessings of spring abound... 

The flowers appear to dance and sing...

Everywhere beauty is around

Wishing everyone many blessings.  For those who are celebrating Easter - may it be lovely and full of great joy.

Hugs 

Debbie

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"  John 12:13b  (NIV)

Hope & Renewal

 For myself this week marks a season of hope and renewal.  It is Holy Week...a time for reflection and worship... a time of restoration... a time to celebrate the Resurrection.

  For some of you it may mean spring flowers...

the Easter bunny...

or the joy of warmer weather.

Whatever it is - may each of you be blessed this week with hope and renewal.

Hugs!

Debbie

"While we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."  Titus 2:13 &14 (NIV)

"April Showers ...

 

bring May flowers."   With the amount of rain we've received these past few days there certainly should be flowers in May :)!

We now are enjoying a lake front view.   Have not seen this much flooding for over a year.

 Outdoor gardening is on hold for the next few days until the earth dries out.  In the meantime have been doing a bit of reading...

painting (100 small painting challenge)...

and savoring how green the field has become.

May everyone have a blessed week.

Hugs

Debbie

"You care for the land and water it ; you enrich it abundantly.  The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it."  Psalm 65:9 (NIV)

Anxious

 I have been anxious for the anemones to bloom.  They are small but that lilac color with the complimentary yellow center makes them a favorite of mine.

 As spring unfolds, Ice Folly daffodils are making a show.  These were planted many years ago and as you can see they continue to flourish.

The butterfly daffodils have opened up.  There are many different species in this category.  The yellow ones are the very first to bloom.  More will come later.

Planting bulbs in the fall reaps a lovely reward when this time of the year rolls around.

I am anxiously waiting for the Virginia Bluebells and tulips to visit.    It will not be long now.  

How about you - what are you anxious to see arrive?  Hope you will share.

Hugs

Debbie

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Phil:4:6  

Windy & Stormy

 Finally after windy and stormy weather we are enjoying a lovely Sunday of blue skies.  April has certainly delivered several inches of rain and gusty winds.  In fact as I am typing this post we are once again seeing the wind picking back up and are hearing more storms are a possibility tonight.  For now though the sun is shining and even though it is quite breezy what a delight to be outdoors without an umbrella and rain coat.   

Lets take a walk together.  Amazing how green the fields have become in just a few short weeks.

The cherry tree is blossoming.  Looks like if we are quick before the birds claim them there may be some fruit for us :)!  One can hope.

The pink charm daffodils appear to be joyful that the sun is shining...

and those Virginia Bluebells chime right in as well. 

Looks like this may have been a bit of a long walk for this one.  I think she is ready to relax and take a little nap.  Maybe I will join her.

Have a wonderful week.  Pray you are safe if the winds and storms come your way.

Hugs!  Debbie

"A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.  The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"  He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."  Mark 4:37-39 (NIV)  

Beginnings

 April for me is the month of beginnings.

The cheery daffodils blooming always chase away the gray of winter.  They are just the start of all the pretty flowers that will make lovely bouquets.

The birds have a new song.  In the early mornings their chirps sound so sweet.  

They are an inspiration to this artist's heart. 

Yes the month of April brings great beginnings.

Hope you are enjoying some too.  Thanks for stopping to visit.   Always so glad when you do.

Hugs!

Debbie

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning."  John 1:1 &2 (NIV)  

Patience

 March is the month that always teaches me patience.   This year is no different.  We went from 70 degree weather to 50's.  The peepers were in full song for a couple of days but now they are quiet.

As always I am anxious to get outdoors and start digging.  It is too soon.  Just need to be patient a little longer.

In the meantime I will enjoy a  cutting of forsythia and pussy willows along with the last few petals of a Christmas poinsettia.

Also taking delight in a few houseplants.  Growing something indoors feeds one's soul until warmer days return.   

This thriller was suggested to me by a friend.  Stacy Willingham is the author.  Sounds like it will be a page turner.  Perhaps this will help to keep me patient.

Well take care friends.  Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs Debbie

"Be patient, then brothers, until the Lord's coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains."  James 5:7 (NIV) 

        

Capture

 I am doing my best to capture all the spring blooms before they are gone.

With the warmer temperatures in April it seemed to fast forward the daffodils and tulips as well as so many of the early flowers this year.

 The dogwoods generally wait until the end of the month or the first of May before they make their show.  This season though they started blooming two weeks earlier.

Every day I spot the male cardinals.

I know they are very busy with their courting.

I am sure going to miss these sweeties.  It seems like they are only here for such a short time.

Well this is what has been happening at Harmony Hills this week.

Hope when you stop by you will let me know how spring is going in your world or for my friends in the southern hemisphere, autumn.  Both are lovely times of the year.

God Bless and have a great week.

Hugs

Debbie

 P.S. It is to be cold here this week...even hearing a possible snow flake or two!!  That may slow things down a bit.

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields it fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers."  Psalm 1:2-3 (NIV) 

Overwhelmed

How many of you feel a wee bit overwhelmed with the return of nice weather?

Yes, it is wonderful not to have to wear a coat and boots.  Great awaking to the sound of bird song out the window.

Lovely to sip morning coffee enjoying the garden after a long winter nap.

All of these make the season of spring welcome.

However, I find myself running from task to task.  Torn between taking time to capture what is blooming...

to preparing the garden for more blooms.

Then there is the indoor chores that need finished.  Seems like when the sun starts shining and the days grow longer one seems to see how much dirt clings to nooks and crannies that have gone unnoticed during the colder months.

Ah such is life at this time of the year.  

Perhaps I need to take a lesson from these two...sit a spell and quietly accept that not everything must be done at once.  There is no reason why some things cannot wait.

 Maybe visit the swing...

"Look Up" and enjoy God's Amazing Sunrise.

Guess I found the cure for being overwhelmed.

How about you?  Do you have a cure too?  Hope you will share. 

Have a blessed week!

Hugs

Debbie

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. he restores my soul." Psalm 23:2 (NIV)

Easter Sunday

  Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter Sunday tomorrow.  Will see you next week with a longer post.

  God Bless

  Debbie

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb...suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them...the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here, He has risen!"  Luke 24: 1-6 (NIV) 

Good

 It is good to be back.  I have missed all of you and am looking forward to catching up with everyone.

While I was resting the daffodils decided to bloom.  What cheer they bring after a long winter.

These small harbingers of spring "Glory of the Snow" always make me stop and smile.  What they lack in size doesn't keep them from being brave.  Even on a chilly morning their petals are open.

While on break found some extra time to do a bit of painting.   It was good to be back in the studio. 

 It is good spring is finally here.  Hope all is good with each of you.

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 Song 2:11-12 (NIV) 

Daffodil Tour

For many years our county would sponsor a daffodil tour during the month of April.  Folks would meet at a designated place and pick up a map.  They then were able to travel at their own pace along scenic country roads.

There were historical places to stop and visit... spots of fun activities for old and young...as well as refreshments being served.  It was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon .  

Unfortunately it was one of those annual events that came and went ... not sure why, but I miss it.

Today I am sharing a little daffodil tour of mine for all those of you who love these spring flowers.

Over the years there have been so many new varieties offered.  The pink cups are one of my favorites.

Love these frilly centers...

and this orange one really catches attention...

and are not these wee white ones sweet?

  

As you can see the daffodils are one of those flowers that is easy to grow and never disappoints.  Once they are planted in the fall spring blooms are almost guaranteed.  It takes a fairly heavy freeze to keep them from giving a show.

Well I hope friends you enjoyed the daffodil tour.  I certainly enjoyed sharing it with you.

Have a blessed week.

Hugs Debbie

"Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed."  Genesis 2:8 (NIV)