Enjoying

 We are enjoying some of the early gifts of August.  This Hollyhock chose to wait until now to bloom.  Her friends made their show much earlier and are setting seed.

 Mrs. Butterfly has been visiting the zinnias

and lilies.  She appears to be enjoying herself.

Those apples I shared last post, made it into sauce...

the blackberries into jelly.

Well these are just a few of August's gifts we are enjoying.

Hope you will tell me some of yours when you stop by.

Hugs

Debbie

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture."  Psalm 37:3

Celebrating

Here in the USA many are celebrating Red - White & Blue today.  We are!

    A picnic at a friend's home is planned later this afternoon.  It will be quite a crowd.  A lovely lady who is 92 years young hosts a 4th of July celebration every year at her lake.  She furnishes the burgers and hot dogs and everyone else brings a covered dish.  An amazing woman who still works as a hostess at one of the local restaurants.  One would never guess her age because she certainly would fool those who meet her.  Later in the evening there will be fireworks...what a great way to celebrate the 4th!

Our contribution is a black raspberry pie...

all American potato salad...

and hubby's favorite gluten-free Mississippi Mud brownies!

Thinking this fellow may want to join us.  He certainly is dressed for a Red/White & Blue celebration.

 Wishing everyone a very Happy 4th of July!  Blessings to all my friends in other lands...may your day be wonderful as well.

Hugs

Debbie

"...Let's have a feast and celebrate."  Luke 15:23 b (NIV) 

Something More

This past week I found something more that made me smile.  Yes the hollyhocks did bring a grin but it was not these.

Finding three robin eggs made my heart happy but it was not this nest that had me smiling.

Nor was it the ripening black raspberries; although I was delighted to see there will be some for a pie. 

No, it was catching sight of this face peering down at me from the pussy willow bush.  In fact there were two other faces that were hiding in the leaves.  They were three young ones without a mom in sight.  Hope she found them.  Yes this certainly had me smiling...may it bring a smile to you as well.

Hugs

Debbie

"They are led in with joy and gladness;"  Psalm 45:15 a (NIV) 

Last week of July

 Well friends it is the last week of July.  The second cutting of hay is done and ready for the coming winter.

Picking a crop of zucchini.  The large ones will be made into bread and the small ones sliced and fried.  Some folks think one can have too many but not in my opinion.  All one has to do is put in a search on Pinterest  and find a huge variety of recipes.  My dear mom even put them up in pineapple juice (shredded) and substituted for crushed pineapple.  No one could taste the difference. :) !  What a great way to get a veggie into those picky eaters.

I have been reading a collection of inspiring books from the library.  The hot days of summer are a wonderful time to explore creative endeavors.

Working on finishing this note/sketch book.  The first page was dated 8/7/07.  It began when my Dad had open heart surgery and survived.  Why it got put up on the closet shelf and forgotten is a mystery.

It has been my go to when I needed to journal and sketch this past year. 

Nothing spectacular within the pages but it holds thoughts on grieving and being grateful...memories and reflections.  When we lose someone close to us there is a process in letting go and moving towards healing.  Everyone has to find their way through so they come out on the other side.  For me writing and sketching goes hand in hand.  It is a safe place to pour out one's heart.  I have been inspired by so many gorgeous nature journals, urban sketches, and just day to day items.  This sketchbook is mostly private though.

If some of you are working through issues of the heart this may be a practice to put into place...a place where performance doesn't matter and not everything has to be shared.

On a less serious note I will leave you with these lovely holly hocks.  This photo does not do them justice.  They are shockingly pink and I think they just might inspire me to get out the brushes and paint.

P.S. this blackberry shortcake is calling my name.  Have a lovely week dear ones.  Stop by and let me know what your last week of July is calling you to do.

Hugs

Debbie

"He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed healing." Luke 9:11 b 

...Late..I'm late

"I'm late...I'm late for a very important date."
That date was yesterday with you sweet friends.

Missed my usual posting on Sunday .   Like Alice in Wonderland... there are times when I fall down the rabbit hole.   Hope all of you are having a lovely start to the week.

Rain has swept through Ohio making our fields lovely and green...

 Hollyhocks tall...

and Squash plants spreading wide.

 It has given me indoor time to put up my feet and get inspired with some creative reading.

Plus a bit of playing in the studio.

If  any of you have not fallen down the rabbit hole...drop me a note and let me know how your week is going.


Have a lovely and blessed day.

Hugs!
Debbie

July's Colors

Here at Harmony Hills the colors of July are making their debut.

Brilliant burgundies and peachy hues harmonize with subtle blue greens.

Buttercup yellows...

Soft pinks...

as well as brilliant oranges make this month's color wheel vibrate.

Oh and lets not forget lavender.  It is needed to complete the show.


Hope you enjoyed seeing July's palette of colors.  

"The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now...Your life will always be filled with challenges. "   Richard Carlson


Hugs Debbie

"Sit Still"

WIP

My mother used to say when I was much younger "will you please sit still."   That was never an easy thing for me to do.   It hasn't changed these many years later.  Perhaps that is why hummingbirds fascinate me so...   always on the move and rarely still.  

This past summer they left much earlier than the previous one.   There wasn't even  an opportunity to say good bye.   Obviously they were in a hurry to get to their winter home.

The feeders are still hanging in the pussy willow bush.  They look  forlorn.   Time to take them down.   How quickly the seasons pass.   It seems like just yesterday they arrived for their summer visit.  Where does time go?

In a few weeks Thanksgiving will be here and before one knows it snow.   The hummers will be somewhere warm making their travel plans for spring.  I'll be waiting but for sure not "sitting still."!

Shelby - 9 Mos. 

 

So glad you took a moment to hum by.    Have a  wonderful day!