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),  

Beginning

 The month of June marks the beginning of summer for many of us who live where we enjoy the four seasons of the year.  It brings roses...

Peonies and Salvia...

Sweet William - Bachelor Buttons...

and Larkspur to name a few.

The sweet cherry tree's blossoms of April bears fruit which in turn attracts

 so many lovely birds.

Yes, this beautiful month is just the start of what will follow.

Praying all of you are having a great beginning to June.

Hugs

Debbie

"In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands."  Psalm102:25

Paying Tribute

 Today it is Memorial Day in America and we are paying tribute to all those men and women who gave of their time and their lives.  

Two weeks ago we lost a beloved family member who served in Vietnam.   During his service he was exposed to Agent Orange which over time weakened the walls of his heart.

 As so many can testify, they may have survived the battlefield but never fully recovered their mental and physical health.  May we not forget the sacrifices these honorable men and women gave for our freedom.  God Bless each and every one.

Hugs

Debbie

"Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy." Psalm 107:22

More

 In keeping with this month's challenge (as I posted previously) sharing a few more delights.

This peony has to be one.  I planted it a couple of years ago and each spring it does not fail to deliver the most lovely blooms.  For the life of me, unable to remember the name.  As you can see in the above pictures it has different colors...soft yellows and peachy tones.

It certainly makes me want to stop and savor its beauty.

Something else making me smile is the "bunny cart".  Spent a bit of time yesterday planting a few pansies and snapdragons so he would not be lonely.  He appeared much happier with the extra company. 

     Finally this little fella (a thief but a cute one) who has been stealing all the bird seed from the feeders.  He does not work alone...there are several gang members...believe have counted at least 6 at one time.  Thinking we may be outnumbered :)!

Well thank you for letting me share a few more delights with you.  Hope you are finding some as well.

Hugs

Debbie

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."  Zephaniah 3:17   (NIV)

In the Midst

 We are in the midst of one of the driest springs in 16 years.  Everything is needing water especially the crops.

In spite of the lack of rain the peonies are blooming.

Even the rose is doing its best to make a show. 

When a drought comes I have found it is best to water well near the root system.  The plants have something to drink under the surface.  Overhead watering tends to just make the roots come to the top and not go deeper.

I too at times have dry periods.  Like plants I need a deeper drink instead of an overhead shower.   

In order to grow and flourish a good root system is needed.  That means being watered deeply is important.

Spending time reflecting on the goodness of God and being grateful for His blessings is what gets me through those arid seasons in life.  It makes my roots go deeper and I get closer to the "Living Water". 

  I know that some of you may be in the midst of a dry time..."keep looking up".

God Bless

Debbie

" If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."  John 7:37b & 38 (NIV)       

Contentment

A wonderful virtue is contentment.  It can be found in the abundance of gifts that arrive here in June.

Peonies that grace the garden...

a robin seeking sustenance...

Fields of green...

the promise of cherries soon...

and always those special visitors.  

All of these and so much more fills one's soul with contentment.

Wishing each of you the same.

Hugs!

Debbie

P.S. Thank you for best wishes to the bride and groom.  The day started out wet and chilly but by the time they left the chapel the sun was shining :)!

"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation..." Phil.4:12b

  

Vacation

This past week I was on vacation.  It was a break from the usual routine.

A pleasant respite - a time to rest - a time to reflect - a time to enjoy the treasures of summer's first baby steps.

The interlude gifted me with lovely moments in the garden...

     long walks with two friends...

       porch sitting...

       reading a thriller...

and doing a bit of journal sketching.

As always hours fly when one is enjoying those precious days out of time.

Whatever vacation looks like for each of us; it should always mean we are restored.  I was!

Have a good week.

Hugs!

Debbie

"Restore us, O God: make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved."  Psalm 80:3 (NIV)  

If I Could

I would wrap up the month of June and present it as a gift just for you.

 I'd invite you to join me and take a moment to watch this hummer enjoy her nectar...

or take a garden tour and check out what is blooming... Columbine -

 spider wort... (don't you just love the color of lavender??) -

these fragrant pink peonies... they certainly have the smell of June...

or sample some sweet strawberries...

while we jaunted across a freshly mowed hay field.

Yes I would certainly delight in giving you this perfect gift of June - if only I could.

Have a great week.

Hugs

Debbie

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."   James 1:17 (NIV)

Cicadas - This and That

Just out of the Ground with brown shell

The seventeen year Cicadas have arrived.   They are everywhere clinging to grass and leaves.  Their visit is accompanied by a constant hum from sun up to late afternoon.
They metamorphose from this shell into a black-winged insect with red eyes.  Not the prettiest bug!

 On a lovelier note - yesterday  brought a gorgeous sunrise.

Fog shrouded the hills as dawn left us behind.  It was a beautiful June morning.

  The peonies and bachelor buttons are in full swing in the garden.

Male Hummingbird 

 Mr. Hummingbird is constantly reminding me he needs lots of nectar.   Certainly keeping me buzzing around filling the feeders.

Shelby

Speaking of buzzing - got to go for now.  Someone is waiting for their walk.

Thanks for letting me share a bit of this and that.   Will be around to see what is happening in your part of the world.

Have a wonderful week.

Hugs Debbie



"This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

May'sFlowers

The daffodils, tulips and bluebells have given way to the last of  May's flowers.

 Irises and Peonies are now in full bloom.

Baptisia is reaching to touch the sky.

 Foxglove starts to show

as bleeding hearts go.   I am going to miss May's flowers.   How about you?


Here is wishing everyone a wonderful June.

Hugs Debbie