"Spring"

 April has brought us "Spring".  All the flowers decided to put on an early show.

Generally the bluebells and tulips do not bloom until the end of April but here they are in full swing.

Patches of Violets are everywhere...

The apple blossoms are fully out...

and the Azaleas have dawned their pink petals.

Yes my friends, April has brought us spring.

Hope all of you are enjoying nicer weather and seeing God's beauty everywhere.

Have a wonderful day.

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)

Mom's Day

Wishing all the mother's a very Happy Mom's Day.  May God bless you all.  Have a wonderful week.

Hugs!

Debbie

"When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."  From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."  John 19:26 & 27 (NIV) 

Grandma

 Every spring I plant pansies in memory of my grandma.  She loved all flowers but certain ones were more special than others.  Pansies being one of those.   My maternal grandmother was the perfect picture of what a grandma should be.

Her life's story and challenges keep me aware that "hard times" do not have to define us nor stand in the way of living each day well.

At the age of twelve she lost her mother to suicide (most likely post-partem depression).  This turn of events placed her in the role of raising an infant baby brother as well as caring for a widowed father.  School went by the way and therefore she only received an eighth grade education.

This did not keep her from enjoying a good book and being exceptional when it came to math. She was smart about the necessary things that it takes to survive.

I would like to say life got easier for her but it did not...the depression hit, grandpa was out of work, the war came, she lost a child and then the baby brother she had raised also died at his own hand.

During this time she walked a mile to work and stood eight hours on an assembly line at a local pottery to put food on the table and a roof over their heads.

She was thirty when she gave birth to my mom.  Because finances were tight; even though grandpa had found work, she remained employed for many more years.  

By the time I came along her health had started to decline.  This did not stand in her way though of growing beautiful flowers, sewing lovely clothes for me and my "Chatty Cathy" and cooking delicious dishes for whoever showed up to eat.

Grandma enjoyed life, she laughed a lot, and loved her family and friends.  She was a great woman of faith and always shared her love for the Lord with others.

She was the best babysitter to my brother and I. She had a way of making everything fun and would keep us entertained for hours.   As we grew up she was always a steady influence in our lives.

It has been 41 years since she went home to be with the Lord.  The passing of time has not dimmed the wonderful memories of this special lady.  I'm certain someday we will be enjoying a heavenly garden together.  In the meantime I will keep planting pansies for her.    

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness...Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."  Prov. 31:27 & 29 (NIV)

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)

Signs

Finally there are signs that spring has arrived.  These tulips know it.  They opened right up to the warm weather we had this weekend.

The flowering trees are beginning to bloom.

 Fields are greening up.

Cherry blossoms are beginning to show.

Virginia Bluebells are gracing the garden with their delicate frills.

When the hummers return that is when I know spring has arrived at last.

Hoping all of you are seeing some signs too.

Have a blessed week.

Hugs

Debbie

"I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below..." Acts 2:19 (NIV)   

Gone

April is gone and May has returned. 

I confess friends this is one of my  favorite months. 

Yes the bluebells and the daffodils have faded but there are some lovely tulips stepping up to take their place.

The dogwood are giving us a lovely show...

azaleas too.

In the midst of  all this beauty I have begun to paint again.

Seeing the spring flowers blooming gave me back the desire to pick up my brushes.

Sometimes there are certain seasons that inspire more than others - perhaps this one is mine.

So even though April is gone let us welcome May.

Have a lovely week dear ones.

Hugs!

Debbie

"I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit."  Lev.26:4 (NIV)

New Home

 On January 29th my dear mom moved to her new home in heaven.

Even though there is sorrow, there is joy as well.  She lived a life of faith and love for her Lord, her family and her friends until the very end.  I miss her now but someday we will be together again.

Thank you all for understanding why I have not posted sooner.

God Bless

Debbie

"However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."  1 Cor: 2:9   

May

"Sweet May hath came to love us,

flowers,

trees, their blossoms don;

And through the blue heavens above us The very clouds move on."  Heinrich Heine, Book of Song

Hope all of you have a lovely month of May.


God Bless

Debbie

Blooming

Here are a few pics of what has been blooming at Harmony Hills this past week.

Orange tulips with Virginia Bluebells... they make a lovely pair.

 These pink azaleas always tell me spring is in full swing.

A few of the later variety of daffodils are still bringing cheer along the woodland path.

Pink Bleeding hearts never fail to to bring joy to mine.

 The sweet scent of lilacs always evoke precious memories of my Grandmother.  They were a favorite of hers.

 Well there you have it friends.   Hope you enjoyed the garden tour.   Thanks for letting me share what has been blooming here.

Have a Blessed Week!
Debbie 

Painting and sketching

In spite of many spring chores I found some time this week to do a bit of painting and sketching.

  

The viola was painted on Yupo paper.   It is a challenging surface but also forgiving.   If you don't like something you can just wash off and start over!   

 This little piece was done on Strathmore precut watercolor paper.   5x7 is a nice size to use if you choose to make a greeting card.   

Well best go for now I hear the garden calling.   So glad you took a moment to stop by.

Have a lovely week.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not for men." Col. 3:23
(NIV)

Hugs Debbie  

Mother's Day and Other Happenings

To all those who celebrated Mother's Day - hope it was wonderful.

Mine was especially blessed because Mom is home and doing much better.

Now I will share a few other happenings.


Mr. Hummingbird is back.

The azaleas are blooming

and lilacs too!  















Lastly Shelby is keeping Schindler under her watchful eye.   Whew I am glad!



Thank you all for stopping by.   It is so nice when you do.

Hugs Debbie

Paying Tribute

Today I am paying tribute not only to my wonderful mom but to all mothers across the world.

May you be blessed with great joy.




"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.   She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.   Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her...Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."   Proverbs 31:26-28, 31.

Happy Mother's Day!

Flowers

Around Valentine's Day retail stores begin displaying flowers.   Mini Roses,  primroses, cyclamen and all manner of spring bulbs decorate the shelves near the front entrance.   Their bright colors clamor to be seen.   After a long winter they are such a temptation to a gardener.  One can hardly resist.     

These beautiful red tulips were a gift from my Mom.   They are such a welcome sight.    Their blossoms whisper " Don't give up hope.  Spring is just around the corner".   

Tonight it may be cold and snowy outdoors but in  my heart a garden of flowers has started to bloom.  May some be blooming in yours as well.    Have a wonderful evening.   Thanks for taking time to stop by.

    

   

May's Arrival

 

With the arrival of May the garden starts to burst with color.  The tulips begin to put on quite a show.  Virginia bluebells have settled in every nook and cranny.

They are quite neighborly with the daffodils. 

 

  

  

Creeping phlox has started clambering over the banks.

 

Sweet violets cover woodland paths.   They are such a favorite of mine.    

 

  

 May certainly brings an abundance of flowering gifts.   I am so glad you stopped by to see it arrive.

  

 

Have a blessed day!