Hot & Dry

August has started off being hot and dry.

Even the Zinnias are not doing well with the high temperatures and lack of rain.

The summer started off with being extremely wet but has now moved in the opposite direction.

That old saying  "It is either a feast or famine" appears to be true with these past two months.

The cone flowers may not be at their best but they  refuse not to bloom.

In fact, they've  been inspiring some of my small painting challenge.  Been rather busy with life and have fallen behind on the goal of 100 tiny paintings by the end of March.  Hope to catch up in the next few weeks. 

  
 With the heat here and the garden slowing down am finding some time to read.  Lauren K Denton is a new author to me.  Am really enjoying this novel.  Takes place in Alabama.  Who doesn't enjoy a good southern novel full of a bit of romance and mystery?  Will certainly be checking out a few of her other books.

Best go for now.  May all of you have a good week - what ever the weather brings.

Hugs

Debbie

"In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.  It rises at one end of the heavens and makes it circuit to the other, nothing is hidden from its heat."  Psalm 19:4b-6 (NIV)

Abundance

 The word "abundance" brings to mind this season of the year.  It evokes the feeling of more than enough.

The meaning according to the dictionary, states that it is a large quantity of something.

The Topical Bible addresses it to mean, "to be heavy", "to overflow", or "to plait together", to "augment" and to "multiply".  Clearly within each of these descriptions we find a surplus that can be shared. 

So with this in mind I will share a few of the lilies that are in bloom...

apples ripening - soon ready to pick...

another baby bird getting ready to leave the nest.

Last, but not least this cheerful zinnia patch.

As this month of July comes to a close - hoping that all of you are finding abundance in your days.  Would love if you would share them when you stop to visit.

Hugs

Debbie

"Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance."  Jude 2 (NIV) 

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

Gentle Transition

 A gentle transition is occurring as July slides into August.  It is hard to fathom how quickly time goes by.

Was it not just yesterday that these 

zinnias were but seeds in the ground??

Glad to see that a few late blooming orange day lilies are blooming.  Due to the dry summer they were not as prolific.

The apples from the old orchard on our property are beginning to ripen...nothing special in appearance but the apple sauce is fabulous!

At last the tomatoes are showing orange...think I will be picking some soon.

Our friend and neighbor just finished mowing his second cutting of hay.

All these wonderful gifts make July sliding into August a gentle transition.

Hope you will share what transitions you are seeing in your part of the world.

In the meantime have a wonderful end to July and a great start to August.  Be sure to enjoy, because we all know how time flies!!

Hugs

Debbie

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."  Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

Encouragement

 I was thinking about the word encouragement today.  It is the opposite of discouragement.  It is easy to become discouraged from time to time.

  Many things can be the cause...health, finances, family situations, relationships, etc.

Whatever the reason; we can be given a new perspective by a spoken word of encouragement.

In fact when I speak something encouraging to someone else it works as a cure for my own discouraging moments.

It changes the thought process of thinking only about myself and makes me look for the good in another's life.

I start to see the positive and not the negative, the good not the bad, the light and not the dark side.

So if anyone is feeling discouraged today perhaps you can find someone around you who could use an encouraging word.  I can guarantee that you will feel encouraged as well.

God Bless!

Debbie

"Therefore encourage each other with these words." 1 Thess:4:18 (NIV)

Sounds of August

July's sketch page

Yes the sounds of August are here.   The locust and Katydid have arrived.

They greeted me as July started its last hurrah!

  Even the Blue Moon got its welcome from them.

Garden Phlox,

colorful zinnias,

and golden sunflowers seem happy to hear their song.

I know I am.   How about you?

Have a blessed week!

Hugs Debbie