Weed Walk

The quiet of my walks is often punctuated by my affection of nature.  This affection will take me to stooping over to check out a flower, a grass, a weed.  I am one of those that will walk by your yard and just look for while.  With two dogs in tow.  I am always stunned by the detail in nature.  Always.  And today, in the muck of the heat and humidity, I knew I was going to have to go back for my camera because the weeds were just too pretty. I live near a railroad track where landscaping is 'neglected'.  But even in alleys and blacktopped and gravel roads, beauty can be found.Today the Queen Anne's Lace was really at its best....Artfully arranged stems standing obediently in the forefront of other dark weedy leaves. The little blue Daily Flower (named by me, since it dies by the end of the day) is always appreciated.  Spots of blue; so good to the eye in the heat of summer. Today, this little pink flower was proliferating near a overflow drain.  Just growing out of it.  Sweet little petals, pretty as any greenhouse blossom...I love the close up of this invasive weed....When the blossom starts to fade, these funky little crown like thingies just pop out of the old blossom.  Like a firework; one last show before it dies out in the July Heat...Wild honeysuckle with its hummingbird drawing quality and outrageously beautiful color....And the alleys favorite: Rose of Sharon.  The colors of this staple and highly proliferating bloom, are abundant...I like to catalog the colors I've seen in my Brain's Silent Flower Inventory....

And of course, what all this brings me to.  Every time:

Matthew 6:27-33

' And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

If He knows the decorative detail of all the cast away, alleyway weeds of the land, doesn't He know the intricate emotion of our heart and mind and care for it as well?

Love nature lessons......

Randomness

As we begin a new week, what say we clean about old business, preparing ourselves for the lark that is the upcoming week with all it's Holidaying?  As you can see, I finished Miss Vivien's Summer Frock.  Fabric from my friend Randi's wonderful etsy store, etsy.com/shop/freshsqueezedfabrics.  Lovely, lovely fabric and wonderful service.  Please check her out for all your summer sewing needs.  Pattern, Simplicity 2625.  Can you picture my little Sweetie Pie, positively glowing with her lovely strawberry blond hair, in this dress?  Grammy can't wait...Always one to not pass on an opportunity to plant shop, we (Birthday Boy (ES), Lovely Wife, Baby Girl, Hubby and Grandchild Father, hopped to a very convenient AND wonderfully complete, garden center in the Greenwood Mall parking lot.  I know, Right?  Lovely, unique plants.  And we bought some.  As you can see, I had to take the photo opp of Baby Girl buying plants, knowing by the time the plants are in full bloom, she will be too!  Grammy's heart kinda melted at the thought...Eldest Son's mama's collection Birthday Banner looks right festive next to their Kit Kat Clock that the Hubby and I got them for their first anniversary.  Kit Kat has his Cub hat on for the season.  Shall we say that perhaps only the clock is hopeful for them this year?  Sigh.And lastly but certainly not to be forgotten...The Pedicure This Week.  Crazy Dee had given me a gift certificate for Christmas but why would I need one in the winter when my tootsies are under the wraps of my woolen sockies?  My waiting was almost my undoing as I noticed that it expired on Thursday, the day I had planned to go!  Ah, Providence!   Needless to say, relaxing in the massage chair with my favorite read of the moment, watching my feet transform into summer sandalage, looking forward to lunch out with Hubby then heading for supper with ES and LL....Well, need I say more......

On to the New Week!!

Gardening Gail and The Gardening Exchange Adventure

On my ongoing quest to experience the flora of Southern Indiana, I, many years ago, casually 'joined' our local Gardening Exchange. I say 'casual' because I rarely have been able to attend two meetings in a row. I say 'joined' because this gathering is the furthest thing of a club that is available. It is a random group of ladies from around the county, bent on learning and teaching about all things green.
We take turns, without a schedule, only benefit of a weekly email notice, about the current hostess for the week.
We take tours of the hostesses garden, allowing her to showcase her current blooms and workable tips. We bring the abundance that we have to share and watch the most appreciative 'guests' divvy up the donated goodness. If we had a 'leader' or 'president' of the Gleeful Gathering, I would say it was Gardening Gail. She is Gardener Extraordinaire. Knows about every flower we could challenge her with. And most of the Latin names. And the classification. And their unique flowery needs. The photos from this post are from the evening she hosted. Always a treat.
The photo above displays a shade extravaganza. Lilies of the Valley in all their splendor with a wonderful trillium interspersed throughout. Dee-lightful!!

Of course, there were so many new flowers to me, I couldn't remember all of them, but this sweet thing was just wonderful...wish I could think of it's name....Beautiful...

Can't wait for this little beauty to grow up! Perfect white petals. Gardening Gail lives on a very busy (for Mitchell) corner and it's always a joy to see her latest floral displays.

Here is Gardening Gail using her cane for the hillside climb and as a convenient pointer. She recently had some large trees removed so the light will be altered and some plants will be moved. And she'll probably do most of it herself. GG is an octogenarian with spunk and busyness aplenty. Talent dripping out of her very apt fingertips.

And to prove it, when we had Refreshment Time (which is required) I stared at this Amazing Quilt that she had on her wall in her living room. Unbelievable far away and up close. GG teaches most of the quilting classes that happen in and around Mitchell. She is a Master Gardener and can be found at the local Farmer's Market, helping others in their quest for a Green Thumb and sometimes selling her very well made, artistic bags and purses.

And you thought you were just going to retire to an easy chair.

Ha!

Don't you just love it?

(Editor's Note: GG has informed me that she is not a certified Master Gardener. I apologize for the error: Also, The unknown beautiful plant is a Hellebore (Orientalus) or commonly known as a Lenten/Christmas Rose.)

Oh What a Day....!

Love the holidays.

Believe I 've mentioned that once or twice.

Big or small, I love them all.  Special days set apart in celebration of something.  Opportunities for gathering.

Opportunities to share a segment of time and our lives with others, with those we care about, those we love.

Opportunities to celebrate the occasion and each other.  Gifts of time to others.  And then to make it special by a certain meal, music, settings, desserts, now you're talking.

Take this Easter Celebration.

Not all my children could attend. And the two that could be in town, had to be at the other family's home for the actual day.

But never no mind.

We are flexible.

Let us have our Easter Meal on Saturday Night.  The Watch night. 

I had a quiet Saturday afternoon to craft the meal that I would serve.  Everyone else was busy with their own diversions and I was pleasantly preoccupied with the solitude of creating The Event that is the celebratory dinner of the holiday.

When I prepare a special occasion dinner, I love the working of the setting.  Coming up with a 'theme', table- wise.  Tablecloth or bare table? Color scheme or random collection? Casual or dressy? Fresh flowers or plants? Which container? Candles? How many leaves in the table?  Which pitcher for the beverages?  Which beverages?  Vintage platters or more serviceable everyday?  Butter knife. Salt and Peppers. Small bowl of lemons. Sugar bowl. Serving bowls.

All this is really never thought about till the moment I begin to clean the table.  I consider who will be in attendance and match it up with their likes and comfort level.  For the meal Saturday night, I wanted it comfortable, focusing on the food and how it's colors and textures will complement whatever place settings I can put together. A Spring Celebration. Actually, every time you can serve family and friends in our frenetic times, it is a celebration, worthy of our best efforts and best possessions.  A time for china/stoneware, good napkins, our best silver and stemware. (you do know that Dollar General sells some nice glass goblets for 1.00 each?)  No paper and disposables for me.  Don't know when I last bought paper plates.  Food tastes better on the real thing.  Beverages are downright festive in glass/porcelain/stoneware.  And of course there is the environmental thing.  And the savings thing.  Most have dishwashers these days so let's put it to use; full loads make for better efficiency anyway. (and if you're very fortunate, you have a daughter in law that cleans up after you! )  And the affect is wondrous.  Your guests feel as special as they are..  You have created a memory and your children see the importance of 'Setting a Table'.  Sadly, the art of creating a table is somewhat foreign to children today.  I have had junior high girls in my home that did not know how to use utensils, cut their meat or basic table manners.  Their meals came out of boxes and sacks and served in front of the television.  But they loved it when Miss Deb made things 'nice' for them.  It was my gift to them.

Try it some time soon if it's not your habit.

See how your people respond.

Receive the joy of treating those you love and care about, that they are worthy of the special effort.

It is memorable for both the receiver and giver.  Win/win.

1. 

Bright and Shiny Day

Nature inspired art.
Vibrant colors and flowing design.
Almost overwhelms in it's beauty.
So you take a break. Go outside and take in the glorious September day.
There the colors, design and creation of it all, does you in again.
How can such amazing unique design from a simple, ugly seed, planted long ago in May, bring about such vibrant flowers in September?
Again, overwhelming at the Master Creator's artistry....

And if one cherry nasturtium isn't enough...

He gives me ABUNDANCE!

Thank you Lord!