Finding Beauty

I don't make actual New Year's resolutions, never have, never will. But I do keep in mind some things that I might like to try to do.(Okay, maybe that is a resolution. I don't know, you can decide). One thing is I hope to appreciate each and every day God gives me on this earth. So I have decided to try to find a little beauty everyday. That might include a gorgeous sunrise or set, a cloudless blue sky, smiling and speaking to a total stranger, finally understanding a hard to understand bible verse, enjoying an author's blog, or listening to the quiet.

Well this New Year has started out being more gray than sunshiny and sometimes it's very hard to find beauty in that. But I know I have probably two more months of this before spring and I need to learn how to find the beauty in it. So I was able to capture some "rainy day" pictures and find the beauty in them. I hope you do...................................

This is English Ivy I have planted in a pot on my patio. It looks pretty happy covered in rainy droplets.The rains drops on the Privet berries look like little silvery linings.A water drop stands out brightly against the lush green of this Ligustrum leaf.And the last beauty is a false cypress. It looks like the water droplets are being squeezed out of the tips of the needles.

Now I know everyone won't see the beauty here and that's okay because we all need to see the world through our own eyes. So where do you find beauty?

Gray today? No Way!!!

Even tho the weather lately has been unseasonably warmer we have had gray skies, fog and much rain(not that I'm complaining about the rain). But sometimes I just need to see Mr. Sunshine so bad. The walk in the swamp the other day was relatively warm but still gray.The drive to the swamp shows cloudy skies and gray waters.Gray ducks......................Gray dove...............................
Gray birds...............................Boy do I need some sunshine bad!!!I guess it's true what they say, good things do come to those who wait. This is the view out my back door this morning. Hooray!!! It's nice having this type cloud for a change!!! Here's hoping you have blues skies and sunshine in your part of the world today.

A visit to the swamp

Yesterday was an unseasonably warm day so after church we decided to take a little drive up the Natchez Trace Parkway. Even though it was very cloudy and gray I enjoyed it much. We drove to this swampy area and decided to take a casual walk.There is a nice little walking path around the whole swamp that we enjoyed. We were hoping to see a gator or two but we saw very little wildlife.We did manage to see lots of green though. Imagine that! Green in a swamp! When I was younger I use to think this was just so gross but now I think it is beautiful. It was very quiet(except for a passing vehicle) and peaceful. There were a few birdies singing but we couldn't see any.I like the way this greeny growth climbs up the trees.Examining it closely it looks like some type of fern but something tells me that's probably not what it is.

Well I hope you enjoyed this little "walk". Here's hoping you find beauty in whatever you set out to do today.

Time to Relax.......

My week got started off on a good foot on Monday but on Tuesday I had to take myself to the doc. I have been having ongoing pain in my right calf and leg for awhile and I decided I better get it checked out. Diagnosis? Over-usage of my right calf muscles. If you have been a reader of mine for awhile you know I have a hard time being still and I am an avid exerciser. I exercise usually 5 to 6 days a week for an hour a day(not always but this is close). Well when he told me to not exercise for two weeks that just about killed me! You might as well have taken a hatchet and chopped off my head. He also put me on a steroid that I think is making me a little cranky! So, now I have to learn how to relax. This is what I have been trying to do...........
Find a comfy spot on the couch with a nice throw to wrap up in.
Throw in some warm cocoa in a cute snowman mug!
Light a Fresh Linen candle for a little fragrance.
And curl up with a great book! Ah, what book would that be you might ask?
One of the most helpful books I've ever had and I think every gardener should have. Actually I bought this book a few years ago when I was in class and never really looked at it. Let me tell you it is filled with many solutions to plant problems. So my dear friends, I may not be able to exercise my body right now but I guess I can exercise my mind!

Time to celebrate!

Yesterday was such a nice day! Beautiful blue skies, warm temps, got to work in the yard a little and to top it off it was my birthday. This birthday was very special because I actually had a birthday cake. I haven't had one in years. The best thing about it? My honey made my cake for me. It was the first thing he has ever baked.As you may or may not be able to tell, it was white with white frosting. While growing up my mom always made our birthday cakes and she gave us the choice of what kind. White on white, my favorite. I know that sounds kind of boring but it's what I like! What is your favorite kind of birthday cake?

Back in Town

Well it's been a long day and I need to get off this computer and go to bed. But I thought a new post was in order. I trust that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and if you are like me, you ate wayyyyyy too much!

We left my mom's home in AR and drove back today. I should say if our car had had wings we could have flown because the wind was horrific. We knew storms were on the way and we wanted to get here before they hit. Luckily that didn't happen until about 30 minutes ago. Thank the good Lord above, the storms are not nearly as bad as they had predicted. So far, just lots of rain and the wind is still around.

Anyhoo, we had a wonderful time visiting my family but I'm thankful to be sleeping in my own bed tonight.

So before I turn in I'll leave you with this one little picture. Of course as soon as we got home and unloaded the car out to the yard we went. Remember the little daffodil picture I showed a couple of posts ago? Well, guess what?It was showing it's pretty little face today. I wasn't sure which this was and am so glad it's a Narcissus. It smells heavenly. So, I clipped it and brought it in to enjoy. It will last a little longer in here because it's suppose to get cold again tomorrow.

Okay my bed is calling my name so I wish all my blogging friends sweet dreams!

Twas the Night Before Christmas.......

Recently we received this picture and poem from Disabled Veterans. I don't know if any of you have read this version before but I thought it was definitely blog-worthy. I hope you enjoy! But then again you might need a hankie.'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my Country, my Corps."
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark, night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.

-Anonymous

I'm so thankful to our men and women who serve our country. Thanks to them we are free to celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas season. I hope each and everyone of you have a wonderful Merry Christmas! And just in case I saddened you here's a little funny to make you smile!
Merry Christmas!!!

Spring is in the Air!!!

Yesterday we had such unseasonably warm weather that I got to walk in shorts and a T. Can you believe that? Tuesday I was freezing and yesterday sweating. After my walk I planted a few Allium bulbs in an area that I am converting into a bed. The ground was very, very wet from all the rain we have had. When I finished planting I grabbed the camera to see what I might find interesting.What have we here? A daffodil with an emerging bud. Silly plant, it isn't time for you yet!
Ah, another eye catcher! I have had this ice plant in a container for the second year now and it blooms whenever it wants attention. Even my purple shamrock had a couple of blooms. Poor thing, it is still sitting outside by the back door. I'm afraid by blooming it's telling me I need to give it much needed care. Okay, okay I'm going to go get it and give it a little drink right now. Hold your thoughts, I'll be right back. Phew, that's done. Oh and by the way, as I stepped outside how could I not notice it's probably 70 degrees already out there and gorgeous!Ahhh, the evergreen foxglove. I just planted this a couple of weeks ago and can't wait to see what color it will bloom in the spring. And look at this Homestead verbena. It's just crawling all over the place. I would have thought the frost, cold and sleet would have put it to sleep for the winter but it looks pretty happy.Since we know it really is almost winter I thought I would bring us back to reality. Spring is nowhere close(boo hoo). Here are a few pretty leaves left on one of my Sweetspires. I love the color.And then we have this beauty! Or maybe not! Not sure what little creatures live in there. Do you?And to finish this post on an upward note, look at the blue sky!!! I haven't seen it in days. And to you Mr. Sunshine, thanks for making my day!