A Change of Plans + Sunday Scripture

What is my DH doing wearing sandals and no jacket in the snow?

Well at one point DH, DDD and I were headed towards another location,
near the coast where sandals and no jacket would be quite appropriate.
But because of a horribly snarled highway...more like a parking lot really,
plans changed
and we headed upwards,
above the timber line.

Here we are passing a wigwam burner...
do you remember these? They are a vivid memory from my childhood;
I always stop and take a photo or two when I see one
(or, as I did here, I capture a photo from a moving car).

At one of my favorite viewpoints.
No view of the mountain today;
lots of beautiful flowers and peace though.

Here is a closer view.
I am 'dying' to know what kind of flower these are...
they are soft (yes I touched one; I had to know),
they remind me a bit of a spirae's bloom.
Anyone know?

And an even closer view...
LOVE these:)

 Some views from further up...off the main road
(you know how I love to do that;
after we got home and I found more info about the road we were on,
I wished we had gone further on it).

Lots and lots of wildflowers everywhere made me happy,

despite the sometimes rainy conditions which made taking photos not as fun as usual.

But if we in the PNW stayed indoors everytime it rained,

we would never get outside:) LOL..

More to come on Monday.
Blessings,
Aimee

Note:
This week has not been easy.
As you know part of our family made their way back home
after a wonderful visit
and we feel their absence acutely.

Additionally we have had issues with our house that have been frustrating to say the least.

Finally, some places very dear to my heart have been experiencing wildfires
and for more than a moment we thought they might be gone forever. Tonight though comes the good news that staff again walk the beautiful grounds I have loved since 1977...
thank you Lord for preserving Glen Eyrie that it might continue to be used to give You glory and honor.

I will praise the Name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving...
Let the heaven and earth praise Him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein.
Psalms 22:30, 34 KJV

At the same time, I feel a great sadness for the hundreds affected by the fires in our mountain states, especially those left homeless and those who have lost loved ones. May God be with all of them and the brave firefighters.

What Is It?

Here it is...

here is my mystery

and

I need to solve it,

because it's driving me crazy not knowing.

Now if I had been a good photographer,

I would have shot this with a zoom lens...

but I didn't.

Still I have to know---

so here are the clues to this mystery.

The Mystery:

What is that formation in the background?

(offshore)

Location:

 the beach at Barview County Park, Garibaldi.

This is on the beach, located north of the northernmost jetty

looking north.

Possibilities:

 Twin Rocks,

as seen from the south?

If so it doesn't look at all like it.

The Tillamook Head Lighthouse?

I would think we are way too south on the coast to see this former lighthouse, now columbarium...

aren't we?

My eyes want to make that top part into a lighthouse...

am I just wishful thinking?

Or is it something else?

Update: Mystery solved....I know what it is now, do you?

I first found the answer here:

http://www.igougo.com/story-s1221975-Tillamook-Barviews_Jetties_and_Oregon_coastal_landforms.html

(the author describing what he saw at the Barview County Park beach looking north)

And you can see a very nice closeup of what is on that rock here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDtzyRPB5vU

(you will think you are there with the sounds and sights of one of my fav places)

And the answer is:

Twin Rocks

(a view from a beach north of the rocks).

Isn't is amazing how a different perspective changes everything?

I would have said it was a lighthouse too:)

Blessings,

Aimee

Grandma Truths

How can it be that someone so very small can touch your heart in such a very big way?

© 2012 A.Blessings

How can it be that seeing things through their eyes is like seeing them for the first time--

all over again?

© 2012 A.Blessings

And how can it be that this happens over and over again with each new grandchild?

© 2012 A.Blessings

How can it be that one's heart can sing so loudly with joy

 when you see your grandchild loving the same things you also hold dear?

© 2012 A.Blessings

or when something small you do makes your little one smile?

© 2012 A.Blessings

© 2012 A.Blessings

How can it be that one can be this blessed?

How can one deserve the gift of love they bring our way?

How can it be that it seems they give more to us than we could ever give to them?

© 2012 A.Blessings

But, oh how can one's heart break in two when we must say goodbye to the

 little ones that have stolen our hearts:(

Missing all of my grandchildren today;

sending you my love everyday!

May God bless and keep you till we meet again

(and may that be very, very soon).

Blessings,

Grandma Aimee

Notes:

Photographs taken June 2012 at the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center

and at my current favorite beach on the central Oregon coast.

A Walk Amidst the Roses: A Trip to Heirloom Roses

While I again readjust to LAK - life after kids (+ grandkids)

and bemoan my fate as a grandma who lives thousand of miles away

from the aforementioned loved ones,

I thought a walk in a rose garden might improve my normally sunny disposition...

so off we went (we being a good friend and I) to one of my favorite places.

As you can see, it was a perfect day;

the kind that has healing effects on body and soul.

The flowers, as always, were gorgeous and we spent a lot of time breathing in their fragrance

and admiring their beauty!

Of course, it wasn't the best time for photography...

but oh well that just means I will have to make a return trip:) 

It was heavenly being surrounded by roses of every kind:

climbers, old garden, miniatures, English legend and more.

The perfume scented air, the birds, the dragonfly, the incredible colors and blooms!

As always I was drawn to the pinks...

could it be the influence of seeing so much pink on my granddaughter?

Yikes, I mentioned the 'g' word...

back to the flowers and the amazing garden:)

 This one's color was stunning!

I think I need a larger yard.

 I think I need a full time gardener.

I think I'm going to have to come back here soon... 

I think I'm going to have to save the rest for another post:)

If you love roses,

what is your favorite one?

Do you have a rose garden?

Blessings,

Aimee

Notes:

A BIG thank you to the staff at Heirloom Roses who extended us a great deal of assistance during our time there; you are awesome! Also, thank you to them for graciously allowing me to post photos of the garden here on my blog--appreciate that:) For those interested you can see more photos of roses and learn more about their care and even order some, if you would like, at Heirloom Roses' great website here.

Disclaimer:

As is always the case, unless I specifically state otherwise, I am in no way associated with Heirloom Roses except for being a fellow rose lover! Oh yes, and a happy customer.

In the Early Summer Garden

My youngest granddaughter loves to spend time outdoors in the gardens.

She plays with our dogs,

eats the ripe fruit,

hunts for snakes with her grandfather

and gathers flower bouquets.

Fortunately, a lot of beautiful flowers are blooming now:)

 All of our lavender---

by the way,

we passed by a lavender farm this weekend,

on one of our journeys,

and they were open...

so if you have never been to one,

I highly suggest a trip

(if you have been to one, I don't need to suggest a trip...LOL)

Here is a link to some Oregon lavender farms...

http://www.oregonlavender.org/festival.php

I've been to three--so far...

 Caneberries--we still have blossoms, but also fruit now

(of course the fruit won't be ripe till later this summer).

We have two types--waldoberries (thornless)

and marionberries.

I guess we actually have three,

if you count the wild blackberries...

One of our daylilies--in the upper pond area.

I love these plants,

especially after a rain shower:) 

 Evergreen huckleberries

(unripe). I love this plant and would grow it even if it did not produce fruit;

another PNW native I like is salal.

I never get tired of salal.

Last year a friend made me a salal wreath for our anniversary;

you probably already know that florists use salal as part of flower arrangements.

One of our heirloom apples--isn't the color amazing?

This was a GOOD year for our three heirloom apples;

a very good year! 

 Blueberries---this is one of two Earliblue plants

(one, sadly our oldest one, is not thriving and will be replaced soon).

My granddaughter and I share a love of blueberries:)

This year will see large harvests!

And last, but not least,

one of our gooseberries...

have you ever had a gooseberry?

These are not quite ripe,

but we are eating them anyway:)

What is growing in your garden this week?

Do you have any plans for new plants?

We are thinking of adding a red gooseberry

(it is a sweeter type and very, very yummy)

and another blueberry.

I love gardens, don't you?

And now?

Now it's time for Aimee to get busy cleaning...

Blessings,

Aimee

Sunday Scripture

Some days,

some weeks,

some months

and even some years

can leave us asking 'Why?'...

the last few years of my life have found me asking that many, many times.

But when I take a drive up a beautiful, tree-lined mountain road

or see a hummingbird fly by my kitchen window,

or a squirrel by the side of a country road, 

I find my focus turning from me

and the 'why's' that may never find their answer on earth,

to the beautiful created world around me...

and it is then I find myself grateful for what our loving God, the Creator, has given me

and I find my current problems seem a bit less painful.

And later,

when I sit down and read His Message to me,

the Holy Bible,

I see that,

no matter what I face here,

He will use that problem,

that circumstance,

that trial,

that cross

for my good.

And sometimes He even lets me see how. 

And we know that all things work together

for good to them that love God,

 to them who are the called

according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 KJV

May you grow in your love for God this week.

Blessings,

Aimee

Today's Post

I should be posting a WORD on Wednesday post...

but haven't been able to pick a Scripture yet.

And I should be posting photos of the two beautiful young ladies which have filled our days with laughter, adventure, new discoveries, energy, sweetness and love...

but that will have to wait too.

Although I will post this

and this

to give you a clue as to where we went with one of our sweet young ladies

(hardly a surprise, I know)

And,

I could be posting the photos of all the meals my dear son has cooked us

since his arrival here

but no...

So what will I post tonight?

Scroll down please...

 Oh---this look cracks me up!

Poor DDD...

it's summertime:)

Blessings,

Aimee

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

THE AIMEE TIMES

June 15, 2012

Daily News: Happenings

Today's forecast is for fun because...

soon I will see your baby blues and your great smile.

Soon I will be able to hug you tight and wrap you up in a blanket.

Soon we will be able to play together and explore the world outside.

Soon I will find myself laughing at all the cute things you do.

Soon....

Soon we will be able to eat out and introduce you to things you haven't seen before.

Soon, soon, soon...

soon cannot come soon enough for this grandma:)

Love you little one...

love you

and

your

big sis,

mom

and

dad.

This is going to be a GREAT day:)

Blessings,

Aimee

Photos:

just a few of the many, many photos I have of my youngest granddaughter.

The WORD on Wednesday: Trust

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding

 In all thy ways acknowledge Him,

and He shall direct thy paths.

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD 

and depart from evil... 

 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,

and the man that getteth understanding

For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,

and the gain thereof than fine gold.

I'm learning Lord.

Blessings,

Aimee

Notes:

Photographs taken at Barview Jetty County Park, north Oregon coast (spring 2012)

Proverbs 3:5-6, 11-14 KJV

Sunday at the Seashore (and Bay)

Sunday saw us at the seashore again,

 this time further north.

I never get tired of being there,

 where I can watch the endless surf and fishermen,

walk in the soft sand

and listen to the sounds of the sea birds.

I think I love it too because I can enjoy both the sea and the mountains by just turning my head.

Do you know the Bible says someday the sea shall be no more?

That is hard for me to even imagine as I've been to the sea often since I was little.

Makes me wonder why...

Oh well, God is in control and He doesn't make mistakes so I will leave it in His hands

and keep making many visits to the sea in the meantime.

(next time, I am hoping a special visitor is able to come with me...)

May your day be filled with peace.

Blessings,

Aimee

Note:

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:

 for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Revelations 21:1 KJV

(Not too much further are these beautiful verses!)

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;

and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,

neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new...

Revelations 21:4, 5a KJV

(now THAT is something to look forward to)

Photographed June 2012.

Barview Jetty County Park,

located between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach.

(and yes DDD did accompany us).

Soon: a mystery...can you help solve it?