A Walk in His Gardens--Of Willows & Daisies

Spring will be here very soon---everyday that passes and every stroll that I take outdoors in God's creation reminds me that we're moving swiftly from winter's time of rest to the season of new life.

Soft, gray catkins on the bare branches of our willow.

Daphne Odora buds beginning to open into the very fragrant blossoms of early spring!

Clusters of buds on the plum trees in our family orchard waiting for that annual signal to break into beautiful white blossoms (repeat after me---no frost, no frost, no frost!)

Bead-like buds of the Pieris opening up into the white blossom clusters that mark the coming spring season.

Irises and Daffodils are taller but haven't blossomed yet; still every week brings new growth and it won't be much longer before they will add their beauty to the garden too.

Cheerful white and yellow daisies multiply daily on our too long meadow grass. Soon it will be time to mow the winter's growth but for now I take delight in their color and think of the daisy chains of the young.

Oh, Lord

Creator of the seasons

and Giver of life.
Thank you for bringing us safely through winter's storms

and thank you for the spring of new life and this annual rebirth of the earth.

You, who called all things into being

and who still holds our world in Your hands,

we ask that You grant Your children

a rebirth and renewal of their souls too so that we may share Your love to the world around us.

Amen.

"O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches. Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: and Thou renewest the face of the earth."

Psalms 104:24,30 KJV

Blessings, Aimee

Photos: Oregon Grape, Willow Catkins from last year (sorry try as I did, I couldn't get one good photo of this year's), Daphne Odora, Shiro Plum buds with raised garden beds, Pieris blossoms and daisies!

God's Origami - in Progress

Origami is made by folding small, beautifully decorated pieces of paper into different shapes like cranes and other animals. It's gorgeous and I'm fascinated with it!

I'm beautiful too, just the way I am, because God made me; just as the origami paper is beautiful because its designers and manufacturers made it to be that way.

But God designed me to even more beautiful so that I can be a reflection of Him, the Master Creator and Artist to others. Like the origami artist, He sees that if I am folded (shaped, molded) just so I will be even more lovely!

So, God continuously works to shape me into what He sees I can be--what He wants me to be. He works patiently, carefully, lovingly for He realizes I'm just a fallible human being and He doesn't want me to be torn. I may not always like this process of being shaped, because it sometimes hurts or is scary, but He keeps on gently but firmly putting pressure on me, bending me to His will and working to complete the good work He has started in me.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 KJV

"...being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" Philippians 1:6 KJV

Blessings, Aimee

Photo: a very small portion of the origami made for my son's and DIL wedding by her grandfather, one of the most talented -- and kind -- people I've ever met.

A Walk in His Gardens--Manitou Springs

I visited Manitou Springs twice during my time in this part of Colorado. None of it looked familiar to me so most likely we didn't go here in 1977 and this trip was my first to the town.
A quick note here: I DO remember going to Cripple Creek in 1977 - it was quite an interesting place back then, with donkeys running loose through the town, great historic buildings and bats flying overhead at the nearby campground we stayed at (if you know me then you know I really, really don't like bats and was thankful my sleeping bags was long--so I could bury myself totally in it that night!). We did consider going to Cripple Creek this time, but I decided against it because I wasn't sure how I'd react to the road there (even though from the description we were given it probably would have been OK).
As for Pike's Peak and the drive UP there--you already know I was "quite content" to view Pike's Peak from locales, like Manitou Springs and the Garden of the Gods this time.
Well back to Manitou Springs and my visit there...

I had first heard about the town (and seen some photos) on another website. It looked like a place I'd really like, and the friend I was visiting had never been so my first time there was with her and we had a lot of fun:)

Our first stop was at the local Visitor Center where I can report that they were very knowledgeable about the town and other nearby locales--including Cripple Creek and Pike's Peak. With maps and pamphlets in hand, we set out to eat and explore the town and it's springs! There are LOTS of springs in town!!

One of our first stops was to eat and we had amazing food at the place we chose for lunch (it was busy, busy though---Manitou Springs seems to be very popular even on late spring/early summer weekdays)

Afterwards we walked around--shopped, drove up to (but didn't visit) the Miramont Castle Museum and explored many other areas of the town. Of course, I took a lot of photos--just because it was so nice there and green!! Us Pacific NW'ers LOVE green!! And forests! And mountains! Manitou Springs had all three:)

The next time we went to Manitou Springs was after the trip to the Garden of the Gods. I was with a couple then and he took us up to the home of the Pike's Peak Cog Railroad which one can take to --- I know you already guessed this --- Pike's Peak! (for those who may not want to drive to the summit) Even though it was early, early in the morning there were a lot of hikers in this area so be very careful if you're driving here. Three hikes I know of are: the Manitou Incline, the trail up Pike's Peak and the Barr trail. I believe all the hikers we saw were going up the Barr Trail. Hiking, biking and other outside activities are BIG in Colorado and it's no wonder with the unbeatable scenery, weather (for those who love it like me!!) and areas that are just made for outdoor enthusiasts!!

So, Manitou Springs is very beautiful, very popular and easily accessible if you are anywhere in the Colorado Springs area. Everyone we met there seemed friendly, the food was really great, but still I have some mixed feelings about going there. Would I go again? Probably but not definitely.

Next post: more Colorado and then--maybe--Wyoming and Utah:) Did you know the deepest (as in most intense color) blue water I've ever seen was in the NW at Crater Lake and also in Wyoming? Did you know that the Red Desert is actually green in late spring/early summer? Did you know that Utah also has seagull 'conventions' or so it seems? Did you know that the Wasatch Mts are also green at that time of year and they glow a beautiful gold if the lighting is just perfect? So many facts, so little time...

Blessings, Aimee
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Photos: as listed on pictures.

A Walk in His Gardens--Garden of the Gods

"For purple mountain majesties -- Above the fruited plain!"

Early one morning we traveled northwards as the first glimmer of the new day's light began to show above the eastern plains to our right. As we drove along in the twilight, we passed the main section of Colorado Springs to our left and could see the mountains and THAT mountain which helps attract so many visitors each year to Colorado Springs and nearby locales. No, this visit I would not be going up Pike's Peak, like in 1977 when some friends and I drove the many switchbacks to its 14,000+ foot elevation and panoramic views. In 2008, I was quite content viewing its peak from the lower elevations to be found around Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and the Garden of the Gods. Besides, it I ever got really nostalgic and wanted to see the summit again --- I could do so by viewing it through the web cams available online. I would leave that drive to those younger or more adventuresome then I:)

So even though the road we turned on--to the west--would eventually get closer to the mountain, we would be turning off at our destination this AM-the Garden of the Gods.

It had been more then 30 years since I'd last visited this area and seen Pike's Peak, the Garden of the Gods and Glenn Eyrie. Then I was an unmarried, young woman traveling with college friends; now I was a middle aged grandmother. Much time and many life events had passed between these two trips; once vivid memories of my time in the Garden had grown more vague over the years--but they were still sufficient in scope to remind me that I had loved it-and nearby Glenn Eyrie and I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to see it again.

We found the Garden Drive entrance into the park, turned right and then the mood of the morning changed for me as I stepped outside the car. Everything about the atmosphere here seemed different from elsewhere -- I felt that I had entered a magical, ancient world! It was (and still is) hard to describe the effect it had on me.

The sky was typical for a late spring/early summer morning here, with the moon clearly discernible above us still. The first rays of the rising sun reflected off the rock formations causing them to seem alive-glowing with a reddish intensity that was stunning against the deep blueness of the heavens. The ambiance was one of great peace and antiquity. I had only felt this way once before--on part of a trail near Longmire on Mt Rainier, the Trail of Shadows. It was silent outside the car we traveled in--as if the few visitors there felt an inner urge to respect the serenity of all that were there.

We continued to drive through the park-stopping here and there for me to take photos of the rock formations, the mountains and of the areas below the Garden.

Then, too soon, the magic would be over and it was time to move on to our next stop--Manitou Springs, which had a magic of its own and a LOT of water. And speaking of Manitou Springs, that's where my next post will take us:)

Blessings, Aimee
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Photos: as identified above. Taken spring/summer 2008.
See links for additional information, photos, etc on Pike's Peak, Manitou Springs & the Garden of the Gods..
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Note: I could not link it from here, but there is a map available of the Garden of the Gods on another site. Just google it--I believe it was the official site for Colorado Springs. There were several maps there including some that gave the names of the rock formations and the trails there.
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Note on quote above: words taken from 'America the Beautiful', inspired in part from the view atop Pike's Peak. Written by Katharine Lee Bates.

A Walk in His Gardens-The Rockies

Photos of my walk amidst emerging spring bulbs, fruit tree buds, Pieris blossoms and pussy willow catkins will have to wait. So, too, will photos planned to honor Oregon's 150th birthday celebration this past weekend -- so no pictures of the Astor Column, Young's Bay, Saddle Mountain and forests of the Astoria area either till later. Sorry Oregonians, I really do share your excitement, as a fellow Pac Northwesterner, for the 150 years of statehood...and I hold a very special spot in my heart for your awesome coastlines, mountain peaks and forests, your high deserts and beautiful river gorges...but...well blame it on an errand I took recently and my car radio being tuned to my hubby's favorite radio station instead of mine.

You see during that drive, I heard THAT song...and my heart was immediately transported away--to "better days", to a "sweet escape", to my hideaway--Colorado (not that these days are bad, or ugly or that I am in need of an escape; and not that the lyrics all apply to me--because they don't. It's just that I was in Colorado when that song was playing a lot on the radio and since then hearing it immediately sends me back--in spirit if not body-- to those times in the beaufiful SW!)

So since I've already had my sweet escape for the week, here for your enjoyment is a Walk in His Gardens of Colorado.

Coming in from a very, very long drive in Wyoming, heading towards Denver, you catch your first view of the lofty, snow capped Rocky Mountains. To the west would be the Rocky Mt National Park and Estes Park (map link here). Many good memories of Estes Park where the sun can shine, thunder can roll, hail can fall--all in a few minutes time--and the wonderful mountain scenery there!! And then there is the Stanley Hotel, the town, the drive UP from Loveland, the ....well a lot of good memories about Estes Park.

NW of Denver would be Boulder--home to Celestial Seasonings Teas (yes I know all about the 'red' door room!LOL), Leanin' Tree (beautiful western oriented museum and shop there), the most majestic Flatirons & Chautauqua, and the Dushanbe Teahouse (home of well---food!) Then there are the areas UP and via a whole bunch of switchbacks from Boulder, like Gold Hill. But we'll stay in Boulder on flatter ground for right now---you know oldies like me -- Mork & Mindy's house is in Boulder. I've seen it and even have a photo of it somewhere! I've spent many good times in Boulder, in snow, sunshine and during a t-storm. Have I told you that Colorado knows how to put on a GOOD thunderstorm?? We saw a LOT there but filming it is another matter. I finally got a video or two of one, but I 'think' someone I know real well has forbidden me to post it here. And I am a good girl:) Maybe!

At the Teahouse. I won't torture you with all the photos of the Gingerbread Cake made with tea or the shish-ka-bob. No I am a GOOD girl so none of that (unless you ask of course!) The decor was unbelievable and I loved my food! (link above has more photos of the building)

More Boulder photos later...

But now we move southward, hopefully NOT through Denver's rush hour traffic (imagine the worst traffic jam you have ever been in and then double that), to Colorado Springs--home of the Cheyenne Mt Zoo, the Air Force Academy (awe inspiring chapel), Glenn Eyrie and so much more!

Apology going out to any Denverites here--it's just we got caught in the world's worst jam there due to rush hour traffic and road work. Not a good time for me:(

Above Colorado Springs' Broadmoor Hotel, on Cheyenne Mt, is the zoo and a really great view of the city below. Have I said yet that the Rocky Mt states have the most awesome light? It is just so totally different there--I especially loved the sunrises as the sun rose over the east plateau and hit the mountains and rock formations in the Garden of the Gods.

Speaking of the Garden: a Walk in the 'Garden of my God', AKA Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs and more Colorado photos coming soon.

Blessings from Colorado on my mind, Aimee

--
Lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/pocketful-of-sunshine-lyrics-natasha-bedingfield.html

THAT Song: A Pocketful of Sunshine, Natasha Bedingfield (one of my friend's SPECIAL songs)

Photos: as identified on photo. Taken spring/summer 2008 during a really, really long trip to the Rockies and other places.

I Will Trust in Thee

A heart filled with fear is like a pond in the winter---frozen over and unable to reflect the beauty around it to those who pass by its borders.

Lord,
I humbly ask You to melt the fear in my heart which would keep me from fully reflecting Your love to those around me--or--from experiencing the fullness of joy that You meant for me, Your child, to have.

Surround me with the light of Your perfect love, so that wherever I am and whatever I see or hear, I’ll trust You are with me and not be afraid.

Amen.

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." Psalms 56:3 KJV

Photo: NW pond and statue in winter.

An Interesting Post on Spiritual Gifts

Today, book & blog author Dorcas (of 'Life in the Shoe') posted a link (a pdf file) to a spiritual gift survey she found helpful.
Spiritual gifts are an area that really interests me and I think others may find this information interesting and helpful too. I will definitely be taking this survey and see if it agrees with what I think my spiritual gifts are.
By the way, if you have never visited the above blog before, you are in for quite a treat. This post here on the value of life touched me deeply as have others she has written.
Blessings,
A

Reflections of Love-for those I love

Dear Hubby, Family & Friends~

Love is like a walk in God's garden; the longer I'm in the garden the more I see of its beauty. Wishing you all a blessed Valentine's Day!

Love always,
Aimee

Photo: Taken at Snowbird, Utah and modified in Adobe PhotoDeluxe.

Another Note to Readers

I've been making a few changes around here and so will leave a quick note re: them. Changes made or being considered are:

• I've increased the size of most photos to make them easier to view.
• Within a few days of the above change, I changed the 'Title Photo' to one I took this past spring when I was in the Blue Mountains of Oregon. It was a difficult decision between mountains in the Rockies and the NW but I loved the blue skies and green of the photo I used. It just said spring & summer to me! Hope you also will enjoy it; if not I am sure it will be changed in a month or so..
• I also moved some elements around just because I was ready for a change there too.
• I was thinking of changing the font---from an italic one to a non-italic one. I'm not sure if this is because of my "advancing" age or not:) Basically, I really like italic fonts, but they are not quite as easy to read then the non-italic ones. So, I am calling on you-any readers out there- to help me a little here with your opinions, should you have one, about the font.
  
  Choice 1: Do you like this?
  
  Choice 2: Or do you like this better?
  
  Choice 3: Or maybe this?
  
  Just kidding about that last one, although I do like that ear MUCH better then the photo I took of my granny ear yesterday. Yea I do strange things--but they're ALWAYS for a good reason. Well most of the time they are.
  
  Blessings, A
  
  Now for those of you who have a Pandora's box complex, like me, or who are on a 'need to know' basis or who are Sherlock Holmes in the making...that little webdings section was-----
  
  (to be continued---JK!!)

100 Years Would Not Be Long Enough

Dear Hubby,

We had a big scare here recently and I was very worried; I think you may have been too. But now everything is OK and we both can breathe a sigh of relief. Thank God for answered prayer and more time together!

“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so that I never have to live without you.”

This quote describes how I feel, but I wonder--since I really do LOVE you, would I want you to live that last day in sorrow?

With Love, A

Source for quote: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/A._A._Milne#Attributed attributes this quote to A. A. Milne, author of Winnie the Pooh and other writings; however this is not proven from what I could find. See this link for further information. This quote is to be found on many websites.

A Walk in His Gardens--spring & summer style

Sorry, but it was bound to happen--I completely forgot, neglected to do and/or procrastinated on posting last week's 'Walks in His Garden'. Yep, it's true - I am actually admitting to imperfection and it doesn't feel too bad. Well maybe just a little bad--after all I've been a perfectionist for a long time. But I am working on changing that:)

However, I did walk, drive and take photos of my adventures in His Gardens last week-but you'll have to take my word on it for now. Why? Well for one thing I do try to be honest and for another the 'proof' is still on my camera awaiting transfer to my new external hard drive. The good news is that this GREAT transfer will (hopefully) happen soon. You see I have incentive because on that very same camera are amazing photos of one of my most wondrous grandchildren:) And I LOVE grandchildren photos!!

That being said, I am still working up my courage to do the BIG transfer because I have not worked with this type of hard drive before. I did make a big step today though; I actually unwrapped the plastic which encloses the box that the drive came in. Brave, huh?

So for this week, I'll try something different for the 'walk'. Something a little quirky but not too much so. Something done to honor all the groundhogs who voted for early spring and to protest Phil's forecast this year for 6 (well now less) more weeks of winter.

Now I know you're all saying--what is she talking about? You mean Phil of Groundhog Day (and Pennsylvania) fame is not the only one of his kind who has the ability to "forecast" the end of winter? Nope!

Surprised? Yep it's true--what we never hear is that there are more "Phil's" and that some of his kind actually disagreed with his gloomy forecast this year. So in honor of Queen Charlotte, General Beauregard Lee, French Creek Freddie, Malverne Mel, Staten Island Chuck, Dunkirk Dave; and just because these last few weeks I see some signs of spring too -- I present, for your viewing pleasure, spring & summer in God's gardens of the NW.

Each spring you see fields of colorful tulips and other bulbs in the NW. This photo was taken in the rural fields of Marion County, Oregon. To the east of this field stand the gorgeous Cascades; to the west the coast range.

Further to the south and much closer to those Cascade mountains are the towns of Sweet Home and Foster. They're located on one of the highways that cross the Cascades to Central Oregon. This is Foster Lake.

North of the Columbia River in NW Washington is the beautiful, wild and totally scenic Olympic Peninsula. There you will find rain forests, Hurricane Ridge and the Olympic Mountains, the Juan de Fuca-which separates the peninsula from Canada (Vancouver Island) and many, many other amazing sights. And there, even though you won't see it, is part of my heart. You see I have a habit of leaving a little bit of my heart in places like the Olympic Peninsula. But back to the photo--this was taken on the way to Port Angeles, probably in the Dungeness Bay 'area' of Sequim.

This is the Lady Washington, of Pirates of the Caribbean fame, in 2002. She was in the Wooden Boat shipyard of Pt Townsend. I have loved her ever since and I am not alone in my affection for the Lady. I know she isn't one of God's Gardens, but the men who made her are His handiwork, the wood that she is built from is of His making and from His Gardens, and the oceans she sails on are His creation too.

Long may you sail, my Lady!

Finally, back to God's gardens--the Blue Mountains of NE Oregon. I have loved this area since my teen years--I still do:) This area gets a lot of snow and very cold. To get here from the western part of the NW you also need to travel up the very famous Cabbage Hill--well known for its very interesting road grade. But the photos of that will have to wait for another day:)

" And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:12 KJV

"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." Genesis 8:22 KJV

Blessings, Aimee
Photos: as described above:)

God--the Artist and His handiwork

Wisdom and a message of love from Norway---

A couple days ago one of my favorite bloggers, a Norwegian Christian pastor, had a post about a youth club outing that she had been involved with. The blog author included a quote of one of the girls who had done the devotion that night.

As I read it; it really hit home for me for it perfectly describes the relationship that God has with us--His children, His creation, His handiwork.

• God is the greatest artist---the beauty of nature all around us is proof of that.


• As an artist, He is devoted to the work of His hands--just as a dedicated artist cares about the work they create.


• All nature, including we who were made in His image, are proof of God's care and love (remember the lilies of the fields, knowing when a bird falls to the ground and providing rain, sun for those who believe in Him and those who don't too)


• God is at work in our lives. Sometimes, we may not see that as a good thing--for some changes are painful--BUT He's doing it because He cares --as in deeply, totally loves us--the creation of His hands; His children.


• God does all of this because He sees what we should be like, just as a great artist ’sees’ the finished masterpiece in his mind. And just as earthly artists want the work of their hands to be perfect; so does God. He wants us to reach our potential--to accomplish what He planned for us to do; to be who He wants us to be--as a loving, perfect, just Father. And remember, He sees the finished work of art--we don’t.


• Finally, just like His work at Creation--the changes He makes with “great love and care” will be good. For all that His hand creates, as the perfect Artist-loving Father-caring Creator is good.

Take a look at the post--I think you’ll like this simple, yet deep message from this young Norwegian girl! Here is the link: http://limeblog.net/2009/02/09/youth-club-goes-alpine/

“And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31 KJV

“ The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” Psalms 19:1-3 KJV

“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, Oye of little faith?” Matthew 6:28-30 KJV

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10: 29-31 KJV

“..He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45 KJV

“…being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6 KJV

"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

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” I Corinthians 13:12 KJV

Blessings from a fellow 'work of art in progress", Aimee

Photo: NW State Park in spring.

A Note to Readers

A note to readers:
So sorry about the inconsistent spacing (or lack of spacing) in some of the posts. I am having a struggle with the Html and often the post looks much different then it does in the preview. Oh well--it is a small thing comparatively speaking and I will try again to rectify it later.
Until then--I beg your patience and understanding at this beginner blogger's efforts:) And now---time to cook that heart shaped meatloaf. Yum-food!
Blessings, A

For those who visit -- a question please. Would you prefer the photos be a bit larger or is the current size sufficient? I am on a dial up modem so I have been reducing their size to a minimum but could increase it slightly if needed.
Thanks! A

Update 2/11/09:
I've gone ahead and enlarged the nature photos of new posts, except heritage photos which I have decided -- for now -- to keep small. Hope this makes your visits more enjoyable to the blog. I know that I am happy with the new size:) TY again for stopping by!

A Week of Love--meal & other plans.

This week I am trying to include a lot of heart shaped entrees and desserts; a not too difficult thing to do because I've bought a LOT of heart shaped cooking contraptions and bakeware over the years-none of them very expensive.
I also want to use a lot of red--partly because of its tie to Valentine's Day and partly because I have a lot of red items in the house already (red and various shades of red being my favorite color). Some plans so far---

• Entrees: heart shaped eggs, heart shaped meatloaf, beets cut into heart shapes (ditto red pepper slices), beef patties shaped like hearts, heart shaped 'meatballs' with pasta. Maybe individual quiches...or heart shaped pancakes.
• Desserts/Treats: frosted & painted heart shaped cookies, linzer tart cookies, mini heart shaped cakes, heart shaped, red "jiggle" jello and trifles...and on and on. Possibly Swedish fruit soup too and also "Danish dessert" which I can use as fruit soup, layer with whipped cream or pudding or use as a fruit glaze.
• Placemats: purchased some pretty but inexpensive ones in shades of burgundy and another in red with matching cloth napkins.
• Dinnerware: found a beautiful pattern in -- red-- but decided against it because it was something I really did not need but only wanted. I did buy some inexpensive, made in the USA clear glass dinner plates, mugs, glasses and trifle 'cups' though to add to some items I already had. All very adaptable to many other settings/ celebrations.
• Blooming bulbs: not in red (well unless the not-quite-bloomed yet hyacinth is red). Pretty, colorful, nice, inexpensive. Note to self--need to still pick up tulips and make some baskets with ferns.
• Valentines: already sent some 'love' cards out--to some family that live out-of-state. Bought a box of some really cute ones that look like they were created by kids (with a good message about love on them); also bought some individual cards for a few people. Am giving (and have already given) small gifts to close family members. Next year might try for homemade gifts. .
• Chocolate and more chocolate--some heart shaped, some in heart shaped boxes for my chocolate loving hubby. We have already started on them:)

Well it is getting late so ...

Blessings & night y'all! A

A Week of Love for those I love (and those who just happen by)!

My love is not perfect. In the past I've let work and other stresses, impatience, laziness, selfishness and even fear get in the way of showing love to family and friends in the way I should (and could) have. I hate to admit that, but it's true and I wish it was different. It's not that I didn't show love to those around me; it's just that I could have done it better and didn't.

But the past is gone, my shortcomings forgiven and the good news is that each new day brings with it a fresh beginning (opportunity) to be more loving to friends and family still here; and to show that love in tangible, meaningful and creative ways (more about that later).

My inspiration for this Week of Love (which I really desire to be the start of a permanent, everyday change) comes from I Corinthians 13--the so called Love Chapter.( Note: this is the King James Version of that chapter, but you can find a link to more information on this chapter and other easier to read versions of it here.)

Why do I include this chapter here? Well since God is the only One with perfect love, I thought it'd be good to see what He says about it as I seek to become more loving. Keep in mind, as you read through this well known chapter on love that the word 'charity' equates to the word "love" (agape--selfless, perfect love)

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

Blessings, A

Photo: A very modified photo of a heart shaped egg ring. actually the very same ring I used for this morning's breakfast!

Winter Colors

Walking through the winter garden may not have the abundance of showy blossoms that the spring and summer gardens have but...

God has provided color everywhere you look nevertheless. This tree caught my eye at the coast on our trip. I don't think the photo gives it the justice it deserves--the contrast between the deserted building and surrounding trees and grasses was amazing!

At the restaurant, we ate at, there was this plant with tiny blossoms. It is either a heath or a heather; I always confuse the two and my best friend (like most everyone else right now is asleep).

A few rose leaves still cling to their thorny branches, glowing a brilliant yellow in the winter's sun.

An Oregon grape--I hope! Pretty, huh?

Pieris---it's one of my favorites no matter the season. It is so graceful -- reminds me of a ballerina; I like ballet--have I said that? I am not graceful like this beautiful plant or a ballerina...though I can dance (a little).

Green irises emerging through a dusting of white snow. They won't be blooming for awhile yet but the green is nice to see.

If you look carefully you'll see delicate white blossoms on this plant -- I don't remember it ever being in bloom this early. Maybe I better check the forsythia and the early rhodies (JK!)

May you find the color in your own life and use your God-given gifts to bless those you meet.

"For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations."

Isaiah 61:11 KJV

Blessings, A

And more---

I remember a very special seagull convention when I was in Utah with my wonderful grandchildren. I miss Utah and the Rockies (Wasatch Mts.); I miss the kiddos too :(

This is one of my favorite beaches on Oregon's central coast; I always like to stop by and check it out when I am in that area. We had the place almost to ourselves on the day we arrived and the views---well I will let you decide. It looked like there had been some erosion since my last visit--a long time ago--it's no wonder with the winter storms the NW receives.

A bit north of Newport -- or a little south of Siletz Bay, depending on which way you are traveling is Depoe Bay. If you are traveling south from Lincoln City you might stop at Boiler Bay, which also has a great view. This photo would be northwest of Depoe Bay's Harbor--the one pictured in last week's "Walk".

And then there are the forests in the Coast Range mountains of Oregon (of course there are the beautiful forests of Washington State -- but will get to those on a later post). The Pacific NW has been blessed with lots of forests---

A valley and mountain view after (or before) entering the Coast Range.

Blessings, A

I Thought She Said Tomorrow..

Well it is true--I did say tomorrow I was going to post the photos from my recent trip to Oregon's coast but it didn't turn out that way...so in time for this week's Walk in His Gardens...sand, surf and other photos..

D Sands & River in the Lincoln City area.

It's a common sight to see people flying kites here.

On this beach (D Sands) the shortest river meets the Pacific Ocean.

The weather truly was amazing--it felt like summer and I was ready for that:)

We stopped by Siletz Bay where I've stayed in the past.

This beautiful bay meets the ocean at this spot. At night one can see the lights of motels and Mo's (a popular restaurant on the coast) on the water of the bay and hear the surf. We met a really nice family here who were fishing.

This is one of the main reasons I wanted to visit this part of Oregon's coast (of course the great weather forecast was a BIG one too). This is the Siletz Bay National Refuge. I was disappointed that you cannot enter it except for a few times in the year, but we managed to get some photos from nearby areas.
Close by the Refuge is a great pottery shop and glassblowing studio for those who like those things (which I do) and we passed a lot of beautiful art galleries. Best of all, there was a view of mountains (and you all know what I think of mountains!)

"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time..."
Ecclesiastes 3:11 KJV

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."
I Chronicles 16:34 KJV

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
Psalms 107:31 KJV

Blessings, A
Photos: As described above & on photos.