A Beautiful Post by a Friend

Recently I felt an urge to visit Claire's blog (Claire is a Christian friend I met through a forum I've belonged to for several years now). All I can say is it must have been an urging from God as she posted a perfect post for the struggle I have had about priorities in life.

With her kind permission I am posting a link to her site and that post called "A New Mercy For Me This Morning". I hope this will bless and help you as well :)

Blessings to Claire, her family & to you,

Aimee

-

Photo:

New 'cinnamon' fern frond

Note to Visitors

Actually more a question then a note, but wonder if anyone else noticed a difference with the Blogger photo upload (picasa) lately? The screen where you normally have to click 'done' isn't coming up...but they appear to all have uploaded. Strange but then many things are strange at 3 AM!

Blessings from the PNW,

Aimee

Note (5/22): Whatever was happening with the photo upload, things seem to be OK :)

-

Photo: our first daylily of 2010; since this is a known snake zone and since the daylily was really, really close to the pond edge--well it was a lot of fun getting this:)

Pond Time

Ah, spring---time of sun, rain, sun, rain and more sun in the PNW...
and when we have the sun, and when it gets warm --
well it seems like the frogs just want to lay around in the shallow part of the pond and on the shore around it
which makes them a whole lot easier to take pictures of,

or just stand and watch them:)

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings,

Aimee

What Am I?

I hope you aren't getting bored yet with this series, but nature brings out the child in me--as I search eagerly almost everyday for sights I haven't seen before. Beautiful sights that hold the promise of even more beauty to come, or of beauty that has been and still is. Today's hints:

• I am a flower (duh, Aimee---I know you are saying that so please admit it because it will make me smile)
• I remind Aimee of a child's toy pinwheel in my present, baby flower form, and she had to hold on to me to get this photo because it was windy the day she took it:)
• I live in her wildflower-style garden, but would be happy almost anywhere.

And--if you don't know, but just have to know, because you need to know, because you are you....then please see this link.

Garden blessings, Aimee

In Their Words: Voices From the Past

Our family has been fortunate in that we own some of our ancestors writings (poetry, books, journals, family history information, letters). I find that the more I read them, the more I see how many of life's challenges - and joys - are the same.

Here is an excerpt from my Grandpa M's journal (1909-1911) written while he was at college in the PNW:
“ I worked a little while on my story plot this evening but did not accomplish much. Time passes so swiftly and I can’t do half of the work that I plan. I am praying for wisdom regarding these things as I wish to make my time count for more than it has in the past.“

• Do you see any similarities between any of your ancestors and yourself or your children?
• Do you think that many of life's challenges and joys are the same as they have always been-despite improvements in technology?
• Do any of your ancestors inspire you because of hardships they faced?
• If you could go back in time, which of your ancestors would you most like to talk to and why?

Blessings, Aimee
Photo: Grandpa & Grandma, probably on their wedding day.
Note: If you would like to learn more about Grandpa M, please see this earlier post here.

The Word on Wednesday

"O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches…The glory of the Lord shall endure forever: the Lord shall rejoice in His works.”
Psalms 104:24,31 KJV

Candles of Another Kind:)

Our tree, that replaced the one we had to cut down last year, is growing up! It looks good in the Japanese-style garden, and will look better after we let it get more of a naturally windblown look, but I still miss our old friend...and it's shade.

Blessings, Aimee

Photo: new candles--new growth on our pine tree planted last summer

Wildflower-Style Garden Update: Mid May

Back on this post I talked about our current garden project of a wildflower-style garden. Here are some updated pictures--sorry about the image quality (very bad lighting conditions)

Dianthus (Telstar mix)

Oriental Poppy (Allegro)

Cosmos (Sonata pink & Sonata mix); gypsophila (Gypsy)

Iceland poppy (Champagne Bubbles).

Also in garden--but no close up photo here--is an Iceland poppy (Spring Fever Red)

First section of bed. Columbines thus far planted: Musik Red-White & McKana's Giant (see post link above for close-ups of columbine). Also there is alyssum planted in the garden.

First 2 sections; third section (not shown). Not done yet, but a good start I think; will look better when one Oriental poppy from the first section is moved to the last section (after the rose is transplanted).

What are you working on in your garden? What is your favorite wildflower?

Blessings, Aimee

Reflections on the Pond

Last summer, when we redid the garden in the pond area, one of the things we did was to remove all the grasses which we, and nature, had planted in the upper (bog-like) pond.

I really wanted to do this to make the upper pond,

which doesn't have koi in it, a reflecting pond.

I've not been sorry a day since!

Would you be?

And just to give you an idea of what lives in our pond there is this photo--you'll see why I put it at the bottom of the post:)

'Cute', huh?

-

Blessings,

Aimee

The Other Day

Recently my sibling and I made a trip to my parent's home where I discovered some 'priceless' treasures--well priceless in my eyes, and the eyes of our family. One find really surprised me at first though, and then didn't as I got to thinking of my great-grandfather and what one of his children had written about him--- "and it was while riding horseback in the pursuance of his church duties that he mastered the Hebrew and Greek languages..."; he would later go on to be a professor at a Christian college for many years.

This is what I found that day, and even though we're not 100% sure it was great-grandpa's (because his name doesn't appear to be in it); he would be the most logical choice for having been the one who owned it originally.

I like the section where there are proverb-like sayings, and I am very excited because my father said that the book can come home with me for awhile :)

I am excited about that!

The book is almost 134 years old (Tamuz 5636 would equate to June/July 1876 from what we could determine on the Internet).

Hum, wonder what other old books are hiding in the corners of my parents' home...?

Blessings, Aimee

What am I?

This time you get two photos to help you figure out my 'secret' identity, and of course some clues, as always, to help you ...and because I am in a really generous mood right now, having seen a private dance performance of our neighborhood birds today, they will be GOOD clues...maybe:)

• I am in Aimee's wildflower-style garden, even though I am not listed on any of the PNW wildflower garden seed packets she has bought.
• I used to look differently.

Well that's probably enough hints for any gardeners out there so -- as per usual -- here's a link if you just HAVE to know who I am right now :)

Blessings, Aimee

What am I?

Actually, technically and of course grammatically, the question should be 'what are we?' but I'll let all that slide tonight and give you the following hints:

• Aimee thinks we look sort of like cute, little, kind of funny-looking whisk brooms
• Aimee had never seen us - like this - till this year, but she has always -- well at least for a long time -- loved us.
• You don't eat us, but can sometimes buy us at a store.
• If you want to see us at our best you must do something to us first and then wait about 2 weeks.
• Aimee likes one variety of us the best, but we are available in more then one variety.

Now for those who have no clue and curiosity is just 'killing' them, please feel free to see this link :)

Blessings,
Aimee

The Word on Wednesday

"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities… For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." Psalms 103:1-3a,11,12 KJV

Blessings, Aimee

Photo: Forget-me-nots

Babies

We have lots of babies right now.
Not the cute, cuddly ones all grandmas and grandpas adore--nope, not that kind.

And not the cute, little chicks, ducklings, horses, goats, puppies, lambs and birds that catch my eye whenever I am blessed to see any of them...

-

Nope, none of these--

No--the babies I am talking about are still special though because they are all miracles of life--and this time of year is also very special because of them!
-

Come to think of it--even though these babies aren't cuddly, they are definitely still cute--because all babies are, even garden babies :)

-

So here in their 2010 debut--some of our babies...

Baby Anne raspberry

Baby Desert King figs

Baby Glacier tomato

And last, but not least, a baby strawberry--photo taken in late April.

Ah! You gotta love these garden babies-I know I do:)

---

Any babies around your place?

-

Blessings,

Aimee

For My Children

On this Mother's Day of 2010, I cannot help but reflect on just how thankful I am to have been given the gift of you--my 3 children; each one a unique present from the Creator above. So on this day, and all the days to follow, I wish you joy, peace, love and never-ending blessings! You are all priceless gifts to me---arrows in my quiver; flowers in my garden & some very sweet memories! I thank God for each and every one of you (and that includes my wonderful DIL, SIL and grandchildren too)!

Love always,
Mom

Happy Mother's Day

To all moms out there in cyberspace...

my wish is that you would know love, joy & peace on this special day...

and everyday -

Happy Mother's Day!

And for all Military Moms--a special blessing going out to you on this day.

---

Blessings,

Aimee

-

Photo: Begonias---last year I feel in love with these beautiful, dainty pink flowers!

For Mother's Day 2010: Of Mom & I

We share similar traits in appearance and tastes

and yet have some differences too.

She liked horses and dogs from childhood;

I always liked horses but the love for dogs had to grow on me

(of course now I can't imagine life without 'Man & Woman's Best Friend').

At one time, she loved the mountains the most, but now prefers the coast;

I will ALWAYS love the mountains more & cannot imagine a day without seeing them;

I should say I love the coast and the Puget Sound too--

if I can see the mountains from them:)

Now I was very shocked to find this---

apparently mom wore mini-skirts before the 60's--well at least for this picture;

she explained her mother had made it for her when I asked about it.

My mom sewed for us too--I remember an emerald green velvet ice-skating outfit she created, and of course I have lots of photos of my sib and I wearing homemade clothes

(well at least when we were very young).

As for mini-skirts, well we won't discuss here my like or dislike for them;

it is pretty well common knowledge to those who know me. And as for sewing---the last project I made was a bedspread and pillow in High School Home Economics (or was it Interior Design); SO wish I had kept up with it--but I still do have that wonderful old sewing machine that Grandma had so maybe one day...

when the remodeling is done whenever that is.

My mom & I.

Similar and yet different in appearance, tastes & life experiences;

but in things most important

values, faith & family

we're the same.

And, someday, I hope to be the Prayer Warrior that she is.

Love you mom

&

Blessings always,

Aimee

-

We both also share a HUGE love for travel--she has traveled as far east in the USA as Tennessee and Ohio; as far west in the USA as Hawaii & Alaska. Her world travels have brought her to China (Guilin & Canton areas), Thailand (Bangkok & refugee camp area), Singapore, Hong Kong & South Korea.

She still would love to make a trip to Ireland & other European nations (so would I)

-

Photos:

All photos are scanned family photos of mom and were taken in the PNW & the Rocky Mts

( which reminds me -- we both LOVE the Rockies)

The Word on Wednesday

On the day before the National Day of Prayer,

a few words from the Lord's Prayer...

“...Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

Matthew 6:10b KJV

-

Blessings,

Aimee

-

Photo:

Moss on kiwi

What am I?

I am one of the easiest plants to grow;
I seem to thrive on neglect.

-

I like to self sow;
you'll find lots of babies growing near a mature plant.

--

You can eat my leaves;

they taste a bit like cucumber.

-

But Aimee grows me mostly because she just thinks I'm pretty.

What am I?

-

Blessings,

AImee

-

My wikipedia page:)

Latest Garden Project: A Wildflower Style Garden

With so many garden projects to do this year, my best friend and I decided to tackle first one of the easiest--a wildflower style garden. Why? Well I have always loved the wildflowers that are normally found in 'wildflower' seed packets--the columbine, poppies, bachelor buttons and more! Secondly, last year, when we were on the Oregon coast, we ate out at a cafe there which had wildflower gardens around it--I was in 'seventh heaven' walking around their gardens and wanted just a piece of that at our home in an area that needs some 'sparkle'. And lastly, the beds we will be using for this project are made of pressure treated wood and I just don't trust it for growing edibles in.

So today we weeded both beds (one will probably be used for lavender later) and then the fun part--a trip to a farm store and nursery to get more poppies (I had already planted some oriental ones there last year; this year I bought some Iceland poppies to add in).

We also picked up some cosmos (yea, cosmos season!) and - of course - some columbine (I can never get too many of these beauties).

Love them!

LOVE them!

LOVE THEM!

There are still some plants to add and some specific seeds to sow too, but I am one step closer to my wildflower-style garden dream being fulfilled:)

Now if I can just find two sturdy, but not too expensive, Adirondack chairs to put under the fruit tree nearby! I can almost imagine relaxing out there with my Farmer Boy now!!

-

Any garden projects you're dreaming of this year?

Blessings & happy gardening,

Aimee

-

Photos:

One of the raised beds--after weeding.

(The rose in the last section of this first bed will be moved elsewhere soon)

Close up of one of the Oriental poppies--it's an Allegro.

One of the Columbine plants we picked out.

(I have lots more I could transplant in later from other areas. You can also--barely--make out one of the cosmos we picked up. Most are pastel or white.)

Another Columbine we bought.

(First photo is ours as it looks presently; the next one is how it will look when in full bloom)