Sunrise At Bungalow Beach

"Our Father, we thank You mightily for the beauty of the sunrise over this vast sea...and pray that each of us be made able, by Your grace, to know Your guidance, love and mercy throughout the day." ~Father Tim...A New Song

click on photo...

Happy Halloween!

Here at the Cottage, we are ready for "Boo Night" and all the little Goblins that might come by expecting goodies. No tricks gonna happen here, for we have plenty of treats.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!

I hope I didn't frighten you.......Dee Dee

Harvest Blessings......

I've been out and about today in search of decorations for "Boo Night"..... and also the harvest, Thanksgiving season. I've put out a bit of fall garland here and there, a small jack-o-lantern that twinkles, a pumpkin here and there, and so there we have it.....pleasing to me and the Mister. A favorite purchase is the door decoration. Gotta love that little scarecrow face. Harvest Blessings.....Dee Dee

Silky Pinkish Grasses

Honeymoon Island State Park, is a short drive from our home. It has beautiful unspoiled, non-commercialized beaches and we love it there. Today, once again a very hot hot day, we drove down just to take a look at whatever came our way. For a while, we sat watching a tall skinny white Egret looking for lunch. He found it. We saw him stalk a lizard, swallow him whole, flap his great wings and fly away. We've taken the same drive many times through the years, and today was the first time noticing these silky pinkish grasses. Hmmm....I'm not sure of the silky word, but it fits them nicely. I believe these grasses to be green during the summer, then turning this lovely pinkish color in early autumn. What do you think? Nice huh?

Blessings.... Dee Dee

Little Pumpkins

Little watercolor pumpkins......by Dee Dee

More Personalized....

For quite some time, I've enjoyed sending cards to family and friends. Give me an occasion, and I'll make a card to serve the purpose. My favorite occasion is, "just because." These cards are the most fun to make, and probably the nicest to receive. Not long ago, I was invited to a "StampinUp" party. The experience opened my eyes to creative juices I was hardly aware of. These days, not only do I use stamps while making cards, I do little water color paintings.......(originals by Dee Dee). I suppose one might say, my cards have taken on a more personalized appearance.

Today, the card I am making is for a more serious occasion. The death of a loved one, has broken the heart of a dear friend. What I will write on this card, are words to console and comfort her. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me and I in Him." My friend, He will bring you out of this storm of life, and into the light of a new day. I will write words promising prayer....and I will pray......

Blessings...... Dee Dee

Seen Through The Open Door....

falling leaves

hide the path

so quietly

~John Bailey....Autumn

I'm Thinking Fall Door Decor.......

I'm thinking that now is the time of year, to gather things from the garden, such as fading flowers and those beginning to dry out. Or, for more choices, a nice drive in the country, to gather wild flowers and seed pods. Cotton would be nice, but cotton fields are just not seen here in Florida. I'll need interesting greenery and just maybe Croton leaves might work. Nothing is more beautiful to decorate a door for fall, than a wreath made with fresh evergreens and bits and pieces of nature. Blessings...... Dee Dee....

Think On This

"I believe that's when God first started speaking to my heart....the very first day I started talking to his." ~ Jan Karon (Light In the Windows)

A DELICIOUS GALA APPLE

For a number of years, the apples have just not tasted good to me. I've heard all about pesticides and chemicals sprayed on the apples to deter spoilage and all sorts of stories of how they may use hormones to make them grow larger and the color deeper red. We had resorted long ago to buying organic apples. This year, at the beginning of apple season, on a whim, I bought a bag of Gala apples. They had been shipped here to Florida, all the way from Pennsylvania. They appeared smaller than the hormonal apples and had good color. We're on our fourth bag of Gala apples this season and they are the best! We eat them as a snack, I've stir fried them with a little sugar, butter and cinnamon, and, made lots of apple salad with them. Tonight I opened a new bag, and as I placed them in a bowl, I noticed this flawless, beautiful perfectly made red apple. I'm so glad the real apples are back, nature needs no help whatsoever.

Blessings....... Dee Dee

Crotons....Florida's Fall Colors

Requiring very little care, and being somewhat drought resistant, the Croton is common in Florida landscaping. The colors of these lovely plants in my garden, are variations of reds, greens and orange. Do these colors sound familiar to you folks up north, with all that "Mother Nature" is doing in your area? Might I suggest, the Croton's are announcing fall, right here on the Gulf Coast. Well, maybe not....but a girl can pretend. Blessings..... Dee Dee

A Pumpkin Poem

One day I found two pumpkin seeds.

I planted one and pulled the weeds.

It sprouted roots and a big long vine.

A pumpkin grew, I called it mine.

The pumpkin was quite round and fat.

(I really am quite proud of that.)

But there is something I'll admit

That has me worried just a bit.

I ate the seed, you see....

Now will it grow inside of me?

(I'm so relieved since I have found

that pumpkins only grow in the ground.)

~Author Unknown

I hope your all enjoying Autumn. Blessings.... Dee Dee

Just Hanging Out In The Shade

White Ibis

Follow the leader......

Yesterday, I was out and about with camera in hand. It was late afternoon and cool breezes were blowing in from across the high tide waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The skys were blue, the sun was shining and all seemed right with the world. When I spotted them up ahead, I felt instinctively the Ibis grouping were enjoying the day, just as I was. The White Ibis, normally feeding in shallow tide pools, were seemingly, just hanging out in the shade. As I came closer, they lined up single file, and began slowly walking away. Hoping they had no objections, I took a few photos, and continued on my walk. You know, it's a beautiful thing how man and God's little creatures somehow seem to get along just fine............

Blessings...... Dee Dee click on photos.....

Cooler Weather = Yarns and Needles

Tasha Tudor.....

This evening I'm thinking of Tasha Tudor. I really like the woman's style and how she sorted through and selected all the good essentials, necessary for an uncomplicated, wonderful life. On occasion, I can almost feel myself walking in her shoes, and I think just maybe she had the kind of shoes that didn't hurt your feet. She made good choices. I'm thinking that Tasha most likely, pulled out her woolen yarns and needles when the weather turned cooler and began thinking of her family. Each fall, I begin making warm scarves for my family, using colored textured yarns that fit their personalities. I will be making scarves from now until Christmas. The one shown in the photo most likely will go to the wife of my grandson. She's young, is a new mother, has blond hair and blue eyes....she'll like these colors.

Well.....I'd better get busy, my list is long and I have miles and miles and miles of yarn to go..... Blessings... Dee Dee

Morning Skies and A Garden View

Ah...a peak through the Robolini plants and the Florida sky .... just beautiful this morning....

Blessings today...... Dee Dee click on photos...

Twas The Week Before Leaf Fall

Twas the week before "leaf fall" and all through the swamp

Not a creature was stirring, not even a Toad,

When out on the pond there arose such a clatter

Toad stirred in his boggy bed wondering what was

the matter.

Out amongst the cat-tails, lily pads and water

He saw bunches of leaves falling in all sorts of color

Away from his muddy bed he sprang with a sigh

And leaped with all his might way up in the sky

It's autumn, it's fall, he cried loudly with glee

The leaves are like rainfall, all falling on me!

~Dee Dee

for my grandchildren......and
the children of Faith Christian Academy

Found Treasure

I can honestly say, I have never walked away empty handed, from an antique show. This year was no exception, and oddly enough I made one of my purchases from the same lady I shopped with last year. Recognizing one another, Denise and I exchanged smiles as I scoped out her little shop. I was in the right place all right and I saw many things that had potential for accessorizing my home. I loved it at first sight....a blue bucket, with a bit of rust inside, had a lovely patina I found irresistible. It has a proper place on my porch now....holding in it's embrace pretty fall mums. Blessings..... Dee Dee

Pee Gee Hydrangea

Having lived in Florida for a number of years, we've realized long ago, the only way to see changing of the seasons, is to go where it's happening. Sadly, that is just not going to happen this year. The good news is, we've lots of photos to enjoy that were taken last fall....and...many more being sent our way via internet. On a drive into the village of Cooperstown New York, last fall, I noticed this beautiful little tree. "Why, Honey, that looks just like a Hydrangea!" "STOP THE CAR!!" Hydrangea just do not grow that way in the south, so I had to get a closer look at that pretty thing. I learned later this variety is called Pee Gee Hydrangea.

This evening, we've been looking at our cherished photos....got the slide show going on the computer. We've got hundreds of beautiful fall scenes to look at....Hmmm.....sweet memories of that special time spent with family.....life is good. Blessings...... Dee Dee

Be Blessed This Lord's Day

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams. ~ St Augustine

Celebrity Sighting?

Is that who I think it is? Shouldn't he be making toys?

This morning marked the annual antique show for our little coastal village. Mother Nature got the word, and we were blessed with cooler weather. This is the good one, the one you mark your calendars for. This is the antique show the dealers look forward to as well. Known for drawing large crowds,they bring out a few things not moving in their shops. Pleasing to me, they are sometimes willing to reduce their prices and seem to enjoy a little haggling. Today, I found a couple of treasures....I may post about them later. I really like these outdoor occasions, looking forward to them in the kind of way that gets me excited weeks before the actual event. I suppose, I have a fondness for old things. I like it when an old Prell shampoo bottle can conger up pleasant memories from my teen years. My friend Bonnie, shopping with me today, seemed to gravitate towards the same things I'm curious about....things from both our childhoods. "Do you remember these old paper mache jack-o-lanterns?" "Oh yes, I sure do." No sooner had we spotted this nice old thing from our halloween memories, than the shop owner was explaining to us how rare and collectible they were. Maybe so, but in no way were we prepared to pay $149.00 for a smiling paper pumpkin. I have other reasons for attending these annual events.

More so than searching for collectibles, I enjoy "people watching." As you can see in my photo, we have some pretty interesting "touristy types" here in Florida. "Could we have had a celebrity sighting?"

I can't say that I know for sure , but the man with the white hair and beard, red shirt and red clogs, looks mighty familiar. Blessings.... Dee Dee

What Was Happening?

Rabbit had been noticing fewer hours of sunlight and cooler temperatures. Tender grasses were harder to find, for they were being covered over by brightly colored leaves. Where were they all coming from, he wondered. Something else strange and nice was happening. His fur coat had begun to thicken and look fluffy. It felt warm, and he liked the new look. Things all around were changing and then he remembered. Rabbit remembered "Fall".....Blessings.... Dee Dee

Seasonal Colors

Enjoying Orange Lillies.....

Be Forewarned Ye Pumpkins!

Upstate New York Farmers Market

To Pumpkins at Pumpkin Time

by Grace Cornell Tall

Back into your garden-beds!

Here come the holidays

And woe to the golden pumpkin-heads

Attracting too much praise.

Hide behind the hoe, the plow,

Cling fast to the vine!

Those who come to praise you now

Will soon sit down to dine.

Keep your lovely heads, my dears,

If you know what I mean....

Unless you want to be a pie,

Stay hidden or stay green!!

.....the familiar farmyard sounds were strangely muted.

But when she heard Chanticleer greet the sun with a jubilant crow and Kitchen, the cow, give a tender, chuckling moo to her calf, she realized with a shiver of delight that, yes, truly, she was at the farm. The day that lay ahead of her could be filled with all the country pleasures that she loved. She could draw and paint and write letters or bake something sweet or finish the mitten she was knitting, or practice spinning her own Herdwick fleece at the old spinning wheel she'd bought at a farm auction...... I am reading, Susan Wittig Albert's "The Tale of Briar Bank," one of several cottage tales of Beatrix Potter. They are gentle, whimsical tales with a nice dose of mystery, if you please. Charming cozy...full of English country loam, leaf and lamb. Ms Albert's description of Beatrix's plans for the day, could very well have been written about me....well, almost about me. I have not been afforded the opportunity of spinning my own fleece. I could however, place myself quite comfortably in the Lake District community north of London, living at Hill Top Farm. I may even like talking to the animals..... Blessings.....Dee Dee

Seasonal Thoughts

In Hardwood Groves by Robert Frost
The same leaves over and over again!
They fall from giving shade above
To make one texture of faded brown
And fit the earth like a leather glove.
Before the leaves can mount again
To fill the trees with another shade,
They must go down into the dark decayed.
They must be pierced by flowers and put
Beneath the feet of dancing flowers.
However it is in some other world
I know that this is the way in ours.

Walking through a grove of hardwood trees-perhaps maples or oaks....

Frost recognizes that before things are raised up, they must fall down. He uses some startling images, such as flowers piercing dead leaves, and a simile, in which he compares the leaves to a leather glove.

Acts Of Kindness

When you carry out acts of kindness, you get a wonderful feeling inside. it is as though something inside your body responds and says, "Yes, this is how I ought to feel."

~Rabbi Harold Kushner

~Source Patches of Godlight..Karon

Pumpkin Pie At Risk!

By now, most of us have heard the news, worthy of a headline even........"National Shortage Of Canned Pumpkin." A potential Thanksgiving pumpkin problem....I should say so. Shoppers are reporting bare shelves and the supermarkets are saying they've been allocated only so many cases for the whole season. While talking to a friend about this very dreadful crisis, she relived her own harrowing experience, while at our local grocery store. Completely unaware of the "pumpkin crisis" she was somewhat puzzled finding no canned "Libby's Pumpkin Pie" anywhere in the store. A bit perplexed, she had wondered to herself....how could this be? It is, after all, the fall of the year, and pumpkin pie making time. While making inquires, she was told news she did not want to hear. The store manager confessed the store had been allotted only ten cases of pumpkin pie filling for the season. Reluctantly he confessed, these were being held in the storeroom (like some cherished treasure). Finding this revelation somewhat hard to believe, she persuaded him to part with three cans. Enabling her to continue with family tradition, she gladly paid the inflated price of $l.55 per can. So folks, should you find a can or two of "Pumpkin Pie " in your market, better scoff them up....they may be the last you'll see for a while. Blessings....Dee Dee

God's Masterpiece

Fall in the Adirondacks....2008

Winter, spring, summer and fall are God's seasons. God is the best artist in the world, for only He can create such different themes. No artist can capture on canvas anything to equal the real thing splashed across the sky and spilled over the earth like the Master's display of His finest artwork. God's creativity is unmatched, for every day is different, just like every snowflake in the winter. Blessings... Dee Dee

Source CBN.com Cathy Irvin

Last Of The Lobster Claws

Removed from header and placed in post 10-11-09

There's only one or two Lobster Claw's left blooming in my garden. One seems to be reaching with all it's might,in great effort to touch the sun. It is nestled in amongst the small Robalini palms and the variegated Shefflera plants. This lone "claw" shown in the photos, proudly wears colors of autumn. As I stooped down to take closer photos, I discovered something quite amazingly lovely. Barely noticeable, were the remains of what was once a strong and vibrant plant. There clinging to life, was a sad faded bloom. It's colors were surprisingly different somehow, no longer shades of orange. In death, the Lobster Claw bloom was even more beautiful than in life. It's colors were now fuchsia, lovely pinks and pale yellows. What appeared to be small jewels, were attached to tiny stubs that once held strong and vibrant bloom stems. Giving honor to it's beauty, and it's last efforts for life, I have placed it's image on my header. Blessings.... Dee Dee

Autumn Card Making

My oh my what a wonderful day..... I'm having one of those Zip-a-dee-do-dah days when everything is satisfactual. Plenty of sunshine headed my way....Zip-a-dee-do-dah......

Zip-a-dee-a....

Don't you just love that ole song? Brings a smile to my heart just thinking about ole Uncle Remus, Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit. Sorta conjers up all kinds of good feelings. Today I've been working on Autumn cards for friends and family. The simple pleasure my little cards will bring to each of them.....you know.. I just can't help having happy thoughts. If you don't mind, I'll get back to my card making.....Blessings ..... Dee Dee

My Epiphany

It is as though for the first time in my life, I can see more clearly. I can almost see it all. In youth, my vision somehow bunched my world together in one great landscape. Life came at me fast and furious, so much so that I could barely take it all in.

I suppose what has happened to me of late, is somewhat like an epiphany...a sudden understanding. When I read poetry, I read it slowly. I now have favorite poets. When I read books, I no longer rush to the finish. I listen to the writer, pondering each character until they become alive....until I am almost standing inside the story. I have favorite writers. When I read the Bible, I understand more about God. The more I read, the more God reveals Himself to me. The miracle of music I can barely describe how much I enjoy it......vocal or instrumental sounds....rhythm, melody or harmony. Lovely agreeable sounds. Paints, pencils, yarn, fabric, threads......"art"....digital photography. My hands can create many things from each of these. Flowers are no longer just a part of my garden, for I've now seen them up close. I know their behaviors, how they grow .....I know their names. I have favorites and this time of year, I like pink Mums.

My epiphany is....the conditions are right for all of my likings, for I have moments, days, hours and years.

I have time.....Blessings.... Dee Dee

No Longer Scary

You know, it's a funny thing, the evolving of the "Scarecrow." Having spent a portion of my life living on a farm in Pennsylvania, I know all about these crude figures set up to scare birds away from crops. These days, I can still take a ride out of the city, and see them scattered all along the countryside, dutifully spreading their arms to ward off our fine feathered friends. What happened do you think, that we developed a love affair with the scarecrow? The stores and produce stands have them packed onto shelves, in every nook possible. Have you noticed that some seem clothed in designer like apparel? I think it's okay...well maybe more than okay. Alright then.....I'll confess, I am a part of those with an obsession for these guys when it comes to the Autumn of the year. Why I even bought one for my grandchildren. The gender was "girlie." That's right, a feminine, well dressed lady scarecrow, sporting some pretty amazing pigtails. She stands proudly at their front door, potted fall mums at her feet, arms outspread....warding off any pesky birds. For any of you with a closeted affection for the scarecrow......go on and proudly plunk one out on your porch. Just maybe your neighbors will do the same.

Autumn Blessings..... Dee Dee

And You Will Find Him There.....

TRANSCENDENT

Dear heart, perhaps you can not find God's hand

Or see His face through some hour of despair.

Do not be grieved, go seek the good, clean land,

And you will find Him there.

He is a part of every wind that sweeps

Across the furrows, down their upturned length.

Breathe deeply of it~here is where God keeps

Stored healing and stored strength.

Wander awhile down some still wooded way;

Stoop to the lichen, dig through the mossy sod.

Stir in the leafmold~and the feathery spray

Of a fern can show you God.

You can touch Him as you touch the bark of a tree;

You can hear His voice in the voice of the singing birds.

Dear God, may we listen~God, may we look and see

Thy face, and hear Thy words.

Source: Leaves Of Gold

Good Things Are About To Happen

Photo....Google Images

These "Pitcher Plants" look as though they are singing....welcoming autumn. Actually, I feel quite the same way. We've had a couple of "teaser" days this week, the temps dropped down and we had cool breezes. Another sign of fall....the end of baseball season. The Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees played the final game of the season here at Tropicana Field today. I was there to see it....my team lost to the Yankess...but oh well, it was great fun to watch them play. I can feel it in my spirit and I can see it in the folks around here.....the hot summer is almost over and new and good things are about to happen. Traditionalist that I am, I can hardly wait for the holidays to begin. Why there's one just around the corner.... Blessings Dee Dee

A Prayer

Almighty God, to You all hearts are open, all desires known, and from You no secrets are hidden: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You, and worthily magnify Your holy Name; through Christ our Lord....Amen

Source: Father Tim...A New Song~Karon

A Rosemary "Bible Lesson"

I heard the doorbell ring, and could see through the glass door, two little "Pumpkin Doodles," my grandchildren. "We've brought you rosemary!" they said. It was then that they handed me three small bunches of fresh rosemary, tied together with wires, made ready for hanging. We visited a short time and they then scurried on their way. I later found a most proper place for the herbs, they now hang in my kitchen window. Appreciated so much more than the lingering smells of the rosemary, are the lasting images of children's happy faces. Ah, a sweet lesson from the Holy Bible..."Be ye kind, one to another".....I have been truly blessed this day. Dee Dee

Bits And Pieces Of Acorns

It's no mystery whatsoever, that the bits and pieces of acorns lying on my walkway each morning, are put there by some furry little guys living in our large oak tree. Not to worry....I quite enjoy watching as they scurry about. Blessings today...... Dee Dee

pic Google Images

Children Nature And Discovery

Today began as though northern autumn weather had hitched a ride on a cloud that floated and floated and floated until it finally settled over our little coastal village. It was a time to be outside, a time for children, a time to run and play in the park. Chestnut Park covers approximately 255 acres and is home to various wildlife. Raccoons, alligators, various waterfowl, hawks, vultures, and deer reside in this park. Allowed to roam throughout the park, they are protected and may not be hunted, harassed, or fed. Thus the perfect setting for exploration and discovery. Ah, to see the world through the eyes of a child. Be blessed today..... Dee Dee click on photos