Dear Sweet Tasha

I enjoy doing housework, ironing, washing, cooking, dishwashing. Whenever I get one of those questionaires and they ask what is your profession, I always put down housewife. It's an admirable profession, why apologize for it. You aren't stupid because you're a housewife. When you're stiring the jam, you can read Shakespeare.~Tasha Tudor

Red Mums

Each year I look forward to the changing of the seasons. Well, let me clarify that a little. I am aware of the changing of the season, now happening in the northern states. Not to be left out, we count on the flower shops to remind us. They do their part each year, by notifying the populace, with an abundance of lovely potted fall flowers. Then, almost instinctively, we begin preparing for fall weather. Scarecrows and corn stalks are seen in our doorways along with well placed pumpkins and potted mums. The markets, aware of our traditions, stock shelves with apples and jugs of cider. So, here I sit, sipping on a cup of cider, enjoying my potted red mums. Now, if I can just pretend this dreadful heat and humidity is, what we call up north, "indian summer" ..........sigh....

Periwinkle

Marshland Periwinkle.....

Periwinkle found in my garden.....

Both contributing to the beauty of nature.........

"The Lord Is My Strength And My Shield"

Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: "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."

~St Francis de Sales Blessings..... Dee Dee

Searching....What Is The Best Thing For Man?

GOODNESS~Did it ever strike you that goodness is not merely a beautiful thing, but by far the most beautiful thing in the whole world? So that nothing is to be compared for value with goodness; that riches, honor, power, pleasure, learning, the whole world and all in it, are not worth having in comparison with being good; and the utterly best thing for a man is to be good, even though he were never to be rewarded for it.~Charles Kingsley

Autumn

I wish I could close my eyes tonight, and wake up tomorrow to Autumn. It will not happen. Here on the Gulf Coast of Florida, we hardly notice seasonal changes. Green palm fronds do not change into gloriously beautiful colors of orange, reds or golds. Pumpkins are not ripening in the fields, nor do we speak of hay rides by moonlight. This year I will not see beautiful fall leaves. This time of year usually finds us in upstate New York, enjoying cooler early fall weather, apple season and the changing of the leaves. Ah, but I have memories of it all imprinted on my mind, as well as photos to mull over. Oh how I wish I were walking down a path covered with lovely fall leaves......

"Autumn"

Falling leaves

hide the path

so quietly

~John Bailey...A Haiku Poem

Beautiful Words by Mary Oliver

At Blackwater Pond the tossed waters

have settled after a night of rain.

I dip my cupped hands. I drink

a long time. It tastes like stone,

leaves, fire. It falls cold into my

body, waking the bones. I hear

them deep inside me, whispering

oh, what is that beautiful thing

that just happened?

~Mary Oliver, from "New and Selected Poems"

Ah....Glorious Books

I have new white bookcases. Let me tell you how happy I am about this. Having long ago run out of shelving for my favorite books, they have been stored in every nook and craney. Now they have a properly designated place. I have them sectioned off accordingly, such as children's books, religion, history, poetry, current events and much to my delight, a section for my Jan Karon books. Ah....glorious books.

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough book shelves.

~ Anna Quindlen

Garden After Rain

There is no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling. ~ Mirabel Osler

One of my favorite times in the garden is early morning, after a good rain during the night. Everything looks fresh and renewed. Photos shown are delicate little purple flowers...... background, a grouping of palm trees. Temps are still in high eighties here in Florida, and the humidity is quite overwhelming. I am waiting for this to pass so that I can once again set out new bedding plants that enjoy our cool winter temperatures. click on photos for closer look...... Blessings Dee Dee

Think On This

I've learned long ago, that life goes on the way it's going, and no amount of worry or concern that I can do, will change things. I think it important that children have time during the day to daydream, letting their imaginations run rampant. The constant stimulation of television, Ipods, electronic gadgets and cell phones, leave no time at all for young minds to imagine. Think on this......

Imagination has brought mankind through the dark age to it's present state of civilization. Imagination led Columbus to discover America. Imagination led Franklin to discover electricity. Imagination has given us the steam engine, the telephone, the talking-machine, and the automobile, for these things had to be dreamed of before they became realities. So I believe that dreams-daydreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain machinery whizzing...are likely to lead to the betterment of the world. The imaginative child will become the imaginative man or woman most apt to invent and therefore to foster, civilization. ~L Frank Baum

We Pray......

In the name of Jesus Christ, who was never in a hurry, we pray, O God, that You will slow us down, for we know that we live too fast. With all of eternity before us, make us take time to live-time to get acquainted with You, time to enjoy Your blessings, and time to know each other.

~Peter Marshall .....source Patches of Godlight

A Nice Comforting Dinner

I'm busy about the kitchen. New baby coming home today, and family will be needing a nice comforting dinner. The roast in the oven, surrounded by potatoes, onions and carrots, just has to be accompanied by old fashioned fried apples. After all, it is "apple season." Nothing fancy about this apple dish. I use crisp Gala apples, cored and sliced....leaving the peelings on. Placing them in a nice size frying pan, I add a small amount of water, a bit of butter, plenty of sugar and a few raisins. *Notice: no exact measurements....all to taste) Upon bringing to a boil, I turn to simmer and cook until almost an applesauce consistency. Hot biscuits made from scratch are a must with this meal. I'll load everything into a large white basket....hang a little "welcome home baby" card on the handle and get ready to hold that new baby while everyone's enjoying the fruits of my labor. Blessings to all..... Dee Dee

Filled With Joy

I'm not so sure what the artist Brian Kershisnik had in mind when he painted "Woman With Infant Flying." Seeing our daughter hold her beautiful new baby boy this morning, I can tell you her heart was filled with joy. This painting by Kershisnik somewhat describes how she is feeling today.....elated is a good word and light as a feather. Our cup runneth completely over. Thank you Lord for the miracle of birth. Blessings......Dee Dee

Finished In Time

I was surprised to get a last minute request for a "coming home from the hospital blanket." My daughter is great with child, and a baby boy, is due any day. I thought her color request, grey, a bit odd in the beginning. Upon hearing that the baby's clothing would be soft light grey, I thought it a perfect color selection. For the last two days, I've been using every spare moment to crochet. It's a good feeling knowing that soon, a precious little boy will be covered with the yarn that I've joined together especially for him. Whew! I'm so glad I finished in time....I think it turned out quite nice..... Blessings Dee dee

Formula For Happiness

Work and Play by Stevan Dohanos

Have regular hours for work and play; Make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.~ Louisa May Alcott

Pretty Delicate Roses

A pretty "knockout rose" makes it's home in my garden. I've found they quite like the extremes in temperatures here in Florida, and require very little care. To my liking, they bloom sporadically off and on throughout the year. Three or four weeks ago, I pruned this small bush back quite a good bit, and left it to do whatever it is a rose of this variety does this time of year. As you can see, it has produced lovely new growth and has all sorts of pretty delicate roses.

Click on photos..... Blessings..... Dee Dee

Happiness Is A Choice

Dennis Prager is one of America's most respected thinkers. He is an author, lecturer, teacher and theologian with a nationally syndicated radio talk show. Popular on his show and a favorite of mine is his "Happiness Hour." He has written four books one of which is "Happiness Is A Serious Problem." Mr Prager's belief is that happiness is a choice. Google 'Happiness Is A Choice Prager' and be encouraged today. Blessings..... Dee Dee

Designs With Needlework

I'm working against the calendar on this project. A new grandchild is expected any day. Tucked inside a basket of goodies, will be something special for the new mother. I'm embroidering delicate little flowers on white pillow cases and attempting to crochet a white cotton border. This type of needlework, new to me, has endless possibilities. Blessings...... Dee Dee

Remember The Sabbath Day To Keep It Holy

There is nothing in which I would advise you to be more strictly conscientious than in keeping the Sabbath day holy. I can truly declare that to me the Sabbath has been invaluable. ~Dr. Samuel Wilberforce

Indecisive...Just Like A Woman

Fall colors or Fuschia?

Flowers have a mysterious and subtle influence upon the feelings, not unlike some strains of music. They relax the tenseness of the mind, they dissolve its vigor.~Henry Ward Beecher

Blackberries......

I have family living in the Catskill mountains. Fall comes early in those parts with signs of summer's end displayed in many different ways. The Blackberry vines, have continued to grow and spread all summer long. Late summer begins the ripening process when the berries turn bright red. At this stage of ripening, they are not to be eaten, for they are hard and sour. Even the wild animals watch and wait for the berries to turn an almost black purple color, indicating they are soft, sweet and ready to eat. I've heard that the crop was plentiful this year, and family carried on with tradition of "blackberry cobbler." While doing this little ink drawing, I could almost taste this delicious fall desert. Blessings.... Dee Dee

Delicious Tomato

It goes way back to my childhood days, I suppose. Growing up, it was the norm to have tomatos served at each and every meal. Tomatos for breakfast, tomatos on sandwiches at lunchtime and of course tomatos in a variety of prepared ways served at the evening meals. Habits are hard to break, so this morning on my breakfast plate, a delicious sliced tomato lay beside fried eggs and bacon.

It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a home grown tomato.~Lewis Grizzard

Corrosion and Flowers

Placed in the courtyard portion of our garden, is a small iron bench. The Florida sun, along with the salt air has caused a good bit of corrosion. I suppose in an odd sort of way, I find the shabbiness of the bench placed in amongst beautiful flowers, a perfect combination. Close up with the macro setting of my camera, has yielded these photos.

Blessings... Dee Dee Click on photos for amazing close up....

Ideals

Now, believe me, God hides some ideal in every human soul. At some time in our life we feel a trembling, fearful longing to do some good thing. Life finds its noblest spring of excellence in this hidden impulse to do our best. There is a time when we are not content to be such merchants or doctors or lawyers as we see on the dead level or below it. The woman longs to glorify her womanhood as sister, wife or mother. Here is God,~God standing silently at the door all day long.~Robert Collyer

Pencils and Paints......Again

I know what your thinking....."Dee Dee's been playing with that photo program again, and you would be right. It all started a few days back.....I brought out my pencils and paints. It seems my enthusiasm for creating faces on paper has taken way too much time away from my household duties. But, nevermind, most likely this will pass in due time. With no place else to go, this "girlie girl" that appeared via the tips of my pencils today, has chosen her "coming out" right here on my blog. I feel quite sure she will somehow make appearances again on my greeting cards. I'm having so much fun with this whole concept.....Blessings...... Dee Dee

Garden Views

Solitude in the garden today....only the sounds of nature. A slight breeze was blowing and it had that feeling of fall in the air. A mother squirrel having made her nest in the top of the tallest palm tree, has produced little ones. Funny how soon they learn balance. They're quite the acrobats scurrying along the fence. I watched as one went soaring through the air, eventually connecting to a very wobbly Crape Myrtle branch. He hung on for dear life. Blessings... Dee Dee click on photos

Greeting Card Art

This evening I've been doing a bit of drawing and painting, making "greeting card art." When I began making cards, using stamps, I was completely overwhelmed with all the lovely stamps and wonderful materials available. Thanks to an amazing photo program, I'm now able to use my own art on the cards. I've had lots of fun with this idea and "The Sun Hat" is one of my first endeavors. For those of you that occasionally get a card from me, don't be surprised when you get an original handmade card "illustrated by Dee Dee." Blessings.....

The Holy Spirit

Augustine II

WHERE THE SEARCH ENDS~"I searched the world over for God and found Him in my heart," said Augustine. In the heart of the believer a still small voice speaks in clearest accents, bearing "witness with our spirits that we are the children of God." Nothing on earth is so heavenly as that~so like "the voice of angels singing in the silence." It is as clear as bells at eventime. It is assuring like the familiar voice of a friend beloved. The Holy Spirit speaking in the secret chambers of the heart is the climax of God's revelation to us! Be encouraged this Lord's Day....Dee Dee

Source~ Leaves of Gold

Once Upon A Time

"Once Upon A Time" by Mary Ethel Young Hunter....1909

I have always felt the phrase "once upon a time," to have extraordinary power. Upon hearing those four little words, the mind quiets down, becoming almost hesitant like, in anticipation of what is about to happen. The brain knows that something enlightening or astonishing will eventually be disclosed. Have you ever watched a child's face upon hearing this beginning to a story or a fairy tale? No other beginning has so much control in quieting or settling little children down. This phrase has been used in some form since 1380, in storytelling in the English language. Often times, these same stories end with ...."and they lived happily ever after." In oral storytelling, I've been known to use the phrase myself.......just sounds a little more dramatic and mysterious to begin with "Once upon a time, a young princess took a walk, all by herself in the woods......the frog turns into a prince.......and surely at some point they lived happily ever after. Blessings for you this weekend...... Dee Dee

A Closer Look At The White Roses

My previous post "Potted Bouquet" led me to take a closer look at the white roses. I'm never disappointed when taking photos with my very first digital camera, a Sony. It remains my all time favorite for taking macro shots. With proper lighting, the results meet completely with my satisfaction. Photos were taken in early morning light.....resulting in some very pretty images. I hope you enjoy....click on photos for closer look.......Blessings..... Dee Dee