Sunday, February 28, 2010

......remember the little birds

One little bird feeder
in upstate New York,
out of order........
I'm
thinking of
the small critters
affected by all this
snow and how Ms Bridgett
is looking out for them.
Be blessed this weekend
Dee Dee

Saturday, February 27, 2010

......dreamin of spring


Dreamin of spring...
aren't you?
been hearing about the snow
sounds real nice
....might be
a
good thing if
it would melt
and the flowers
began poking up
through the grass
right about now....
thinking of you sweet family
and bloggy friends
Dee Dee

Friday, February 26, 2010

....a glint of green

What could be more lovelier than spring?
Yesterday the twig was brown and bare;
To-day the glint of green is there;
Tomorrow will be leaflets spare;
I know no thing so wondrous fair;
No miracle so strangely rare.
I wonder what will next be there.
~L. H. Bailey
Tis my Hibiscus tree
reacting to
the
Sun's
kiss.
Blessings.... Dee Dee

.....fruit of the Spirit

When Christians speak of the
work of the
"Holy Spirit"
they are speaking about the
operations of the Spirit of God
in the material world we live in,
and within us.
What are the fruits the
apostle Paul gives us, as told in Galatians 5:22?
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
fruitfulness
gentleness
and
self control
The Spirit is within us to cause our
lives to be more in tune with God's
purpose on earth (and beyond)
Source: Spirithome.com
......on my mind, as
I study the Word......
Be blessed.....Dee Dee

Thursday, February 25, 2010

sweet finds....


I have a favorite little place to shop...
I visit there at least once a month...
Chocked full of lovely old things...
I search for
treasures.
Yesterday I was "on a mission"
looking for
little
vases
for my
white roses now producing
an abundance of lovely buds.
I found what I wanted.
The cream colored vase is a Pioneer
and the little pink and white one
of
Victorian style.
.......something old is
now
something new
to me.....
Blessings today.....Dee Dee

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Visit


It was not uncommon in my family
to have visitors
arrive on short notice.
As a child, I watched many times as
our doors opened wide welcoming
folks who were not
so familiar....but... they were family.
Tradition followed in my home.
Uncle Arnold
arrived unexpected, at our home one day.
announcing he was my mother's brother, and my having
seen photos of him, we were happy to see him.
So began a beautiful relationship with our newly found relative.
Uncle Arnold stayed two weeks with us,
told us all kinds of family history, and
made quite an impression on my children, who grew to love him.
Newly widowed,
he was traveling up and down the east coast,
visiting and meeting for the first time, family all along the way.
Another time....
The voice on the phone said
"I'm Denny, your mother's first cousin
and we're not far away, can we come and visit?"
It has been eleven
years since our fist meeting. Once a year he is
welcomed into our home, along with his
wife and another cousin Sarah.
It's a beautiful thing when we're
together. He tells us stories of childhood,
growing up in Kentucky.
He knew my grandfather and my grandmother.
He's done a little research on our family,
and found that although we're not from royalty,
we've lots to be proud of....and some things, not
so much to be proud of. These are the stories I
find the most fun to hear about.

Today
Denny is coming for our annual visit!
The table is set for tea and biscuits....
I can hardly wait to hear more stories....
Ah....the continuity of family traditions.
Dee Dee

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Cleopatra

Like many Americans,
I've been sitting each night in front of the
television, watching the Olympics.
For quite some time now,
I've been unable to just sit and watch.
I have to be balancing more than one
thing at a time,
or I get a bit "antsy."
I'm usually on the Internet with the television
on in the background or....
I'm drawing and painting....
now and then listening to the television.
Last evening
was an exception...
I actually watched the "Ice Dancing"
and by the way..
I thought they all skated beautifully
A toss up between the American and
Canadian skaters, perhaps........They were both amazing....
"Were you hoping for two gold medals?" " I was."
Anyway....what started off on my paper...as a "Folk-Art-Girl"
somehow between the Canadian and American skaters,
she became
"Cleopatra"
and ...... she somehow acquired bluish "dreadlocks."
Is that funny, or what?
And....
her expression.....I just know what she's thinking...
"Oh, Really?" "I don't think so, Mark." "I could have poisoned you
many times, if I thought I could've lived without you."
"So, there."
Having fun today......Dee Dee

Monday, February 22, 2010

When I grow old......


Still
thinking
spring
is
around the corner.
Strong
evidence
in the
garden
with
all the activity
going on
at the
birdbath.
Watching and drawing nature is the best!
When I grow old I want
to become a painter,
just like
Grandma Moses.
I'm practicing every day,
trying to capture the childlike innocence
in the way she saw the world.
I like it and understand it. I see it that way too.....
Blessings....Dee Dee

Dreaming of Summer

Soft warm Florida beach sand
and lovely blue ocean waters....
been on my mind a lot lately.
I'm just imagining kicking my shoes off and
running in the surf.
It happens
each year around this time.
It's a bit odd, considering
not so long ago
I could hardly wait
for lovely cool days.
So, there you have it...

I'm longing to see pink Hibiscus blooms.
and oh......I can hardly
wait to see the Crape Myrtle
showing off in the garden.
Sigh.....dreaming of summer already
I suppose
Dee Dee

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Twice this week I've been
led to Phillipians 4
Let not your heart be troubled...
The Lord doesn't want us
to be anxious.
Paul's advice is to turn our worries
into prayers.
America's citizens are
going through troubled
times.
When we start to worry....
Stop
and
pray
not just today
Have a consistant relationship with
Jesus.
Blessings this Lord's Day
Dee Dee

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Signs of Spring.....

We spent the morning
in the garden
trimming
and raking.
With welcomed cool breezes,
we worked until noon.
The sky colors seem somehow a deeper
blue today.
We saw a few signs of spring
The
Hibiscus tree has tiny leaves
and
the
potted
Roses
are producing new
blooms.
The garden work, having inspired us, we
found ourselves visiting the flower nurseries.
Fuchsia Knockout Roses planted along the fence...beautiful.
Pale pink and dark purple Petunias
soooo...pretty in a hanging basket.
Life is good....
Dee Dee

Greens


I'm
a
little
bit
country
She
told me greens
were good
for me...
I learned to
like them with
cornbread and black eyed peas.
On a cool winter day
they warm my
my whole
being.
I miss her kitchen
and the smells
of kerosene
coal and wood burning.
I miss how she poured hot coffee
into her saucer and sipped it...
I miss her greens....
Dee Dee

Friday, February 19, 2010

Sweetness....

Sugar and Spice
and everything nice
that's what little girls are made of.
Sunshine and rainbows
and ribbons for hair bows
that's what little girls are made of
Tea parties, laces
and baby doll faces
that's what little girls are made of....
~author unknown

Her Valentine
photo card
was most
precious
and inspired me to paint.
With each movement of the pencil
I thought of her sweetness.
Pink is her complexion
shy
is her
smile.
She is loved by me.
My
granddaughter
Sydney
Good Blessings.... Dee Dee

Icart

Here
a
A large framed
Icart
commands
attention.
Even
early morning
room
reflections
deter
not
it's
beauty.
happy weekend......Dee Dee

Thursday, February 18, 2010

"Take some more tea,"
the March Hare said to Alice
very earnestly.
"I have had nothing yet,"
Alice replied
in an offended tone:
"so I can't take more."
"You mean
you
can't take less,"
said the Hatter:
"It's very easy to take more
than nothing."
~Lewis Carroll, Alice In Wonderland
Were I to swirl the tiny
remainder of tea
in my cup
could
I
see the future
in my
tea leaves?
A tree:
success, happiness
A face:
change
A flower:
love and honor
Can
wet
tea leaves
peer
into my future?
I'm doubtful....
More tea? It's easy to take more.....
just being me....
Dee Dee

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

I watched as my beautiful Valentine Roses
began to droop.
Their stems began to weaken.
I could see pink, fuschia and peach colored
petals dropping to the table.....one by one.....
They had been the object of my
affection for one full week. Sadly, I knew it was time to
remove them. Somehow I struggled with the idea
and found myself almost forcing them to hold on to
life
for a little while longer.
The late afternoon sun began filtering through the
blinds.
In a single
moment
I could still see beauty
in
these
"ragged roses"
Blessings..... Dee Dee click on photos...
The Poor Children
In our light bitter world
of wrong
they come;
God gives us them a while,
His speach is in their stammering tongue,
and his forgiveness in their
smile.
~Victor Hugo
I'm making warm scarves for
orphaned children
of Peru.
Stitch after stitch
I'm reminded of stolen
childhood
.......these ragged babies
that
weep.
~Victor Hugo
Praying for poor children of the world..... Dee Dee

Monday, February 15, 2010

figure skating

I remember
Peggy Fleming
America's Olympic
winner
in
"figure skating"
Long ago
beautiful designs
were skated on clean ice.
Complex designs called figures
were judged
in Olympic events.
Eliminated from competition in 1990
I'm
enjoying the
"figure skating"
events
of the XXI Olympics
held in
Vancouver
The
costumes are much smaller
than those worn in 1908
when Madge Syers
was the first women's
Olympic figure skating champion.
sigh....
Dee Dee

White

White
the
color
of
new snow
or milk
pure
innocent
have you ever told a white lie?
I love wearing white
some have seen a "white light"
the color
drained from
your
face
white as a sheet
I
like
white milk glass
and
white tea
poured from
white
tea
pots

Monday offers new beginnings for me somehow.
I'm finishing up my Bible Study worksheet
sipping tea from a white cup
tonight we continue in the book of John
the personality of the Lord
is there if you want
to know
to see Jesus
is to see the Father
blessings
dee dee

Saturday, February 13, 2010

from
my
heartmate
valentine roses
you
are
all
that is good and kind
You
were
made
perfectly
to
love
Dee Dee

snow

We have snow! Well, sort of.
In the midst of it all
someone heard our cries
and
sent us snow.
Nothing would be
finer
than to be
in
Carolina
in the morning
We could make
Snow Angels
and
Snow Cream
and
Snow
Castles
We could sit by the fire
Watch
Doctor Zhivago
and
Imagine we are
Omar Sharif and Julie Christie
Russia
I'm feeling very cold now
and
letting my imagination run wild
Having snow does that to a Floridian
Dee Dee

where is the snow?

It is strangely peculiar
the feeling one has
when all the world
is seemingly covered with lovely white snow.
On the Gulf Coast
of Florida
we've had all the elements necessary
or so it would seem
for snow today!
We had no sunshine.
Overcast rain with grey skies
was spoken of in the forecast.
Ugh!
It rained all day long.
High winds enough to
blow palm fronds
to and fro in
all directions.
"Bone-chilling" cold!
I want it to snow!
and I'm feeling a little left out.......
Wishing and hoping and
Dreaming of white.
Happy weekend.....Dee Dee

Friday, February 12, 2010

Tea

We felt chilled,having been out
in the cold night air.
White tea with real orange leaves
and lemongrass. A story of serendipity.
It has medicinal value and a warm cup
brings me warmth and contentment.
Arriving at the ball park earlier this
evening, we sat for a moment or two
in the car. I was glad I had worn my
heavier coat with the fur lined hood.
The temps were in the low forties,
as we watched the group of small
lads gather on the ball field. "T Ball"
is the entry level for baseball.
"Run to the sign in center
field," he said. The Coach made sure
they kept moving to keep them warm.
The attention span of a four year old
is short, we observe, as the young
boy's mind wonders. His fourth
practice of the season. He would learn.
We sat on metal bleachers,
wishing we had brought along
a wool blanket to cover us.
He looked our way and we nodded
with smiles and approvals.
Grand parental observations:
He was learning a new lesson.
To be part of a team,
his efforts counted.
He was giving it his best.

"Good-bye B&P"
Still young enough not to care
what others thought, he had
waved at us.
Feeling Blessed..... Dee Dee

Thursday, February 11, 2010

These Children Of My Children

Bags are filled
Cards are made
All is readied for them
.....bits of "Valentine Love"

These Children of My Children
The occasion is opportunity
to present gifts and
tokens of love.
Each one is favored by me.
Planning was a process
recalling special times.
I hear their voices telling
what is important.
She is sweet and gentle
Her dolls share her world
that is changing as
she gains understanding of life.
The lads still freely giving
hugs
warm an old heart. The boy
just beginning sports sets the
moral example for the younger ones.
Happy is the child of two.
Smiles from the
smallest of the group is enough.
They are all loved by me
these children of my children.
~Dee Dee

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Tiny Heart Sprinkles


Love is in the air.
The market was bustling.
I could see pink Roses and red Tulips.
I wanted a variety of pink, fuschia Roses
and he gave them to me before the special day.
Heart shaped Godiva boxes of chocolates were
tucked under their arms and flowers were being
carefully selected. Men who love.
Would I want a heart shaped box with just two pieces
of chocolate? I would from him if it came with a
gentle hug. I would think it sweet.
I selected for him, a cupcake with tiny heart sprinkles.
We will celebrate the day of love, all week...forever.
Valentine Blessings..... Dee Dee

The Wisdom of John Adams

On a recent trip to Barnes & Noble, I picked up a couple of small books about two of the "Founding Fathers." I'm reading the one titled "The Wisdom of John and Abigail Adams." It is chocked full of wise things, just like the title suggest. It's a great little read I can pick up and put down, always walking away with something to ponder. In the section titled Education, John Adams is speaking to his grandsons, sharing a bit of his wisdom with them.
We think, and improve our Judgments, by committing our Thoughts to Paper.~14 May 1783
I WISH YOU TO HAVE EACH A PENCIL, BOOK, always in your Pockett, by which you may minute on the Spot any remarkable thing you may See or hear. A pocket Ink horn, any cheap thing of the kind, and a Sheet or two of paper, ought always to be about you. A Journal; a Diary is indispensable...Without a minute Diary, your Travels, will be no better than the flight of Birds, through the Air. They will leave no trace behind them. Whatever you write preserve. ~3 May 1815

As I read along, I wondered that Mr Adams would have appreciated the Internet, having always at his disposal, a cherished Laptop. Perhaps he would have "stored memory" a tremendous repository of his amazing life experiences. I am so appreciative of these times we live in.
Now days, he would certainly have no use for his "pocket ink horn."
Blessings..... Dee Dee Note: Look on sidebar "Reader Of Compliments"

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Winter Courtyard View

Photo taken before the winter temps dropped into the 30s.....when the courtyard area of our garden was still thriving. Sadly the tall "Travelers Palms have seemingly perished, along with the demise of our delicate pink "Rose Bushes." The lilipoped Tangerine tree has survived the cold quite nicely. We are hopeful that all will come back in the spring.
Blessings...... Dee Dee click on photo....

Monday, February 8, 2010

Expressions Of Love

The Reader Of Compliments.....One smile from her lips will never be forgot,
It refreshes, like a shower from a watering pot.
She's my myrtle, my geranium,
My honey suckle, my tulip, my violet,
My holly hock, my dahlia, my mignonette.

She's my snowdrop, my ranunculus,
My hyacinth, my gilliflower, my polyanthus,
My heart's ease, my pink water lily,
My buttercup, my daisy lily, my daffydown dilly.
~From "The Broken Hearted Gardener,"
a nineteenth-century ballad

One of my lovliest of all possessions, is an old book titled Compliments. It is a treasury of tributes to friends and lovers, relatives and rivals. It is a collection of the most memorable compliments from different times and many places, paid by the famous, the infamous, the obscure, and the unknown, to those they loved, respected and admired. All this week before Valentine's Day, I will post on some of these expressions of tenderness. Some are subtle and others are funny. All of us enjoy being on the receiving end of lovely compliments and genuine expressions of love. I hope you enjoy.
Blessings...... Dee Dee

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Be Blessed This Lord's Day

.....God ministers to us so gently, so stolenly, as it were, with such a quiet, tender, loving absence of display, that men often drink of His wine, as those wedding guests drank, without knowing whence it comes...without thinking that the giver is beside them, yea, in their very hearts. Source: Jan Karon's A Continual Feast

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Watching Them Grow


Very dear to our hearts, are the children in a small Christian school in upstate New York. Our daughter is director of the school and we have the honor of being one of the very first benefactors of the school. Many of you who've followed my blog for a while, know this already. Now and then the children write to us, sending sweet messages and photos. We delight in watching them grow and learn, and are amazed at how they're excelling academically and especially spiritually. In recent days, we received photos taken of the children on a "Snow Day." The photo in my header, are some of the girls setting side by side in the snow.
Can you tell whose having the most fun? Hint: He has a tennis ball in his mouth.......
Blessings..... Dee Dee

Friday, February 5, 2010

Pretty Things....


There is none other like it, and they can truly boast of having the largest variety. Barnes & Noble's magazine rack is a favorite hang-out. That is how I came by the January issue of Country Living.... British Edition. You see, I'm a bit intrigued and a little curious as to the life styles and behaviors of those on the "other side of the pond." I've found there's not a lot of difference, the British and the Americans, for we've long been connected in so many ways. Opening to the first page of my new magazine, I read the words of the Editor, and knew I was hooked.
"Rid the log pile, get a blazing fire going in the grate and settle down to enjoy this January issue of Country Living." Well, I could hardly do that, living in Florida with temps in the 70s. But I found a comfortable chair and embraced each feature with vigour and enthusiasm.
Frustrated decorator at heart, I enthusiastically enjoyed even the ads and that is what brings us to the topic of my "post" for today.
I discovered Oxfordshire workshops, where some of the finest English furniture is hand made. Pink being my favorite color, I thought you might enjoy what I found. Hmmm....some pretty things to see by Wesley-Barrell.
Enjoy the day..... Blessings.... Dee Dee click on pictures

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Teacups

Photo...Google Images
Always on the hunt for lovely old teacups and saucers, I often wonder of where they might have originated. Were they from a home of fine quality, or a simple dwelling where fine things were part of an enheritance.
I like to....think about the houses
and the drawing rooms, the
kitchens and the cupboards
where (the teacups) were kept.
And the people who cared for
them and what they thought and
felt and loved and lost. For as a
wise French writer once said,
"The reconstitution of the past is
a delicte pleasure of which one
should not be deprived.
~Geraldene Holt
Blessings for you today..... Dee Dee

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Faces


Last evening, deep in thought as to my likes and dislikes, I discovered I'm drawn to art of the Victorian era.... faces precisely. I adore the wigs worn by women and men, and find their costumes extravagant and a "bit over the top." Blended in with my love of Folk Art, I've concluded my style of art could perhaps be "Victorian Folk Art." Is there such a thing? I wonder....What faces will I create with my drawing pencils and watercolors?

Faces of friendship
The face of singing music
The faces of hunters and fishers bulged at the brows
The shaved blanched face of orthodox citizens
The pure, extravagant yearning questioning artist's face.
The sacred faces of infants, the illuminated face of the mother of many children.
The old face of the mother of many children.
Behold a Woman! She looks out from under her Quaker cap...her face is more clearer and more beautiful than the sky.
~Selected lines from poem by Walt Whitman "Faces"

Be blessed today.....Dee Dee

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Love Is Not Affectionate Feeling


Our grandson Isaac is two on Saturday. He's a gentle, sweet natured and happy little boy. I've never seen him without his smile. While wrapping some wooden toy animals for him, I thought of how unconditional his love is for everyone in his family. With three other siblings, he fits in nicely, claiming a secure spot and trying to keep up with the older children. My, how we all love this little guy. It's always the same when he first sees me...his little arms are out-stretched and he gives the best hugs.

I made the card I'm giving to Isaac for his Birthday. (borrowed photo Google Images)I was inspired by one of the wooden animals we're giving him.....the lion. It reminded me of Aslan, a character in "The Chronicles of Narnia." Isaac has heard the story, read by his father, on a child's level. The words I selected for his card are not the typical two year old birthday wishes. They are lasting words that his grandfather and I want him to know. Perhaps it will remain in his keepsake box for a while.

Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.
~C S Lewis

Good blessings for the day..... Dee Dee