Beautiful Fall Blooms

I cannot believe I still have Zinnias blooming - they have been gorgeous the entire summer. And that's not the best part - these were "volunteer" seedlings. I guess once the frost hit last fall and all the flowers died, some seeds fell and were buried underneath the bark that I had surrounding the flower beds.

And even better - two summers ago when I first planted these - it was just one pack of seeds that I picked up at the Family Dollar - 5 Pks for $1.....WOW - unbelievable - these are GIANT flowers - they are about 5 inches in diameter. I don't have a green thumb either - in fact I have been known to send a perfectly healthy hearty lovely plant or flower to an untimely death. The point I am making here is - get these for next year - they will grow themselves - you don't have to do anything - and you might get the added bonus of having some the following year. This is my kind of flower garden.

Fall Leaves & Roasted Marshmallows

Fall - my favorite time of year. Living in NC, I guess you know we have pine trees EVERYWHERE. They are beautiful in the forest, but extremely messy trees to have in your yard. But here, trust me, everybody has some. We have lots and lots of pinecones from the recent storms in our area. And, we'd probably have them even if there weren't any storms. You can rarely be in our yard without seeing at least one pinecone fall. They make wonderful firestarters though. My husband makes a game of cleaning these from our yard with our two older grandsons. Luie is 8, and Cameron is 5. The key here is to build on the excitement of when the buckets are full of the debris - they can then fill our outdoor fireplace, light the fire, and roast marshmallows. WOW - what a way to get them to work. I've learned you can get them to work, if there is "FUN" waiting at the end. (For those of you thinking the photo shows two little boys dangerously close to the fire - look closely - papa's foot is just to the left - he's right there monitoring everything). HAPPY FALL!!!!

BABY CAKE

Sometimes when your heart is heavy, you browse through family photographs for sweet memories and something to smile about again. This was the case with me last night. And I found one that really made me laugh.

I had to share this with you - it is what happens when you turn your back on a toddler - for even a moment. Lukas decided to just help himself to the cake. He is so-o-o-o adorable - how could anyone be upset with the "little angel". Fortunately this was at Nana's house, and I did not get upset. Instead, I grabbed my camera. One day he will laugh at this photo too.

And for a more recent update - his mommie called me this week laughing. Early in the day she had baked a chocolate sheet cake with chocolate icing (they love chocolate). She had put Lukas to bed, then she went to take her shower. After her shower, she was on her way downstairs, when she peeked into his room to check on him. He was in bed, but not asleep. Her first clue that something wasn't as it should be, was the strong sweet scent of choclolate. She switched the bedside lamp on, and to her surprise, there was chocolate all over his face, his pj's, and the bedding. She immediately asked him if he had gotten out of bed and been to the kitchen. He - so very innocently - said "no mommie, I didn't touch the cake". She took him to the mirror and asked what was all that stuff on his face. Amazingly, he did not own up to his mischief.

Kids - they are really something. This reminds me that we really have a huge responsibility in guilding them down the correct paths; holding them accountable for their actions. It can be a daunting task, but so very necessary in order to one day see the young men and women that we are so proud of. These life lessons will go a long way.

Ruby Red Amarilla's

I have over 50 of these beauties. They too, came from Grandma Ruby. She absolutely loved to "piddle" in her garden. She was given the bulbs by another family member many years ago. Every year she would dig them up after they bloomed, and separate the bulbs - they multiply like wild. After she died, we found a boxes of the bulbs in her gardening shed. My sister and I planted lots, and every spring and summer when they bloom, we remember Grandma Ruby.

This year, I am going to try to "force" bloom some indoors for Christmas. I'll let you know how they turn out. Hopefully they will be bright red, and have lots of blooms.

Grandma Ruby

The Secret Garden

This is a garden in my town. Her house is an adorable little cottage. I have been watching this woman do her gardening for years. Every summer I drive by her house several times to see what is new. It is truly awesome. She has arranged things, where nothing new has to be planted every year. The perennials just come back up year after year. And notice how she has the height worked out so beautifully. Tallest at the back next to the fence, and then the flowers work their way downward. I could get lost in her secret garden. I don't know her, but she has provided me with many joyful moments as I drive by - ever so slowly - to drool over her garden. Trust me - mine looks nothing like that. Maybe one day mine will evolve to something I can actually photograph and share with you. How does your garden grow???

Stella's House

Whew - Church was really something. In fact it was so inspiring, I felt I just had to share it with you. We had visitors - Philip Cameron Ministries. He brought 8 girls from Stella's House in Moldova, ages 16 to 19. They were rescued from insufferable conditions in orphanages - and the plight of most of the girls was usually prostitution trafficking. Many of the girls still had living family, but were put in the orphanages at a young age, because there was simply no way they could provide care for them. Usually due to sickness or some addictions. We were able to hear from each girl briefly, and the key thing that stood out to me was how much they love Jesus. Although they have never been afforded many of the luxuries we experience here in the USA, they know Jesus as their personal savior and have completely turned their lives over to him. They live for him, not for their own self indulgences or gains, but to be pleasing to him. And they know he loves them. They are "SOLD OUT" to Jesus.

Philip Cameron spoke about the ironic way in which this particular leg of his ministry began. He went into it kicking and screaming - so to speak. He was busy - had a nice ministry that afforded him some leisure time as well as time to spend with his own family. But sometimes God has another plan. Since my space here is limited - I won't give you all the details, but please click on the link above and learn about this awesome ministry. It really touched my heart. Have a wonderful inspired and very blessed week!!! Debbie

Grandma Ruby's Dishes

I have this little display on my kitchen counter. It wouldn't mean much to anyone, but to me it is a treasure. I almost get teary eyed when I think of my grandma Ruby. These were always on display on a shelf in her home. My earliest memories, as a little girl of 3 or 4, involved visiting her, and gazing at these "pretties" on her shelves. I was in awe of their beauty. I guess these things sort of set the tone for my love of pretty vintage cottage items for my own home. Anyway, grandma passed away 10 years ago, and imagine my joy when my sister got a few of these dishes, and decided to share 3 of them with me. They have cracks & chips, but that doesn't matter to me. It's the memories that are so cherished. I cannot look at these dishes without thinking of her and how truly sweet she was. So many many happy memories. (And I have to admit to you that I never even noticed the back until this morning when I grabbed my camera to photo - they are American Lomeges 22K Gold.) Do you have something from your grandparents you cherish. Share it with me!

White Creamware

I walked into the GWF store, and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a new - still in wrapping paper, white cream ware cookie jar. I looked to my right, then to my left - fortunately, no one was around; so I stopped to take a deep breath before picking it up. It was MINE!!!! I looked on the bottom, and it said $3.49.....oh my....that was good. I had to have it. Didn't need it, but had to have it. So I raced to the front of the store and got a basket (I don't usually get one because I rarely find white cream ware). Okay, the jar is safely in my basket. Now, it doesn't matter if I find anything else or not. I have one treasure, and that will do. It makes an entire week of work (at the JOB) worth it. I got to spend $3.49 on something I really really really wanted. It makes me feel HAPPY!!!! Now, I can peruse the aisles without caring if I find anything else or not. Don't want to spend too much. I have to be careful. I am on a tight budget. Can you relate?????? Anyone?????

Oh my! I can't believe it. Another white cream ware item. It's a platter. Oh, should I, or shouldn't I???? I gently pick it up. Immaculate condition. No chips, cracks. Tag on bottom reads $3.49 - mmmmm....must be the going price today. Well, I debate for about 30 seconds, and in the basket it goes. Okay - so I spent $7.98 plus tax on myself for the week. I'll be extra good for the rest of the weekend. And I can justify it a little. I always pack a lunch for work. I never never never spend money on eating out. So there!!!! And plus, I deserve it :)... and it's for Camelot.