Yellow Iris

 Fingers now scented with sage and rosemary, a kneeling gardener is lost in savory memories.  ~Dr. SunWolf

How are you on this fine spring day, dear Reader?  I've spent the last few days recovering from minor oral surgery--had my wisdom teeth removed.  God has been very kind, though. I've not had too much pain.  

Actually, I even felt well enough this afternoon to step out into the gorgeous sunshine to shoot a few photos. Aunt's herb garden was in full bloom and beckoned irresistibly through the kitchen window.  So, I decided to test the theory (mine) that a person convalesces much better in a garden.  Here are the photographic results of my foray out in the herb garden:

Butterfly on Chives

     

Yellow Iris

Delphinium

West View of the Herb Garden

Yellow Iris

Chamomile

Coral Iris

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sage

 

 

Butterfly on Chives

Yellow Iris

Chives in Bloom

Yellow Iris

Quote courtesy of the Quote Garden.

Chocolate Foil Bunnies in Wheatgrass Centerpiece

 On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer.  ~Douglas Horton


Easter!  Yes, dear Reader, it is that wonderful time of year again when the world begins to green up, the bulbs start to put forth their best and the stores are overflowing with plastic grass and more pastel doo-dads than you can shake a basket at.  Chocolate bunnies, Easter egg hunts, little girls in pretty, frilly dresses and patent leather Mary Janes. What a wonderful season!

But all that stuff is just frosting on the cake.  Easter is about so much more--the Resurrection.  The God-man that came to earth to reconcile us to our Creator.  Is He really worth all the fuss?  Yep.  For all the bad stuff you and I have ever done.  For all the bad stuff we will do.  For all the bad stuff that's ever been done or will ever be done.  Anywhere.  Jesus has made it all right. 

All the pastel hooplah you can come up with in March and April wouldn't amount to a hill of jelly beans without Him.  Easter baskets and egg hunts probably would not be as much fun in hell.  Thanks to Jesus, if you know Him, you don't ever have to find out.  And you can come to God--all clean and new and blameless--for eternity.  A pretty good deal.  Food for thought.

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.  ~Robert Flatt
 
 This year, Easter has felt more precious than usual.  We've been relishing every moment.  So, here for your enjoyment, dear Reader, are the photo highlights from our Easter celebration:

This year's table setting.

Foil Bunny Vignette

Place Settings

Wheatgrass Centerpiece

One of Aunt Chef's handmade Easter Baskets

The Usual Suspects

Bird Detail

Everything-but-the-kitchen-sink Deviled Eggs

Cheddar Drop Scones

Delightful

Lamb, ham & delectable veggies make for a pretty plate.

Ah, dessert.  Grace's gorgeous trifle.

Sideboard Vignette

Who invited this guy?

Without Valentine's Day, February would be... well, January.  ~Jim Gaffigan

Do you know what I love about February, dear Reader?  I love that the soul's instinctive reaction to all the cold barrenness outside is to drape the house in red and pink and turn its thoughts to warmer things.  Whether its your beloved, a wee one in diapers, a dear friend or a companion of the four-legged variety, the object of your earthly affection somehow appears in an even warmer, fuzzier light in February.  At least, I hope so.  

 

And what better way to share that sense of warm affection than with a smart-looking Valentine!  The creative itch had been in the back of my mind for a few weeks.  Then voila! An email arrived from church with the tantalizing offer of a Handmade Valentine Exchange.  Immediately, my brain was full of different fabulous Valentine ideas.  A trip to Hobby Lobby (where the delightful designer papers were on sale) led to a slew of whimsical die cuts, some dramatic stick-on letters & a can of spray adhesive.  Thus armed, I headed home to create.      

The results of my blissful (if somewhat sticky--spray adhesive can be dangerous) creative effort are presented here for your perusal.  Perhaps they will inspire you, dear Reader, to surprise the object of your affection with a little homemade bit of joy.  P. S. These were a big hit at the Valentine Exchange and I received some equally delightful and original Valentines in return.

Quote Courtesy of The Quote Garden.

Rear Property Line

I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind. ~~Albert Einstein

Ah, dear Reader, is there anything more delightful than waking up late and wiling away the days of a good vacation?  I've been blessed to savor such days all this week.  We in the Midwest are experiencing an incredibly mild winter.  So, with the sun shining and the temperature near 50, I headed down to southern Illinois to spend a few days at Cousin's little farmette.  It felt really good to get away and spend quality time with her.  We cooked and ate and watched trashy TV.  We also spent a happy afternoon outside: she doing chores around the farm and burning up old brush, me squishing happily through the mud, with my pants rolled up, taking photos.  Below are my favorite shots from our visit.  Enjoy!  

Cousin cleaning stalls

Lonely Micah

Cousin's Barn

Muddy Shepherd

Barn Vignette

Barn Siding

Farm View

Reluctant Portrait

Josie Head Shot

Trailer Detail

Fence Detail

Jade the Greeter

Cousin's Farrier Supplies

Self Portrait, Garage Window

Micah Head Shot

View of the House

Wee Man in the Pasture

Quote courtesy of thinkexist.com.