*Pin button by mybloggerbuzz.com*/

Thursday, March 26, 2009

ABCs of the Word – G

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC’s of the Word to focus on a scripture in which the week’s letter is highlighted.

This week’s letter is G



"Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?"
But Simon Peter answered Him,
"Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life."

John 6:67-68 NKJV


Peter realized very well that they were already where they needed to be. There could be no point in leaving Jesus side to go elsewhere. For what?


Later, before He returned to heaven, Jesus then gave them directions:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything
I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:19-20 NIV


Using the rich reserves of grace He has given us, we are to go and tell others of the good news of His love and of His soon return.

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.


clipart - DoverPublications.com

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday – Tower Hill Botanic Garden


With the coming of spring to our area I am thinking of going to enjoy the beauties of the wonderful Tower Hill Botanic Garden, in West Boylston, MA. Here a some of the photos I took there in September 2008

I enjoy seeing statuary amid the plantings. Here are some delightful cherubs






I am looking forward to setting out my pots of succulents on my deck. Here are some that the Botanic Garden has on display.


Aren't we fortunate to have these institutional gardens to enjoy an outing and to find inspiration for our own home gardens?


See more Outdoor Wednesday posts at Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Three or More Tuesday - Bunnies



Three or More Tuesday is sponsored by Tam at The Gypsy's Corner.

Here are four thrift store bunnies in the study on a table in front of the window. The green topiary bunny was a freebie from outside the community thrift shop. It is sweetly embellished with a ribbon and a springlike bouquet, and sits in a white milk glass footed dish.


The planter on the left holds some faux greenery with pink variegation.

The covered egg box in the center and the oval dish on the right rear, each cost 10 cents in an after-Easter sale last year. The pink blushed bunny is a so sweet that I had planned to give him as a gift, but decided to he made good company for the other bunnies.

Another thrift store find was this bunny which I got for $3.00 at the hospital guild thrift store. He is decorated with a simple raffia bow.

A simple vignette on a table at the top of the stairs includes the bunny, a hand-painted cottage box and a painted welcome sign. They are on top a shaped ecru doily and a peach round doily.


Be sure to visit Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for multiple delightful treasures.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Get-Well Surprise

The doorbell rang earlier this afternoon. Looking out the window I saw a van turning around. Going to the door I peeked and saw some sort of package. Here is what I retreived. It was in the low 30’s today so the cellophane covering was all frosted(fogged) over.



It was a beautiful floral bouquet of pink roses, orchids and pink berries amid greenery.



The vase is a pretty ceramic pitcher with a white background decorated with pink and yellow flowers.


The card read Get Well Soon – “Please stay in the pink” signed by my sister, her husband, two sons and daughter and family, ending, “We All Love You!”

What a blessing... I am very thankful for this lovely gift. It really made my day!


Thursday, March 19, 2009

ABCs of the Word – F

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC’s of the Word to focus on a scripture in which the week’s letter is highlighted.

This week’s letter is F

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,
"I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."

John 8:12 NIV

This wonderful promise assures us that as we follow our Lord our way will be luminous with his grace and protection. The phrase "will never walk in darkness" indicates that whatever difficulties we may face, God will see us through.
As I am slowly recovering from a bout of sickness after this year of being a full-time and sole caregiver to an elderly parent, I can have hope that my needs will be met.
Many thanks to all who have inquired after my health. Your prayers are most appreciated.

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

clipart - DoverPublications.com


ABCs of the Word

Monday, March 16, 2009

Blue Monday – Floral Painting


Blue Monday is sponsored by Sally at Smiling Sally.

I have been really sick all weekend, so that my sister came and took our 90-year-old mother to her house, then went to get her 82-year-old sister from New York to look after her during the day. A year of no time-off from my caretaking duties has really taken its toll on my health. But, on to more pleasant things.... I’ve been hanging in there trying to get one or two posts done each week.

For today’s Blue Monday post I’d like to share an oil painting done by my sister in the 1970’s when living in California. The vase is blue and the background is gray with touches of blue and other hues. The flowers are sunny yellow and it’s all done in a take on impressionist style.




Since I enjoy blue, over the years this painting has been on the walls of various roome of my apartments and now first house – living room, dining room, bedroom and kitchen.
Enjoy more Blue Monday at Sally’s blog, Smiling Sally.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

ABCs of the Word – E

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC’s of the Word to focus on a scripture in which the week’s letter is highlighted.

This week’s letter is E


However, as it is written:

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared

for those who love him"

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

Just as we cannot imagine all the wonderful things the Lord has awaiting us in the heavenly kingdom, so we do not grasp all that is available by grace for our daily life. Only by trusting in His love can we enjoy His kingdom now, as we claim Jesus’ declaration, "The kingdom of heaven is within you." Luke 17:21

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

clipart - DoverPublications.com

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday – Happy Anticipation


Spring is just around the corner now, though we had more snow a couple days ago. One of the things I am looking forward to is putting flowers in planters on the front steps. Flowers like these magenta colored double impatiens, which I enjoyed for several weeks last summer.


I am also looking forward to seeing how the new plant bed near the back fence can be further developed this year. The perennials include hostas and a blue hydrangea bush which was added a few weeks after this photo was taken.


Just thinking of all the beauty ahead makes me break out in a happy smile.

See more Outdoor Wednesday posts at Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

ABCs of the Word – D

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC’s of the Word to focus on a scripture in which the week’s letter is highlighted.

This week’s letter is D


"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you
the desires of your heart."

Psalms 37:4 NIV

Another text with a similar message from Jesus' sermon on the mount is:

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33 NIV

Here is the full context of Jesus’s statement:

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field,
which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire,
will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?'
or 'What shall we wear?'
For the pagans run after all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:30-33

As we seek the things of our God, as we choose to delight in Him, all our needs will be supplied.

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

clipart - DoverPublications.com

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday – Waiting for Spring Flowers


As I look out the window at snowy scenes, I am looking forward to the perennial blooms on my rhododendron bushes at the front of the house;



See more Outdoor Wednesday posts at Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Blue Monday – Pastel Painting


Blue Monday is sponsored by our gracious hostess, Sally at her blog, Smiling Sally.

Today we awoke to a pile of snow from a winter storm. As I got up I noticed one of two pictures on either side of the dresser in my room – a snow scene with lots of blue!


I purchased this framed piece in 1980 in California at an estate sale. It is a pastel painting of a lovely winter scene.

The frame is wood in with white finish with beaded edge highlighted in gold.


The French mat is a deep peach color with its signature ruled lines around a lighter color wash.


So I can look outside to gaze on a snowy landscape through the screened door in the kitchen,

or out the living room window.

I can also look at this lovely painted scene.
[Do note that I am not complaining about the snow, though I’ve been hoping not to have to pay for snow plowing any more this winter. I am just taking it in stride -- as well a New Englander should!]


Enjoy more Blue Monday at Sally’s blog, Smiling Sally.