Works for Me Wednesday VII

Weeding 101

Supplies:

a broad rimmed straw hat

an old paring knife

a smallish wide, shallow container

two kneeling pads

bottled water

Here's how I do it:

Always try to do yard work in the morning and evening, when it is cooler (yes, I am a big whimp when it comes to hot weather)

Start in the shade and then move along with the shade, staying out of the sun as much as possible ( I have fair skin, rosacea, and a small skin cancer removed, don't you know) This is where the straw hat comes in, too.

Use kneeling pads. Two of them; one for under your knees and own for the heel of the hand that is suppporting your weight as you reach. Especially if you are weeding in mulch. You can actually get splinters. Really. (don't ask me how I know that. . .)

Kneeling pads and dishpan. You can see my knife in the center of the picture. That's it casting a shadow

Garden gloves. Have 'em. Hate 'em. Try to use them at least once every spring and they don't last 3 minutes. Which is why I weed with an. . .

. . .old paring knife. To pull weeds, I place the weed between the flat of my thumb and the flat of the blade and just lift up. The blade supports the stem better than pinching and unless the weed is very ornery or the ground is too dry, they pop right out, root and all. Which is why I always try to. . .

. . .weed after it has rained or at least when the dew is on the grass.

I use a smallish, wide, shallow dishpan to hold the weeds--shallow enough so I don't have to reach too far (or knock it over) and wide enough that I can manage to throw the weed in the general direction of the container and get it in there without having to look up. Oh, and it should be small enough that it fills up fairly quickly which forces you to get up and move and stretch. This is a good time to take a drink out of your water bottle. It's amazing how quickly you can become dehydrated, so don't skip this part. Be sure to sink the paring knife into the ground next to your container--you might not ever find it again if you don't! (voice of experience speaking)

Back to the paring knife. I don't use the tip unless I come across a broadleaf weed, like a dandelion or plantain (we call them ankle knockers) Then I dig it out with the tip. Plunge the knife down beside the root, twist, and lift. Dandelions will come back, eventually, but you won't have to look at them for a while and that's good.

And this might just be one of the most important things to remember when weeding! PAY ATTENTION! That little green invader might turn out to be something good! So far this year I've found some baby columbines, cranesbill geranium, and a baby bleeding heart.

a baby cranesbill geranium

Mama Columbine


And look below! Lots of baby columbines

I'll let them grow for another week or two and then I'll thin them out and transplant once the plant gets strong enough.

You can find more ideas at Shannon's in this week's Works for Me Wednesday.

[UPDATE: Nettie gave me a related Works for Me Wednesday idea. Remember those volunteer plants you don't want to weed? Share them with a friend or neighbor. I've got plants from my neighbor, Sharon, in the yard and I never fail to think of her when I see them. ]

[UPDATE 2: Carol weeds, too--Texas style! And she remembered one of the essentials I forgot to include--some good listening material. I like to listen to sermon tapes or some of my favorite R. C. Sproul tape series] I stopped publicly listening to music a long time ago; you don't really want to hear me singing Freddie Mercury's part of the song "Under Pressure" with my earphones on did you? No, neither did my neighbors.

Related Tags: weeding, gardening, dandelions, plantain, bleeding hearts, columbine, cranesbill geranium, Works for Me Wednesday

Related Tags: Freddy Mercury, Under Pressure, Ligonier Ministries, R. C. Sproul, Sr.

God's Minute

May 31

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him.--Psalm 145:18

O THOU, God and Father of us all, Thou art over all Thy children--over all their joys and sorrows, God blessed forever. Thou art the light of the living, the refuge of the dying, and our eternal home. Thou hast placed us here in families, and dost unite the hearts that make the happiest homes. Thou hast lead us most graciously in the past. Our yesterdays are luminous with Thy mercies. Through dangers seen and unseen; through doors which have opened as strangely as by an angels' hand, Thou has led us, and always safely. On the smiling surface of life Thou hast wafted us by favoring breezes, and when the surges of trouble arise, we trust that we shall not be borne away from Thee, but nearer to Thee, and into closer fellowship with the only real and abiding world--the spiritual. Comfort the mourners. Walk with them all their life's journey. Strengthen them as Thou alone canst, and light "the shadows of earth's little while." Thou art the Lord of life and death. If we are united to Thee by a living faith, nothing can separate us from Thee and Thy gracious guidance. As the distance shortens, and the flesh fails, may mind and heart become more and more stayed upon Thee; may every duty become more joyous because done unto Thee, and a part of our high calling inChrist Jesus.

Amen.

Rev. Daniel Dorchester, A.M., Ph.D.,
Lexington, Massachusetts

Related Tags: prayer, morning prayer, Rev. Daniel Dorchester

LOTR Quiz

You are most like Elrond. Although you are very serious, you're not above having a good time. It's just that your definition of a good time is pretty different from other people's. You're very smart, so use your knowledge to help others! At least your not so pessimistic. People may think you're hard nosed, but all your friends know better.

What LoTR Character Are You?

Found at The Lord of the Kingdom

Related Tags: Elrond, The Lord of the Rings, quizzes

Mystery Solved

Yea! I found out the name of my Mystery Plant!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

? Actaea
Actaea erythrocarpa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ranunculales Family: Ranunculaceae Genus: Actaea L.
Species
See text.

Actaea (bugbane) is a genus of eight species of flowering plants belonging to the family Ranunculaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

And I was especially happy to note that I was on the right track; Order: Ranunculales Family: Ranunculaceae

I wasn't especially happy to learn that it produces poison berries.

Common names: Bugbane, Bane Berry, White Cohash

Related Tags: actaea, bugbane, bane berry, white cohash, Ranunculales, Wikipedia

Kate had an interesting idea in the comment section of the original post:

I pose a challenge! Can we see who can name your gorgeous flower? It wouldn't have to be a botanical name. It could be anything...Come on! It will be fun! What say you? Can we?

Of course we can, why not? That's how all these plants end up with common names, isn't it?

This could be fun, but you have to play along. I'll be looking for creative, funny, or intriguing names. I will choose the winner and there will be a prize. I have nothing in mind at the moment, but I will award a prize and it will involve calligraphy.

So, let the challenge begin!

(Oh, I better let you know when the challenge is over and judging (likely to be a bit arbitrary and according to whatever strikes my fancy) begins. Midnight tomorrow will be the final day to submit names (leave them in the comment box of this post) and I'll announce the winner on Thursday morning after I have a cup of coffee and check my email)

Tuesday Treasures

This Tuesday Treasure is actually one of several Tolkien Calendars I have from the '70's. This one is the Silmarillion Calendar for 1978. I've saved it all these years because I love Tolkien's illustrations of Middle Earth, and because if I wait long enough, I can re-use it, like this year.

The calendar is the same in 2006 as it was in 1978. Isn't that cool?

Here's the cover illustration.
Luthien Tinuviel

May's illustration is Nargothrond.

Here's a close up.

I also have the Tolkien Calendars from '75 and '76 and one more that I can't find at the moment (probably '77) The illustrations in those calendars are by other artists. I like Tolkien's best.

[UPDATE: Leave me a note in the comments if you want to see June's illustration. It's a more detailed illustration of Nargothrond]

Related Tags: J. R. R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion, Tolkien Calendars, Nargothrond, Tuesday Treasures

God's Minute

May 30

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.--Ephesians 2:19-22

DEAR FATHER, the privileges are so exceedingly great that we can hardly conceive tht they are ours--to come to Thee, the King of kings and Lord of lords, at any time and any place, and commandingly invited to ask and seek and knock, with the Divine assurance that everyone that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened--for thses unspeakable privileges, dear Father, we thank Thee. The day is before us, and soon it will be behind us forever; only this once can we live through it.

O Father, cleanse us of all sin with the blood of the Lamb, and occupy our bodies, making them temples of the Holy Ghost. Use us so that we shall not leave one thing undone. Keep us happy in Thee. Give us a faith that will not waver, worry nor whine, nor wrangle, but a faith that will wait, watch, work, wrestle, and always win.

Amen.

S. P. Long, D.D.,
Mansfield, Ohio

Related Tags: prayer, morning prayer, S. P. Long, D.D.

True Confessions

OK, I really wasn't going to blog about this. It's really pretty embarrassing. But I am so proud of my boys that I decided I'd go ahead and tell you anyway.

On Friday afternoon I was backing out of the garage just like I always do, probably a little too fast--but then, I do it all the time. (Back out of the garage a little too fast, that is) It's a little tricky because it's a very small garage and the driveway is curved and curbed, so you have to cut it just right when you're backing out and then straighten it out real quick.

I think I zigged when I should've zagged or something. . .

The above picture was taken after we re-positioned the bumper and moved it back into place. It was much worse initially. The bumper was ripped three-quarters of the way off, the fender dented and the turn signal ripped in two. Sigh.

Here's the thing. We hate car payments. We make it a policy never to have more than one at a time. Tom's Volvo will be paid off next year, so I've been driving the old Camry until then. I like the Camry. And until Friday it was in really good condition. It always starts, it runs well, and it has been paid off for years. I like that. Even so, it's twelve years old and not worth putting a lot of money into at this point. So Tom and John decided that, rather than take it in for body work, they'd see what they could do to fix it themselves. (Look at their expressions. They are thinking, "How in the world did she manage to do this?")

They surveyed the situation and came up with a plan. A few trips to AutoZone and a few hours later, look what they did! In the driveway! With no body shop experience, no less!


You can hardly tell! Well, once we rub out the paint from the side of the garage, it'll look even better.

We are all impressed. Sam, frankly, can't believe it.

No Surprise Here

WISEST OF ALL BEINGS-To you, the world of Tolkien is the real world, and you have familiarized yourself with it. Are you sure you're not a foreigner from Middle-earth?
Take this quiz!

Found at Lord of the Kingdom

Related Tags: Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, quizzes

Mystery Plant

This plant is an "invader; an encroacher" (quote from "Beauty and the Beast" one of my favorite Disney movies, for all you Disney fans.)

It came under my fence last year from my neighbor's yard. I liked the leaf and thought it might be ranunculus, so I let it be. This year it has grown considerably and has bloomed. I really like the spiky, white flower--not at all what I expected it to look like.

My neighbor has no idea what this plant is called, nor can she remember planting it.

So, here's the question of the day--does anyone know the name of this plant?

Related Tags: plants, volunteer plant, ranunculus, Beauty and the Beast, Disney, quote

Dictionary Word of the Day

forfend \for-FEND\, transitive verb:
1. a. (Archaic) To prohibit; to forbid. b. To ward off; to prevent; to avert.
2. To defend; to protect; to preserve.

On this Memorial Day, we give thanks to those brave men and women who have forfended and defended this country and given their lives so that we can live in freedom. Our freedom has come at a cost. Let us remember their sacrifice today.

Related Tags: definitions, forfend, Memorial Day

God's Minute

May 29

Let your requests be made known unto God.--Philippians 4:6

OUR FATHER, Who art in Heaven, we draw near to Thee in glad and grateful recognition of our dependence upon Thee. We thank Thee for the blessings of the night--for refreshing sleep, for freedom from sickness, accident, or sudden alarm, and for the restoration of our powers with the coming of the new day.

We would begin this day with Thee, for we would fain receive Thy blessing ere we venture upon its untrodden paths. Continue with us, Lord, throughout its hours, lest amid busy cares and thronging duties we meet the sudden onslaught of temptation, and missing Thee, we fall.

Help us to do our duty. Keep us from the shame of the slurred task. May we have no occasion to blush over our appointed work neglected or ill done. Grant us the spirit of comradeship; give us to speak the word of cheer. May our lives radiate joy. Let the evening find hope and happiness where we shall have passed by.

Then, dear Father, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, when life's evening shall have come, gather Thy children home, and let us find a refuge, fearless and unashamed, in Thine arms of love.

In Jesus' Name.

Amen.

Rev. H. Edgar Allen,
Brockville, Canada

Related Tags: prayer, morning prayer, Rev. H. Edgar Allen

Photo Theme: Transportation

Thursday Challenge Entry
for
June 1st

Related Tags: photos, Thursday Photo Challenge, transportation

Dictionary Word of the Day

cerebration \ser-uh-BRAY-shuhn\, noun:
The act or product of thinking; the use of the power of reason; mental activity; thought.

I have a lot to think about, and pray about today.

Merely thinking is not sufficient for Christians, is it? The power of reason is God-given, but without bringing our thoughts and reason into conformity with God's Word, our cerebration is lacking. We must renew our minds in order to be transformed.

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Related Tags: definitions, cerebration, scripture, Romans 12

Empty Nest

God's Minute

May 28

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go. I will guide thee with Mine eye.--Psalm 27:8

Father in Heaven, we turn our hearts to Thee as the source of life, and truth and love. We do not claim Thy constant bounty because of merits we possess, but in Christ, the Saviour's name, we seek Thy favor.

Give us our daily fare today--the food from heaven for bodies spent; manna for the mind; and more than all, we crave the Bread of Life to make us strong of heart and pure of soul.

Teach us to love our fellow men as Thou doest love, forgiving those who treat us ill, and giving help and hope to those who need our aid. Let not temptation come too great to bear. Give us abundant grace to do the appointed task with cheerful heart and ever ready hand.

And when the shadows of the night have come, grant that Thy presence we may feel, as One Who in the day has walked with us. In Thy dear name we pray.

Amen.

Professor Edward B. Pollard, D.D.,
Chester, Pennsylvania

Related Tags: prayer, morning prayer, Professor Edward B. Pollard

I can't resist

I can't resist these goofy quizzes. Really. I take them all. I wonder why; I keep thinking I'll run across a quiz that will tell me. . .

You Are 7 Up

Understated and subtle, people warm up to you slowly. But once they're hooked, they can't imagine going back to anyone else! Your best soda match: Diet Coke Stay away from: Mountain Dew

What Kind of Soda Are You?

HT: Rebecca

Related Tags: quiz, soft drinks

God's Minute

May 27

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?--Matthew 6:25-26

AMIGHTY GOD, Thou Who art the Creator, the Preserver, and the Beneficent Ruler of the universe--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, we praise and magnify Thy Great and Excellent Name, not only because of Thy Majesty and Glory, but also because of Thy Divine Love and Compassion. We thank Thee for Thy goodness, and all the blessing of life, and we most humbly beseech Thee to forgive our sins, to increase our faith, and to make us love Thee more and serve Thee better. We pray for the peace of the world, for the spread of Thy Gospel, and the salvation of mankind. Do Thou most graciously grant us in this life food, raiment, shelter, home, friends, and happiness, and in the world to come, life everlasting.

We ask it in the Name and for the sake of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer.

Amen.

Judge Henry J. Harter,
Canton, Ohio

Related Tags: prayer, morning prayer, Judge Henry J. Harter

Five Ingredients Friday

Don't you just love new recipes? I do. And I really love new recipes with five ingredients, or less.

Five Ingredients Friday is the brain child of one of my newest favorite blogs, Overwhelmed with Joy. Overwhelmed's blog just sort of drew me in the very first time I visited. She writes about adoption, family, mothering, and my favorite post--getting married in Ireland. Yes, she actually went to Ireland to get married. How cool is that? (You all do remember that I want to go to Ireland someday, don't you?)

So, in the hopes that I may be the very first person to post a recipe here's my 3 ingredient recipe. I got this recipe from my sister-in-law, Sally. I haven't made them myself yet, but I have eaten them and they are delicious and, according to Sally, simple to make.

Cream Cheese Candies

1 3 oz package cream cheese, softened
1/4 teaspoon peppermint or almond extract
3 cups confectioner sugar

In small mixing bowl combine cream cheese and extract. Beat in 1 and 1/2 cups confectioner sugar. Knead in remaining confectioner sugar (I could only knead in another cup) until smooth. Pinch off small amounts (you may need to knead with your fingers to smooth and soften) and roll into 1/2 inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and flatten with fork. Let stand for 1 hour to harden. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. Makes 6 dozen (even omitting the last 1/2 cup of confectioner sugar).

Related Tags: recipes, cream cheese candies, mints, Five Ingredient Friday

Dreaming

Related Tags: photos, dogs, vizslas

[the wavery lines of light are from the sunlight filtering
through our old, "wavery glass" windows]

Grab the Scavenger Hunt code. Photo Theme. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

God's Minute

May 26

Without faith it is impossible to please God.--Hebrews 11:6

OUR FATHER, which art in Heaven, with praise on our lips and thanksgiving in our hearts, we, Thy children, worship Thee. From Thy hand we have been fed; by Thy bounty we have been clothed; and day and night under the shelter of Thy love we have dwelt in safety. In the poverty of our service of Thee we have freely received all things.

Forgive, we beseech of Thee, all our ingratitude. Cast away all remembrance of our sins, for with sorrow do we repent of them before Thee. Stir up within a compelling desire to love Thee above all else, and to do in our living all Thy will concerning us.

Grant us Thy Grace that in word and thught and deed we may show that we have been with Christ and learned of Him. May, in some measure, Thy Kingdom come through our living, and so Thy Name be glorified. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit make us fitted for Thy service in all our days here, and bring us in Thine own good time to Thyself, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

John Gribbel
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Related Tags: prayer, morning prayer, John Gribbel

Stole this meme from Michele

Got this from Michele

20 years ago I . . .
was a stay at home mom living in Ohio with two young sons

10 years ago I . . .
was living in Kentucky, homeschooling two boys and wondering how that happened

5 years ago I . . .
was living in Brunswick, Ohio, homeschooling and planning my new perennial beds and herb garden

3 years ago I . . .
was preparing for my middle son's graduation from High School and another move, this time to Illinois

1 year ago I . . .
was finishing up my tenth year of homeschooling

So far this year I . . .
saw my first-born son become a husband and I've become a mother-in-law.

Yesterday I . . .
created a new chicken recipe from the ingredients I had on hand--and it wasn't too bad if I do say so myself

Today I . . .
need to get off the computer and finish sewing my new cloth napkins (Thanks for the idea, Becky!)

Tomorrow I will . . .
Clean house.

In the next year I will . . .
hopefully be busy with my new calligraphy business and still have time to blog

In the next minute I will . . .
Post this to my blog and then go pray for my daughter-in-law, Beth, who has a job interview at 10!

[UPDATE] Not ONLY did Beth get the job, they put her to work already! : )

Theopedia

I am adding a new link in my side bar under Study Links and Resources.

Theopedia

Theopedia is an online encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity and it is decidedly Reformed and Calvinistic in its theological focus.

Since I am decidedly Reformed and Calvinistic and have many, many dearly loved Christian friends who are neither Reformed nor Calvinistic, I took the time to see if "the other side" was portrayed fairly and graciously before posting up this entry and the link.

The front page has featured articles, scripture passages, featured theologians, multi-media and links to the Theopedia page for each book of the Bible. The owner/administrator is Aaron Shaf.

A Full House 2

Back on May 2nd I posted an entry entitled A Full House. That was the day I found five blue eggs in the nest in our tree. At the time, I wondered how five Robin chicks could fit into that nest, which already seemed so full with just the eggs in it!


Well, as you can see, the nest is filled to the brim with alert, befeathered chicks that are daily looking more and more like their Mama.


I didn't get a picture of it, but after I snapped the pictures, that very alert and curious one in the front of the nest stretched his wings and I could see his reddish breast feathers. It looked for all the world as if he was showing off for me and letting me know he'd soon be gone.

I don't expect them to be in the nest much longer. Mama was nowhere to be seen or heard this morning.

Related Tags: American Robin, baby birds, nestlings, fledglings, nest

God's Minute

May 25

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still water. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.--Psalm 23 (Complete)

OUR Heavenly Father, give us renewed power to overcome all our faults. Give us a renewed spirit of good will toward all our fellow beings. Give us a firmer faith in Thee, and in all the promises of Thy Holy Word. Help us to follow those lines of action which bring peace, honor, and prosperity. And, by the guidance of Thy Holy Spirit, guide us ever to the way that goest upward, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Dean Charles R. Brown
New Haven, Connecticut

Related Tags: prayer, morning prayer, Dean Charles R. Brown

Works for Me Wednesday VI

I love having fresh flowers on my dining room table and because I can get a nice, affordable bouquet at Aldi every week, I have flowers on the tables most of the time. It's a small indulgence that makes me very happy.

This time of year, though I stop spending my weekly $2.99 for Aldi flowers and start scouting the yard for plant material to bring in to my table. I don't have many flowers in the yard right now--too late for tulips and daffodils and too early for daisies and peonies, but I can still have an interesting arrangement.

I take a stroll in the yard and start looking for interesting greens. Today's arrangement consists of three kinds of hosta leaves, some English ivy, and a fading sprig of bleeding hearts.

I also like to use a cutting from shrubs such as boxwood or holly at times or the deep burgandy color of my coral bell leaves or the white and green leaves of my variegated euonamous.

So look around your yard for plant materials to bring in to your table. You don't have to have flowers if you have some interesting leaves of different colors and textures. If you don't have anything interesting, plant a couple different varieties of hosta, some ivy, and maybe a fern or some lavendar and soon you'll be able to cull a fresh arrangement for your table at the drop of a hat.


For some more ideas that might work for you go visit Shannon and follow the other Works for Me Wednesday links.

Related Tags: flower arranging, arrangements, hostas, bleeding hearts, English Ivy, Works for Me Wednesday, euonamous

Robins with Feathers

Yesterday, I could just begin to see the evidence of feathers.

Look at them today!

Silly little things; as soon as they were aware of my presence they opened their little beaks for food.

Sorry about the quality of the pictures. I just held my camera above the nest and clicked. Mama Robin was across the street. She was NOT happy.

(click twice to see details)

Related Tags: American Robin, nestlings, nests, robins

God's Minute

May 24

The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts.--Romans 5:5

Living and loving God, our Father and our Friend, Thou hast in Thy wisdom created all things; for Thy pleasure they are and were created. To know Thee is life; to serve Thee is freedom; to praise Thee is our chiefest joy. As Thou hast created us in Thine own image, so, in the light of this new day of opportunity and duty, recreate us in the likeness of Him Who is the unchanging Light of life, and the unfailing source of strength and comfort. Help us in childlike faith anew to accept Him, and to faithfully follow in His steps. In Him may our sins be forgiven, our affections purified, our wills controlled, and our labors blessed.

Sanctify by the indwelling of Thy Spirit our worship in the home and in the church, hallow our holy relationships, make useful and joyful our lives, for the sake of Him Who has taught us to pray, saying:

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

W. H. Wray Boyle, D.D.,
Detroit, Michigan

Related Tags: prayer, morning prayer, W. H. Wray Boyle, D.D.

A little dog?

Your Ideal Pet is a Little Dog

You're both high strung, hyper, and cute. You're one of the few people who can get away with carrying your little dog in a little bag.

What's Your Ideal Pet?

Maybe two big red dogs that think they are little lap dogs?

Related Tags: quizzes, photos, dog photos, vizslas

My sweet Evie

Related Tags: photo, vizsla

Tuesday Treasures

I found this Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt block at a flea market in Glasgow, KY about 10 years ago. I paid all of a dollar for it, too. I always feel sad somehow when I come across unfinished quilt blocks. I wonder why they never became part of a family memory, why they never got to cover up a little girl in Grandma's big bed or a favorite doll. I don't rescue every individual quilt block that I see in an antique shop, but I love the vintage fabrics in this piece and you just can't beat the price!

I took it home and layered it up with some batting and a muslin back and began to quilt it, but somehow, I just never could bring myself to finish it off. I'm sure it seems strange, but I wonder if this patch should remain as it is; layered up and partially quilted.

I have taught several friends how to quilt and I use this small patch as an example to teach them the vocabulary of quilting and to show examples of layering up and basting and quilting "in the ditch."

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So now that you have seen one of my quilting treasures, what do you think? Should I finish it?

Leave me a vote in the comments and then go see Faith to find the rest of today's Tuesday Treasures.

Related Tags: quilts, quilt pattern, Grandmother's Flower Garden, quilt patch, quilt vocabulary, layering up a quilt, basting a quilt, quilting in the ditch, vintage fabrics, flea market find, Tuesday Treasure