Now there are chairs!

Thanks to Jerry I now have a private sitting area in my first garden. I needed something to close in the garden from that side of the back yard, and privacy from our neighbors. We picked up the wood privacy screen at Lowe's and Jerry put it up. I love the butterfly house too!

In the morning I go out about 5:30 or 6 and sit in the quiet of the hour. The birds wake up and bring music to my ears. Only the early morning traffic out front is visible. It has become my refreshing time to enjoy the gardens and be close to God.

This spring was my first spring to watch all the plants come up out of the ground. What a joy it was! Most all plants are healthy and growing. The wiegelia bloomed this spring (below), and the color is lovely.

The second garden is coming along nicely also (below). Jerry got the bird house up, and soon the sign "God lives here" will follow. I can see it when I sit in my spot on the couch. The first day it was up two sparrows visited it. They stood on the platform and went on their tip toes to try and see in the hole. It was quite comical. Didn't have my camera ready. Jerry also put up the lattice at the end of this garden.

                                         

My second year of gardening is still a joy. I've never spent winter months planning and deciding what to do in a garden. It certainly made January and February more interesting.

May 16th I posted a picture of a poppie from my garden on Facebook. Last fall we purchased more poppies and planted them in the second garden. Look at the difference between the two. It's remarkable. One has puffy layers and a soft orange shade while the other has a single layer and very bold orange. I was surprised.

My peonies are just beginning to open, but down in Rockville the peonies are in full bloom!

I love these Bachelor Buttons in my wild flower garden!

The other day Jerry looked out the back window and found two deer taking a siesta at the back gate.

While visiting in the home of my dear friend, Kathy, she created this lovely vase of flowers and had it sitting at the kitchen table where we ate lunch. A special touch from a special friend. Thank you, Kathy.

And last, most of you know how much I love to photograph fawn. Well my dear friend, Carol, posted the snap below that was taken in her yard. The first ones I see each year are usually larger than the one she saw. What a great snap!

Now I think it's time for me to go sit in my garden!

Flower Farming

I recently read the book "The 50 Mile Bouquet" by Debra Prinzing. She writes about individuals who grow and sell fresh flowers in the United States. She shares their struggles in competing with foreign countries in selling fresh flowers and their creativity and joy in producing flowers and selling them locally.

There was a lot to learn about the $40 billion worldwide industry of selling flowers that are fill with chemicals, or buying flowers grown in the United States that are fresher, chemical free and longer lasting. The lives and stories of these dedicated farmers were fascinating.

There were many tips throughout the stories such as how to postpone the bud's opening of a peony for up to a month, and keeping daffodils in a separate water-filled plastic bag when part of an arrangement When the stems of daffodils are cut, a sap-like substance seeps out and shortens the life of other flowers in the vase.

Years ago my sister-in-law, Bobbie, put up a green house in her backyard and sold flowers in her front yard. Then she went on to sell at farmer's markets and craft fairs. I not only enjoy photographing her bounteous supply, but also enjoy the flowers I buy from her (when she lets me). Knowing someone labored lovingly over their work and enjoys supplying others with their gift of creations, makes me want to purchase from them. The below snap is one of my favorite from her garden.

The individuals and their stories are heartwarming. They really care about the flowers they grow and want them to be the very best quality possible. And they want their customers to be pleased!

No, I'm not considering becoming a farmer and growing fields and fields of beautiful flowers. My two small gardens are more than enough for me to handle. But I am more discerning about where I purchase flowers, asking if they are locally grown. All it takes is a little research in your area to find where these determined and happy farmers ply their trade. You can find many at your farmer's market.

In March, I pulled up a website from the book that sells gorgeous dahlias only to find they were already sold out for 2013. It was Corralitos Gardens, on the California coast, and they are best known for their mail-order business selling dahlia plants to gardeners and growers. Customers in 42 states gobble up 15,000 plus plants each spring. I'm now on their email list.

I enjoyed reading about folks living their dream of growing and selling fresh, chemical free and beautiful flowers. The next time you need a bouquet of flowers, try avoiding the cellophane wrapped bundles and finding some fresh flowers locally.
Flower farming. Right here in the USA. Unfussy, chemical-free, natural flowers. My eyes have been opened!

Another snap from Bobbies garden that I love!

Worth the Wait!

Last week we were able to visit one of our favorite places: Intercourse, PA. As I mentioned a few weeks ago when we went to Lancaster to the Sight and Sound theatre, we love the Lancaster area, but specifically Intercourse. The small town is brimming with shops, food and scenery to enjoy. It had been several years since we've been there.

Jerry, and his son, Eric, were to go to Brookville, PA last week, but because of health concerns for both of them, they didn't go. I was going to go with Jerry when Eric cancelled, but then Jerry decided, no, he wouldn't be able to do the things he wanted too. That's when God brought Lancaster to mine.

Mom and Sam were already scheduled to go to friend's home's (different ones) so I suggested we get away overnight for a break. We hadn't been away since Mom came to live with us last August. Jerry liked the idea! We were off.

The B&B we stayed at was on a main road into Intercourse. I was up early the next morning to snap the scenery. While sitting on the gazebo (above) I snapped this picture of an early morning horse and buggy going by.

I love this scene, taken from the parking lot of the Kitchen Kettle Village. I spotted it as we were leaving the shopping village. Such a serene and restful picture!

Spotted this field of lambs as we drove around. Do all four belong to her? The other momma appeared to have three (one out of the picture).

It was amazing watching this boy handle the team of horses. Even in the turn the boy held firm and able!

We stopped at the house below to buy some bird houses. A typical front yard with clothes on the line.

Two Amish families were enjoying a picture on the other side of the horse and buggies. It's not often we see buggies and horses resting at a covered bridge.

These blooms at the B&B were a delight to see!



Another lovely view of a farm as we drove roads north of Intercourse.

It was a wonderful two days and one night in a favorite destination. I treated myself to a delicious cupcake, fit for a queen! I won't forget where that bake shop is in Bird-In-Hand!

A Last Will and Testament

The April 14th devotion in The One Year Christian History devotional is titled He Served a Good Master." It shared Andrew Duncan's will, dated April 14, 1626. It certainly is a lot different from the wills we write today! Following are excerpts:

"I, Andrew Duncan, . . . set down the declaration of my latter will, concerning these things, which God has lent me in this world; in manner following, -- First, as touching myself, body and soul I leave to Christ Jesus, who gave it, and when it was lost, redeemed it, that He may send His holy angels to transport it to the bosom of Abraham, there to enjoy all happiness and contentment; and as for this frail body, I commend it to the grave, there to sleep and rest, as in a sweet bed, until the day of refreshment, when it shall be reunited to the soul, and shall be set down at the table with the holy patriarchs, prophets, and apostles; yea, shall be placed on the throne with Christ, and get the crown of glory on my head . . . As concerning my temporal goods, the baggage and blathrie of the  earth, as I have gotten them in the world off God's liveral hand, so I leave them behind me in the world; giving most humble and hearty thanks unto my heavenly Father for so long and comfortable loan of the same."

Duncan was a Presbyterian minister in Scotland in the 1600s. He saw many hardships: being arrested for defying the king; imprisoned multiply times, and banished to France. Duncan saw simple examples of God's care over him and his family such as when a stranger came to his house and gave him a sack of food, after he prayed and told his family that God would provide food for them to eat.

I enjoy reading words such as these and learning how Christians in the past openly and honestly beheld their Savior and spoke it!

The snap above is on the mountain top in Cacapon, WV. One of my excursions while at a ladies retreat last weekend. Below is an early morning doe making her way through the misty field near the lodge.

An Overcast Morning

The other day I left home at 8 a.m. for a photo shoot. It was an overcast morning, lightly raining. Several years ago I snapped pictures in my sister-in-law's garden on an overcast morning and they came out great.

I was looking for blooming trees and I wasn't disappointed. I like the one above and below.

After an hour and a half, my mind brought up the horse farm we drove by a few days before. There were several foals in the field. I decided to stop by there and see if I could get permission to take some snaps.

What a time I had! I focused on two mares and their foals in a field to themselves. They really gave me a show! Following are some of the snaps I took.

I created two matted prints and four note cards a few days later and took them over to the farm to thank them for letting me take pictures. Later that day I received a nice email thanking me and telling me how much they liked them. But the thing that gave me the biggest smile was how she signed the email . . . sisters in Christ.

I'm sure glad I didn't let a rainy, overcast morning keep me away. What a thrill!