A Beautiful Moment

About two weeks ago, I plucked the last of the zinnias 

and cosmos and pulled the stems and roots out of the ground. 

I'll miss their bright colors until next summer, 

but their beauty never quite leaves me,

thanks to photos which captured the moment.

I hope you are capturing beautiful moments this week.

 

Book Review: The Blooming of Delphinium

I haven't posted a book review for awhile. I just finished this story and wanted to share.

The Blooming of Delphinium by Holly Varni

I’m not sure where to start with this story. I chose to read and review it because I had read Varni’s first book, On Moonberry Lake and enjoyed it, plus I loved this gorgeous cover. I love books with quirky characters and small communities and these books gave me plenty of those. When I first started reading The Blooming of Delphinium I wasn’t sure I was going to like the book, some strange things occurred and well, I just didn’t know what to think, but then the magic happened and I fell in love with the characters and the beautiful message threaded through the story. You will love Henry and his comrades as much as Delphi does. You’ll root for Elliot, who reminded me of Oliver in the Signed, Sealed, Delivered movie series. Varni brings to light the much-needed subject of loving on the elderly and respecting their need to matter. Along with that she pens a lovely romance. When I finished this wonderful book, I sat back and considered all it encompassed. It’s a great story and you should read it. I received a free copy and opinions are my own.

Golden Beauties

Even with the lack of rain in our area, these beauties are blooming in the park.

The showy golden blooms of the helanthus decapetalus (thinleaf sunflower)

brightened the path we walked on. 

I'm always amazed at the variety of flowers in our area, and the glorious colors.

Their golden hue reminds me cooler weather is coming soon.

 

God's Gifts

The visitors who come to my flowers bring me joy.

Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flit from flower to flower.

They search for the sweet nectar.

Like these creatures, people go from one thing to another 

looking for the next best thing.

That's natural for the bugs and birds, but for people, it's exhausting.

Take time to stop and experience God's gifts.

Seek to be satisfied by His love and grace.

 

The Beauty of Summer

Using cliches in writing is frowned upon.

So instead of "Stop and smell the roses," 

how about, stop and appreciate the beauty.

Even in the extreme heat that's hit Ohio, 

I can enjoy the beauty of the last flowers of summer.

How about you? What loveliness is around you?

 

A Partridge in a Pea

I love when I find an unexpected beauty.

While I tried to photograph gold finches at the park, 

I stumbled across this golden charmer. 

The partridge pea hid in the meadow 

behind a plethora of spent beebalm, the finches fed from.

The leaves are lovely and the flower attracts bees and butterflies.

God has created the most amazing flora.

 

Queen Anne's Lovely Lace

When I was a child, I was fascinated with the 

Queen Anne's lace that grew in our ditch.

Also known as wild carrot, 

the intricate blooms formed gorgeous patterns.

An old legend says the wildflower herb is named after 

Queen Anne of England who hand made beautiful lace. 

If you look closely, you can see the dark spot in the center of the flower.

Supposedly, she pricked her finger and a drop of blood fell on her lace.

Whether it's true or not, it's an entertaining story.

I still get excited when I see this lovely bloom of summer.

What do you like to see in bloom? 

Do you have any favorites from childhood?

 

The Flowers of Summer

Every year, I'm amazed at the flowers that sprout and bloom from seed.

My granddaughter, Dylan, sprinkled the seeds of these lovely flowers,

and they've brought me great joy, both because 

they are my favorite color and because Dylan planted them. 

I hope the flowers of summer are filling you with wonder and hope.

 

Entwined

Sometimes when I see flowers, I'm reminded of how life works.

These two double lilies make me think of my dear friends 

who help me navigate life. We share prayer requests, hallelujahs,

joys, and sorrows as we're entwined together by Jesus.

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:11 

 

Candytuft Surprise

We've been experiencing temperatures in the nineties in southern Ohio.

I'm not a fan, but I know it's part of the cycle of the seasons.

One thing I do love are the flowers blooming this time of year.

These purple candytufts were a delightful discovery.

My granddaughter, Dylan, planted the seeds from a wildflower packet,

and I've had some lovely surprises.

Enjoy the season wherever you are. 

What flowers are you enjoying?

 

Such Beauty

I am amazed by the vast range of colors God has created.

These beautiful impatiens spread across a flower bed in Cincinnati,

and I had to snap a photo. 

Do you notice the vibrancy of summer flowers?

They lift my spirits and add joy to my day.

Thank you, Lord, for creating such beauty.

 

A Wink of Color

The blueish-purple bud winked at me. 

Mostly green, from the trees, bushes, and stems, 

wrapped the edges of the walking path, this time of year. 

The spring flowers have completed their life cycle

of gorgeous blooms, while just a few blossoms remain.

As we trekked through the wooded area, the wink of color, 

the humble spiderwort plant shared, caught my eye.

The tall green stem and spikey leaves held the three petals high.

Had I not been paying attention, I would have missed the beauty 

God created in the small petals. 

Even the yellow of the anthem that sits atop the filament

added a brightness to the pretty plant.

God is in the details. 

He knows our hearts as well as he knows this lovely flower.

He's with me in every little and big thing. Always.

 

Sprout!

The seeds in Dilly's Garden have soaked up the rain and sunshine.

The zinnia and cosmo have pushed through the dirt.

I love to see the new growth in the spring, before the flowers bloom.

They remind me of watching a child grow into themselves---

like God watches us grow in Him.

Hold your hands out and take in the sun and rain God offers from His word.

 

I'm Glad I Paid Attention

Toadshade trillium sprinkle the forest floor. 

It's more common in Ohio's woods and visible in the spring. 

On our hikes we'd seen several of them. 

One day I read a post about the trillium flexipes and it's presense in Ohio parks, 

but I'd never seen one, until this week.

Tim and I walked along the trail, 

and as usual I was on the lookout for new spring plants.

If I hadn't been paying attention, I would have missed this beauty. 

A foot from the gravel path, in the grass, the trillium flexipes nodded at me. 

What a pleasant surprise. 

When I pay attention, God often surprises me with joy. 

Trillium flexipes

Toadshade Trillium

Breathtaking

Revelation 22:1-5
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Behold the beauty.

Have you ever seen something so breathtaking you can’t look away?

On our walk, through Sycamore Park, the Virginia bluebells are in full bloom. A day after the solar eclipse, we trekked along the paved trail where there are signs to stay on the path and not walk in the wooded area. The park personnel are working to restore the flora and fauna. This particular day, the sky clouded and light rain fell. In that lighting, the blue of the bluebells shone in gorgeous contrast to the spring green.

All along the path, I couldn’t stop looking at the beautiful shade of blue that blanketed many areas in the woods. You just don’t see blue flowers that often and when they’re in clusters, they are simply stunning.

As in awe as I am of floral beauty, I can’t begin to imagine the splendor of heaven. We catch glimpses of what John saw in his vision in Revelation. A river, a tree filled with fruit, eternal light from God himself, oh the glory. The picture painted in Revelation 22 pours hope into my soul. Nature’s beauty in perfect harmony will surround us in heaven.

I hope as you imagine heaven, you see yourself standing at the throne and praising God. I want to sit by the river and bask in God’s light and taste the sweet fruit of His presence.

Take a moment from the chaos of this life, imagine heaven, and fill up on hope.

What's in the Woods?

I love to hike in the woods with Tim and Rosie in the spring. 

The wild flowers are poking their heads out of the ground.

Their blooms are not as glamorous as the tulips or the daffodils, 

but they're just as beautiful. 

When I see the toadshade trillium and the yellow trout lily, 

I know spring has arrived.

I also spotted the delicate, lavender blossoms of Jacob's ladder and flox.

God created so many lovely blooms for us to enjoy and appreciate.

Take a hike and discover what's in the woods.

 

New Life!

As I walked around my flowers, after a rain, 

I considered the new life blooming this spring.

The daffodils nodded and the tulips opened to the sky.

They embraced the rain and the sunshine. 

They withstood the storms and the wind.

As a new creation or an old one like me, 

I can withstand life's storms 

as I cling to the one who created me.

Thank you, Jesus.

 

Natural Harmony

 My daughter, grandchildren and I had the joy of hiking 

in the Congaree National Park. 

As we walked the boardwalk, among the cypress and loblolly pine,

we came across a violet growing in a tree. 

I love how the two live in harmony.

 

Imagine the Garden

Genesis 1:11-13
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

Spring’s first heartbeat honors winter’s last breath. -Angie Weiland Crosby

Tim and I have been walking Rosie at the local park. As we hike along the trail, I’ve spotted a variety of flowers blooming. The yellow celandine blankets the forest floor, Dutchman’s breeches wave their miniature pantaloon shaped petals, and Virginia bluebell leaves are sprouting. Green has popped all over and the robins are tweeting a welcome to spring.

When I witness the change from winter to warmer weather and the brown shifting to shades of green, I’m reminded of the creation story. When God made the world, He added plants. He knew we’d need not only the produce from the vegetation, but the beauty of the flowers.

As we walked this morning, I considered the Garden of Eden and the glorious place it must have been. All the amazing plants in God’s original creation must have looked and smelled incredible. Imagine the perfection.

I’m thankful He blesses me with the beauty of nature in our little corner. No, we don’t experience a land without scars or blemishes, but we do have a hint of the place Adam and Eve left behind. The hint of the possible beauty of heaven fills my heart with hope. As I spy a hyacinth’s fresh bloom or the brilliant color of a tulip, I’m reminded of how much God loves me. He cares for the flowers and loves His people even more.

Enjoy spring and appreciate God’s gift of beauty on earth and the ultimate glory of heaven.

The Goodness of God

Psalm 27: 13-14

I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

Signs of spring are popping in my tiny flower bed. Tulip leaves have pushed through the soil. The top of the hyacinths are visible. Daffodils are in various stages, with some in bloom. My crocuses raise their thin green arms and the purple and white flowers reach to the sky.

In spring, the goodness of God appears in nature. The woods awaken the trillium and Lenten rose. The oaks and maples poke their buds out of the branches, along with red buds and dogwood.

With all the turmoil in our world, I seek the good. The beauty sooths my soul. When I see the good in people, I rejoice. The child who helps his friend, the young person who assists the elderly, and the believer who shares the truth of Jesus all fill me with hope.

Psalm 27 says to be strong, take heart, and wait for the Lord.

Waiting is hard, but the psalmist tells us the secret. Be strong—resist the temptation to give up. Take heart—hope. Hope gives me the strength to keep going, to fill up on God's word and to pray.

The psalmist is confident he will see goodness in life, and so am I. As long as I keep my eyes on Jesus, and my heart filled with Him, I can move through life with confidence, and experience the good.

When Rosie was a puppy, she wanted to play with Olive, But Olive was old and grumpy. She ignored Rosie most of the time. One day, Rosie had a bone she was gnawing on and Olive laid down beside her. After a few minutes, Rosie pushed the bone to Olive. I saw goodness through my dogs that day.

Look for the good and be the good.