A Change of Seasons....

I wish you could see how pretty this banner really is...but it's so bright in this room, it's difficult to tell what it looks like.

Look close...lol.

It's the same with this one from KerryAnne.

I just love her printouts.

My house has a lot of windows, it's so bright in here!!!

I am having trouble with ipiccy...so I can't modify my photos.

This is the best I could do today.

The owner of my favorite shop here at the lake did this gorgeous door.....of course, when I saw it, I just HAD to purchase it!!!

It fits in with my decor perfectly.

We had a Fall Coffee at my home for the Women's Bible Study this morning.

Pat and Vicky had sad news about family members.....the verse that sticks in my heart is...Ps. 120:1 In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me.

One of the ladies' brother is dying. She just found out as she was on her way to the study.

We immediately started praying for the peace that transcends all understanding to wash over her, and her family.

We continued to pray for her brother, and the other ladies' sister in law that has cancer.

O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people. 

For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.

O give thanks unto the Lord: for He is good: because His mercy endureth for ever.

Ps. 117:1,2  Ps. 118:1.

After we prayed, it was amazing how peaceful we all were. 

Matt. 18:20 says... For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Praise God!!! 

Just as the seasons change, situations, and circumstances  in our lives change. One thing will never change....God!!! He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We can count on Him always.  And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt.28:20.

Enjoy the changing season, where ever you are! The weather here at the lake has been beautiful.

I am a Summer gal....however, I am grateful for Fall this year.  God is showing me that there is beauty in all seasons....physical, and spiritual. 

xxoo

Walk in Love

It's time to bring in the Hydrangeas.

These large heads will be used for wreaths.

I can pull them apart and use them in arrangements, as well.

Pulling the drieds from last year, and putting in fresh.

Beautiful!!

The deer came through two nights ago and stripped so many plants of leaves, and flowers.

I was pleasantly surprised when I found this lone rose this morning.

When I realized the deer were back, I got out the wolf urine, and sprayed the perimeter with it.  The newest garden got through the next night without anymore damage.

Unfortunately, the damage was already done to the Honeysuckle.  They stripped the back side of this vine the previous night.

I understand the deer are animals, and they are doing what comes natural.  My anger and disdain toward them was put into perspective after our Wednesday night Bible study on "walking in love".

There are times when I struggle with people....their actions, and personalities are "hard to take".  I let them irritate me....much like those deer that come in and destroy my beautiful gardens!!

John 13:34 says A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE UNTO YOU, THAT YE LOVE ONE ANOTHER; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, THAT YE ALSO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

:35 BY THIS SHALL ALL MEN KNOW THAT YE ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YE HAVE LOVE ONE TO ANOTHER.

Love is not a feeling....just like forgiveness....it's a decision!!!  I decide to forgive. I decide to love. If I go on my feelings, I will fail. I must stay with my decision to "walk in love".  It's a conscious effort for me at times!!!  To look at a person that sets those "feelings" of dislike into motion, to go back to the decision to love.  I cannot do it on my own. I need the Holy Spirit to give me strength. 

As far as the deer are concerned.....I need all the strength I can get!!!!!

xxoo

Still the same...

It's Sunday afternoon.

It's been hot, muggy, raining off and on, and windy.

Today is one of those days that I just feel like sitting inside, and enjoying my afternoon while appreciating all of the things that I have been given.

A blogging friend of mine said recently that my posts have become religious.  She was wondering if something had happened in my life that made me turn my blog into more of an inspirational blog.

Actually, I used to have two blogs.

This one, and Seashells and Lavender.

The other blog WAS an inspirational blog.

I was away from posting for quite a while, and when I came back, I thought I would combine the two blogs, and post what was on my mind on this one.

So much easier to keep one, instead of two.

So....nothing has changed as far as my heart goes, or my circumstance.

I am the same person as I was when I started this blog several years ago.

If you ever read Seashells and Lavender, you would know my heart is for God.

My decor is basically the same, as you can see in the photos. I still love the same things that I always have....it's just that my heart for God will come first and foremost.

If that doesn't appeal to readers, that is okay.

I am not here to please man, I am here to please God.

I love you all as much as I ever did.

I have never had a large following, so that is not an issue for me anyway.

We are called to share the Gospel.

So when I post, that will be included.

Summer is slipping away, and with that, the flowers are starting to fade.

I am drying herbs, roses, and as many other florals as I can for wreaths.

I have already used some for gifts, and would love to make one for myself before all are used up.

Seashells are still throughout the house.  I doubt I will ever tire of them.

They give me hope of Summer during the long Winter months, as do my dried flowers that hang from the beams in the kitchen.

A recent order to Bluebird Lane for more krinkled satin ribbon filled up the basket for embroidery work this Winter.

These sweet hearts were put together by the owner of my very favorite shop here in town! Morning Glory Mercantile.

I am hoping to make some lavender sachets like these for gifts this coming season of cold weather.

Shabby French pieces are such a favorite of mine to decorate with.

Flower frogs for someone that LOVES flowers!!

As Bob Seager says....still the same.  

Just feeling free to be more myself.

Love,

Debbie

xxoo

After the Rain.

I took a walk in the gardens after the rain this evening.

I love seeing the drops of water hanging heavy on the petals of the flowers, and leaves.....like on this clematis.

The rain was quite heavy today.

Some of the flower heads were hanging a little low.

This is the time of Summer when it seems most of the flowers are blooming.

There is plenty of color everywhere!

Hollyhocks are at different stages of bloom.  Some are almost finished, and others are just getting started.

I like all of the different heights, as well. They differ from just two feet, to almost ten feet high.

The roses are doing well.  Lots of colors, and different varieties.

The fragrance in the gardens is intoxicating.

The butterflies have been happy with all of the coneflower growing.

I am happy that the David Austin roses are blooming....even though I just planted them this spring!!!

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny.

A good day for deadheading and weeding.

What a wonderful time of the year!!

xxoo

Loving Summer!!

This is where you will find me most of the time.

Working in the flower gardens. 

Today I am weeding, and spreading more black mulch, filling a short trough for another container garden, watering, and moving a few rocks and garden pieces.

I painted the porches yesterday.

The white was really difficult to keep clean.

This charcoal color should be easier to make it look a lot cleaner.

I like the way it looks.

I am enjoying the pergola we built.

Especially in the evenings when the tiny lights are on, and the lanterns are lit.

The Hollyhocks are so tall this year, and there are so many beautiful colors!

I know we live at the lake, but this year I decided to use a barnyard design for the gardens.

We used to live on a hobby farm, so this was fun to do for a change.

Tractor Supply has so many things for yards and gardens that are fun for making your place just the way you like....if you like farm, country, and barnyard style.

I worked everything around the wood scarecrow we made last year.

It's been very warm and humid the past few days. Perfect for the 4th of July weekend!

Lots of boating, cookouts, fireworks, campfires, boat parades, and just being outside.

I hope you were able to enjoy all the festivities!

We had family come up and stay.

It was a fun weekend.

xxoo

Roses with holey leaves.

Every year it seems the roses just get better, and every year something comes along that tries to destroy them.

Usually, the Japanese Beetles, deer and rabbits invade the gardens.

This year a new bug decided to feast on the leaves of the rose plants.

Aphids come and go, but this was a little green worm.

They ate holes in almost every leaf, until I found the critters!!

I've been deadheading, and trimming off chewed leaves....but the roses look a little sad right now.

They would probably prefer to grow in someone else's garden...somewhere with less invaders!!

The leaves are coming back, and looking a little healthier.

I really need to get caught up on deadheading, and weeding.

There are lots of roses, so far.

I am worried the Japanese Beetles will be here soon, though.

This white climber produced so many roses, but got hit hard with the leaf chewer.

I had to really cut it back....what a sad state of affairs.

Now that everything is up, I can add the mulch.

It looks so much nicer after that is put down.

Went to Tractor Supply with my youngest daughter over the weekend, and was happy to find this little calf for 20% off!! It's another Red Shed item that goes with the other farm animals I've purchased there.

There are plants popping up in front of other plants....that means transplanting!!!

Now that the temps have dropped a bit, I will be able to get out in the gardens and move things around again.

These are pretty roses.

They don't produce many flowers...but I sure enjoy what they do give me.

These little sweeties grow under the Rose of Sharon.

They peak there heads out now and then, to see if anyone is looking.

The New Dawn Roses were all but destroyed by the beetles last year.

They are coming back this Summer.

Pretty low to the ground...but I am so happy to see them coming back!!

They will get clipped today.

This is another New Dawn Rose that was coming back, but the worm ate so many of the leaves!!

I tried cleaning it up, and am so grateful to see it blooming!

Hopefully, it will fill the arbor once more.

More holes in leaves.....but at least there are blooms!!

If it's not one thing, it's another here at the lakehouse.

I am grateful for the little things, because at the end of the day...they are the BIG things!!

Have a great evening.

xxoo