Christmas post

It has been months since I have posted here. Oh my goodness, getting pictures to load took me hours!  This used to be so much fun for me. I am very frustrated, at the moment, and feeling quite stupid.  Yikes!  No wonder people have gone over to IG.

Plus, my photos ended up so dark again.

I pulled out a lot of the country Christmas pieces I've had from my old shop.

Even painted the farm chairs black to go with the cute items.

The sun was coming in the windows so bright, it was difficult to get good pictures.

I brought out my collection of snowmen paintings, which I usually do every winter.

The quality of these pictures is so poor...I apologize.  I usually use my phone, but could not figure out how to post with it.

I am computer and phone illiterate!!

You are probably wondering why this crazy woman even posted?

I am starting to question that myself!

My intention was to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year....however, I got a little sidetracked with the bad photos, and rambling on about nothing....

I really am enjoying our life here in Alabama.

No snowstorms, or freezing temperatures has been wonderful!!

We love our church family!

We look forward to what God has planned for us here.

It is my sincere hope that you are enjoying this Christmas season, and that you will be blessed in the coming New Year!

xxoo

Bluebirds and Mandolins.

I do not know how you guys do the pictures on blogger anymore.

I am finding it more and more frustrating each time I come here to post.

I lose half of the photos I want to show you, because of loading issues.

It used to seem so much easier, and made blogging fun.

Now I struggle with every post.

Anyway....The hoopla here has quieted down considerably since the 4th has passed.

Now will be the time to try and absorb the tragedy from the parade in Chicago.

Hopefully, we will put aside the political drama from the past few weeks, and focus on the circumstances before us.

There are families that planned on celebrating a holiday together, by attending a parade.  An innocent enough idea.

Taking your kids downtown to watch people marching down the street, playing musical intruments....entertaining children and adults alike.

I'm sure there were little boys excited to see big red fire trucks, and little girls watching the baton twirlers!

The colors of red, white, and blue proudly displayed everywhere to commemorate our country's freedoms!

To have all of that shattered in a matter of seconds by a crazed person with no regard for human life is beyond my understanding.

Where do we go from here?  Do we just sit and let the authorities take care of everything?

NO.....we pray.

We pray for the peace that transcends all understanding....for the families that lost loved ones. For the people that are recovering from wounds....physical, and emotional.

For the medical community that has to keep working with the injured, and their families.

For the spiritual leaders to help their congregations stay focused on God in these terrible times, and not to lose hope, because if we lose hope....we have nothing.

God does not cause the evil in men.

Men choose it for themselves.

It is God's will that none should perish. 

Pray for wisdom, for understanding, and for love above all else.

xxoo

Bluebirds and Mandolins

It's finally a little cooler.

The humidity is down, so it feels so much better outside.

I was able to cut a few roses today.

They smell wonderful!!

I brought a few plants down with me when we moved from Michigan. The clay is actually kind to roses, so transplanting them turned out to be a good idea.

The blooms are small...but that is to be expected from the shock of being moved.

I am just happy to have lovely roses to enjoy.

Of course, I had to leave all of the big climbers, but the newer David Austin roses came with me.

I lost one of my favoites...the Eden Climber...I hope I can order another one when they become available.

That's all part of the moving process...starting over. That includes gardening.  The coneflowers are all doing exceptionally well! I am not a big fan of tropicals, but I am finding some that I actually like.

Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend! 

Be safe!

God Bless You!

xxoo

Bluebirds and Mandolins

Oh my goodness....I just spent over an hour with the photos again.  Going back and forth trying to lighten them up enough to post them.

It used to be so much easier!

I use my camera, just like I used to. 

Trying not to get frustrated....but this is just crazy!!!

We are becoming more acclimated to the heat here in the south.

We hear this is an exceptionally warmer early Summer than usual this year.

At the hottest part of the day, I've been inside, working on stationery. Doing watercolors. Hopefully, I will get really good at it with a lot of practice.

The man is supposed to cut down the two trees next week, so we can have our pool installed.  That will be nice.  Especially with all of the heat we've been getting.

I'm looking forward to going to church tomorrow.  I love the gospel music!

The message is very encouraging, also.

God is so good!!

Jim found one of the Christian Motorcycle Association Chapters this morning, and he attended their meeting.  There's another chapter closer, and they meet this evening. He'll go to that meeting, and see what that group is about.  I sincerely hope he finds a place in one of the groups down here. 

I feel ready to get involved in a women's Bible study group.  I won't wait for one to come to me...I need to search one out.  With prayer, and God's direction, I know there is a place for me to be involved.

Have a wonderful evening!!

xxoo

Bluebirds and Mandolins

I finally figured out how to get my pictures onto my blog.

It takes a lot longer than it used to, with more steps, but at least I can show you what I have been doing.

The guest room is finally set up!

With trends coming and going, I seem to stay with the old shabby chic decor. 

I should probably change...but I love the eclectic look in my home.

So you will see all of the same "stuff" I have had for so many years, and a few things thrown in here and there that may look a little different.

I love old chippy, and crusty, lol, doors as backdrops for dried floral arrangements.

I am so happy that we live closer to the Gulf.

My love of seashells hasn't diminished, so collecting them will be something that will continue.

I used to sprinkle them on our beach at the lakehouse for the grandkids to find when they came up to stay with us.

They absolutely loved finding them as much as I did when we stayed on Sanibel Island.

Even tho we don't live in a cottage at a lake, the sentiment is still the same.

So, we are ready for travelers...or vacationers!  Family and friends. You are welcome anytime. Let us know, and I will have biscuits and gravy waiting for you!

xxoo

Bluebirds and Mandolins

I finally figured out how to download the pictures from today onto my blog....at least for today....that is.

I am learning which plants grow in the heavy clay soil, and which do not.  Also, what plants can take this 100 degree heat on a daily basis.

Container gardening for this Summer seems to be the way to go for me.

We will get some troughs, and build up some raised gardens for next year, since we got a late start to gardening due to the move.

I have some other herbs in pots elsewhere, and plan on bringing them up onto the deck soon.

I should have shown you some of the roses I brought with me from the lake.

They seem to be doing okay.

Slow but sure on those.

Love this sweet little owl from Erin.

The Jade is outgrowing the container so fast!

The Coneflowers seem to do well in the clay soil. So I should have quite a few by next season!!

I planted a few clumps down here.

Melissa and Kevin gave me this pretty Honeysuckle plant for Mother's Day.

It took right off!

I love the colors!!

A combination of plants in the little planter from Aldi's that I brought down.

I bought one for each of the girls last year, also.

Our porches each have a cute box to fill each year.

Gardening in Alabama is so different than it was in Michigan.  The soil is completely different!  The weather is a huge change!

Knowing what plants will survive down here will take some time to figure out.

I think it will all be okay.

It's all part of the journey.

Have a great week!

xxoo 

Experiencing Peace.

I am having trouble downloading pictures to my blog.

I keep trying over and over again, but duplicates of photos I have already posted keep showing up.

It's frustrating, and just confirms why I don't post anymore.

These rocks, and shale are all along the roadways, and highways here in Alabama.

Sometimes you will see a warning sign about falling rock as you come up along side these open areas of shear rock that line the roadsides.

These huge rocks jut out of the sides of hills, and mountains everywhere!

You have to be very careful when you are walking through the woods...suddenly you come to the end of a path, and you can walk over the side of a high hill and end up in a stream below!!

As long as you watch your step, you can enjoy a very peaceful walk through natures natural wonders....listening to the streams break gently over the rock steps that lead down to the river...winding their way through the woods.

Some falls rushing faster than others, helped along by higher drops in the rock stairs. Or slowed by fallen logs, sometimes almost to a trickle....the sounds accompanied by the sounds of song birds high in the trees.

All meeting at the river below.

There you're met by the voices of the fishermen....and the plunking of their lines and sinkers hitting the water.

If you stop far enough above the river's edge....you can hear the echo's of the men's voices.

You stand between the world of solitude, and the business of the river.

Like being at the edge of Heaven.

Do you long for that Peace that transcends all understanding?  It's available to you. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5-6.

When you question which way to go....ask the Lord for direction. When you feel overwhelmed by circumstances, He will walk you through them.

Even when the road seems rocky, or the world around you is full of clamour and business....there is Peace found in God your Father.

xxoo

Bluebirds and Mandolins.....

There are so many beautiful things to see here in Alabama.

There are pretty little waterfalls running along paths in the woods.

Great places to hike!

You never went far, without coming up on another little stream, or water tumbling over rocks.

I loved hearing the constant sounds of water.

What a great walk through the thick woods!

Even next to the parking lot, huge rocks were sticking out of the ground!

The terrain is uneven, and rocky, yet beautiful, with water tumbling over shale, large rocks, and fallen logs.

I had to watch my step, because some of the hills suddenly drop off, and you might end up at the bottom of a very steep...almost cliff/like hill....eeeek!!!

It was all so beautiful!!  I have never seen such amazing scenery to walk through.  I have more photos to share for my next post.  

Enjoy your week!

xxoo

Bluebirds and Mandolins....

I am on the covered deck this morning, where we spend a lot of time, reading, praying, having meals, and just enjoying being outdoors.

A pair of wrens is building a nest in the bird house hanging in the upper right side of the photo.

What a joy to watch them fly in and out with pieces of pine needles, and dried grass.

Erin and her family gifted us with this owl, and Jade plant just before we moved.

It has already grown since I put it out on the deck!!

Every time I see it, I think of Erin and her sweet family.

Just a start to some herbs for the kitchen.

The soil here is hard clay.

We are working on amending it for flower gardening.

There is a small area around, and under the deck that provides some shade for some plants that I have been working on.

We will have container gardens, and raised gardens, as well.

The white planter and creeping phlox is another gift from sweet Erin.

The purple flowers will return once I cut it back.

We are looking forward to attending the service at Calvary Baptist Church tomorrow.

We felt so welcomed last Sunday.

The worship is Gospel music with mandolin, banjo, and acoustic guitar.

The pastor is very energetic, and his love for the Lord gushes forth like a river!!

The Holy Spirit is the teacher, and that is what we seek!

We have so many Bluebirds here daily!  Their color is magnificent!!   I am trying to come up with a new name for my blog....something that isn't cutsie, or trendy.  Bluebirds comes to mind, and the mandolin playing the gospel music at church comes to my heart.  Bluebirds and Mandolins sounds kind of right, and southern....I will think on it some more.  Have a wonderful Saturday!!  

xxoo