If you are willing, He is able.

When you move to a new area you wonder if you will find any great places to shop for those treasures that you have always filled your home with.

Moving to a new state was a little intimidating!

Surprisingly, it didn't take long for me to figure out where all the wonderful shops were located.

It started with a trip to the Vintage Market with the women's group from our church, and from there, things took off!!

Finding a greenhouse and garden center was also awesome!!

Everything fell into place after we found our church home and family.

As a matter of fact, it's time to get ready for Sunday morning service.

Jim's Christian Motorcycle Association chapter will be at the service this morning.

It will be a noisy start to the service with all of the Harleys pulling into the parking lot!!

They are a great group of men and women that work with the homeless, orphans, and less fortunate around the state...witnessing and sharing Christ's love.

Jim also visits the nursing home at least once a week to visit the people there. He has such a tender heart. 

You just never know where God will take you, and what He has planned for you.

Even in the retirement years of your life.

If you are willing, He is able.

xxoo

 

Yay!! It finally works again!!

I am totally amazed that this worked!

I took photos with my actual camera and popped the disk into the computer and downloaded the photos!

They transferred over to my blog as easy as could be!

This is just like when I used to blog!

If it worked like this for the past few years, I would have been posting all along.

I have not been on here in way too long.

It was so frustrating, I just gave up.

I really do not care for IG.

I have been staying connected on FB, but so miss my blogging friends, and posting on blogger.

We have worked really hard on putting in a flower garden here in Alabama.

Lots of planting after pulling out all of the shrubs that were planted all around the deck.

We have some container planters as well.

It's still a work in progress.

I love the way things are progressing so far.

We have a large raised garden for my herbs. Next year there will be another.

Some of the plants we brought down from Michigan transplanted well. Some others did not.

We have been bringing in new plants from a great greenhouse we found near here.

Very few David Austin roses transplanted well, but I am happy with what made it!!

I love the extended growing season down here!

The warmth and sunshine help my mood and outlook.

There are two Cilantro plants that need to be put in the ground.

Time to get outside and dig in the dirt...again!

Enjoy Spring!

xxoo

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