In The Garden And On The Lake

Happy day sweet friends! We have been enjoying fine weather this week. It has been wonderful to be able to keep the windows open allowing our cottage a nice airing out. The days have been warm with cool breezes and no humidity, and the nights have been chilly. The sun is shining brightly and the birds are singing! No doubt they are as delighted with this weather as we are. As you can see Pearl has been able to wear her new bee shirt while the weather has been nice. She loves to play with bumblebees, so when I came across this shirt I had to get it for her. Let's see what is in the garden, shall we?



My dear husband took the wonderful photos of this Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the bee on the lambs ear, the foxglove and sweetpeas. Thank you husband!





This is my favorite photo. She looks so inquisitive! I love to see God's beautiful creation up close. It is a joy to watch these little jewels, especially when they are feeding at blossoms. What a wonderful and loving Father we have to bless us with so many beautiful things to enjoy!



This lovely foxglove is a new addition to our garden, and a most welcome one I might add! The day after my husband planted it for me, I was sitting right beside it, enjoying my lunch in the sun, my son was enjoying his lunch on the porch. I heard a bee buzzing, and I was able to see it go all the way up into the bloom, it was wonderful! Pearl thought is was wonderful, too, so she stuck her sweet nose in one of the blooms!



Foxglove and sweet william, my sweet son's favorite flower!



Sweetpeas and coneflower.



We planted our sweetpeas a bit late. Here in the south the need to be planted in early November. I am so thankful they bloomed before it gets too hot. They smell wonderful!



This is Pearl's favorite photo! A bee enjoying the lambs ear.



Our hydrangeas are blooming! They are so beautiful! I would love to dry the flowers. Do any of you have tips on how and when to dry them?



Such a beautiful color!






I love to be in my garden. I feel such peace when I am there. It is so quiet and peaceful, except for the birds, hummingbirds and bees making their sweet soothing sounds. It is a wonderful time for me to talk to the Lord and share my struggles and fears with Him, and thank Him for the many blessings He bestows upon me. I think of the song, What a friend we have in Jesus. This beautiful song ministers to my heart so very much, and as you read or sing the lyrics, I pray it will minister to your heart too, and that you would know what a friend we have in Jesus.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
~ Joseph M. Scriven 1855

Another beautiful place I enjoying being is on the lake we live by. Right behind our garden is the bayou. We just hop in our Jon (I like to call it Johnny) boat and head out to the lake, but before we do that, we will go to the end of the bayou.



It is so peaceful and beautiful! We hope to have a canoe someday to paddle around in. I love how the trees arch over the water.


I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

~ Joyce Kilmer 1886-1918




Pearl loves the Johnny boat, too!



If this tree had not fallen in the bayou you could go down a bit further, so we must turn around and head out to the beautiful lake.....




....dotted with Bald Cypress trees covered in Spanish Moss.

I hope you enjoyed your visit in my garden and on the lake. I am so glad you stopped by! I pray each of you will enjoy the rest of your week, full of blessings and God's love.