I'M THANKFUL FOR

 

I'M THANKFUL FOR

I'm thankful for skies of blue

and the morning's sparkling dew

covering blooms that grew

in a rainbow of hues

every morning like bright jewels

making for a pretty view.

I'm thankful for birds that flew

and to hear them sing coo coo

for songs brighten my day anew

giving me a much clearer view

of God's goodness to me and you.

Is it the same for you too?

I'm thankful for rainbows, too,

and the sunset's golden hue

for both are God's jewels

sent to me and you

as promises anew

of God's faithfulness true.

I'm thankful for days rainy and cool

for rain greens the grass to look like new

and fresh vegetables will grow anew

in a rainbow of colors, it's true.

One day they'll make a healthy stew

to keep me safe from the flu.

I'm thankful for cattle that moo

and for animals that live in zoos

where they are cared for by a crew

of working men and women who

enjoy their work each day anew.

You should plan a trip to the zoo.

I'm thankful that everyday is a school

where I always learn something brand new

or perhaps something I once knew

for I tend to forget, it's true.

Is it the same way for you too?

Learning gives us a clearer view.

I'm thankful for garden tools.

Some purchased, some like new

given by friends who knew

I needed a helper to

control how the garden grew.

Tools are helpmates and cool.

I'm thankful everyday, it's true,

but not for insects, they're cruel,

nor for those bucks and does who

visit during the night to

eat my garden's view.

It's like my garden woos.

I'm thankful that when bills come due

I'm able to pay each month anew

for God supplies all my needs, it's true,

and many of my selfish wants, too.

Did you know God's Word says we're His jewel?

I know God is faithful to you too.

I'm thankful for the Creator who

provides and protects me each day anew.

Who proves His love for me, it's true,

by His faithfulness sent from above to

bless me and those I love anew

with His best as we follow God's rules.

I'm thankful for celebration's ado

with Valentines sent from you know who,

Easter baskets filled with surprises new,

Halloween when children say boo to you,

then Thanksgiving when we review,

Christmas - God's gift to me and you.

I'm thankful when it's your birthday too

when a special cake is baked for you

to be shared with those who love you

celebrating you with much ado.

My, how the years flew

while the young ones grew.

I'm thankful everyday there's always something new

to be thankful for. I'm sure you already knew.

Being thankful is a mindset to see what's true

then daily dwell on that truth each day anew

until thankfulness resides in you.

Being thankful will chase away the blues.

I'm thankful for many friends who

were sent by God for He just knew

who I would need when He sent you

and blessed me with the gift of you.

May God always bless you

with peace and joy anew.

* * * * *

And may each and every day you too

find much to be thankful for anew.

Being thankful gives us a new view

refreshing us like cool morning dew

while worries, over which we stew,

weigh us down like sticky glue.

Remember this rule:

Thankfulness rules!

It's a jewel

of many hues -

physically, emotionally, it's true,

mentally and spiritually too.

Be joyful always;

pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Give thanks to the Lord,

for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

Thanks be to God!

He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 15:57

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

CRISP

 

CRISP

Wood smoke a wisp

on a day crisp.

Off to the orchard to pick

apples night-visiting deer missed.

Walk by the pond where fish

are deep in the mud in bliss.

Leaves underfoot crisp.

Black walnut kicked.

High in the trees apples list.

An apple picker picks.

Into a bucket when picked.

Apples bitten juicy crisp.

Here's one on the ground missed.

Too many for my fist.

Bucket soon full with apples picked.

Some nipped by birds but still crisp.

What will taste delish?

Applesauce, apple butter, yes?

Apple pie or apple crisp?

All good to the last lick.

Light a candlewick.

For a midnight snack, fill a dish.

Don't make yourself sick.

Blow out the candle, as you make a wish.

* * * * *

If every man, woman, child

could pick apples on a day mild

enjoying the wonderful outdoors

given to us by God the Creator

their stress levels would then be lessened;

if everyone could learn that lesson.

When you look into someone's face

you'll see worry that can't be erased.

It's etched into their brow,

brought on by stress – and how!

Worry causes stress, you'll find

and prohibits peace of mind.

If there are more worry lines than laugh lines

brought on over the years through one's lifetime,

then you need to be reminded

what God the Father says, so kind.

It's: “Do not worry about tomorrow,”

for you'll find worry leads to sorrow.

When you worry, joy is unattainable,

for worry renders you quite unable

to see the good things that abound

where you wear a great big frown.

So forget about your worries and put on a smile.

Your smile will become a habit after awhile.

I will forget my complaint;

I will change my expression and smile.

Job 9:27

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

I Timothy 6:6

The story was inspired by the last week of my grandmother's life when

I walked past the pond and the black walnut tree, to their orchard beside

the barn to pick apples to take in to show her. She did hold one and smell it.

Gram was known for making the best apple pies. I don’t know which apples she preferred to use to make pies, but I do know my grandparents had a Northern Spy tree. They produce large apples. Those apples were my dad’s favorite.

P.S. I’ve learned to use two brands of apples for the best tasting apple pies. Here’s my recipe for pie crust:

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking powder

2/3 cup shortening

1 tablespoon oil

enough milk to form dough.

Blend ingredients using bread dough attachment until dough forms ball.

Roll out on lightly floured surface.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Making applesauce:

Cook with just a little water until softened.

Purchased this food mill years ago to make currant jelly.

A friend borrowed it to make grape jelly.

If you leave the skins on, you'll make pink applesauce.

GOLD BLANKET

 

GOLD BLANKET

Yesterday's surprise snow storm

covered the ground like a white blanket.

This morning under the maple tree's crown

spread out all around is a gold blanket

for the snow-weighted leaves piece-by-piece drifted down

as if quilting a gold blanket on the ground.

One-by-one the gold leaves float

like stitch-by-stitch quilters poke

a quilt to one day comfort someone

after many day's work is done,

piecing together the seams

ensuring corners are reamed.

An autumn breeze might rearrange,

like a quilter who rips out seams,

but in the end the quilt will please

as the leaves are teased by the breeze.

This breeze also makes the quilt of leaves fluffier,

almost as soft as a downy comforter.

Soon the maple tree will be bare.

The grass covered with angled squares.

The tree's limbs stretching upward toward the dark sky

where the full moon will play peek-a-boo by and by.

Quilts also are known to play peek-a-boo

as they shelter one from the winter blues.

On a perfect autumn day

this gold blanket will be stowed away

when leaf rakes are busily employed

raking a pile to be enjoyed

for someone to jump in

this pile of bedding.

Then it's time for the quilter's quilt to be enjoyed

perhaps with a bowl of popcorn to enjoy.

Piece-by-piece one feeds themselves

as piece-by-piece the quilt was stitched

with a bit of love in every stitch

as the quilter quilted this gift.

* * * * *

Rather an afghan, a quilt, or a comforter,

we know these coverings provide comfort.

We also know that kind words provide needed comfort.

It costs nothing to be an encourager, to relieve someone's hurt.

Everyone is facing battles unimaginable.

You can encourage them even if you don't know their troubles.

Make it your habit to find something positive in everyone you meet.

Compliment them on their attire or simply smile when you greet.

Perhaps send a note in the mail "just because"

to someone needing encouragement - it does.

A basket of fresh garden vegetables shared

will show someone you know that you care.

Be there as a comforter

or an encourager

through life's many ups and downs.

Turn someone's frown upside down.

Above all, go to God for comfort

when life has caused you troubles and hurt.

If there is a purpose in our troubles,

II Corinthians 1:3-5 contains the solution, for God is able.

You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly...

Ruth 2:13

...a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs 12:25b

...how good is a timely word!

Proverbs 15:23b

Their father...mourned for them many days,

and his relatives came to comfort him.

I Chronicles 7:22

...heard about all the troubles that had come upon him,

they set out from their homes and met together by agreement

to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.

Job 2:11b

As a mother comforts her child,

so will I comfort you.

Isaiah 66:13a

Praise be to the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion

and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

II Corinthians 1:3-5

...live in harmony with one another;

be sympathetic, love as brothers,

be compassionate and humble...

be a blessing, because to this you were called.

I Peter 3:8-9

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

HOARFROST

 

HOARFROST

Hoarfrost last night.

This morning's sunlight

dissipates the frost.

Summer's flowers now lost.

Icy chill in the air

though sky clear and fair.

No clouds interrupt.

Blue skies from morn to sup.

As the sun streaks

through trees tall peaks

streaks of white frost disappear,

leaving behind a path clear.

The sun highlights the hill

where crayon colors spill.

Above the hill

clear blue skies thrill.

Hillside rust, gold, and green

though every day less green.

Orange appears opposite blue on the color wheel.

To leaf watchers, October skies are a big deal.

Hoarfrost atop trees.

Trees seen dropping their leaves

like rain drops.

Leafs float then plop.

Listen, you can hear them plop.

A gentle rustle as they stop

atop the blanket of leaves

later stirred up by a breeze.

Each leaf floats down like a wave goodbye

bidding summer goodbye, autumn is nigh

though autumn doesn't last long at all

you'll realize each every fall.

When autumn comes there's much to do

for Jack Frost comes with much ado.

Gardeners hurry for the days are short

as they deadhead and perhaps plant in the dirt.

A perfect autumn day

for the sunshine's bright rays

warmed the air by noon.

Deadheading now looms.

Or maybe plant spring bulbs.

Something gardeners love

for bulbs hold a promise and a wish

when spring arrives with a flourish.

In the meantime a day to enjoy the sun.

A day to get fall cleanup over and done.

The hoarfrost

once cold, now lost.

* * * * *

From sun up to sun down

a gardener is found

laboring all day under the sun

for nothing is more satisfying, none,

than harvesting the fruits of your labor

then sharing with friends and neighbors.

Do not forget to do good and to share with others,

for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

Frosty Morning

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

The Day Before Frost (Predicted Snow Flurries)

For us in the northeast, autumn is a magical time. 

A tour of foliage, flowers, seed pods, herbs - this November 2, 2021.

Leaves are turning red, or changing into their party dress:

Dogwood

Japanese Maple

Thank you, Lesley.

Burning Bush

Japanese Maple across the street.

Barberry is thorny.

(I've read suggested to plant under windows to discourage intruders.)

Barberry seeds

Holly

Heavenly Blue morning glory still filled with buds,

though not blooming these chilly mornings.

Planted in memory of Kathie's mother.

Variegated Hydrangea has never bloomed.  :-( 

I've tried plenty of Hollytone, etc.  Any ideas?

Foxglove planted itself.

Bees "bed and breakfast."

They self-seed abundantly, but don't seem to winter over well.

Thank you, Gloria.  

Lungwort

A gift from Lesley that multiplies abundantly.

Prickly Pear was filled with blooms this past summer.

Thank you, Ruby.

Seed pods on hosta with large blue foliage.

Hibiscus seedpods.

Oakleaf hydrangea changing into her party dress.

A gift from AL.  Thank you, Sadie.

Ferns planted in a bern, with hostas:

Japanese Painted Fern

Fern wearing her autumn attire.

I don't know the names of various ferns,

but I do know this one is a Christmas fern.

Tobacco plant blossoms.

Thank you, Betsy.

Last strawberry of the season.

Many beds fenced in to discourage deer.

Ornamental grasses and plumes:

Foliage will remain throughout the winter months to provide habitat.

In the spring, birds will use as nesting materials.

Hoping this ivy is a perennial.

Love seeing these surprises pop up here and there.

Thank you, Ruby.

Gloriosa Daisies bloom all summer and into fall.

I'll cut and toss the seedheads for more.

They reappear in various shades.

Thank you, Sandy.

Zinnias still blooming:

The last of the dahlias.

These were not here yesterday.

After frost, will be dug up and stored in basement.

Hydrangea

Late blooming mums

still being visited by bees.

Thank you, Jeanne.

Baptisia

Herb garden:

Parsley

Sage

Sadly, rosemary (an annual) died out.

Thyme

Bouquets will be made and stored in freezer for poultry.

Cardoon

Lovage (smells like celery).

Thank you, Jean.

Lemon Balm

Oregano w/bloom

Borage

Wisteria Arbor w/seedpod

Wisteria Seedpod

(First year for seedpods.)

The Lord will guide you always; - PROTECTOR

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land - PROVIDER

and will strengthen your frame.  - PERSERVER

You will be like a well-watered garden, - PRODUCTIVE

like a spring whose waters never fail. - PROMISE

Isaiah 58:11