New every morning

A walk about the yard here at Rainbow's End showcased several new buds this humid and hot week:

Prickly Pear filled with hundreds of buds. Yellow blooms forthcoming.

This hydrangea filled with globes of buds waiting to burst.

Not the Bittersweet I thought I ordered years ago, but the cascading canes make a nice arbor.

Canes tend to twine around each other.

Although trimmed extensively recently, needs again.

Oatleaf hydrangea foliage and bud.

Scotch Thistle buds forming.  Yellow finches love these seeds.

Rose buds turned into flowers.  These are miniature roses.

Can't forget the vegetable seeds.  Each one filled with a miracle. This is spaghetti squash.

Currants are turning red. Black caps forming.

Orange ditch day lilies have also formed buds.

Summer has burst into season...

New life reminds me of Lamentations 3:21-23:

Yet this I call to mind

and therefore I have hope.

Because of the Lord's great love

we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are NEW every morning;

great is your faithfulness!

Despite whatever yesterday or the week before or the previous month brought,

tomorrow morning is a NEW day filled with precious promises and possibilities.

Recall to mind God's past faithfulness.  It gives birth to HOPE.

Excited to see these buds turn into blooms.

Anticipating prayers answered re a vertigo problem dealing with.

God's faithfulness is NEW every morning.

 

 

Ring-around-the-Rosie

After a needed rain came down,

soaking into the ground,

one moonlit night

when the moon shone bright

surprise visitors came

to play once again.

These visitors do not come out to play

on days when the sun shines bright, no way.

They only came after showers of rain

rained down on the valleys and mountains.

They only come when everyone is sleeping inside,

sung asleep by the lullaby of rain outside.

These visitors had a midnight party with dancing

and they played ring-around-the-Rosie, chanting,

as they frolicked in the grass

until the clock struck half past,

then they were magically gone;

that is, until the next rain storm.

How do you know they came?

What gives them away again?

They quickly leave when morning returns,

but they leave behind white toadstools newborn

in a ring-around-the-Rosie seen in the lawn

that you’ll see when the new day’s morning becomes dawn.

Who dances at night

under the moonlight?

They’re always merry.

It’s the fairies.

Even if you look quick

you won’t see them, they’re magic.

Next time you see toadstools in your yard,

you’ll know fairies came after it rained hard.

Though you won’t hear them singing in the rain,

you might start to sing a little refrain

from “Singing in the Rain”

and thank God for sending rain.

Here’s “Singing in the Rain’s” refrain:

Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo

Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo

Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo

Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo...

In your town do you call mushrooms toadstools?

Have you ever seen a toad sit on a stool?

Whichever you call them look for the ring

where fairies danced and sang before morning.

* * * * *

Do you think God has a sense of humor?

Is that why fairy rings develop or

does God desire that we laugh

and sing and dance and frolic?

Don’t let the burdens of life weigh you down.

Wear a smile. Get rid of those frowns.

Let laughter replace any stored up bitterness

and happiness take the place of sadness.

Don’t let ill will come in to dwell.

Eliminate it so you’ll feel well.

You’ll even feel lighter when you let go

of what causes you sorrow and woe.

Cast any burdens.

Let your heart be open

to the good things God has planned

for God does have a good plan.

The One enthroned in heaven laughs.

Psalm 2:4

Our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs of joy.

Psalm 126:2

Cast all your anxiety on him

because he cares for you.

I Peter 5:7

I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

The oil of gladness

instead of mourning,

a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

Isaiah 61:3

Fairies Ring

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

STORMS

 

Storms

Clouds gathering in the sky,

the sun now hidden by and by,

distant thunder draws nigh,

lightning flashes by and by.

The wind comes from who knows where.

There's the smell of rain in the air.

Raindrops

start to plop.

Raindrops turn into sprinkles, than

sprinkles turn into showers, than

showers turn to pouring rain.

Will the sun ever shine again?

The temperature cools

as the storm moves through.

Vegetation

takes a beating.

Limbs sway

every which way

as trees take a shower

from nature's awesome power.

Torrents of rain

and thunder reigns

as this afternoon's storm

leaves leaves and limbs torn.

Puddles form

before too long

then flooding from the downpour

as thunder continues to roar.

The sky is laden slate gray.

Nervous dogs are heard bay.

Although rain was needed, "enough already."

The storm turns into a shower steady.

Sooner or later the storm blows through

then gray clouds make way for skies of blue

for behind the clouds, the sun

was waiting to shine all along.

When the sun does finally shine through

a rainbow's spectrum will surprise you

with a promise,

nature's kiss...

lovingly bestowed

on everything below

assuring that God is in control

even when storm clouds continue to blow.

* * * * *

Yes, behind the storm clouds the sun

was hidden, but still there all along.

Yet our focus was on the storm,

of new fears being born.

Behind our personal storms the Son

is forgotten, but still there all along.

His focus is always on us

even when we forget to trust.

Sometimes it takes a storm

for us to finally learn

that the Son knows what is best.

It's when we learn His faithfulness.

Next time there's a rainstorm

think about this lesson learned,

that the hidden sun will again shine

and the Son is there for you - all the time.

He stilled the storm to a whisper;

the waves of the sea were hushed.

They were glad when it grew calm,

and he guided them to their desired haven.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love.

Psalm 107:29

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging water;

the storm subsided, and all was calm

Luke 8:24

For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son

and believes in him shall have eternal life.

John 6:40

The life I live in the body,

I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,

and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.

This is how we know that we love the children of God:

by loving God and carrying out his commands.

This is love for God: to obey his commands.

And his commands are not burdensome,

for everyone born of God overcomes the world.

This is the victory that has overcomes the world, even our faith.

Who is it that overcomes the world?

Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God

I John 5:1-5

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

'Tis the season...for dill and chives

 

Cottage Cheese Dill Bread

2 cups flour

2 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1 cup cottage cheese

2 eggs

1/4 cup plus 2 T milk

2 T sugar or honey

1/4 cup melted butter

3 T+ minced dill

2T+ dried onions

1/4 cup+ fresh chive blossoms, separated

1/2 t+ granulated garlic

Bake 50 min at 350 in buttered loaf pan.

Herb Butter

Whip room temperature butter,

adding any washed and dried fresh herbs,

including blossoms such as chive blossoms and stems.

For the earth which drinketh in the rain...

and bringeth forth herbs!

Hebrews 6:7

(Added 1/2 shredded cheese.) 

Thank You, Visitors

 

Life Is a Garden Party blog visits within the past 7 days:

You all are a blessing to me.

As Matthew states (paraphrased): go and tell all nations.

Sitting in the computer chair, in the dog days of summer in front of the AC, in the frigid days of winter covered with an afghan, writing gardening observations with a spiritual application began in my mid 50s after having surgery redirecting blood supply to brain. (There is a word for this phenomina - doing something after surgery you didn't do before.)

The Bible says, "encourage one another."  You all are my encouragers.

At the top left there is a left facing arrow.  If you click on that you'll see a window on the left side with the word "comments." Feel free to share comments.  I will always respond.

And feel free to share this blog on your personal page as free advertising. 

God bless you as you have blessed me!

Links to order Life Is a Garden Party:

 My nephew created the following to share with you all.

Gardening season is right around the corner. I know you are getting antsy to begin. (A GREAT GIFT IDEA TOO)

I’ve authored 6 (Yes, SIX!!) books – see what’s available in my online store: https://www.amazon.com/.../Judy-Janowski/author/B00L0RIDD8

Yes, Life Is a Garden Party is an entire collection of books – and are you aware that I publish blog articles weekly? See them right here: https://lifeisagardenparty.blogspot.com/

Yes, there are 5 volumes of my book “Life Is a Garden Party” (below) and I also wrote “God’s Gift to Us - Christmas” (https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Gift-Christmas.../dp/B0BJCCMS1G)

Volume 1 of Life Is a Garden Party is no longer available due to demise of publisher.

Volume 2 is available in several formats right here: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Garden-Party.../dp/B0793SLQ82

Volume 3 in paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Garden-Party.../dp/1641110198

Volume 4 in paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Garden-Party.../dp/1649907907

Volume 5 in paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Garden-Party.../dp/B0DGZM4V1L

Go to my page and invite your friends to follow. Always look forward to your comments and shared insights!

TY Adam Janowski. And my nephew is also a writer. Check out His personal page for Authentic Behavior Contrast. I answered the questions and his analysis was right on!

FIREWORKS

 Rainy season here in the northeast.  Vegetable garden not yet planted. Rain is beneficial producing nitrogen making the weeds grow healthy to feed the compost pile, already shoulder high. Nothing is wasted in God's econony - black gold in 2-3 years. 

Fireworks

Yodels

echo

between the hills

when loud booms fill

the darkened midnight sky

on summer nights by and by

when the noisy rumble

of raging thunder

awakens sleepers.

A rude greeter.

(Jeepers creepers.)

Suddenly the sky is lit

for less than a minute.

Lightning flashes

with zig zag slashes

then thunder follows

louder than a holler

booming,

moving

onward,

eastward.

This show continues for a time -

lightning with thunder behind.

A bright flash, a loud boom,

another flash, another boom.

Choreographed by the Creator

with a display spectacular.

Sounds like heavenly bowling

when the thunder is rolling,

although many dogs howl

not liking it at all.

This display of fireworks

with lights, than a boom that shook,

is reminiscent of the 4^th of July

when patriotic revelers look toward the sky

where an explosion of fireworks

cause ooohs and aaahs with every look,

but nature’s display is not man made.

Thunder and lightning is God-made.

It's designed to cool the earth God made

and to water creation's blades and glades.

Rain may come in sheets

and sometimes there's sleet

or is it hail

that might hale?

Wind may ruffle the leaves on trees.

Dead limbs may fall out of trees,

sometimes falling on power lines

then electricity is off for a time.

Creeks rise and sometimes overflow

when rain comes down too fast, we know.

In the morning the earth gleams green.

Seedlings have grown by inches, it seems.

Other plants are found lying on the ground

for the wind and rain have knocked them down.

Because of last night's rain,

the grass needs to be cut again.*

After the thunderstorm

a new day is born;

after the din

song birds sing.

*Lightning and thunder contains another power besides flashes and booms. Grass appears greener after a thunderstorm because lightning during the storm breaks down nitrogen gas in the atmosphere, converting it into a form that plants can readily absorb as nitrate, essentially acting as a natural fertilizer for the grass when it rains down with the storm water; this process is called nitrogen fixation.  (Copied)

* * * * *

Before our personal storms come to pass,

God has left us with a viable promise.

It's: “Immanuel - God with us,”

so we'll remain strong despite weaknesses.

So when those troublesome thunderclouds roar,

or unwelcome lightning storms knock at our door,

or figurative fireworks leave us sore,

know that God is with us and for us, for sure.

Yes, something good will come from it

when we believe down in our spirit

that God keeps His promises.

This is our hope to possess.

...for the Lord has promised good things...

Numbers 10:29

God is not a man, that he should lie,

nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.

Does he speak and then not act?

Does he promise and not fulfill?

Numbers 23:19

The Lord your God will bless you as he has promised.

Deuteronomy 15:6

You know with all your heart and soul

that not one of all the good promises

the Lord your God gave you has failed.

Every promise has been fulfilled;

not one has failed.

Joshua 23:14

And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made...

Do as you have promised, so that you name will be great forever.

O Sovereign Lord, you are God!

Your words are trustworthy,

and you have promised these good things to your servant.

II Samuel 7:25-26, 28

The Lord has kept the promise he made.

You have kept your promise...

with your mouth you have promised

and with your hand you have fulfilled it.

I Kings 8:20,24

You have kept your promise because you are righteous.

Nehemiah 9:8

My comfort in my suffering is this:

Your promise preserves my life.

Psalm 119:50

The Lord is faithful to all his promises

and loving toward all he has made.

Psalm 145:13

...being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised...

Romans 4:21

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,

for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

In keeping with his promise

we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,

the home of righteousness.

II Peter 3:13

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Compost pile already shoulder high: