Lighthouses

I just love lighthouses, don't you? When I was in college I spent one summer working at a camp on Oak Island. I spent every night of that summer in a room in an old building that served as the barracks for Ft. Caswell, a fort dating back to the Civil War. The warm ocean breeze lulled me to sleep every night, as did the constant flashing of the Oak Island Lighthouse. With four flashes followed by six seconds of darkness, its consistency became a rather soothing presence in an otherwise dark room.

Since 1958 this lighthouse has been guiding ships safely through the night off the shores of North Carolina.

Even though I have been vacationing on Oak Island for over 20 years, I had never climbed to the top of the lighthouse until this summer. My lovely daughter, Catie, volunteered as a tour guide while working a summer job as a waitress on the island. This gave me the perfect excuse to visit. (Isn't she one of the prettiest guides you have ever seen?)

The climb to the top was not an easy one. The lighthouse has 131 ship's ladder steps making the trip to the top quite laborious. However, the view at the end of the journey is well worth the labor.

It was a little overcast on the day that I visited, however, Catie said that on a clear day one could see all the way to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.

Although the view of the vast ocean is amazing; I love the view of the intercoastal waterway and the marsh surrounding it.

After my visit to the lighthouse I was thinking about why I am so drawn to this structure. It finally dawned on me that, in a world where nothing ever stays the same, this lighthouse continues to give the same guidance that it has for many years. The same consistent four flashes and six second darkness that eased me to sleep every night over twenty years ago still continues today. Thankfully, I serve a God who is consistent in a world that is continuously changing.


Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Carson's New Blog!

Wow! I have

noticed that I am doing good to get one post a month published lately. With Carson's busy music schedule this summmer we have not had much down time. Hopefully, with Catie back at Chapel Hill and Carson starting school, I will have a little more time to connect with you all again. I also hope to get back into my garden and landscape and start some fall projects that I will be sharing with you.I do have a little favor to ask of you all. Carson is starting a blog to talk about the journey that she is on with her music. She will be posting about special things that are happening with her like studio time, radio interviews, performances, and the ups and downs of trying to have a career in music. She really needs some followers to encourage her in this journey. Would you be kind enough to check it out and follow her if you are interested? I know a lot of my followers are gardeners and foodies and such, but she would love to have you. If you know of any young people who are interested in a blog of this nature, would you please tell them about her! Thanks so much! Carson's Music Blog

Die In Your Arms by Justin Bieber (cover)

Hello there!  It's been a while.  I hope you guys are still out there.  I just wanted to give you a little update on what's going on out here in the country.  Carson and I have taken up another hobby...video production...as if we needed anything else to keep us busy.  Actually, she is trying to improve her youtube channel a bit and I've been enlisted to help!  I personally think that if this music thing doesn't work out, she may have a career in production.  What do you think??

Sunrise!

Lately I've been seeing a lot of sunrises! I just thought I would share a few with you.

For the Love of Hydrangeas

Stop and smell the roses...or hydrangeas! In the middle of this crazy, busy life that I am living, nothing can make me stop quicker than a beautiful bush full of hydrangeas. I have loved this particular flower since I was a little girl. In fact, I think this is the first flower that I remember noticing as a child. There was an old abandoned house on our property that we used for a clubhouse. I still remember the old walls that were made of boards, the large cracked window in the front, and the door that we tied shut with a piece of twine. However, the best feature of this house appeared in June when the stick-looking bush outside turned into a green pillow covered with beautiful blue flowers. Although that bush has been gone for sometime now, my mom has a huge bush grown from a cutting of it. I am so glad that she thought to do that several years ago. Yesterday, I hosted a bridal shower in my home using hydrangeas from that very bush in my mom's yard. I don't think any other flower could have been more beautiful. Only these beautiful, blue, billowy blooms can slow me down long enough to stop and realize how my busyness has kept me from the thing I most enjoy...blogging with my friends. I have missed you all so much. I hope this post finds you and your families healthy, happy, and having a wonderful summer!

Carolina In My Mind James Taylor (Cover by Carson Hill)

Oh my, where do I start. I have missed blogging so much. I have been really busy with my girls. Catie is finishing up her freshman year at UNC-Chapel Hill and Carson has been busy with homeschooling and trying to pursue a music career. We just got back from Nashville for a few days where we met with people in the music business and got a good feeling for where Carson needs to go with her music. Catie is getting ready to finish up her first year of college and we are so excited for her. I thought when my kids were little that life was busy. Never did I imagine how busy it could get! I still love every minute of my country life, however it has been put on hold for a while. I must help my girls follow their dreams! Life will be back to normal one day. Until then, I will try my best to keep up with what is going on with my blogging friends. Please know that I haven't forgotten you...I am trying to keep up with everything you are doing. I just may not comment on what I see. I love you all dearly! Please keep us in your prayers as we try to glorify God with our lives! Enjoy a little Carolina music from the Hills!

Temporarily Interrupted

My quiet country life has been temporarly interrupted. My blog posts have been few and far between. I don't know if I am coming or going. If any of you have been wondering where I've been, check out Carson's youtube channel. I think it will speak for me. Anyway, she has just finished recording her third song. She is working so hard. She has been singing anywhere and everywhere. Just this week she did her first presentation to an elementary school audience about the process of writing a song. She made the video to show at the end of her powerpoint for the students to see what it was like to record a song. She edited it herself. Of course this proud mamma really wanted it share it with all of my blogging buddies. Hope you enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my blogging buddies!

Morning Sunrise (Repost from February 2010)

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." Doxology

I woke up this morning to a dreary, rainy day. I really love rain most of the time, however, cold, winter rains can sometimes be depressing. Days like this are perfect for counting my blessings. Without the rains of February, there would be no flowers of spring. I am thankful that God has given me so many blessings in life; my family (I love my family), my friends, and simple pleasures to enjoy.

One of the simple pleasures I enjoy on most days is my Morning Sunrise. I'm quite sure this name has been used before, it probably is not original. A couple of years ago I purchased myself an inexpensive juicer from Walmart, and since then I have been making my own mixed juices every morning. This one is my favorites: I juice one orange, one grapefruit, and add a splash of pomegranate juice. I then strain the pulp simply because I am not fond of it. Yummy! It is like drinking the morning sunrise, hence the name. This can add sunshine to any day.

I think everyone needs to find pleasure in the simple joys of life. On dreary, rainy, winter days those joys can brighten any heart.

Winter Pick-Me-Ups

Nothing beats the winter blues as much as flowers. Have you ever noticed how a simple vase of flowers can brighten any room? I am so thankful that there are blooms that emerge in late winter to remind us that spring is coming.

The winter daphne not only looks beautiful this time of year...its scent is heavenly. My husband described it perfectly the other day. He said that it smelled like Fruit Loops. I have to agree. The sweet scent of this shrub does remind me of the many bowls of Fruit Loops that I ate as a child. I get to enjoy this scent everytime I walk into my front yard. It is planted right beside the front porch steps for visitors to enjoy as they pass by. I also cut some of these and bring them in for their beauty and lovely scent.


My hellebores are beautiful outside against the dull winter landscape, as well as, grouped together in a vase to brighten any room in the house.


Their blooms will not last quite as long as some cut flowers, but for several days one can enjoy their beauty.



I am so thankful for these little winter pick-me-ups. What are some of the pick-me-ups that you enjoy during the winter months?

Warm Winter

On the news last night I heard the weatherman say that this was the warmest January in over seventy years. I believe it! Around here it looks like spring has sprung. Although I am perfectly content with the warmer winter, I sure hope that my plants will not suffer from the early blooming. These blooms do not usually show up until March.


hellebores


Yum, I smell Fruit Loops!


Nope, Chord, it's a winter daphne!


Daffodils already?


Blooms on my star magnolia???


Unfortunately, the pretty pink blooms are turning brown after a couple of days. :(

Well, it looks like winter has been cancelled in North Carolina this year. How is winter treating you in your neck of the woods?

Kristina at Art Abundant

Do you know someone that can brighten your day just by being in their presence? Someone who is joyful and encouraging every time that you see them? I think we all can think of someone who fits this description. When asked these questions, one of the first people who comes to my mind is my friend, Kristina. She attends church with us and teaches Carson (and me) art once a week.


She has the most positive personality of anyone that I know. Just spending time with her can make our day brighter. Her love and enthusiasm for art and life is contagious. Recently, I found out that she is a fellow blogger so I thought that I would introduce her to all of my blogging friends. I love the spiritual insight that she brings into her blog through everyday experiences. She is a wife, a mother of two young children, an art teacher, an artist, and a friend. Each of these areas are reflected in her blog Art Abundant. Please stop by and visit her. I am sure that you will be blessed by her presence in your life just as much as we are.

I only hope that I bring as much joy to others as Kristina brings to me and Carson.

Introducing Chord!

Just in case some of you have been wondering where I have been for the last couple of weeks...

Our lives have been consumed by a sweet little fellow.



Let me be the first to introduce you to the newest member of our family...Chord!



Isn't he a darling? He was Carson's Christmas present. I had forgotten what it is like to have a baby in the house. But this little sweetie is worth every minute of our time! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and your new year is blessed!