Signs of Spring!

Although today is cold and rainy, (again!) yesterday was warm and sunny. The weather was a wonderful preview to what we have in store for us here in the South in the next month or so. I took a little stroll around the yard to see if anything was starting to peek through the ground. Finally, signs of life were showing in my landscape again. I get excited about that kind of stuff!


The winter daphne should bloom any day now. I can't wait, it smells wonderful!


My 'Happy Returns' daylillies seem happy to return!


The lenten roses have perfect timing. They are all ready to open.


The first bloom! Somebody's got to get the show started.


A tiny purple crocus ready to shine. Proof that beautiful things can come in small packages.

This is one of my favorite times of the year. Saying goodbye to winter is always easy for me. I'm sure we still have quite a few cold days ahead, but thankfully they are going to be increasingly interrupted by beautiful days like yesterday!

Rainy Days and Mondays

After an absolutely beautiful weekend, today brings more rain. There is just something about a rainy Monday morning that makes it hard to get the week started. Carson and I began our schooling this morning reluctantly. She doesn't feel well today and has been dragging. I think the winter months are getting to the both of us. Dreary days seem to have a way making me over analyze everything. Although I love homeschooling, I think we need a change of some sort, maybe a new project or hobby to create some excitement around here. It could be that we just need some more warm weather and sunshine. Oh, well, enough thinking for now.



On a lighter note, I had lots of birds at the feeders this morning. A rainy day seems to bring more birds than any other day. The flapping and fighting that occurred was almost too funny. Along with the birds, I had several squirrels feasting at the feeders. John, being the hunter that he is, has offered to "take care" of them. I always thank him for the offer, but gently remind him that the squirrels have to eat too! I did, however, let out my two dogs, Freckles and Mo, thinking that they would run off the little critters. A little later, I noticed the squirrels were still eating up a storm. I went out to see where the dogs were. Mo was no where to be seen and Freckles was lounging on the front porch. It's time these dogs learn how to earn their keep!



Freckles: "Here I am. Now what was it you wanted me to do?"

Magnolia Readers Book Club

Today the weather is absolutely georgous! The temperature is in the upper fifties and the sun is shining brightly. What a wonderful break from the wintry weather we have been having!

I hosted our book club meeting that was postponed last weekend due to snow. The topic was love/romance so the table was set accordingly.

We each gave a short report of something that we had read on the chosen topic. Today we had a wide range of readings; everything from poetry and romantic novels to a book about the love of pets. I always love the different reports that are given.

I couldn't believe that the flower arrangement that I made and posted last week lasted until this week's meeting. I actually think it may be enjoyed for several more days.

Spending time with friends discussing books and poetry is something that I enjoy!

Back Off!

This morning I was sitting in my sunroom and drinking my coffee when I noticed that Ottie was back. I watched him play around in the water for some time. Since the sun was shining brightly, I decided to brave the cold air to go out and try to get some better pictures of him.


I went to sit on the pier and wait for him to come closer. The morning is one of my favorite times of the day to sit on the pier. There is usually not much wind and the water is still; perfect for reflecting the trees and sky. I sat there for a while, until I realized that Ottie was not going to come near to me. I decided to walk along the edge of the pond to get a closer look.







At first, he humored me. He swam around and studied my every move. And then it happened. That little feller growled at me. I was startled. My feelings were hurt. I took a couple of steps back. That sweet little otter, the one I had enjoyed watching, had growled at me! How dare he! I have been letting him swim in my pond! I have been letting him eat my fish! This is my territory! How dare He!






I stood there a while longer, took some more pictures, and stared back at him (just to let him know who was the boss.) I was still shocked and hurt that after all of my kindness to him, he told me to back off! Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Isn't that what I do to God sometimes? I enjoy all of his blessings and goodness in my life, and just when he wants to come closer, I say, "back off." Of course I don't growl at him (I would never do that); I just politely say, "That's close enough." Boy, did Ottie teach me a lesson today! I just had to stop to pray and ask for God's forgivness. I don't ever want him to 'back off' from my life. I want him in every part of it. I know I couldn't survive without him. I am thankful that when I draw close to him, he doesn't tell me to 'back off'; he just says, "Come closer."

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Come near to God and he will come near to you."
James 4:7&8

A Time of Reflection

Today is the first day of Lent. It is the time of year for reflection and soul-searching. It is a time for preparing my heart for the Easter celebration. I always try to give up something that I enjoy on a daily basis so that every time I think of it or miss it, I also think about the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. Last year I gave up soft drinks (including diet sodas). After the forty days, I realized that my body felt much better without them. This year I am giving up sweets. (Really hard to do considering the large box of chocolates I just received from John for Valentine's.) I'm not sure that I will be able to continue this sacrifice after the forty days are over this time! When I think about God's love for me and how undeserving I am, giving up sweets doesn't seem to be much of a sacrifice on my part. It will, however, serve as a constant reminder of the sweet love that Jesus pours over my soul each and every day.

Winter Sunset

Today the sun was brilliant! The temperature stayed in the thirties all day. So far the average temperature for February is way below normal for our area of North Carolina. Usually February days are much milder. I walked through the yard hoping to see some signs of spring. I guess it has just been too cold for most of the plants to decide to come alive. Even my winter daphne doesn't seem to want to bloom. I am sure that underneath the ground, life is beginning. I am so ready to see color in my landscape again. One positive aspect of the clear, cold sky is the beautiful evening sunset. Winter sunsets are some of the prettiest of all.

A Little Winter Pick-Me-Up

I made a couple of flower arrangements for my book club meeting this week. Although I had to postpone the meeting due to snowy weather, the flowers brightened my weekend. It is amazing how an inexpensive bunch of flowers from the local Walmart store can bring joy to the soul. I hope these pictures will brighten up your day!