Have a nice weekend!

I hope your weekend is full of happiness and beauty!

It Can't Be Done.

It can't be done....just four little words. Have you ever had anyone tell you this? I have. Just the other day I was reminded of one of those times when someone told me that something just couldn't be done. I was taking some fall pictures of my house and garden when I remembered the time that this conversation with a neighbor took place. I had just returned from Charleston, South Carolina where I fell completely in love with the courtyard gardens that I could barely see past the iron gates. One of the objects of my affection was a particular planting, creeping fig. This beautiful vine was growing everywhere giving off an air of timeless elegance. I wanted so much to turn my little courtyard area into a Charleston garden. Then it happened...my neighbor...the one with the greenest thumb in the whole county...said those words to me. "It can't be done. We don't live in a warm enough climate to grow creeping fig. If you plant it, it will just die the first winter."



Well, as you can see I ignored her and bought three tiny pots of verigated creeping fig. I figured that it would be protected somewhat by the three walls surrounding it and the heat from the bricks may keep it alive during the cold winters.



Here it is four years later. It took it a couple of years to take off and the winter does take its toil on it just a little bit, however, it always comes back in the spring. In fact, I think it needs a little trimming right about now. What do you think?

I couldn't help but chuckle when taking my pictures the other day. My neighbor's words resounding in my mind. I am so glad that I chose not to listen to her.



I tell my girls often that anything is possible and to never let anyone tell you that something can't be done. Carson has heard a lot of "it can't be done" and "do you know how many talented people want a music career" lately. Her dad and I counter those statements with something like "if you really want it and if you are willing to work hard enough anything can happen." Isn't that what we are supposed to tell our children?

I think I should tell her the story of the creeping fig and remind her of the Bible verse that says, "With God ALL things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Shelter!

One of the most important necessities of life is shelter. This necessity is often taken for granted. We have already had quite a few cold, rainy days this fall that have made me pause and thank God for my nice warm home.

On a recent dreary day I noticed a little fellow that did not seem to be as fortunate as myself.


I wonder why he is choosing to sit in the rain?


And just when I thought he was strange, I noticed that he wasn't alone.
Are there any reptile specialists out there that have an explanation for this?


From the warmth of my own place of shelter, I noticed something else. The Camellia was almost ready to bloom!


After a couple of days of rain, the sun came out again...and so did the blooms!

I am so thankful that God has provided me shelter from the weather! I am also thankful that He chose to surround it with the beauty of His creation. Is there something that you are thankful for today?

I must admit....

I must admit that blogging has been on the back burner for sometime now for me. I must also admit that I miss it. Although I am trying to read and keep up with your blogs, I have not been communicating much with my blogging friends. I didn't realize how much I enjoy your company...so I am going to try to do better. I am going to try to carve out time for my blog no matter how busy my schedule may be.

One thing I have failed to do in my busyness is to thank Patti for the wonderful gift that I received in the mail sometime back. She hosted a give-a-way at her blog and I was the lucky winner. She sent me this lovely book and a sweet note.



Thank you so much, Patti. This package in my mailbox brightened my day! Patti has a lovely blog that is very uplifting. If you have a few minutes you should pop in and visit her.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful fall season. In the next few days I will try to share some of our fall happenings here in North Carolina!

Rainy Day

We finally had some much needed rain today. One of my favorite things to do on a rainy day is to just sit and watch the raindrops splash on the pond. What do you like to do on a rainy day?

Fall Preview

The past couple of months have been very busy here in our household. I ended up taking a little break from blogging. Now that Catie is settled into college life and we are settling into a new year of homeschooling our schedule has finally gotten back to normal. I have missed many of your posts, but hope to catch up soon. Our long, hot summer came to a sudden stop today with temperatures hovering around 60 degrees. I think we are getting a little fall preview. What a welcomed change!

Hurricane Irene

One of my favorite places is starting to feel the effects of Hurricane Irene. Although these pictures of Oak Island were taken on a beautiful summer day, our good friends are now experiencing rain bands from the storm.



Please join me in praying for all of those on the east coast in the path of this large storm.



If any of you are in the path of Irene, please stay safe and know that I am praying for you and your families.