A New Springtime

Down My Garden Walk

I love the fragrance of the Lilies of the Valley flowers. The beautiful little bells are so petite and humble no wonder they are also known as 'Mary's Tears'.

 

 
Another white wonder is the Bleeding Heart, these have always been a part of our yard. They dangle on their stalk as a symbol of God's love for us. What a wonderful Creator we have, who reveals himself to us in such awesome ways!

Children and flowers go hand in hand. I like to recall the quote from MotherTeresa, "How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers."

 

 White coral bells
Upon a slender stalk
Lilies of the valley
Down my garden walk

Oh, don’t you wish
That you could
hear them ring.
That will happen only
when the fairies sing.

This was one of my favorite childhood songs and every time I see the lovely blossoms or smell the scent of the lilies it brings back fond memories.

 

Take some time out to smell the flowers!!

 

Overwhelming Beauty

I am just overwhelmed by the beauty of these gorgeous Amaryllis flowers. We have a total of eight blossoms between the two flower stems.

It is such a treat to have these blooming this time of year. Hannah expressesd her delight in the soft red color.

 
I am so glad my children notice the wonders God gives us in nature. These are the types of things that make my heart swell up and feel so truly blessed. We have also been watching the winter birds at our feeders. I haven't gotten any good pictures yet because I've been whimping out when it comes to the cold weather. Maybe this week I will get brave enough but for now I will stay inside and soak up the sight of these grand beauties.

Indoor Advent Garden

 The last three years we have planted an indoor garden during Advent. It is simply made up of  paperwhite bulbs. They are extremely easy to care for and grow quite rapidly. It is a great activity for this liturgical season, it allows us to watch and to wait.

 
The girls filled the bowls with fish tank gravel. They always enjoy doing some kind of hands on activity.

Even the littlest of hands can get in on this. Just take the bulb and pushit gently down into the rocks.

 

 
Older sister also helps in the process, watering the thirst plants. Hopefully, this will be a lesson of TLC. It will take patience and care for the bulbs to finish growing.

 
Watching, waiting, wondering and being alert to the changes and the needs of these bulbs will help us to remember what advent is all about.

 
 Grandma also blessed us with an Amaryllis bulb this year. I haven't grown one of these in a while and I don't think the kids have ever seen the beautiful flower it produces. I am so excited to have our indoor Advent garden.

 

Quiche Discontentment

 A couple of weeks ago at Mass, I actually said a prayer that went like this, " God please help me be a better cook for my family." I always feel adequate in the decor and the house cleaning department but sometimes I do not enjoy the cooking part of my vocation.

 
  I like to be creative in the kitchen and use cookbooks but this does not go over well with DH or the family. They would rather stick to the old standards, spaghetti, tacos, hamburgers and hot dogs. They like the plain and simple stuff.

  I decided to try and make a quiche from a thrifted cookbook. Max and I had a blast preparing the ingredients. Of course, boys love to chop and cut so that was his job.

Fresh dill from the store, lemon balm and parsley form our garden were added to the pie crust for what I would call an herbal medley that would delight anyones palette. So I thought.

I was so excited the way it was finished; I forgot to take a picture when it first came out of the oven.

 
Fried chicken and from the garden: broccoli, squash, and zucchini in the quiche. I truly enjoyed making this dish...but guess what my mother and I were the only ones who thought it was a hit.

 The kiddos wrinkled their cute lil' noses and started to complain immediately," Can't we just have raw carrots instead." I don't like eggs, I can't eat cheese, etc." I almost began to get frustrated and then realized if they didn't eat it there would be some for me for lunch for the rest of the week. I also still had hope that hubby was going to like it, after all. I had impressed him with my quiche when we first met.

 As DH sat down to eat my fantasy was shattered, He started to pick at the veggies and I knew I would get no satisfaction from his evaluation of my "creative" dinner dish. " It is good, too many veggies.", he said. 

 I was about to pout and give him a lecture but I had been doing that a lot the past week and I was kinda all tuckered out. I did manage to tell him how much work went into making it though. The next day he called me from work and told me he was having, guess what? You got it, quiche for lunch. What a guy!

I can be so spoiled and and wanting things to go my way. I prayed to be a better cook for my family, thinking the meals I cook have to be all fancy and time consuming. God showed me something else; they are content with the easy, boring, everyday meals I know how to make. That is pure love  isn't it. Alleluia!

If I want to make something fancy, I will make it for myself or experiment on a group of girlfriends who have probably experienced the same kind of creative dinner trauma as I have and will understand herbal infused pie crust. LOL

 

 

 

Peace to His People on Earth

 I find that if I stay in the house long enough I start to get a get a bit depressed. There are so many tasks that need my attention though that sometimes I find it difficult to take the time to go outdoors.

( Our beautiful Hydrangea)

I have read many articles that have emphasized a need to be outside for at least one hour a day and I know why it is needed. God has given us so much beauty in His creation that when we gaze upon it it brings peace to our souls.

 
(a garden zinnia)

 Nature is a nuture for our spirits and connects us who are here on this earth with God. He wants us to experience him here on this Earth!

(another zinnia)

Seeing the intricate details and brilliant colors of each flower never fails to bring a smile to my face and starts my on the path of imaginative thinking.

The textures and shapes of the garden veggies and the way they grow into these magnificiant sculptures are  fine art masterpieces.

Black- Eyed Susan's imitaite the sun's rays and have a glow all of their own.

 
( Angel's Trumpet) 

This trumpet point's staight to Heaven blasting a silent song for all to hear.

 
 This spiral shape of the opening trumpet allowed me to see God's glory, it is so awesome and I would have missed it if I hadn't gotten outside amongst His lovely creation. It took my breath away.

I was able to gather the fruits of our garden and bring a bit of this wonderful nature indoors. It was so worth it to spend a few moments away from chores and electronics. I had so much of His peace when I was through, it made for a much better evening.

 ]

He knows exactly what we need and He brings peace to His people on Earth.
 
 
  

Fourth of July, Fruits of Our Land

Yesterday, we celebrated the Fourth by enjoying the fruits of our land. We are blessed to have a wonderful garden. DH does all of the vegetable planting and I do most of the weeding. I have planted some flowers and herbs, too.

 
I haven't been much help in the past with the garden because most of the time I have been growing a baby during the summer.

 DH always says, " The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few."(lol)

This year we have an abundant harvest of shell peas.

 
I had a great time opening up each pod and finding such awesome green peas.

The Red Leaf Lettuce was just waiting to be made into a delicious salad.

 
The tomatoes have a bit longer before they are fully ripened.

It was such a nice day, being able to pick some of the bounty and poke around in the garden. We were even visited by this beautiful  sparkly green dragonfly.

It was a day of remembering how much we have been blessed to live in such a  prosperous and fruitful country.  God has shed his grace on thee.

Our table was set with fresh produce and we even had a loaf of fresh baked bread and some herbal butter my dear friend  made for us.

DH barbecued ribs and we worked on a white bean dish together. It was seasoned with our garden chives and had chunks of our friend's fresh lamb meat in it.

I can't tell you enough how thrilled I was to be able to celebrate this great country's birthday by giving thanks to God for allowing us to produce such gifts from its land!

 

How Does Your Garden Grow

I got to plant the front flower beds and trim the Sand Cherry bushes the other day. The sun was shining and the day was perfect for transplanting.

 
 I divided up the daisies, lilies and some lamb's ear and suprisingly, had enough for both sides.

The poor daisies always look so sad at first when they are moved but a good watering and a couple of days in their new home and they will perk right up again.

In another week all of these will be in full bloom.

I enjoy adding some decor items into the garden to give it a bit of character and whimsy. This copper pot was actually a gift from my DH. He actually picked it up at a tag sale for me a while ago.  It 's one of my favorites.

Sometimes the simplest items add just a bit of intrest, like this grapevine heart wreath. 

A couple ofceramic pots filled with pretty flowers makes front steps look welcoming.

The pots don't even have to match, just look around the house to see what you already have.  Different shapes and sizes add curiosity and uniqueness to any front or back entrance. It can even be old pots and pans.

There is so much that can be done with a small garden area to add a bit of curb appeal to a home. Have fun this summer .Gardening should be like child's play, digging in the dirt and playing with the watering can.

How does your garden grow?
 

 

Mary's Tears

 One of my all time favorite flowers if the Lily of the Valley. They are just so delicate and not only are they pretty but the fragrance is lovely as well. Last year, when I was reading about them I found out they are also called, Mary's Tears. (read this at the above link)

There is a wonderful song my mother used to sing to me as a child it goes:

 White Coral Bells upon a slender stalk,

Lilies of the Valley deck my garden walk,

Oh don't you wish that you could here them ring,

That will only happen when the fairies sing.

Has anyone else ever heard this song before?

Another great thing about these plants is that they multiply like crazy. You could dig up a couple and  put one or two stalks in a  small terra cotta pot wrapped with some sheer white ribbon. Maybe even a little  card attached telling about how they came to be known as Mary's Tears.

I hope everyone is enjoying the spring flowers, what is your favorite?
 

 

Diggin' in the Dirt

Yesterday, the weather was oh so nice! the sun was shining and I was totally motivated to go outside and get the garden prepped. 

When I am not growing humans I usually try to help DH with the cleaning and weeding  of his garden. I say his because he is the one with the green thumb.

 
I like to be outside in the spring but I usually pitter off on those hot, muggy, mosquito summer days. Spoiled, I know.

The kiddos helped out in between their complaining. Good thing we don't live in colonial days, huh.

 

Once they got some tools in their hands the boys decided began to throw down on the work. I think they felt like big stuff with pitch forks in their hands. Hey, whatever works.

The girls  were thrilled when they found...

Mr. Toad. They played with him for a bit and requested to keep him but I thought it was a good idea if he stayed in his natural habitat.

 

Good bye Mr. Toad. Maybe we will see him again today. I am about to head out to the plot to do some more diggin'. Hope you al are enjoying the spring weather!