Pumpkin Pines

I love this painting by David Armstrong.

Seems like a peaceful place to sit and paint.

Reminds me of a walk in the 

Adirondack mountains.  You won't walk

too  far in any direction, till you  

 come to a creek or a babbling brook.

Now, most likely, the story of the painting

 didn't happen this way,

 but in my imagination,

I can just see the artist, Mr Armstrong

thinking to himself upon completion

of the painting.....

Hmmm.....needs more color. That's

when he plunked that big ole

orange pumpkin upon that stump,

and then, named the painting

"Pumpkin Pines"

Good name and suits it,

don't you think?

Have a blessed day....Dee Dee

Lot To Be Thankful For

Odd how this little cluster of Hydrangea dried

all on it's own, without any 

coaxing from me.  It  stayed in a little crystal

bowl with a small amount of water

for a good while.

Today I noticed it there beside the teapot.

Kinda like it was minding it's own business,

knowing it's transformation would allow it

to stick around my kitchen a while longer.

And so it shall.....

I'm glad it's Sunday.  Got lots to pray about and

somehow it seems when I'm in God's house

with other Christians praying along side me,

I just feel comforted and encouraged a whole lot more.

Also got a lot to be thankful for and

I'll tell Him that too.....

Praying for grace.....Dee Dee

Flowers Brighten The Room

No matter what the weather's doing

outside, flowers on the inside can

brighten a room and lift one's spirits.

  We've had one

of those cloudy dreary days....

you know, when it drizzles every

now and then, but never comes to fruition

as a good ole rain.

But that's just fine with me, I used the

time for studying. The house was

real quiet.....

The Mr was going over

a few news websites, catching up on

worrisome world matters. I could hear

him mumbling and complaining now and then.

You know,

I've been thinking........

There comes a time when we just

have to believe that all things are

in God's hands.

Have a blessed weedend....Dee Dee

Tired Little Flower Girl

Weddings can be exhausting for

younger children.

Not long ago, my cousin

was married in an elaborate

wedding in upstate New York.

The reception was held at

 the country club, mostly

decorated for the gentleman

in mind.

Amongst the photos sent to me.....

 a young lady,

lying on a massive brown

leather sofa.

She was lovely lying there,

in her chiffon teal blue dress,

with a ribbon adorning her long

blond hair.

I like that she completed  her

"Flower Girl"  attire, with the

color teal painted on the tips

of each finger.

-

Can you believe it's Friday?

Busy weekend planned....

Blessings....Dee Dee

Dance

"The Ballet Class"

Kids: they dance before they learn there

is anything that isn't music.~William Stafford

-

 Having one of those relaxing

days, when nothing's on the calendar...

a "free day"! As you can see,

I gravitated toward the paints.

Easy southern fall dinner planned....

"chicken and dumplings"

salad with "Country Boy"

Greek dressing......

pumpkin pie for desert.

Enjoying these sweet moments....Dee Dee

Marigold

For fall landscaping.....

the Marigold is traditional,

 someplace in my garden.

I'm ready

 to redo my large pots, replenishing them

with peat moss, potting soil and top soil.

A big do-over.....  I'm thinking

rich colored flowers,  beginning with

 marigolds....lovely

for fall through Thanksgiving. 

Going to be real pretty, look

for a future post.

Are you having a good week?

I hope so.....Dee Dee

I'm Thankful For........

I'm thankful for

 dear friends

that have

moved away,

yet

 still seem

like  they live right

next door.

I called her on my way

to Bible study tonight.

She, too

was on her way to Bible study,

unfortunately,

we were

miles and miles apart.

I'm thankful for cell phones,

with unlimited minutes,

so we can talk and laugh

forever and ever.

I'm thankful that

my friend and I can

talk often,

about things that are

happy

and, sometimes,

about things

that are 

sad.

Tonight we laughed about

plaid high top tennis shoes.

I'm thankful for my

friend Bonnie.......Dee Dee

The Choir

"The Village Choir"....John Watkins Chapman

Choir practice will begin earlier from now on,

 lasting till mid December.

 We're  in the beginning preparation stages 

for our Christmas musical

"O Holy Night."

Thankfully, our otherwise small choir, grows in size

this time of year, as our northern visitors return.

We are a greatly ambitious group, 

when it comes to

making a joyful noise unto the Lord.

One of many sopranos, things are

coming along quite nicely with my portion

of this beautiful cantata. Lots of singing

and humming around the cottage these days.

The music...

lovely,  traditional

and familiar, will be well received

and appreciated by our

congregation. 

 "Emmanuel Emmanuel....

 God in carnate here to dwell......"

Blessings.....Dee Dee

Truth

Blessed are they who see beautiful

things in humble places

where other people see nothing.

Have a wonderful Lord's day....Dee Dee

Food For Thought

Isn't it splendid to think of all the things

there are to find out about?

It just makes me feel glad to be alive....

it's such an interesting world.

It wouldn't be half so interesting

if we knew all about everything,

would it?

There'd be no scope for imagination

then, would there?

~Lucy Maud Montgomery

-

Photo taken on Honeymoon Island.

Lots of  pathways  leading to the water.....

 vines  growing all

over the place.

Love those big ole pinkish purple blooms.....

The water's color?.....Yes, it's

turquoise/green .... aqua.

So pretty......Master Artist made

it that way, you know.

Shells seem more plentiful  this year,

I wonder why?

Now that the weather has cooled

I  hope to spend

more time with my camera

out on the island.

Look for His blessings this weekend....

They're plentiful.....Dee Dee

Olivia and the Dandelions.....

She sat  in 

green grass,

pulling up

dandelions. 

 She held  a stem

in her hand. 

The remains

of a golden

wildflower

were

scattered

on the ground

around her.

-

Sweet blessings.....Dee Dee

Everyone Knows About Autumn......

The air is cool as an old coin teaspoon,

and a faint tang of blue woodsmoke

spices the wind.  The color of the great

sugar maples give forth light, like closer suns.

The oaks glow with a garnet fire, and all the

thickets blaze with scarlets and pale gold and

cinnamon.  It is like the music of a trumpet.

~Stillmeadow Daybook-Taber

-

Sweet October thoughts.....

Now's the time for sweet potatoes, greens,

butternuts and acorn squash. Cornbread

completes the flavors. 

I've been thinking about the pecans on

my friend Bonnie's trees.  Will there be

any left after the squirrels store their

share away for winter?  I hope so.

Hmmm....pecan pie for the holidays.

Blessings.....Dee Dee

"Pumpkin Patch"

I've become accustomed

 to our village

having  large tents

spring up all over,

this time of year.

Some have lights

strung from

post to post

so that

pumpkins,

lined  in  rows, 

can be seen from

 far away.

The signs read

 "Pumpkin Patch"

and so they are

 affectionately

accepted as such.

Sweet blessings for you

dear family and friends......Dee Dee

My Place-Occupied

I walked along the northern

part of the island, finding shallow

pools and Sea Grape trees

dotting the landscap.

 A storm was brewing out in the waters.

The sea gulls and other small birds

were having trouble keeping their

footing. 

 I was content, allowing my

cotton tresses to flail about,

as I felt the coolness of the

autumn wind against my skin. 

 I saught santuary, as 

I walked toward the swing.

A  secluded place, 

special to me,

I found it this time

 occupied.

-

She set  in my place.

When the storm came,

would she talk to Him

there,

where she could see

His power

 with her own eyes?

She sat 

 on sturdy

wooden planks

 that would

withstand the

 physical storm,

allowing

 the rain water  

to consume her

heavy thoughts

 as she formed

them into

 prayers.

-

Blessings....Dee Dee

Bowl Of Hydrangea

A closer examination of this Hydrangea bloom,

yields some tiny individual florets, all

working in unison.

 All joined together for one

purpose.

Now, succeeding in providing

beauty to a small space...

-

I hope your having a good day.....Dee Dee

The Village Annual Antique Show

We arrived bright and early,

hoping to scope all the shops

quickly, before the crowds arrived.

I suppose years of buying and

selling antiques, we're well aware that

the dealers arrive early, and get

the "good stuff."

The weather was amazingly beautiful,

just cool enough for a light sweater.

"Hey, how are you? Glad to see you

again this year....I've got some things

I think you'll like."  "We're looking for

old doll houses and  old number stamps,

have any?"

We saw lots of old familiar faces. They've

been there for the past fifteen years

or so.  More continuity of tradition

I look forward to,  wouldn't be the same

without them when we come to the

antique show each fall.

"Don't be anxious Mom, and I'll see if

I can get him to reduce the prices."

We spotted them at the same time,

and really wanted them....for a good price.

What coastal cottage kitchen couldn't

use a few more white porcelain pieces?

I wanted the bowl and she wanted

the large white dish pan.

Seasoned shoppers, loving

the bargain game, again we

brought home good treasure,

and best of all, lasting sweet memories.

Have a nice Lord's day.....Dee Dee

Lot's Goin' On......

Early fall in Safety Harbor,

a quiet little coastal village

not far from my home. Love

coming to this place, so do

other folks.  You see them

on park benches, fishing

from the  pier, riding bikes and

even taking photos like me.

Busy weekend planned,

celebratory birthday dinner tonight.

Table's all decorated ,

menu planned  to reflect

fall.  Getting up bright and

early in the morning to get

first dibs on treasures found

at our village antique show.

Hope to make that ladies

luncheon at church around

noon....sigh...

Lovin'  these kinds of days.....

You have a real nice weekend....Dee Dee

Discovery.....

I've been listening to some pretty

amazing piano music on my blog

playlist for several weeks now,

by one Michael Nyman.  Not just

any ole piano music, I thought

to myself.  Someplace, somehow,

as good fortune would have it,

I heard his music. Almost in

an instance, I wanted to

hear more and know about

this "piano player"

this Michael Nyman?

I soon  found that 

Mr Nyman is no ordinary

piano player. He is one of Britain's

most innovative and celebrated

composers....

performers, and conductor.  He is

indeed a pianist, author, musicologist,

photographer and film-maker.

While doing my research, I became

a little more than impressed by the

talent of one, whom

I first thought to be,

a

simple

"piano player."

Find his music on my playlist and

have a listen if you like. 

Blessings......Dee Dee

Washed Ashore From The Gulf

I could walk each day along the

shore, and never tire of looking

for treasure.  Each moment of the

day, waves crash to shore,

bringing with them,  new and interesting

items.  Some are living and some

once housed living creatures.

I love looking for shells..... It is after a hard

rain or storm at sea, that  I've found the

most beautiful and unusual.

Seaweed lies all along the beach, in

various colors and designs....

Even in death, the crab is a

beautiful creature to examine.

Tiny sea creatures come ashore

in the waves,

delicacies and good

food for the Sand Piper. 

We're still going out to the island,

almost daily, now that the weather

has cooled off some.  It's a place that has

just about everything one needs for peace of

mind, rest and relaxation. I'm thinking of

bringing along my pencils to do a bit

of sketching on our next trip out.

Might even sketch the Mister fishing.....or

might even sketch the Mister catching a fish!!!

Have a blessed day everyone....Dee Dee

This Morning's Garden Images

Two large Hibiscus blooms,

showing off proudly,

greeted us early this morning

in the garden.

There is something quite

remarkable about

all that is happening in nature,

as we watch the

garden

transition from summer

to fall foilage.  The Nandina

plants are growing taller

it seems, and the new

growth of leaves are

tinted red. Before long

the Camellia bush will

have red blooms as well,

and plenty,  for it is covered

with buds.

Click on the collage twice to

enlarge....so pretty.

Have a blessed day.....Dee Dee

I Spy A Great Blue Heron

An absolutely gorgeous,

sunny windy day......perfect for

visiting  the island, walking on the beach,

and exploring  a bit of nature.

Once on the island, we drove

along slowly

hoping to see wildlife.

We were blessed beyond

words......as you can see

by the photos.

At first glance,  this big guy

blended in with the grasses and

reeds.....We stopped the car

and waited a moment or two...

and then he poked his head out,

just enough for me to see him.

"Oh my, it's a 

Great Blue Heron, Honey," I whispered.

Slowly this magnificent bird  moved along, focused

totally on his hunting skills.....

Kinda took my breath away as

he eventually  moved into my view.

-

Oh, how lovely is the earth this day;

She parades her beauty before my eyes.

If I had only been given gossamer wings,

I'd go dancing with the butterflies.

~Barbara Ray

-

Hmmm....stumbling over all sorts of

His blessings today.....Dee Dee

"I Want To Be A Fireman"

Most children like to play

"make-believe"......

and the holiday coming up

soon, affords just such an

opportunity.

Recalling that last year,

three year old Isaac

dressed as a fireman,

gave inspiration for this

little rainy day painting.

-

Enjoying the moments that make

the sweetest memories.....Dee Dee

click twice on painting to enlarge

Faith Of A Child

This is a beautiful painting

by Kathryn Fincher.

  I love everything about it.

The lovely soft

muted colors of the distant window,

stained glass, cut in jeweled pieces,

portraying  Jesus the Shepherd.

 The curiously adoring  face of  the girl child,

reminds me of His spoken words....

"Suffer the little children to come unto me"

Then I see

 the sweet faith of the child,

for she wears a cross,

and carefully holds the

Holy Bible,

God's Word,  in her hand.

Blessings this Lord's day.....Dee Dee

Judah's Pumpkin.....

This is a sweet time of year. Lots

of the churches in our area have

pumpkin patches.  Nothing

brightens a child's face more

than running through the pumpkins

looking for just  the right one for

that  Halloween jack-o-lantern.

Here, Judah  has found one

almost as big as he is.

Hmmm....enjoying the sights

and sounds of autumn.....Dee Dee

Far From Home

The Dusty Moorhen

We found them at the park.

While taking photos of waterlilies along

the water's edge, these little guys

came swimming by. They had no concern

for me as I zoomed in close with

my camera lens.

The Dusty Moorhens

 are  found in wetlands, and

swamps, reeds, rushes and

waterlilies. Yes, that is where

I had  found them, but why were

they so far from their native

home of Austrailia?

You know, I'm becoming quite

a lover of all that  is part of nature.

We live in such a beautiful and

amazing world, and I never

cease to be amazed

 by the wonders of God.

Have a blessed day....Dee Dee

The Park Today

    Cooler days now here,

we were out and about today, 

 looking  for a bit of 

Florida's scenic beauty....

in a beautiful  natural park.

We set out walking on our own, and

as you can see in my photos

we were joined by others along the way.

We saw lots of these yellow flowers,

along the water's edge,

 surrounded by tall slender

cat tails reeds.

This little grey squirrel  walked right up to

the Mister, perhaps expecting to be fed.....

The sign warned us of alligators......

no sign, however, warned of the ant bed I stood

in to take this photo. Very quickly,

 I learned of their location.

-

We had been mostly alone for our walk

in the park......until this little deer family came

along.  They acknowledged us and we

quietly enjoyed their presence.

This was the highlight of our day.....

They were absolutely beautiful ....standing

in tall green grasses with a bit of sun

splashing through the tree branches onto them....

Having no fear of us, they continued to

eat.....now and then they looked our way.

-

I'm thinking the Mister and I just

had a  glimpse of heaven today.....

the park was so "Eden" like.

Sigh.......Dee Dee

The Last Of The Crape Myrtles

....have given us fall colors......

Out and about in the garden

this gorgeous fall day,

with more tidying up to do,

 when I noticed sadly,

the crape myrtles

are just about finished

for the season.

The tiny leaves of the 

myrtles are as close

as we come, in my

Florida garden,

to having

seasonal

 colored leaves. 

One has to get

up close to the

 trees to see all

that is taking place,

as they prepare

for winter.

I'm loving the golden

pinks and red colors.

Sigh......

I'm looking spellbound

as nature weaves

tiny and beautiful

tinted leaves.

Have a blessed day.....Dee Dee

Because He Just Knew

A fall bouquet

 surprise from

my beloved,

 because

he just knew

it would

make me

smile,

and he's

 that kind of guy....

Have a blessed day......Dee Dee

Fall Trimming

Late afternoon.....

the Mister is

still working on

fall trimming project.

The cooler weather....

happily

anticipated,  came to

Florida's Gulf Coast

this weekend.

When that happens,

it is the custom around

our place, to begin

our fall trimming

and tidying up of the garden.

The Mister began with

the tangerine/lemon tree.

I think he's done a

wonderful job.....

making

the tree

 the focal point

in the courtyard.

Hmmmm....next comes the

raking and placing fresh

pine straw around the shrubs.....

.....and then.....

Loving this time of year......Dee Dee