Thankful Thursday

I’ve been visiting family in WV, and this is what I’ve been thankful for during recent walks through the woods:

• the mini, busy world of insects
• collecting nature
• gentle moss

Thankful Thursday

I’ve been thankful for:

• apple-green mountain laurel in a fresh new pot
• learning to be patient
• teacups wild with sprouting flowers

Thankful Thursday

I’ve been thankful for:

• the sunrise glowing orange on an Easter morning tree
• naps in the park and faded sounds of children climbing trees
• lambs ear, old round stones, and simple joys

Thankful Thursday

This is one I try to be thankful for daily, but with it being Holy Week, I thought I would share how thankful I am for God and His grace... so I'll thank Him with a prayer:

God, 
Thank you for my life, it is a gift from you.  Thank you for loving me, for being my Father, for calling me "child."  Thank you for teaching me how to love others, by loving me sacrificially through Christ.  Thank you for how you smile on me through nature - your creation.  Thank you for the ways you speak directly into my life through your word.  Thank you for eternal life, it is a gift from you, there is nothing I can do to earn it...thank you that you already have "earned" it for me, by giving up your own body and blood - a covenant that you are with me and will love me always.  Amen

For each day of holy week, I've been painting an egg with a scripture verse in mind.  You can see all my posts on Instagram.  Here's what I've done so far:

Thankful Thursday

Lately, I've been thankful for the many gardens in and surrounding Philadelphia.  I recently stumbled on this lovely website which claims that Philly is America’s Garden Capital, and sets to prove it with links to 34 gardens within 30 miles of the city. 

I’ve only been to a handful on the list, one of which I stumbled on this week, the James G. Kaskey Memorial Garden.  It is a tiny quiet treasure on UPenn’s campus, and I was grateful to spend time with my nature journal there.  

Here are past photos/creations from my visits to a few of the gardens on the list:

The Arboretum at the Barnes Foundation, Merion Station, PA (April 2010)

Bartram's Garden, Philadelphia, PA (from a wedding in June 2009)

Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA  (May 2011)

(and a doodle of the conservatory)

 

The Philadelphia Zoo (November 2016)

The Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, Philadelphia, PA  (December 2014)

(and Jeremy in socks and grand beard, sipping tea)

Tyler Arboretum (June 2009)

The Woodlands

(my Dear Adelaide postcard creation, to be sent from the grounds at a Go West Craft Fest, fall 2014)

I’m throwing around the idea of creating a garden tour for myself and my unsuspecting husband to visit all 34 gardens…1 per month sounds reasonable…that will keep us busy for the next 2+ years :)

Thankful Thursday

This past Saturday I was hit with a criminal of a virus that robbed me of everything I tried to put in my stomach.  I’ve had stomach viruses before, but this one was by far the pickiest.

I’d try to sneak in a cracker, but 

the virus shouted, “NO!”

“How about a wee little bite of banana?” I tried…  

“NOOO!” the virus replied.  “You may eat ONLY Gatorade and water!” it said virally.

“But those aren’t even foods, they’re drinks!”  I replied.

“Too BAD for YOU!” the virus laughed.

But as the days went on, the virus slowly lost its power, and I was gradually able to add ice pops, then bananas, then rice, then soup… and now, I’m back to eating normal foods again…and oh how wonderful it tastes!

Today…I am so very grateful for food.

Thankful Thursday

I wasn’t able to post last week since I was having too much fun with my family in the snowy mountains of WV.  Here are a few things I’ve been most thankful for of late:

• An afternoon at the Philly flower show last week with my mother-in-law.

• My wonderful husband and celebrating his birthday.

• Reading books with a sweet little nephew and a squeezable, squish-able, content niece.

• Seeing the new Beauty and the Beast with my favorite ladies.  What a feast for the eyes and ears!

My childhood drawing of the enchanted rose circa 1991 (because I keep everything, including my childhood drawings)