Changing Seasons

Before leaving for church this morning, I watched the news coming out of Minnesota, my home town of St. Cloud had ice and a touch of snow.  I looked out the window of our South Carolina home and saw the trees finally shedding their leaves, most of the plants were settling in for the winter and dying back, then I noticed the strawberry plants.  This was the first year for them, did they not know what other plants knew, to sleep.  Or were they just that much hardier? The interesting thing is we picked a handful of strawberries. Silly plants, I don't think they know it's over yet. 

Picture taken 11/17/11

What I do know is that they too will turn down their leaves and sleep, waiting for the sun to warm and another season to produce. Isn't God great that he would give us this thing called change of seasons. 

God bless all who read my little blog
Carol

I was thinking.

Sometimes that can lead to trouble. But it has been a while since I looked deep into my heart and yes, my soul.  I share these thoughts not to enlighten you or drive you to do the same; it just feels right to say things out loud.  Or should I say publish it. 

I feel so privileged to have been born, and feel it important to become a better person, to love deeper, to appreciate more and to forgive.

Let's start with better person.  I decided a few years ago to draw a five feet parameter around me.  This was my circle in which I worked my daily deeds.  Within that circle I would focus on anyone that was inside of it. This meant I had to take the time and try to meet them with a smile or greeting. This is much harder than I ever imagined.  On good days it's a breeze, but on the days when I'm tired or sad, it takes everything to do it.  I still consider it the best thing I have ever implemented into my life.  At night when I pray before bedtime, I think over the day, and commit to a better day tomorrow.

To love deeper. Love is a word used too lightly. I don't like to say it unless I mean it. I have friends that I truly love, why, because they except me for me.  I want to make sure that I am worthy of their love, do I listen, do I care? 

This also goes for my family. I love them so much, coming from a large family and in laws, we run the gamete when it comes to personalities. But what is it worth to focus on the differences and not on what we have in common?

Appreciated more, I find that the world around me tells me that I need more of this and that.  Go out and buy more, be young, be skinny and just have more.  I am so over that. I decided to thank God every morning for what was important to me. I thank him for my husband, my family, my puppy Austin, and my talent.  There is a difference between need and want. I try to think of it that way, do I need or do I just want?  Remember want is not a need.

Forgive, this one is my most troubling commitment.  People hurt and don't think, they stomp on your feeling and walk away.  If you have been following me for awhile I talked about the home association meeting where the group of six families set out to hurt, and did well. I don't hold a grudge against them but I don't want to know them and don't want them in my life.  Is that really forgiveness.  I probably have a little growing to do in this area. Something for tomorrow I guess.

God Bless those who follow my little blog.
Carol

Cute idea, I wish it was mine.

Do you ever see an idea in a magazine and years later do it. This is one of those times.  I saw that someone, somewhere used pumpkins and gourds as pots.  They decorated their table with leaves and pumpkins with real plants. 

The other day I went pumpkin hunting. The problem was that I needed a really tall thin one to go with my perfect pumpkins I had already bought.  After having no luck this idea popped into my head.  More could be added but for a plant sitting outside with other pumpkins it looks great.

Easy to do and wonderful to the eye whether it's outside or on your Thanksgiving table.

Carol

Let the sun shine in.

The sun adds so much and makes a useless area and
makes it a frame for a great piece of metal work.

I thought a update on the back of the house was necessary.  John and I have been working like crazy to get the pergola done.  With the planting of the two grape vines and the Carolina Jasmine on the trellis it was time to place the top boards.

 I have always thought the back of the house was designed wrong. Mostly that fireplace roof line. That little peek was driving me crazy. I felt the addition of the pergola was correcting the problem and as the vines climb over the pergola the connection would be complete.  In the last picture I still noticed the fireplace peek and realized it needed something. 

The white area is the trellis and that's were the Carolina Jasmine
 is growing.

So I went out in search for something with color and size.  The sun brings it to life and gives that space meaning. I hope you like it.  One more layer of wood to go on top in the opposite direction will finish the pergola and we are done and waiting for nature to complete the project. We still have the floor of the deck to finish. Due to the red soil and the Austin the dog, we are going to rebuild the deck and stain it dark green, Johns suggestion. John is very creative and always make our little home a vacation spot.  A place for peace of mind and heart.

God Bless all that come through my little blog and rest a while.

Carol

The work begins again.

The summer was hot and long, so as you know we stop the projects and enjoy the heat.  Lots of frozen drinks made their way to our deck.  But this may look like a mess but it spells out progress. Every time I see a ladder I know it's time to get out the work gloves and the stain.  More pictures to come. 

God bless all who visit my little blog. 
Carol