Having Tea with a bumble bee...

Why do women like flowers so much?

I've thought about this question and I think I have a clue to the answer.

I think it is because we were created in a garden. Our heritage began there among the flowers and plants with God. I think our hearts ache for it...to be back where life began.

They always catch my eye...flowers.

Whether growing along the roadside or on a teacup.

They are a visual delight. So many textures and colors, even fragrances!

I'm amazed at the things God created for us to tend...and the thought that His first choice for us was a garden. He looked at it and said, "It is good."

What could be more perfect than flowers and teacups...having tea in a garden?

With the bumble bees and butterflies.

I agree with God...it is good.

Planting seeds?

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that he will also reap."
Galations 6:7

What are you planting today? Every day we plant something, what is it today? When the sun goes down on the horizon and you look back over this day, what seeds will you have sown in the ground of your life?

Every action - word, attitude, kind deed, or sin finds its way into the soil of our futures. They sprout and grow into something tangible - good or bad. It's as simple as planting a garden, you plant a pumpkin seed and by golly, you get a pumpkin plant that produces pumpkins. There is nothing difficult to understand about that. Yet, we often don't see the similarity to the seeds we plant every day as we go about our lives. I don't mean "you" I mean "we." We as a people just don't seem to get this simple truth. If we did I think there would be a lot less divorces, broken homes, wayward children, mental illness, and suicides. Because I think if we really got it, we would intentionally plant the kind of seeds each day that would bring the fruit into our lives we desire, like love, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, peace, encouragement and all those things we like to receive from others. And if we could see the ugly plants our harmful actions produce, we would be more careful to not sow bad seeds.

It's a good thing God's mercy is new every morning and He gives us a brand new day in which to cultivate new seeds. It is never too late to plant goodness. The sooner we start, the faster it will grow up and overshadow the bad plants. One thing is for sure, God means what He says... we will reap what we sow.

What are you planting today?

Teacups and Monterey

My husband and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary last week in Monterey. We found a lovely boutique hotel right on the water in the heart of Cannery Row. The room was decorated with romantic colors and fabrics, and of course I took lots of pictures.

There were Cd's in the room of soft music, John Trent's "Monterey Nights" which I kept playing the entire time. Breakfast was served to our room every morning; this I thought was particularly nice (I'm a mom of five boys...that never happens at home!)

There were no teacups involved with breakfast, but the coffee was good!

We spent some time in the rooftop garden while the sun was shining.

One day we decided to rent bikes and ride along the bike trail that travels through the entire town. As we were riding along, I spotted a huge barn-like structure with the word ANTIQUES across the front. Before I knew what happened, my bike bolted off the trail and stopped abruptly in front of that antique store. My husband was very understanding about the detour and even offered to stay with the bikes while I had a look inside. I stepped through the door and all around me were shelves covered with beautiful old things...vintage beauties. Dishes, doilies, tea pots and teacups to name a few. It was almost like heaven (but not, because heaven has Jesus and He is even better than teacups and pretty things:). There was so much to see, I had to leave and come back later with the car. When we went back, I found this teacup and my husband purchased it for me.

I love having something like this to add to my memories of the trip.

A few days after coming home I visited my mom and brought a bouquet of flowers home from her garden. Her roses are in full bloom.

I enjoyed the flowers and the teacup on my deck.

Teacups and roses seem (to me) like the perfect pair!