What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Friday, February 23, 2018

Friday Foto Friends: Spring Time and Thirsting for God - A Time for Renewal

What a week!  I think we are all still reeling over the passing of Billy Graham...those of us who grew up during the 50's-60's remember all of the crusades on TV throughout those years, and they would televise them every night...and everyone watched.  Only Jesus knows how many people truly gave their hearts to Him during those years of Billy Graham's ministry.  I can only imagine the excitement in heaven this week...would have loved to have been there.

This week has been rather low-key otherwise...mostly catching up from last week's busy time...birthday party for hubby, etc.  I've been resting, reading, and praying.  It seems like our prayer list for friends and loved ones keeps growing. So many going through difficult times these days. Keeps us on our knees.

But I've been enjoying the beauty of the beginnings of springtime here, so I thought I would share a few special moments and views with you for Friday Foto Friends:

This was the view on the pond early this morning when I went to check on our Sand Hill Crane mother in waiting...  she is over there, but you can't see her in this picture.


See that white lump in the middle? That is her...


This was taken this evening (Thursday)...no, she hasn't had her baby yet...and she faithfully sits day after day...I will definitely let you know when the blessed event occurs.

This tree is covered with Carolina Jessamine...it looks so pretty in the morning sunlight
 A closer look at the flowers.

Azaleas and camellias are blooming in the Secret Garden...I planted the azaleas last year and they are just starting to really bloom...


 Also the ferns that were killed by the frost/freeze are starting to come back in the Secret Garden.

This is the Memorial Garden, where I also planted some azaleas last year:


And this picture is especially for my friend Deb at Breathing in Grace, our hostess for Friday Foto Friends.  I know that Deb is particularly fond of owls, and a friend of mine gave me another little owl mug (front and center) this past week, so I decided to have a little tea time with the owlies one afternoon.  Debbie, I was definitely thinking about you when I did this. Wish you weren't so far away...wouldn't we have had fun? Thank you for being our hostess here each week.



And speaking of tea parties, earlier this month I found this lovely little February tea cup and saucer at our local flea market.  I bought it to give to a friend for her birthday, which is later  this month. However, we won't be getting together to celebrate her birthday until March 2nd, so I thought I should at least christen this cup with a little tea party while it is still February....I know she wouldn't mind my using it....and perhaps she and I will have a tea party when she does receive this gift....(I hope she isn't reading this...she'll know what she's getting for her birthday! )


So I set up this little tea time on the front porch this afternoon, however, the sun was really too bright to get very good pictures. It was also a little too hot to sit out there and drink hot tea!

So I moved the tea party to the Secret Garden, which is in the back yard, and much shadier.    I took a big risk in carrying this tray laden with china tea cups and tea pot and hot tea all around and through the house and yard...opening doors with one hand and holding the tray in the other...it's a miracle nothing was broken...and my friend's birthday gift is still intact!

By the way, the little book I was reading is entitled "Gifts from my Front Porch", "Inspirational Thoughts, Insights, & Reflections" ...no particular author, published by Popular Publishing Co.  I mention this little book because my friend who is having the birthday next week gave this little book to me for Christmas a few years ago.  I wonder if she will be reading this post...I hope not until after her birthday...I wouldn't want to spoil her surprise gift (the tea cup). Shhhh, don't tell her, okay?


After all of that activity...I should just go sit in my rocking chair and relax...
Someone needs to move those pansies first...

On second thought, I think I'll just go back inside where it is cool and write this post while it is fresh on my mind...it was 86 degrees on that porch!! And it isn't even officially spring yet!!!


A Psalm for this beautiful  (albeit, warm) day:

Psalm 63: 1-5
1.  "O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You; 
My flesh longs for You
in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.
2.  So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3.  Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4.  Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5.  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips."


I hope you will have a blessed and glorious day and time of seeking and thirsting for God each day. 
What a joyous way to find renewal for our souls!

Now let's all run over to Deb's place at Breathing in Grace and check out what our other Friday Foto Friends are talking about!

13 comments:

  1. Oh, my, I just love all of your owlie treasures! I'd love to sit with you and chat and drink tea! Our temps here are very warm, too, and I'm loving it! The cup for your friend is lovely. You're a very special lady. Thanks so much for sharing and linking up... Hope you have a great weekend. 💜

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  2. It was so sad to lose Billy Graham but we know he is home where his soul belongs.Love your Spring pictures. We have freezing rain here today. I am very tired of winter here this year. Not a good one for me.
    Hope you have a great weekend, Pamela! xo Diana

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  3. Yes, I watched Billy Graham on TV. Love him. I think everyone is ready for Spring I know I am. The trees and shrubs are blooming and so pretty.

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  4. Such a cheerful post today!! I love the owls, and I know Deb will too. The little tea set is precious, and I love the green rocker, that's where I'll sit when I come to visit. (someday, maybe) Keep us posted on the baby crane, how exciting to be waiting for the great event. Everything around your place is looking like spring!!

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  5. The teacups are so beautiful...as is the teapot. I'm glad it was you carrying that tray through the house to the backyard. Goodness...holding that tray with one hand and opening the doors with the other would have spelled disaster for me for certain! lol Anyway...I enjoyed your post today...love that Psalm...thank you for sharing it with us.

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  6. Azaleas haven't started blooming here in the Tampa Bay area. I do love azaleas blazing in the landscape. Love your secret gardena and am looking forward to the sand crane family.

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  7. As always, Pamela, I so enjoy your photos and the thoughtful reflections you put with them. I think even if your friend reads your post, she will still be thrilled to actually hold that precious tea cup in her hands. Wonder if I could find one that says "March." :)
    Blessings to you!

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  8. Your flowers are gorgeous! I love the Jessamine. I don't remember seeing that here. Hope you have a beautiful weekend.

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  9. Pam, As always your photos and the words that capture the photos are amazing. I simply love your creativity in photography and writing. You owlie treasures are so neat and have such memories attached to them. Have wonderful weekend, dear friend!

    Blessings!

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  10. I loved this post, Pam! So fun! It is great to see all the green coming out in your Secret Garden! So pretty!

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  11. So nice. I want to come have tea with you in your garden. :)
    I like the yellow flowers. Is that the Jessamine? I've never seen that before that I know of. Does it have a nice scent?
    Lovely photos. Our ground is the same as I live by the Pine Barrens that extend from NJ all the way into Florida and so we have a similar look to things.
    Happy weekend Pamela

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  12. Dear Ladies...How I wish we could all be together in The Secret Garden for a garden tea party someday!! Wouldn't that be marvelous? Thank you for your visit here today. I'm sorry I haven't answered each one individually for a few days...but I love reading them and reading your posts. To answer about the Carolina Jessamine, yes, I believe it does have a lovely scent...I can get wafts of a scent as I walk by. It is kind of up in the tree, and there are bushes in front so it is difficult to get to. Plus I got my first "tick" of the season on my leg yesterday, so I must start wearing some bug spray when I go out. This warm weather has brought them out early. I loved hearing from all of you. Thank you again.

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  13. It's a beautiful gift you are giving your friend and I love your garden party styling. It makes me hopeful for Spring around the corner. :-)

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