I am writing on Thursday afternoon and sharing blessings and Friday fotos. Tomorrow, Friday, will be a busy day, as it is our oldest son's birthday and we will be having him and his wife for supper along with some other special guests, so I will be busy making lasagna! My daughter in love will be helping me and she is also baking his birthday cake, so we will have a fun afternoon doing this together.
That is one of our biggest blessings...having our kids living nearby so we can enjoy doing things together. Like, for instance, they brought the "grandpuppies" over to inspect the new porch the other night. Sorry, this is just a rear view of Sugar and Spice, but they were busy checking things out and couldn't be bothered to turn around and smile for "Grandma". LOL.
Little by little we are getting the porch furniture back on "deck", and I am trying to think about ways to make it more welcoming and comfortable.
Some pumpkin spice candles on the tables will be nice when the weather cools down a little bit more so we can sit out there and enjoy the view.
I need a few more chairs for when company comes, so we will watch for some Labor Day sales at Home Depot or Lowes to see if they have any good bargains. Sometimes they do have end of summer outdoor furniture sales. That is how we got these tables last year for $15.00 a piece. Yes, that's what I said. It pays to watch for the bargains! The wicker chairs we've had for many years. They were a gift from a dear friend when we moved into a new house with a front porch many moons ago. More blessings...
Speaking of porch guests...This is "Lizardo"...and he lives on our back porch that used to be a deck. He seems quite content there, but somehow he lost his tail. Poor Lizardo! Now we call him "Stumpy". These lizards do often lose their tails in combat.
"The main reason a lizard loses its tail is to defend itself. When a lizard detaches its tail, the tail whips around and wiggles on the ground. Nerves from the lizard's body are still firing and communicating with each other. ... Most lizards can only lose their tails so many times before they can't regrow them anymore." From "Ask Dr. Universe"
And then, not to be left out, we have special visitors on our front deck as well. This morning I looked out the window, which was covered in steamy humidity moisture, and saw this creature on the hummingbird feeder. I thought to myself, "That's the funniest looking hummingbird I've ever seen". Of course, it is a green tree frog, and actually there were two of them. One was still on the feeder, and this one acted like he wanted to come inside for breakfast!
Don't you just love that you can almost see right through these little creatures. I wish you could have seen his heart beating ...I could! Amazing!
Of course, he left a smeary bunch of footprints all over the window that I will have to go clean up later.
Here he is, up above the window, getting ready to hide and sleep for the day, and come back out tonight to eat bugs.
Moving along to a new less slimy subject...
Anyone need a "new boat"? This lovely speed boat sits out in the woods where we take our walks.
No, it isn't in anyone's yard. No, it isn't even near any water.
I believe this boat was someone's "Final Straw"...
Yes, whatever happened, it was bad enough that they just dragged this boat out into the woods and left it there to become a collection place for old tires and weeds to grow up in.
I can almost hear someone saying, "Well that's the Final Straw! I'm done with you!"
Isn't it amazing the things you can discover hidden out in the woods? Every day is an adventure.
This is how it looks from the back porch right now as I am writing...we just had a thunderstorm roll through:
Here's a better view of the clouds:
Okay, to finish this up with some words of praise from our devotions this morning...which we read on the back porch by the way! Yay!
Psalm 145:1-7
1. "I will extol You, my God, O King;
and I will bless Your name forever and ever.
2. Every day I will bless You,
and I will praise Your name forever and ever.
3. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
and His greatness is unsearchable.
4. One generation shall praise Your works to another,
and shall declare Your mighty acts.
5. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
and on Your wondrous works.
6. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,
and I will declare Your greatness.
7. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness,
and shall sing of Your righteousness."
Amen.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who were in the path of Hurricane Laura and have been affected by her high winds and water. Praying for those who have lost their homes and possibly even family members. May the Lord be with them in their time of recovery and healing. Amen.
I like that you call her your daughter in love! 😀
ReplyDeleteAnd...grandpuppies! They are so cute. Little Froggie too.
She is our "daughter in love". We are so thankful for our Rose. Our son waited 46 years to get married, and when Rose came along she was perfect for him in every way. We are blessed that she not only loves our son, but I think she actually loves us, her inlaws, too! And yes, the grandpuppies are adorable. The Froggie is cute, but not as cute as the puppies. LOL.
DeleteNice reptilian neighbors to keep you company. Maybe you can put out a platter of bugs for them at the birthday party.
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea! If we keep the light on for them they will have all the bugs they can zap with their tongues. So since we will have company tomorrow evening the lights will be on longer, and so in essence they will have their birthday platter of bugs to enjoy! Great idea!! LOL.
DeletePam, thank you for this thoughtful post. Your deck is looking amazing and so inviting--well more so once the temperature and humidity levels fall. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking from time to time this spring/summer about praise and how we're to praise the Lord. There's power in praise--praise God IN THE STORM, praise God while waiting and then thank Him for all He has done and is doing.
Love and blessings!
Thank you, Kim. Yes, the porch is calling to me, but right now it is still a little too humid to stay out there for long. But I could feel a subtle difference in the air today...I'm praying for an early fall. But yes, we must learn to "praise God IN THE STORM", while waiting...He blesses us in every season of life if we just pay attention to what He is doing. Thank you for those good thoughts today, Kim. (((hugs)))
DeleteYour porch already looks very welcoming. I would love to sit in one of those chairs and have a nice long visit with you.
ReplyDeleteCome on down!!! Just wait until this high heat and humidity is over...then it will be good "porch weather". I can't wait!! It wasn't too bad early this morning...I think we are going to have an early fall. (wishful thinking).
DeleteI love all the cute critters. The porch is coming along nicely and your view is so beautiful. Enjoy your day with family tomorrow. It is definitely a blessing to live close by. Happy birthday to your son :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha! We will have a great day tomorrow I am sure. Lasagna is always a big hit with the family, and our son requested it. I love that his wife has also learned to make it and her version is even better than mine...so we will make it together, using her recipe!
DeleteSuch sweet and inquisitive little dogs. I love the deck and your beautiful and serene view. You got a great deal on the tables. Happy Birthday to your son and you and Rose have fun preparing the meal.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mildred. We are very pleased with the new porch roof and can't wait until the weather cools off a bit more so we can enjoy it. Yes, our grandpups are really sweet doggies. And they love to come to grandma's house! Thank you for your birthday wishes for our son. It will be a special day. And Happy Birthday to you today! Thank you for visiting here. (((hugs)))
DeleteThose pictures of the green frog on your window are really good! He was quite the show-off!
ReplyDeleteTom swept a gecko out of our back porch last week and in the process the tail came off, wiggling wildly, just as you described. Ugh.
Enjoy the birthday celebration for Benton. Your plans sound wonderful.
Thank you, Barbara. Our Pastor and wife are coming to join in the "party". It will be great. Oh, so Tom's the one who knocked our "Lizardo's" tail off! I guess he decided to move over here since you didn't want him there! LOL. Now we call him Stumpy. Ha Ha. And yes, that little frog was very intent on watching us in our house! I just hope he stays outside and eats the mosquitoes! LOL
DeleteHappy birthday to your son!! I know you will have a wonderful time celebrating and I sure hope we get to see some pictures! It was fun seeing the pups an your Lizardo and the frogs!! I do love your back porch!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri. I am sure there will be pictures after tonight's big blowout! LOL. And as far as critters go, we may not have bears anymore, but we have a tailless lizard and green tree frogs who think they are hummingbirds! Now, who else can say they have that??? Have a blessed day my Friend from Florida!
DeleteI enjoyed the pictures very much. The pups are so sweet. Enjoy that birthday supper tonight.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandy. Yes, the pups are sweet. They are good "girls" and we enjoy seeing them, and they always seem to enjoy seeing us. And yes, we will enjoy supper tonight...just being together will make it extra special.
DeleteThanks for sharing photos of your granpuppies and your porch visitors with us. Your porch is looking quite welcoming already! Happy birthday to your son. Enjoy your evening.
ReplyDeleteJan
Laughter and Consistency
Thank you, Jan. I'm so glad you could come visit on the porch with us. If it wasn't still so hot and humid, we would probably have supper out there...but that will have to wait until fall. I think everyone will enjoy the AC much better than the humidity! Have a blessed weekend.
DeleteLove your porch and the critters you have. And Sugar and Spice have cute little hineys. lol
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Ha Ha! Yes, Sugar and Spice are cute all the way around! They are sweet pups. And the critters we have are unique...a tailless lizard and tree frogs who think they are hummingbirds! Who else can say they have that??? Have a blessed weekend.
DeleteHappy Birthday, Benton! Loved your photos, as always, Pamela, but the ones of the tree frog were spectacular. Your "new" porch is certainly coming to life, and I'm so glad you all are enjoying it so much.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thank you, Martha. Yes, that tree frog, who thinks he's a hummingbird, was quite interesting. You can actually see inside his belly and watch his heart thumping. They are fun to watch, but I don't want them to jump on me! LOL. Blessings to you and Danny too.
DeleteSmiles. You always come up with the sweetest posts. Happy Birthday to your son.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. You are "sweet" to say so! And we did have a wonderful birthday dinner last night. Hope you have a blessed and beautiful weekend.
DeletePrecious pups! Are they litter mates? I got such a kick out of your tree frog photos! What a treat to lounge outside and watch the parade of God's creatures! Hope Benton's 'Happy Birthday' is super enjoyable for all!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning! Yes, Sugar and Spice are litter mates. Sugar is an albino Pekingese, and Spice is the standard tan with a black face. They are both so cute and fun to watch. And yes, the birthday dinner last night was wonderful. God is good!
Deleteoh enjoy the birthday bash! lasagna (a favorite around here) and a hommade cake. A oerfect setting for a special day. Love your covered porch & furniture...(and great view) Sugar & Spice are so adorable.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anni! The lasagna was perfect, thanks to my daughter in love's help, as well as the cake she baked. We had a wonderful time. Thank you for popping in. Yes, Sugar and Spice are the sweetest little grandpups we could ever hope to have! Have a blessed weekend.
DeleteWhat sweet fur babies! I know you're enjoying that covered porch! There's nothing like sitting on the porch! Hope you have a great weekend! 💜
ReplyDeleteWe would get lizards and frogs in the house when we lived in Florida, but we never saw them until we'd find them dead and dried up somewhere. We apparently have lots of tree frogs here. I hear them every night, but I have never, ever actually seen one of them. Whoa...that is a lot of lily pads on the pond! It didn't look like that earlier this summer did it?
ReplyDeleteWow, loved this beautiful and informative post Pam! I love your porch and deck, they are looking very welcoming already.
ReplyDelete