Thankful Thursday and A Surprise Visitor to the Butterfly Garden

Good Thursday Morning and welcome to the Butterfly Garden at Still Waters Pond!

Guess who our special visitor was this morning?

That's right! A Monarch Butterfly!  The first I've seen!!

The Monarch Butterfly is very special. You can read more about her HERE.

I was truly excited to see her flitting among the flowers of the garden,  especially the milkweed.

That is the flower they love the most.

This was the main purpose for starting this butterfly garden...so encourage the butterflies to come and enjoy...and also for us to enjoy watching them.

I do hope that this lovely Monarch will be the beginning of many more.  Time will tell.

Meanwhile, just above the butterfly garden is the Bluebird House. Mama and Papa Bluebird continue to bring food to the babies inside, but now we see them taking food in and bringing it back out, to try and entice the babies to come outside.

Here's a "birds eye view" so to speak...one of the baby bluebirds peeking up and out to see what the big wide world looks like. I expect to see them fledge out of the nest any day now...

It's wonderful to have this front row seat to watch God's Creation right outside our door.

Speaking of beautiful views...

The other day I had a Dr.'s appointment out of town, and on the way back home it was lunch time so we stopped at our most favorite place to eat in this area, "Corky Bells", which is situated right on the St. John's River.  We were blessed that it was still early enough that it wasn't too crowded or too hot yet to sit outside on their lower deck, right next to the water...

And here's my favorite view of all:

And hubby almost missed his favorite view by putting his finger over the lens...

Thankfully I was able to realize the problem in time to get a full picture taken.  

Looks like the lady behind me was enjoying the sunshine too...lol.

It was delightful to watch people coming and going in their boats while we dined...

It was truly a perfect day for boating and dining on the river. However, we came the traditional way, in our car. LOL.

Of, of course one must see what we ate:

Here's my broiled shrimp and scallops, hush puppies and baked potato. I had already eaten the coleslaw.

And here's hubby's fried shrimp and fish and french fries and hush puppies. He had already eaten his coleslaw too.  This was the lunch menu.  If you come for supper you get a lot more food, but you pay a lot more too! That's why we love to come for lunch!

Speaking of good food and good company...

On Wednesday we had our monthly women's meeting at our church. I might have mentioned HERE the other day that I was on the refreshment committee for this month's meeting.  In keeping with a summer theme, we had pink flamingo decor....

but I forgot to take any pictures after we put out all the food...I guess because I was too busy preparing and serving...

In addition to the pink flamingos, when my friend saw that the little banner stretched across the table said "Luau Party", she decided to run back to the Dollar Tree and purchase some leis to give to each of the ladies as they arrived. I wish I had taken some pictures of that.  There were more ladies than we had leis for, so my friend and I gave ours away, otherwise I'd show you mine. The ladies all loved the luau atmosphere...it made for a lovely time of fun and fellowship.

Anyway, we had a wonderful time, and there was plenty of good food...chicken salad sandwiches, potato salad, veggie tray, and this big bowl (below) full of delicious fresh fruit, and cake for dessert.  Lily Grace is all ready for a luau party here at home. No, she didn't go to the ladies' meeting this time. I had my hands too full already!

I am very thankful that everything went well with our meeting and luncheon. I just wish I had taken more pictures. But you get the idea. Fifteen happy ladies coming together for fellowship and sharing joys and concerns and prayer requests, discussion of ways we can help others in our church and/or community. It is always a blessing to be together with women of faith.

Also thankful for a good meeting with a new doctor regarding a procedure I will be having in July...(a colonoscopy). This is not my first nor will it be my last I am sure as I am considered "at risk" for colon cancer due to certain conditions I have, and so it is necessary to keep a close watch on this and stay ahead of the "game".  This doctor was very reassuring and seems competent, so I was relieved and comforted. I will also be having an endoscopy at the same time.  As I said, this won't be until late July, so prayers will be appreciated at that time. Thank you.

Here's some good thoughts for today:

2 Corinthians 9:8-15

"8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 

9 As it is written:

“He has dispersed abroad,

He has given to the poor;

His righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 

11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 

12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 

13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 

14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 

15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

Amen.