Wednesday Treasures~A Busy Day

Yesterday was a rather stormy day, with pop up thunderstorms scattered throughout the whole day, from morning until night.  These two pictures were taken last night, while the sunset was shrouded in storm clouds:

Even in its darkness it was still quite beautiful and interesting, don't you think?

God paints the most beautiful masterpieces in His heavens for us to enjoy, even in the midst of a storm...He's always there!

First of all, I want to thank you all who took the time to comment on my post yesterday HERE.  I always love to read your comments, and I also love to read your blog posts, but yesterday was a busy day and I haven't had time yet to get caught up. Maybe today will slow down a bit so I can catch my breath. But thank you for sharing your thoughts with us...I always look forward to hearing from you.

So, yesterday started out first of all, with hubby having a follow up Dr. appointment to go over his labs from his last visit.  Thankfully all was good...even better than expected in some areas. So that was wonderful news!

From there we went over to the new Dixie Cottage store, which is still "under construction", to test out our keys that we had made copies of so we each have a set.  The previous day I had gotten the new set made, and one key didn't work, so we had to take it back to ACE and have them redo it, and this time it worked fine.  "If at first you don't succeed, try try again!"

So here I am...

And here is hubby...

We were also checking out the fact that the landlord has been true to her word that the building is being pressure-washed and primed and ready for painting on the outside. So far so good.

This is just a quick glimpse from inside, where the kids are starting to bring in items to prepare the store for the grand opening, which is scheduled for August 2nd. They are still working in the St. Augustine store until July 23rd, and then they will pack everything up and move it over here during the following week. They have a LOT to do!

Yesterday afternoon they had a meeting with prospective vendors who are interested in setting up booths in the store to sell their particular craft/art/designs. The space is limited to only about 5 or 6 different booths, (in addition to all the items Dixie Cottage already sells) but it sounds like there will be a nice variety of items from homemade organic soaps and lotions to stained glass, wreaths, custom signs/shirts/mugs, jewelry, etc. I can't wait to see just what all there will be! It's going to be a fun place when all is ready!

So meanwhile, back at the home front and in between thunderstorms, well, even during the storms,

we had our old friend "George of the Jungle" doing some tree work for us:

(click that link for pictures from the last time he was here 2 years ago)

He brought his family along to help with the clean up:

Yes, that's his little 4 year old son and wife helping out.

And yes, he's barefooted. He's been that way since he could walk...right there helping his daddy with the trees.  George says that's how he started out with his daddy.  Of course I worried about his stepping on something sharp and hurting himself...but I was assured his feet were tough as leather...

And he's quite strong too.

Meanwhile, across the street a dump truck brought in a load of clay to put down for a foundation under a new home that we keep waiting to see when it will appear. Looks like the truck about burned up its motor, but I guess not. He drove away just fine...

After trimming back the branches of our huge live oak trees in front of the house that were getting too close to the house, he then went to cut down that tree by the fence that is dying and needed to come down:

No big lift truck or heavy equipment for George of the Jungle.  Just a guy with his trusty chain saw and lots of skill and experience.  We weren't too sure how he was going to cut that tree down and not hit our fence, but he did it:

And then the rains came:

But that didn't stop them.  The little guy had lots of fun running back and forth in the rain helping out and finding some puddles to play in as well:

It didn't take them long at all to get that tree cut up and loaded in the wagon and hauled away.

And this is what's left. I guess we should have asked him to cut it down to the ground, but who knows, maybe it will grow back even better.  This part of the trunk didn't look too dead if you ask me.

Maybe I'll get creative and put something on top of it.

Well, folks, that's my Wednesday "treasures" for today. Nothing much on the schedule yet for today. Maybe some more storms rolling in by this afternoon.

 Frankly, I think I need a day of rest.  LOL.

Here's a favorite old song about the storms of life:

"Til The Storm Passes By"

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face

While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place

'Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry

Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand

Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Many times Satan whispered

There is no use to try

For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by

But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise

Where the storms never darken the skies

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand

Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Hope you are safe from any "storms" in your life right now...

Have a blessed and beautiful day my friends.