Friday Foto Friends~God's Beauty Around Us Everywhere

 Good Afternoon everyone!  I hope you are having a wonderful Friday! It's sunny and warm here, currently only 83 degrees, which isn't bad for Florida...and scattered thunderstorms are expected at 4:00 p.m.  We shall see. Originally they were supposed to be here by noon, then 2:00, now they say 4...I sometimes wonder who writes these weather reports! LOL.  Anyway, I decided to take a little walk around the back yard for a few minutes to see what I could see.  The air was actually very pleasant...it won't be long before we can start sitting outside again without melting into a pool of sweat! LOL.   (TMI).  Here's a few pictures of some of the flowers that are blooming in the butterfly garden:

Since we've had so much rain lately the Lantana has come back strong, between the weeds, that is...

And the Milkweed is still blooming:

This picture is a little blurry because I realized there was a wasp on the flowers so I moved away quickly:

More Lantana:

Some Penta with some cat's whiskers growing up around it:

The wild holly trees are are getting loaded up with berries and ready for the birds:

And I don't know what kind of wild bushes with berries these are, but whatever they are the birds and deer should love them. I let them grow back up a bit since when we first moved here they were all cut down and I was sad because I thought they would attract some deer.  We shall see what develops:

The other day Mr. Great Blue Heron was strutting around in Still Waters Pond, fishing for his supper, so I managed to get a few pictures while he was up closer:

Isn't he beautiful?  I love these stately creatures!

And speaking of Still Waters Pond, We've had some pretty amazing sunsets the past several evenings.  Here's a few pictures from the last three nights:

Isn't God's artistry in the skies just amazing?  I never cease to amaze at God's masterpieces painted in the heavens. No two are ever alike.

Here's a Psalm that expresses these thoughts much better than I could:

Psalm 8, NKJV

1 "O Lord, our Lord,

How excellent is Your name in all the earth,

Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants

You have ordained strength,

Because of Your enemies,

That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

4 What is man that You are mindful of him,

And the son of man that You visit him?

5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,

And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;

You have put all things under his feet,

7 All sheep and oxen—

Even the beasts of the field,

8 The birds of the air,

And the fish of the sea

That pass through the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Lord,

How excellent is Your name in all the earth!"

I guess this would be a good place to stop, but I have a couple more pictures that I took while working at Dixie Cottage this morning.  I was having fun adding a few of the new items that our friend Barbara brought yesterday to be sold on consignment from her home. I think they are a very welcome addition to our store offerings:

The large "Gather" sign is a favorite of mine. I may have to bring that one home with me.

This is a new cabinet brought in by one of other vendors, but I added a few of Barb's items to the decor on the cabinet to dress it up.  Actually, when Barb and Gary were here the other day, Gary was very much attracted to this cabinet, and I think if they could've fit it in their car he would have taken it home with them. LOL.  Barbara, tell Gary it's still available!

I love the "Porch Rules" sign. Yes, that's what I love to do on the porch too.

I was a bit surprised to see one of Barbara's own cross stitch creations in the box, but it is very fitting for our store. The Lighthouse is actually the one from St. Augustine, which was the one that could be seen from the parking lot of Dixie Cottage when the store was still in St. Augustine.  I love this verse as well.

There's a few of her items amongst this coastal themed decor.  

And I love this Amish bench above. It actually opens up and has storage space! Again, if I had a place for it, it would be coming home with me! LOL.

We'll close with these messages above:

"I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown", and

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound..."

Amen, and thank you Barbara for sharing your treasures with us. I know they will find their way to some other people's homes and be a blessing to all who come near them.

I feel blessed just having them in the store!

Okay, that's all for today folks. I hope you have a blessed and wonderful weekend.

What's for supper tonight?  I'm thinking seriously about ordering Domino's Pizza and calling it a day.

Good Evening!