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, September 16, 2022

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!




18 comments:

  1. I so enjoyed my visit here today! Such beautiful photos and I love playing I Spy with your beautiful shop!!

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  2. I know I would find all kinds of pretty things in the shop! But I have a house full! It would be fun to change a few things out though. I know you are happy with the showers for your pond. It was very pleasant to walk this morning and there were lots of mushrooms popping up. Thanks again for the sweet comments. They are all coming through...don't know why the error message keeps popping up! Sheesh! lol Enjoy your weekend!

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  3. Barb's treasures fit right in, don't they!! I love that storage bench and started looking around to see where I could put it!! LOL I don't have room but I love it!! Your sunset pictures are always so peaceful and beautiful, Pam. Love and happy Saturday!! xo

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  4. I always love virtually shopping around the store. I saw quite a few things I'd love. The cross stitch is beautiful. St. Augustine Light is a favorite of mine. When I come down to visit I need to bring a small U-Haul! LOL Your backyard looks so peaceful. I hope some day to visit you there! Have a blessed weekend.

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  5. Pam, these images are like dessert for the eyes! Dixie Cottage is taking on a personality all its own, isn't it?! How I hope to 'Gather' together in person myself someday!

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  6. Loved seeing the items Barbara brought for the store, Pamela. She has impeccable taste! And your nature photos cheered my heart. God's handiwork is all around us!
    Blessings!

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  7. I love all your photos today; especially all the nature photos around where you live. Enjoy your weekend. I guess half of it is already gone for you but I'm a few hours behind,lol.

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  8. Perhaps keep the lighthouse picture in a place near the front not of the store…memory of location of first store. Beautiful blog

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  9. It is so nice to see Barbara and Gary, although you are the lucky ones, we haven't met Gary yet, grin.

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    1. Well hello stranger! I sure miss you, but I understand your situation. And yes, Gary is very nice. He and John got along just fine, and he and Barb are a very sweet and cute couple!! Hope you are doing well...now I'll go see if you've written anything to bring us up to date. October is getting closer every day!! Love you.

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  10. Lovely sunset. There must be some fish in your pond since the birds stalk around in it. It surprises me since the waterlilies are so overgrown and can starve out the oxygen for fish. But somehow it works! Do you get many mosquitoes by the pond?

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    1. Thank you. Yes, we do have fish in the pond. I see them jumping every so often, and I've watched the Herons and Egrets catch them. I know we do have too many water lilies, but there's not much I can do about it since we don't own the pond. And yes we do have mosquitoes during the summer months. They tend to fade away during the fall and winter, thank goodness, so we can enjoy being outside more. We also have a lot of bats that fly around over the pond at night catching the mosquitoes. The eco system all seems to be working well...something for everyone! LOL.

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  11. I always enjoy your pictures, Pamela! I would love to shop at Dixie Cottage. So many cute things!

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  12. I love the photos thank you for sharing I always loved lantana because it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Our Milkweed has opened to the cotton stuff that flies out of them, funny I was playing with them the other day and letting them fly as far as they could and be free (reminded me of charlottes web when the babies all flew away) How I would love shopping at Dixie Cottage. I have a new post up that I think you will enjoy. Have a happy and blessed weekend

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  13. 'Stately' is a great way to describe the heron! I love the way the sky is reflected in the water, so beautiful. I think I could spend hours in that store!

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  14. Beautiful photos of plants in your backyard and the sky shots are amazing. That Dixie Cottage is adorable. Hope you have a wonderful week, Pam! xo Diana

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  15. Beautiful. Regine
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  16. The photos are beautiful and I especially love the photos of the sky.

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