Welcome to my "Open Window"...a place of hope, encouragement, and adventure as we journey down the road from "Closed Doors" to the new opportunities God places in our pathway. I hope you will take the time to go back and follow the trail of mixed blessings and fears, failures and triumphs from the past and side-trips in the present. Perhaps it will conjure up some of your own special memories, and be an invitation for you to share with others. I look forward to spending this time with you!
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Friday, March 20, 2026
Friday Foto Friends: It's Spring Finally!
Happy Friday everyone! And Happy First Day of Spring!!! I bet many of you thought it would never get here...and you may still be wondering if it really is spring! Here in Florida where we live, although it has been quite cool for us this week, it has now warmed up nicely and it definitely feels like spring! Hooray!!
And so today I finally got my veggies planted in the new planter boxes that Benton built for me!
Here's Benton and hubby just after they dumped all the bags of potting soil in the planters for me:
Next was my job...to plant the veggies that were starting to grow out of control in the kitchen:
I may still have the plants too close together. I really don't know what I'm doing. There's zucchini on the left, and yellow summer squash on the right. (above). There are six plants of each.
And these (above) are the four beefsteak tomato plants. Hopefully the cages will help them grow big and strong and tall. Those of you who are experienced gardeners may say that these are all too close together. Time will tell. If I have to get more planters and spread them out more, I know just who to call!
Some of you may remember my dil Rose's sister Sherrie, who came down from Minnesota several years ago and stayed with Rose and Benton for several months. We sort of adopted her into our family as another daughter. Anyway, she's back down for a week's vacation visit, and today she really wanted to go visit a dear friend from our church who is currently spending some time in rehab following a serious illness. So here we all are, l to r: Sherrie, Opal, yours truly, and my sweet dil Rose.
Opal was our pianist at our church for many years, until she had a stroke last January (2025), and she has been recuperating ever since. This old baby grand piano bookshelf (below) is in the lobby of the rehab center where she is staying. It used to be the piano in the lobby, but it didn't work anymore, so they "repurposed" it into this lovely bookshelf/shadow box. If you notice in the picture above, there is another piano in the background, and Opal has been actually playing that one again as a part of her physical therapy. I was hoping we could get her to play today, but she really just wanted to visit, which was fine with us.
I love it when things that are no longer able to be used for their original purpose can be repurposed/rehabilitated into something lovely and useful once again. I'm glad when God does that with us as well.
Sweet Sherrie made this pot holder for me...because she remembered that my "One Word" for 2024 was "Strength". I love this very thoughtful gift, and I will treasure it, as well as the message, and the messenger always!
Hubby and I went for a walk last evening past this old palm tree that is covered with so many vines of so many different kinds of flowers, which each take their turn to bloom in the spring. Right now it is more lovely wisteria...
Who would think anything so beautiful could come out of this mess of tangled up vines on an old dead tree?
There's also some of this beautiful purple lantana growing on the same tree...must be time for the purple spring flowers to bloom!
What a beautiful transformation!!
Further down the walkway is this old oak tree, which has this interesting "burl", or fungus in the trunk.
I've shared this tree before HERE, but I noticed that it is continuing to change as the days go by.
It now looks like it is opening up more to the inside of the tree trunk, and it would be a great hiding place for some gnomes or hobbits. I wonder????
I do see a strange kind of face looking out at me there below...LOL.
As I said before in the other post about these "deformities" or "Burls" in the tree, they can actually be recreated into magnificent bowls with the skillful hands of a talented woodworker and a good working knowledge of a lathe.
Isaiah 42:16
I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;
I will lead them in paths they have not known.
I will make darkness light before them,
And crooked places straight.
These things I will do for them,
And not forsake them.
Springtime is a time for renewal and change and repurposing or recreating not just things, but our own bodies and minds and spirits, as we yield ourselves to the transforming power of God's Holy Spirit in our lives.
Here's an old song that some of you may remember. It's interesting, hubby started singing this song this morning and we were trying to remember all the verses. You just don't get to sing these great old hymns much anymore...so you may want to sing along...
Higher Ground
By: Johnson Oatman, Jr. 1898
1. I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Refrain:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven's table land;
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
2. My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Tho' some may dwell where these abound,
My pray'r, my aim is higher ground.
(Refrain)
3. I want to live above the world,
Though Satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
(Refrain)
4. I want to scale the utmost height,
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I'll pray till Heav'n I've found,
Lord, lead me on to higher ground.
(Refrain)
I hope you enjoyed singing along with that old hymn, and perhaps that will be a prayer for you as we begin this spring season of renewal and transformation!
Pamela, I so enjoyed my visit. Your planters and plants look great!!! I love them. Your son is so talented. I love all the blooms you showed us as well. What a thoughtful gift! A Word of the year potholder!!!! I love it. Have a wonderful weekend.
I love that you've kind of adopted Sherrie. It sounds like she's just as sweet as Rose, so this is a blessing for her and you too! That repurposed piano is so cool. What a brilliant idea. Glad Spring is back for you. We came back to cold temps but today it made it to 60! Hooray for Spring!
I love how they repurposed that piano into shelves! Well done and very clever! It is great that Opal is playing the piano again, as part of her therapy. Excellent. I love your planting beds. I need to get some tomato plants for mine, now that I think the cold weather is over. Thanks for the reminder! Sending a hug!! xo
LOVE the piano book shelf. so happy you could visit her in the rehab, its so sad for an active person and I know she treasured seeing the three of you.. yay for the garden and you have planted all my favorite garden stuff... summer squash at the top of my list, tomatoes were the top, but they now upset my tummy. kisses to Blackie
I just love those planters, smiles (good job Benton!!!)--thank you for the birthday card, it was very thoughtful and kind, smiles. Wishing you a lovely day my friend.
I would love to take a turn at creating a bowl from that burl! lol The vines are lovely up the old tree! Glad you enjoyed a visit with Sherrie and even visited a sick friend!
I have thought of you everytime I look at that tree, once I learned that you were so skillful with the lathe. If they ever cut the tree down I will let you know and maybe we can get that section out of the trunk. There's quite a lot there on both sides of the tree. There are some other similar trees along this walk, and as they begin to die out the city cuts them down (if they don't fall down first), and sometimes they just lay there on the ground forever...so I will let you know if anything interesting comes available!
I love the hymn. That one hasn't come to mind in a while. Thanks for sharing it. I love your planters. They look way prettier than our pots. I think zucchini will grow no matter what you do. Tomatoes are harder. I look forward to following along to see what happens, but either way it is always fun to try to grow something. So glad for the warmer days.
Oh, I can almost smell the aroma of that fresh potting soil. As others have mentioned, that piano transformation is really something; whoever thought of that is genius! I'm adding Opal to my prayer journal this morning. How your visit(s) must brighten her days!
I love those planters, Pamela! I know you'll keep us informed about the plants' progress as the months roll on. I, too, loved the repurposed piano - what a clever, creative idea! Enjoy these gorgeous spring days, and I'll still pray for rain. Blessings!
The Wisteria is bright and full of color. It is everywhere around here, but in our area it's not so rich in color. Wow...it just brings that old dead tree to life. You are all set for some planting and a lot of produce coming your way.. The planters are so neat!! My daughter (Shanda) and I were talking just yesterday about planting some squash and tomatoes in planters. Your pictures inspire me to get on it. Can you believe we are expected to have temps reaching 94 here today... Not sure where Spring is ... lol
Benton did such nice work on those planters. Did you put in a drip watering system? I find that works best in the vegetable garden. Drip, drip, drip. 💦
One zucchini will take over - probably two would be enough. You can always transplant them before they blossoms appear. But sometimes we have to figure it out on our own and our area. Here we can eat all summer long on one huge zucchini plant and still have a lot to give away! Vegetables grow big here and fast - and I guess that's why they call California: the Nations food basket.
We haven't planted yet - with our extreme summer heat, we need shade cloth to cover veggies like tomatoes or they practically cook on the vine - like stewed tomatoes! Also summer is our dry season, so it can be quite the chore watering them without some irrigation. I have a little veggie stand that I like to go to and the produce and fruit is very good!
Praying for an abundance of crop, that can feed you and others this growing season!
My prayer, my aim is Higher Ground. I haven't heard this song in many years. What beautiful words. I sure love your planters and know you are going to have a bountiful harvest. I also really like that repurposed piano. They did a wonderful job. Sue
The re-purposed piano into a bookshelf is so clever!!!
The Wisteria on that palm tree are beautiful! That and the Lantana demonstrating how beauty can come out of a mess when it’s all given to the Lord. (Romans 8:28)
As for the hymn, Higher Ground, oh yes, I remember it well. Years ago shortly after Tom and I got word he was being transferred back to Colorado, in a church service this song was included. With Denver being the Mile High City, as we sang the chorus, Tom and I looked at each other with a special joy that we would soon be on literal, "higher ground."
I listened to the hymn the whole way through and it was really nice. Completely new to me! I've never heard it sung over here, but I do have some CDs of American hymns so I thought I might recognise it. I hope Opal will one day regain her piano proficiency. It is certainly possible, as an excellent pianist I once knew was rendered incapable after brain cancer. He was told he wouldn't be able to play again, but he practised and practised and practised ... and succeeded! I'm glad the broken piano has a new lease of life - it's a great idea and very effective. The planters are looking wonderful. Tell me to mind my own business but usually "they" say to allow 1 sqm per zucchini/squash plant. However, you may have different varieties, soil, growing conditions... or they may self-select. Either way, lots of feeding and watering and faith! :o)
I am sure I have planted the squash too close together, but I am new at this and really didn't know what I was doing. I may have an overabundance of squash to share with the neighborhood! Or they may cancel each other out...hopefully I will get some good squash out of the whole effort. Oh, I am glad you enjoyed the hymn. It is definitely an old one, but still has great meaning for us today, I believe. I hope you are right about Opal playing the piano. She is working hard at it. I hope she will be able to play for us again at church, but that may be a bit much...still if she can plan again even for her own enjoyment, it will be wonderful. She was an exceptional pianist and organist for many years. Thank you for visiting. Always a pleasure to hear from you.
Those are VERY NICE planters!!--- he sure does a great job. Love seeing all your new plants and I hope they do great for you. The wisteria is in full bloom here too, noticed it last Sunday and made pictures after church. Merry Sunday and hope your day is going great! Big hugs!!
Thank you, Debbi. Today has been a good day here. We celebrated Scott's birthday, which I will write about in my next post. My planters are full and probably have too many plants in them, but this is my first attempt. We shall see what develops! (((HUGS))) to YOU, dear friend....
Thank you, Linda! I just visited your earlier post and left a comment, as well as your email. I enjoyed your post and pictures so much. Hope you are having a good good day today.
What a blessing to have such a skilled carpenter in the family. The planter boxes look great and I'm sure you'll have a nice harvest. Good you were able to visit Opal and that Rose's sister was able to visit. Happy Spring.xx
Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.
Pamela,
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed my visit. Your planters and plants look great!!! I love them. Your son is so talented. I love all the blooms you showed us as well. What a thoughtful gift! A Word of the year potholder!!!! I love it. Have a wonderful weekend.
I love that you've kind of adopted Sherrie. It sounds like she's just as sweet as Rose, so this is a blessing for her and you too!
ReplyDeleteThat repurposed piano is so cool. What a brilliant idea.
Glad Spring is back for you. We came back to cold temps but today it made it to 60! Hooray for Spring!
I love how they repurposed that piano into shelves! Well done and very clever! It is great that Opal is playing the piano again, as part of her therapy. Excellent. I love your planting beds. I need to get some tomato plants for mine, now that I think the cold weather is over. Thanks for the reminder! Sending a hug!! xo
ReplyDeleteLOVE the piano book shelf. so happy you could visit her in the rehab, its so sad for an active person and I know she treasured seeing the three of you.. yay for the garden and you have planted all my favorite garden stuff... summer squash at the top of my list, tomatoes were the top, but they now upset my tummy. kisses to Blackie
ReplyDeleteI just love those planters, smiles (good job Benton!!!)--thank you for the birthday card, it was very thoughtful and kind, smiles. Wishing you a lovely day my friend.
ReplyDeleteI would love to take a turn at creating a bowl from that burl! lol The vines are lovely up the old tree! Glad you enjoyed a visit with Sherrie and even visited a sick friend!
ReplyDeleteI have thought of you everytime I look at that tree, once I learned that you were so skillful with the lathe. If they ever cut the tree down I will let you know and maybe we can get that section out of the trunk. There's quite a lot there on both sides of the tree. There are some other similar trees along this walk, and as they begin to die out the city cuts them down (if they don't fall down first), and sometimes they just lay there on the ground forever...so I will let you know if anything interesting comes available!
DeleteI love the hymn. That one hasn't come to mind in a while. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI love your planters. They look way prettier than our pots. I think zucchini will grow no matter what you do. Tomatoes are harder. I look forward to following along to see what happens, but either way it is always fun to try to grow something.
So glad for the warmer days.
Oh, I can almost smell the aroma of that fresh potting soil. As others have mentioned, that piano transformation is really something; whoever thought of that is genius! I'm adding Opal to my prayer journal this morning. How your visit(s) must brighten her days!
ReplyDeleteI love those planters, Pamela! I know you'll keep us informed about the plants' progress as the months roll on. I, too, loved the repurposed piano - what a clever, creative idea! Enjoy these gorgeous spring days, and I'll still pray for rain. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThe Wisteria is bright and full of color. It is everywhere around here, but in our area it's not so rich in color. Wow...it just brings that old dead tree to life. You are all set for some planting and a lot of produce coming your way.. The planters are so neat!! My daughter (Shanda) and I were talking just yesterday about planting some squash and tomatoes in planters. Your pictures inspire me to get on it. Can you believe we are expected to have temps reaching 94 here today... Not sure where Spring is ... lol
ReplyDeleteI love wisteria. I even have bought it and tried to grow it. Some animal - I think a rabbit - and it makes me so sad.
ReplyDeleteBenton did such nice work on those planters. Did you put in a drip watering system? I find that works best in the vegetable garden. Drip, drip, drip. 💦
ReplyDeleteOne zucchini will take over - probably two would be enough. You can always transplant them before they blossoms appear. But sometimes we have to figure it out on our own and our area. Here we can eat all summer long on one huge zucchini plant and still have a lot to give away! Vegetables grow big here and fast - and I guess that's why they call California: the Nations food basket.
We haven't planted yet - with our extreme summer heat, we need shade cloth to cover veggies like tomatoes or they practically cook on the vine - like stewed tomatoes! Also summer is our dry season, so it can be quite the chore watering them without some irrigation. I have a little veggie stand that I like to go to and the produce and fruit is very good!
Praying for an abundance of crop, that can feed you and others this growing season!
My prayer, my aim is Higher Ground.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard this song in many years. What beautiful words.
I sure love your planters and know you are going to have a bountiful harvest.
I also really like that repurposed piano. They did a wonderful job.
Sue
The re-purposed piano into a bookshelf is so clever!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Wisteria on that palm tree are beautiful! That and the Lantana demonstrating how beauty can come out of a mess when it’s all given to the Lord. (Romans 8:28)
As for the hymn, Higher Ground, oh yes, I remember it well. Years ago shortly after Tom and I got word he was being transferred back to Colorado, in a church service this song was included. With Denver being the Mile High City, as we sang the chorus, Tom and I looked at each other with a special joy that we would soon be on literal, "higher ground."
I listened to the hymn the whole way through and it was really nice. Completely new to me! I've never heard it sung over here, but I do have some CDs of American hymns so I thought I might recognise it. I hope Opal will one day regain her piano proficiency. It is certainly possible, as an excellent pianist I once knew was rendered incapable after brain cancer. He was told he wouldn't be able to play again, but he practised and practised and practised ... and succeeded! I'm glad the broken piano has a new lease of life - it's a great idea and very effective.
ReplyDeleteThe planters are looking wonderful. Tell me to mind my own business but usually "they" say to allow 1 sqm per zucchini/squash plant. However, you may have different varieties, soil, growing conditions... or they may self-select. Either way, lots of feeding and watering and faith! :o)
I am sure I have planted the squash too close together, but I am new at this and really didn't know what I was doing. I may have an overabundance of squash to share with the neighborhood! Or they may cancel each other out...hopefully I will get some good squash out of the whole effort. Oh, I am glad you enjoyed the hymn. It is definitely an old one, but still has great meaning for us today, I believe. I hope you are right about Opal playing the piano. She is working hard at it. I hope she will be able to play for us again at church, but that may be a bit much...still if she can plan again even for her own enjoyment, it will be wonderful. She was an exceptional pianist and organist for many years.
DeleteThank you for visiting. Always a pleasure to hear from you.
Those are VERY NICE planters!!--- he sure does a great job. Love seeing all your new plants and I hope they do great for you. The wisteria is in full bloom here too, noticed it last Sunday and made pictures after church. Merry Sunday and hope your day is going great! Big hugs!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbi. Today has been a good day here. We celebrated Scott's birthday, which I will write about in my next post. My planters are full and probably have too many plants in them, but this is my first attempt. We shall see what develops! (((HUGS))) to YOU, dear friend....
DeleteDear Pamela, your photos are lovely! I enjoy seeing repurposed items!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda! I just visited your earlier post and left a comment, as well as your email. I enjoyed your post and pictures so much. Hope you are having a good good day today.
DeleteWhat a blessing to have such a skilled carpenter in the family. The planter boxes look great and I'm sure you'll have a nice harvest. Good you were able to visit Opal and that Rose's sister was able to visit. Happy Spring.xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joyful. I hope you are right about the nice harvest! Time will tell. I am very new at this!! I hope you have a blessed and wonderful week.
Delete