Friday Foto Friends...So Much To Love

 Here it is Friday evening...we've just had some really NICE long rain showers, and our Still Waters Pond is still "dry", but I think that big old sponge is getting filled up and it won't be too much longer before it starts overflowing!

All that area from the two pine trees and all the way across all that bright green on the other side should be under water!  I believe the bright green on the far side is actually lower and wetter, hence why it is so green. All the dark area is just plain old dried up muck, and little by little it is soaking up the rain and eventually it has to start showing puddles on the top and eventually it should fill up all the way to the pine trees. It's still a long way off, but with every day of rain that we get, the closer we get to it filling up.  One day at a time!! We are thankful for every drop of rain that falls!!

So today we did something extra special. Our son drove us in his pick up truck down to visit the home of our friends Woody and Maura, who both recently passed away and whose Celebration of Life I attended last week.  Their granddaughter and her young adult son are now living in their home, and she is in the process of going through things and determining what to keep and what to give away. The reason we went is because she wanted to donate their clothes to our church's thrift store and/or our quilting group, for their yard sale that is coming up soon. The proceeds from the yard sale go to purchase more fabric and materials to create all the wonderful lap quilts and bags that our ladies sew and donate to the Ronald McDonald House in Gainesville.  They are amazing as to how many lap quilts they make each year. Just yesterday they took 108 quilts over there, and that's the 2nd or 3rd time they've done that already this year!

 Here's a picture of them when they took 116 quilts, 285 tote bags, and 19 crochet' blankets back in March!

These ladies really rock!!!

So anyway, we filled up the back of our son's pick up truck with so many big garbage bags full of clothes, you would not believe how many...and I forgot to take a picture of it all! Here's the closest to a picture of it I got...that's his truck in the driveway of our friends' home, and by the time we were through gathering the bags, the back of that truck bed was full all the way to the rim and packed solid! It was a LOT of beautiful clothes (my friend Maura always dressed like a lovely queen!), and we still left some behind because we ran out of space.

While we were there we took some other pictures outside their lovely home, which overlooks the marshy canals leading out to Big Lake Kerr. Our friend Woody built their home on an island many years ago, and had to literally build a causeway to drive out to the house. He was an engineer/builder, so he knew what he was doing.

The Sand Hill Cranes are right at home there under the old live oak trees and swaying spanish moss...

Looking out toward the lake...

There's those cranes again...They think they own the island...

The canal leads out to the lake.  Even though it has been such a dry year, they are now starting to get more water in the canal and around their island.  It is truly an idyllic place to live...

We had a nice visit with their granddaughter, and we plan to stay in touch with her. Her life as certainly been turned upside down through all of this, and she definitely needs our prayers.  But she is a solid and good Christian young woman, and I know God has some wonderful plans for her.

While we were there she asked me if I would like to have one of Maura's teapots from her collection. Of course you know what I said...

 This is the one I chose, and I have placed it in the middle between two other things that Maura had already given me before. The little cream pitcher you have already seen. I had forgotten to show the beautiful china cannister on the left before. (I keep tea bags in it).

And then I remembered something else she gave me some time ago...these delightful little pink and white tea cups and saucers!  It looks like they all belong together, doesn't it?

I chose this teapot because I loved the style and somehow I knew that would be the one that Maura would want me to have. She and I thought a lot alike on many things, and we both appreciated beautiful old china and especially teapots.  I did not look to see what markings were on the bottom of the teapot until I got home, and this is what it says...

Here is a link to what I discovered about this particular "mark"on the china:  "Jean Pouyat Limoges stands as a beacon of French porcelain excellence, blending centuries-old traditions with innovative craftsmanship that has captivated collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Originating from the heart of Limoges, France—a region synonymous with superior porcelain production—this brand encapsulates the elegance of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for its hand-painted designs, luxurious gold accents, and timeless aesthetic appeal, Jean Pouyat pieces have adorned dining tables, display cabinets, and prestigious collections across the globe."

It would appear that this teapot is indeed very special in many ways...but to me, it is special because it belonged to my dear friend Maura, and I will treasure it in her memory always.

After we delivered the bags of clothing to our church, we took Benton out to lunch at the local Hog Wild Burger & Shakes restaurant and we all had a great hamburger and then we headed home before the rains started! Thankfully God held off the rains until we got the clothes delivered and we were safely home. Praise God!  

These little rosebuds were blooming in the yard, and I brought them inside to enjoy...

Thankfully, since we've been finally getting some more regular rains, the roses are blooming again!

Here's a Psalm of Praise to Our God...

Psalm 63:1-8 NKJV

Joy in the Fellowship of God

A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

"1 O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,

To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise You.

4 Thus I will bless You while I live;

I will lift up my hands in Your name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,

And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips

6 

6 When I remember You on my bed,

I meditate on You in the night watches.

7 Because You have been my help,

Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

8 My soul follows close behind You;

Your right hand upholds me."

Tonight I am filled with gratitude to God for His mercy and lovingkindness, and also for the sweet friendships He has blessed us with throughout the years. I am thankful that the kindness of our friends and their granddaughter will continue on through the gift of the clothes that will, I'm  quite certain, bring in some much needed money to support the ministry of our quilting group to the children and families at the Ronald McDonald House.  So, in essence, Woody and Maura's legacy continues. It may not seem like a big thing, but when you see how God uses those funds to create blankets and items to encourage and bless those who are going through such difficult times in their lives....well, it truly is a blessing, and I know my friends would be pleased to know that something like their clothes could become a blessing to others...and to those who actually buy the clothes at a price they can afford as well! That is another gift that goes on giving.  I am happy that we had a small part in that blessing by being the delivery people today. It's all a part of the chain of God's grace and love extended to others. What a blessing indeed!! 

Good night my friends.  It was a good good day. 

Recent posts regarding the passing of our dear friends:

https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2026/06/thursday-thankfulnessthe-blessing-of.html

https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2026/06/happy-sundayflag-day-and-beyondon.html

https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2026/04/easter-saturdaywhile-we-wait.html