Angels

Sept 4—I finally dug out all that Phlox that was suffocating one of the Knockout roses on the east side of the garden, and what a freeing thing this was… for the roses, and for me too!  For I had wanted to do this for the longest time, but always lacked the courage to do so.  Until now. 

I have also pulled out all the irises on an adjacent bed, where another Knockout rose was being swallowed up by too many of them, including all the lemon balm that had spilled out of their bed, and taken over every available space outside and beyond their designated territory. How gallingly persistent this little herb is… How irritating.  I have almost eradicated them by now, but I shouldn’t be too confident thought, because these little critters keep reproducing faster than I can pull them out.

All those irises I removed from that one spot are now replanted in the little “Dry-creek garden” I created in memory of mom, and I have planted there too part of the Shasta daisy I dug out last months from its original place. 

At the beginning of spring this year I relocated some of my Phlox over to this area as well, but this is one of the shadiest spots in the garden, and although they have thrived throughout the summer, they hadn't put any flowers thus far... I’m hoping one more winter in the ground will do the trick to make them come out next year stronger and as aggressive as they tend to be in some other parts of the garden.

I want this special space covered in flowers—all kinds of them.  By the fence, behind the big angel, I planted a tiny branch of the Virginia creeper growing on the other part of the fence, earlier this summer, and it has survived. It’s tiny, but growing strong each day.  So alas, another little miracle to look forward to seeing develop into something marvelous next spring!  Oh, and have you noticed something else?  A very lovely cherub is guarding this area now too!

I waited for him for so long, that he’s almost like a brand new baby to me!… You see, I fell in love with him from the very moment I saw him, but decided to wait until the end of summer when everything goes on clearance.  

Every week I waited and waited and waited some more, then Walmart lowered their prices on all of their patio and garden stuff… not much, thought, and I knew that if I waited a little longer I would get a better deal yet, but… I was risking losing him.  Don't you just love that little face!

After we came home from our most scary Florida vacation with my husband feeling ill, I went back to Walmart to check on him, afraid that by now he was going to be gone… Until I found him!  He was standing all alone in a desolated corner, all garden fountains gone, all other statues gone! Only him waiting for me!  He didn't have a price tag on, but at this point all I wanted to do was bring him home with me!  And I did.  Because the garden attendant didn't show up when the manager called for a price check, she said, "$15".  "Do you still want him?"  Oh boy, was I elated!   

He's supper heavy, super big and super adorable, and I love love his praying pose so much!  Sometimes when I go by him I feel as if he's really looking up to heaven and smiling.  I would then do the same, look up to my Heavenly Father, and smile.

It is not known precisely where angels dwell — whether in the air, the void, or the planets. It has not been God's pleasure that we should be informed of their abode. ~Voltaire

Well, we may not know, but I least this one lives here now!

Bad Bear Campground and the gypsies

August 26—Bad Bear campground. The singing creek. Unstoppable waters rushing through rocks and river vegetation. That’s the jewel of this gypsy camp.

Weather had been changing, temperatures dropping down, the forest air was cooler and crispier, but at 3:30pm a wonderful, strong sun shone upon our gypsy camp, and thus we got our swimming suits, got our soaps and towels and down we went to the singing creek; down below our campsite, where bushes and thick vegetation had created a dreamy, private natural space. Chipmunk chirped and rock sang, as we laugh and hurried up to wash and splash. The water was so clear and bone cold and we felt so invigorated and clean. 

As the sun settled, and light dimmed and faded, we sat inside our cozy gypsy caravan reading and working on our computers; shrouded in delicious shadow and the mysteriously dark sound of the river outside. The coolness of the young night spooling around us and I found myself confident that our Heavenly Father will see us through; refreshed and surrounded in quiet, peaceful way. 

I guess this is how wildflowers must feel when the day finally breaks back upon itself and a riptide of night moves fast to the West and the bugs spread their wings and fly towards the last of the sun...

 

 

PS:  Thank you for suggesting I should use Chrome when working on my blog.  That did the trick!  No more unwanted codes!  I guess Explorer is not compatible with Blogger, or to my computer, and that was what I was using...  until now.  Thank you again friends!

Pink

I had been looking for some decorative pink pillows for our family room for a while, but none were a match for what I had envisioned.  Finally, last week, I found exactly what I was after—a pop of pink in an otherwise patterned white and gray pillows.  From Cost Plus.

I particularly love the fuzzy patterns on these pillows and how well they accommodate to the rest of patterns and pillows in the space.

The various shades of pink on the flowers (real and fake) and books add to the charm and elegance of the room… and it satisfy my soul.

...and I love the chunky pink candle with wooden lid I found the other day at one of our local stores!

I guess I’m already mentally preparing myself for the cacophony of the winter months, and thus, I've been craving for some color in our white-black-gray living room.  

I still wanted to keep my original colors in the living room, and only incorporate one lively, yet soothing color.  And pink certainly did the trick!  Of course it had to be a certain shade of pink.  I tried with other shades of pink before, but they weren't the right ones.  I didn’t want a bright pink or a baby pink or nothing pink Shabby Chic style. A modern, dusty rose look is perfect to me. It goes so well with gray! 

So, this will be my family room for the winter!