Looking Like Spring

While the earth remaineth,
seedtime and harvest,
and cold and heat,
and summer and winter,
and day and night shall not cease.
Genesis 8:22

Follow me as I walk around the property where I live.
There is spring in the air and flowers growing!

From the entrance we see The Church of God at Carmichael, CA

These cyclamen die back in the summer, then come back every Spring

Across the parking lot we find Violets. These show up early in Spring

The last of the Daffodils in front of Dusty Miller and California Poppies

The Roses are just starting to bloom

Old fashioned Iris start blooming in December and live next to the Lilacs

Lilacs, my favorite! I picked one spray to keep and one to give away

Ground Orchids and California Poppies

Lenten Roses under the redwood tree.
Helleborus – Pink Marble

Lenten Rose has neighbors

Lenton Roses – Ellen White and Cinnamon Snow

Peony buds, hip, hip, hurrah

Geraniums and butterfly metal yard art made by my brother, Patrick

These live beside the steps on to the deck. the Farmer brought them home, I don’t know their name

Deck steps bookended by floral beauty

The Farmer’s berries, raspberries, boysenberries and thornless black berries in row in front of two rows of grapes

As you leave the property you will see Purple Iris and California Poppies

More California Poppies

God Bless the U,S,A,
Good bye, come again when you can stay longer.


Thanks to the Farmer tends the property tirelessly with joy.

Published in: on April 3, 2020 at 5:20 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Three on Thursday – On My Wall

As you walk up to our trailer,
you’ll see these three things hanging on our wall.

An internet repeater,
we share internet service
and this little box helps us have reasonably consistant service.

Our keepsake from our 2017 Topcrain Journey,
purchased in Ohio in Amish Country.

Our keepsake from our 2007 Topcrain Journey,
I didn’t look up where we purchased this star;
it is made from old metal roofing.

Before you ask,

from a picture I gave the Farmer,
I received this coat stand for Christmas one year.
the Farmer can make almost anything from a picture.

Linking with Carole and her Three on Thursday .

Published in: on February 8, 2018 at 1:05 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Five Minute Friday – Intentional

Many new and experienced writers,
mostly women, join this write-a-long.
If you want to read what others have written
or join in the fun, click here

Intentional – done on purpose, deliberate

GO . . .

My Scripture reading this morning:

Matthew 15:36-37
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes,
and gave thanks,
and brake them,
and gave to his disciples,
and the disciples to the multitude.
Mat 15:37  And they did all eat, and were filled:
and they took up of the broken meat
that was left seven baskets full.

BRAKE looked bold and bright
have you had that happen?
Something you’ve read 1000 times
suddenly you see.

Christ intentionally broke the bread.
He had a purpose.
He saw a need.
The whole load was enough for one
or at the most a few
and probably not even crumbs would have remained.

But BROKEN,
how useful
how fulfilling
and how lasting
(some left for a later need.)

I am broken – intentionally by my Lord,
through circumstances of life,
sickness
loss
grief
disappointments
misunderstandings.
‘WHY’ my heart screams.
It is part of the intentional plan of my Father.

I am not designed to be solitary . . . alone,
hiding under my bushel,
but to shine and bring forth fruit.

We’ve all heard the saying:
squeezing brings forth what’s inside.
What if I’m never squeezed?
Nothing useful comes forth
and the fruit rots intact,
alone and useless.

Lord,
Help me daily accept the breaking.
Help me become useful for your intentional purpose.
Amen

Stop.

John 12:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die,
it abideth alone:
but if it die,
it bringeth forth much fruit. 

As I was writing I remembered this picture taken in July, 2011
of the Farmer teaching the grandsons and a little friend to plant seed.

Published in: on January 19, 2018 at 2:41 pm  Comments (5)  
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Only Seeds

the Farmer/Grandpa teaching young sowers.

I read a fable about a man who was browsing
in a store when he made the shocking discovery
that God was behind the sales counter.

So the man walked over and asked,
“What are you selling?”

God replied,
“What does your heart desire?”

The man said,
“I want happiness, peace of mind,
and freedom from fear…for me and the whole world.”

God smiled and said,
“I don’t sell fruit here. Only seeds.”

Luke 8:5-8 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Luke 8:12-15 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Published in: on June 19, 2017 at 4:44 am  Comments (1)  
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Happy Birthday to the Farmer

The Farmer’s love is growing a beautiful, weed free garden.

His father was a vegetable truck gardener in the central valley, CA from the time the Farmer was about 4-5 years old. The Farmer began planting beans and corn at that young age. As he grew older, he worked in the garden before and after school. He and his Brother dug burr clover and johnson grass from the flower garden as a way to work off excess energy for Mama.

When we bought our first property, an acre, He began gardening on his own. Over the years, we moved sometimes we had a garden sometimes not. When we bought a nice home on 1/2 acre in Carmichael 13 years ago, the Farmer began gardening again in earnest. I told him the garden was fine, but too many times the weeds took over, I really didn’t want a garden all weedy, since the garden would be the main view from our deck.

The Farmer developed his drip system of watering and mulching between the rows. We had three huge sycamore trees that dropped millions of leaves each year and these were shredded used as mulch and tilled back into the soil each fall. His garden had no weeds!

From his consistent labor a garden grew that was the envy all who visited. 2010 was the last year he had a garden at this property.

Then we were able to move our RV trailer on the Church’s property to help as caretakers, October, 2011.

and the seeds of garden came with us.

There is a peace about gardening, not too many people will fuss with the Farmer about when he plants and what he plants. Not too many people offer to weed or lay watering lines or pound posts to stake tomatoes and cucumbers.


The Farmer doesn’t really want or need the advice or help, it is his creation. He plants. He waters. He hoes. He ties and stakes. He weaves the cucumber tenderals into the field fencing. God gives the increase and blessing.

Both God and the Farmer stand back smiling looking at their handiwork and say, “It is very good.”

March 20 001“Cozy Acres” as it looks today; all because of the Farmer.

Published in: on May 1, 2015 at 4:28 am  Leave a Comment  
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Today’s thought – The Name and Fame of Jesus

july 15, pics from Gma c 025One 72-foot row of okra, next a 72-foot row of cucumbers,
when the Farmer gardens; he really gardens!

Good Morning

Acts 4:12
“There is salvation in no other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved”

There is only one name that opens heaven’s doors
and God’s heart—the name of Jesus.
There is only one name that breaks the power of sin
and sets the captive free—the name of Jesus.
There is only one name worthy of all praise,
and deserving of your allegiance—the name of Jesus.

Early on in His public ministry
the name and fame of Jesus spread
like a prairie fire on a windy day.
People all throughout the region—rich and poor,
king and commoner, Jew and Gentile—all heard of Him;
for His fame was ever-increasing.

His death on the Cross did not have the effect
the rulers of the day had hoped.
He rose from the dead
and His followers became invincible in their faith—
so much in fact that in ever-widening circles
the number of disciples increased vastly in Jerusalem;
and many of the Jewish priests were themselves converted as well.

Paul the Apostle, a few years later wrote,
“Finally, dear brothers, as I come to the end of this letter,
I ask you to pray for us.
Pray first that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly
and triumph wherever it goes,
winning converts everywhere as it did when it came to you”
(2 Thessalonians 3:1, Living Bible).

Jesus Christ!
He is peerless in His exaltation,
unrivaled in His Lordship,
incomparable in His grace,
invincible in His power,
unassisted in His work as Redeemer,
matchless in His mercy,
adored in His glory
and worshipped in the beauty of His holiness.

In His birth is our significance.
In His life is our example.
In His death is our forgiveness.
In His resurrection is our hope.
In His Second Coming is our consummate glory!

Isaiah spoke for us all when he said,
“Lord, Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts”
(Isaiah 28:8, NIV).

Friends, we live in a fallen world
where hostilities toward God run high and hot.
For this reason we must become men and women
of vision, passion, discipline and risk—laying ourselves out
for the high honor of one Name alone…
the name of Jesus.
~~~Rylie

Pledge your allegiance to Jesus . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on July 17, 2014 at 4:29 am  Leave a Comment  
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Today’s thought – The Lesson for Faith

P1030368the Farmer works together with his tools . . .

P1030376. . . something good is the result

Good Morning

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things
work together for good
to them that love God,
to them who are the called
according to his purpose.

How wide is this assertion of the Apostle Paul?
He does not say.
“We know that some things,”
or “most things,”
or “joyous things.”
but “ALL things.”
From the minutest to the most momentous;
from the humblest event in daily providence
to the great crisis hours in grace.

And all things “work“–they are working;
not all things have worked or shall work;
but it is a present operation.

At this very moment, when some voice may be saying,
“Thy judgemnts are a great deep,”
the angels above,
who are watching the development of the great plan,
are with folded wings exclaiming,
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways,
and holy in all his works.” (Psalm 145:17)

And then all things “work together.”
It is a beautiful blending.
Many different colors,
in themselves raw and unsihtly,
are required in order to weave the harmonious pattern.

Many separate tones and notes of music,
even discords, and dissonances,
are required to make up the harmonious anthem.

Many separate wheels and joints
are required to make the piece of machinery.
Take a thread separately,
or a note separately,
or a wheel or a tooth of a wheel separately
and there may be neither use or beauty discernible.

But complete the web,
combine the notes,
put together the separate parts of steel and iron,
and you see how perfect ad symmetrical is the result.
Here is the lesson for faith:
“What I do thou knowest not now,
but thou shalt know hereafter.”
Macduff.

Trust God’s working . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on June 10, 2014 at 5:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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Today’s thought – Who me?

apr19 002the Farmer’s cactus garden, one is a bloom!

Good Morning

Matthew 26:20-22
Now when the even was come,
he sat down with the twelve.
And as they did eat, he said,
Verily I say unto you,
that one of you shall betray me.
And they were exceeding sorrowful,
and began every one of them to say unto him,
Lord, is it I?

 
When our Lord said, “One of you will betray Me,”
thank God thous disciples had enough spirituality
that nobody said,
“Lord, it is he?”
Everyone of those disciples said,
“Lord, is it I?”
If they would not have so responded
there could not have been a Pentecost.
But because they were humble enough
to point the finger in their own direction
the Holy Spirit fell upon them. . . .
A. W. Toxer

Bow at the cross of Jesus . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on April 19, 2014 at 11:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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Ten on Tuesday – Cozy Foods

ToT-Button

On Tuesday’s Carole hosts ‘Ten on Tuesdays’.
She chooses a topic – we list ten items.

10 Foods That Belong Together.

1. My very first thought was a favorite dessert of our family –
Chocolate cake with ‘bonilla icing with sprinkles and
‘bonilla ice cream with chocolate syrup ‘uppa top’
I almost went out and bought a chocolate cake, icing,
ice cream and syrup ( I have the sprinkles);
baked and frosted the cake;
then fixed me some dessert.
So I could show you how good this really is.

2. Ketchup and any type of hamburger

13726464-appetizing-smiling-hamburger-in-cartoon-style-for-fast-food-design

3. Spaghetti and Toasted Garlic bread

4. Summer and First of the season vegetables
(a previous year’s picture)

June 4

5. Frito Boats – Chili and Fritos
from Cooks.com Put two spoonfuls of heated chili in bowl.
Put a layer of Fritos on top of chili.
Put another of chili.
Add a layer of cheese.
Add a layer of lettuce and tomatoes if you want.
Top with a few more Fritos

6. Dark chocolate and almonds

apr7 005

7. Bacon and Tomatoes and Avocados
make a delicious BTA.
I like mine n rye bread with mustard.

8. the Farmer says ‘any veggies’ go in the juice

juicer 001
Drink it down—just think of it as medicine

juicer

9.  Strawberry Shortcake –
We take fresh out of the oven sweet biscuits, split them open,
add a scoop of ‘bonilla’ ice cream, soften,
cover with sliced sweetened strawberries
be sure to get lots of juice.
I stop there, but some in the family proceed
to add a generous helping of whipped cream.
I can’t find the picture I took years ago.

10. DESSERT,

thanksgiving 2011 011

POTLUCK and

thanksgiving 2011 012

FAMILY

thanksgiving 2011 013
Pictures are from a Thanksgiving with the Farmer’s family.

Join with Carole, but not when you’re hungry.
What am I going to have for lunch?

Published in: on April 8, 2014 at 10:38 am  Comments (4)  
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April 1, Today’s Thought – Mould Us

apr1Between showers on this rainy day, the Farmer watches over his gardens.

Good Morning

2 Timothy 2:21b . . . he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Mould us, great God,
into forms of beauty and usefulness
by the wheel of Providence
and by the touch of Thy hand.
Fulfil Thine ideal,
and conform us to the image of Thy Son.
In Thy great house may we stand
as vessels meet for Thy use.
We are little better than common earthenware,
but may we be cleansed,
and purified,
and filled with Thy heavenly treasure.
Dip us deep into the River of Life,
and give refreshment by us
to many parched and weary hearts.
F. B. Meyer

2 Timothy 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use]. 21 So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work. Amplified Bible

Mould me . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on April 1, 2014 at 11:26 am  Leave a Comment  
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Found in the Garden Plot

mar18 001the Farmer is tilling in the winter green

mar18 002the attach the rippers and weigh them down

mar25 004

mar21 005

mar21 014garden plot is ripped
but in the process
CLUNK!
one of the tines breaks off

mar21 020
so the digging begins
mar21 018ah ha

mar21 019

mar21 016yep, it’s the Cozy Acre ‘looker/adviser’ crew

mar25 0062 12inch diameter 6 feet long concrete pipes connected with a aluminum band
supposed a walk way over creek that originally flowed through the property

mar25 010Every year the Farmer finds more trash in the garden plot
mar21 017then the Farmer tucks the soil in for a rest before planting begins

mar21 015berries and grapes are enjoying the warm Spring weather

NEW THIS YEAR

mar25 001three rows of strawberries

mar25 002the strawberries were planted in the tops of the rows
the drip watering system was installed
(sorry I didn’t get a picture of that layout)
then everything was covered with 3-4 inches of mulch
for a weed free strawberry patch

mar25 007chicken pen/orchard area
gap in the fence is where the chicken house will be

mar25 009first tree planted a black fig
the Farmer has grown from a cutting

Every day something is happening at Cozy Acres.  the Farmer is always planning/plotting another project to add to the beauty and productivity of Cozy Acres.

mar25 011

View from the back fence facing north
most of the pictures are taken toward the southmar25 012

Published in: on March 25, 2014 at 12:27 pm  Comments (1)  
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At home. . . it quilts

So I thought and thought.
the Farmer and I talked and talked.
This is the result . . .

mar21 009

Open the door and
It is a Project Studio aka My Space.

mar21 001

I can quilt, read, pray, eat, play silly games on the ipad….

mar21 002

I can press the fabric flat and cut out block pieces…..

mar21 007

mar21 005

mar21 006
My current project – love the 30’s designs.

Published in: on March 22, 2014 at 10:06 am  Comments (2)  
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December 6, Today’s thouht – Kindness

dec 6 fall cleanupthe Farmer busy at fall cleanup

Good Morning

Colossians 3:12-13
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye

“Put on as the elect of God, kindness…”

There is a story of an old man who carried a little can of oil with him everywhre he went and if he pass through a door that squeaked, he poured a little oil on the hinges. If a gate was hard to open, he oiled the latch. And thus he passed through life lubricating all hard places and making it easier for those who came after him.

People called him eccentric queer, and cranky; but the old man went steadily on refilling is can of oil when it became empty, and oiled the hard places he found.

there are many lives that creak and grate harshly as they live day by day. Nothing goes right with them. They need lubricating with the oil of gladness, gentleness, or thoughtfulness.
Have you your own can of oil with you?
Be ready with your oil of helpfulness in the early morning to the one nearest you. It may lubricate the whole day for him. The il of good cheer tot he downhearted one–Oh, how much it may mean! The word of courage to the despairing. Speak it.

Our lives touch others by=ut once, perhaps, on the road of life; and then, mayhap, our ways diverge, never to meet again. The oil of kindness has worn the sharp, hard edges off of many a sin-hardened life and left it soft and pliable and ready for the redeeming grace of the Saviour.

A word spoken pleasantly is a large spot of sunshine on a sad heart. Therefore, “Give others the sunshine, tell Jesus the rest.”

“We cannot know the grief
That men may borrow;
We cannot see the souls
Storm-swept by sorrow;
But love can shine upon the way
Today, tomorrow;
Let s be kind.
Upon the wheel of ain so many weary lies are broken,
We liven in vain who give no tender token.
Let us be kind.”
from Streams in the Desert, Vol 1

Be kind . . .Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on December 6, 2013 at 12:31 pm  Leave a Comment  

May 1, Today’s thought – There is a Tree

aug 11 005This is an oak, not a juniper.
It is large and strong and steadfast and alive..

Good Morning

Today is the Farmer’s birthday. He is 72.
We have been together 45 years.
Usually when I read this I think of lasting love.
Today I know it describes the Farmer,
his strength, his dependability
and, yes, his love.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:3

“There is a tree. At the downhill edge of a long, narrow field in the western foothills of the La Sal Mountains — southeastern Utah. A particular tree. A juniper. Large for its species — maybe twenty feet tall and two feet in diameter. For perhaps three hundred years this tree has stood its ground. Flourishing in good seasons, and holding on in bad times. “Beautiful” is not a word that comes to mind when one first sees it. No naturalist would photograph it as exemplary of its kind. Twisted by wind, split and charred by lightning, scarred by brushfires, chewed on by insects, and pecked by birds. Human beings have stripped long strings of bark from its trunk, stapled barbed wire to it in using it as a corner post for a fence line, and nailed signs on it on three sides: NO HUNTING; NO TRESPASSING; PLEASE CLOSE THE GATE. In commandeering this tree as a corner stake for claims of rights and property, miners and ranchers have hacked signs and symbols in its bark, and left Day-Glo orange survey tape tied to its branches. Now it serves as one side of a gate between an alfalfa field and open range. No matter what, in drought, flood heat and cold, it has continued. There is rot and death in it near the ground. But at the greening tips of its upper branches and in its berrylike seed cones, there is yet the outreach of life.

I respect this old juniper tree. For its age, yes. And for its steadfastness in taking whatever is thrown at it. That it has been useful in a practical way beyond itself counts for much, as well. Most of all, I admire its capacity for self-healing beyond all accidents and assaults. There is a will in it — toward continuing to be, come what may.”
― Robert Fulghum, Uh-oh – Some Observations From Both Sides Of The Refrigerator Door

I am thankful for the Farmer . . . Everyday
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on May 1, 2013 at 10:10 am  Leave a Comment  
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Chatting on the Deck

chatsonthefarmhouseporch

“Chats on the Farmhouse Porch” is a group of friends
gathering to visit,
sip their favorite beverages,
nibble delicious treats
and share their likes and dislikes.

Patrice and Wendell have invited me to join the chatting.
Patrice provides the questions,
we answer.

Today’s questions:

When it’s time to cut the grass (mow the lawn), who does it?

the Farmer or Uncle Bob mows our lawn and volley ball court/field.buster4-2012 003

If someone gave you $500 dollars and you could not spend it on yourself, who would you spend it on?

Two ways: part to the Farmer for new glasses and the balance to my mom, she can use extra gas money.

Have you ever taken a blogging break or considered one?

no and no, I’m still having fun, even when I have help.cats and compter 001

Are you bothered by spring allergies or hay fever? If not spring, any other time of the year?< blockquote>The only time I’ve had a problem is when we lived in a home that had cotten wood trees in the backyard.

What’s new with you?

I can’t think of anything new – enjoying the simple life.

Find out what’s new here.

Published in: on April 30, 2013 at 11:53 pm  Comments (12)  
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