How Does Your Garden Grow?

I have always been drawn to the coolness of a garden. Perhaps it is because when God placed man on the Earth, He put them in the Garden of Eden. I can only imagine the beauty of that wonderful place and can't wait to see what the gardens in heaven look like.

In every single place we have lived, whether it is an apartment, a rental house or even our very own home, I have always placed plants in whatever space I had available. For living in an apartment, most of those stayed in containers or pots.

When we first bought our first home, it was truly a labor of love to not only have an inviting front yard, but also a wonderful garden in the backyard, that could become a personal space to get away from the day to day stresses of the world.

Even now in our rental home, we have carried on that tradition and turned our desert landscape into a backyard oasis that doesn't seem to fit in, because it is so lush and green. a far cry from the photo at the top of this post which was what it used to look like. The one thing missing however in this one, is a running fountain or water feature. We do have a fountain and bird bath for our local birds that stop by or the neighboring cat, but nothing beats the sound of a bubbling fountain.

I have to admit that my one escape these days has been for a new NetFlix feature called Big Dreams, Small Spaces with host and gardener Monty Don. It's based in England where any space is quickly claimed as a garden. I have to admit after watching a couple episodes I find myself wanting not only to learn more about the plants I currently have growing or in some cases dying and adding more varieties to lure bees, butterflies and birds to this rare space in the desert. I do know that every year with the extreme weather we get, from the blazing hot temperatures, lack of rain and water, and hard soil, it can be a challenge to keep things green.

Even something as simple as strawberries and tomatoes seem to be a bit of a challenge to not only grow but to keep the insects from devouring the plants before we can harvest anything. We do have two apples trees which thankfully are producing fruit each year, not only for us, but for the birds as well.

I love a fragrant garden, so all the plants we grow tend to lean in that common direction. From Honeysuckles, to Lavender, from Freesia, to Morning Glories, I love the garden to want to draw you in and spend some time just sitting and listening to the sounds of birds singing. My favorite local wildlife are the Mourning Doves. They come at sunrise and sunset and I have to make sure there is plenty for them to enjoy. I believe the most we have had at one time has been between 18-22 birds.

Of course we also have an entire Rose Garden with 13 plants of different colors and fragrances, and over the years, these have been the one thing Steve will purchase for me for Mother's Day or Anniversaries because I can enjoy them most of the year over store bought bouquets. There are also two hummingbird feeders to keep the local population quite happy all year long. Yes, they even stay during our cold Winters.

So I have shared mine garden with you, what is your garden growing?  

The Makings of A Whimsical Garden

We've rented the home we are currently in almost two years now and we have had this side yard that measures about 12 feet by 40 feet. There has been nothing there since Google Earth took images, which we all know is quite up to date. NOT!

Many of you know that my oldest daughter is getting married in 2016 and she wants to have her engagement party at our home. So we decided since we plan on staying in our current rental for at least another 2 1/2 years, we might as well do something with the side yard.

Now I am sure some of you are questioning, why spend the money if it's not your home, and our reason is that while we are paying rent, why not really enjoy the space. As Christians, we always want to set excellent impressions on the people we interact with and it's always nicer to leave the home in better condition than when we first moved in.

We have an amazing covered patio that runs the width our home, almost, and this side yard would make for a fun project where we could extend the benefits of an additional outside living space. We've always wanted a fire pit but the only place we could use one might be if we added one to the side yard.

My husband and I, are pros now at laying concrete paving stones and decided on a perfect color, tan to match the dirt that is underneath it all. Plus it's such a neutral color, anything we add on top of it will match 100%. So that is where we decided to add 162 pavers to create a patio that isn't permanent, just in case the homeowners hate our vision.

My husband Steve decided that adding a little focal point of using 9 red pavers would be the ideal place for our temporary fire pit, one that will go with us whenever we decide to move. To add more dimension and to make use of a slanted dirt mound, we added wood planter boxes, that yes, are also temporary if the homeowner wants them removed. They are simply screwed together. We added quite the assortment of 6 different color hybrid tea roses to the planter for both color and fragrance.

For color we added some colorful Adirondack chairs in turquoise blue and corral, to compliment and draw others into the space for conversation or just a place to get away from it all.  We also added some lavender into pots and African daisies in colored pots. My daughter Kailee wanted Tulips so we added one in a colorful pot as a focal point on the patio. We are encouraging bees, butterflies and other pollinators into our space and are planting things that we know will draw them in. We refuse to use pesticides as we want natural predators to keep things neat and tidy.

We have added two apple trees into the remaining dirt space to create a barrier between our home and the house next door. It's two story and we always feel like they are looking down from their windows and it doesn't create the privacy you would want when sitting out there. We are currently looking for a lemon tree to complete the space.

I love gardens if you know me as a friend or family member and wanted to share what we are working on currently and would love ideas for what you think would look great there. I am creating a whimsical garden that people would really want to sit in and enjoy. Here is the space remaining that I could use your input on. Feel free to comment away or even share pictures. This is truly a labor of love to be working on this with my family. It's not easy and there are definitely a lot of blood, sweat and tears going into this project.

Surving Loneliness

How often, do we pass by a need, a life that could be changed with the smallest bit of effort? And it's not that we don't care but that we're driving so fast, all we see are the fence posts flashing by on the side of the highway?

Maybe the first step in changing the world is in slowing down and looking through the fences. ~ Lisa Wingate (Firefly Island)

The beginning of 2013 has been a whole lot about changes. Changes I think at least for my family we didn't think we'd ever see. 

When most people buy a home, they think of being part of the American dream. Part of the bigger picture. They think of it as being an investment in their futures. Never in their wildest dreams while making the decision to buy would they ever think that something might happen to take that dream away like ripping out a piece of your soul. 

At the closing of 2012, we found ourselves joining the many others, that were losing their homes thanks to bad predatory lending practices, federal bailouts that didn't unfortunately involve our mortgage company and watched, despite all our best intentions, our home slip into foreclosure. We made necessary arrangements and found a wonderful house to rent while we watching our credit slip into the black abyss. 

Here it is, at the end of February and despite our mortgage companies threats to sell our house at auction, it remains in our name. The auction has been postponed for yet another month. This is the 5th such postponement and no letter or explanation explaining why. Still I find myself wondering what lucky family we eventually buy our wonderful home. Will they finally make all the improvements we always wanted to make, or will it simply sit vacant like so many others in the area. Will someone break in and wreck havoc seeking to sell off whatever they can, or will it house someone who is looking for a place to sleep? 

Who knows? But I do find myself occassionally stopping by to visit. Much like an old friend. A distant memory perhaps of better times? Times spent sharing love, laughter, joy and even sorrow within the walls we knew as our first home. So many happy times of simply knowing that despite what was happening in the world, that this small piece of property was ours! A home! Our home to do whatever we wanted, paint the walls crazy colors, add new lighting fixtures or even perhaps create a back yard haven for hummingbirds, butterflies and myself on so many sunny days. Smelling the roses my husband, friends and family all planted over the years. I'll miss that in the spring. The blooming of virtually ever color rose, the sweet fragrances of my pink perfume delights filling the house whenever you opened the windows. The bees busy gathering pollen from my overgrown lavender that filled the corner of the backyard by the faded wood fence. The wonderful pink and white blossoms from the apple tree that shaded our favorite kitty Tosh's grave that passed away last year on my birthday. 

So many star filled nights sitting in lawn chairs on the front lawn watching in anticipation of the Perseid Meteor shower in August or simply enjoying a wonderful bar-b-Que with friends. The summer rain storms that would fill the picture windows with the falling of rain, beautiful big thunderheads like balls of giant popcorn across the desert sky. Even the snow that filled our backyard one year with the most snow we ever saw and enabled us to build a 6 foot snow man in our front yard alongside his snow dog. 

I'll miss my house. I'll miss it with the many loving memories that all those years tucked behind the walls will bring us. I know in time the move will be easier to handle, but until we move far enough away, I'll still drive by and remember those wonderful years and all the memories a simple house brought to my heart.

Welcome to my Garden and Prom!

Even though prom was on Saturday, it has taken me awhile to get these up and posted. First, I talk about my garden and how I love spending time in the oasis Steve has been so lovely to create for me, I wanted to take you all on a tour. So we start off by coming into our two story lovely home that God has blessed us with. Notice the sky? This is standard stuff here every day.


Here the some of my most fragrant roses right by our front door. We simply open these windows and let their fragrance enter our home.



Stepping into our backyard from the back patio door looking to the left this is our view, yup even more roses! I can name them all and tell you when I got them and from whom. This is why my hubby doesn't buy me cut flowers any more. He simply cuts them from our garden. Just in front of you lies my first freesia plant, I keep them in containers so I can move them out of the winds when necessary!



Continuing on in front of you lies even more roses! In the containers in front of the posts are carnations in containers!



Now past the grass and rose beds lies our patio with Bar-B-Que, patio table and chairs and our latest relaxing addition from three years ago, our spa. Steve custom built the gazebo covering for me on my plans. I wanted some partial shade from the hot desert sun but at night I still wanted to see our star filled skies! The pink carnations are spilling over the pots on either side of the spa steps!




Looking past the patio table next to the Bar-B-Que you see our strawberry garden with more freesia in them along with marigolds to bring in the hummingbirds and butterflies. Further beyond that lies our apple tree with more roses, marigolds and ground-cover assylum. Steve is planting giant sunflowers in the garden as well so we hope to see those tower over our fence this summer.


To the left of the spa is the bird fountain with even more roses bushes and night blooming jasmine climbing the fence with another table and chairs for sitting by the spa.

Here is a close up of the fountain which sounds amazing if you are just hanging out in the backyard or enjoying the spa.


Or you could sit in a more comfortable place on the side of the spa and hang out if you don't want to get wet while reading a book your reviewing cause you are still recovering from surgery per doctors orders.

My all time favorite flower, lavender which is really two small plants that sit in the corner between my roses. I love picking it and adding it to my bouquets of roses or drying it and adding it to sachets! The bees just love it.

Now you've been to my garden, care to join me in a cup of tea and some words from the Bible?

So now it's time for prom. Let me tell you this was a super busy day. Starting the night before when Caitlyn's best friend, Katie showed up and the preparations began, your typical girl stuff and then movie night, The Count of Monte Cristo! Just what girls need romance before prom. At 11am on Saturday morning after showers and breakfast, we started hair and makeup when Katie's mom showed up.

Here is Caitlyn ready to leave to head on over to her boyfriends house.

Here is a picture of Caitlyn and Katie in the garden out back.

Just Caitlyn!

Caitlyn with her prom date and boyfriend Andrew at his home.

From left to right, Katie's date, Travis, Katie, Caitlyn and Andrew.

Walking down the red carpet to their prom before departing on buses!

Caitlyn, and her best friends, Rachel and Katie!

My favorite picture of Caitlyn and Katie! Just the clarity and their eyes looked amazing. Not to mention it was freezing cold and windy that day.

Got to have a silly prom picture with your BFF!

The group picture of BFF's all heading to their Junior Prom for 2010. The theme, Mid Summer Night's Dream! Pictured here are Andrew, Caitlyn, her best guy friend from Track, Manual, Katie and Travis.

Their Junior Prom was held at a lakeside lodge in the mountains. The kids were all required to go by charter bus and back to ensure their safety.

They had the best time and we picked them up at 2am. Next year they will all be driving themselves and heading to Denney's after wards. I mean who doesn't like pancakes at 2am?

Make A Big Deal Out of Your Life!

I love gardens! Ever since I can remember I have always loved hanging out in them. When I was a child about 9, my dad planted this huge vegetable garden in my backyard. He made a clubhouse for me out of cornstalks where I could just sit and hang out in the garden.

For some reason it gives me peace just sitting among God’s creations. To see the beauty and colors of the many flowers and how it attracts bird, bees and flitterbys! When we bought our first house, I had a great imagination for what kind of garden I wanted in my backyard. Half of it was landscaped and the rest remained dirt. I knew I wanted a place where I could find solace and serenity, a place for quiet time for me, but also a time to enjoy with the family.

So I began by planting roses, they had to be all different colors and extremely fragrant. The best I have found are Jackson and Perkins, which Lowe’s used to sell. Now for some reason they don’t. I have about 12 rose bushes. I told my hubby long ago before he bought me flowers to just buy a rose bush, that way; I can enjoy the beauty of the flowers all year long and not just the time that a dozen will last in a vase. They never do smell quite the same.

Then we added marigolds, and lavender to attract hummingbirds and flitterbys to our garden. Just this year we added a small vegetable garden with strawberries, chocolate mint, cilantro and soon again, tomatoes. Nothing tastes quite as good as a freshly grown tomato. We also have apple trees as well and I am searching for something that grows well in the shade. My hubby also added to fountains so we can enjoy the sound of water when the weather is nice on the patio. I guess I am creating my own heaven on earth for now, til I make it home to the real heaven at some point.

My garden is my sweetest spot in my home. Do you have a sweet spot? “Each person is given something to do that shows who God is. “ 1 Corinthians 12:7.

Too often as I pass through and read so many blogs, I find people questioning their own self worth lately. I began explaining it to my kids in the car while we went to pick up my daughter’s boyfriend from school. I told my daughters that for years I wondered what God’s purpose was in my life, since I was no longer contributing to our finances by not working any longer, and yet not doing anything besides being a mom, had also left me feeling empty for many years.

I always felt that God was calling me to a higher purpose. I told them I finally got peace about my current place in life, not only as a stay at home mom and wife, but what I believe God’s gift to me was. I honestly believe I am an “encourager”, someone who will hopefully make you feel better if you are doubting yourself. If you are down and out, I am hopefully a little bit of God’s sunlight to make your day a bit brighter.

I have always been that way, for as long as I can remember. I always wanted to be used in a bigger capacity but God has revealed that He is using me this way. Sometimes I am merely the stepping stone in someone’s life on the way to God. Sometimes, He may use me to lead someone to God, but I believe He uses me when the seed has been planted and people begin to doubt whether they are worthy enough. God is using my talents in the way. He also uses me when people are feeling low and discouraged. He uses me to make them feel better about themselves and to keep the enemy from sneaking in. I am happy with my gift and with God’s help I plan to use it everyday in every way to glorify Him!

So how do you know what God has called you to do? How can you find out if the light isn’t all that clear? When God gives you an assignment, He also gives you the skills. So study your skills, then to reveal your assignment.

What do you do best that others would struggle with, Your uncanny ability to organize the mess in your home. Your ability to nurture and help others. Your ability to be creative, to paint, to write, to take pictures. Heed that inner music. No one else hears it the way you do. Our Maker gives assignments to people, “to each according to each one’s unique ability. (Matthew 25:15). As he calls, he equips. Look back over your life. What have you consistently done well? What have you loved to do? Stand at the intersection of your affections and successes and find your uniqueness.

You have one. A divine spark. “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.” 1 Corinthians 12:7. So each of us has something special to offer. Don’t worry about the skills you don’t have. Don’t covet strengths others do have. Just extract your uniqueness. “Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you.” (2 Tim. 1:6). And do so to….make a big deal out of God…..every day of your life!

Gardening with God

Why do we look for weeds instead of flowers in our daily walk?

If you’re like me, I love to garden! I love spring for the benefits of great smelling lavender, roses and herbs. I have a couple of gardens in my backyard. I have a border of roses along my fence of all different colors. I prefer roses that have a long lasting smell and vibrant color. I also have incorporated lavender as well because the bees seem to prefer it. If you can attract the bees, your flowers will bloom like crazy. Plus an added benefit of the lavender is that our hummingbirds love it from the occasional sugar water we have out for them.

I also have two gardens that my kids each have. In one, I have a dwarf, granny smith apple tree and the apple blossoms in the spring are something unforgettable and beautiful. Caitlyn has some mini roses in her garden and a rose bush that produces some vibrant purple/pink flowers. Kailee on the other hand has mini roses and night blooming jasmine so that we have fragrance all day and night long. We also have some freesia plants that grow in containers alongside our spa. Love that tropical smell!

I also tried my first herb garden this year after trying to grow a raspberry plant for two years and saw no results. So we uprooted that, and now have strawberries, cilantro and chocolate mint growing. We had an early snowfall this year, which dumped some two feet of snow and killed our tomato and basil plants. So we will replant in the spring and try again. Gotta love growing your own produce. I really want to try to plant a lemon and orange tree if not for the blossoms but for the fruit as well. Plus think of all that freshly made orange juice and lemonade.

It is often too easy to become distracted by being ungrateful in our daily lives. Too often we spend our prayer lives asking for our own personal wants and needs, our adversities to be lifted, our trials to be eliminated or shortened, occasionally toss in the needs of a friend or love one and we forget to thank God. We forget when our prayers are answered to stop and say thanks to Him. We often pray with needs in mind but not thanksgiving for what we already have. Another beautiful day, filled with the breath of life, a healthy body, loving kids, warm homes, a car that starts when you turn the key. How come we take for granted this things and think we don’t need to thank God for them. Is it because we think we deserve it or because God just does it without being asked or is it that we simply take such things for granted?

“Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NCV).

I have to pass along a story from Sidney Connell I read recently. When her brand-new bicycle was stolen, she called her dad with the bad news. He expected his daughter to be upset. But Sidney wasn’t crying. She was honored. “Dad,” she boasted, “out of all the bikes they could have taken, they took mine.” Gratitude is always an option.

I believe we should make gratitude our default option and you may just find yourself giving thanks for the problems of life.

Management consultant Robert Updegraff wrote:

“You ought to be glad for the troubles on your job because they provide about half your income. If it were not for the things that go wrong, the difficult people with whom you deal, and the problems of your working day, someone could be found to handle your job for half of what you are being paid. So start looking for more troubles. Learn to handle them cheerfully and with good judgment, as opportunities rather than irritations, and you will find yourself getting ahead at a surprising rate. For there are plenty of big jobs waiting for people who are not afraid of troubles “.(Alan Loy McGinnis, “The Balanced Life: Achieving Success in Work and Love (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1997), 56-57.

As you can see as a gardener, sometimes, all I can do is find those irritating weeds that grow in my garden. You know the ones that despite how many weed killers or organic home treatments you try, so many inches of mulch, they just keep on coming back. We need to indwell a garden of grace. God’s love sprouts around us like lilacs and towers over us like Redwood pines, but we go on weed hunts. How many flowers do we miss in the process?

If you look long and hard enough you will always find something to complain about. So quit looking! Lift your eyes off the weeds and major in the grace of what God has to offer.