H Family Photo, Fox River, Elgin, IL

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt...
        ~Dave Barnes 'God Gave Me You'


What I've Learned: Blessings Reverberate.
Happy September, dear Reader!  Last week, while praying for guidance and God's wisdom as I prepare to shoot my first wedding in October, I felt Him nudging me to contact a few friends via Facebook and offer them free family portraits in exchange for the chance to practice shooting with my new gear.  I was super excited when all three agreed. 

Casual Couple's Shot

 This past Sunday, Brother (my official photography assistant) and I went to a service at the Joy River Baptist Church, in Elgin.  Joy River is 'home church' for VH, a dear high school friend that I haven't seen in over 15 years.  She invited us to the service and we arranged to shoot photos with her, her husband and their three adorable children after that.  After some wonderful fellowship and a great message given by Rev. Cynthia Hill, we walked outside and down to the newly re-landscaped banks of the Fox River in downtown Elgin. 

Love is a fine thing.

Brother, who was very professional and helpful, assisted in getting everyone posed and smiling broadly.  Then I got into the 'photo zone' and just enjoyed using my gear to capture the H family's natural joy.  What a pleasure!  Afterwards, I thanked my friend, promised to drop by her bible study later in the week and went home to see what kind of shots I'd gotten.  After working the editing magic, I was very pleased with the resulting 25 photos.  Here are my very favorites from that batch for your enjoyment, Reader.

Soon to be tickled...

 What a blessing this opportunity turned out to be!  Not only did I get to take (and give) great photos, but also got the chance to reconnect with my friend and build a wonderful new friendship--as Christian women.  I went to VH's bible study earlier this evening and found that God has provided an ideal opportunity for me to study His word with like-minded fellow believers.  The blessings of that simple request for a photo op continue to reverberate through the new lives I'm encountering and certainly, my own. Can't wait to see where they will lead next!

In Love

         
There’s more here than what we're seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me...
          ~Dave Barnes 'God Gave Me You'

MC & KB

You know when you have found your prince because you not only have a smile on your face but in your heart as well. ~Author Unknown

What I've Learned: God Grants us Gifts so that we might use them in Service to Others.
I've known for sometime now, Reader, that God has a plan for my photography. True, I'm not sure what it is yet. But, having been blessed with this gift and the tools & opportunities to make beautiful images, I know He is as much at work in my creative life as in the spiritual. I love that. I love that God takes our creative passions seriously. I love that expressing my creativity in praise of Him can be as much an act of sacred worship as tithing or serving. I love that He provides joyful work.

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of driving out to a friend's farm to shoot her engagement photos. I've known KB for many years and was very touched when she and her fiance asked me to photograph their wedding this October. After praying about it and doing plenty of research, I felt convicted that this was a wonderful opportunity to use my gift to serve my friend (in my first wedding as a photographer). I arrived at the farm with my trusty Olympus E-420 and was greeted by KB, who wore a gorgeous plum dress and looked more lovely than I'd ever seen her. Her fiance appeared shortly thereafter and we embarked on a relaxed morning shoot involving the couple and their horses--all with gorgeous views of their property in the background.

Took me most of the week to edit the photos but I finally got them done and presented them to my friends this afternoon. I hope they enjoy them as much as I have. Perhaps the thing I love most about photography is the unique opportunity it provides to clearly show a viewer that special something or personality quirk that makes your subject so interesting.

Photography was never a gift I aspired to, and yet, it was in God's plan that I would one day pick up a camera and discover a calling. I can't wait to see how this gift He's given me will impact the lives I encounter. It's already completely transformed mine. What a wonderful way to serve my brothers and sisters--and to serve my Beloved Father.

So, without further adieu, here are a few of my favorite shots from last weekend for your enjoyment, dear Reader. Love is a mighty fine thing to behold...


















He felt now that he was not simply close to her, but that he did not know where he ended and she began. ~Leo Tolstoy




True love stories never have endings. ~Richard Bach

Quotes courtesy of Quote Garden.

Elementary School Chicks

There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away. ~Henry Ward Beecher

What I've Learned: The Best Way Aunt Knows to Pick Up Chicks.
What I always forget, dear Reader, until spring comes 'round again is how wonderful it has been to grow up in a family that keeps farm animals. I'm 34 now, a responsible, upstanding adult who dutifully rushes off to work each morning in chandelier earrings and returns many hours later, her mind full of what was accomplished and what still needs to be done. I breeze into the house, deflecting canine affection, and drop keys on the desk while juggling ipod, cell phone & purse. The same dull routine every night.

But God blessed me with a family whose unabashed philosophy about loving all forms of life is best explained in hyphenated phrases like: go-with-the-flow, we-had-a-change-in-plan & okay-this-is-what-happened. There have been countless times when a new baby goat, lamb or other critter in need of special care has come to stay at the house for a few days or weeks. Animals in need just appear in a crate in the garage, mudroom or kitchen. Which is why I only do a brief double-take when I come through the door and hear peeping coming from a large cardboard box on the kitchen counter.

Peering into the box, I see 20 adorable assorted baby chicks, all staring dubiously up at me. They're fully-outfitted with a tiny feeder, watering station and a red-glowing heat lamp. The driveway is empty and no one else is home. There's no obvious explanation for a box of chicks. At most other homes, this might seem strange. But at Aunt's house, one simply remembers that ah, yes, it's spring and the parade of baby animals has begun.

A day or two later, I peek on my way out the door and, suddenly, there are a lot more chicks in the box. Then Aunt appears and explains the presence of peeps. It seems several local grade schools had just completed their class projects of raising chicks from eggs. With the school year ending, homes must now be found for all the chicks and Aunt is on the chick-placement list for 2 different school districts. As hobby farmers, getting 50 or so chicks a pop at no cost makes fine business sense. So, here we are: 70-plus chicks cute as a button and free to good home. Our new Future Egg-Layers of America.

"It's the best way I know to pick up chicks," says Aunt, the 7th grade English teacher.

It might just be the best way I know to live too.

Quote courtesy of The Quote Garden.

At Table Rock in Maine, April 2005

 No question is so difficult to answer as that to which the answer is obvious.
~George Bernard Shaw

 What I've Learned: Seek & Ye Shall Find.
For years, Reader, I have searched for a love to fill me up. In retrospect, much of that need for love and acceptance stemmed from early childhood where I never lived up to my father's expectations.  That sense of being unloveable was compounded by a deep sense of loneliness and abandonment when my parents divorced.  I was seven years-old.  Years later, I assumed the bottomless craving in the middle of my being was for romantic love. So, all through my teen years, my 20's and into my 30's, I chased relationships. I squeezed myself into every romantic entanglement that looked even remotely viable (and a few that were obviously wrong from the start), all in the name of finding the perfect man to fulfill my every need, desire and fantasy of being loved.

Sure, it sounds silly now. But that's exactly what I was doing. I was sure that once I had real, romantic love, things would change. All the ugly parts of my life and character would suddenly begin to turn around. Being in love would somehow work the changes in me that I couldn't seem to bring about myself.

Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. ~Daniel 5:27

Of course, it never worked. Even when I finally found a man who loved me, his flaws coupled with my own were enough to topple the relationship and leave me vaguely sure that finding a significant other still wouldn't solve the problem.  It took many years to realize that no mortal man is capable of the kind of love I craved. (And it was down-right unfair to lay that impossibly heavy burden on someone else.)

 But my need to be loved remained. It was there all through college as I sought to be a writer. It was there in every job I landed, driving me to find something--anything--to feel significant, respected. That need was the catalyst for turning a surly, tongue-tied kid into a boisterous, adventure-seeking extrovert who makes friends easily. Looking back, I'd been searching for anything to fill that emptiness my entire life.

So, what exactly did I need? Why wasn't the love of my wonderful mom and extended family enough to fill the void in my heart? Why was it still there, even when I acknowledged my flaws and shortcomings? What could possibly fill it? Even if a person could live with this giant hole inside, I knew I didn't want to.

People see God every day, they just don't recognize Him. ~Pearl Bailey

Turns out, God had been nudging me into the path of His love for years.  I met countless wonderful people who were living by Jesus' example and gently guiding me in the right direction. My dearest friend, Brown, was the first person to take me to a church where I found solace (a revelation for a confirmed atheist). My paternal grandfather lived out his faith every day of his life--though I wouldn't see the significance until after his death. While I lived in Texas for a year, a fabulous, high-heeled coworker-turned-confidant showed me each day how a love of the Lord had worked miracles in her life. Another friend came and demonstrated the unconditional love of Christ by helping me paint a room and move twice--all in one week.

And there were many more: people I came to admire and respect who had a steady, unwavering assuredness about where they were going and the peace of knowing whatever happened next, they were LOVED. In fact, they were so LOVED, that they were able to freely give that same LOVE to others. This was the kind of LOVE I had been looking for.

There is a God-shaped vacuum in every heart. ~Blaise Pascal

But there were a few obstacles. I didn't believe in God. I didn't know anything about faith. I'd heard of Jesus but was really skeptical and afraid that giving my life over to Him would mean succumbing to some sort of religious brainwashing where common sense and intellectual thought went right out the window. I was scared to consider believing in something I couldn't see or touch (Santa and the Easter Bunny had me a little gun-shy). What if it wasn't true? What if I were deluding myself?

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
~Martin Luther King Jr.

These questions scared me. But, I found myself continually drawn back to God and the deep peace His church offered. My need for LOVE was met when I went to worship. When I took the time to really, truly pray, I felt a deep sense of belonging--now I'd call it being a child of God. Sure, I left each service with more and more questions and some anxiety about where this spiritual seeking would take me, but I couldn't ignore the sense of peace--of rightness--I found in listening to God's Word spoken by God's people. As my desire to learn more and read the Bible grew, more spiritual advisers appeared with even more books and resources to help me make sense of what I was hearing.

I was told repeatedly that if I just kept seeking, I would begin to understand and God would find a way to bridge the chasm of my sins and all the ugliness that made me feel unworthy. Still, it surprised me when, on Saturday, Feb. 26th, 2011, as I was listening to former Buffalo Bills Quarterback, Jim Kelly and his wife, Jill, speak at my church that the last of the pieces suddenly dropped into place and I understood. I don't have all the answers in this life and I won't. But God does. W hen I put my faith in Him and trust that He will see me through whatever life has in store, remarkable things happen. My life changes. The lives around me change. Each time I have honestly put my faith in God to find a solution, He has done amazing things and granted more than I ever hoped for.

Hunting God is a great adventure. ~Marie DeFloris

So I prayed sincerely (not half-heartedly as I had a couple of times before) for Jesus to come into my heart and life and change me. I asked Him to forgive me and take this life, make it into whatever He wants it to be. I had never been more serious or exhilarated. I felt thrilled and also a little dumb-founded. Here I was, a former atheist, a person who used to think people of faith were weak and deluded but now I was purposefully--gladly--handing over the direction of my life to something so much greater than myself. How's that for a surprise ending?

Of course, it isn't the end. It's just the beginning of a new life, a whole new way of being. For the first time in my life, watching the sun go down doesn't make me sad, thinking about another day being gone and wondering how many more I have left. I don't fear loneliness or worry about how I will handle the next tragedy when it arises. I don't wonder anymore if my existence is meaningless or purposeless. I no longer despair, trying to beat back the choking fear that this life is all there is. But more than that, I know I am LOVED. Precious & treasured.

And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. ~John 8:32

For me it was true, dear Reader. At some point if you seek, you will find. God Bless and Keep You.

Faith is reason grown courageous. ~Sherwood Eddy

Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. ~Psalms 119:105

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. ~I Corinthians 15:26

Quotes courtesy of The Quote Garden.

Ready For Christmas Morning

Today's Joy: Christmas Eve.

It's finally, finally here, Reader! That most wonderful day before the BIG DAY. Marked by a final flurry of gift wrapping and that obligatory last trip to the store for forgotten sour cream, extra shrimp and, of course, a few more gifts.

I love Christmas, Reader! I've been wishing folks on the street a Merry Christmas since Thanksgiving. My radio at work has been playing Christmas Carols for weeks & when everyone else goes to lunch, I join in, singing loudly. But it's not just me. The whole family has been Christmasing for the entire month of December. Our house is covered in gorgeous light-up snowflakes and the Christmas Dinner menu has been planned since Halloween. We've also been baking cookies for three consecutive weekends (no need to rush perfection, after all).

This week, the house has morphed into Santa's workshop central with an onslaught of gift wrapping. I adore wrapping gifts, Reader. Coordinated papers and packages stacked in gift towers tied with sumptuous ribbon--ahhhhh! Each year after Christmas, I take advantage of the 75% off sales to buy next year's coordinated wrapping scheme. It brings me great joy to watch my friends & loved ones unwrap my patterned package confections. Add to that, the final phase of decking the halls and we are almost ready! Though, I'll probably still be tinkering with my red & white candy tree in the dining room until we sit down to eat Christmas Dinner. Speaking of which, Aunt & I have been plotting the perfect holiday table setting for days. And I won't even get into how I turn into the world's biggest kid on Christmas morning.

Now, having said all of that, I've already gotten what I want for Christmas this year. I have asked God into my heart in a way I've never done before. I have felt his presence almost constantly and am watching Him work small miracles in my heart & in the hearts of others around me every day. For the first time, I am aware in a dumb-struck, utterly humbled sort of way what it meant when that little baby was born in a Bethlehem stable. A promise was fulfilled. It really was to save you & me. And that changes everything.

Just a thought, Reader: while you're opening gifts tomorrow morning, surrounded by the sweet love of family & friends, remember that all the joy in your heart is but an echo of the love freely given by Our Father. What a staggering revelation to know He's done all this just for me. Just for you. May God Bless & keep you and may this Christmas be full of all the warmth, love, memories and illumination your heart can hold. Amen.

Soup Course, Thanksgiving Dinner, November 25th, 2010

Today's Joy: Thanksgiving Dinner with the Family.
Reader, I've been looking forward to this Thanksgiving holiday for weeks. A whole lot of planning & delegating resulted in the most relaxed Turkey Day ever. Every dish that came out of the kitchen was perfectly done & more delish than the last. Had a wonderful time visiting with everyone--I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. So many blessings to be thankful for!


Table Setting



Plate Of Joy
(clockwise from top: greenbean casserole, yukon gold mashed potatoes w/gravy, mussels, stuffing, oyster stuffing, scallop & shrimp scampi (center), cornbread & turkey)


Place Setting

Enjoying Old Photos

Buffet & Serving Pieces

New York Strip w/Baby Portabellas in Russian Marinade

Today's Joy: Culinary Therapy

Do you find as I do, Reader, that getting in the kitchen, rolling up your sleeves and whipping up something delicious is probably the best thing you can do with stress or negative energy? I love the idea of making something tender & mouth-watering out of my own frustration.

Tonight, Aunt came home in need of a little venting. As she told me about her day, I defrosted two of our own delectable, farm-raised steaks (each about 2 1/2 inches thick), sliced & sauteed fresh baby portabella mushrooms & garlic in rich butter, then marinated both in Russian dressing (couldn't find any red wine). Then I sliced up leftover potatoes and threw them on the griddle to soak up some of the marinade and steamed a package of chopped spinach (we must have something healthy, after all). In about 20 minutes, we were in steak lover's heaven. All the cares of the day seemed to vanish in a wave of flavor.

Why is it, Reader, that cooking with butter, bacon or chocolate always makes us feel better? It's one of the great mysteries of the universe. Right up there with black holes and the search for extraterrestrial life. Yup, aliens and bacon. Butter and pulsars. Chocolate and the space/time continuum. But, I digress...

Today's Joy: A Rumination on Rules.
Had our first official church community group study session last night, Reader. We talked about the first three books of the Old Testament and how they establish God's Laws for us to live by. I'm not a big rule-follower, Reader. Laws, rules, regulations, bylaws, directives, mandates and policies make me itchy. Especially those designed to compensate for a lack of self-control or ethical choices.

They may tell you what the right thing to do is, but rules also absolve you of the responsibility of thinking it out for yourself. Now, I understand what you're going to say here, that we need rules and a common, agreed upon code of behavior for society to function. The way the world is, I'm unfortunately forced to agree. But I also believe that, at some level, all human struggles are based on power and the desire to control in one form or another. That's why our relationship with God is such a revelation. It's based on surrender and trust in Love.

In my spiritual journey, it's been much more meaningful for me to focus on the fellowship and daily application of my relationship with God. So, it is a relief to hear that the Ten Commandments, while the most worthy list of rules ever written, were intended to emphasize our lack of perfection and need for divine guidance, rather than as just an impossible list of rules we despair of ever achieving.

In studying them myself, I see that the commandments are actually all about love and its kissing cousin, respect. If you look at each of the commandments individually, they are not just the "right" things to do. They are things you instinctively do in your relationship with someone you truly love & respect. Honoring, sharing, not coveting, not putting something else before that which matters most to us, gentleness and not acting in ways that hurt others or damage lives. It's in our very make-up to know this is how you care for and behave toward people you love.

I understand that life is rarely that simple or straightforward. I also understand that in our imperfection, we all make mistakes, bad choices, hurt people we love and carry around our own burden of pain. But all these things stem from a human choice (our own as often as not) not to follow these basic rules of love.

After all, ______ is such a small thing.
Who will it hurt if I _________ just this once?
I know I should _________, but I'm in a hurry.
________ will never know the difference.
I wish I had ___________'s life.

When you take it back to what you really know in your heart, the commandments are a simple, basic truth of life--like the law of gravity. While invisible, we know it's always there, present in every part of our lives (even at the cellular level) and keeping us grounded. Of course, with enough effort, you could break free from it, but then you'd be floating around aimlessly. Still, if you choose to return, you're gathered right back in, as if you never left.

Hmmm....perhaps gravity is a physical manifestation of love. Wouldn't that be a revelation?

Chunk Birdwatching

Love is all you need. ~Paul McCartney

Today's Joy: Love Changes Everything.

Something strange has been going on in our house for the past week, Reader. Chunk, my Archie Bunker-esque orange tiger cat, who is normally prickly, aloof and never wants to cuddle has been downright sweet. Usually, he sits on the upstairs balcony, yowling for me until I come to bed, at which point he wants me to sit with him but not too near, and I absolutely may not touch him. But if I want to admire him from a distance, that's just fine. What is it about cats that holds our affection hostage but still keeps us coming back for more? They might be the masters of unrequited love.

Anyway, not only have I actually been allowed to pet Chunk this week, but every night at bedtime he saunters over and flops right up against me, purring for all he's worth. He's been obnoxiously cuddly and hasn't hissed, swatted or given me the cold shoulder once. Have been wondering if he's become mentally unbalanced.

Fast forward to tonight: I went outside to call Chunk for bed (a fixed former stray, he still enjoys a couple hours a day sitting out on the front porch or meandering through the garden) and nearly tripped over a dark gray tabby lying on the porch. She slipped off in the dark but returned as soon as I scooped Chunk up and went inside. For the next three hours, she sat on the front porch yowling.

What I noticed most was how calm Chunk was. He would cock an ear to listen to his girl's plaintive cries but never once went to the window, stood by the door or gave any indication he wanted to join her. In fact, he came over and plunked himself down next to me and purred very contentedly. Amazing stuff, love. It can even change a cantankerous old tomcat. A minor miracle, certainly, but one that's very much appreciated.

Peach-stuffed Pork Loin

Peach-stuffed Pork Loin ready to go in the oven.

Today's Joy: Culinary Success!
Reader, as you can see from the photos, my peach-inspired summer dinner was a raging success! A lot of work went into it, but oh, it was fun! And I learned several new skills. I butterflied a piece of meat and stuffed, rolled & tied it for roasting--all for the first time ever! Thanks to the easy instructions in my July, 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living, I was very pleased with the results.


Right out of the oven.

As promised yesterday, here is the Peach-stuffed Pork recipe I used. While pretty labor-intensive, it was totally delicious and well worth the effort. I found it much more manageable to break the prep up over a couple days. Please note: I did alter the recipe a tad from the original posted in MSL. I added ground ginger to the seasoning mix and increased some of the ingredient quantities to accommodate a more generously-sized pork loin.

Peach-stuffed Pork (courtesy of Martha Stewart Living: July, 2010)
For instructions on how to dry fresh peaches or make your own quick & easy peach glaze, click here.

1 cup water
9 peaches, dried, or 6 ounces store-bought dried peaches
1 boneless pork loin (2 1/2 lbs.), trimmed
coarse salt & freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 tbl. all-purpose flour (for dusting)

#1 Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Bring water to a boil in small saucepan.
Coarsely chop dried peaches and add to water.
Return to a boil.
Remove from heat and let stand 20 minutes.
Remove peaches using a slotted spoon and squeeze; reserve liquid (can be added to your pre-made glaze).

#2 Butterfly pork loin: starting 3/4 inch from top of loin, make a horizontal cut into side, slicing through meat in short strokes and leaving about 1 inch intact at outer edge.
Unfold meat as if opening a book.
Cut a vertical slit 3/4-inch deep at seam, and repeat to make a horizontal cut in the opposite direction.
Pound to an even thickness with meat mallet.

#3 Stir together a seasoning mix of salt, pepper, ginger & clove and sprinkle over pork loin.
Spread drained peaches over pork, leaving a 1-inch border on one short end.
Roll up pork from short end to enclose filling.
Tie together with kitchen twine to shape and hold in filling.
Sprinkle with seasoning mixture; dust with flour.
Place in a roasting pan, seam side down.

#4 Roast pork for 20 minutes.
Reduce oven temp to 350 degrees and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reaches 138 degrees, about 25 minutes more.
Brush with glaze and roast for 5 more minutes.
Transfer pork to a platter and let rest for 10 minutes.
Brush with glaze again.
Untie pork; cut into 1-inch-thick slices.
Serve with extra glaze on side.

This dish appeals to a wide range of palettes, from the meat & potatoes crowd to our fastidious foodies. It also gave me some ideas for how to adapt summer fruits like peaches, mangoes & papayas to dishes involving chicken or fish. Will keep you posted on those results too.


A lovely summer meal: peach-stuffed pork loin, oregano roasted potatoes & fresh steamed asparagus.

For Oregano Roasted Potatoes recipe, click here.

First patio dinner of the season.

Thank you, my dear family, for being such a joy to cook for!

Reception under the tent.

Today's Joy: Love & A Wedding.
Reader, when Aunt was asked by a dear friend & colleague to do the flowers for her wedding, she was delighted to say yes. Today, weeks of planning culminated in a beautiful ceremony and reception for the lovely couple.

It was my joy to be able to help with the flower arranging and set-up and then to take photographs of this love-filled event. It was wonderful to see the couple so happy with their friends and family gathered around. You knew, being a part of their wedding, that it truly was a joyous moment for all involved. Such a blessing!


Bride & Groom listen to a reading by the Groom's Father.

The Kiss.

Nobody has ever measured, even poets, how much a heart can hold. ~Zelda Fitzgerald

Quote courtesy of The Quote Garden.

Sedona Rose

“I want creation to penetrate you with so much admiration that wherever you go, the least plant may bring you the clear remembrance of the Creator. …One blade of grass or one speck of dust is enough to occupy your entire mind in beholding the art with which it has been made." ~ St. Basil the Great (329-379)


Today's Joy: The Amazing Variety in God's Creation.
While going thru the photos I took when Mom & I were out exploring area garden centers this past weekend, I found a bunch I wanted to share with you, Reader. These were taken at either The Planter's Palette in Winfield, IL or at Heinz Bros. Greenhouse in St. Charles.

There are some real beauties and an incredible variety of shapes, textures and hues. We had such a wonderful time marveling over plants and clever landscaping. Looking at the images I captured with my camera, I feel blessed to be surrounded by such beauty. It also reminds me that our trivial, human attempts at dabbling in hybridization don't even begin to scratch the surface of what God is capable of creating. A sobering thought.

“Love all of God's creation, the whole of it and every grain of sand. Love every leaf, every ray of God's light! Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will soon perceive the divine mystery in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love.” ~ Fydor Doestoyevski (1821-1881)

Of course, Doestoyevski is right. In the end, it's all about love anyway. God's love for us. God's love for Creation. God's wish for us to love each other as He loves us. That love includes stewardship of all the amazing, breathing beings around us. Two-legged, four-legged, six or eight-legged, even millipedes! And those beings that have no legs at all.

All are part of that great something we all long to touch. Funny, isn't it, how we spend our lives searching for the one thing that will fulfill us, only to find out we had it within us all the time. Actually, we're made of it. How's that for tangible love?

“Earth is crammed with heaven
And every bush aflame with God
But only those who see take off their shoes.”
~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning


If Chunk Were Made Of Stone...


Mom surrounded by hanging baskets, The Planter's Palette


Fairy Garden in Wheelbarrow, The Planter's Palette



Ornamental Kale (?)

Gerbera Daisy

Rose

Love & Peace Rose

Sedona Rose

Rose

Rose

Marigolds

Ornamental Onion

Perennial Cornflower

Peony

A swirly whats-it that caught my eye...

The Planter's Palette

Red Velvet Rose, Heinz Bros. Greenhouse

Rose

Rose, Heinz Bros. Greenhouse

Rose

Rose

Poppy, Heinz Bros. Greenhouse

Columbine

Cherub

Creation Quotes courtesy of Climbing For Christ.