Food cooked on the grill is a special summer treat. There is just something that says "summer is here" when we bring out the grill. When I think of summer, I think sunshine, gardens, flowers, water fun, watermelons, ice cream and a more leisurely pace of life. Possibly the leisurely pace is caused by the extreme heat we have here in th
Food cooked on the grill is a special summer treat. There is just something that says "summer is here" when we bring out the grill. When I think of summer, I think sunshine, gardens, flowers, water fun, watermelons, ice cream and a more leisurely pace of life. Possibly the leisurely pace is caused by the extreme heat we have here in the South. Most of our July days are filled with sunshine, so whatever we can do to stay cool helps.
"July is hollyhocks and hammocks, fireworks and vacations, hot and steamy weather, cool and refreshing swims, beach picnics and vegetables all out of the garden."
-Jean Hersey
"Full of joy is early Summer,
Growth and warmth and golden light;
Every day is crowned with beauty,
Full of loveliness the night."
-Ellwood Roberts
"The grass so green,
the sun so bright.
Life seems a dream,
no worries in sight."
-Unknown
"I gaze through the window pane,
At the freshly mown lawn.
The deep green color
Takes me back to a day gone by."
-Martha Myers
I think back on my childhood days of summer and remember, with a smile, some of my fond memories. Sleeping at Grandmother's house with the windows opened was peace and happiness. Grandmother would sleep beside me and tell me stories before I went off to sleep. I would feel so safe and secure as I drifted off to sleep listening to the summer night sounds of crickets, frogs and cicadas. A light breeze would drift through the screened windows and the world seemed perfect.
Another good memory is of our July 4th celebrations. We would always have burgers on the grill and usually fresh corn on the cob from the garden. Daddy would make ice cream in a crank freezer. Later in the afternoon there was iced cold watermelon to enjoy. As darkness set in, we would have fireworks (usually fire crackers, sparklers and roman candles). And always there was a prayer of thanks to the Lord for our country, for the people who now serve and for those who have served in our military. We recognized what a privilege our freedom was and never took it for granted.
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Seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter all have their special attractions. I love living in a part of the country that has distinct seasons. Summer vegetables, I absolutely love. I don't grow a vegetable garden; however, I do go frequently to the local Farmer's Market, and appreciate all the hard work gardeners put in so that I can en
Seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter all have their special attractions. I love living in a part of the country that has distinct seasons. Summer vegetables, I absolutely love. I don't grow a vegetable garden; however, I do go frequently to the local Farmer's Market, and appreciate all the hard work gardeners put in so that I can enjoy their fare.
There are joys and special events happening in every season, and this is so in our lives as well. I think of life in stages or seasons; spring being from birth through the teen years, summer being our 20's, 30's and maybe our 40's, autumn being 50's and 60's, and then winter possibly 70's, 80's and on.
Just as in the seasons of the year, seasons of our lives each hold special and dear happenings. Whatever season you find yourself in, enjoy and relish the time. Look for the joys in every day - they are there if you look for them. Every season and time has a precious gem for you to find. There will be difficult times and wonderful times in every season. Major on the wonderful and hold on during the difficult times; they will pass.
"Worry weights a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up." Proverbs 12:25 NLT
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:1-0
"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he. I am he who will sustain you. I have made you, and I will carry you. I will sustain you, and I will rescue you."
Isiah 46:4 NIV
"How like the seasons is our life,
We face the sunshine, storms and strife. All seasons come, so they must go. We are enjoined within that flow.
-Joseph Anderson
Summertime is zinnia time. I have never before been able to grow anything from seeds, but this year I am ecstatic because I have grown zinnias from seeds. This has again shown me that God can take something bad that happened and turn it into joy. In early spring my little town experienced a small tornado, and trees fell and caused damage.
Summertime is zinnia time. I have never before been able to grow anything from seeds, but this year I am ecstatic because I have grown zinnias from seeds. This has again shown me that God can take something bad that happened and turn it into joy. In early spring my little town experienced a small tornado, and trees fell and caused damage. The neighboring yard's tree fell across my driveway and onto my roof. The tree had to be taken out, and consequently there is now sunshine on the south side of my yard. Whereas before I have only had shade, I found myself with an area that now received full sun for most of the day. So I planted some zinnia seeds, and woo-hoo they came up and are blooming. I cannot tell you how excited I am! I now have a little cutting garden.
For those of you who follow my writings, you know my love of flowers. Flowers to me make life more beautiful and meaningful. Flowers make me happy.
In the picture section of my blog to follow, I have shared with you some pictures of beautiful flowers. One of the pictures is of my Mother's wicker doll baby stroller filled with flowers. I hosted a baby shower for my grandaughter-in-law, and we used this for the table centerpiece. I thought it turned out so lovely, and wanted to share the picture with you. It is fun to think of new and unusual containers for flower arrangements.
Whether you put one single flower in a vase or choose a large bouquet, have flowers around to lift your spirits. Summer is filled with blooms, and we need to remember to stop and see them. Notice and appreciate all the wonders around us.
"If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere."
-Vincent Van Gogh
"If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden."
-Franes Hodgson Burnett
"Happiness is to hold flowers in both hands."
-Japanese Proverb
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