Thursday, June 30, 2016

The Summer of the Hammock

     My Love and I are terrible at gift giving. Meaning, we get each other a gift for a birthday or Christmas and have absolutely no self control to wait until the actual day. We almost always give our gifts early. At least we both are this way.
     Anyway, Luke gave me a early birthday present today, a hammock for our screened in porch. A sunny Saturday, a good book, a glass of icy, mint, tea...It's going to be good!

 Such a lovely view

Looking forward to this!

      The weekend is almost here and it's going to be a great one!
~Bea

"I do not want great things from life, but small things that make my life great." ~Unknown

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Extraordinary, Everyday, Blessings


      The sun is shining and it is more than a little warm out there. My Love has been hard at work on the roof in this intense heat and humidity. He's the man!

     The apple tree we put in last week is doing well. I think it likes our yard. Some day there will be sweet and juicy apples which is just delightful.
   
       My parents and several of my siblings are in Kansas right now for a family reunion. My Mom sent me a couple pictures the other day. One of them was the house of my great grandparents, Manassa and Elizabeth Yoder. I love family history and this is a pretty cool piece of mine.

My parents Rohn and AmyJo

Great Grandpa and Grandma, Manassa and Elizabeth Yoder's house in Kansas. 

Their tombstone.

Baby turtles are one of the cutest things. Especially when they swim around. Last week Luke stepped outside and found another baby painted Turtle. What could we do but give him a name--Chester--and stick him in the tank with Norbert. As they said in the movie Casablanca, "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."



     As for beautiful friendships, I have truly been blessed. The One who designed the concept of friends has put so many in my life. Friends who know my heart and love to do life with me. Friends who listen, laugh, understand, hug, share, encourage, and are a walking talking reminder of the love of the Creator. 
     And then there is this guy. Mr. Ephraim


    May the rest of your Saturday be filled with joy. Always remember that the One who breathed life into your very soul is walking by your side! 
      ~Bea


 “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” 
~Maud Hart Lovelace

"A true friend accepts who you are, but also helps you become who you should be." ~Unknown

Saturday, June 18, 2016

A Day of Goodness

     Today was a busy, dirty, hot and humid, happy day. There was grey clouds and rain the first part of the day and brilliant blue skies and sun this evening. It was delightful.      
      Luke continued to work away on the roof, a friend of ours came and helped him all day, which was great.



    I spent my morning in the kitchen and my afternoon playing in the dirt. I went to the garden center today to get pepper plants and got sidetracked by all the beautiful colors in bloom. I came home with peppers, gerber daisies, and moss roses. So much beauty. 




      Yesterday, we received an awesome gift from some friends. They came over for dinner and when they got here they pulled an apple tree out of the back of the truck. A simply lovely surprise. This afternoon Luke's parents, Steven and Bonnie, showed up and Steven planted the apple tree for us. It makes me happy.
Digging the hole





   We had a bunch of friends over for supper and we set up a picnic out in the driveway. The kids played in the dirt and with bubbles and we laughed and enjoyed life. I have such amazing friends that encourage me and bring joy to my life. I am blessed indeed.

The Lovely Keren Ruth and Mr. Ephraim

Irindee

Kristina 

Katy and Me(Emily was also there as well as all the husbands and babies.)

     
"A friend is what the heart needs all the time." ~Henry Van Dyke

"There is no real need for decorations when throwing a barbecue party - let the summer garden, in all its vibrant and luscious splendor, speak for itself." ~Pippa Middleton