Today is Small Business Saturday. Many of us have a town within driving or walking distance of our homes. It’s a perfect opportunity to stroll the sidewalks, visit small businesses, window shop, and have a cup of coffee and pastries in a cute cafe.
The small town near my home is in Pitman, New Jersey. When you visit ‘uptown’ you will find barbershop poles, a sign in the town center that says, ‘Keep Christ in Christmas,’ and hair salons, specialty shops, antiques, and cafes of all sorts. There is also a pizzeria with amazing pizza cooked in a wood-fired brick oven, one of my favorites in the area.
The shops are prepared for Christmas, with seasonal items on display. If you look closely you will see a sign in the window that says, ‘Fly Eagles Fly.’ We live near Philadelphia and everyone, well at least almost everyone, roots for the Philadelphia Eagles as our home team.
As we walked, a choir of Grackles sang to us from the trees in the town square.
Dear the people coming home, Dear glad faces long away, Dear the merry cries, and dear All the glad and happy play. Dear the thanks, too, that we give For all of this Thanksgiving Day.
Harriet Prescott Spofford (1835 – 1921) – was an American writer of novels, poems and detective stories.
God bless you today on Thanksgiving.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF MY FRIEND, MARY D. THANK YOU.
Sometimes, much like today, I need to focus momentarily on something simple and beautiful, and set aside every nuance that might darken my day. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote, this flower, both do me good during a day of running around, cleaning, and cooking. God bless you all on Thanksgiving Eve.
The roses are a mirage of my memory now. Photographed a few years ago in the Longwood Conservatory, the rose hall has been torn down and is being replaced by a new, more modern structure. I will miss walking alongside the beautiful bushes, and hope rebuilding will not be a protracted project.
We stopped at the local grocery store on Saturday to pick up a few things. As we walked through the parking lot, a voice called, “Are you hungry?” We turned and saw a fellow townie and an old elementary schoolmate of mine. This person has always been so very generous to us. When we had a pond, he brought me beautiful fish for it, and once, he carried a hefty landscaping rock into our yard. He watched over work done on our sidewalks and front yard when we had to have repairs.
Our friend asked us if we had a bag, and we said yes, and he said bring it over to my truck. We did, and he filled our bags to overflowing with sweet potatoes and the most beautiful cauliflower and broccoli I have ever seen. We had the vegetables that evening steamed lightly until tender. Oh my goodness, they were not only beautiful but scrumptious. My favorite was the purple cauliflower and the chartreuse broccoli. Do you see as I do and find the broccoli resembles small Christmas Trees when separated? I will find and grow the broccoli seeds next year. Thank you so much to our generous friend.
Postscript: I looked up this broccoli, and it is called Romanesco Broccoli. It is considered less bitter and a bit nutty in taste compared to regular broccoli. It also can be nibbled on raw and is perfect for a holiday Charcuterie tray.
A week ago, WordPress sent me this message in my Reader:
Happy Anniversary with WordPress.com!
You registered on WordPress.com 15 years ago.
When I read this, I thought I don’t think I’ve been blogging quite that long. The keyword was registered. I checked back on my first post, and it was published on 2011/09/28 at 3:02 pm.
In reality, I have blogged for about twelve years. It took me three years to get enough nerve and confidence to blog. Now, that would be my looking back. Looking forward to me means more time with my family and projects I’ve had on the back burner for years, finally being finished. The most current is finishing, editing, and getting ready to self-publish a work of fiction I started years ago. Looking up, well, for those of us who follow Christ, that is a constant, daily way of looking at life. I worry about the state of our world, but if I have as many years ahead with the blogging as I have behind me, I intend to keep blogging!
There were a few years when I blogged daily. There also was a year when I didn’t have anything to say. I might write and post more sporadically now, but I don’t intend to give blogging up. Why? It’s all of you, of course. I love connecting with people all across the globe this way. I consider blogging a blessing. Thank you all for reading, and also, thank you so much for posting about your lives. Thank you for offering fun and inspiring challenges for the times my thoughts are stagnant and I need a prompt. I appreciate all the challenges.
The photo I included was taken on the path between Cedar Lake and Washington Lake Park in Washington Township, NJ. It reminds me to keep looking up and forward and enjoy the times I look back too.
A little postscript: I smile when I can’t remember how I did a project or gardening tip and have to search it out in my blog to jog my memory. Does this ever happen to you?
We’ve had a hard frost and there’s not much left alive in the garden. Happily for me, there are still several roses blooming. They are rewarding me now after a summer slump. It’s easy to decide on what to use when your choices are limited.
Roses are some of the first bright blooms of spring after the pansies, daffodils and tulips. One of my best varieties is a brilliant pink miniature rose called Fairy. In the beginning days of November, it is loaded with pink blossoms. I almost hate to cut them, but since I don’t go out as frequently now that the weather has turned chilly, bringing flowers in will give me more time to enjoy them.
They are my IAVOM selection, and also a part of Cee’s FOTD. Included in the vase, a bottle I use for rooting cuttings, are pieces of foliage that are still surviving: Helichrysum Icicles and scented geranium sprigs. The vase itself looked a little plain so I dressed it up a bit with one of my necklaces.
We had a hard freeze last night. The white frosting was still visible on the zinnias after the sun came up. It’s time to put the garden to bed.
The hardiest butterflies were cabbage whites and the skippers, but even those are gone now. Hopefully, the offspring they left behind are in their chrysalises over-wintering in sheltered spots.
Ten Black Swallowtail caterpillars, within the butterfly house, formed their chrysalis in late summer. We had a couple cold nights in August and this set off diapause, a state of hibernation, in the butterflies. Three of the caterpillars formed their chrysalis on objects within the butterfly house. Seven of them formed on the screening. Those who chose the screens were easy. I checked on them, tied a string to the top, and hung them from the garage ceiling, quite an exclusive high-rise to rest in for the winter. They are far enough up that they would be hard to find by a wandering rodent. When it rains I will climb a ladder and spray a little bit of misty water into the house to mimic what’s going on outdoors.
Three of the caterpillars formed their chrysalis on other items. Two of them on a piece of landscaping stone I had at the bottom of the house to keep it secure when storms struck.
The other formed on a stem. These also need to be in the garage but must have some kind of protective covering. Recently, in the grocery store, I picked up several mesh bags sold for fruit; the perfect solution. I placed them around the objects holding the chrysalis and put them on a garage shelf for the winter.
The raising of butterflies has never become commonplace to me. I enjoy seeing the butterfly house hanging in the garage. It reminds me Spring will come again and hopefully a bevy of butterflies will emerge.
“Butterflies that go through diapause enter into a hibernation-like state, where physiological processes are suspended. After adverse weather conditions clear, they will come out of this state of suspended animation and return to normal functioning.”
Today, after an early morning run to the store for Halloween candy, I was amazed by the clarity of the moon in a bright sky. I thought to myself, gazing at the moon and admiring its luminosity and beauty is a trait common to most people. Sojourner Truth, (1797 – 1883) American abolitionist and activist for African-American civil rights, thought much the same. I love the quote attributed to her that I included with my photo.
We drove the fifty-two miles to Ocean City, New Jersey, on Friday, just because it was a glorious October day.
We had lunch at Manco and Manco Pizza, just becausewe think they make the best pizza in the world. Truly, it is!
We biked both ways of the 2.5 mile Boardwalk just because riding a bicycle close to ocean waves is wonderful.
We walked down to the beach, just because the October day was near eighty degrees, and I wanted to gather a few seashells to paint for Jersey Shore Shells.
At the 22nd street beach entrance, I was entranced by the strings of shells adorning every fencepost on the way down to the shoreline. Some posts even had more than one string. Beautiful. Why did the creative beachcombers take the time to do it? Probably, just because it was fun. I need to give into more enjoyable impulses, such as stringing seashells, JUST BECAUSE life is short, and really, why not enjoy every moment you can?
Creativity is intelligence having fun. ~Albert Einstein
This morning, I felt burdened by my blogging, and pretty much life in general. When I blog about daily activities, such as my garden, it almost feels frivolous amid massive world upheaval. On the other hand, I’m a firm believer in living my life. If we let the terror overtake and paralyze us, we allow those perpetrating the evil to win.
Several things made an impression on me within an hour or two of rising. Number one: I felt led during my devotional time to search out an MMPwQ WordPress post of quotes from Oswald Chambers about prayer and publish them again. You can find these posts at the top and end of the page.
Number two: I put on a necklace of my Mom’s that I enjoy wearing because it’s lovely and it reminds me of her. Out of the blue, the string broke and the beads flew everywhere, they embedded themselves into the shaggy weave of a rug, and scattered into crevasses and nooks where they were difficult to pick back up. Pick them back up I did though, because I won’t let something precious be lost to me if I can save it. I gathered up as many of the beads as I could find. I won’t throw them away, instead I will restring them, and when I begin, I might add a few little glittery pieces to remind me that Mom is up there in the stars with God now. I imagine the necklace will be better than before.
It reminds me a bit of what happens in the world where evil uprisings are concerned. You move through life, and people who are my age will remember the phrase ‘Everything’s hunky-dory,’ and then, excuse the ugly word, ‘All hell will suddenly break loose,’ as has happened in Israel, and for the innocent people caught in the midst of the war in the Gaza strip. I don’t have a solution other than to once again, point to the quotes by Oswald Chambers I’ve included at the bottom and top of this post.
Number three: After I took a walk this morning I went into my backyard to see how my plants had fared during the very cold night. So far, they are still fine. The red zinnias were glorious in the early sunlight. I had my phone so I snapped a photo. Now, I use photo filters once in a while; I think they’re great, but this picture is unfiltered, well let me amend that, it was filtered by God. And I get a little choked up just saying that because amid all this turmoil in the world, I don’t want to forget that he is good, that he loves us, and that he will be with us in every moment of our lives. I am so glad the light was a reminder that he is, and was, and always will be in control.
I hope to pray today off and on all through my waking hours. He is there any moment I need to connect to him. I will be praying for Israel, my family, my country, and my home, and I will be praying for those in power in the world to have wisdom. I will be praying for those innocents in harm’s way who are suffering because those with evil ideologies must have their way. God bless us all.
In my gardens everything is beginning to dry out and brown. The annuals have had their summer fling, and the perennials are beginning to nod off too, ready to be put to bed for the winter months. I thought instead of picking flowers from my gardens for this week’s In a Vase on Monday, I would take a bike ride and see if there were any wildflowers to be found.
I was surprised to find a few sprigs of honeysuckle having a bit of a renaissance, blooming, and still spreading a bit of fragrance. Since it was in a spot no one would see, I didn’t feel badly picking it for a bouquet. I kept riding, picking berries, and Autumn leaves, surprised to find the goldenrod was over, I had been sure it would still be available.
A neighbor saw me peddling up the street, took note of the sprigs I held in my hand, and asked if I was giving my flowers a ride. I answered yes, and that they were free flowers.
One wild stem I found was Porcelain Berry, something new to me, and a little dangerous in appearance. If a berry ever looked poisonous to me, this one surely did. I had a plastic bag in my pocket and I wrapped it around the stem after I picked it in case the sap was deadly.
For a bit of clarity, and peace of mind, before I handled it further, I used my photo search app. Ampelopsis glandulosa is its classification. It isn’t poisonous at all, and has some health benefits. These are the culinary uses I found when I researched the plant: Leaves and buds can be consumed after being cooked, the fruit (berries) can be consumed raw or cooked.
I find the porcelain berries beautiful, however, they are very invasive and can kill native plants. Birds eat the plump berries and the seeds are spread in this way.
Health benefits of Ampelopsis glandulosa: Some health benefits are treating boils, abscesses and ulcers, bruising. They are anti-inflammatory, diuretic, has been used to treat breast cancer.
The plants used in today’s IAVOM are: honeysuckle, bittersweet berries, porcelain berries, crabapple, frost aster, autumn clematis seedpods and sassafras leaves.
I must amend my classification of the Agastache. I searched for it in my seed bin and realized I had sown the whole packet and not kept it for reference. I searched the two seed sources I use most, Botanical Interest and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. I found the variety at Baker Creek. I will have to amend the name to Fragrant Delight Mix Agastache. My success seemed to be limited to the apricot color. Other reviews and photos show a mix of colors. I am not unhappy about this…the apricot was beautiful. Here is a link to the variety and source. Agastache Seeds / Baker Creek.
I still have a few plants blooming despite cooler temperatures. Gone is the cumbersome task of daily weeding, and left to me is a rebirth of the hardier blooms to cut and arrange. Here is a sampling of a few blossoms I thought were a good representation of Autumn colors. They are perfect for the In A Vase on Monday challenge.
My hyacinth bulb vase holds some coleus leaves, Knockout rosebuds in Coral, and sprigs of Agastache Poquito Orange. (After checking 2023 seed orders, I realized this plant is not Poquito Orange, but a apricot variety from the Fragrant Delight Mix of Agastache Seeds available from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.)
I love the Agastache I grew from seeds, sown indoors in late Winter. They are a beautiful shade; the blossoms are the size of a dime. Even the buds are attractive as they elongate and open. The flowers, growing in pots, never stopped their showy display from late Spring through Autumn. The photograph of my Agastache was taken yesterday.
The plants thrived in medium-sized pots in combination with other hummingbird plants. There is evidence of a few small nibbles of insects, but the plant is basically ignored by most pests. Perhaps it is not any wisdom or luck on my part they are uninfested, but due to the fact that they are in potting soil instead of the garden beds. They are small, about 10 inches tops, and they have a graceful drape to their stems, making them perfect to place around the edges of planters and hanging baskets. Will I grow these again? Oh yes!
I’m not ready to vegetate yet where the garden or Word Press challenges are concerned. I enjoyed including several challenges in today’s post. Thanks to all the hosts of these wonderful prompts to help me keep thinking and looking ahead. The Agastache flowers are part of Cee’s Flower of the Day and all my beautiful blooms are an entry in City Sonnet’s Colors and Letters Challenge – Letter F = Flowers.
I am at a loss as to what to say in support of Israel. As I begin to write this they are beginning to report that rockets are targeting Jerusalem, God’s Holy City. Nothing I can say will change this tragedy, or prevent more attacks. In my life when things are so bad I find myself without words, I can only pray silently. To speak for me today, I will post a Psalm, a Prayer of David. God bless us all.
Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy, hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the scheming of evildoers, who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear. They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see us? Who can search out our crimes? We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot.” For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep!
But God will shoot his arrow at them; they will be wounded suddenly. Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin; all who see them will wag their heads. Then all men will fear; they will tell what God has wrought, and ponder what he has done.
Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord, and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart glory!
PSALM 64 – A PSALM OF DAVID – PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM ENEMIES -Revised Standard Edition
John Henry Newman – (1801 – 1890) “John Henry Newman was a Roman Catholic priest and cardinal who converted to Roman Catholicism from Anglicanism in October 1845.” ~ Christian Quotes.
I took this quote to heart. It is a failing of so many of us that we don’t continue to pursue our dreams because someone, or even ourselves, has found fault with what we do. I needed this today since I am working on a project I had set aside for years. It is a bit draining, but it has also made me laugh, and even enjoy, the words I had put to paper. It helped me realize I had created something not bound to the time I’m living in now.
What is meaningful to me is the background of this quote. It is a macro photograph of a piece of watercolor I was not happy with and tore up. I have a whole basket of these scraps, collected for over twenty years. I tweaked the photo a bit in LunaPic and was pleased with the Autumnal appearance of the result.
Don’t be absent from the classroom of your dreams, learn their lessons, take charge and make them count! Do everything feasible to succeed.
Autumn is here, and winter approaches; I find this time of year ideal for planning out the next growing season’s projects. Here is a good one to consider, perfect for individuals or clubs, a good service task for those in 4H, the Boy/Girl Scouts, and various Youth Groups.
Our pet service provider is a person who, besides giving excellent care to our cat, does good for our community too. The Tall Pines State Preserve Pollinator Habitat, planted by Barbara and other volunteers, does what the sign says: provides food, water, cover, and places to raise young. The place is a perfect environment for birds, butterflies, animals and insects.
At one time this land was sunburnt grass and weeds. Now you will find hundreds of flowering plants in the area. Many desolate pieces of ground have the capacity to be turned into a pollinator paradise. This is another way to help nature along in this age of urban sprawl and the diminishing habitats of so many of God’s creatures.
Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge this week is the letter Q. I thought at first, I can’t think of anything I have of interest that starts with Q. Then, as I often do, I reread Cee’s post. One of her photos was a beautiful turquoise bag. The Q only needed to be part of the word. (I am hearing my first grade teacher, in my head, at this point saying, ‘You did not follow the directions.’) Yes, I have always had a hard time not getting excited and running ahead with things before I heed the directions.
My quartz is a piece of a larger rock. When I researched it to find the proper identification, I promptly went out and retrieved a second chunk of it out of the border of one of my flower beds. It should be displayed in the house. The large piece has been used as a doorstop on my patio for a couple of years. I think I’m going to clean both pieces up and bring them indoors.
I brought a few pebbles home from the beach in Block Island. We visited a week or two ago for the first time in ten years. The town hadn’t changed much, except for the loss of the Harborside Inn due to a fire this summer. We only stayed the day, so we didn’t have time to explore the outer edges of the whole island.
I never liked walking in the town too much, preferring instead the lesser-known beaches and land. I still felt the same a decade later. The town has busy streets and narrow sidewalks. It becomes disconcerting to feel you are holding back the pace of those walking behind who are always in a hurry.
I hope to get back again one day, but I’m not sure about that drive up 95. We were in an hour long traffic back-up between Bridgeport and Norwalk, Connecticut. We both said, never again are we driving that way, perhaps if we find a better route we will visit again one summer in the future.
The tip might be a little late for this year’s gardens, but keep it in mind for Spring planting. The red zinnia below is my photo for Cee’s Flower of the Day.
It’s always fun to traipse around the garden beds eye-level to the zinnias. Their height presents a problem though; how to support them? If you’ve ever grown these beauties, the taller varieties, you most likely know a heavy rainstorm will drive them to the ground if they are not staked. This year, quite by accident, I grew a natural staking plant nearby.
In the patio garden I planted zinnias, the State Fair variety that grows near four feet tall for me. Beside it I planted blue salvia since both flowers are hummingbird favorites. As the zinnias grew tall, and the salvia spread out in width, the zinnia grew up between the branches of the salvia and rested upon the natural support. No staking required. The plants look lovely growing together. Their roots have plenty of room. I can’t extol this combination enough; the hummingbirds are happy and so am I.
The growing season is almost over. We have had heavy rain along the Atlantic coast for days. The zinnias are now as tall as I am, and still, despite the downpours they are held aloft by the salvia plants. What a beautiful combination.
