Psalms – Be Merciful
Place – Conservatory Gridlock/Longwood Gardens
In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Grid.” This week, let’s take the humble grid out of the shadows, and make it the star.”
When I think of grids I think of conservatories. My favorite public garden is a perfect subject for this week’s Daily Post photo challenge. Most often, the flowers and plants are the stars of my visits to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. This post features the bones, or the grids, that hold the thousands of glass panes in place.
You will find grids and grates wherever you look in the Longwood Gardens conservatory. The fragility of the flowers and foliage is protected by the strength of the metal, while the glass panes let in the life-giving light.
The view looking up reveals even more grids and glass.
Grids are used outdoors also as a support for vines and other plants. This is a row of spectacular clematis vines that were on display this year.
Steel grids and cement are the base for the reconstruction of the fountains that is going on at this time. Take a look at the Online Fountain Exhibit at Longwood Gardens.
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Planting – Terrarium Creation
This is a re-post from a few years ago, but well worth repeating once again. If you have small outdoor plants you want to save from winter weather, they are the perfect candidate for placing in a terrarium.
1. Select Container/Add a layer of pebbles.
2. Add a layer of charcoal.
3. Add a layer of humus/soil.
4. Add plants and mosses.
5. Add lichens, rocks, and small statues. (Mine are elephants from Red Rose Teabag boxes) Water sparingly, rinse excess dirt off of sides. Cover with lid of some type. Enjoy your beautiful terrarium.
Care of terrariums: Mosses like gentle sun, morning light exposure is best for a terrarium. Try to lift lid each day to give terrarium fresh air. Your terrarium will self-water, if it develops a look of dryness water sparingly once again.
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Quote – George Washington
In the coming months there will be a lot of political drama, campaigning and speculation in the United States. Let us examine the lives of each candidate for public office and look beyond the posturing and promises to the truth. Each citizen who is registered to vote has a responsibility to our country, and its people, to investigate where each candidate has stood on important issues in the past, and in the present. Don’t believe everything the media spins out about the candidates. Watch every debate that airs on television and listen carefully. Be well informed and make your decision according to the facts.
Let us pray for discernment to correctly choose the person who will lead us out of this mire of sinking sand we are floundering in, and bring us back onto the solid rock of morality and common sense.
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Pheathers – White on White
While walking in the woods last week, I found a few beautiful white feathers. I researched them a bit, and believe they might be the feathers of a snowy owl. Snowy Owls in New Jersey are rare but at times the birds venture beyond their normal breeding and feeding grounds. Another possibility is the feathers belonged to a hawk. At one time seeing hawks was also rare in our area, but they have adapted, and now thrive in civilization.
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Pots and Pans – Carrot-Ginger Soup
Oh my how this soup made my spirit sing! Have you ever taken a mouthful of pure sunshine? This soup is just that good and so beautiful in appearance. The carrots add subtle flavor and color, the ginger warmth and depth, the lowfat milk a nice touch of creaminess. I found and adapted the recipe in an old cookbook that gave the credit for the soup to the Junior League of Pasadena. I adapted it to my own taste and pantry ingredients. It’s easy and took under an hour to prepare, and also has the added bonus of being low in calories.
CARROT GINGER SOUP
1 TBS butter
1 lb carrots, peeled and sliced thin
1 medium onion, chopped
1 14 – 16 ounce can chicken broth (or 2 cups homemade broth)
1 1/2 tsp. shredded orange peel
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1 1/4 Cup (10 ounces) lowfat (2%) milk
salt and pepper to taste
can be garnished with a fresh parsley sprig
Melt butter in saucepan. Add carrots and onion & 4 tbs water. Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Check and stir often to prevent burning.
Stir in one cup of the broth, orange peel and ginger. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender. In blender or food processor, puree the saucepan ingredients. Transfer back to the saucepan and add remaining broth and lowfat milk. Heat on low heat until warm, stirring as needed. Salt and pepper as needed. Enjoy.
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Perspective & People – Classics
I recently saw a special on Johnny Cash. He is one of my all-time favorite singers, and I love the message of God’s love that his life exhibited. I also love the words and message of Billy Graham. Two classics, one in song, one in word, and both men of God.
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Place & Photograph Challenge – Salt Marsh in Monochromatic Hues
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Monochromatic.”“This week, share with us your monochromatic images. Be calculating and creative in choosing your subject and focal point; resist the urge to simply take a photo of something with a single color range.”
Salt Marsh in Greens with Texture. My photograph is a close-focus capture of a salt marsh on the Atlantic Coast in New Jersey, taken along the Delaware Bay. I have also included several panoramic shots and additional close-ups of the various plants and herbs that make up a salt marsh.
“A salt marsh or saltmarsh, also known as a coastal salt marsh or a tidal marsh, is a coastal ecosystem in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and open salt water or brackish water that is regularly flooded by the tides. It is dominated by dense stands of salt-tolerant plants such as herbs, grasses, or low shrubs. These plants are terrestrial in origin and are essential to the stability of the salt marsh in trapping and binding sediments. Salt marshes play a large role in the aquatic food web and the delivery of nutrients to coastal waters. They also support terrestrial animals and provide coastal protection.” ~ Wikipedia
Can you make out the gigantic bird nest atop one of the trees in the photo below?
Moore’s Beach
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Proverbs – Sweet to the Soul
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24
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Photograph – Silent Saturday – Bricked Web
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Problem-Solving – The Antidote
In remembrance of September 11, 2001. The antidote for the evils of this world is the love and light of the Lord Jesus Christ.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ~John 3:17
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Phavorites – Two Philms and One Series
I recently viewed two movies on DVD. Both were quiet, thoughtful, and completely satisfying. Cedar Cove, a series on the Hallmark Channel, has also been a nice respite this summer.
“Far From the Madding Crowd,“ by Thomas Hardy, is a beautiful love story. I have never read the novel, but will remedy that situation after watching the movie based on the book. The film was beautiful; the story satisfying and believable.
I loved the ‘Age of Adaline”, a story of a young woman who lives her life without aging. The premise might be way out there, but the storyline makes it all believable. It was interesting to see Harrison Ford in a non-leading man role.
Cedar Cove is a television series on the Hallmark station based on the books of Debbie Macomber. I missed the first two seasons, but was able to purchase the first through Amazon at a great price. Andie McDowell is terrific as the heroine and small town judge.
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Prayer & Praise – I Want to See You
Friend,
I give to you every burden I carry in my heart this day, and have faith as I leave them upon your altar, all will be well. In each moment and circumstance, help me remember to give thanks for the blessings you have given to me and my family. Thank you for this life, and best of all, salvation and the promise of eternal life with you in your Kingdom. I think of heaven and dwell for a moment in a flood of pure joy, much like the waves washing over me when I am within the ocean. Sometimes your Spirit is a powerful surge, other moments a gentle touch of purest love, but always Lord, your love moves me, and reaches the inner recesses of my spirit. Hallelujah! What a Savior, what a friend…always…and forever…and like the song…Amen!
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Preparation & Plants – Saving Heirloom Tomato Seeds.
Every Spring/Summer the garden beds are full of the previous year’s fallen tomatoes. These forgotten tomatoes self-seed and send up new sprouts by the dozens. Why then are tomato seeds so notoriously hard to save?
Tomato seeds are surrounded by a gelatinous sac that allows them to adhere to the garden soil for sprouting. This same gelatin works against growing the same seeds in pots. The gelatinous moisture is a perfect environment for disease to thrive in.
This year I decided to mimic nature and save the seeds without spending time, or dealing with the mess of fermentation.
The steps I followed are explained in this short video.
For more information on different ways to save tomato seeds visit this link:
Saving Tomato Seeds
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Quick Tip – Preparing Roses for Winter
If you are in the habit of cutting away your spent rose blooms, begin now to leave a few intact to stimulate the formation of rose hips. This signals the plant that winter is approaching.
Many more good tips on preparing rose bushes for winter can be found at Heirloom Roses.
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Phun – Just For Laughs…
Sometimes you have to do something just for fun. This nubbly tomato presented the perfect possiblity, and so…with a pair of googly eyes, and a felt heart for a mouth, we created a tomato lady with a lot of personality.
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Photograph – Strength and Rugged Beauty
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Connected.”“This week, show us how two (or more) things — people, objects, places — come together.”
Fishermen in Fortescue, so connected to the bulkhead, they almost seem to be part of the seawall at first glance.
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Praise & People – Across the World in Song #1
I am always inspired and uplifted by groups from all around the world who are dedicated to praising God in song. What terrific examples of people all across the world who are serving God. A good reminder that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Here are a few new songs I’ve recently come across.
You Are My Hiding Place – Golden Angels – South Korea
Wa Hamba Nathi (Siyabonga Jesu) – South Africa
How Great is Our God/Gadol Elohai – Israel/Joshua Aaron/Messianic Praise and Worship
Israeli musician Yaron Yerahmiel Cherniak on the Persian Tar.
United in Christ’s Love all around the world. Hallelujah! What a Savior.
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Prompt – Coffee with a Friend
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Forward Drive.” “What is the one thing that drives you to wake up in the morning and do whatever it is you do? Is it writing, family, friends, or something else entirely?”
I have coffee with my Beloved Friend and read The Book of all Books.
