The Pond Garden

 Green Rippled Reflections

Before you, you will see three little waterfalls and a rubber duckie at the mouth of the stream. The green and white in the pond are the reflections of clouds and leaves, from the maple and basswood. A person could really enjoy sitting next to the pond...if only the mosquitoes would stay away!

I don't understand why the word 'mosquito' has to have an 'e' when it's made plural. I don't like the way that looks. I suppose it's to make the long vowel sound for the 'o.' But there should be exceptions for words that just look better without the extra vowel. Mosquitos.  Every Bolivian knows how to pronounce that.

 Sunken Treasure

Ferns and Mossy Rocks

I don't know the scientific name for the weed in the upper right of the photo, but it seems to have appeared in this neck of the woods in the past 5-6 years. And now it's everywhere! At least it has very shallow roots and is easy to pull, if one feels so inclined. I wish I had noticed it before I took the photo, and that I had felt so inclined.

 The Odd Ball

This is actually a snail on a rock in the pond. The white is from reflections of the clouds overhead and the white at the top of the photo is from a ripple in the pond. I thought it was such an odd photo, the snail breaking the surface of the water.

 Lloyd, Bridger, Misty

My dad loved my dogs. This photo was taken in June of 2008. My dad died in December of 2010, and I'm always happy when I come across another photo of him. I think he's trying to get the chocolate out of his teeth or something. My dad still makes me laugh.

 Faking it

I don't remember if this little fella's name is 'Adagio' or 'Largo.' I think we had one of each. I do know that for a long time I kept him in the bathroom sink where he fooled a lot of people. Now he lives on a mossy rock at the edge of the pond. He likes it out there. Besides, he doesn't want to get into it with the alligator I keep in the shower. When the water hits the alligator just right, his jaws and tail move, just from the force of the shower stream. Every shower needs an alligator. Every pond needs a turtle. Every blog post needs an end -  this one especially.

***

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The Perfect Birthday Gift

The title is misleading, I realize. So maybe it's not the perfect birthday gift for a son-in-law, but I don't want that Indiana resident to forget Wisconsin...thus, the Holstein grilling apron and cap. :-)

The apron pattern was not easy to use. It was a kids' apron pattern that I found lying around here, so I thought I'd use it. But rather than teaching children 'wrong' side of the fabric, it called it 'the ugly side' of the fabric. What??  Ugly is rather subjective, and it wasn't the only thing that irritated me about this pattern. Why is it people think that kids can't learn things the proper way, or have to be talked down to in order for them to understand?

It's a pet peeve of mine.

Since our son-in-law had just purchased a grill, he needed an apron. I thought the heart (as in 'loving Wisconsin and everything about it' would be a nice touch. :-)

Yeah, the cap was a little over the top (no pun intended).

And that Indiana 'boy'? He (and our daughter and Henry) AND our other daughter and her husband are going to be here this week!  If I don't get anything else posted all week, you'll know why. Well, we'll see what happens. I'm so looking forward to seeing them!

***

SUMMER SALE

on

Handcrafted Soaps

On now through August 8

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

HomemadeSoapNSuch

You'll find me at These Linky Parties: 

 
Mop it Up Monday  and Make it Great Monday and Bedazzle Me Monday and  What's in the Gunny Sack and  Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Make it Great Monday and  Made By You Monday and Motivate Me Monday and  Making Monday Marvelous  and  Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Maiden d'Shade and  Inspiration Board and  Your Home Cozy and You're Gonna Love it Tuesday  and  Take a Look Tuesday and  Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and  Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays   and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Tasty Thursdays (Wednesday) and  DJs Sugar Shack and  Cast Party Wednesday and   We Did it Wednesday  and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Somewhat Simple and Show Off Your Stuff and Taking a Time Out  and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday  and Crafty Friday and  Creative Bloggers and  Serenity Saturday and Overflowing With Creativity and  Home and Family Friday

 

Who Am I ?

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love and watch me rise again

Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

Vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling

And You've told me who I am

I am Yours

I am Yours

                                     - Mark Hall, Casting Crowns

"What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?"  Psalm 8:4 NASB

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." I John 4:9-10 NIV

Bridger

BRIDGER

Named after the Bridge at Harper's Ferry, WV

I know that the word 'bridge' shouldn't be capitalized,

but that particular bridge deserves a capital letter!

Bridger is now 11 1/2 years old. That's old for a German Shepherd. He hates summertime. He especially hates this summertime. It's been hot. I know, it's been hot everywhere. I've seriously thought about taking him to the vet and asking him to anesthetize Bridger and shave him. The vet said he could give me some medicine that would help Bridger relax, but I'm pretty sure that Bridger could take my arm off even in a relaxed state. Short of that, I do know that shaving this huge dog would take a long time and he would not like it - not one little bit.

Poor doggie hasn't been feeling well for the past week. The vet gave him some medicine and it seems to be helping. Although Bridger lives in AC with us, it's not really the kind of cool he likes. And when he goes outdoors, he stays out only long enough to do his business. He's back at the door in a few seconds, prancing to get in.

 Bridger and Misty

Bridger - the baby pic

He's the one on the right

It takes Bridger a while to get up now, because he's pretty careful of his hips - unless he's outdoors and a hawk flies overhead or a bunny catches his eye. Then he's off like a flash. So far, he's always managed to get back.

And when he lies on the floor for hours, I'm pretty sure that he's dreaming about his favorite season - winter.

(This is where he and I have differing opinions.)

***

SUMMER SALE 

on

Handcrafted Soaps

On now through August 8

'Andalusia' 

100% Olive Oil

 Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

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Anglophile Friday - London

If I were in London this week and next, you would find me here, far from Olympic Park.

Imperial War Museum

Victoria Station

Buckingham Palace

Palace of Westminster

London Eye

Victoria & Albert Museum

Royal Albert Hall

Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms

10 Downing Street

St. Martin-in-the-Field

National Gallery

National Portrait Gallery

Hyde Park

Westminster Abbey

Okay, maybe not 10 Downing Street. I'll take the Virtual Tour instead.

And, of course, there are so many interesting places in between!

Trafalgar Square with St. Martin's in the background

Boudicca 

near Westminster Pier

Buckingham Palace

Charing Cross Station

This is actually a picture I borrowed from Joe. He spent five days in London and didn't turn off the date stamp on his camera. :-((((   So yes, I know the cloning job didn't work so well. I know it's difficult to ignore, but at least you can see Charing Cross Station, the bridge, the boats, and the amazing River Thames.

***

Summer Sale
 on Handcrafted Soaps

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This post is linked to
Travel Party at Let Birdz Fly

Have a great weekend, everyone!

 

Soap'n'Such SUMMER SALE

July 26 - August 8
Soap'n'Such Summer Sale

Buy Five, Get One Free on all 

Soap'n'Such handcrafted luxury soaps.

Now is the time to stock up!

Our soaps are made in small batches,

and when they're gone, they're gone.

Here are just a few:

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

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Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake

Moist and Delicious

Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake

with too much frosting

Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake, Recipe:

Although the original recipe came from Food.com, I'll admit that I added the chocolate and more orange zest than it called for - because I love orange - and chocolate.

1/2 lb. butter, softened
2 1/2 c. sugar, divided
4 large eggs, room temp
1/3 c. grated orange zest
3 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
3/4 c. freshly squeezed orange juice divided
3/4 c. buttermilk at room temp
1 t. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Butter and flour Bundt pan
Cream butter and 2 cups of sugar in a bowl
Mix in eggs, one at a time, add zest.
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.
In another bowl, mix 1/4 c. orange juice, buttermilk, and vanilla.
Add flour and buttermilk mixture alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with flour.

Melt 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Stir melted chocolate chips in half of the batter.
Pour white batter into bundt pan
Pour chocolate batter into bundt pan.
Swirl a bit with a chopstick or skewer
Bake 45-50 minutes or until toothpick or knife comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes. Turn out onto cake plate.

The recipe calls for a syrup to be poured over the top after that 10 minutes. Syrup consists of the remaining 1/2 c. sugar and 1/2 c. orange juice, cooked together until the sugar dissolves. Then that is poured over the cake and allowed to cool completely.

Instead, I made a simple frosting of confectioners sugar and cream cheese, milk and vanilla extract. Why? Because I like it, and because when I turned the cake out of the Bundt pan, it needed a little patching. :-(

And yeah, this was yummy! :-)

***

'Cranberry Tea'
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Summer Sale on Handcrafted Soaps
July 26 - August 8
 

You'll find me at These Linky Parties: 

 
Mop it Up Monday  and Make it Great Monday and Bedazzle Me Monday and  What's in the Gunny Sack and  Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and Make it Great Monday and  Made By You Monday and  Something I Whipped Up Monday and  Motivate Me Monday and  Making Monday Marvelous  and  Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Maiden d'Shade and  Inspiration Board and  Your Home Cozy and You're Gonna Love it Tuesday  and  Take a Look Tuesday and  Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and  Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays   and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Tasty Thursdays (Wednesday) and  DJs Sugar Shack and  Cast Party Wednesday and   We Did it Wednesday  and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Link it Up Thursday and Somewhat Simple and Show Off Your Stuff and Taking a Time Out  and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday  and Crafty Friday and  Creative Bloggers and  Serenity Saturday and Overflowing With Creativity and  Home and Family Friday

The Wood Arrives

Wood Arrives

Our oldest son's birthday was this week, and the family came out to spend the weekend with us. We always love having them here, and this time we got to have the birthday cake and watch the winter wood arrive. It's a little hard to imagine, when we're having such hot and humid weather, that in no time at all we'll be talking about -20 degree F. mornings!

The three dogs began barking, and we all rushed outdoors to watch the big truck pull up the driveway, hauling three years' worth of wintertime heat for our house. We have logs from our woods too, but it never hurts to be a little ahead of the game.

 Look at that monster truck and two huge trailers of logs

 The grapple operator, arranging the wood in two large stacks

 Watching from a safe distance

Must stay ON the blanket, ON the grassy knoll

Another 'mint julep'

Mint sugar water and sprig of mint

This is the kid who asked me, 'Gwamma, can I come wiff you?'

'Sure. Let's go get the cushions for the swing.'

Walking beside me, 'I just like to be wiff you, Gwamma. It's the favorite thing of my whole life. It makes me happy.'

And can't you just imagine how that made Gwamma feel! :-D

***

Two of the granddaughters were here too, but they managed to escape the camera!  Anyway, we made plans for the months ahead, when each granddaughter will come out to spend a week with me and work on sewing, canning, and baking projects. I am looking forward to that!

The birthday cake,

Recipe coming tomorrow!

***

'Fresh Melon Sorbet'

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

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Anglophile Friday - Campion and Margery Allingham

 Campion, from our backyard

 'Mr. Albert Campion

Coups neatly executed.

Nothing sordid, vulgar, or plebeian.

Deserving cases preferred.

Police no object.'

 My favorites:

Case of the Late Pig

Sweet Danger
Mystery Mile
Police at the Funeral

Margery Allingham, 

English mystery writer, b. May 1904 - d. June 1966

From Wikipedia:

 

"Her first work of detective fiction was a serialized story published by the Daily Express in 1927. Entitled The White Cottage Mystery, it contained atypical themes for a woman writer of the era.

Campion and success

 

Her breakthrough occurred in 1929 with the publication of The Crime at Black Dudley. This introduced Albert Campion, albeit originally as a minor character. He returned in Mystery Mile, thanks in part to pressure from her American publishers, much taken with the character.

By now, with three novels behind her, Allingham's skills were improving, and with a strong central character and format to work from, she began to produce a series of popular Campion novels. At first she had to continue writing short stories and journalism for magazines such as The Strand Magazine, but as her Campion saga went on, her following, and her sales, grew steadily. Campion proved so successful that Allingham made him the centrepiece of another 17 novels and over 20 short stories, continuing into the 1960s.

Campion is a mysterious, upper-class character, working under an assumed name, who floats between the upper echelons of the nobility and government on one hand and the shady world of the criminal class in the United Kingdom on the other, often accompanied by his scurrilous ex-burglar servant Lugg. "

***

In the TV series, Campion was played by Peter Davison (also of Dr. Who fame, and who managed an extremely engaging portrayal of real-life character Tristan Farnon in 'All Creatures Great and Small.')  Lugg, or Magersfontein Lugg, was convincingly played by Brian Glover. I wish they would run this series again on PBS when they do a fundraiser, instead of yet another Peter, Paul, and Mary concert, a DooWop performance, or Dr. Wayne Dyer! Groan.

So, ending with a backyard photo:

 Someone left me a message on the crab apple tree,

but I haven't been able to break the code.
I think it's time to call in Albert Campion.

***

'Sweet Baby! Calendula'

All-natural, gentle soap for Baby

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Have a great weekend, everyone!

Rushing to Forgiveness

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget none of His benefits;

Who pardons all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases;

Who redeems your life from the pit,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

Who satisfies your years with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

The Lord performs righteous deeds

And judgments for all who are oppressed.

He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the sons of Israel.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

He will not always strive with us,

Nor will he keep His anger forever.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Just as a father has compassion on his children,

So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He Himself knows our frame;

He is mindful that we are but dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,

And its place acknowledges it no longer.

But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

 on those who fear Him,

And his righteousness to children's children,

To those who keep His covenant

And remember His precepts to do them.

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,

And His sovereignty rules over all.

Bless the Lord, you His angels,

Mighty in strength, who perform His word

Obeying the voice of His word!

Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,

You who serve Him, doing His will.

Bless the Lord, all you works of His,

In all places of His dominion;

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

                  -Psalm 103 

'slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness,' or as another translation has it, 'abounding in mercy.' 

This morning I was reading in the book of Daniel where Daniel is praying for the congregation of Israel,

'And I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, "Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly, and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances. Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and all the people of the land. Righteousness belongs to You, O Lord, but to us open shame...'"

Daniel continues praying and while he was still speaking, Gabriel appeared.

Here is something that struck me about these two chapters in Daniel (9-10)

Gabriel told Daniel, 'At the BEGINNING of your supplications, the command was issued [to come to you]...'

And in chapter 10, Daniel has a vision and a man [the preincarnate Christ] tells him, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel, for FROM THE FIRST DAY that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard...'

'At the beginning...' and 'From the first day...'    

How eager is God to forgive!

'God is slow to anger and ABOUNDING IN MERCY.'

Unlike us, He is just. He does not overlook, tolerate, or trivialize sin.

But also unlike us, He doesn't withhold forgiveness when there has been repentance. He doesn't recount our sins to make us feel sufficiently guilty. 

Instead,

When we repent, He rushes to forgive us.