Changes

Well, here we are. In our transition home, that some dear friends are letting us live in, until we purchase a home. I don't think they really realize, just what a huge blessing it is to us, to be somewhere familiar right now, after leaving our last home. We put a lot of ourselves in that last home, and saying goodbye was a little difficult. But this past weeks sermon really helped me, to just let go, God revealed I had allowed myself to become too wrapped up in that temporary dwelling. Every home on earth is temporary for all of us. Our forever home is yet to be revealed.

So we are here for now, because we didn't want to buy anything until everything was final on the selling of our home. All of that finalized last week, and now we are anxiously awaiting to see if things will work out, for us to buy the home we have found.

I'll need to come up with a new name for my blog, since we'll no longer live on a corner. The last name, has been a cozy name in my mind, not only describing our life, but our location. And since we'll be in a new location sometime soon, I'm thinking I'd like a new name to fit our new location.

And of course, a new picture at the top will be needed. I'll have to search for just the right one.

The current picture was taken by my daughter. We had a ficus tree on our side porch, and a female hummingbird perched there one morning, while waiting her turn at the feeder. My daughter loves photography, and always has her camera ready. The tree just happened to be located outside the window, so she was able to take the picture without disturbing her subject. It's a great memory, because hummingbirds visited our feeder in great numbers there, and we loved watching their antics.

This transition time is helping, we're somewhere familiar right now, before plunging ahead into the unknown. Surely it won't be that different, the location where we are hoping to buy. It's still a small southern town, a quiet street, lots of trees. The biggest difference for us, is that it is in town, and not out in the country. But I think it'll be good, that is, if, if if, everything works out and we do get to purchase that particular home. We'll know soon.

It's been amazing to see God take our questions and uncertainties, and replace them with His peace. We know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, if things prevent us from buying the house we've been praying about, we will know He has a better plan for us. The peace He has given us, in just trusting His will, and not ours, has been so extremely amazing! He has calmed our hearts, we know, we know He is in control.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3

We'll remind ourselves of this verse often, it's where we have our trust that matters, and our trust is not in people, money or ourselves, but in Him, as we wait to see what unfolds in the next few days.

Our Last Summer @ The Old Place...

I just wanted to share some of our favorite summer memories from our last summer here.

Welcome to our front/side porch. This is our favorite place late spring, early summer. Before the mosquitoes and bugs get too bad, we really enjoy the sights and sounds this porch has to offer. I love more than anything, to get out here as early as possible, when the sun is rising, and sip on coffee while reading my Bible.

Summer began with a freshly tilled garden spot,
a bigger one than what we usually have.

We all helped plan, plant, hoe, weed, and tend to the garden.

It has been so rewarding,
especially when we see how eager our girls are,
to get outthere and help, anytime we've needed them to.

Not to mention all the fresh produce
we've enjoyed due to the bountiful rainfall, 

and almost perfect growing season that God blessed us with.

Gardening was much easier this year than it has been in the past.

This kale is such a beautiful plant, and so hardy!
It has been growing great since early spring, and is still producing.
These cool nights are just begging for a pot of Kale Soup,
a recipe a dear friend shared with me.
I think I'll put that on the menu for tomorrow night.

Just another shot of the garden, earlier this summer.

This is our screened-in back porch, with the porch swing.

Hummingbirds visit these flowers all through the day.

With these cooler temperatures, that we've been so blessed with this year, we've been able to enjoy this porch more this summer than ever before. And even though last night was downright chilly, sitting there listening to the crickets chirping, while gazing at the almost,

full moon, was so extremely pleasant.

Our pita bread! It was fun learning how to make pita

bread for the first time this summer.

Everyone loved it, and it went great with

Ms. W's famous chipotle hummus (her own recipe).

The hummus disappeared so fast that

I didn't get a picture of it.

All of these things came from right here in our own yard- grape juice
from our grapes- to make jelly with, jalapeno peppers, banana peppers,
okra and tomatoes. I didn't get any pictures of our corn
when we harvested it, or our fresh lettuce greens.


Our sunflower forest!
The beautiful Goldfinches that visit here are such a delight.

They perch themselves upon the blooms that have already died,

and somehow hang upside down and feed on the seeds.

It's pretty amazing to watch!

Just one of the many bouquets we have enjoyed from the variety

of flowers we have planted all around the house.

Pepper buffet- banana, habanero, and jalapeno.
We are also growing cayenne, but we gave those away
before I took this picture.

Our oldest daughter is convinced if she had a big enough place,
she could grow tonsof okra and become a wealthy woman.
It really is very easy to grow, and has produced an amazing amount!
We've been able to share our bounty with neighbors and friends,
and still have plenty to freeze for ourselves.


These beauties are going to be canned!
The large number of plants we planted
this year, have really payed off.
We've been blessed with huge bowls of
fresh salsa all summer long, thanks to these gorgeous babies!



I had to include a photo of our old dog Farley. We've had him since the spring of 2000, he's 10 yrs old, which is 70 in dog years.

And last, but certainly not least, is our only cat- Blue.
.

He's pretty special, Mr. Blue, he's my gardening buddy. He follows me to the garden every time I'm out there, he stays right at my feet, loving on me, rubbing his head on my calves and ankles. And all the while, meowing at me incessantly- I'm not sure what he's telling me, but he seems to have a lot on his mind. Anytime I have to discard a vegetable, he's right there to inspect it to make sure I made the right decision.

We've experienced so many great things here at this house.

It has been such a special place to live.

I certainly hope the summer memories, that I've shared, have been
as enjoyable for you all, just as they have been for us.