::summer porch::

Have you ever used old coffee as fertilizer for your plants? I am so convinced there is a secret in that pot of coffee.  I have been watering this hibiscus plant with coffee for the past week or so [along with water, of course] and the blooms today are just stunning.

I have never seen our hibiscus plant bloom so much!  What a treat.

We did something a bit different on our back porch this year.  We always have a pot [or pots] of herbs for summertime cooking.  This year while rummaging through our shed, I discovered an old metal plant hanger.  I thought it might be put to good use to hold our herbs instead of those pots taking up precious space on the deck of the porch.

 So far, so good.  The herbs aren't too overgrown out of their pots and haven't dried out, either.

::basil::cilantro::Italian oregano::oregano::

::parsley::chives::

I'm excited to see how we like our new arrangement by the end of this summer. 

Did you do anything different in your garden or plantings this year?

 

::just a little poem::

After remodeling our office, my Mom and I sorted through dozens of books. One book that almost met its fate as a resale shop dweller caught my eye.

It is an old book full of little [mostly corny] poems.  But I like old things, so we saved the book.

Here is a little poem I thought I'd share today.

The only blessedness a person deserves
Is someone to cherish and a place to serve.
The only happiness one ever discovers
Is seeking each day the happiness of others.
The only fulfillment is Christlike living
And bearing the cross of total self-giving.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Are your peonies blooming?  Ours are and it is such a delight to enjoy them.  I wish they lasted all summer.

 

::maybe::

Psalm 81:10...Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it.

I like to picture this verse as an illustration of baby birds with their mouths wide open just waiting for food.

My pastor preaches a sermon from this text and it is one of my favorites.  I remember the last time he preached that sermon thinking that I needed to pray big prayers.  Big, specific prayers.  Big, specific, bold prayers.

But now that I look back, I think maybe a simple believing that God's Word is true is opening your mouth wide. 

Maybe it's praying Psalm 84:11, "...No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."  Along with that prayer is a determination to follow God and choose the right way no matter what. 

Maybe it's praying Psalm 143:8, "...Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk."  This takes faith to pray when there's no visible solution in sight.

Or maybe it's praying Psalm 138:8, "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me..."  Knowing that though you cannot see God's hand, you trust He is leading you through the dark night.

Maybe for some it's the big, bold, specific prayers.

But maybe, just maybe, it's the simple trusting and willpower to hold on in the night season.