4th of July - JOY

 The Fourth of July is always worth celebrating, but for this year I was having a hard to time doing so.

I started this post a week ago and yet I totally forgot to post and send best wishes. I was struggling to find JOY.

What did bring me joy was noticing the flags waved. There is just something so beautiful in seeing the flag of the country you love wave from the front porch, a patio, bridges, and even from a car or truck. It just feels like a celebration.

Here are a few sightings!

Instead of a true 4th of July celebration I took a drive to the coast. Yes, It brings me JOY too.

I found a path to JOY.

There was an avenue of fun and games.

And a few swans swam by.

Out and About in my part of the world brings me JOY. Just seeing people celebrating the day brings me JOY. And waving a few flags brings me JOY. So even though I didn't watch fireworks or even eat a hotdog, I found JOY in the little things around me.

I hope you also found JOY in celebrating the little things around you.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars - My Decorations

 Welcome to my front door. What can I say, but I am thoroughly enjoying my little abode in this apartment complex. At the end of this corridor is a dog park/play area to run in.

Step inside.

The family gallery is just inside the door.

The door ahead is the office, which is messy.

I won't be showing you that as it is just computers, desks, and bookshelves.

Turn left into the kitchen and living space.

This is where it is beginning to feel like Christmas.

There are two trees in here, my little silver foil tree sits on a vintage child's chair.

Take a peek outdoors on the patio. I am not sure you can tell, but that clay pot is holding our tomato cage (upside down), wrapped in lights and a bow on top. It's our outdoor Christmas lights that twinkle at night.

Here is the main tree with a family antique quilt underneath. In front is my reading/napping chair, which I found at an estate sale many years ago. It is 100 years old and sooo cozy.

The large cabinet I found at a farm auction in Kansas about 50 years ago. It was built before the Civil War. It is where I store my china and accessories.

Since I don't have a mantle now, the window will have to do for my little village of trees and cottages. The JOY on the cabinet usually stays out all year just because I love the bling.

Here's a closer look at some of the tree decorations.

Here's the butterfly I added this year.

The clothespin ballerinas came from the time my daughter and I took ballet many years ago.
Hope you enjoyed a glimpse into the twinkle and delight in my world this year.

I hope you are surrounded by twinkle and delight this holiday season.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Happy 4th of July!

 

Time seems to fly by so quickly I often miss sending best wishes to you.

May you have a 4th of July full of Joy with dear ones close by. Enjoy the day, be safe, and eat well.

I will spend the day with barbecue and deviled eggs and dear ones sitting at my table.

Happy 4th of July!

May Freedom Reign!

Sending love,

Marilyn

The Year of the Wreath

 

 

In my home this seems to be the year of the wreath. What's not to love in a wreath at Christmas?

This first wreath was made on Monday for the gardenhouse from the rim of an old placemat and then I wired on some fresh greens and a bow. It just makes the gardenhouse festive for the season.

Last Friday I ventured to a friend's home in the country to make wreaths. I love that this is a new annual event and a new friend. We are never to old to add a new event and/or friend.

 There were four of us making wreaths in her plastic covered living room.

Here is my finished product hanging over my little village on the mantle.

And then there were three! On Saturday the realtor that sold us our home 20 years ago hosted an event at a local tree farm for all her past and present clients. She usually gives a tree, but since we didn't need a tree, we were given a wreath. Her event every year is so festive with something hot to drink, soup, popcorn, cookies and more treats. Plus this year she had a photographer there taking pictures. OK, I might include the picture taken.

This picture strip is on my refrigerator door now. It just makes me smile.

It is me, Jill (daughter), Jim (live-in gardener), and D (grandson).

And now that wreath hangs on the front of my home. Humm? Maybe it needs a bow?

Then the final wreath is fake, but I love it just the same. It is the centerpiece for my dining table. Thankfully it won't dry out and leave needles everywhere. I do love a wreath on the table.

Sending wreath joy to you this Christmas season.

Have a most terrific, fun filled weekend, dear friends!

 

Sending Love,

Marilyn

A Gift for You - A Flower and A Poem

 

A red peony for July 4th fireworks.

Freedom

By Langston Hughes

Freedom will not come

Today, this year

            Nor ever

Through compromise and fear.

 

I have as much right

As the other fellow has

            To stand

On my two feet

And own the land.

 

I tire so of hearing people say,

Let things take their course.

Tomorrow is another day.

I do not need my freedom when I’m dead.

I cannot live on tomorrow’s bread.

            Freedom

            Is a strong seed

            Planted

            In a great need.

            I live here, too.

            I want my freedom

            Just as you.  

 

 

And a field of sunflowers to send freedoms wishes to the Ukraine.

I dream of a world where we are all equal, all cherished.

May we all feel the freedom today.

Happy July 4th to those that live in the US.

atricia A Fleming

Published: July 2020

She waves for my attention,
So free upon the breeze.
The sun reflects her stars and stripes,
As proud as she can be.

She tells a tale of people lost,
Who came to find their way
And carried on through every loss,
To bring us here today.

She reminds me of the brave who fought
To keep our country strong
And shouts at me of victories
To right egregious wrongs.

She whispers to our children
Of all this country has to give
And begs that they stand up for her
And give thanks for how they live.

She cries to me of apathy,
Of prejudice and hate,
Of disrespect for what she stands,
And a Constitution we forsake.

She demands that I acknowledge her
And what she means to me
And dares me to imagine life
If she should cease to be.

And still in Glory she unfurls
And gives me hope again
For a people reunited,
And a country on the mend.

So each time I see her wave at me,
I'll stop and gaze above
And take a moment to respect
This country that I love.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/our-flag-2

Our Flag

© Patricia A Fleming more by Patricia A Fleming

Published: July 2020

She waves for my attention,
So free upon the breeze.
The sun reflects her stars and stripes,
As proud as she can be.

She tells a tale of people lost,
Who came to find their way
And carried on through every loss,
To bring us here today.

She reminds me of the brave who fought
To keep our country strong
And shouts at me of victories
To right egregious wrongs.

She whispers to our children
Of all this country has to give
And begs that they stand up for her
And give thanks for how they live.

She cries to me of apathy,
Of prejudice and hate,
Of disrespect for what she stands,
And a Constitution we forsake.

She demands that I acknowledge her
And what she means to me
And dares me to imagine life
If she should cease to be.

And still in Glory she unfurls
And gives me hope again
For a people reunited,
And a country on the mend.

So each time I see her wave at me,
I'll stop and gaze above
And take a moment to respect
This country that I love.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/our-flag-2

Our Flag

© Patricia A Fleming more by Patricia A Fleming

Published: July 2020

She waves for my attention,
So free upon the breeze.
The sun reflects her stars and stripes,
As proud as she can be.

She tells a tale of people lost,
Who came to find their way
And carried on through every loss,
To bring us here today.

She reminds me of the brave who fought
To keep our country strong
And shouts at me of victories
To right egregious wrongs.

She whispers to our children
Of all this country has to give
And begs that they stand up for her
And give thanks for how they live.

She cries to me of apathy,
Of prejudice and hate,
Of disrespect for what she stands,
And a Constitution we forsake.

She demands that I acknowledge her
And what she means to me
And dares me to imagine life
If she should cease to be.

And still in Glory she unfurls
And gives me hope again
For a people reunited,
And a country on the mend.

So each time I see her wave at me,
I'll stop and gaze above
And take a moment to respect
This country that I love.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/our-flag-2

Our Flag

© Patricia A Fleming more by Patricia A Fleming

Published: July 2020

She waves for my attention,
So free upon the breeze.
The sun reflects her stars and stripes,
As proud as she can be.

She tells a tale of people lost,
Who came to find their way
And carried on through every loss,
To bring us here today.

She reminds me of the brave who fought
To keep our country strong
And shouts at me of victories
To right egregious wrongs.

She whispers to our children
Of all this country has to give
And begs that they stand up for her
And give thanks for how they live.

She cries to me of apathy,
Of prejudice and hate,
Of disrespect for what she stands,
And a Constitution we forsake.

She demands that I acknowledge her
And what she means to me
And dares me to imagine life
If she should cease to be.

And still in Glory she unfurls
And gives me hope again
For a people reunited,
And a country on the mend.

So each time I see her wave at me,
I'll stop and gaze above
And take a moment to respect
This country that I love.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/our-flag-2v

Our Flag

© Patricia A Fleming more by Patricia A Fleming

Published: July 2020

She waves for my attention,
So free upon the breeze.
The sun reflects her stars and stripes,
As proud as she can be.

She tells a tale of people lost,
Who came to find their way
And carried on through every loss,
To bring us here today.

She reminds me of the brave who fought
To keep our country strong
And shouts at me of victories
To right egregious wrongs.

She whispers to our children
Of all this country has to give
And begs that they stand up for her
And give thanks for how they live.

She cries to me of apathy,
Of prejudice and hate,
Of disrespect for what she stands,
And a Constitution we forsake.

She demands that I acknowledge her
And what she means to me
And dares me to imagine life
If she should cease to be.

And still in Glory she unfurls
And gives me hope again
For a people reunited,
And a country on the mend.

So each time I see her wave at me,
I'll stop and gaze above
And take a moment to respect
This country that I love.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/our-flag-2vv

Our Flag

© Patricia A Fleming more by Patricia A Fleming

Published: July 2020

She waves for my attention,
So free upon the breeze.
The sun reflects her stars and stripes,
As proud as she can be.

She tells a tale of people lost,
Who came to find their way
And carried on through every loss,
To bring us here today.

She reminds me of the brave who fought
To keep our country strong
And shouts at me of victories
To right egregious wrongs.

She whispers to our children
Of all this country has to give
And begs that they stand up for her
And give thanks for how they live.

She cries to me of apathy,
Of prejudice and hate,
Of disrespect for what she stands,
And a Constitution we forsake.

She demands that I acknowledge her
And what she means to me
And dares me to imagine life
If she should cease to be.

And still in Glory she unfurls
And gives me hope again
For a people reunited,
And a country on the mend.

So each time I see her wave at me,
I'll stop and gaze above
And take a moment to respect
This country that I love.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/our-flag-2

A Visit to my Home

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBK7IBILw5I&feature=youtube

Well we need a bit of music when viewing Christmas.

Our creche has been with us since my children were small. Handmade by someone in my church. What I love are the brown faces and simple story of the Christ child.

It sits in the alcove as you enter my home.

If you have followed me for awhile you know I love flowers and nature. My husband and I recently visited a Christmas tree farm, not to get a tree, but just to gather some greens and a wreath for the house. Then from Trader Joe's I added red roses. If you look closely there is one rose that is not red. That is the last rose from our garden at center stage. I love this in my bedroom.

 

Here is the bedroom. I love the morning light. On the trunk behind the bed is another rose and greens.

They just make my heart happy.

Now we move to the dining room. Here is the wreath at the center of the table. Last Sunday we had teatime just for the three of us in the family. It was peppermint tea with trout sandwich, sausage roll, egg salad sandwich, sweets of Dundee cake, macarons, dried fruit and candied pecans. I think the guys in my house liked it, afterall it was food.

Another gathering of Christmas characters. I love them because they all hold something from nature.

Another glimpse of the table centerpiece.

 

Love. love bottle brush trees and this one came home from the antique mall.

I sat it in a favorite teacup and there is seems to be happy.

Can you spot the Christmas gnome? Every year he pops up in a different place in the house. This year he is sitting in a bowl of antique tea silver pieces on my tea cart.

So far my family hasn't noticed him sitting there. Ha! My "live-in gardener" thinks he is a bit silly, but I like him visiting every year.

My office needed a touch of the red and green, so another rose and greens sits here in front of my chalk board. The chalk board is gathering words to think on for each and every day and soon I will pick a new word for 2021.

Now we have moved to the living room mantle. This year above the village I placed greens and at night there are small twinkling lights shining in the greens. I do enjoy the little village most of all.

Some years ago my son did this illustration for me and of course it must come out every Christmas.

More flowers and greens, plus candles on the table.

Santas and snowmen sit on top of the book shelves.

Even out our window the hummingbird enjoys a little Christmas cheer.

And finally our little faux tree sits packed full of Christmas joy.

Hope you enjoyed a visit to my Christmas house.

The packages are wrapped and now under the tree.

Baking is yet to happen here, plus just a little Christmas adventures and cheer to come.

Have a delightful weekend, dear friends!

May it be full of Christmas cheer, even if it is just a moment of quiet meditation over a cup of tea.