For Katie

I am posting this for Katie's garden advice, if you have some also feel free to chime in.
First of all I have a bunch of roses, which I am sure were not pruned before winter and now seem very lankly, and I am wondering if I should do something to them before they start growing to much for spring.

Any idea what this tree might be? I was wondering if it could be fruit, but you may not be the tree expert. 

Another huge rose, should it have something to climb on?

This Rose is going all over the place

This has a ton of sprouts. 

I think this tree just landed here and needs to be pulled up?

This is hard to see, but has old roots, and just this one tiny shoot. 

Another one last the last, clearly an old rose that someone chopped up allot. 

This is not a rose but some small tree, any ideas?

And this is the funkiest looking tree ever, but my Mum wondered if the leaves might be magnolia? Any ideas?

This is coming back, any ideas what it is?

This is right next to it, but not growing back like the other, think its dead? Maybe you can't tell, the pictures are hard. 

Some kind of shrub? Is it possible this will come back, or should I just rip it up?

Thanks! Any input is useful!

Spring has Sprung

We walked out in our yard today and it was like Christmas in Spring! We have bulbs! Little green things popping heads out of the ground. And on top of that I had two wedding invitations this week, so Spring really must be here! I can't wait to see what all these green things turn into, I have a few guesses but won't know really till there is buds spotted.

Colds, and Spring on its way

I have a miserable cold, which is no fun when you can't take anything for it. But the only good thing about colds is the food! I am excited to have one last winter stew with the Spring coming. And nice warm bread is a must to go with stew!

Company

Sorry no pictures today, we have had a houseful of family all weekend and I never picked up the camera, shame on me. But we had a wonderful time with family visiting, a few brothers and sister-in-laws, and 3 baby boys. The twins are 2 and had a blast in our yard which was lots of fun! We talked, played games and ate lots all weekend long. And it gave me the push I needed to get the house done, things on the walls and everything! So now that the house is more empty again and reasonably dirty, its still so much better than it was because things are mostly put away and organized. Its so exciting!
I am looking forward this week to the first meeting of my new womans bible study, I have had it on my heart for ages to start a day time study as there isn't much like that in the area, and now that I am moved in and feeling a little better I didn't want to put it off any longer. So I can't wait to start this week.
Also new this week I started feeling the baby, and now four days later I can feel strong kicks all day long, I am convinced she is practicing the triple jump in there just like daddy, or at least building up those leg mussels, and I imagine they will be long legs like all the Grahams. But we will see.


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Beautiful sunny weather!
Airing out the house with every window open!
Turning off the heat!
Space to run and play!
Safe baby's
Brothers bonding
Generous friends with used baby gear!
People to cook for!
Snow in the forecast!

Update

I have been feeling so much better I have been so busy in the house I have neglected posting, Which I feel is a little hypocritical because I excused not posting before because I didn't feel well, so I guess I have no excuse. It has been wonderful weather here, and last Sunday afternoon it was sunny and like 50, so we spent our first day in the yard, we had so much fun. Brian was determined to get his swing up and running properly, he still has plans to put steps up the side of the tree, this weekend.

Brian is embracing being a homeowner with power tools! Thanks Dad!

And I am enjoying all his hard work! I love my new hammock chair, I think it will be much better to rock baby than a normal ricking chair! 

And if you looks close here you can see Brian also made a normal swing seat. For the more serious swingers! This is him testing it just before heading to the super bowl at a friends down the street. Did you know that on the East Coast the super bowl is in the evening! Strangest thing! I can't get over it, its so odd! But we were watching with all Steelers fans, so it was a little bit of a sad night.

In case you are waiting in suspense Brian's calculations were right that if the Packers won the baby was a girl and the next day at the ultrasound it looks like it is a GIRL! At least 75% chance it is a girl, we will have another look in a month and hopefully know more. But that was Monday night, we found out, so its been a very busy week! 

Do you think thats a Graham nose, I suspect it might be. :-)

The house is looking so much better! Maybe I will show more pictures in a week or to when its close to done. We have Brian's brothers coming this week and we are so excited to have guests and have the house almost put away, at least the important things!

I have been enjoying my quiet times outside the last few days, and even went for a bike ride yesterday. So nice to feel some warmth, though that means I am getting closer to having to think about the garden which is scary, one thing at a time, inside first!

I also got a new phone that has internet, as you might have seen from last nights post, but it allows me to do my daily prayers from anywhere and even alarm throughout the day to remind me. So much fun.

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Safe baby, every thing accounted for and in place as it should be

Wonderful husband who never expects from me what I expect from myself, what a blessing this is!

Family and friends who love us soo much they want to come see us!

Sunshine, I might get used to this after all!

Tree's!

New ways to communicate with friends near and far

New ladies bible study in the works!

Fellowship with old friends who are new!

Great deals for house stuff on craigslist! 

test

Just testing, I have a new fancy phone and I can now post from anywhere!

Pantry Done!

I am SOO excited, because my pantry is done and I think it is a thing of beauty, if you had ever seen my pantry from the last house  you will understand. And if you saw the number of boxes I unpacked marked pantry and the huge overwhelming task it seemed you will also understand. Not to mention the very few cabinets I have in the kitchen, all those factors make this a very exciting new accomplishment!
But I can truly say as I was putting all the food away, I was so thankful for each box and can, and the way the Lord provides for my family. I hope I will never take the ability to just go buy grocery's for granted again.

My Mother says I can survive a few natural disasters! :-) Particularly now that we have own own well. But I think its a thing of beauty. And my very favorite par is my very nice tape labels which will theoretically mean when I ask my husband to get something he will be able to find it, and it won't be the inevitable,"I don't see it" which means I end up getting it myself in the end. But I can't give him to hard a time as I remember very clearly doing the same thing to my Mother about her pantry. 

So glad to be feeling myself again! And getting things done!

Why do I count?

My inspiration for starting this blog and the importance of counting me blessing started with this woman, and this video she has so beautifully made explains that in a way I could never, I hope you are blessed by it as I was.


Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts (720) from Jacob Forrest on Vimeo.

The Midday office

Its a beautiful day today and I am starting to feel human most days again! Today I was so blessed to spend my first quiet time out on my new deck. Thanks Bevin for the cozy new socks! I hope you won't mind but as i was praying through the midday office today I feel the need to not just say it with my mouth but type it through my fingers also. I hope you are blessed by it as I am

The call to Prayer
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy Name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits

The request for presence
Show your goodness, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are true of heart Ps 124:4


The Greeting
You have set a banner for those who fear you
Save us by your right hand and answer us. Ps 60:4-5


The Refrain
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him. Ps 33:8


A Reading
The a branch will grow from the stock of Jesse, and a shoot will spring from his roots. On him the spirit of the Lord will rest: a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and power, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord; and in the fear of the Lord will be his delight. He will not judge by outward apperances or decide a case of hearsay; but with justice he will hudge the poor and defend the humble in the land of equity; like a rod his verdict will strick the ruthless, and with his word he will slay the wicked. He will wear the belt of justice, and truth shall be his girdle. Is 11:1-5


The Refrain
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all who swell in the world stand in awe of him

The Psalm
Praise the Lord for his mighty acts; praise him for his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the blast of the rams horn; praise him with the lyre and the harp
Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe.
Praise him with resounding cymbals; praise him with loud-clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord, Hallelujah!

The Refrain
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.

The Gloria
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever, amen.

The Lords prayer


The prayer for the day
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into my heart your greatest gift witch is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Concluding prayer
Almighty God who has promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in your Son's name: I beseech you mercifully to incline your ear to me who have made my prayers and supplications to you; and grant that those things which I have faithfully asked according to your will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of my necessity, and to the setting forth of your glory, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen

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Blue sky's
Beautiful backyard
New friends
Wonderful husband who never expects from me what I expect from myself
Parents
Family visiting!
Cooking!
Windows
Talented musicians
New Swing!

If you are wondering about the daily office, it is the 5 daily prayers that monastic orders gather for daily. many lay people also practice a habit of pausing in their day to stop 5 times a day for prayer and reflection. I have done this for periods in my life and I can not recommend it more if you want to change your perspective, and refocus your life on what counts. They are short simple prayers that can be done at your desk or the like, and the simple practice of making time for and turning your attention to the Lord 5 times a day will change your life. You can use the Common book of prayer of course, the prayers in it are longer, but I enjoy using a book called the divine hours. Or the same online.