Toujours and Teacups

Keep 

Calm

and 

Carry

On

On the top right-hand  corner of my desk in the kitchen I have a small vignette I can look at each morning.

I love the beauty and the artistry of teacups.

I will have one sitting ready -

to enjoy its beauty 

and to be available for

calming and soothing tea.

I also have a frame to which

I have placed my 

Toujours

statement that I have on the sidebar 

of my blog. I have received several comments regarding this statement.

I am so grateful for your kindness and

support.

We do have a wonderfully giving community.

I do want to strive to do my best in all that I do and if I have encouraged you in any

way I am most glad.

God has blessed me so much in my life, 

I hope to emulate the love I have come to

know and to cherish as I spend a few moments with you when you come by to 

visit.

I am fascinated by the history to the first

statement I shared with you today,

"Keep Calm and Carry On". Under incredible

conditions a nation carried on to inspire a world.

This statement was posted as a reminder to English citizens

Toujours is my statement to remind myself

of all God gave and blessed me with

to cherish it each day.

Thank you for your visit.

I am sharing this post with these

Delightsome tea time blog parties:

Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday

The Plumed Pen's  Tea for Two

Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday 

Martha's Favorite Teacup Tuesday 

A Breath of Fresh Air's

and Silken Purse's

Teapot and Tea Things

Artful Affirmations Teacup Tuesday

Comin' Home's Tuesday Teas

Sweetology's Tea Time Tuesday

Miss Spencer's Teacup Thursday

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Finding Your Center

Where do you go to find your center when it seems that the world is upside down?

While blogging I focus on the things that Delight in my life.

As with many of you, there are things that I have to deal with that floor me - make me wonder - 

Has the world turned upside down?

It seems what was right - is wrong

what was wrong - is right.

Is perception reality?

Is judgment relative?

One of our friends said,

"This is what lost people do".

My husband and I determined years back what we call

our

Unshakeables.

The things we believe in that make our foundation.

Our roots.

We believe in God.

We believe in God's Word - the Bible.

We believe there is good and there is evil.

As a result, we believe in Jesus Christ when he said,

"I am the way, the truth and the life..."

From our beliefs we establish our life - 

we see our life as a list of 'do' not 'don't'

Do - be kind

Do - be honest

Do - be fair

Do - be generous

Do - be helpful

Do- be encouraging

and so forth...

God tells us to be a light and to be salt.

Light reveals - gives a way

Salt - preserves and cleanses.

Do we take note of the evil in this world - definitely.

Do we focus on that evil - absolutely not.

Does it shake us - no.

Because I have accepted Christ as my Savior and believe

He is who he says he is - I have  become a child of God.

It is not out of my own strength that I am able to love

and to forgive.

It is because Jesus is LOVE and He FORGAVE.

Me.

My foundation - is on Christ - the solid ROCK I stand.

Bowed sometimes, yes. But, my roots are firmly planted.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:1-8

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Garden Notebook

Bloom Where You're Planted

If you have been following along with me this Season, you know that Spring comes early to A Delightsome Life. We have a short Winter that is usually quite mild. This year we had a wonderfully cold winter that did wonderful things for my garden. 

A Vista of varying shades of pink in the front 

I am so glad that I have chronicled the progress of my garden and the very many things that have bloomed and faded thus far. One can forget when faced with unpleasant moments - 

we have a very short mild-tempered Spring season - 

I need to repair the handle on my concrete basket - but, I like the rustic look alongside the Snapdragons

On Easter Sunday we had guests and I was taking them through the garden and was dismayed to find my precious Peonies wilting in the heat - we hit nearly 90 degrees. 

We have had little rain for a couple of weeks now - so coupled together this brought a situation where my dear ones were wilting like Southern Belles fanning themselves in 

southern heat.

I so miss the mild season we had when living in Ohio. There were things I could grow there I can only dream of growing here. Although I do try some - 

realizing micro-climates in gardens. 

I know now some of you are just experiencing your Spring blossoms - 

I am so glad and do appreciate you sharing them.

I just have to remind myself that this is where God planted me - I must do what I can with the weather that comes my way and to tend to my garden as best as I can.

The Japanese Roof Iris are just beginning to bloom - they were a gift from my friend
Happy many years back - they continue to multiply each year. Yes, her name truly is Happy

I found that this quote comes from St. Francis de Sales.

He was known for his love of and devotion to God 

and for his loving demeanor.

There's much to be learned in this quote:

The first bloom from one of my new roses - Honey Perfume

"Truly CHARITY has no limit;

for the LOVE OF GOD has been poured into our hearts

by His Spirit dwelling in each one of us,

calling us to a life of DEVOTION

and inviting us to bloom in the garden

where He has planted

and directing us to radiate the beauty

and spread the fragrance of His Providence."

The David Austin roses are out doing themselves this year!

This reminds me of what I wish to emulate in my life

my Toujours. I really do have a very Delightsome Life -

God has so richly blessed me - including the bumps in the roads, 

the heavy, humid heat and the thorns in the flesh - 

I have acquired some tropical plants this year - I am looking forward to this red Mandevilla
climbing our rustic Crape Myrtle arbor.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. Philippians 4:11

Learning is a daily process.

This beautiful old climber is doing a beautiful job 'Blooming Where I planted it". I found it
covered in vines when we moved in and moved it into the sun. It has rewarded me with these
delicate pink blooms. 

By the way, my Peonies recovered from their heat-induced fainting spell and I have recovered from my momentary lapse of Toujours. 

Thank you so much for your visit, I truly appreciate you.

I am sharing this post with these Delightsome garden parties:

Tuesday Garden Party

Outdoor Wednesday

Cottage Flora Thursday

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