My Father's World, II - A Peek at the Lake

On our way home from the graduation party for a cousin-once-removed, we swung by the lake for our first glimpse of the year. What a glorious view it presented under the setting sun!

In the few minutes that we stood on the shore, the sound of raindrops on smooth lake waters swept in - driving us under the shelter of the venerable evergreen in front of the cottage. There is nothing quite like the beauty of rain drops dancing on the surface of a lake with the sun shining through each one.

"This is my Father's world,

The birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white,

Declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world:

He shines in all that's fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,

He speaks to me everywhere."

Maltie D. Babcock, 1901

My Father's World, I - A Sunny Day

When you are given only one sunny day a week for several weeks, you move outside. (At least Elsa and I do!) I did my stretches laying on my back on the deck while listening to a podcast.

And later my computer moved out to get some work done. 

The plum tree perfumed the air so wonderfully as birds sang busily all around! I'm sure I've quoted this song on my blog before, but the message never grows old:

"This is my Father's world,

And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings

The music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world:

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas-

His hand the wonders wrought."

Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901

Lyme Disease: Tick Season Info & Chronic Lyme Summit Replay

We each found ticks crawling on us over the weekend. One was even attached to my leg. After dozens in my childhood and youth, this was my first tick bite since being diagnosed with Lyme Disease and co-infections five years ago. But God is keeping me from fear. 

Check out this article by Dr. Jay Davidson for helpful tips on preventing tick-bites, how to safely remove ticks, and what you can do once you've had a bite.

To quote Dr. Jay:

"According to researchers, diseases spread by ticks are projected to be on the rise (including Lyme, co-infections, and viruses).

It can be a very scary and stressful experience to be bitten by a tick. We all know how absolutely devastating Lyme can be to all parts of the body--the brain, heart, muscles, joints, organs.

But that shouldn't prevent you from living [a] life of adventure and joy..."

The Best of Chronic Lyme Summit, hosted by Dr. Jay Davidson is offering another free week of access. Just click here to get access and learn how you can avoid, recognize, or treat Lyme disease. 


While much helpful medical and practical information can be gleaned from the resources above, please do not think that I endorse every idea or worldview represented.

May Flowers 2019

May = Mother's Day & Memorial Day = The busiest sales weeks of the greenhouse year!

This year we pulled our little camper over to stay and help the Friday and Saturday before Mother's Day.

Thursday night we had to cover the outdoor plants for yet another stiff frost.

Friday and Saturday we worked as much as we could manage to help keep up with the rush of customers. It was exhausting, and the exposure to so many perfumes and flower-pollens is certainly taking recovery-time. But it's worth it!

Quite a contrast with the same view less than two month prior!

March 22nd

One more improvement I have seen continuing more often than not since our weeks in Florida is the ability to be on my feet more. But working this weekend broke all my step-count records for the past five years!

I have rarely made it to 2,000 steps on the best days these years.

2 miles used to be a quick exercise plan - down and up our gravel road.
Now it is an amazing sign of God's healing in my body!

Spring Flowers 2019

March 22nd - Visiting the Greenhouses

Elsa and I can't spend too much time in the fragrant greenhouses without our masks.

Jason keeps expanding his watering systems to try lessen the work load.

So many textures!

So many colors!

Reminds me of viewing the patchwork of fields from an airplane!

Mom and Dad helped with transplanting several days this spring and even took a couple runs to pick up orders 3-4 hours away.

Planting hundreds and thousands of seeds

Trying to avoid mud and snow between the greenhouses

Beginning to fill up another greenhouse!

Craftsman-Dad

Out with Dad's nine-year-old construction-railing 

(which was very nice for being made from pine 2x4's!)...

... and in with his new railing: oak to match the rest of the bakery woodwork.

Dad also crafted the frames for his photography. He even made the stain for them himself!

Marshmallows!

Have I written before of the joy of marshmallows? If so, maybe it's worth repeating. ;-)

When all of our favorite treats and desserts left our lives, we found a recipe to make our own marshmallows from honey, water, salt, and gelatin. These occasionally make our common stevia-sweetened coconut-milk hot-chocolate into something delux!

Even since Elsa had to start the Ketogenic diet, she still savors this treat in the few days each month that she is "carbing-up." 

Back when we rolled the sticky cubes in arrowroot starch, they looked more traditional. But toasted coconut is better for SIBO.

If anyone needs the recipe, just leave a message on this post!

An Earnest Need

'There are briars besetting every path,Which call for patient care;There is a cross in every lot,And an earnest need for prayer.'ANON.