Memorial Day Weekend....

It's a pleasant temperature this morning I went out in the garden as I do every morning since spring arrived to check the flowers...fill the bird feeders...water.. and BREATH...this is a tree that presented itself in front of my "Garden Angel" she is made out of an old shutter...some banister castoffs as arms with a fence topper for her head...I love her I thought it was brilliant the tree decided to grow right in front of her....

We have a long stretch of ground beside our driveway...this year my sweetie and I have been working together to "pluck" it up...we've planted flowers...moved some from the back yard to the front working at this space like a big puzzle...

On the left side by the back porch my daughter brought a berry bush over last spring for me to babysit while she and her sweetie were in Hawaii....after she got home the plant was doing so well where I placed it she said "Momma will you keep it here for us...it's so happy there" so it has been sitting in this spot through summer fall and  winter ...now with a kiss of spring and sunshine the berries are plumping up with a deep reddish black color to them...when they're ready she will come over ...together we will pick them so she can bring them home...(if we don't eat them all as we're picking)...

Here is a shot of the garden looking down the drive towards the garage...we added the piece of lattice last weekend we planted  a Hibiscus bush in front...the flowers are so beautiful

This is the rest of it looking toward the front of our property...the bird bath in the middle is full all day long of bird friends taking a moment to wash up...or just get a fresh drink of cool water

We have a tiny little wren that's living in this bird house...she's a light brown with tan wings tiny feet to perch with she's ...perfectly suited to this "space" she's a hard worker too ..taking time to clean her nest almost daily...I've yet to capture a picture of her ....not for a lack of trying...I've sat quiet as a mouse more then a few times to get her picture ..I'll keep trying

The time I've spent in the garden this spring has been a wonderful gift...it's been a sanctuary of healing for me physically and spiritually...hours of turning soil planting seeds finding little treasures the birds have left me...I step back ...look at the space I'm working in and ...IMAGINE....

I hope you girls have a spectacular weekend...enjoy your Memorial Day too...thank you so much for stopping by till next time blessings and big hugs....Karena

Reflecting On My Tomorrow's....

I've been gone for almost a month again....not for any reason other then I've been in a quiet reflective mood...I have felt as if my "VOICE" for Loblolly was gone I sat down many mornings to post....only to find myself with nothing to say....I couldn't find any words only silence ... ... day by day I regain  my HEALTH...making friends with things that are different ...I  have been getting stronger everyday ...my "zipper" scar from the surgery is almost disappearing...all my other scars are healed....I struggle with Shingles again....but have returned to the Nuca Care Chiropractor which seems to be helping...thank God

I have spent hours talking to my savior...seeking my purpose ....he saved me for a reason...

I think when we go through something really BIG in our lives...when our world quakes....we need to treat ourselves with care...it's easy to tend the body...it is the immediate need....when I came home from the hospital I was aware I had some work to do emotionally too....

Some day's I felt like a lawn that needed tending...suddenly unkempt beneath faded edges ....the blades of grass are strong and green....you know it's going to take time to  tidy up...but when your done it will be BETTER...

I am going to promise myself to be authentic with my sweet blog...to share my voice even when there seems to be nothing MONUMENTAL to share ...that's okay....I have to trust my still small voice...give myself permission to SPEAK ...even if I am worried no one will visit Loblolly....Ineed to post anyway...because I love my blog I like to think of you girls out there sitting in your homes ......or in your gardens reading Loblolly ...these weeks have taught me to embrace the things that bring me... Joy....What a precious gift life is ..... thank you for stopping by...till next time blessings and big hugs....Karena

Taking A Minute To Say Hello....

Good Morning....I didn't realize so much time had gone by since my last post..the days roll in and out ...one after the other ...before I know it weeks have gone by...

I do have some good news to share...I am back "BEHIND THE WHEEL"....I drove myself this week to my doctor's appointment I know you all understand what a blessing it was to be independent again ...as a celebration I changed some things around in the house like this Victorian bowl...it was sitting on a plate stand on top of my pantry in our kitchen ...I decided to move it to the other side of the window hanging it on the wall ...

This tray was in the attic...we cleaned it up to put on the coffee table in the living room ...It looks good and gives me a surface to put my ivy ....so the table top is protected..

I love architectural pieces...I also love moss ...real and pretend I think it is a great way to bring a bit of nature inside without worrying about it "living" I had a globe I purchased at World Market a few years ago...I also had 2 sheets of pretend moss I decided to cover the globe with them to put in my pink urn...with a little patience it worked...I love it...

I found these adorable toil towels at Tuesday Morning a year or so ago...they hang on the side of the cabinet I use as an island in the center of our kitchen...

Over my sink these little plants sit ...they entertain me every time I stand here...

I also changed the look of our fireplace mantel and the picture on the wall ....this is another of my Marty Bell prints...it looks summery and fresh...I think spurts of creativity is something to celebrate too...the ability we have to create a "feeling" with cherished bits and pieces is really special...I am always thrilled when I see in my minds eye a NEW way to style a nook or cranny....some corner of our home that needs some attention...It is always the thing that fills my heart with joy....lots & lots of JOY...               Well girls that's it for this post...till next time ...thank you for stopping by....blessings and big hugs.....Karena

                               

 

 

Some of My FAVORITE Things....

Good morning girls...whew...I had no idea allowing myself "time" to heal would be so hard...or take SO MUCH PATIENCE...I have been a little under the weather this week with the flu of all things...Sunday my sweetie and I went to church for the first time in months...it was so nice to be in my fathers house again...

After church my thoughtful husband asked If I'd like to have brunch at a favorite place of ours...so off we went to enjoy the beautiful warm sunny afternoon over some good food....no sooner did I take the last bite on my plate I started to feel ..."that feeling"...you know the one...that "ooh I want to be home " feeling...

So instead of checking out a new Nursery near our house...(one of our favorite things to do)....we headed home ...I have been under the covers almost all week...I started feeling better yesterday...on top of dealing with my body just needing to rest and heal from all it's been through this last 6 months...I'm keeping a positive attitude though...I'm thankful to live the process...

Since I don't have lot's of exciting things to share with you or places I've been to talk about I thought I'd share some pic's of some of my favorite things...just a sprinkling of things around our humble home that bring me joy...a smile...and feed my soul...

Some of my favorite books...some of which are dogeared from LOTS OF USE...

This is a favorite petite wall clock in my kitchen....it's a Time Works clock left over from our store in NC...I saved it because the color...shape...and small styling grabbed me...I enjoy looking at it MANY times during my day...well girls I guess that's it for today...I hope you all have a great day...till next time big hugs and blessings too....Karena

Helping To Spread The Word....

Hi girls...I was checking my email found one from "Chez Fifi"....her new magazine will be out in two weeks...yep the long awaited "Romantic Prairie Style" is on it's way....I am personally really excited about it...I loved the book (even though it took eons to find it)...it was worth the wait. I don't have a lot to say beyond this tid bit of news this post but I will be back soon to chat...I hope you have a splendid day....thanks for popping in....till next time blessings and big hugs...Karena

Tuesday Morning Tellings....

Good Morning Everyone....we had such a nice Easter Sunday....when we went out to the garden Sunday morning we were greeted by this  Iris....isn't it BEAUTIFUL....I snapped the picture first thing so I could always have the memory of this first bloom...then it was on to the rest of our Easter preparations...there was a table cloth for the table...with the umbrella to create some shade...watering to do and the inside to tend to....I am blessed to say the Lord gave me strength to do all these things (with my sweeties help of course)...almost everything was done when the fam arrived

The weather was stellar...clear..warm...a bit breezy...FABULOUS...my niece came and got a blanket from me to lay on the grass for egg coloring....everyone participated (almost)....these are some of the treasures they created...it made me so happy to see these colorful works of "egg art"...our little M who just turned 5 led the festivities with joy and wonder....

Aren't they pretty....

We all gathered around the table at dinner to eat ham....roasted potatoes....Italian green beans...salad...and rolls...it was delicious...thank you to my daughter and her sweetie for preparing the food...I took it easy....only needed to cook the string beans ....dinner was great...the day was long ...we even had time for a fire in the outdoor fireplace...when all was said and done even the squirrels had a good time...I hope your Easter was equally fabulous ....I have to take on my day...but before I go thank you for stopping by....till next time ....blessings and big hugs...Karena

Easter is Almost Here....

Good Morning everyone...I am up early this morning it's slow going getting my sleep pattern's back to normal...but I am WORKING AT IT....I woke up realizing Easter Sunday is this weekend our family will come here for dinner ...hopefully we will have GREAT WEATHER...

These pictures are of a table top rose bush I have that is blooming it's little heart out...I took my camera out with me yesterday as I was walking my laps in the yard...after finishing I snapped these roses they were so pretty and delicate..as I waited for my camera to focus I realized what a testament to life flowers are...

They push forth from their stems leaf growth...height ...then their crowning glory of petals...color...scent...and structure standing tall ...bending when the breezes blow...they don't shrink back from the occasional honey bee or hide from rain drops that appear to come down from the clouds so furiously it seems as though the tiny drops of water will destroy the petals...but they DON'T....the rain drops come...the rose's reach up ...lean in....and welcome the rain ...almost as if they have some knowing place that the water will do them much more good then harm...

I was encouraged by this passing revelation...like a life lesson I needed ...I have the same quality's of strength and perseverance as our flower friend's...I can stand tall....all 4' 11" inches of me...lean in and wait on my heavenly father to renew my spirit...my body...my future...because he gave them to me...I praise him for that thought...for our Savior...for the special renewing time of year this is...all of nature seems to feel it...waking up all around us...reminding us that all things have a season...and new things will come...the garden's of our life will burst with new growth...fill our ears with bird songs and maybe even gift us with bunny friends...(ours was back at dusk last night...I didn't see her yet but my sweetie did)

I pray you all have a stunning Easter Sunday sweet friends...till next time I thank you so much for visiting today...blessings and BIG hugs...Karena