The Hermitage Gardens......

Good Morning Ladies...I wanted to share the rest of my pictures of ...The Hermitage Gardens with you...such a beautiful place...so serene ...

This bird feeder was interesting...if you look closely the decoration was created with "Bicycle Tires"...they put one under the feeder...then unrolled one to let it spiral underneath....so clever

Mrs. Sloan the owner of Hermitage House had a passion for Mill Stones...she collected them from all over the country...then created spaces in her gardens with them...

This is one of the views across the water from The Hermitage...

A portrait of Mrs. Sloan....

I hope you enjoyed peeking at these Gardens with me....I have some chores to do this morning so I better get to it...I enjoyed spending this time with you....have a wonderful day...I wish you blessings and hugs till next time...Karena

We Didn't Know It Was Closed....Neither Did They....

Good Morning girls...yesterday my sweetie and I went to this museum very near our home..."The Hermitage" is an incredible place ...it sits on the water ...it was built by the Sloan family back in the late 1900's...I hadn't been since we moved back to Virginia...yesterday seemed like the perfect day to visit...

I had almost forgotten the amazing grounds...the detail of craftsmanship...built with impeccable care and ... CREATIVITY...as we approached the front entrance we realized the INSIDE tours were closed ...sadly we looked at each other...now what...my sweetie said we can still walk the Gardens...which is exactly what we did....

Have you ever experienced a "Devinne Appointment" you didn't even know you had....well yesterday as we meandered the outside of the house we "Bumped" into such a moment...Straight from the Heavens...

As we followed the brick path around this bend we came on some beautiful architecture at the back of the house...I started taking pictures....as I clicked away a couple came walking up on us...we smiled at them...they smiled at us...we said hello...so did they...then we each went our separate way...

We continued our outside tour of this wonderful place....the carving in the roof line...the combination of brick and shingles was breathtaking...always my FAVORITE LOOK for a house...big or small

This little "bump out" of a room was PRECIOUS...I loved it...

We kept walking ...taking everything in..enjoying the views...the water...the PEACE that surrounded us...it was so nice to be together...we came around a corner to find the couple we had said hello to earlier sitting on a bench...my hubby said hello again ...left my side to begin a closer conversation...I kept taking pictures ...then joined them ...simple enough ....just being friendly...but somewhere in that moment ....without a sound the Holy Spirit fell on All of us...before we knew it we were sharing that "HEAVENLY APPOINTMENT" I mentioned ....the Lord had a purpose in our meeting...sharing..and encouraging one another...I was blessed from head to toe...I was humbled by the prophetic insights they so graciously shared....I found myself opening a door to my heart to these two...strangers in the worlds eyes...family in God's kingdom...I was encouraged...affirmed...and reminded how PASSIONATE our heavenly father is about us....the Sweet Fragrance of that love was present yesterday....in an unexpected way...on a spontaneous day of fellowship...not one of us had planned....

I just want to remind you lovely ladies today....where ever you are in your journey...however your spending your time TODAY...

You are LUXURIOUSLY LOVED...watched over....cared about...and TREASURED...

The window of your soul is exactly that....our Heavenly Father ....SEE'S CLEARLY...your need...the secret longings of your soul...you are precious in his sight....I think your pretty swell as well.......I pray you all have a BRILLIANT day....till next time..blessings and hugs.....Karena

 P.S. If your reading this you sweet faces....bless you today too....(You know who you are)....

That Girl Can Cook....

Hi girls...I am later posting this morning ...my sweetie is home today so my schedule is "looser" then normal....we are going to go to a museum in a bit so my post will be short...recently my daughter and her sweetie asked us to come for dinner...a "Comfort Food Extravaganza" is what we were told....

I took some pictures since this was the first meal in their new home...she had everything laid out in the kitchen when we arrived...dessert was already in progress...

I had given A.M. one of Paula Deen's "Lady and Son's" cook books...so she decided to take some of recipes from it ...the fried chicken was Paula's as was the dessert...A.M. chose legs to fry....what's more comforting then a fried chicken leg...

Nothing unless you include mashed potatoes...southern style green beans...and gravy....yum...

This chicken SMELLED HEAVENLY COOKING...

BUT....It tasted even better...the promise of a COMFORT FOOD EXTRAVAGANZA was an understatement...let me tell you ...my baby girl can cook...her sweetie is no slouch either...he made the string beans southern style with bacon...vinegar ...and butter...DELICIOUS...

THIS...is dessert...it may look plain but let me tell you it was AMAZING...the name of this (I think) is Gooey cake also from Paula Deen's cookbook..let me just say ....YOU NEED TO TRY IT...I think if you type that into Google it will pop up...

We had a wonderful time...I hope you all have a great day...hugs and blessings from me to you....till next time...Karena

Sunday Blessings....

Good Sunday Morning girls....how are you this bright fall day....I was thinking this morning about the quiet....peaceful...freedom Sunday .... offers us....the word says the Lord rested on the 7th day...ever since I was little Sunday has been a day of "Praise"...as I was remembering ALL the special Sunday's in my life I found myself getting a little homesick for the Church's I grew up in...so I visited them...on line of course....the picture above is the "Sacred Heart Chapel" the Catholic church in Southern California constructed years ago ...this church was and is so charming...with cathedral style rafters...exposed wood paneling  ...  stone and rock walls... the combination of wood ..stone.. candles and incense created a wonderful scent ....the smell of this chapel still lingers in my mind....

This is the inside...you can see the beautiful stone work...the stained glass windows were wonderful...this chapel was built long before the "Big Church" was built in the 50's...below is "Sacred Heart" the church we really grew up knowing as our spiritual home....my sister was married here...all our children were baptized here...my daughter went to school here...and yes...our parents were eulogized here...it is a lovely church...it's comforting to think back on...

You can't tell from this Picture but the aisle is so long...the ceilings so high...I have memories of kneeling when I was 7 years old staring at the beautiful cross of Jesus...I would look so hard....sometimes.... I believed he looked down and smiled at me...(maybe he did)...one of the glorious things about Sunday's is the urge to spend time outdoors...

Yesterday we had M again for the day....this little angel is so much fun to spend time with...it was a beautiful fall day.... when she arrived we were outside ....she wanted to help us "Garden" so we stayed out front for some time enjoying EVERYTHING....

The first thing M found was this rock...we washed it off to put it somewhere special...she decided sitting it on the high spot in our bird bath was PERFECT....

Her next WONDER ....were the exposed root's from the tree in our front yard...M told me they were bird nests...(we looked at all of them)...

 M wanted to help me plant a special flower she picked from my Mum bush...this was so precious..she brought me the flower so I could plant it...I suggested she was grown up enough to do it herself...she happily agreed...so we "poked" a hole in the dirt...and she planted it "JUST RIGHT"...

She was concerned as she stepped back to admire her handy work....that the flowers were dry...she was focused on helping me water ALL the flowers ...she said "Gigi...they are ALL thirsty...they need a drink"...she reminded me what a WONDER everything is when were small...(and not so small)...I had a wonderful time with her...

 

So girls...how are you going to spend your Sunday afternoon...I hope whatever you do this day is FILLED with LIGHT...the twinkling light that warms your heart with joy... peace...AND contentment....I wish you blessings and hugs...till next time......Karena

Weeping Willows...Don't Cry....(do they??)...

Good Morning girls...I was up early today...before the sun woke up...I was outside with Terza looking around the yard...eventually my eyes fell on our neighbors Weeping Willow tree...I started thinking about how this tree ever received it's name...as I thought I realized the willow tree is a fascinating part of our earthly garden...

The first time I heard the name I was a child...I can remember asking "Momma Willow trees don't really cry do they"...for some reason way back then my heart was protective...I wanted to know about this tree....I was instantly concerned about it's well being..

Marmie ...(I called my mom Marmie)... said I should read about it...ask my teacher...find out whatever I could about how the Willow got it's name... from that moment on It was my FAVORITE tree...I think the Willow is beautiful....it moves  like natures "ballerina"...PEACEFULLY bending...leaning into the wind with her long leafy arms...praising the Creator with every branch...

There's a life lesson  we can take  from our friend the Willow..when the winds of change start blowing through our lives ...big or small...we can choose to BEND WITH THE BREEZE...we can stand strong turn our face towards the sun...or rain...take a deep breath...and bend.....leaning into our circumstances with a special knowing that it will pass...the winds don't blow forever......we can't see what causes it to blow ....still...it can be fun... even if  it knocks us off our feet....

I hope the next time the wind starts blowing in my life...I remember to LEAN IN...RELAX...AND ENJOY THE FEELING...

It was so nice of you to stop by ...I pray you each have a wonderful Friday...a fun weekend too ..I will be thinking of you blessings and big hugs.....Karena

"Happy ....Happy....Birthday..."

Good Morning girls...today I am celebrating the birth of my daughter...my best friend...my angel...Happy Birthday sweet one...thank you for making me a ....MOMMA...I praise God for choosing me to be your mommy 32 years ago today...

I wanted to share with you girls some of the favorites my daughter and I share...first off both of us are "OVER THE MOON" when fall arrives...she is a BIG FAN OF FALL...

She grew up on Yankee Candles....before they ever came in jars...I bought them in cans...Yankee called them "Cannikens"....

We spent many happy days together at Disneyland when you were growing up A.M.H. do you remember...just you and me...the original Gilmore Girls...

You loved to see the new shipments of "Lizzie High's" when they came in when I managed "From the Heart"...

Temperature's in the 70's and below make us SMILE

Nothing made your grandma happier then hearing you play Moonlight Sonata on the piano...you play it so beautifully

This little "chic" should stand out in your memory....she has been in our family for over 25 years...from my days at the "Country Store"....I swear A.M.H.....the best days of my life .....my all time happiest moments... are days that we can spend ...laughing...talking..sewing....anything we do together is always ...BRILLIANT....SO ENJOY YOUR DAY ANGEL...I LOVE YOU.....

Taking Time ....To Try Things On....

When I bought my Net book (I call her Nettie) a year and a half ago...one of the first things my daughter wanted to do for me was find a "SKIN" to have on top to dress her up....we sat looking on her computer at a site that offered hundreds of styles...colors...backgrounds...it was a bit overwhelming....we narrowed it down  when we decided to look at my very favorite thing... flowers...specifically Roses....when I asked her if they had any with pink Roses...we found a Winner right away...she bought this for me  ...I was so excited to put it on ...it felt just right....it was ME....in the same vain.....I have been thinking about my blog...the fact that I'm a Newbie with almost zero computer experience...or knowledge...or understanding of basic skill sets...LET ALONE BLOGGING KNOW HOW...doesn't mean I can't find the perfect fit for.. ME...RIGHT..?..if you have been SO kind in the past 7 months as to follow "A Loblolly Life" then it has been apparent to you that I've been trying new backgrounds....fonts...layouts....writing style's...I have been trying things on to find myself...I want to be me...even when I may feel a little "SCARED"... ..I 've been thinking  recently that as a reader it may be frustrating to stop by Loblolly and find yet another New Look....here's my explanation..I need to LEARN the art of blogging....the only way "I" can do that is to try new things...how to find backgrounds...make buttons...grab text's...etc...etc...You all are so AMAZING with your post's...your insights..talent...it also can be a little overwhelming...similar to the longing we had as teens to HANG OUT WITH THE COOL GIRLS....I wanted to share this with you all to say this....I AM GOING TO EMBRACE this wonderful blogging experience ....I am going to love myself through the learning process...I am going to be smile as I share my heart...I will be brave and dive in....true to the name of my blog ....I will continue to learn even if at times it is off kilter...or Loblolly as I try to find the best fit...my prayer is...that you all will continue to bless me with your visits...comments...and friendship...I am so happy to be here....and very blessed that you all come by to visit..any insight or suggestions you may have would be appreciated........I have included some pictures I thought you might like....I will sign off for now... blessings and  big hugs to each of you.......Karena

You probably can't tell.....but that's me under this pip of a quilt ..."Pondering"...

....SUCH A FACE...