Spring Around The House // Bunnies, Plants and Eggs

Spring has sprung around our little place and with it comes new beauty, fresh greenness and plenty of song birds.

 

Oh, and a heavy dose of spring fever.

 

I've been itching the last several weeks for the colder days to pass; while I wait, I have been making tiny adjustments in our apartment. I think wiping the dust from our homes, airing out rooms and decorating in simple ways is an excellent way to usher in the joys of spring.

 

 

In the kitchen, two bunnies (Mr. Salt + Miss Pepper) have found their way on the bakers wrack. A little jar is filled with flowering weeds a little friend gave me a few days ago.

 

While I wash dishes the (deliciously yummy!) scent of eucalyptus wafts from the front window. I found a bunch for $2.99 at Trader Joes. :)

 

Tiny spring touches have come to the living room. Do you remember the spray-painted branches I made in February? They are now "blooming" with yellow and white tissue paper blossoms.

 

(Heeheehe, you may also see dirty laundry waiting to be watched. Ooops! :)

 

A little rocking chair was recently given to us by sweet friends ... I love my new seat as it is perfect for my height! (No more tippy-toe rocking for me! :) The chalkboards have phrases like "Alleluia" and "Abundant Mercy" scribbled over them in an effort to bring Resurrection Sunday to mind.

 

The rest of the living room is decorated with tiny pastel colored eggs from Hobby Lobby. Dalton enjoyed tucking them into different places around the house. He is such a cutie. :)

 

Out the door our flower bed is beginning to grow -- since this is our first spring here I am unsure as to what will be coming up but I think we have some roses, daffodils and tulips among the mix.

 

Last week I enjoyed laying new mulch over the dead leaves. Our neighbors (who are avid gardeners) were so kind in offering their bags of mulch and soil. Lord willing, D and I will try to grow some veggies in containers along the small driveway.

 

Does anyone know what this little beauty is?

 

Look closely and you will see our friends Miss Dove, Mr. Squirrel and three different feathered ones enjoying the bird feeder my daddy gave for Christmas.

 

I would *love* to see how you are ushering springtime into your homes and lives. Are you spring cleaning? Redecorating? Finishing finals? Trading in hot drinks for summer time treats like iced coffee?

 

Tell me what's going on -- I'd love to know!

 

With lots of love, blessings and hugs,

Downtown Travels | Jefferson City in Snow

 

I really enjoy Jefferson City.

 

 

Surrounded by beautiful country, the city seems to have the perfect mixture of old-fashioned beauty and modern convenience.

 

I especially enjoy living only two miles from the Capital; Dalton often drops me off on his way to work. I walk along the library, pass shops and eventually through the Capital building. It is always open for touring.  

 

The Governor's Mansion is truly beautiful. Behind it hides a Greek-themed garden planted years ago by the Governor's wife and several working prisoners. In the spring dog-wood blossoms and tulips greet everyone who pass by while several fountains have children (and adults) smiling.

 

When I wrote this two weeks ago the the city was cold and laden with small snowy piles.

 

On my latest walk I discovered a little museum tucked along the street; maybe our next date day can take us here. Our favorite pizza place isn't very far away ... ;)

 

 

Behind me are several railroad tracks and, even further, the Missouri River.

 

One day I plan to write a post about falling in love with a new city; sometimes it can be challenging adapting to a new home. Thankfully, the capital of Missouri seemed to have no trouble winning my heart and making me feel at home. :)

 

Do you enjoy where you are living? Is it more country or city? Did you ever have a difficult move? I would love to hear your stories.

 

With love and blessings,

Travels o'er Thanksgiving

             This Thanksgiving week has been full of joy, land, and laughter. Last August my sister joined a class which, upon graduation, would produce certified National Park rangers. After many hard hours, some disappointments, and lots of pt time, she and her classmates graduated. How proud I am to see her work so hard and finish this class; she passed difficult tests, proved to be in the 95^thpercentile for shooting, and learned how to do 180 turns in a police car. Congratulations, Allie!!! May the LORD lead you in your new career!

 

              In order to see my sister, my family and I drove from our little town in Missouri to the rugged land of Arizona. It has been such a great trip--we started off later in the evening (something we won’t do again J) and drove the 20 hours almost non-stop. Oi, were we ever tired! But I loved traveling with my family, bugging my brother, guessing Disney songs with Dad, and making bologna sandwiches (that’s another post for another time!).

Of course there were those unavoidable but perfectly human moments which occur in every trip. Fatigue. McDonalds overload. Listening to Mom’s favorite 80’s love songs. My favorite quote of the trip?

“I don’t know why I am cranky!” --Dad

But how I loved traveling through New Mexico and spotting my first cactuses. J I loved seeing the red rocks of Sedona and observing the many cultures within this area.

Today, we journeyed to the Grand Canyon. What a ruggedly, beautiful land. How I admire the peoples who inhabited this dry environment.

Quotes heard while walking:

Little Boy: "WHY do we have to take SO MANY PICTURES??!!" (spoken in a raging, naughty six year-old voice)

Little Girl: While sitting in a random log along the path: "Why do you think they put it there?"

Mother: "I think they put it right there for you."   

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lovely, blessed trip!

 

 

"Look at this one, Frannie!"

 

CAPTION:

Those wonderful moments full of color, laughter, and love.

A jaunt around Arizona territory--more pictures  to come.

Daily Joys.

Hello! Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father! How are each of you? Busy with summer gardens, fun and work? Life around the Halbert household has been quite full yet in a very pleasant way. Amid the stifling sweat-creating heat I have seen many blessings unfold. Isn't true that no matter what the season--in weather or in personal life--there are always blessings to be found? I thought I would drop in and share a few with you. :o)

1. This couple.

Oops, no I mean the couple below.

. . .

American Gothic was painted by Grant Wood.

Hmm. No. . .I'm referring to the cute couple even farther down.

Ah, much better. :o) Yes, this is reason #1 for why I love living in Missouri. Meet my examples of virtue and love, Mum and Papi--the rulers, guides, caretakers and gentle-hands which run our place. Please do not mistake me, I have always been blessed to have parents who love the Lord and who have sought to train us to love Jesus. However, since moving to Missouri I have seen God work miracles. He is the binder and the healer. He has rekindled a love--a godly love. A love which is forgiving, patient, slow to anger and quick to kindness. A love which inspires. Since moving to Missouri I have seen a marriage develop which, Lord willing, I would love to imitate one day. And so, dear ones, the sweet couple above is reason #1 of why I love Missouri.

2. Reason number two for why I am falling for Missouri is . . .

Cricket's insatiable chorus. Wild kittens beginning to trust.

Beautiful sunsets. Cattle on a thousand Ozark hills. Bass in a pond.

Crystal clear swimming holes. Mailboxes at the end of a driveway. Friendly cowboy-boot wearing locals.

Warm, summer air. Homemade, fish-line weight plumb lines suspended from bothersome, ill-placed trees. :o)

These are a few of my Favorite things. 

3. One final blessing of living in Missouri is its location. While I truly loved the state of Alaska, it's far-far-away position made traveling to family and friends very difficult. Yet, Missouri has proved otherwise. Grandma and Grandpa can swing down from corn-field Illonois for roast beef on Mother's Day while we can drive to Smokey Mountain Tennessee for a dear friend's wedding. What a blessing.

So, what are a few of your blessings? Is it the comfort of one's homemade zucchini muffins (hello Sonja!), the joy of two rambunctious felines crowding freshly washed material (greetings Miss Linda!) or is it the excitement over family research (blessings Mrs. Adams)? Ahem, or maybe it is the excitement of making and giving away a beautiful apron, Miss Shannon?  Hint, Hint! :o)

May the LORD bless each of you as you begin a new week!

With a smile,

Frannie

Blackberry Picking

Greetings! Yesterday we were blessed to have our good friends over for a blackberry-picking fest. We started with supper and then went out in the evening.

Daddy and our good friend Mr. T sitting before a scrumptious and energizing meal of tater tot casserole, salad and garlic sticks is served.

Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

Off we go!

A young lady having fun.

Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.

At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.

Our young friend avoiding the thorns.

He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

Mr. T creating a path.

He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.

My sister's beautiful smile next to beautiful berries!

The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.

My good daddy picking.

The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

 

Mrs. T, Mommy and Allie helping one another.

Our reward!

That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

Mmm. . .Mrs. T brought a delicious homemade pound cake. What a perfect combination for vanilla icecream and blackberries. :9

Yummy!

That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. 

Psalm 104

 

Thank you all for reading! It is such a blessing to be in God's world--He alone is responsible for such beauty and life. 

Your sister in Christ,

Frannie