Sunday, July 18, 2010

What is true beauty in a person?


Mother-Teresa-collage
Originally uploaded by Peta-de-Aztlan

Recently a lady friend of mine confided that her friend told her that he was horrified and depressed when he looked in the mirror. He told her that his eyes are small and his face is covered in wrinkles.

I told my friend that I am sure that God doesn't make junk. There is beauty every where.

Wise men know this and have written "Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, precious kind that God delights in." 1 Peter 3:4 The Message

I find many attractive people in our culture like Jonathan Rhys Myers, Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, and the classic beauties like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. Yet, Audrey wrote this:

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.
- Audrey Hepburn, actress

That is why this post has a photo of one of the most beautiful people who has ever lived,in my opinion, Mother Teresa.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Zebras everywhere!


Zebras everywhere!
Originally uploaded by BrianScott

Do you love zebras too?
I think each zebra is beautiful and unique, and it has been said that God shows a sense of humor in his creation of zebras, and giraffes, among other animals. The Duck-billed platypus has to make me giggle too.
Ah zebras. Let's enjoy their beauty and protect them.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

True love and a home-grown tomato


Heirloom tomatoes
Originally uploaded by slambo_42

"There's nothin' finer in life than true love and a home-grown tomato." -- Gary Ibsen. The Great Tomato Book, 1999.

Does this guy know what he is talking about? I definitely agree with him.


Do you plant a variety of tomatoes each year? I always do, with cherry tomatoes, Early Girl, Big Boy, and then some new to me, like Stupice and Zebra.

In my area, where we don't get ideal huge amounts of heat and sun, I sometimes plant San Francisco Fog, varieties from Russia, and Stupice which is from Poland. Cherry tomatoes do well here.

Some lucky folks from hotter areas have already harvested their tomatoes. Mine are still green and the stuff of dreams.

Of course I also plant basil and oregano to perfect future tomato salads.

What varieties of tomatoes do you favor?

Friday, July 9, 2010

my post on my Christmas blog

Rebecca of http://rebecca-gatheryeroses.blogspot.com is so sweet to tell me I can post this picture from her blog here today. The kitten is so cute, and the swirling snow, which I miss .I grew up in Wisconsin and now live in mild California. I am celebrating Christmas in July as my co-authors and I rev up our blog based on our book about Christmas. My first post there this season is today, July 9, and is about a family camping trip to the Florida Everglades one Christmas many years ago. Please pop over and take a look at http://scrapbookofchristmasfirsts.blogspot.com

Thursday, July 8, 2010

A Regal Lion


Dr Pepper sign - vim, vigor and vitality
Originally uploaded by yumievriwan

Isn't this lion regal? Is he a bit sad too?
I love lions, both the wild lions in Africa and the lion Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.
The African Wildlife Foundation is a great group that protects these noble animals. I am a member and the group can be found at www.awf.org

Monday, July 5, 2010

Christmas in July and our Christmas tips blog


Many of you know that I co-authored a book titled "Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday". For the third year we are posting 5 days a week, beginning July 5, with ideas about celebrating the holiday at http://scrapbookofchristmasfirsts.blogspot.com

Stacie wrote a great blog post about my Christmas book. Thank you Stacie for your enthusiasm about the book and please visit this link where you can also read her tips about preparing for Christmas early.
http://sincerelystacie.blogspot.com/2010/06/just-6-months-away.html

On Amazon.com you CAN look inside our book by clicking on that "click to look inside" note, and you will see that our book is full color on each and every page, and is a hardcover book, priced at a reasonable $12 or $13. But the "click here" doesn't work on my blog. Oh well, you can see the pretty cover and it sparkles with silver stars.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Meyer Lemon Tree For Me


Meyer Lemon Tree
Originally uploaded by meganpru

Whee, Happy Birthday USA, and lucky me!
I bought a Meyer Lemon tree today, and when one of our sons comes over, he will plant it.
I already have a seven year old Meyer lemon in a half wine barrel planter, which gives a few lemons a year, and I have high hopes for this new baby, which will be planted in the ground.
Lemon trees have it all: gorgeous fruit, lovely scented flowers, pretty all year round. The fruit of the Meyer lemon is thin skinned and sweeter than the Eureka and other full size trees.
The Meyer will grow 5 to 10 feet tall at maturity and loves full sun.
Welcome to my house, noble little tree.
What is your most fun recent garden purchase?