Sunshine

We don't lack sunshine in the state of Utah! In fact, sunscreen is a necessity here to prevent burns. This picture was taken at Spring Canyon in Southwestern Utah. Southern Utah is host to many of the most beautiful National and State Parks, canyons, gorges, red rocks, and geological wonders in the country. Having them practically in my back yard makes me appreciate the wonder and beauty of nature. I couldn't think of a better place to be!

June in my neck of the woods

I did not go anywhere today... yeah! It was a lazy day. I got up at 8:00 a.m. (which took some effort), took my camera outside and wandered around my place taking shots of views and things that show off the month of June in our neck of the woods. 

As I made my way around the house and yard, I thought of a dozen random things about my husband and I. So... not only will you see what's going on in our neck of the woods, you will read some randomness about us, as well.  

I made up for last year on flowers. And the yard is in its third season, so the perennials are starting to fill in nicely.

The old fashioned soda cooler that sits on its own stand was converted into a plant holder this year. I like it! I placed a hanging basket of colorful wave petunia's in it and it seems to be very happy. And it's a great guest greeter.











Random fact #1

The hubs (Farmer D) likes plants and trees that produce fruits and vegetables... it all about the money!

I like pretty plants... like flowers. I don't need money. Farmer D takes care of that.  I just need pretty to make me happy! 

Although I do love to eat fresh picked fruit and veggies from the garden and orchard. There's nothing better than that! Farmer D likes to sell them... I like to eat them!

Last year's geranium was brought inside last year. It thrived very well and I was able to put it back out on the front porch again this year. The flowers were red last year... white this year. Not sure how that happened. 

I planted some zinnias in an old tool box.

A rod iron planter hangs on the side porch. 

I have red and yellow roses blooming in the yard.

Flower pot holding purple petunias sits on the lower patio. I love it because it was Shaniel's, my daughter who passed away 4 months ago.

Daisies are my favorite flower. They were used as the main flower in my wedding bouquet (1975). 

They were Shaniel's favorite flower, as well. I am so happy to see them spring up all over my yard. Now that she has passed to the other side, it gives me great comfort in seeing them.. and that they are thriving so well.

Shaniel's Garden..

A special garden, just for my angel daughter, is in its beginning stages. A beautiful pergola is the foundation. We planted wisteria and golden chain trees this Spring. It will take them a few years to reach the top of the pergola and start filling in the slats on top. The wisteria is purple (Shaniel's favorite color, and the golden chain tree is yellow). Foundation planting will come next year. An old washtub (painted blue) was filled to the brim with beautiful purple and white flowers and plants. It is so beautiful. 

I love my Shaniel garden and can't wait to see it grow up. I will be surrounded with beautiful coverings, flowers, plants, and an angel. It will be my space to think about a special daughter and feel her beauty all around me.



Farmer D will not be here this summer, so I got to plant my vegetable garden my way. I didn't want to work too hard, so I planted some peppers and tomato plants in some containers just on the edge of the patio. Other plants are along the edge of the grass and in between rows of fruit trees. No watering them! The irrigation and sprinkler system will take care of that problem.

We had a hard freeze this Spring which froze most of our cherry crop. There is only a hand full on the trees, and what is there, the birds beat us to them. Blasted birds!

I like to watch birds, but they are so annoying and make a mess everywhere. 

The side porch rail is covered in bird poop. The birds discovered a great place to make a nest... on top of the column. 

When I was taking a picture, the birds got all paranoid, starting flying around like bats out of hell, and started dive bombing me. A parent will do anything to protect its young!

Things around the yard..

benches (I obsess over and collect)

watering cans (I obsess.. especially the old ones)

stepping stones the grandkids made

an old wagon wheel (from farmer d's youth)

new cupula on barn

old glory on a 40 ft. pole

waterfall and fire pit for enjoyment... mainly mine, the kids, and grandkids




June views

cherry tree lined driveway

front of house 

looking West from the front yard is Willard Bay

We live on a private road. There is a gravel pit up the road from us. Diesel's go up and down the road all day long. At first it was quite bothersome, but we have gotten used to it. I hardly ever think of them anymore. I got a picture of a truck making its way past the house.

dead lawn problems

 

front yard looking East toward the Wasatch Mountains

blue skies overhead... for awhile anyway

Evening rain. We really need it! I can hear the thunder. But, still,not a drop of rain here on the east side of Willard Bay.

 It's been extremely hot already (high 90's) and very low humidity. The green won't last long at this rate.

Random fact #2

Farmer D hates yard work. He would rather be in the orchard where there's money to be made.  He gets extremely irritated when the sprinklers don't work and the lawn turns brown. He's a perfectionist and wants everything to be working.

I water the dead spot every evening for about 20 minutes. It's starting to green back up but not without a lot of babying! It's mostly my responsibility to take care of the yard. Afterall, I wanted it!

Random fact #3

We have a theater room. Farmer D has acquired a rather large collection of movies and shows. He has them shelved in alphabetical order and has a listing of every movie bought (talk about OCD!) 

He can watch two or three movies a day (when he is home and has the time). I can only watch one movie a week. That's plenty for me.

But one thing we do like .... date night at our local theater and sharing a large drink and nachos and cheese! 

Random fact #4

Farmer D has OCD. He doesn't think so! He has to check a locked door three or four times to make sure it is locked and he can find the slightest chip in the garage floor (it's obvious when he gets down on his hands and knees to inspect and find the chip). He will call me ten times, even if it's across the world, making sure I am following instructions (drives me nuts and stresses me out!)

I don't have OCD. Farmer D thinks I do. I don't know why. I am easy going, cheerful, don't let things bother me, and am usually very flexible. The only thing I obsess about... Farmer D's OCD! Hummmm.....

Random fact #5

I am older than Farmer D by 6 months. So... I am the boss! Why can't he accept that!

Writing prompt #1: List six random facts about you and your husband

Writing prompt #2: show us what June looks like in your neck of the woods

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Strength

Since the death of my daughter 4 months ago, I have often turned to a book entitled For Times of Trouble, Spiritual Solace from the Psalms by Jeffrey R. Holland. The poetic words from the Psalmist brings comfort and solace to my grieving heart.

Page twenty... Psalm 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Jeffrey R. Holland adds to the Psalmist's plea...

Quite regularly in life we all have the personal, even painful need for relief from some kind of despair. We all cry out to our Father in Heaven, "Hear my prayer."

If that relief is not as immediately forthcoming as we would like, we must remember that in those times of distress, God "enlarges" us, makes us grow, makes us stretch, requires more of us than we are wanting (or sometimes willing) to require of ourselves. Our purpose in life is to grow in godly ways, to be enlarged in such virtues as faith, hope, and charity, patience, perseverance  and strength. If that growth must come through sorrow or distress or grief, then so be it. It will be all right in the end. 

I highly recommend this book to those who have need for comfort, guidance, and solace in their times of trouble. A large percentage of the psalms that appear in the Bible were written for just such times of trial and trouble. Jeffrey R. Holland states that "from petitions for relief to acknowledgments of God's power, from pleas to praise, these psalms provide comfort, perspective, and spiritual solace when we are going through our own trials." He explores dozens of scriptural passages from the psalms, offering personal ideas and insights and sharing his testimony that "no matter what the trouble and trial of the day may be, we start and finish with the eternal truth that Go is for us."  His reflections on the psalms provide a powerful witness of that comforting truth.

Waking up to...

I never set my alarm clock. An empty nester has its benefits! I am also a farmer, or rather, a farmer's wife.  I wake up with the sun. Even though I don't get up to do the work in the orchard (I leave that to the expert.. farmer D), I enjoy lying in bed listening to the sounds of early morning life on the farm. I get up when I feel like it!

I love this time of year. The weather is perfect. Late Spring, before the heat of Summer, allows us to open up the windows in the house. The sounds, sights, feel, and smells of quiet country mornings conger up several emotions... peace, freedom, joy, contentment, security, gratitude. They also trigger pleasant and happy memories of days gone by. Days of my youth.

There's nothing better or exhilarating than to feel the cool gentle breeze of the morning air, smell the fresh turned dirt in the orchard and garden, hear the first sounds of country life, and see the sun rise from behind the Wasatch Mountains and watch as it slowly filters in through the East windows of my sitting room. 

The first thing I heard this morning... the start of the the diesel engine and hum of the tractor. Farmer D got up early to cultivate in between the rows of trees. He loves a well groomed, weed free orchard. I love the sound of the tractor at work. There's just something comforting in the sound.. maybe it's like the humming, vibrating sound of a vacuum cleaner to the baby sleeping in her crib.

This morning as the sun made its way over the peak of the large and looming Wasatch Mountains, birds began their early morning chatter. Every now and again, I got a glimpse of one flying by the open window, with an image in my mind, of a worm in its beak. Babies in the nest anxiously awaiting a morning meal. 

Fresh dirt... soil, is one of the best smells I have ever smelled. As the tings of the tractor tilled up the earth, the smell filtered though the air. It easily reached the second story window in my bedroom... bringing a fresh, slightly musty scent from watering. Its odd to describe a clean dirt smell, but it awakened my sense of smell it the most delightful way. Weird, I know! But those who love the feel and smell of soil and enjoy combing their fingers through it with bare hands, while planting flowers or vegetables, will totally understand my love of dirt! 

My master bedroom is an oasis... anyway, to me. The sitting room is an extension of the bedroom. An early 1900's sofa, recovered and that I absolutely love, sits at the far end of the room. The sitting room is the very first thing I see in the morning after I look at the time. I love the long room, the space, the cozy beautiful feel. It makes me happy to see that spot first thing in the morning. The soft purple colors on the walls and in the pillows, the textured white sofa, the vintage paining on the wall, and plants on either side, make the space look and feel elegant, yet earthy. It's an inviting and enjoyable part of my master suite. The sofa sits in between two East facing windows. The sun takes awhile making its way over the peak of the mountain, but when it does, it makes a spectacular entrance in through the windows. This morning the sun's rays shone through the blinds and on the bright green leaves of the plant sitting on the end table, making them appear more vibrant than ever. With my senses aroused and my spirit renewed, I was ready to greet the morning with sunshine in my soul! 

Mornings.. Time to listen, see, smell

Sitting room

sun shine through the East window

Farmer D cultivating the orchard

Writing prompt #5: Write down the first sight, sound, smell, and sensation you experienced on waking up today. Pick the one you're most drawn to.

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