A Beautiful Day Continued

As I continued my way around the south side of the lake, I found more opportunities to stop and enjoy the sunshine.

Spanish moss dripping from trees like a lacy shawl gives a fairy tale effect to parts of the drive.

More reflections in the water.

There is little more than gray or brown foliage to see, but here some greenery adds a bit of color against the blue reflection of the sky.

A few dried seed pods growing along side the lake.

As I drove along, this boat house caught my attention. Can you see why? I would hate to be responsible for power washing this mess! What attracted the birds to this structure, I don't know, but they obviously feel at  home here!

It looks like they were enjoying the beautiful weather as well!

As I returned home, I decided to drive to the end of our street. Our street dead ends at the lake about three miles down the road. I rarely go down there since no one lives that last mile. I found more beautiful mossy trees at the end of the street. I am so blessed to have so much beauty around me.

 Here is a closer view of the moss. Lovely color of grey-green at this stage.

As I write this post, the sun  is hidden behind clouds and the weather forcaster is predicting a record- breaking winter storm heading across the midsection of our country. We are expecting severe thunderstorms with hail and damaging wind tomorrow followed by more freezing temps. I am thankful God provided a break in winter this past weekend with this beautiful weather.

I pray you all stay safe and warm for the next few days. Spring is on the way!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

This afternoon was a lovely, warm, 75 degrees and the lake and sky was a blue so gorgeous I long to be a poet so I could pen words to do it justice.

 

Last weekend, we attended a wedding reception on the south side of Cross Lake. I had forgotten how pretty that side of the lake is and decided then to take a drive at the first opportunity. Today was the perfect day! I know this beautiful weather won't last, so I made the most of the afternoon.

I hope you enjoy our beautiful corner of Louisiana.

These were taken at Ford Park. Cypress trees are plentiful on the lake and I love taking their picture! They have such unusual shapes and roots. The clear day allowed wonderful reflections in the water.

Notice all the "knees" which are really roots around this grandaddy of a tree.

Doesn't this boardwalk just invite you to walk down and around the corner to see what you can see?

More lovely shadows.

Here are a few things I saw from the boardwalk and pier.

 

 



Lots of water fowl could be seen everywhere. Here is a Mallard and hens who were a little skittish with me around. I was hoping for Pelicans, but maybe another time.

After I left the park, I continued my drive around the lake. I will share more pictures of my outing next time.

I hope your day was as beautiful as mine!

Needing a Break

For the past couple of weeks, I have had little time to prepare a post to share. I have managed to peek at some of my favorite sites, but lest you think I have fallen off the face of the earth,

I have not.

 The weather has been dreary, finally getting a few sunshine days and they are Wonderful! I have a hankerin' to get out and about and hopefully, this weekend, I can do just that. I miss wandering around the countryside, visiting the occasional friendly bovines like the couple I came across above last fall.

Stay tuned for some mossy pics of the beautiful cypress trees on Cross Lake to come in the near future.

S.A.D.

Our area of the country has been under drought. or near drought, conditions for most of 2010.

We finally have begun to see significant rainfall.......as a matter of fact, this is the 3rd day of significant rain. The weather man says we are 14 inches under normal.  I am glad for the rain, really glad, however, I would prefer not to get the whole 14 inches at once! After 3 days without sunshine, I fear I am developing a case of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Some symptoms are crankyness, sleepiness and craving for sweets. Hmmmm, I can definitely see a couple of these in my behavior. I understand we have one more day of this before the sun will shine again. I thought looking at a couple of pictures of flowers taken in warm SUNSHINE would help.

Hoping for blue skies soon!

WINTER MIX

The snow I had hoped for didn't happen here. We had some flurries off and on but as you can see, mostly sleet and freezing rain.

The temperature stayed in the low 30's and upper 20's most of the day and night. That is pretty cold for this part of the south.





We are supposed to be in the deep freeze most of this week. The upside is, maybe some of these pesky mosquitos won't make it through the cold weather to harrass us next summer!

Stay warm and dry!

WINTER

This picture is unusual for our part of the south. It was taken last winter when we were surprised with a real snowfall. According to the weather report this  morning, I could awake to a similar sight tomorrow. Could we be lucky enough to have snow two years in a row???

The downside has sleet and icy rain in the forcast as a possibility as well. I don't like ice......for with ice comes downed power lines and for an all electric home, that spells bad news. Especially since we live in the country and are at the bottom of the list for restoral and the temperature is projected to be in the low 20's. Brrrrrr. 

I am hoping for the snow. Will let you know tomorrow.



The New Year

The Gate of the Year

Minnie Louise Haskins

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year
'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'

And he replied,
'Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!'

So I went forth and finding the Hand of God
Trod gladly into the night.
He led me towards the hills
And the breaking of day in the lone east.

So heart be still!
What need our human life to know
If God hath comprehension?

In all the dizzy strife of things
Both high and low,
God hideth his intention."

Snow picture from last year.

 

Happy New Year!

REMEMBRANCE

Her first day of school

Getting her Nursing Degree

Marrying her sweetheart

Grandma with her children and grandchildren ~ Christmas 2008

She was a godly example of a wife, mother and grandmother.

Grandma celebrated the birth of her Lord in His very presence this Christmas. We love and miss you.

 

Yvonne Cook Fox

March 7, 1920 ~ December 23, 2010

Wise Men Still Seek Him

The first creche David I bought over 40 years ago. It has been with us every Christmas since. It is a small, humble, rather plain little manger scene, but still my favorite.

................. but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

CHRISTMAS ON CYPRESS KNEE SWAMP

The busyness of the past two weeks has left me with little time or energy to publish a post or even Visit my favorite blogging friends. I took a few minutes yesterday to take some pictures of Christmas at our house. Just in case you wondered....

we ARE having Christmas this year!

I Pray Your Christmas is Merry and Blessed and Filled with Family and Friends!

Over the River

We were unable to go home to Mississippi for Thanksgiving and won't be able to go for Christmas either, so this past weekend my daughter & I made a quick trip for a visit. We were only able to stay a day and see just a few family members, but in this case, some was better than nothing! We stopped at the Mississippi Visitor's Center in Vicksburg for a quick break. The weather was beautiful, and the flag was flying as usual.

We found some landscaping has been done at the Visitor Center. Some of the older trees and shrubs have been replaced with a tidy bed and sod. I am not sure I like it better as I miss the Altheas and other mature trees. These bright green benches are a new addition also......hmmmmm.

I suppose they will grow on me as well as the new landscape. This is a great place to take a break.

 Beautiful view of the river and 24 hour security for travelers.

On to grandma's house we go, and find it all dressed for Christmas.

A pretty Christmas table is set for the family dinner.

We always take a walk around the yard, and despite below freezing temperatures, this amazing Rio Somba rose is still blooming and beautiful.



Buds are still forming and waiting to open.

This handsome fellow next door came to the fence to say howdy.



A lovely spot to sit and enjoy the outdoors.

 It is near a little pond that is formed from a natural spring that flows from the hill at the edge of her yard.

And of course, birdwatching from the breakfast window as we have our morning coffee is such a joy!



This little guy was not bothered by us at all.


Time to leave came all too soon. Highway 25 to Jackson is a pretty drive through the countryside. This picture was taken through the car window but you can see how peaceful it is. I will miss being home for Christmas, but I am thankful for the sweet (short) time we had this past weekend.





Holiday Preparation

It has begun!

GIVING THANKS

 It may be I am getting old and like too much to dwell
Upon the days of bygone years, the days I loved so well;
But thinking of them now I wish somehow that I could know
A simple old Thanksgiving Day, like those of long ago,
When all the family gathered round a table richly spread,
With little Jamie at the foot and grandpa at the head,
The youngest of us all to greet the oldest with a smile,
With mother running in and out and laughing all the while.

May your Thanksgiving be blessed with family, food and wonderful memories!

Verse from the poem  Old Fashioned Thanksgiving by Edgar Albert Guest