Autumn in May

Through the side gate and into my front garden I go..

to witness falling maple stars on a cool May day.



Dogwood leaves have lain in patient silence all week long

waiting to welcome the Liquidamber's downward drift



but she is holding on..still straining for the sky.



The maple nods her yellow crown and whispers knowingly,

"It won't be long, dear Dogwood friend, until we all embrace.

For here beneath my boughs today..is life all soft in sleep!"







Gilded Days

Autumn-yellow leaves of Golden Ashes catch alight with the fire of afternoon sun

as I peer from my window and stand and revel in the beauty of the scene. 

But amid the joy of their loveliness, I am aware that they are announcing the turning of the season toward more sombre hours.

The garden, throwing off it's wild and joyous summer garb

and donning quieter hues of russet red and brown.. begins to sleep.

Indoors..I gather up the golden lights that linger in nature's bounty

and mixing the welcome, tumbling gifts of sun and grain and fruit

I set to work creating our own yellow beams of simple homely joys.

This small and ordinary effort of a day drawn in by short and crisper hours

lights up our bare-board wood.

No need of silver-glint or manorial baroque to dress the scene.

We sit in quiet contentment feasting at our humble kitchen table
worn by time.. and warmed by heaven's gilding.
*
Joining Kathy for

Poetic advice for young ladies

How to be Happy

C.T. Pringle

How shall we make life joyous?

"Not by the mirth unblest

Of the giddy dance, or the song profane

Or the wild, unguarded jest.

By the love of all things good and fair,

Sunshine and books and flowers;

By the smile of God upon guileless joys

Let us gladden our youthful hours."

How shall we make home happy?

"Not by pert look or tone,

Or the roving feet that haunt the street

While the mother toils alone.

By the tired father's ready chair,

Bright hearth, and neat-spread board;

By a willing hand, and a smiling lip,

And a heart with kindness stored."

How shall we look the fairest?

"Not by the vain display

Of flaunting fashions and foolish airs,

That turn wise hearts away.

But the light of truth in a quiet eye,

And a modest maiden grace,

With a rosy smile of sweet content,

Make fair the homeliest face."

How shall we give God glory?

"By doing what good we can

Unto all and each, within our reach,

Bird, beast, or child, or man;

By keeping still from the snares of ill

Which lure on every side;

Sheltered and safe, 'neath the prayer of faith.

Lord Jesus, be our Guide!"

Pink Saturday~ Sakura

 Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,

Blanketing the countryside 

As far as you can see.

 Is it a mist, or clouds?

Fragrant in the morning sun.

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, Flowers in full bloom.

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,

Across the Spring sky,

As far as you can see.

Is it a mist, or clouds?

Fragrant in the air. 

Come now, come,

Let’s look, at last!

*

Cherry blossoms petals..breathtaking in their delicate pink beauty.

Hanging heavy from the boughs for just a while.. then quietly falling like satin snow on waiting grass below.

Each year I eagerly await the appearance of these beautiful flowers, savouring their short season.

Sweet memories of Spring!

It is cold and grey here at home today, so to cheer myself up I thought I would share some photos (from last Spring) of my Cherry tree with you ..and a beautiful video of the spectacular Sakura blossoms of Japan.

The verses beneath the photos are the translation of the traditional Japanese folksong "Sakura", which you can hear on the clip.

One of the 'dreams' my husband and I share, is to one day travel to Japan for the annual Cherry Blossom Festivals that are held across that beautiful country.

And if our dream remains just that..we at least have a glimpse of the reality of it, sitting under our own sakura in the sun.

I hope you have a blessed weeekend, my friends.

One that's filled with dreams and beauty for you, too!

Trish

I am linking this with Beverly for her lovely Pink Saturday

Wash Day

ON A WINDY WASH DAY MORN

Soaked and scrubbed in a round tin tub

with homemade soap

up and down the ribs of a wooden washboard

by hands rubbed red & raw

on a windy wash day morn.

Stiffened with starch, squeezed

and wrung to a twisted laundry rope

then hung on lines to flap

back and forth and snap dry

on a windy wash day morn.

Laid on the lawn like paper cutouts

clean shirts and sheets, towels and skirts

smelling of sun and clouds and wind

wait to be ironed and worn and dirtied

again for another wash day morn.

~ Brenda Seabrooke, American poet and novelist

Autumn~Down Under

Autumn in the Garden

by Henry Van Dyke

When the frosty kiss of Autumn in the dark

 Makes its mark

On the flowers, and the misty morning grieves

Over fallen leaves;

Then my olden garden, where the golden soil

Through the toil

Of a hundred years is mellow, rich, and deep,

Whispers in its sleep.

'Mid the crumpled beds of marigold and phlox,

Where the box

Borders with its glossy green the ancient walks,

There's a voice that talks

Of the human hopes that bloomed and withered here

Year by year,--

Dreams of joy, that brightened all the labouring hours,

Fading as the flowers.

Yet the whispered story does not deepen grief;

But relief

For the loneliness of sorrow seems to flow

From the Long-Ago,

When I think of other lives that learned, like mine,

To resign,

And remember that the sadness of the fall

Comes alike to all.

What regrets, what longings for the lost were theirs!

And what prayers

For the silent strength that nerves us to endure

Things we cannot cure!

Pacing up and down the garden where they paced,

I have traced

All their well-worn paths of patience, till I find

Comfort in my mind.

Faint and far away their ancient griefs appear:

Yet how near

Is the tender voice, the careworn, kindly face,

Of the human race!

Let us walk together in the garden, dearest heart,

Not apart!

They who know the sorrows other lives have known

Never walk alone.

Sending you some Autumn blessings from Australia ...



L.A.C.E.~the simple woman's beauty

The beauty of a simple woman outlasts the 'diva's' days.

For in her plain simplicity is where her beauty lays.

She need not spend a fortune on cosmetics or her dress

She need not go to 'experts' to enhance her prettiness.
She seeks no costly gold and jewels to weigh her fingers down

Her truest treasure always is to seek a godly crown

Through humble worship of her Lord and  kindly service given;

For these are gems that sparkle brightest under God's pure Heaven.
Her heart is quiet and content with all her lot in life

Whether single, widow, mother or devoted wife.

In difficult and trying days she simply carries on

Knowing that in times like these great victories are won.
By placing all her trust and faith in what her God will do

To send the help He knows she needs to safely bring her through. 

The softness of her skin and hair is not her prime concern.

For larger, fuller lips or lash she simply does not yearn.
Her eyes are rarely on herself to fuss and primp and preen.

She looks into the heart and soul that's hidden and unseen.

For it's there she spends her fortune - simply all she can afford

To make the sweetest haven for her loved ones and her Lord.

And deep inside the chambers of this royal temple lays

The sum of all the wealth and beauty gathered through her days.

And when her life is over and before her God she stands

A shining robe He'll give her wrought with jewels by His own hand.

For every humble thought and action when she lived on earth

Will be transformed like coal to diamond, to show her soul's true worth.

Then all her plain simplicity and trust and faith will show

A beauty and a loveliness that 'divas' never know.

Trish

Hello dear friends,

A warm Wednesday welcome to L.A.C.E.
Just a reminder of the rules for this weekly meme based on Philippians 4:8 :
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phil 4:8
I invite you to link with posts that encourage us to be godly christian women, and which promote the beauty of our vocation as homemakers with joyful femininity.
Whatever is..Lovely Admirable Cheerful Encouraging ~ LACE
Link to the actual post you are submitting and not to your homepage.
You are welcome take the button on the sidebar.
Please leave a comment after linking, and visit each other.
My thanks to all the sweet ladies who make this such a lovely weekly gathering :-).
blessings..Trish

L.A.C.E. (Phil 4:8)

Home Sweet Home

Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home;

A charm from the sky seems to hallow us there,

Which, seek through the world, is ne'er met with elsewhere.

Home, home, sweet, sweet home!

There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

An exile from home, splendor dazzles in vain;

Oh, give me my lowly thatched cottage again!

The birds singing gayly, that come at my call --

Give me them -- and the peace of mind, dearer than all!

Home, home, sweet, sweet home!

There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

I gaze on the moon as I tread the drear wild,

And feel that my mother now thinks of her child,

As she looks on that moon from our own cottage door

Thro' the woodbine, whose fragrance shall cheer me no more.

Home, home, sweet, sweet home!

There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

How sweet 'tis to sit 'neath a fond father's smile,

And the caress of a mother to soothe and beguile!

Let others delight mid new pleasures to roam,

But give me, oh, give me, the pleasures of home.

Home, home, sweet, sweet home!

There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

To thee I'll return, overburdened with care;

The heart's dearest solace will smile on me there;

No more from that cottage again will I roam;

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.

Home, home, sweet, sweet, home!

There's no place like home, oh, there's no place like home!

John Howard Payne

Just a lovely old poem this week from me, dear ladies!

But rest assured..I will be sure to check in and visit with you :-)

Hello dear friends,

A warm Wednesday welcome to L.A.C.E.

Just a reminder of the rules for this weekly meme based on Philippians 4:8 :
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  Phil 4:8
I am looking for posts that encourage us as godly christian women to embrace the beauty of our vocation as homemakers with joyful femininity.

So topics which promote homelife, family, faith and beauty in nature and in the heart are welcome.

I have paraphrased the description of the virtues I want to see displayed in our posts as follows:

Lovely Admirable Cheerful Encouraging ~ LACE

If you would like to share something suitable you are welcome to linkup so others can be blessed by it too.

Link to the actual post you are submitting and not to your homepage.

You are welcome take the button on the sidebar to place in your post or on your blog if you wish.

Please leave a comment after linking, and visit the other ladies who kindly join in with their encouraging posts.

My thanks to all the sweet ladies who make this such a lovely weekly gathering  :-).

blessings..Trish

A Little Bit of Lace~linkup

     

 "Shining flowers"

         

The sweetest bloom of youth is but a pretty passing phase,

Who's loveliness attracts us and holds us in it's gaze.

While the world would have us fretful of losing beauty's youth

The word of God assures us of this eternal truth:

Tis better to be blessed with a quiet and gentle soul

Than all external features that an empty world extols.

Tis better to have peace of heart than idealistic rage.

For wisdom tempers youth's excess, and deepens as we age.

The passion and the beauty that brings us lasting grace

Is not found in cosmetics or life's frenetic pace.

The fount of youth and beauty with it's passion and ideals

Is found by all who seek it when the ego humbly kneels

And by giving up the quest to retain mere outward show,

Discovers deep within the heart, the fire of God aglow.

Who's ember rays of beauty fill the soul with burning grace

To shine forever lovely on the christians woman's face.

written with love..Trish

Dear friends,

Are you wearing your lace today?

Thank you, to those lovely ladies who joined me last week for my first linkup.

 It was a blessing to read recipes, hear about craft plans, have a laugh and be spiritually fed by God's Word..

I am so encouraged to have you sharing your wonderful posts with us!

I'd be honoured if you would join me again today for
A Little Bit Of Lace.
Just to remind you..this is a weekly meme based on Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."


I am looking for posts that encourage us as godly christian women to embrace our vocation with joy and promote femininity and homemaking skills.
I have paraphrased the description of the virtues I want to see displayed in this happy venture as follows:

L...Lovely  A...Admirable  C...Cheerful  E...Encouraging
                                  ~ LACE ~

If you feel you would like to share something which fits the picture of a Philippian 4:8 woman's lace,  you are welcome to linkup so others can be blessed by it too.
Link to the actual post you are submitting and not to your homepage.
You are welcome take the button on the sidebar to place in your post or on your blog if you wish.
Please leave a comment after linking and try to encourage the other ladies who participate by visiting them.
Thank you, kind friends and gentle hearts!
blessings..Trish

To my sweet husband

A Christian Valentine Love Poem

*

On Valentine’s Day

I reaffirm my deep and abiding love for you.

I continually pray to love you

like Jesus loves:

wholly, selflessly, completely.

I continually pray

to be the person

God wants me to be for you.

I appreciate you

for your heart full of love for me,

for your dependably fine character

and for the special gifts God has given you,

that I notice and admire and treasure.
I am abundantly blessed

that you are mine eternally.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Sweetheart;

My heart and my love are yours forever !

*

By Joanna Fuchs

Scripture and a Snapshot..week 17

In our daily walk with God

we sometimes drag our feet

  dawdle and meander off the path

strolling aimlessly

until we lose our way

and must retrace our steps

Let us determine today

to get ourselves back on track

to keep our eyes on Him

follow where He leads and

pick up our feet

and run!

Trish

To join Katie, click the button and visit her wonderful blog!

The Old Home Calls

The Old Home Calls by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Come back to me, little dancing feet that roam the wide world o'er,

I long for the lilt of your flying steps in my silent rooms once more;

Come back to me, little voices gay with laughter and with song,

Come back little hearts, beating high with hopes, I have missed and mourned you long.

My roses bloom in my garden walks all sweet and wet with the dew,

My lights shine down on the long hill road the waning twilights through,

The swallows flutter about my eaves as in the years of old,

And close about me, their steadfast arms the lisping pine trees fold.

But I weary for you at morn and eve, O, children of my love,

Come back to me from your pilgrim ways, from the seas and plains ye rove,

Come over the meadows and up the lane to my door set open wide,

And sit ye down where the red light shines from my welcoming fireside.

I keep for you all your childhood dreams, your gladness and delights,

The joy of days in the sun and rain, the sleep of carefree nights,

All the sweet faiths ye have lost and sought again shall be your own,

Darlings come to my empty heart, I am old and still, and alone!

Lament of the yellow apron !

I don't know where my apron's gone

Can't find it anywhere !

It used to be my favourite one,

It matched my favourite chair.

I've looked behind the kitchen door

That's where I saw it last

It always hung there safe before-

Not missing in the past !

I've looked in all the cupboards here

And underneath the sink,

I cannot find it anywhere

It's simply lost, I think !

I miss that apron quite a lot;

I loved to see it there.

A yellow one with polkadot-

It matched my favourite chair !

Where could it be-where could it be ?

I just don't understand

I never wore the thing you see,

Oh no-'twas much too grand!

I didn't want to spoil it's looks

By wearing it to clean

The dust off shelves of heavy books,

Or smokey firescreens.

I never wore it washing plates

Or sweeping kitchen floor,

I always kept it hanging safe

Behind the kitchen door!

And now, just when I need it most
It's nowhere to be seen,
There's just a boring empty space
Where apron should have been!

Oh dear! When all the ladies come
For morning tea today
They'll notice that my apron's gone,
Oh dear! What shall I say?


My lovely, frilly polkadot
So neatly ironed and clean,
No longer hanging in the spot
Where it can best be seen!


I don't know where my apron's gone
Can't find it anywhere,
I'll never find another one
To match my favourite chair!


I like my things to match, you see
And all my guests expect it.
My perfect house looked perfectly,
But apron's gone and wrecked it !


I needed it-just to be seen-
It matched my perfect outfit.
A perfect housewife's apron "dream"-
What shall I do without it ?!!


Trish