The Perfect Cup of Tea (Ladybugs Invited)

Hello, all my teatime friends! 

I knew today was supposed to be in memory of the Titanic, but I really don't have anything to commemorate the anniversary that has to do with tea. I did write a post on Sunday, dedicated to the Titanic and if you would like to read it you can go HERE.

 Today, though I'm posting about another one of the great
tea gift books I bought recently.
This time the book I am sharing with you is called

"The Perfect Cup of Tea"

"The taking of tea has evolved into an art form,
ranging from the simple to the sublime.
Sprinkled with traditional recipes, this book boasts
all the fascinating facts, brewing secrets, and wisdom
from the ancients on all things tea, from its earliest history
to its current trends."

(I'm pretty sure ladybugs have crashed this party, too!
If you didn't notice, there were a few on the cover of my book. Oh, well, I love ladybugs, don't you?)

I'd like to share some of the things I found written in this book.

Tea may be taken plain, with milk, with honey, with sugar, or with lemon – but don’t add lemon and milk at the same time. The lemon curdles the milk, which can ruin a nice cup of tea.

The Twinings  were a tea dynasty, a long-term family of tea merchants with five generations in the tea trade before their fist cafe' opened. In their cafe', they encouraged sampling tea by the cup, then opened a retail store next door to sell coffee and tea. They also sold tea in packets and in tea bags to palaces and grand hotels. Today, a Twining still heads the business.

A Scotsman named Thomas Lipton purchased his own tea plantations and warehouses, modernized tea production, eliminated the middle-man, and thus lowered prices. His many stores, plus his skill at advertising, made his last name the household name it is today. He rose from working in a small family grocery store to billionaire with slogans such as, "Direct from the tea garden to the teapot."

Royal Tea is a full tea with champagne or sherry served at the end.

Cream Teas are afternoon delights. Devonshire or clotted cream plays a prominent role. The cream is spread on fresh scones, which can the be topped with berries or preserves.

Elevenses  is a late morning snack of tea and pastry, much like a coffee break.

(I didn't think this was actually a real thing at first, since it was mentioned in the movie, "Lord of the Ring:Fellowship of the Ring"), which I recently watched again:

(Hahaha!! I love this part of the movie.)

Low Tea is called "afternoon tea" and is served at nice hotels, such as the Ritz and the Savoy, and is definitely a treat. The tea is always steeped correctly - tea bags are not used. It's called "low tea" because it's served on low tables beside armchairs. Afternoon tea is frequently served on a tray or cart, rather than at a table. While it can be expensive in hotels, you can do this same tea at home with little effort or expense.

High Tea, sometimes called "meat tea", is a meal served when the family is home from school and work. High tea is more of a dinner and can have meat dishes, along with tea and sweets.

Light Tea is a lighter version of afternoon tea.

Full Tea is a four-course menu with finger sandwiches, scones, sweets, desserts, and choice of tea. Sandwiches are what separate this from light tea.

How long to steep tea?

White tea: 30 seconds to 2 minutes

Green Tea: 1-3 minutes

Oolong tea: 2-3 minutes

Black tea: up to 5 minutes 
 

 Drinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecary.   -Chinese Proverb

Scones

5 cups all purpose flour

3 tablespoons baking powder

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups whole milk

3 eggs

optional: raisins, currants, chocolate chips, etc.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix flour and baking powder. Add softened butter until mixture is crumbly. Add milk and eggs. Mix into dough consistency. Add any optional ingredients. Scatter flour on work surface and roll dough to  1-1¼ inches thick. Use a round 2½-inch cookie cutter to cut out scones. Place them on a buttered baking sheet. For best results, let the uncooked scones chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Bake 20-25 minutes. Serve with Devonshire cream and preserves.

Feeling Calmer Already?

Simply reading about tea can be relaxing and enjoyable! So take a moment out of your daily routine, enjoy a cup of tea, and have your own personal tea party whenever you can. 

Tea, an international symbol of friendship and hospitality!

 

Linking on over at these "tea" hops!

 Tea Time Tuesday (Rose Chintz Cottage)

Tea Cup Tuesday(Artful Affirmations)

  Friends Sharing Tea (Bernideen's Tea time)

Tea Cup Tuesday (Martha's Favorites

Why Write it Down?

Keeping a Journal: What does that mean to you?

For some, it is like a diary, where one keeps his/her deepest secrets, locked behind a turned key..

For some, it's for keeping track of events or facts about one's life.

For me, it's the opportunity for me to write down my most precious memories and put down on paper how God is working in my life. Sometimes I write something down that I don't understand at the moment, but after the passing of time, I look back on my writings and see that God had it all under control and knew what He was doing all along. That's the best reason for me to keep writing in my journal....God has taught me so much. He's shown me that even when I don't feel like He is near me or understands my situation, I realize later on that He does care and is always watching over me.

I starting writing my own personal journal over 26 years ago. At that time, I'm not sure I really knew why I wanted to start a journal, but it was during a time in my life when there were a lot of big and memorable things happening to me. I had a new job, my first full-time professional job, which I loved at the time. I was in a serious relationship with a guy, who later became my husband.

Over the years, I've written about lots of different things, but always from my heart. I would only write when I felt the need to, not just write every day or a certain day of the week. There were times I did write every day(sometimes more often) and there were time I didn't write for several months and even a few times that it was over a year till I returned to my journal. That's the thing about journaling over writing in a diary. I think journaling has no rules or regulations...if you stop writing, you can always return to it later on. I don't usually get all fancy. I write the date, sometimes the time of day, if it helps me remember the event better, then I just write till there's no more I need to write about. Sometimes it's just a short paragraph, sometimes it's several pages long.

More recently, I've expanded my journaling options. I've learned that there are lots of things I journal about and sometimes when I want to look back at what I wrote, it can be difficult to find it. I love the creative and artistic styles of journaling books that are now sold at most bookstores and card stores. I have collected approximately 10-12 different books over the years, and filled them with my writings.

At the beginning of this year, I found a great free on-line journal program called 280 Daily

I like the program because it sends me a reminder by email to write in my journal. I decided it was perfect for me to start a "spiritual" journal for me to write just short daily "God sightings" and that way I could look them up quickly and easily, when I wanted to go back to a certain posting. I also use it to write down a Bible verse I especially like or want to remember. There are some days that I still need to write more than a short post, so I keep my handwritten journal for those times. This online journal also allows you to keep other different kinds of journals, including a photo journal, food diary, to do list, travel journal, and many more.

Most recently I purchased an adorable journal book with birds and flower designs on it. I decided to start a new "gardening" journal book, since I love to garden. This one has been a little more difficult for me to get going on. I'm still kind of figuring out all I want to put in this journal. I've started by writing down a list of my spring flowers that are blooming and when they started to bloom this year. I also hope to use some drawings/photos of some of my favorites, as well as plants I hope to add to my garden this year. There are lots of great ideas for a garden journal that I've collected  on my Pinterest board (go here to see them).

I hadn't really thought of it as a journal, but I am also keeping  my  gratitude list from taking part in the Joy Dare, here on my blog. I keep that list going here, but post my new ones each week.

There are lots of reasons and options for writing a journal. If you don't like to write a lot, but like taking pictures, try a photo journal. Or if you like to draw, try an art journal. Journals are a great way to express yourself, keep records of special events in your life, or a place to remind yourself how God cares and is present  in everything you do or your hopes and dreams.  Some people don't have a lot of time to write down a long journal. Try the 280 Daily program. It's great, since it reminds you to write, but to keep it short.

I highly encourage anyone to at least try to keep a "Spiritual Journal" where you can see how God is working in your life. It has given me strength in difficult times and allowed me to express thoughts in ways I couldn't express in person.

Below are the new additions to my JOY DARE list:
 3 gifts opened up

611. My laptop....to find my friends in bloggyland!

612. The Word of God...always full of wisdom and encouragement.

613. A packet of my favorite instant Oregon Chai

3 gifts budding/blooming

614. Strawberry patch flowers, soon to be berries.

 615. My Clematis blooms, almost ready to open.

616. My Snowball bush

3 gifts received, after much waiting

617. Accepted offer on a house on a lake!

618. Many pretty flower pictures to put in my new Garden Journal.

619. A painted sign with words I've tried to live.

3 gifts bright

620. A few minutes of sunshine in a mostly cloudy day.

621. My bright pink azaleas in bloom.

 622. Yellow center of my purple Pansies

3 gifts found looking up.

623. Ceiling fans to cool(and warm) each room in my house.

624. Tree branches and rustling leaves, blowing in the strong wind.

625. Canadian geese, honking and flying overhead.

 A gift in a bag, in a box, in a book

626. Bag - Peppermint tea and lemon juice I bought for my sick mother.

627. Box - Fresh strawberries, purchased at the market.

628. Book - My journal, to write and remember.

Linking over at these blog hops:

"Journaling" (Bible Love Notes)
Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience)
Sharing His Beauty (Beauty in His Grip)
On Your Heart Tuesdays (A Pause in the Path)
 

A "Titanic" Memory

"That's a day I'll never forget!" 

Have you ever said that? Has there ever been an event in your life that you just know, whether amazingly awesome or horribly tragic, it's one you will NEVER forget?!

Tomorrow is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. I think of the tragedy of that day, of the hundreds of thousands of lives affected, directly and indirectly, and of the losses experienced.

Source: google.com via Ann on Pinterest

Its amazing how an experience or event, so personally and emotionally entwined into our memories, can affect everything about us. Sometimes they help us better our lives and encourage us to appreciate the little things in life. Sometimes they make us angry and resentful, choosing to take the low road of depression and bitterness.

A major event in my life was the shocking loss of my 18 year old stepson, back in 1996, from a car accident. I can still remember the horrible feeling, immediately after getting the phone call from his older sister, my stepdaughter. I just sat down on the kitchen floor and cried, too weak to get up. My husband, who had been in bed, came downstairs, after hearing my cries, and knew immediately it was serious. That first year was extremely rough! Some days, I didn't know if I was going to make it through it. But, as time moved on, as it always does, the ache and pain was not as debilitating. Now, we still sometimes mourn not having him with us, but we mostly remember the good times we had, while he was alive. And, knowing he had committed his life to the Lord, just a few years earlier does remind us that we will see him again in heaven one day!

We often don't understand why certain events happen in our lives, but we can be sure that we have a Lord and Savior who knows and understands what we are going through. Without Him, I have no idea how anyone makes it through those times!

Of course, there are so many good events we can also look back at and be thankful for. Number one, is the day we each gave our lives to the Lord! Then there may be the birth of our children.  Maybe a memorable moment of voluntary service or mission work. It could be when we graduated from college, got a new job, or a big promotion. Of course, our wedding day, also usually is a good memory for many of us.

I came across this website and found it so intriguing and insightful, concerning the day the Titanic sank.

Personal Memories of the Titanic

If you would be open to it, I would love to hear some your memorable experiences in you life, good and/or bad. We all have them and so you can know you are not alone. Feel free to leave your story in the comment box below or you can send me a personal e-mail  at apop12341@hotmail.com

Linking up with these Blog Hops:

Heartprint Hallelujahs (Heartprints of God)

Faith Filled Friday (Beholding Glory)

Best Posts of the Week

No Ordinary Blog Hop

Spring flowers: Plant Facts

I was walking around my yard today and came across several wildflowers growing in the woods that surround the sides and back border of our property. Some of the flowers, I have seen many times over the years we have lived here. This is the first year I've seen these flowers growing along the woods line.

Woodland Phlox:

Also called Blue Phlox, Louisiana Phlox, and Wild Sweet William, and with a Latin name of Phlox divaricata (divaricata means "spreading") this is an early spring bloomer that if happy in its position will come back a little bigger every year with masses of sky blue to light purple flowers (with some even available in white and rose colors).   Woodland Phlox is actually a wildflower in every state to some degree, ranging from the Rockies all the way to the Atlantic coast.   

The flowers of Woodland Phlox often have a wonderful fragrance and it is a beautiful plant. It is not a full sun plant, instead preferring dappled shade and fairly moist, well-drained soil, such as one would find in a woodland setting.   It makes a nice early spring planting near a door or in a hanging basket near a walkway. Because of this characteristic, as one might expect, this is an easy plant to propagate by leaf cuttings - just cut off a young shoot and stick it in some potting soil and keep moist. Once the colony gets big enough to divide, this can easily be done in either spring or fall as another way to propagate this plant. 

The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued bees (especially bumblebees), bee flies, butterflies (especially swallowtails), skippers, and moths (including Sphinx & Hummingbird moths). These insects suck nectar from the flowers. The foliage of Woodland Phlox is readily consumed by various mammalian herbivores, including rabbits, deer, and livestock.

 (I have enjoyed picking small bouquets of these and putting them in a glass of water. They smell great and last a long time after being picked.)

We also have the following two flowers growing around our house. 

 Trillium:

Picking a trillium seriously injures the plant by preventing the leaf-like bracts from producing food for the next year. A plant takes many years to recover. For this reason in Michigan, Minnesota and New York it is illegal to pick and/or transplant trilliums from public lands without a permit from the State.

A white trillium serves as the emblem and official flower of the Canadian province of Ontario. It is an official symbol of the Government of Ontario. The large white trillium is the official wildflower of Ohio. The rare Trillium flexipes (drooping trillium) is protected by law in Ontario, because of its very small Canadian population.

Trillium is one of many plants whose seeds are spread by ants. At maturity, the base and core of the trillium ovary turns soft and spongy. Trillium seeds have a fleshy organ called an elaiosome that attracts ants. The ants extract the seeds from the decaying ovary and take them to their nest, where they eat the elaiosomes and put the seeds in their garbage, where they germinate in a rich growing medium.

Common Blue Violet:

 Natural habitats include moist to mesic black soil prairies, open woodlands, woodland edges, savannas, and wooded slopes along rivers or lakes. In developed areas, it can be found in lawns, city parks, moist waste areas, and along hedges or buildings. Sometimes the Common Blue Violet is grown in flower gardens.
The flowers and young leaves of violets are edible, and can be added to salads in small amounts.


I've seen these other flowers in past years growing in different areas outside of our property. Maybe you have heard of or have these flowers growing near where you live. I found some of the facts I recently read on these native plants to be very interesting.

Daisy Fleabane

Source: missouriwildflowerguide.com via Ann on Pinterest

This native annual or biennial plant is erect and up to 3' tall.  Habitats include upland areas of black soil prairies, gravel prairies, hill prairies, limestone glades, dry savannas, eroding clay banks, pastures and abandoned fields, and areas along roadsides and railroads. While this plant species favors disturbed areas, it is more likely to occur in higher quality habitat.  While the fleabanes are often dismissed as 'weeds' because of their ubiquitousness during the summer, they are actually rather cheerful plants that are beneficial to many small insects that play an important role in the functioning of the ecological system.

Queen Anne's lace

Is a member of the Apiaceae or Carrot family and is also referred to as Wild Carrot.  It is a biennial plant with a stout taproot.  Originally a native of Eurasia, it is now considered to be a weed throughout most of North America. In the past, if you wanted to use Wild Carrot seeds, you would have to harvest them yourself. The cultivated carrot is a race of this species.

Women have used the seeds from Daucus carota commonly known as wild carrot or queen anne's lace, for centuries as a contraceptive, the earliest written reference dates back to the late 5th or 4th century B.C. appearing in a work written by Hippocrates.

 Stiff Goldenrod

                                                                                          Source: google.com via Ann on Pinterest

A member of the Aster (Asteraceae) family.  Parts of some goldenrods can be edible when cooked. Goldenrods can be used for decoration and making tea. Goldenrods are, in some places, held as a sign of good luck or good fortune. They are considered weeds by many in North America but they are prized as garden plants in Europe, where British gardeners adopted goldenrod long before Americans did as garden subjects.

 Honey from goldenrods often is dark and strong due to admixtures of other nectars. However when there is a strong honey flow, a light (often water white), spicy-tasting honey is produced. Goldenrod is a companion plant, playing host to some beneficial insects, and repelling some pests.

Inventor Thomas Edison experimented with goldenrod to produce rubber, which it contains naturally. Edison created a fertilization and cultivation process to maximize the rubber content in each plant. His experiments produced a 12-foot-tall (3.7 m) plant that yielded as much as 12 percent rubber. The tires on the Model T given to him by his friend Henry Ford were made from goldenrod. The rubber is only contained in the leaves, not the stems or blooms.

The rubber is only contained in the leaves, not the stems or blooms. is sold as a medicinal, for these issues: mucus, kidney/bladder cleansing and stones, colds, digestion, and a tea is made from the leaves and flowers for sore throat, snake bite, fever, kidney and bladder problems, cramps, colic, colds, diarrhea, measles, cough and asthma

I hope you enjoyed my show of springtime wildflowers from around my home, as well as the plant facts.

May you have a happy and relaxing weekend!

sources: 
http://www.butler.edu/herbarium/prairie/alphabetical.html 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldenrod

Linking over at these blog parties today:
Home Sweet Home (at the Charm of Home)

Home and Garden Thursday (at a Delightsome Life)

Feathered Nest Friday (at French Country Cottage)

A Cup of Friendship

I was shopping the other day at our local Dollar Tree Store and purchased several small gift books that were all related to tea and tea things.

I decided to post about each book seperately. Today's post, I am sharing a book called,

"A Cup of Friendship"

Here is the description of the book that's on the back cover.

"A celebration of friendship and the art of taking tea, this collection is filled with party-planning ideas, classic quotes, and brewing tips, along with heartwarming stories, sumptuous recipes, and flexible menus that come together and make the perfect cup of friendship."

Here are some of my favorites in the book, along with some pictures I had on Pinterest:

"If I could invite just one special guest, to join me for some afternoon tea, 

I’d pick someone who knows all my faults and, even still, loves me."

 

                                                                                             Source: flickr.com via Ann on Pinterest

"A friend is the sugar bowl in the tea party of life:

Sweet and satisfying to the soul."

                                                                                            

Source: audreyficociello.com via Ann on Pinterest

"Come and share a pot of tea.

There's just enough for you and me.

And if, by chance we drink it up,

we'll make ourselves another cup!"

                                                                                        Source: royalgardenhotelblog.com via Ann on Pinterest

I cannot sit and chat with you the way I'd like to do 

so brew yourself a cup of tea, 

I'll think of you - you think of me"

Source: simplycountry.co.uk via Ann on Pinterest

 "Friendship multiplies the good of life

and divides the evil."

(Baltasar Gracian)

Tea for Two

Serving tea for two can be a convenient and intimate approach to entertaining. Keep these items within reach and you will always be prepared.
One small tablecloth(52x52 inches): choose cotton, linen, or lace.

Two cloth napkins: paper napkins are serviceable, but antique handkerchiefs or linen add charm.

China cups and saucers: grandmas hand-me-downs or search local flea markets for bargains. The older, the better.

Tea plates: small, mismatched plates are available at antique stores or garage sales.

Loose tea and tea bags: whichever you prefer, tea has a long shelf life. Keep an assortment on hand: black teas, green teas, fruit teas, and tisanes, Don't forget decaf!

Desserts and cookies: the freezer is the perfect place to store homemade cookies, breads, cakes, and other desserts suitable for teas. A great way to impress!

Gifts: Always be on the lookout for inexpensive gifts. Wrap small soaps, notepads, lotions, etc. to present to your guest at the table.

                                                                                         Source: theculinarylife.com via Ann on Pinterest

Mock Devonshire Cream

1 cup sour cream
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2-3 heaping tablespoons sifted powdered sugar, optional.

Gently whisk sour cream and whipped cream together in a small bowl. When thoroughly blended, pour into a glass jar and seal. Leave mixture on counter-top overnight. The following morning, put jar in refrigerator. If you prefer a sweet cream, add 2-3 heaped tablespoons of sifted powdered sugar to the  mixture before pouring into glass jar. Serve on cobblers and other fruit desserts.

Source: google.com via Ann on Pinterest

"The table is spread

The oven is hot.

Tea leaves are resting

inside the pot

Two teacups are waiting

the kettle sings,

and just on time,

the doorbell rings."

Source: angelpig.net via Ann on Pinterest

Source: orkugifs.com via Ann on Pinterest

Source: media.photobucket.com via Ann on Pinterest

 This book would be a wonderful gift for a friend,
if I could only part with it!


Now, enjoy a cup or two or three

of your favorite flavor and style of tea!!

Hop on over to these fun blog parties!

 Tea Time Tuesday (Rose Chintz Cottage)

Tea Cup Tuesday(Artful Affirmations)

Tea Party Tuesday (Sweetology)
  Friends Sharing Tea (Bernideen's Tea time)

Tea Cup Tuesday (Martha's Favorites

How to Recuperate from a "Crazy" Weekend!

CRAZY! Easter weekend can be like that! 

Life's events keep moving us all forward. Our family's no different.
This process of house-hunting and not finding much out there.
Wondering if we are doing the right thing, praying for some evident confirmation.

 Lord, help me to trust You! 

Patience doesn't come easily for me.

I'm tired of waiting and wondering.

Remind me that You have it all under control. 

 "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."   -Proverbs 16:3

But we must not forget to take the small moments and count them as important.
Spending a little time with my hubby and son(and his girlfriend).
And with God....I mustn't forget my God.
Getting out and enjoying a little of this early springtime air and sunshine.

 A little break to listen to music

fly kites, talk, daydream

Reading the Word, thinking about what Christ did

on Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday

"There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!"- Romans 5 verses 3 to 6: (The Message)

Easter Day

Church is earlier on this day. The atmosphere, on a normal Sunday, usually can be counted upon to be tense and heated in the car, on the way to church. We all would like to make it there early enough to not have to sit in the back or make a scene to find a seat. But, as usual, we are late. 
I know God doesn't care, so why does it upset me so much?

 Lord, let me not focus on the little things.

This is a day to rejoice! 

Lateness is no excuse to hold back my praises!

 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  -2 Corinthians 4:16-18

There is some cooking to be done ahead and long traveling to see relatives planned.

Easter egg hunt preparations

Knowing that not all family members get along so well at these gatherings.
We try to have fun - food is put out and eaten, games are played, and some of us talk.
Some leave early...it's understood, but nothing is really said.
Dis-functional families -  we all come from or are a part of them.

 Again, Lord, I am saddened that this happens,

But for some reason(sin), it does.

It amazes me that every year we celebrate this day,

but can't find a place in our hearts to let go of  hurts and conflicts.

My heart weeps, as I know His must.

We choose to continue living in distant relationships.

HE DIED TO END THIS!! 

Forgive us, Lord!!

 "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32 

 How do we recuperate from a Crazy weekend?

 

 Give it to God. Remember what this life is really all about. Praise Him for the small things.  

Let go of those things that hold us back.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Continuing to share the many gifts and graces He bestows upon me:
Joy Dare

3 gifts surprisingly found

593. flowers blooming in the woods-line surrounding my house!

594. catching a 25" pike, snagged on a fishing line, set for catching crappie.

595. New hope for future days...trusting God to guide our lives.

3 gifts in His word

596. John 15:15-16 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

597. Luke 6:31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

598. Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.

3 gifts at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m.

599. sunshine, gleaming through my kitchen window!!

600. time to finish some much need house-cleaning

601. looking at a lakehouse for sale.....possibilities!

3 gifts waited for

602. The right house for our family.
603. God's timing, not my timing!!
604. Easter service!! Have been waiting all week to celebrate the risen Savior!!

3 gifts rising up

605. The sunrise, coming through the trees, early in the morning.
606. My son, rising early to go with us to Sunday service.
607. My Jesus, from the grave!!!

A gift hiding, held, heard

608. Hiding-Easter eggs to be found at our annual egg hunt!

609. Held-giant tadpoles from my aunt's goldfish pond!

610. Heard- The voices of children, excited to see God's creation!!

Linking over at these blog hops:
Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience)
Sharing His Beauty (Beauty in His Grip)
On Your Heart Tuesdays (A Pause in the Path)