Summer's First Day

Thursday, June 21, 2018

On this, the first day of summer, it feels as though spring has just really gotten to a start but here summer is! Oh how I love the beautiful month of June... it is full of wildflower blooms, the rich scent of wild rose blooms, lush green grass, sweet bird songs, vegetables growing in the garden, berries ripe and ready to be picked... oh yes, so much to enjoy in this delightful month of blooms!

The scent of wild rose blooms fills the air with fragrant promise. 

My newly planted clematis is blooming happily away.

Blooms in the garden







One day my daughter and I kayaked with a dear friend around a mountain lake.  It was a beautiful day!

Our friend's kayaks are blow-up ones.  I'd never been in an inflatable kayak, but it was amazing how well they did in the water! 
This lake has lots of water lilies that grow beneath the surface of the water, and then bloom.  Later in summer
almost the entire lake becomes covered with the growth of the blooms.  We enjoyed several hours paddling around the lake and saw several turtles and an osprey.  
 
I joined a group in the area who hike once a week to see some spectacular scenery and trails.  

We visited a local state park and hiked on some of the extensive trails around the park.  The park also has these darling log cabins available for rent. 

This picture is taken from a viewpoint in the park.  It was such a beautiful day to be out hiking!

I received my copy of Rural Magazine in the mail, and took it out to my garden to savor and enjoy.  If you haven't purchased your own copy yet, you can click this link to enjoy your very own copy! 

It is a beautiful issue full of gorgeous photography and inspirational thoughts from women around the country who share their hearts about the rural area they live in. 


 I have an article included in the issue :) 



Wild strawberries abound!  I have been finding little patches of them growing everywhere... tiny drops of sweetness that make you long for more of them! 

They are so tiny and hidden under leaves that they are often quite hard to find! 


I'm so glad I captured this picture of my Yellow Brick Road rose that my dad bought for me before they left.  I had a deer hop the fence into my garden and clean up the rest of the blooms on all my roses... so sad!  

I know the bush will bloom again, hopefully again this year, if it can.  But for now I will have to enjoy the pictures I took of the blooms before the trespassing deer ate them! 
 
My succulents are loving their new home under the eaves of my garden shed, while my always blooming flowers hang out in my daughter's repurposed cowboy boots! 

I had fun painting tin cans bright colors and filling them with succulents that will provide beauty for years to come.  Succulents have become my favorite garden staple! 


These dianthus reseed every year, I never have to replant them.  I love beautiful perennials that bring joy year after year!


On one of our hikes, this bald eagle kept a stoic watch over us as we began our hike. 

Beautiful mountains, valleys, rivers... oh the joys of getting out and hiking! So much to see! 





Intriguing little wooden bridges.... 

Dazzling tiger lilies! 


Wildflower blooms abounding on every hand.

Little streams rushing down the mountain...


This little stream was particularly bubbly and happy as it chortled its way down the mountain, and the wildflowers on its banks waved to the music of the gentle breeze. 


Someone had built a shelter with pine branches and needles!  

It looked quite cozy and perfect for a hideaway should one need one. 



Seeing views of the water as you hike are always highlights!


I love seeing my chives bloom and watching the bees hard at work enjoying their blooms.

Huckleberry cobbler in our Dutch oven cooked by my husband... a scrumptious treat! 

Strawberries fresh out of the garden... not as many as you see here made it into the house... lol!  They are just so hard to resist! 

A little collage of the wild roses blooming alongside the lupines next to the remnants of an old fence.  We pass
these on our evening walks... the scent of the wild roses fills the evening breeze with its fragrance. 

So we have been enjoying the last days of spring, and here we are, celebrating the first day of summer!  It is quite hard to believe half the year has already passed, but time does keep marching onward.  Our days are packed with moments spent outside enjoying the glorious beauties this season of the year offers up.  I find it hard to sit in front of a computer screen when I can be outside soaking up the sunshine... you understand I'm sure!  I haven't been able to blog as much as I'd like to, but it is the time of year to be outdoors and enjoying the beauty this season shares with us. 

And yet... one never just knows what a day may hold!


 Yesterday my dad was on his way to use a gift card that I had given to him for Father's Day. He was traveling on a 4 lane interstate when an 18 wheeler loaded with oil pipe struck the rear of dad's vehicle, causing his car to hit the concrete wall, then spinning the car around and pinning it to the front grill of the truck, going down the road at 70 miles an hour while the truck tried to stop. Then the car broke free and hit the concrete block on the other side of the interstate, after crossing 4 lanes of traffic before stopping. Dad's car was hit 4 times! Truly the Lord was with my dad today when this accident happened! 


Dad was taken to the hospital and released, without even a scratch!!! We are giving thanks to the Lord today for His protection in what could easily have been such a different situation!!! Thank you Lord!! I spoke to Dad this morning, and he doesn't have any pain, muscle soreness or any signs of trouble after the accident.  Truly a miraculous event that we have Dad still with us today! 

We remain incredibly thankful for the mighty hand of protection of the Lord on my father yesterday.  He told me he will never forget looking out at the grill of the truck as it pushed him down the road.  In that moment it feels like eternity stops... but how miraculous that Dad was able to crawl out of the passenger seat of the car later, without even a scratch!  We remain thankful and incredibly amazed at the powerful Hand of Protection that was on his life yesterday!

Our family has a planned family reunion that will be taking place in New Brunswick, Canada next week, and things could have been so different.  But thanks be to the Lord, Dad is okay and planning to travel Saturday to New Brunswick.  My family will be leaving next week as well to join the rest of our family celebrating my grandmother's birthday in New Brunswick.  We are quite excited about the trip, and so it will be a bit quiet here around my blog for the next week or two, but I promise when I return I will have lots of wonderful things to share with you :)  Blessings and hugs to all!

45 comments

  1. Marilyn, I am so happy your dad is safe and okay. Wow his poor car...but to think about what happened , it's a miracle. I love all your beautiful views where you live. Love the pretty gardens. Blessings to you and yours, hug your father for me. xoxo, Susie

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    1. Thank you Susie, we are so thankful he is okay too! He loved that car, and is sad about it being wrecked, but we are thankful for the mercies of the Lord that protected him. Appreciate your visit, blessings and hugs!

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  2. Wow, this post is filled with all kinds of lovely eye-candy! And then you get to the end. Phew! What an ordeal for your poor daddy! Glad the car took the brunt of the beating and your dad was safe. I bet your heart skipped a beat or ten when you saw the car for the first time. Hugs! :)

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    1. Most who have seen the car say that if Dad had not been in that car, he would not have survived, it was a BMW with steel reinforcements in the frame. Goes to show that expensive cars do have their perks! We are just thankful that it all ended so well! Blessings and hugs :)

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  3. I saw that photo on instagram yesterday. What a horrible accident to be in but praising the Lord with you that your dad is okay. The rest of your post was filled with such delightful flowers and views. How nice to be able to join up with a hiking group to experience trails in your area. Enjoy your reunion!

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    1. It has been wonderful to be part of this hiking group! I've enjoyed seeing places that I would probably never have found on my own without a trail guide. But get this... our fearless leader on these hikes is 83 years young! She has amazing vitality and a wealth of knowledge, a real joy to be out hiking and learning with her. I hope to do a more in-depth post on our hikes soon. And we are so thankful for the protection of the Lord over my father! Blessings and hugs :)

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  4. Your Dad was very blessed! Enjoy the reunion/birthday!

    June looks beautiful in your area Marilyn.

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    1. June is truly beautiful here! We are hoping to make it over to the Island, but not sure if we will have time to do so. I would love to stick my toes in the ocean if I can. We'll see how our time there in NB goes. Hugs to you sweet friend :)

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  5. Thanks for this lovely post. I had an enjoyable time, wandering alongside of you as we enjoyed all the beautiful sights. Praise God for protection for your Dad.Thank-you Jesus for covering him with Your strong hand.

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    1. We are so very thankful for the protection of the Lord over Dad! Truly a miracle! I know you and I would have such fun together, as we share a love for flowers, always enjoy your photography of flowers on IG. Blessings and hugs :)

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  6. celebrating your garden, the bounty, the beauty with you, friend ...

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    1. It is an amazing time of year to be celebrating! Appreciate your visit Linda, it is hard to be on the computer this time of year :)

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  7. What a wonderful post, filled with so much of God's beautiful creation, then, the icing on the cake, was reading how God protected your Dad in that horrible car accident.

    Thank you for sharing ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Thank you so much Lorraine, indeed we are grateful and blessed beyond measure! Hugs to you today :)

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  8. Praise God for the protection for your Dad. My goodness, you are right, anything can happen in a day. Take each day and love!
    I am excited for your adventure, please do share when you return. I am looking forward to seeing photos and hearing all about it.
    Love to you,
    Carla
    P.S. I love wild strawberries. :-)

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    1. Thank you Carla! I always appreciate your visits :) Blessings and hugs to you!

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  9. I am so thankful your father is ok!!!
    Thank you for sharing the amazing photos...
    My goodness you live in a beautiful place. : )

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    1. We do live in an amazing place Billie Jo! We are grateful and thankful for all the Lord's many blessings :)

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  10. God certainly had your father in His protective hands! So relieved for him, for you, and the entire family, Marilyn.
    And your other photos? Oh, my, what joy and peace they granted me today. Thank you!

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    1. We are so very thankful and grateful too Martha! Thank you for your sweet and kind words, I find such joy and peace in the world around me this time of year too. It's a beautiful time of year! Blessings and hugs to you sweet friend :)

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  11. I'm so thankful that your dad is OK. I saw the photo yesterday too.. on IG. Phew. Your photos are amazing and love all of your hikes and all of the water views, lakes, streams, mountains. Where you live is certainly Heaven on earth! It is so lush and green there and the wildflowers are so pretty. When I lived in SW Washington up in the mountains, it was the same there... spring was such an awakening of all the little wild blooms. I loved it. Not much here as is so dry here. My poor garden flowers just aren't doing much for some reason so I thoroughly enjoyed traveling along with you and seeing the lake where you kayaked, etc. I would like to kayak with my sister, and I think a blow up one would be perfect, but sure would hope it didn't get a hole poked in it in the middle of the lake!

    Your garden area is just wonderful! Love the painted cans and your rag banners, the roses.. and the collage of the rose with the wooden fence and stump is my favorite. I have a "thing" for old wooden fences and gates!

    I bet you're looking forward to your family reunion. That will be so fun. Take care and have a good trip. I have a little "goody bag" forming for you.... so will wait to send it upon your return! Hugs.. Marilyn J

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  12. Beautiful Spring and Summer, how I long for thee. =) Your photos are beautiful....kayaking on mirrored rivers, sipping tea in your beautiful garden, finding wild strawberries, baking....it all sounds rather heavenly. So, so thankful your dad is okay. Yes, the Lord's protective hand was right there in the midst of all that broken metal. Have a wonderful holiday and family time in Canada, dear Marilyn.

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  13. What an awful experience for your Dad! I'm glad he's okay.
    I can imagine your kayak on that peaceful lake. So lovely. As are the wild roses!!
    June truly is a wonderful month.

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  14. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I’m saying a prayer of thanksgiving along with you, that your Dad is unhurt. It is amazing when you look at his car.
    This was a very cool spring and I’m sad to think that it’s already summer. We live in a gorgeous part of the world don’t we? I enjoyed each and every photo that you shared with us today.
    Safe journey to your Dad tomorrow and the rest of you soon.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  15. Your photos are beautiful except for that of your dads' truck! I am so thankful that he is alive and not injured!!

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  16. Your post begins with the natural beauty the Lord gives us and ends with His grace and mercy and protection we that know Him can rely on!

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  17. So glad the accident was not worse! Awful enough as it is.
    I am crazy about the photo of the clothing on the line! Just wonderful.

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  18. OMGoodness, your dad had a wild ride! I'm so sorry he had to go through all that, even though he walked away without a scratch. Hope you all enjoy your reunion in New Brunswick!

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  19. First, I am so glad your dad was not injured in the accident. That was awful! The pictures of your yard are so pretty. I love all the colors in you little area...guess I would call that my playhouse. Makes me want to go fix up and add more color and fun to my playhouse. Is that your back yard?

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  20. I loved seeing all of your photographs, except when I cam to your Dads truck, so pleased to read that he was not injured.

    Enjoy your trip to New Brunswick.

    All the best Jan

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  21. Oh, dear friend! I am just SO moved by your beautiful, beautiful photography and all you have written here! Your stories and photos SO deserve to be published in this magazine and all over the world!!!!!!!!!!! There are none any prettier that I have ever seen. They touch my heart so deeply each time I see them, and I know that every, single thing you do is done in so much love and grace...it truly shines through even your photos. Your outdoor garden/eating area just draws me in, and how I would love to come and sit there with you over open Bibles and cups of coffee (you would probably prefer tea!) and just pour out our hearts, sing together, and enter into a time of intercessory prayer together! Can you imagine how Heaven would come down? Our phone calls and prayer times together are so precious, I can only imagine how they would be in person. I LOVE the neat way you painted the cans and how it all coordinates with the boots and flowers and the tablecloth and rag banner...I just love it ALL! Oh, my, I was SO concerned to read about your dear Dad! That is just awful. Bless his dear heart, that must have been SO terrifying for him, and how God's hand was over him is just downright amazing. I know it was your daily prayers for him that God was answering and angels were all around controlling the impact and keeping him alive and well. Oh, I cannot even imagine that family gathering and how it could have been so different...but GOD. He is SO faithful. Oh, dear friend, how I rejoice with you that all is well! I can't wait to hear about your trip to Canada and see your next photos and blog post. You are so special and dear, and I love and appreciate you so much! God be with you and bring you back home safe.

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  22. Marilyn, as always, your post is just so full of beauty. I love seeing your little piece of heaven and those mountain scenes are just breathtaking! Congratulations again on your published article in Rural Magazine...what an honor! And oh my, how grateful I know you are that our mighty Lord had His hand on your dear father during that awful accident! It is just amazing that he was able to walk away unscathed! Glory be to God! Enjoy your summer, sweet friend!

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  23. Your pictures are beautiful, as always, and I love your yard! That lake you went kayaking on is just gorgeous - that must've been a fun girls trip. :)
    Praise the Lord your dad is okay! Thank you for sharing, friend!

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  24. Praise God that your father is ok after that horrific accident! I can't even imagine how terrifying that must have been for him.

    I too love the smell of the wild roses. I would love to have a picket fence with them climbing all over it in the front yard but hubby says no because that would mean more yard work for him to do. I totally get his point but a girl can dream right? ;)

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  25. Good Morning Marilyn!
    My lovely and nature loving friend how are you today...after reading this bright and beautiful post (I am so sorry to hear about your Fathers accident, but so thankful that he is okay.)I would say life is really good. Summer appears to have arrived in the Rockies and what a beautiful sight this all! Such a great idea to join a hiking group and paddle around a mountain lake or two. Embracing the outdoors certainly is a beautiful way to live a life!
    Blessings and Hugs!
    Jemma

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  26. Jumping over to your blog from Nana Dianne's blog. What an amazing place you live at. I love it all...so beautiful. Yikes on the car but what an awesome little shelter. And the pic of the Eagle! WOW....great job. I enjoyed my tour around your place. Thanks for sharing.

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  27. Your scenery photos are super gorgeous!!! I love them all! :-)
    I saw your post on Instagram about your dad and I am incredibly thankful he came out of that horrendous wreck unscathed. Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow!!!! Love you, my friend!

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  28. Rural Magazine, and you have an article! That is fun, to be published like that. It doesn't surprise me. Your blog posts are magazine worth, story and pictures!
    Glad your dad is OK and will be able to make the Family Reunion.
    Have a great time!

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  29. Praise the Lord your dad is fine! That looks like a terrible thing. May his guardian angel be with him always. Your surrounds are just breath taking! Lovely flowers, and congratulations on being published!

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  30. I enjoyed the photos and seeing spring/summer there. How hot does it get there? Thankful for God's protection of your dad.

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  31. Oh wow! I was enjoying all of your beautiful pictures so much...thinking how lovely it is there and I would so love to visit Idaho someday...such amazing beauty...and then to get to the end of your post and see that accident your father had...and what a miracle that he was not injured! Truly God's hand was upon him...that is so wonderful to hear. Praise God!! Thank you for sharing all of this with us. It gives us pause to think about our great Creator...in so many different ways...

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  32. It has been so sweet to meander through your pictures and adventures! It all looks so wonderful, and I hope that all is ok with your Dad!
    Praying you are blessed with many more wonderful days!

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  33. All you share is so lovely and uplifting. I really love the inflatable kayak and lake photos. Kayaking is one of my favorite things to do, but storing and hauling the kayak was a problem. Will look into one of these. Am dipping my toes back into blogging. Have a lovely day....hugs from Shirley in Virginia

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  34. Marilyn, I am finally getting back to blogging on a regular basis and enjoyed all of the lovely flower pictures you've shared here and how you've decorated the area outside of your home. My favorite picture was of the Bald Eagle though. What a capture!

    And then I started reading about your dad's accident. As I read it felt as if my stomach was churning until I got to the very end and read that he came away without a scratch. Yes! I'd certainly agree that God was with your dad. I cannot even begin to imagine the things he must have felt as all of that was going on. May God be praised for his mercy!

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  35. Wonderful post. You live in such a scenic area. Such lovely mountain walks you take. How exciting to see and photograph the Bald Eagle. Lovely wildflowers, pretty flowers in your garden and those little wild strawberries are so cute. So happy your dad was okay after what sounds like a nasty accident. God is Good.

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Your comments are blessings to me, and I appreciate each and every one, they are precious to me! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog... this is what makes blogging worthwhile! Have a blessed day!

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