Slow Down July! And a WINNER!

 
There are some months of the year that we wish would hurry up, and there are other months that we wish time would slow down so we could savor the joy.  July has been one of those months. Slow down, July!  The garden is fully planted, and everything is growing happily. We have had beautiful weather, with intermittent rain showers, and only just recently got into the 90s for a couple of days. I am able to enjoy my garden more now, since all the major chores have been done, and now I am just maintaining and stopping to enjoy its beauty. I've continued to have friends and family over for tea in the garden because I love to share the joy it brings me with others! And here we are, already past the middle of July! 

This is a perennial plant, a Maltese Cross that the hummers just love. It puts on a stunning show of color! 

A mixture of happy blooms!

These swallows in the garden flew from their nest the day after I took this picture. I love swallows - they eat lots of mosquitoes! 

We had a wonderful July 4th, celebrating our country's 250th birthday!

The fireworks were amazing! 

Baby Clara's first time to see fireworks. Her parents bought her special headphones so that she couldn't hear the loud noise and be scared. She loved the bright lights! 

The raspberries have been growing in abundance! I've been picking this much every day and passing them on to friends and family, and freezing them too. 

My Jackmanii clematis has outdone herself this year! The blooms are absolutely incredible! 

Lots of blooms in the garden! 

I love making bouquets with the abundance of blooms. 

Our writers' group met in my garden and had a wonderful potluck together! 

There were quite a few who couldn't make it, but it was wonderful to visit together. We played a game where one writer shared a starting sentence, and we went around the table adding to the story. We had so many laughs! 

In front of my clematis... it is quite amazing to see! 

All I can say about this is.... this must've hurt! Poor girl! It ended up being a very large double yolk egg.  

Our back porch is being built by our son-in-law! We are so excited about having a back porch that will run the entire length of the house. 

Sadly, wildfire season began last week - for us at least.  A large wildfire about 2 hours north of us started, and the wind has brought the smoke our way. So far, we have no fires close by. Thanking the Lord for that! 

Our neighbor's flag is flying in the smoky skies

And now I would like to introduce our winner to you for the book giveaway in my last post!!!!! 

Lorrie Orr wrote an amazing book, and I offered a giveaway. After entering the names on the wheelofnames giveaway site, it picked Ellen as the winner! Congratulations Ellen!

Ellen, I will reach out to you for your address and will get the book on its way to you! I know you will be blessed by Lorrie's incredible story of their time in Ecuador! 

I am sharing a video with you that I made several years ago, and it reminds me of the early mornings I enjoy in my garden! There is nothing like that special time when the world is awakening, and the beauty of the garden fills your soul with wonder and delight. I pray that you can find time to spend in a beautiful garden in this beautiful month of July, and that the bountiful blessings of the Lord will be yours!

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,

My soul shall be joyful in my God;

For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,

And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11 

For as the earth brings forth its bud,

As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,

So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Isaiah 61:10-11