Bird Bath Bliss

I was surprised to walk in on this little yellow bird as it bathed. The bird was rolling in the water spout at the top of the fountain and seemed to be using the water bubbling out of the top as a type of water massage. The bird was rolling upside down, around and sideways over the spout and did not notice me . This was definitely a bird experiencing bird bath bliss!I went inside grabbed my camera and fully expected the bird to be gone with all my commotion, but no...it was still enjoying the water.I believe this is an immature American Goldfinch. It was hard to get a good clear picture because this little birdie was really rolling and undulating in the burbling water of the spout and the feathers were fluffed up and wet from the bathing. Anyway, I watched the bird for about 5 minutes. Then it fluttered into the Rugosa bush next to the fountain to dry off. Click onto the photos to enlarge. "He sends forth springs in the valleys; they flow between mountains; They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst..... ...."beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they lift up their voices among the branches. He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works......the trees of the Lord drink their fill, the cedars of Lebanon which He planted, where the birds build their nests................O Lord how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all; the earth is full of Thy possessions." Psalm 104 : 10-13, 16,17

"Bless the Lord , O my soul, Praise the Lord!" Psalm 104 :35

For an unbelievably inspirational and encouraging blog ( but get out your hankies too) click on this blog , The Journey. I have no words for how this young woman and her love for the children of Uganda has manifested. Her father has written the blog post.

Remember, you are already blessed beyond all knowing, act on it, rejoice in it!

Spot of Completion

"Completion: The act, process, or result of completing," Funk & Wagnalls Dictionary

I finished it, finally. The long and joyous project, from lamb to purse! Did you ever hear it put that way? Remember, I start with a lamb, grow it up, have the wool sheared off, wash it, card it, spin it up into yarn which I might or might not dye......

...then weave the yarn into fabric. Then I have to decide how I will fashion the hand woven fabric into whatever I have dreamed up. The Chinese fabric with the butterflies helped me decide how I would use this hand woven fabric. After weaving many yards of fabric from my hand spun and hand dyed wool I finally cut it off the loom....

...and into these sections to enable me to fashion a purse.

Close-up of the purse. I had originally thought to use many beads and baubles to embellish it, but ended up with deciding the fabric lining and handwoven fabric needed only an old pin that had been in my jewelry box to finish it.

The end result,completion, modeled by my daughter, A.Joy, to show the proportions of the purse. I still marvel that this started with a lamb.....

Crispy Lavender Chicken

Crispy Lavender Chicken & Lavender Cookbook

Have I mentioned I very much like lavender and that we have quite a bit of it growing in our gardens? After attending the Lavender Festival in Sequim, Washington I was inspired to do more with our lavender. This recipe just appealed to me , and I am glad I tried it out. The chicken was delicious right out of the oven, and then again cold, right out of the fridge. The little bit of lavender in it gave it a zing, but was not perfumey tasting. I will definitely be making this again. Here is the recipe:

• 1 Tablespoon ( rounded or heaping ) mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon lavender ( dried)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 skinned breasts of chicken ( I used 4 thighs WITH skin on, what can I say, I love hot greasy chicken skin)
• 1 oz. cornmeal
• 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

Combine mayo and lemon juice. Combine bread crumbs with cornmeal, salt, lavender, and paprika. Spread chicken with mayo / lemon mixture. ( I spread the mayo / lemon mixture under the skin ) Dip in crumbled mixture, coating well on all sides. Bake at 400 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes or until chicken is tender.

recipe from CELEBRATE LAVENDER FESTIVAL cookbook. recipe by Irma Colvin "And the earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit,with seed in them, after their kind: and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:12

Lavender Oil

I love lavender and have a lot of it growing around Cedar Pond. Not just in the herb garden either. We have it in many of the flower beds and some of my big pots of plant groupings. The bees around here love it too. I have always enjoyed cutting the long stemmed blooms and drying them for scenting my drawers, and using a bit for cooking, and used to add ground up lavender and oatmeal to my goat milk soap. Once I stopped making my own soap I forgot about using lavender for other things...until recently. I have very sensitive and dry skin and had been purchasing some special oils from a company in California. The oils were wonderful and did the job most lotions did not do so well, but they were very, very expensive. I noted that the base of most of the products was Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and it clicked, ANYONE can buy that at the supermarket, and I also realized I had baskets full of the many herbal ingredients these oils had. I could buy the best oils ( they're spendy) and use my herbs and make at least 10 times the oils for the same price as purchasing a 1 to 2 ounce bottle from the company in CA. The bottles above are Grape- seed Oil and Almond Oil that have had lavender from our garden crushed and steeped in them for at least 10 days. I filtered out the crushed lavender today and swiped the oil still clinging to the sides of the steeping jar and massaged it into my arms. I chose grape-seed and almond oils after reading about their benefits on-line, but Olive Oil would do quite well too. You need clean sterile canning jars or bottles with tight fitting lids. Oil of choice ( 32 ounces), and herb or herbs of choice, about 1 cup fresh or dried..put washed, dried, and crushed herbs of choice in the jar and then pour oil into jar. Put tight fitting lid on and place the jar in a sunny spot for about 10 days. You can add up to 20 drops of essential oil to this for fragrance, but when I strained the oil, I discovered it had a delicate lavender/ grassy smell and I like it fine. I can use this on my feet and legs too, just remember oil is, well..oily, and blot it after applying or wear cotton socks and gloves for special soothing and softening. It can be stored in a cool dark place for several months unrefrigerated, or indefinitely in the fridge. And you can cook with them too! I have filled the cleaned and sterilized old , antique cosmetic and medicine bottles with the oils for my facial needs, to be refilled with oil from the big jars when needed. There are so many fragrant herbs and herbal combinations you can use, and the supermarkets have such a wide variety of oils available. Do some research on-line and see which oils might appeal to you. Your cosmetic and skin needs are only as far away as your local supermarket and herb garden, at a very attractive price! "Almond oil, The most popular carrier oil, as it has little smell, is rich in protein and is emollient, nourishing, and slow to become rancid." "Grape- seed Oil,Very fine and clear; it gives a satin-smooth finish without a greasy touch."

The Complete Book Of Herbs by Leslie Bremness

What to Do With An Old Satellite Dish?

Works for me!

For David, Praise Him in the Storm!

David, praise Him in the storm!

If you feel led, please pray for David as he makes another journey to the high desert of California in yet another fight to save his daughters. Please pray for the truth to be revealed and for the little girls' safety: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This song is for you David, praise Him in the storm.

Clinging to Shade

~Our Front Porch~

It is still too hot for us. We cling to the shade when we are outside, and sit in front of fans while inside. Fortunately our bedroom has a small air conditioner and we are able to get some sleep. I have already spent 2 nights with heat sickness, and am looking forward to more normal temperatures in the upcoming days. Either that or I am moving my work into the air conditioned bedroom.

May your sun-filled days be blessed with shady spots for rest, may your Son-filled life be blessed with spots of reflection on His mercy and love.