April Snow! Where Did It Go?

Woke up on April 20, 2021, to several inches of snow that had quietly fallen since midnight.

Here's the same view about eleven hours later!

I-is for Iris

Yes, I'm still here, living life with all of its up and downs, ever grateful for the solid rock of Jesus Christ through it all. I don't know how people manage without His strength. I know that some of the stuff we've dealt with since I last posted was only manageable through his grace. I also know that the blessings we've received during this time were also only through his grace!

The "Scribble Picnic" art cooperative I was part of came to an end last year. It did a good job of keeping me posting fairly regularly. Maybe I need to get back to using a theme. Hmm... I started going through the alphabet a few years back. Guess I'll try to continue with that. And who knows--maybe I'll pick up my colored pencils and throw in a scribble now and then!

Here's a bouquet of some of the iris, and a few roses, we gathered from around the yard last evening.

I give B. credit for getting them planted years ago. In fact, it looks like I did a post about all the varieties we had back in 2008. This link will take you there if you're interested in seeing them. Iris from 2008

Previously posted ABCs:

Apple, Blog, Cornflakes Candy, Cantata and Christmas, Draw This,  EEEEE, Family, Gum Ball Machine, HIE

Spring Storm

     So often storms bring the threat of heavy winds, hail, or even tornadoes. But sometimes a storm is just a brief passing of some wind and rain. That's what we like to see and are grateful for... rain to sustain the crops and pastures with no significant damage.

     Life is that way, too, isn't it? We go through stormy times that threaten to undo us, but other times our "troubles" are short-lived and really of no consequence. Praying that your life's storms are mostly of the latter variety!

     Linking my watercolor pencil storm with Michael's Scribble Picnic. Check out this page to see other storms that may have threatened to cancel the picnic!

Egg Hunt!

Have a blessed Easter this next Sunday as we gather with fellow believers, family, and friends to celebrate the risen Lord with songs, with praise, and even with egg hunts!

Joining the Scribble Picnic egg hunt with my colored pencil drawing. You can see what others have scrambled up here!

Edited to add this photo taken eleven years ago of a chair I painted. It's made a good conversation piece, and no one has broken any of the eggs after all these years!

Through a Window (in my dreams)

Is is Spring yet? Well, certainly not in our part of the country. After all, it's still February, so what else can we expect? But I can still dream about those pretty flowers to arrive in due time!

Linking with Scribble Picnic. You can see how others "Fill(ed) in the Blank" here.

Scribble Picnic–Ladder

I keep thinking I'll get something posted between Scribble Picnic Wednesdays, then here it is time again to finish up a new sketch and get it posted. So, before I do that, here's a follow-up on the previous post. You'll be glad to know that it appears that "Little Bunny Foo Foo" has repented of his bad behavior and has been given another chance at being a good hare. I caught him hanging out in our yard this evening, looking quite contrite among our dandelions. (Oh dear, but those do need some serious attention!) No field mice in any apparent danger!

On to the picnic, where we've been thinking about ladders. My first thought was about a "ladder of life," but no, none of us know how tall or short that ladder would be. Maybe a ladder that goes on and on and on...., kind of like the never-ending to-do list that most of us have, but no, too depressing and how would I show that? Or maybe a crazy one that goes up, then over, then slants up, then..., but no, a bit too complicated. Ladders, hmmm... I've certainly been on my fair share of them. Sometimes to change lightbulbs, sometimes to try to clean accumulated grunge from ceilings, many times to hang wallpaper or borders, and numerous times to paint walls and ceilings! So here you have it. A rendition of the trusty folding stepladder, ready to hold a bucket of paint and a painter to add some color to that plain, white wall!

To view more ladders climb on over HERE!

Chirp, Chirp! #1--Singing Sunshine

Caught this oriole swaying on a branch outside my kitchen window early one May.  Love its color!

Spring Hodge-Podge

It was fun to see these colorful train engines one day.

A pastor from Papua New Guinea visited our area. M, B, and our pastor showed him around. He enjoyed seeing a Kansas farm first-hand.

Pastor C takes a break!
This is taken at Alcove Springs, a stop along the Oregon Trail.
They also took him to the dairy where T used to work, checked out the calves, and helped with the milking!

Then it was back to our place for kite flying and our first picnic of the year!
Another Spring day in April the director of a day care in a nearby town asked M to come over and fly kites with the kids. Good thing B, B's sister K, and I went along to help. They've mostly gone back inside now, but there were bunches of kids who tried their hands at flying kites!

We celebrated Easter at K and A's, their first time hosting family for a holiday. They did a fine job!

A trunk back of the van full of Spring!

Sarah Circle handed out the pansies after church for May Day gifts.

Yes, though it took its sweet time getting here, Spring has sprung!

Spring Blooms

I took photos of flowers.
I planned to blog.
It didn't happen.
But when I saw the asparagus was up and ready to eat, there was no doubt that Spring had happened, and I knew I'd better get something posted before it's suddenly Summer!

Welcome, Spring!

B and I stopped at a greenhouse yesterday to get a few broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage plants. Ummm, we did that, but I think we brought home more pansies than veggies! So today, even though it was only 50-some degrees, B put out the garden stuff, and we set the pansies out along the south side of the house. (A garden photo would have just showed a row of milk jugs covering the plants.)
T has been home this past week on spring break from her freshman year at junior college 5 hours west of here. She left today to visit some friends before going back. K's final college spring break begins today, but she won't be home until she and a friend do some visiting elsewhere first for a few days.
Almost two weeks ago, B, M and I went to visit my mom for a few days. I was tempted to post a photo of her looking in the refrigerator, from when she was trying to load us up with food for the trip home. I think she'll appreciate this one better!

Thanks for the good visit, Mom!

Signs of Promise

No blooms yet like Wanda has in California, but we do have hope of spring!

I know Martha in New York really doesn't care much for these particular birds, but seeing them here headed north is a good sign for us.

The season we began yesterday is another sign of promise for us.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:22-24 (NIV)

Iris 23