Music Exalts Life

"If you look deep enough you will see music; the heart of nature being everywhere music."

--Thomas Carlyle

This is one of my favorite oil paintings, probably painted by a Sunday artist.

Music is held in such high regard in our family. All four of our children play a musical instrument; involve music either in their careers or life in general. The "kids" are already fighting over who gets this painting after I'm gone!

This post will join others at Weekly Words to Live By at Notes From a Cottage Industry.

Be sure to check out other inspirational quotes there.

The Lone Sunflower

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do."

--Helen Keller

We have one, lone sunflower growing in our field. A volunteer. It stands tall and proud, like a sentinel. Maureen and I were admiring it's beauty last evening, how it is in the prime of it's life, "like a person in their twenties!" we remarked. "But it's all alone...."

I think seeing the lone sunflower also made us realize how lucky we are. We are not alone. It made me think of this quote:

"Fame is the scentless sunflower, with gaudy crown of gold; but friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold." --Oliver Wendell Holmes

I'm joining Tracey at Notes From a Cottage Industry for Weekly Words to Live By.

Also, The Tablescaper for Summer Sunday.

Go Outside and Plant Something!

"I know that if odour were visible, as colour is,
I'd see the summer garden in rainbow clouds."
~Robert Bridges,

One of my favorite blogs to visit is Trouvais. Trish has the most lovely garden, and she always inspires me to go outside and tend to my flowers. Reading her post here, and seeing all of her lovely flowers made me realize that I need less computer time and more garden time!

A little snapshot of Trish's garden. I love her faux bois table and stone pots.

So, my goal for this weekend and next week is to spend more time in the garden--it really does need some attention.

My potager garden needs help! Why don't we have tomatoes yet? The basil is doing great and wondering the same thing! Nothing like basil on tomatoes.

The Iceberg roses are happy, but they need to be deadheaded. This photo was taken just before the lavender opened up.

Today is #1 Granddaughter's birthday! Happy Birthday Reese! And thank you for reminding your grandma to go outside and smell the roses!

Have a wonderful weekend! Go outside and plant something!

I'm linking up to Notes From A Cottage Industry for Weekly Words to Live By.

Be sure to visit for more inspirational quotes.

Weekly Words to Live By

"Life is meant to be lived fully, and enjoyed deeply, and our homes are the great backdrop upon which our lives unfold. They are where we begin and end each day. Any room in which we spend time should feed us, nurture us, and improve the quality of our lives. People are what bring rooms to life." --Barbara Barry

I'm joining Tracey at Notes From A Cottage Industry for Weekly Words to Live By. Visit her blog for more inspiration and quotes.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

These vintage framed Mother's Day poems are a few in my collection found over the years.

They remind us today to stop and honor mothers everywhere. I feel very

fortunate to have my Mother-In-Law and all my children and grandchildren with me today for a family barbeque. Happy Mother's Day to my Mom in Oregon. Wish you were here too!

Wishing all moms and grandmothers everywhere a wonderful day!

I am linking up to Tracey at Notes from a Cottage Industry for Weekly Words to Live By.

I am sure there will be a lot of Mother's Day tributes today so be sure to visit.

May Flowers

Bouquet of Roses from Friday night's dinner party.

Pitcher of Lilacs from my backyard bush.

Urn full of Foxgloves in my entry.

Pot of Sunflowers and Daisies on my window ledge.

"God loved the flowers and invented soil. Man loved the flowers and invented vases."

~Variation of a saying by Jacques Deval

I'm joining Tracey at Notes From A Cottage Industry for Weekly Words to Live By.

Ode to Dexter Dog

"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea...

He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive...

When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man...

With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts...

His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog." - Gene Hill

Dexter, our Tibetan Terrier.