Wednesday, December 17, 2008

To each of you readers of the "in the shade of the old apple tree" blog,
Merry Christmas!
--and now-- a poem for you:

BLESSED CHRISTMAS

A blessed Christmas wish to you,
To all who celebrate His birth;
Christ the Savior born that night
When Heaven’s glory came to earth.

Now Shepherds quake while angels sing
Of Him Who comes from Heaven on high;
Eternal Son of God appears,
His grace to all makes known thereby.

From heights above to depths below,
So rich, yet poor He then became,
Born man, still God, God-Man is He,
And Jesus, Savior, is His Name.

Oh virgin-born! such mystery,
Always God, yet man now, too;
Suitable to die our death,
A taint of sin He never knew!

What is His plan for life on earth?
To give His life on Calvary’s tree;
Sweet purpose of that Christmas night,
As Substitute, would die for me!

That’s why we say that Christmas time
Is blessed, for in this world of blame,
Each person needs to know the One
Whose Name at Christmas we proclaim!

-- Poet Les

Grandchildren on the Western Front



Chloe and Jed with Grandma....

Picture this concentration.

GrandPapa and Jed do this together!


Methinks this young fellow is a Quick Study....

These 4 are having a great time together!



Just GrandPapa and Jed....

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Thanksgiving seens 2008

At our family Thanksgiving, 23 of us gathered from all across the country. We had a great time, as you will see!


Our California son shines!


And the trays await their use.





...while eaters await
their food!

And cousins enjoy the spotlight....

Great to see our Out-of-Towners (again)




Oh, those desserts -- they were delicious (scrumptious), er -- JPG (just plain good)!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Flowering Beauties...and Vegetable Garden, too


Oh, those Regal Coneflowers!
A Beautiful Resting Place





What is this -- Beauty and the Beast?

Kissin' Cousins....

Getting Ready for the Take-off



The Hollyhock and the Cosmos of it....



Marching off to War!
Oh, those delicious Sun Gold Tomatoes!



This Cucumber is in Hiding -- Hanging in a Pole Bean "tree"

Now Behold...the Man in the Tree!
(not to be confused with The Man in the Moon)

Sunday, August 10, 2008

More Hollyhock Views...




Straight Arrows and Leaning Tower!
Pure white and Soft pink....





Aren't they whiter than the driven snow?

Among the Hollyhocks --

Early Morning colors.


A blaze of pink, with just a touch of reclusivity!



The sentry -- Cosmos among the Hollyhocks.



Exquisite!


"I second the notion," said the Lily!



And the Roses stood guard....
"Ahoy, there," the Geraniums say, "don't leave us out, in this riot of color!"


Thursday, July 10, 2008

A Hollyhock Extravaganza




Hollyhocks beginning to bud, mid-June.
Another view of the early Hollyhock budding.




Continuing to grow bigger buds....



Reaching up to the window ledge.
From the top side....





Now higher than the window ledge!
Beautiful Hollyhock Blossoms at last!


Wednesday, June 11, 2008

They're off -- "And Here They Grow!"


Tulips, Bleeding Heart -- ah, Spring!
A Real Close-up with a Tulip

Peonies, Lupine, and Others of God's Pleasing Creation

These Hollyhocks Are Growing up in the World!
Miniature Rose Bouquet



On our Lawn, Dahlias and....

Beautifully Colored Lupine
Their Notable Surroundings



Beautiful Pot of Flowers -- Gracing the Corner of our Garage