Sharing a Few Blooms

Now didn't I promise you if you came back I would have a few lovelies for you today?  Yes mam!  I certainly did and I hope you won't be dissappointed!

Things sure are starting to get prettier by the day around here.  I've started collecting some photos from outside to share with you.  Let's take a look!

These were taken a few weeks ago around the 1st of April. 

A bit hard to see but the dogwoods are blooming like crazy!

I love when there's dog wood snow on the ground this time of year.  LOL!  Oh and yep, the last "straggler" chair finally got a good coat of blue paint.

A few pretty pops of red on my azaleas.

I never really seem to have quite the same luck with azaleas that the rest our state does.  But, I am quite happy with the few blooms I do get.

The tiger lilies are lined up on the walk up to the back deck.

And my snowball viburnum is blooming abundantly again.

This was around the 4th of April.

This was yesterday!

In just a few weeks I've started having blooms and buds bursting from my knockout rose bush too.

 I think I have an old bush I thought I had cut down that is growing back in between the knock out rose.

  Isn't it just gorgeous!

The Oakleaf Hydrangea is just now forming blooms, but look at the leaves, they have grown so large already!

I just love the colors this season is presenting so far.

My yard is full of Iris's that haven't yet started to bloom.  Be sure and watch for them sometime in the near future, hopefully.

Thanks so much for visiting with me today.

I hope you enjoyed it,

Do come again!

Mary



What is up with this?

Here we go again! I keep getting this great big huge gap on my tab pages that pops up.  I've tried to fix this before and have been successful by spacing my words our more on my tabs.  It seemed to have worked but trying it again today seems to be unsuccessful.  The only thing I have done differently is added a few more gadgets to my side bar. 

I am wondering if adding things to your sidebar affects the header tabs?  I don't know but it is frustrating that I have to keep fixing this.  I don't like having this great big green gap!  YIKES! 

Well friends, that's all I've got time to share for Mary Meditating Mind. So much to do, so little time!   I'll try to gather up a few pics to share with you tomorrow for Take a Look Tuesday.  Please come back if your interested. 

Don't worry this is not weighing heavy on my mind!

Just saying! Ughhh!!!

Have a great Monday Yall!

Mary

John 14:2

In my Fathers house are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.

 – John 14:2

For my Sharing Jesus Sundays I have been sharing with you the importance of sharing our love for others.  I want to now focus on Jesus's love for us. 

This verse above is my own personal favorite verse.  It is one I have shared with others when speaking candidly about my faith.  It is one I have claimed as my signature verse, because this verse alone has moved me towards a closer relationship with God then any other. 

In this verse Jesus tell us that in Gods Kingdom there are many room (or mansions).  Have you ever thought about what exactly this means?  Is he describing a structural place or maybe a space?  We do not yet know exactly what he means, but we do know he is referring to heaven.  Additionally, he goes on to explain his promise to us with words of reassurance.

I love this verse for many reasons!  Frankly the whole paragraph, John 14;1-14 is one I treasure.  But lets focus on what I want to share about this verse. 

First, because it sends us a promise of assurance of a "place" in heaven.   This was very comforting to me as one who has always felt like I did not fit the mold.  In these words I have also found great comfort in the assurance of "many" rooms.  Because this tells me, there is room for me!

  Secondly, I have also found my greatest lesson in the words that followed; "If it were not so I would have told you."  I personally found it extremely interesting that Jesus would say these words that sounded like a justification to me.  It is interesting because I do not believe Jesus needs to justify anything to us.   But it was there, why?  After studying the verses before and after this one I soon realized maybe they were there not for Jesus to justify himself, but to help us question and determine how much do we really trust his words.  Do we really trust him? Trusting him is crucial to a growing relationship.

  And finally, the third part of this verse, "I am going there to prepare a place for you."  This speaks volumes of Jesus's love for us.  How much more can Jesus show us his love for us then from what he has already done? In this verse we are shown not only of the action in which he was about to take but the reason why he was going to do that, to prepare for us.  How awesome is that?  What extreme Love!

There are many many more verses I can share with you that show God's love for you.  I hope to continue doing just that.  I hope you enjoyed hearing my very personal favorite.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Mary

Coffee Break Anyone?

Hey Yall! Just popping in to invite you to a very unusual setting for me today for

 Tablescape Thursday.   

I've been taking a break and thought you might enjoy one too.  Life has kept me hopping quite a bit lately with very little time for blogging so you may not see me quite so often.  It's all good and I'm enjoying gaining more control over my time, slowing down and enjoying the coffee, so to speak.  So...maybe you'd like to join me?

The table is all set and ready for a variety of friends!

I've pulled out all my favorites to offer up something as special and individual as you are.

Here's what has inspired this coffee break today.  My newly acquired sterling silver coffee set. 

 My husband and I recently inherited this from his father after he passed away.

  As much silver as we had already inherited there was still a bit more to be divided among the siblings.

  I was quite surprised and thrilled to learn that the other siblings already owned silver coffee sets.  Thrilled because this set is also engraved with our last names initial.

I asked if I would be expected to serve coffee now at Christmas and was told, "Of Course"!   

So, I guess I'd better practice right? 

I added a few spring napkins.

And, a basket of spoons to stir with. Yes, I do know these are teaspoons, but I don't have any coffee spoons.

These gorgeous flowers I cut right out of my backyard. 

I was going to put them in my crystal vase but it was too wide at the top and I liked the way this decanter held them closer together.

This tree is a snowball viburnum if I remember correctly...I think!

To the right I have set out some cups and saucers for those of you with more refined taste.

These two rose patterned cup and saucers I also inherited, though quite a while back from my MIL.

I have lots of these, they are from my Nana's china.

I also have lots of these from my wedding china.

There is a set of these from my everyday, and some Christmas patterned teacups not shown here today.

Needless to say, this is why I was so happy when I won the Lenox China and was able to get a pattern that did not have cup and saucers.  This is much more my style shown here!  I can enjoy a great big cup of coffee with these.

Now, on this side of the table I've prepared for those of you who are more down to earth and enjoy a good hearty cup of coffee as much as I do.  Let's take a look at a few of my favorites.

This is one of my oldest and most favorite cups.  It's almost too faded out but I just adore it still!

This one is from waaayy back in my early career days as a travel agent.

This sweet cup came with a floral arrangement  from my Mom one year.

I loved the color on this one and keep it still even though sadly it is chipped on the rim.

These match some dishes I also have.  The pattern is called Market Basket.

I know I've shown you these before, I just love the footed look, don't you? 

Well ladies, as you can see, I've got coffee cups up the wazoo! 

Do you think I can fill all these cups from this pot?  I may need a few!

 Sooo, care to join me?

I'd love to sit and chat a bit over a nice cup of Joe!

I'll make the coffee and you can bring the treats, okay?

(Big Smiles)

Thanks for visiting today, it's always a pleasure!

Until next time,

Mary

Dear Friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

 – 1 John 4:7

This verse, and the paragraphs that follow in 1 John 4: 7-21 speaks of God's love and ours.  Again, we see an illustration of Love that is an action and not just a feeling.  Love that reaches out beyond mere kindness.

Bringing these verse's to action in our lives is often difficult, but a willing heart is necessary.  We cannot share our Love for God and for each other if we are not willing to take action.  It does require something of us in that we have a choice to share our love and follow Christ example.

I pray for the help of the Holy Spirit to work within me to share the Love of God in ways I would not otherwise be able to do.

Thank you for spending Sharing Jesus Sunday with me.

I hope your afternoon is blessed!

Mary

twin baby boys have a conversation - part 2 ORIGINAL VIDEO

Good Morning Bloggers!  Just in case you have missed this on the news or any of the late night talk shows, I thought I'd post it for your here.  It is so worth your time to watch this video clip.  It will bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart!

This is no Aprils Fools Joke, it's the real deal!

Th