48 Years

It is Thankful Thursday

and I can't help but be thankful for another year.

Monday was #48.

It was a typical morning - Mondays are always cleaning days.

 But hubby took me out to Mission BBQ for dinner.

It is fairly new in our area and the meal was good (though a little pricey).

The added expense was willingly paid because all proceeds support military and public servants.

After dinner, hubby took me to Lowes - 

we bought plants and then promptly put them in the ground before the rain came on Tuesday.

We didn't have room for birthday cake - but it is waiting in the freezer when we are ready.

48 is a bit hard to say,

but despite the extra creaks and changes that come with age,

I can be thankful.

I am thankful for my health.

I am thankful for a husband who works hard and loves me even harder.

I am thankful for the effort he puts into staying close to God and into encouraging others as well.

I am thankful for God's provision of a home even when the economy is "not so great."

I am thankful for friends near and far who are a testimony of where God has walked beside us through many jobs, states, and homes.

I am thankful for a new church and ministry here.

I am thankful for God's grace for the unknown in the year ahead.

The Best Job on Earth

 I have been blessed in marriage.

From the beginning, nearly 21 years ago,

hubby has been in full support of my being at home.

I love taking care of my home.

I love researching food and exercise and health.

I love being available for ministry opportunities.

Much has been going on around home with Spring.

There have been plants and plants and more plants.

There has been grass patching until we can overseed this fall.

There have been rock garden and perennial garden work.

There has been lawn fertilizing at least twice this spring.

There has been budgeting to pay for it all.

But the progress has been much fun

and the new learning has been enjoyable.

I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Greeting guests with a little color on the hanging plants.

And we added some creeping phlox to the rock bed.

While blooming it was quite beautiful.

We also snuck in some lavender which will smell so good in the afternoon sun.

Our new garage door ...

insulated, reinforced with struts for the severe winds, and windows so it won't be so dreary when working out or using as a second dining/living room.

There is some life in the perennial bed.

And you can see the green stripes in the lawn where we reseeded and the peat moss added a little extra fertilizer.

An extra pot of lavender - a tribute to the Pacific Northwest.