Hydrangeas - Around the World and at Home

These bountiful bushes of pink hydrangeas are actually lining Praska Street, at the oldest promenade in the Lower Town of the capitol city Zagreb, Croatia. As you pass, you'll immediately notice a faint fragrance similar to roses. Photo taken June 13, 2011.

Murano Island is home to this lovely walkway.  In addition to being the European center for glass blowing, one may find, adorning the bricks (ancient and modern), fully blooming bushes of hydrangeas.  Can anything be more beautiful?  Photo taken June 19, 2011

This Venetian Courtyard, not far from San Marco Palace, is partial to thriving hydrangea plants clustered beyond the entrance arches, inviting onlookers to come inside and taste the tranquility.
Photo taken June 18, 2011.

Cut hydrangeas freshly exhibiting colors of light green, lavendars, pinks and soft periwinkle tones. Those beautiful blue tones result from adding acid to the soil, thanks to my neighbor Carol. We think hydrangeas are just too pretty to stay outside.  Bring them in for a lovely centerpiece showcasing summer's pastels.

One single hydrangea, holding its own during a summer rainfall in my back yard.  Proudly displaying its beauty, despite the despondency of late afternoon showers.  Photo taken September 14, 2011

"As Summer into Autumn slips
And yet we sooner say
"The Summer" than "the Autumn," lest
We turn the sun away ... "  Emily Dickenson


Summer Hydrangeas ~ Enjoy them every way
1. Fresh Cut - Pick fresh hydrangeas and put them in a vase with water.  They can last for weeks with fresh water and trimmed stems. As the water dissipates, allow the hydrangeas to dry  naturally.  Most of them retain their color whether soft greens, pinks, or blues.

2.  Dry and Dye - Did you know you can dry hydrangeas and DYE them?  Yes, once they are dried and the color is fading, you can use Rit Dye to bring color right back into the dried petals.  Mix boiling water with the Rit dye according to directions. Stir into a large 2 gallon pail or even an ice cream pail.  The secret is to have the water boiling hot, stir, then hold the stems at the top, upside down with flowers at the bottom, dip them completely in the hot dyed water. Submerge, swish around a little bit hold under the water remove, shake dry and allow to air dry on newspapers that have been spread out.  Do this in your laundry tub or somewhere that the dye will not stain other items in your home.

3.  Spray Paint - Yes, you can Spray Paint fresh hydrangeas to get a specific color that you'd like!  Michaels sells a floral spray which works well to fully change the color of white hydrangeas.  My daughter did this for her wedding bouquet.  She actually used one can of floral spray paint and one can of regular.  She wanted a bright pink (but not hot pink) hydrangea for the bouquets. It worked perfectly.  The colors she chose to mix for a were Raspberry floral spray and a Watermelon regular spray paint.  The two blended nicely for a lovely, rich pink that was striking against her white gown and the yellow ruffled bridesmaid dresses.  

For Mother

Mother, often I remember you in prayer
And ask the Lord to keep you in His care,
And especially on your honored day,
I pray that you'll be blessed
With a peaceful heart and
All the things that make you happiest. 
                               Anonymous

Thinking about Mother's Day and reflecting on the role of mothers, thought I'd post a few poems and verses as a tribute to this special person who has influenced us tremendously in our daily lives. 

"Mother"
You painted no Madonnas
On chapel walls in Rome
But with a touch diviner
You lived one in your home.

You wrote no lofty poems
That critics counted art,
But with a nobler vision
You lived them in your heart.

You carved no shapeless marble
To some high soul design.
But with a finer sculpture
You shaped this soul of mine.

You built no great cathedrals
That centuries applaud,
But with a grace exquisite
Your life cathedraled God.

Had I the gift of Raphael
Or Michelangelo,
Oh, what a rare Madonna
My mother's life would show.
             By Thomas W. Fessenden

                                                       
                
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Considerations from Proverbs 31

Who can find a virtuous woman
Her price is far above rubies
   Her husband trusts her
   She treats  him generously
   She shops for the best linens and cottons
   She's like a merchant ship that
          searches for exotic surprises
   Up early preparing food for her family
   Considers property and buys it using
          money to provide for her family
   In the morning, she rises to prepare for
          her day's work
   She is skilled and diligent in homemaking
   She's quick to lend a hand to the needy
   She reaches out to attend the poor ...
Her children respect and bless her
Her husband joins to praise her.

Charm or Favor is misleading
Beauty can fade and can be vain
The woman to be admired and praised is
One who lives in the Fear of the Lord.

                                                             Peonies blooming in June
Open your Bible to read Proverbs 31.  You'll notice that physical beauty is not discussed.  Inner qualities are brought to light in this chapter such as charitable actions toward family and community.  Let us ladies strive to be like the strong Proverbs 31 woman with a light shining through acts of service and a virtuous character inspired by Biblical standards embraced by our hearts.

Renewal - Make Better in Spirit

For, Lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs
And the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Song of Solomon 2:11-13

Daffodil - Early Spring Blooms

Spring is a time of renewal.  This is witnessed as the snow melts away and shoots of green spring up from the garden.  As Solomon witnesses this rebirth of life, he appeals to our senses:  the pleasant sight of the flowers and green figs; the perceived melody of the birds in song with the voice of the turtle (most likely a seasonal bird that returns annually, exactly at the same time);  and the scent of the  vines with tender grapes making their way.  What a beautiful time to be made aware of the loveliness of God's creation, the loveliness of  Spring.

Renew:  1. to make new, as if to begin again; make young, fresh or strong again; bring back into good condition.  2. to
Give new Spiritual Strength; Make better in Spirit.  3.  to cause to exist again; re-establish.  4.  to begin again; take up again; resume.  5.  to go over again; say again; repeat as in renew a promise.  6.  to replace by something new of the same kind; put in a fresh supply.  7. to refill with a fresh supply  8.  to give an extension of as renew a lease


Let's take a look into our own hearts and lives. Ask God for that special awareness of Our Savior, His Love and His Beauty to grant a refreshing of our  soul.  Let this be our prayer:
"Renew a right spirit within me" Psalm 51:10.

Whiter than Snow

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  Psalm 51:7

Many of us American gardeners don't know much about hyssop since it is commonly found in Mediterranean areas.  Its unique properties have made it useful for the vegetable gardener: it acts as a repellent, protecting young plants from a destrutive pests. When blended with a few herbs, it can be helpful for someone with respiratory difficulties or even indigestion.  The fragrance industry has sought after the hyssop as an additive for colognes.  Since the plant attracts bees and butterflies, it is useful for any gardener who is looking to pollenate.  The gourmet chef may use a touch of dried hyssop to enhance the soup or salad; it brings a slight minty flavor to any dish.

Exodus 12:22 tells us of the first Biblical usage of hyssop: it was mixed with blood during the Passover.  The purpose was to place this mixture on the doorpost to spare the Hebrew son when the death angel came through the land of Egypt.  Hyssop was associated with purifying when used by the Levitical priests.  It was a cleansing agent for sacrificial birds offered by the priests. Numbers 19:18 gives another reference for hyssop to be mixed with water, sprinkled on anyone who had been defiled by the residue of death. "And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip in the water, and sprinkle upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave." Again, a ceremonial procedure resulting in a type of purification.  In Psalm 51:7 it is noted as an agent to purge away uncleaness.

It is interesting one of the last Biblical references to hyssop is at Calvary, the redemptive death of Christ.  Though the soldiers knew it not, they used a cleansing ingredient which was integral to the Levitical priests' method of sacrifice and thrust it up to the mouth of Christ.  John 19:29 "Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put upon hyssop, and put to his mouth."  The very plant, instrumental when mixed with blood to protect and spare the LIFE of the Hebrew children as the Egyptian first borns were slaughtered in the Midnight Plague (Exodus 12:29) while Moses implored, "Let my people go," was given to Christ!!   The very plant is mixed with the bitterness of vinegar and offered to Christ, our Perfect Sacrifice, dripping down his cheek, mingled with His blood for the sins of His people.   

As the snow falls quietly outside the window, covering your world in a blanket of white, may it present a picture of Purity, Cleansing that has come through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Envision his precious blood with the touch of hyssop against that spotless covering -- such a contrast, yet one that is necessary to wash away our scarlet sins, to the whiteness of snow.

"...Prune thy Vineyard..."

Thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof ... Leviticus 25:3

Pruning is removing certain parts that are no longer required or effective for that plant; they are of no use.  The goal for the gardener is to enhance the plant by bringing energy to develop flowers, fruits, and the limbs that remain -- a healthy, hearty plant!  Just as our heavenly Father instructed the Israelites to prune their vineyard, we also need to take a look at our lives to see what needs to be removed, what is dull, dried, dead, inhibiting growth.  Removing the old will cause a rebirth within the plant to revive it and renew it. 

Everyone who prunes, does have a tool; we may use a variety of shears, clippers or even a saw. Natural pruning occurs constantly; we think nothing of it in wild areas or virgin woodlands. That tool may be a harsh wind which blows the dry branches and dead leaves off a tree or bush.  Possibly the tool is a small animal who nibbles away on the shoots while searching for food.  I would have to say that our pruning tool is the Word of God, provided by our Maker to help us shake off what is unnecessary in our lives.  By examining the Scripture, we can see habits or activities that pull us away from spiritual growth and prevent us from renewal.  Desires we have may cause us to shrink or shrivel in our walk with Christ.  By examining ourselves with the Scripture, God will bring to light whatever holds us back and helps us push forward with regenerating life.  Our purpose is to bear fruit for Him, for our home in heaven.  One way to accomplish this is through that very process of pruning.

A look at Colossians 3:8-10, 12-14 will show the results of removing what is not essential for our growth.  Pull, tear, clip away, break off  all these - anger, wrath, malice, filthy communication, lies, ... part of decay and dead matter - old.  This is of no use!  Rather, allow growth, referred to as the "new man - renewed" in knowledge after the image of Him, our Creator!  Put on rather "mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, long-suffering, forbearance, forgiveness and Put On Charity."

                                   "And let the Peace of God rule in your hearts" Colossians 3:15.

Thanks be unto God for his Unspeakable Gift. - II Corinthians 9:15

The Unspeakable Gift - Our gracious Lord has so extended His love and mercy to us in giving a bountiful harvest, beauty through every aspect of His creation and the promise of peace of mind while on this temporary dwelling with the hope of an eternal future with Him.  All of this goodness that we experience and look forward to has come through one ultimate gift -- so pure and precious -- we cannot speak of the priceless sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ who redeemed His people through His blood on Calvary's cross.  Praise be His holy Name.

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you ... now He that ministers seed to the sower both ministers bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us Thanksgiving to God."  II Corinthians 9: 8-11

Preserving Autumn

"Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it.  And, if I were a bird, I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."  George Eliot aka Mary Anne Evans.

To some, the coming of Autumn brings a touch of despondency for the shortened days, weather's chill, and the decline of summer's blooms.  How could one experience such?  Summer's blossoms are soon replaced with the beauty of Autumn's palette: golden highlights across the fields, bursts of orange among the trees and crimson ornamentation near the pickett fences and porches.  The wonder of Autumn's colors never ceases to amaze me! Road travelers who venture out in October's countryside, view nature's glow and are awestruck.  Fisherman traveling to that salmon stream are overcome by the rich colors they encounter during their three day outing.  Hikers and bikers often select October for their weekend getaway knowing the fabulous scenery that awaits them is unmatched during any other season. 

If you'd like to preserve such beauty, collect autumn leaves at their colorful peak; press them in the phone book for a day or two; then dip these treasures in melted wax.  Gulf wax, sold in a butter size box, works best.  Remove one rectangle, melt it in a double boiler pan (with hot water below) using an aluminum pie plate at the top.  The wax melts quickly and is ready for dipping. Turn off the heat. It's best to hold on to your leaf with kitchen tongs by the stem.  Gently dip it and shape it near the edge of the pan - curl the edges slightly.  Shake excess wax gently and lay each leaf on a sheet of wax paper.  It dries in minutes.  Each rectangle of gulf wax will coat at least 50 med. leaves.  You can dip your dried rose buds, too!   These will last for months without crumbling.  I even have boxed my favorites to save them for the next year. 
                                                                                                                                                    
God's word tells us that our Lord preserves us and helps us in Psam 116:6. "O Lord, thou preservest man and beast" Psalm 36:6.  Preserving is more than saving for the future, it is keeping safe from injury or harm as in Proverbs 2:8 "He preserveth the way of His saints."  It's a lovely promise: Preserved by Him.