There is a line in a poem that goes something like this:
"You are closer to God in a garden, than anywhere else on earth..."
"You are closer to God in a garden, than anywhere else on earth..."
I think many gardeners would agree.
To observe the growth of a plant up close and personal, from it's humblest and seemingly insignificant beginnings:
a minute,and barely visible seed...
to a mass of bold and sturdy stems lined with shapely, finely veined leaves and buds waiting to burst into bloom, THIS is a quiet adventure to a gardener.
We are dazzled by 50 shades of green, pink, blue, yellow, red and white; starting at our feet and sometimes, towering over our heads.
What earthly artist could ever conceive of such colors?
Behold the humor,
.
the intricacy,
the lush layers of seeming fragility,
The surprises
and the delicacy that is found in the garden.
Not only have we the boisterous beauty, variety and vibrancy of the petals and leaves and stems, we have the scent. How do you describe the scent of lavender... or the heady, lush sweetness of a rose?
.
.Or the faint whiff of spice from an Iris?
I cannot, I am not a wordsmith or a poet, I only know that when I am surrounded by the LIFE in my garden, I am witness to a loving Creator, who provided ALL of it: for us.
Squeeze a leaf of Basil or Rosemary between your fingers and tell me
that the aroma pleasing your senses is merely an accident with no rhyme or purpose. I believe there is a purpose.
To observe the growth of a plant up close and personal, from it's humblest and seemingly insignificant beginnings:
a minute,and barely visible seed...
to a mass of bold and sturdy stems lined with shapely, finely veined leaves and buds waiting to burst into bloom, THIS is a quiet adventure to a gardener.
We are dazzled by 50 shades of green, pink, blue, yellow, red and white; starting at our feet and sometimes, towering over our heads.
Behold the humor,
.the intricacy,
the lush layers of seeming fragility,
The surprises
and the delicacy that is found in the garden.
Not only have we the boisterous beauty, variety and vibrancy of the petals and leaves and stems, we have the scent. How do you describe the scent of lavender... or the heady, lush sweetness of a rose?
I cannot, I am not a wordsmith or a poet, I only know that when I am surrounded by the LIFE in my garden, I am witness to a loving Creator, who provided ALL of it: for us.
Squeeze a leaf of Basil or Rosemary between your fingers and tell me
that the aroma pleasing your senses is merely an accident with no rhyme or purpose. I believe there is a purpose.
The Hollyhocks bloom, the flowers fade, but left behind another marvel begins to form:
shaped like tiny green donuts, seeds dry, and separate into dozens of little uniform pods...full of the promise of new life and a Garden of HOLLYHOCKS for next year,
when the cycle repeats itself.
when the cycle repeats itself.
I wish everyone had a garden.... it really makes you appreciate the wonders surrounding us.
As further evidence to all that is miraculous,
I present to you
This beautiful little rosebud of a baby...
Meet Ramona, daughter of Matthew and Ashley... and our new Grandbaby.
She is 6 months old now... and much more incredible than any flower in the garden.
Congratulations! A whole new world has opened up to you. Do they live nearby?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately not. They are in Oregon and we are in Tennessee! We have only one grandchild nearby....
Deletewhat a wonderful post! and omg! ramona! she is gorgeous and what a grandmother she has. to think of the things you will teach her.
ReplyDeleteI wish they were closer... I could teach her to garden! And sew, and needle-felt and draw.... BUT, they are far away from us. Maybe someday, they will re-locate.
DeleteOh my...I am swooning~this is such a gorgeous post. Your little grandbaby is indeed a wonder and so beautiful. thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteI love babies, even more than I love gardens!
DeleteI wondered when the new baby was coming. How beautiful and pink. My new one is the same age, but I can only get a bottom lip and tears. I call her my little crybaby. My flowers are just beginning to wane and I don't like it. I want them all to last until the first frost.
ReplyDeleteHer daddy said she is a very happy baby.
DeleteYour flowers are dying of so early in the season? I planted a lot of Zinnias this year in the hopes they will bloom through October>
Congratulations! Beautiful name, Ramona for a beautiful baby!
ReplyDeleteThe name Ramona is so perfect... I've had to add a new character to my new book series, representative of her... a little Ramona mouse.
Deletecongratulations on the beautiful new rose bud aka grandbaby.
ReplyDeleteannie v.
Thank you!
DeleteI love how you describe the garden and the very miracle it presents to us, Jeri! And the miracle of life of your new grandchild. How beautiful and wondrous nature is to behold. ♥
ReplyDeleteI sometimes become overwhelmed with gratitude walking through the gardens. However, when I am weeding, my emotions are often of a different nature.
DeleteOh, Ramona is just beautiful. Look at that peachy bloom on her little cheeks. No blusher needed for her!
ReplyDeleteCan you believe that sweet complexion?!!
DeleteBeautiful photos, Jeri and congratulations on your new little grand-daughter. She is so precious.
ReplyDeleteHi Deb, and thanks!
DeleteYour grandbaby is beautiful! Although I do not have critters in my garden, I do delight in the many vivid colors, smells, and variety of flowers the Creator has blessed us with. Working in my garden is like therapy after a day at work.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the garden can be calming, invigorating and exhilarating all at the same time.
DeleteJERI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhere do I begin...
You are right about the garden. It is a testimony to that which is bigger than us, to the creator, to our Lord who voiced these things into being, and who cares about the least of us. If you have time, hop on over to my blog to read my poem.
Amongst the roses, the basil, the lavender and critters, is the rosiest and prettiest bud of all. What a wonderful surprise to see your grand here! She is lovely, ever so delicate, but she will one day grow into a strong woman with roots in all things beautiful. Congratulations to you all my dear.
WOW... I just read it, amazing.. you are THE poet. I haven't that gift, but yours is tremendous.
DeleteOh congratulations! She is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAlso, your garden is looking amazing. I have a question for you~ your bird house condo??? I would guess you built it? Have you done a prior post on it that I missed? I would love more detail on it. Sorry, but I got distracted by it. I love the style and that it appears that it can be where you want it.
Have a beautiful day and snuggle on that Miss Ramona a whole bunch:-)
A post called "Bring out the Power Tools" dated 6/6/15, outlines how I built the dovecote. The structure that holds it is a gable roofed arbor built by my husband... you can see it quite clearly on that post.
DeleteThat granddaughter of yours is so beautiful! I love her name as well! I agree with you on the marvels of a garden. Sometimes it boggles my mind how tenacious one tiny seed can be, finding a spot (not one that I have chosen) to put forth life and become something big and gorgeous. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteThose tiny seeds packed with energy never fail to fascinate me. After I plant seeds, I check them everyday awaiting a leaf and teeny root to emerge from such a bitty little thing. It's a miracle!
DeleteJeri,
ReplyDeleteThere she is! Oh happy day, Ramona is absolutely adorable!!! Her skin tone is like milk and peaches, and she has such beautiful eyes.. What a sweetheart!
Oh to spend a day walking through your garden. To me, that would be a dream. Just beautiful! I have always found that flowers that were started from seed always grew up much stronger and became more beautiful than those that are transplanted from containers.. Unfortunately it is too hot here most of the time to plant from seed. They rarely make it..
Thank you for the stroll through the garden and sharing your beautiful grand baby!
fondly,
Penny
I wish you could come and visit the cottage gardens of the HOllow! It was just last year that I began planting things from seed. After 15 years of gardening, I finally discovered how much annuals improve the look of all those perennials I'd been planting!
DeleteWhat a sweetie pie little Ramona is!!! She is just precious and congrats to all of you.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos & descriptions of your gardens, flowers and critters. Love your peacocks. Their blue color is stunning.
Happy Gardening and country living ~ FlowerLady
I love a true blue flower in the garden, but it seems to be very rare....the peacocks make up the difference!
DeleteYour words about the beauty of a garden and all the flowers are so perfect. You are so right! Such beautiful pictures and then the surprise at the bottom...Little Ramona is adorable. I was reading too, about the little fox you crafted in your last post. Oh, she is so real looking. I don't understand how you can stitch up something that perfect.
ReplyDeleteThats funny you should mention the fox because I just made a mate for her last night. It is needle-felting, you should try it!
DeleteMany Congratulations on your wonderful granddaughter, what a little cutie pie !
ReplyDeleteValerie,you have a few grands; I hope yours are nearby... this little one lives clear across the country.
DeleteCongratulations on the new Grandie! She is absolutely precious!
ReplyDeleteDear Jeri wow you saved the best flower for last - congratulations on your new grand baby! She is certainly a beauty. I bet she will be spending lots of time in grandma's garden learning the ins and outs of God's lovely creations. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteoh my, your granddaughter is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI imagine her showing up in your books!
lovely summer to you!
You expressed my feelings very well. More proof of God in a garden. From a seed to a lovely flower back to a seed and on again! Baby girl is lovely too. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh....there is nothing sweeter. congratulations....she is precious!
ReplyDeletethat would be a dream. Just beautiful! I have always found that flowers that were started from seed always grew up much stronger and became more beautiful than those that are transplanted from containers..
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