A Year in Flowers

My birthday was two weeks ago. An annual time of reflection on the comings and goings of another autumn, winter, spring, and summer.  

Some of the afternoon was passed quietly, reading Scripture in one of my favorite spots: our gangly porch swing, seeking to hear what God might speak over my life on this special day. 

 And God never ceases to surprise. 

He led me to Psalm 103:15-17: 

"As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,

and His righteousness to children's children…" 

It wasn't quite what I was expecting. I am still relatively young….perhaps even in the bloom of life. But, God was...is...calling me to remembrance that this life is passing away.

 I am passing away. 

This post includes pictures of flowers taken during my 27th year of life. None of these flowers are still in bloom. They have all faded. So too me. 

The Psalmist writes in Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." 

May I not forget that this is a short, breathless life. Then, in joy, I will seek to cultivate upon this soil only that which points to the steadfast love and eternal glory of God. 

Put on your Party Hat



A bit of celebrating last Saturday with a scrumptious lemon blueberry cake. 


This little guy helped us party. 

(My pet name for Zade is "Turtle" because he tends to retire, like a turtle to its shell, to read and relax. When I put this turtle in odd places around the house it makes Zade smile). 

{another party animal}

I can hardly imagine a better present: Zade getting to talk with one of his heroes, Dr. William Lane Craig, at the Purdue Symposium! 

The rest of the evening was spent with loved ones. 

An enthralling day. 

Can you believe a year has passed? 

P.S. The idea for crafting the little pom pom party hat and baking a cake in a tin can both come from the every darling: Oh Happy Day. If you are not already following this blog, you should! 

Zade's Birthday: Two are Better Than One

Zade and I observed the passing of thirty to thirty one years by asking off our respective works and spending a restful, unpretentious day together. 

The theme for this birthday was "two are better than one" from this passage of Scripture.

The decor.....



A little drawing of the two of us holding hands. 

The gift.....



Since purchasing our X-box console a few months ago Zade and I have affirmed the need for another controller so we can spend date nights nerding-out together once in a while. I snagged this one off Craigslist from a plump, sweet-looking high school boy with a mouth full of braces. We made the trade-off at a movie theater. It seemed fitting.


The cake.....



I tried - and failed miserably in my domesticity- to make this cake from Sweetapolita. My salted caramel swiss buttercream filling was a sweet, frothy mess - the consistency of cottage cheese. Yes, that bad. I threw it out and opted for a favorite chocolate standby. Ladies from our church let me borrow their six inch pans - so kind - the size is so darling. 


 

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow." - Ecclesiastes 4:9,10

Thank you Zade for being by my side to lift me when I fall. 

Grandpa's "Live-Long Day"



Don't let the number of candles fool you, 
my Grandpa is 85 today. 
Over Labor Day weekend we threw two birthday celebrations for him and he got another today. When you turn 85 you should have more than one birthday party! 


On Labor Day afternoon we banished him to the back bedroom while we decorated the house in train theme. 



The table was decorated with little train car gifts (loaded down with Grandpa's favorite type of cargo).
{Aunt Laura added red eyes to her train to give it personality and I kept poking fun that it was a monster train...for the picture I placed a little animal cracker in its grate to be devoured}

We had a brownie train car decorating contest judged by Grandpa. 

and the winner was.....

{Debbie's square wheeled train from the Island of Misfit Toys, Mom's palatial car, and Stephen's alien usurped car}




 Stephen! 



We formed a line behind Grandpa as he followed a string "railway" around the house leading him to presents and cards decorated as train cars.

Then we shared a most scrumptious lunch, cheered on as Grandpa opened more gifts, and donned our bandanas to see this film.

He reported that this was one of the best birthdays he's ever had. We're happy to have shared it with you Grandpa!