God’s Creation Never Ceases to Amaze Me

One of my daughter’s past county fair photos.

I love the beauty of all kind of flowers and plants.  I particularly like perennials, because it’s like a “surprise” every year when they make their appearance and bloom.  Sure you know they’re there, because you planted them. But you’re waiting. You’re waiting. Then shazam! There it is!  A sight to behold. And even though you know, year after year what they look like, their beauty never ceases to amaze and delight you.

If you plant annuals among the perennials, you’ll always have something blooming throughout the summer and into the fall.    Much of what you plant depends on where you live, of course.  I’ve always wanted a lemon tree in my yard, but living in Kansas sort of nipped that in the bud.  (I know. Pathetic pun. I  couldn’t help myself.)

I would have to say that one of my very favorite perennial plants is the mum.  It’s green throughout the summer, but then blooms in all its glory in the autumn.  Each individual little bloom is nice, but it’s the massive blooms all over the entire plant  that make it so beautiful to me.  It’s like a huge bouquet in every plant.  There’s a certain kind of mum — available in a variety of colors — that I see most often here in Kansas. I don’t even know the official name for it.  But while searching the internet for pictures,  I learned there’s a lot more varieties than I was aware of.  I love mums. Who knew there were so many kinds? Hmmm, I guess mum’s the word, eh?

God is most assuredly the  Master Gardener and Creator of the heavens and earth.  No matter what your favorite flower is, gaze upon all of His handiwork. Let the beauty fill your heart. Inhale the perfume from His flowers. And praise Him.  I love hearing the birds sing His praises every morning.  Let us not forget to do the same.

Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with seed in them, on the earth”; and it was so. And the earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.”  Genesis 1:11-12 NASB

May you never cease to be amazed at the miracle and beauty in God’s creation.

Susan Hollaway

Hidden Treasures

For the past several years, one of my daughters-in-law has given me a Fuscia plant for Mother’s Day. At first they put on these little buds…

Then they continue to swell up, like a little balloon.

Then they get bigger and bigger and reveal a whole new flower…

Until finally….

Isn’t it just like God…Who sees what’s really deep down inside…and reveals it when one is patient enough to wait?

Fancies…by Lucy Maud Montgomery

First, I would like to congratulate, Larry Timm, for winning a copy of Angelguard by Ian Acheson in the book giveaway last Tuesday! We’ll be in touch about getting a copy to you! Click here to read my review of this supernatural thriller.

This week we are talking about flowers. I’d like to share with you a poem by one of Canada’s beloved authors, Lucy Maud Montgomery. Many of you will recognize the name as Montgomery is the author of Anne of Green Gables. Along with this poem, I’ve posted a few pictures of flowers that I took this spring.

Fancies

- by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Daffodils from my garden

Surely the flowers of a hundred springs

Are simply the souls of beautiful things!

The poppies aflame with gold and red

Were the kisses of lovers in days that are fled.

The purple pansies with dew-drops pearled

Were the rainbow dreams of a youngling world.

 

Flowers from a park in Amherstburg, Ontario.

 

The lily, white as a star apart,

Was the first pure prayer of a virgin heart.

The daisies that dance and twinkle so

Were the laughter of children in long ago.

The sweetness of all true friendship yet

Lives in the breath of the mignonette.

To the white narcissus there must belong

The very delight of a maiden’s song.

 

Wild Flowers from Ojibway Conservation Area. Windsor, Ontario.

 

And the rose, all flowers of the earth above,

Was a perfect, rapturous thought of love.

Oh! surely the blossoms of all the springs

Must be the souls of beautiful things.

What is your favourite spring flower?

-  Cherie

Flowers and Rain Showers

We had a storm go through last night. It knocked the power off for several hours. In a way, the quiet was kind of nice. But I was very glad to wake up in the middle of the night to turn off the lights – and turn on the fan!

This week, we’re blogging about flowers. I didn’t get a picture uploaded because of the power outage – so here’s a shot of last year’s crop.

These were planted to fill a space that was too hard to mow. It reminds me that even my “problem areas” can be turned into something beautiful in God’s hands.

Irises are one of my favorite flowers. They’re beautiful – but also so strong and hardy. The pale lavendar and yellow ones can be traced back to my grandmother’s farm.

As we say in farm country – How much rain did you get?

~ Susan

Friendship, Fellowship & Fun

Last week Cherie came to visit for a few days. Usually we only get to be together at the writers conference in September. Those days are filled with nerves and stress so it was wonderful to get together just for fun. On Saturday, Susie M, Kathy and Julane joined us for an afternoon of talking, sharing and laughing. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

The boys were happy to let Cherie take over their chores for a while.

The ladies humored me by creating paper beads for bracelets!

Over the years of being on this writing journey, I’ve learned writing and getting published isn’t easy, but the friendships I’ve made are worth it. I often think if I never get published, it will still be worth it because of the wonderful people I’ve met and the ladies I consider to be dear friends!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Sara

Fruit-Infused Water

 

Image from following website where I found recipe:

http://www.inhabitots.com/how-to-make-fruit-and-vegetable-infused-water-in-mason-jars/

What a great idea!  With summer weather upon us, I thought these looked delish!  No artificial sweeteners or high sugar drinks.  I’m going to give it a try!

What you will need:

• Fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs
• Water
• Mason Jars
• Reusable Straws

Fruits and vegetables to use:

You can choose any fruit or veggie you and your family likes to infuse your water.

• orange
• lemon
• lime
• grapefruit
• cucumber
• mint
• blueberries
• strawberries
• blackberries

Cucumber and mint go good together.   You may use your favorites and make your own combinations.

Put a few slices of fruit or veggie of choice in jar. Fill with water. Put in fridge.  Viola!  In a few hours, you’ve got a healthy, yummy drink!

Visit the above site for more complete instructions and recipes.

If you try it, let me know how you liked it. We can share combinations!

Cheers!

Susan Hollaway

 

Stages

We don’t often blog about our writing journey on this site. Perhaps because it makes us too vulnerable…too ‘out there’…when we’re not ready to answer the hard questions. Like…”So what is it exactly that you write? or…You mean you are still on the same book? Wow! It must take a long time. or…Have you heard anything from the editor yet?

Well, so here goes…a couple of weeks ago i did get a rejection. I wasn’t terribly surprised. Though the editor had invited me to send her my manuscript, and thought it would be a good fit for their publishing house, it was the last communication I had with her…until the rejection. And I must say…getting a rejection is MUCH easier (believe it or not) than never hearing anything. Though I would love to know WHY it was rejected, I must be satisfied with the knowledge that at this point in time…for whatever reason…it was not the right time.

Last weekend five of the six gals that make up this pages from stages blog were able to meet face to face for an entire afternoon and evening. No small feat when you realize that one came from Canada, one from Missouri, one from southeast Kansas and two of us 45 minutes apart here in Kansas. It was wonderful to sit and share, catch up on life, do ‘art’ projects, eat, and not really get too deep into our individual stories. Just a time of bonding, able to leave sentences dangling, and understanding one another’s unspoken words.

I looked around the room and realized just how varied we are…just how many stages we really do represent, with the common bond being the stories that swirl around her brains from morning to night..the questions….the frustrations…the hopes…and yes, even the fears and doubts.

You who follow us regularly are our encouragers–each time there is a comment on either our blog or on the link to face book, it lets us know that someone out there is actually interested in what we have to say. And for that–we say ‘thank you, thank you, thank you’.

Perhaps in the future we will become bolder, we’ll know our limits as to what we can post or not post of our stories. In the meantime, we continue to plot a weekly course of subjects that we can only hope will be interesting enough to keep you coming back for more.

And–we are open to suggestions!! What is it that YOU would like to know from us?

Ready. Set. Go!!!

Angelguard Review and Giveaway!

This week I’m doing a review of Ian Acheson’s debut novel, Angelguard. If you comment on this post (please provide your email address) or “like” the link on Facebook, you’ll be entered to win a copy of the book! A winner will be drawn on Friday.

If you’ve been following this blog for awhile, you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of historical romance or historical women’s fiction. I rarely pick up a contemporary novel unless it’s a romance, so reading this supernatural thriller was new territory for me.

The story begins with three unexplained bombings in the cities of London, Los Angeles and Sydney. No one claims responsibilities for these tragedies. However, the evil businessman driving the madness has a plan to gain more power and wealth at the expense of innocent people.

Jack Haines, an Australian professor, finds himself in the unique position of uncovering clues to the truth behind these world disasters. Through a set of circumstances, his friends from London, England and an executive from Los Angeles become involved in Jack’s adventure. Once the main characters are established, the story moves along quickly with action and suspense on every page.

The novel switches between the human, physical world and the spiritual world full of angel and demons. As a work of fiction, this story does a wonderful job to remind us that there spiritual warfare going on around us all the time and the influence it has on real events. Angelguard also serves as a reminder of the importance and power of prayer.

I finished reading this book a few weeks before the Boston tragedy. Followed up in the news were other disturbing stories from Canada and other countries around the world. The message is timely.

I haven’t read any Frank Peretti or Ted Dekker books but many other reviewers have indicated that these authors’ fans would appreciate Angelguard.

It was an enjoyable adventure into another genre and one that I would do again soon!

- Cherie

Have you read any supernatural thrillers? If so, what have you enjoyed?

Don’t forget to leave a comment to enter for a chance to win your own copy of Angelguard.

Taking the scenic route to friends

There’s much to be said for getting off the interstate and, as my dad suggests, taking the scenic route. It’s even better to find a friend at the end of the road.

Last week I had the extra-special treat of taking a few days of vacation to tour historic Pony Express sites for research for my novel-in-progress and then visiting the Pages From Stages pals.

Recent rains made this trip down Kansas back roads lush and beautiful. Suddenly a Pony Express rider galloped into view.

A bright spring day was near perfect at the authentic Hollenberg station that served travelers on the Oregon Trail and tired pony riders.

Julane welcomed me to her wee cottage and we chatted and shared with no care to the schedule or chores. Then we went to Sara’s and met up with Cherie and Kathy. And these cute critters hanging out in the front yard.

Sunday morning, Bob and Julane took me to church on the scenic route.

These few days were a welcome respite and I enjoyed every minute – except for saying goodbye. I hope we’ll be reading more about this adventure from the other bloggers this week.

Susan

The kitchen ministry

My mom is 94. What a blessing she has been in my life and the lives of the many people she has touched. Mom’s gift is that of service and she had done it faithfully in her home, in her community and in her church. In all those places it seems that the kitchen is the one place that is actively involved. This picture is from many years ago, but it so exemplifies what mom has been to all of us… we are eating, she is serving.  Whether at home, or in the church kitchen, it’s a good bet she will be whipping up her peanut butter cake, a pie or washing dishes.

She has macular degeneration and so it is hard for her to see to measure the ingredients, read the recipe, set the oven temperature.  She still tries.  I think there must be new eyes and a new kitchen waiting for her in her heavenly mansion.  When she gets there I think we’ll probably find her helping to prepare and serve the wedding feast–and loving every minute of it.