Amazing Backyard Beauty

This post is one I have been planning for quite a while.I am very excited to share with you an experience I had back in June of this year.

I had been asked by a friend to come and take some pictures of her yard.I agreed and as the day approached,I got a little nervous.I expected to see a carefully manicured lawn with a few well laid out flower beds.I knew it would be pretty,but was afraid that I couldn't do justice to her yard.

I still think that I did not do as well as I should have,but I thoroughly enjoyed my time on this yard.

I will not disclose the location or the name of this friend,in respect to her privacy.If any of my readers should recognize the yard,please refrain from disclosing this location or the names of the dear people who live here.

I walked up to the door of the home and was warmly greeted.The lady of the house,suggested that we go around the outside of the home and I could take pictures as I wanted to.

When we came around the corner of the house and I saw the back yard,I think my jaw must have dropped.I had no idea that this kind of,almost tropical,beauty could be seen right near my home.

I am sharing only a few of the over 100 pictures I took that evening. Please take the time to enjoy each picture and some of the beauty I experienced that day.

I hope you enjoyed this quick visit to a special garden.

I asked God for a flower,He gave me a bouquet.

I asked God for a minute,He gave me a day.

I asked God for love,He gave me His Son.

Scenic Eighteen Holes and More

Do you like to golf? If your answer is yes,then you need to visit my hometown of Morden.

I am not a golfer,but I can see that golfing this course would be an enjoyable afternoon.

Minniwasta Golf and Country Club is a scenic place,just west of the City of Morden.

As I said,I am not a golfer,so my pictures are views of the course from the parking lot.

The Club also has a beautiful restaurant with patio dining,so you can overlook the course.

I particularly like the little lake with a fountain in it.

OK,let's move on to things that are more my interests.

With all the rain we have had this year,mushrooms are popping up everywhere.As a photographer,it is my duty to get pictures of these small specimens while I can.

My Hubby,Jake,loved Daisies and the look of a wildflower meadow,so parts of our yard were left un-mowed most of the year.It was really very pretty,but now,in the interests of keeping things simple,I have instructed the fellow who mows the lawn to keep it all short. Every once in a while I get a reminder of what used to be,when a couple of Daisies pop up beside a tree.

When this happens,it brings a smile as I remember what used to be.I am so thankful for those sweet memories.

As the mushroom gets older,it often splits and curls in interesting ways.This just creates more reasons to get the camera out and start shooting.

Closing Thought:

There is no limit to God’s love.It is without measure and it’s depth cannot be sounded. 

Let's Go For a Ride

I invite you to join me as we drive around the country roads in my part of the world.Maybe the scenery is not grand and majestic,like a mountain scene,or laid back like an ocean shore,but I appreciate my little part of the world and I hope you will find some beauty in it as well.

We start out just a few blocks from my house.This is a set of tracks I cross every morning on my way to work.On this day,I was in my car and had my camera ready to capture this image.

We have a good number of White-tailed Deer around,but getting a decent picture is not that easy.This one was curious just long enough for me to one one shot.

I want to show you a place that I like to visit.It is just off the road and I can park the car and enjoy the view of the rolling pasture.Sometimes I am lucky enough to have some cattle to enhance the scene. 

Just beside where I was standing to take the previous picture is a large rock and a flag pole,proudly flying our Canadian Maple Leaf.I love my country,it may not be perfect,but it could be so much worse.

As we drive along,I may stop from time to time to capture a special photo of the grasses and the clouds.

You do know by now that I love clouds,so we stop frequently to get yet another shot.The grass filled meadow and the blue sky,dotted with clouds is just so pretty.

I am not a farmer,but I can appreciate a beautiful animal when I see one.This bull and cow look to be in a very healthy state,but with all that lush grass around the would have to be.

As we finish our ride in the countryside,we stop one more time to get this picture.The road leading off into the distance.Perhaps we can do this again soon.I enjoyed your company so much.

Closing Thought:

When God blesses us,He expects us to use those blessings to bless the lives of others.

Jim Gallery

Flowers On My Yard

All the pictures today have been taken on my yard this summer.

Instead of using my own words I will add quotes from a new perpetual calendar I purchased recently.

When we live every day under the umbrella of God's sovereignty,not one hour is wasted,nor one moment untouched by the Master's hand.

 Peony

Peace …… it's just a prayer away.

 Peony

We limit God's power,when we depend on our own.

Dart's Ninebark flowers 

When God thinks of you,it makes Him smile.

 Mock Orange

Prayer makes a difference.

Let's pray as though we really believe that.

 Geranium

The plans of the Lord stand firm forever,the purposes of His heart through all generations.

Psalm 33:11 (NIV)

Geranium

The Ever-Changing Sky

Of one thing I am quite certain,if you watch the sky you will always find beauty and constant change.

A few days ago,it had been cloudy all day,but later in the day an slice of clear sky appeared on the western horizon.This could only mean one thing,I had to get out there,to capture,what could be a beautiful sunset.

As many of you know by now,Lake Minniwasta is a close and favourite spot for me to shoot sunsets and this day was no different.

Parking my car on the east side of the lake,I prepared to watch the sky.You can see by the heavy cloud cover that the day had been dull and the sky grey.

As the sun slipped below the clouds,it bathed the whole area in beautiful light.

If you compare this picture with the first one,you can see the dramatic change that happened as the sun lit up the sky and the lake.

The grasses in the foreground were spectacular and shone in the warm evening light.

When the sun had slipped below the horizon,it left hints of pink on the grey clouds.

I loved how the color intensified for a while and just as quickly faded away,leaving only grey clouds once again. If you hadn't guessed yet,I love watching the sky and especially at sunset time.

Closing Thought:

God is always in control behind the scenes,even on "ordinary" days.


FYI   I will not be commenting on blogs for the next little while,at least until after July 11.
Hopefully I will find time to read some of the posts during this time.