Blooming Kitchen Sink

They bloomed!  The little orchids, that is.  What a gift of color behind the kitchen sink.  We’ve been antiquing and found some wonderful copper pots that work beautifully for holding the plants, too.   I love the warmth of the copper coupled with the delicate pink petals, and  the weathered ceramic finial is a great backdrop with all its curves and moss. Isn’t it wonderful?  This is the first place I go in the morning to see if another orchid opened.  Now that’s something to smile about while making the first cup of coffee, isn’t it?

Blessings to you this weekend,

Laurie

{images:Laurie Ashbach}

Inside-Outside

It’s February in Minnesota, and there’s a sharp contrast between inside and outside.  During a recent photo walk on a frosty morning these images were like discovering an icy breath.  Crystals blown into being on every branch and blade.  It took my breath away.

This week a surprise opened inside, as three of my orchids bloomed.  With all the icy whiteness outside it was such a contrast to see the blushing pinks of the tropical flower quietly open its petals.  The big orchid had not bloomed for at least a dozen years.  Summers it would reside on the north deck outside, lucky to get watered.  Winters it would come inside and be equally ignored as it sat on the laundry room floor.  One day a new stem emerged and a few weeks later….. another breathtaking miracle.

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

Acts 17:24-25

May God take your breath away in seeing or experiencing His beauty this weekend!  See you soon with more from the little blooming orchids.

Gifts abound,

Laurie

{images:Laurie Ashbach}

O Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas!

In the yearly quest for our Christmas tree, we decided to check out a local tree farm with our grandson Jackson.  Just a 20 minute drive north of the Twin Cities is the Covered Bridge Farm with its rows upon rows of Balsam, Spruce and Fraser Firs.

Jack and Grandpa head out to look for the perfect tree with bow saw in hand…..

…and find it.  Ready…. set…. saw!  Jack makes sure ‘Dwampa’ does it just right.

Branches are trimmed so its time to load up, hang up the saw and get some hot cider and cookies.  Covered Bridge Farm was a delight and I hear they grow blueberries you can pick in late July.  Yummm.  I think know we’ll be going back.

Thanks Covered Bridge Farm!

Dear Friends,

May God bless you this Christmas as you celebrate the birth of Christ the King.

Laurie

{images:Laurie Ashbach}