THEN...and NOW

Welcome sign from the ShoppE at Rose's, refurbished a-la-rLn...

WELCOME! to our garden...

THEN -- May -- squash plants...

with leaves a-fuzzed.

NOW -- September -- at last...

a squash, the fruit of much patient waiting.

THEN -- April -- sunlit peach blooms...

NOW -- September 11 -- edible peaches.

THEN -- March -- young chayote plant seeking light...
growing UPwards...

NOW -- August and up to now -- chayote everywhere!

THEN -- May -- summer squash plant in the morning light...

trained to grow UP...

NOW -- July -- and even today, September 11,

summer squash still bearing fruit.

THEN -- May -- green first fruits...

NOW -- July through today...late fruits still on the vine.

THEN -- July -- already pleasing to the eyes...

NOW -- September 11 -- ampalaya vines

providing wonderFUL shade from the noon sun,

a haven for contemplation, a quiet corner for lunch...

an inviting "secret garden."

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." (John 12:24) Thus JESUS died so that many may rise.

GUESS -- Guest BACKYARD #2

Roses...

Fishers of men and women...

By the look of this tree, the gardeners have been nurturing this backyard for many a long years!

The gardeners are not angels, but some of us think they might as well be, for their hearts are like the angels'!

Jardin...Garden...

A beautiful garden takes a lot of work! Like marriage...good soil is crucial...nourishing it with good works towards one another is key in keeping the bond of love strong and healthy and ever growing. Weeds sprout up...like weeds! Both gardeners must dig up the roots so that the problem weeds don't keep coming back up. As soon as a tender shoot comes up, the gardener must stamp it out immediately.

So it takes constant and diligent watchfulness so that weeds do not grow out of control. Such is a garden...such is a marriage.

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. (Hebrews 13:4)

Garden Bulletin Board

This bulletin board in my backyard is decorated with "i hollah for a dollah -- or two!" bargains and freebies from the ShoppE at Rose's...

This gauzy butterfly attached to the Welcome sign (though i did add a few touches of my own)...

These typical Filipino farming scenes...

And these seaside scenes of the Philippines...

Even the multi-colored fish on the board were some others' cast-offs. It's true -- what may be some one's junk may be someone else's treasure.

Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be. (Matthew 6:20-21)

Real treasures aren't those bought at Harrods London exclusive department store, or at an antique shop, or even at the PBS' Antique Road Show . True treasures are priceless and heavenly -- a merciful and forgiving heart, helping hands, a loving spirit...

Please donate. ALL funds will go towards the Naselesele Village school children in Taveuni, Fiji. VINAKA VAKA LEVU!