Penny the Traveling Clothespin Doll shares her adventures at home and abroad.

Archive for March, 2016

DSCN5313

 

Spring has officially begun, but here in Western New York, the landscape in March still looks a little bleak.  What really lets us know that spring is on its way are the smells and sounds that are awakening after a snowy winter.

I took Penny exploring one morning recently and together we enjoyed gazing across the hills and poking about in the hedgerows.  Penny found this little hooked branch that looked as if it was meant for her to sit in.  Not quite a swing, but rather fun just the same.

 

DSCN5321

 

We found many fun places to explore, piles of rocks, aging wood, and the morning sunshine streaming through secret paths.

 

DSCN5325

 

It is thrilling to see that the tree buds are swelling, they hold delightful promise of greenery soon to come.

 

DSCN5336

 

Then under this evergreen, Penny spotted a fallen robin’s nest from last year.  We love robins; they are returning now as a welcome sign of spring.

 

DSCN5342

 

We also love to watch for the coming of the pussy willows!

Pardon my gloves in the picture.

 

DSCN5347

 

The snowdrops are the first flowers to show themselves, then crocuses too.

 

DSCN5349

 

Hello pretty robin in the maple tree, won’t you sing us your sweet song?

 

IMG_8219

 

Later, I planted the first box in the garden with the early seeds of beets, carrots, swiss chard and such.  The silkie chickens are my inspectors, keeping a close eye on what I’m up to.  It was warm enough to leave my coat off, and no freezing fingers, yay!  Its time to get the rest of the garden weeded, don’t you think?

 

IMG_8226

 

As I worked the geese were flying overhead.

 

IMG_8221

 

The hillside looks grey but color is coming soon.

 

IMG_8222

 

I like this shot of the geese in air as they “honk, honk, honk” overhead!!

 

IMG_8223

 

Rustic beauty.

 

DSCN5370

 

But winter reminds us that it isn’t far gone.  Just a few days after our hike, we had freezing rain.

It really was pretty coating everything, even the old weeds.

 

DSCN5361

 

And ice covered crabapples are pretty too.

 

IMG_8282

 

But never you fear, spring is really here…

 

IMG_8277

Bless the Lord, O my soul.  O Lord my God, Thou art very great;

The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy works.

The trees of the Lord are full of sap,  … the birds make their nests:

He appointed the moon for seasons; the sun knoweth his going down.

O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! … the earth is full of Thy riches.

Thou renewest the face of the earth.

The Lord shall rejoice in His works.

I will sing unto the Lord…my meditation of Him shall be sweet.

Praise ye the Lord.

(Little snippets of the beautiful Psalm 104)

 


IMG_8254

 

“Make room for me in that comfy chair, Ruby, let’s read a Bible Story together…”

This is the story of how the Apostle Paul came to be used of God in starting churches after the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Many people at that time thought Jesus was a big fake and that His followers were causing trouble.  In these early days, Paul was called Saul, and he hated anyone who called themselves a Christian…

 

IMG_8243

 

 

 

IMG_8242

 

IMG_8241

 

IMG_8245

 

IMG_8246

 

IMG_8247

 

IMG_8248

 

IMG_8249

 

The End.

You can read this story of the Apostle Paul’s early days in Acts chapters 8 and 9.  Paul wrote much of our New Testament.  He traveled about to spread the news of Jesus’ resurrection and started churches in many cities.  The Epistles that we have in the New Testament are a collection of letters he wrote to the churches to help instruct them in the way of Christ.  His story is an amazing example of how God can change the most destructive life and use it in a beautiful way in His Kingdom.

 

IMG_8231