At last the garden is growing!

After being on vacation for a week, the garden seems to have really grown - at last! 



Doesn't this bell pepper look yummy?



There was evidence of deer eating from our beans and tomato plants.  Yesterday in the middle of the afternoon, I saw a doe and two fauns boldly feasting.  Now perhaps when I see deer eating in other peoples' yards, I won't be as quick to say, "Oh, how cute! A deer!" 

 

I call this picture "Brazen Thieves". 



If you have ideas for keeping deer out of gardens, please share with me!



Eloise Joy sits on Grandma's quilt in the shade of the blueberry bushes. 





I've decided to enter a weekly photo challenge that I read about a few weeks ago.  Just thinking about the challenge has helped me try to improve my photography.  You can find the challenge here. 

Motherhood is a Calling

My friend Kaylee shared this link on her blog and it edified me so much, I want to share it with all of you.   Motherhood Is a Calling (And Where Your Children Rank) - Desiring God

Here is an excerpt that I particularly liked:   (I do recommend reading the whole article.)

"Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.

Christian mothers carry their children in hostile territory. When you are in public with them, you are standing with, and defending, the objects of cultural dislike. You are publicly testifying that you value what God values, and that you refuse to value what the world values. You stand with the defenseless and in front of the needy. You represent everything that our culture hates, because you represent laying down your life for another—and laying down your life for another represents the gospel."

My hands are full of a good thing! 

Lake Chelan

Last week we went to Lake Chelan.  The lake was beautiful, and we had a wonderful time! 


Off we go!



"The heavens declare the glory of the Lord, the earth shows forth His handiwork."

Eloise loves watching the ducklings in the water. 



Make way for the ducklings!  Remember the book?  :-)





Our camp is in the trees, perfectly situated away from the cars and just up from the waters' edge.



We're ready for the waterslides! 

My favorite - a picture that says a thousand words.