I Am The Vine…..

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me

and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me

you can do nothing.”

JOHN 15:5

   Botanical Garden – North Carolina

Fresh Kale Salad

So…. we have never posted on ContessasHome about food before. But we have made this tonight, since we are not that hungry but wanted something healthy and delicious. You can find a recipe for Kale Salad just about anywhere now, because Kale has become so popular and there are many variations. Add strawberries or dried cranberries or apples if they appeal to you. We like it on its own. The main ingredients are lots of fresh garlic, your best extra virgin olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, ground milled salt and pepper, and the “finale” is to top it off with the very best quality freshly grated Parmesan Romano cheese and slivered almonds. Yummy…….

My very “bestest” friend loves it!

Find…..simple beauty every day

……it’s always there….simply look for it with your eyes wide open.

just as I am…. (Revised site visit)

Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee
O Lamb of God, I come! I come

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt
Fighting and fears within without
O Lamb of God, I come, I come

  Botanical Gardens, North Carolina

…..good  morning my dearest Lord.  You always take me just as I am. I do have doubts and fears and fighting from within and without. But I know as each new day brings forth your light to me, that you are truly MY LAMB OF GOD. I give you this day. Bright sunshine awaits. I have a potential new client visit this morning. I ask for your blessings as I visit this new family of two, who have just moved to our neighborhood. May I lay another new foundation for fellowship and brotherly love. I know you are with me. Thank you Jesus for this day full of promise. Amen.

Revised Site Visit

A very new resident couple who moved in during the winter. Little did they know what was going to surprise them in their garden come spring. Well spring has brought tons of Creeping Jenny in a full sun area  so instead of being green it’s yellow from way too much sun exposure, and Vinca Vines with blue flowers everywhere. Large Hostas also in full sun. We advised transplanting to a shady spot. We visited to provide some counsel. With both working and a new baby coming in two months there is little time for tending the garden.

We recommended contacting Parkfairfax through the resident tool called “Buildium.” We will prepare a write-up for them, based on what might be possible, through the use of the Parkfairfax yard team, perhaps saving them some money.

We will stay in contact with them to see if some of the things they would like cleared out – actually come to fruition. If not, then we may pitch in some hours to help them out. In any event, we provided a “welcome to the neighborhood” greeting. Very good always to meet new residents. It’s part of what we do. It was a good morning.

“contessa”

Jesus is my Lord and Savior

That Settles it! May 12

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. -Romans 10:9-10

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

People often ask me how they can know for sure they are a Christian. I usually reply to their question with a few of my own. For example, is there a time you confessed your sin to God and turned away from that sin, asking Christ to be your Lord and Savior? Is the presence of the Holy Spirit evident in your life? In other words, are you becoming more like Christ, allowing others to see Him in you? Do you profess to others that you are His follower? Our answers to these questions are indications of our salvation. So let me encourage you to answer these questions for yourself. Then make a fresh commitment to Christ. And, as our scripture says, confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord.

My Father’s World

This is my Fathers World, and to my listening ears,

All nature sings and round me rings

The music of the spheres

.

Thank you my Lord for your flowers, trees, birds and all of nature.

Your beauty fills my soul. I can only imagine how your heavenly kingdom looks, but I do know that you will reveal it to me, in its everlasting glory one day. How I treasure this vision. Be with me today as I play in your earthly gardens. A beautiful sunshine has come this morning. Morning after morning I draw close to you in the gardens. You alone fill my heart with your rays of beautiful light. Thank you Father for this new and glorious day. Amen 

Father, Son and Holy Spirit

…..may the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ

and the love of God, and the fellowship of

the Holy Spirit be with you all…….

2 Corinthians 13:14 

….my humble prayer

    SWEET LILACS

Dear God, please hear me. Please accept my thanks today for your gracious works in my life. Thank you for your goodness and your many blessings. Thank you for your love and your constant care. Thank you for your sacrifice, so that I have life. Forgive me if I do not thank you enough for who you are, and for all that you do for me, and for all that you have given me. Help me to keep my eyes and my heart centered on you. Renew my spirit this morning. Fill me with your peace and your joy.  I love you. I need you every day. I now give you my praise and my thanks, for you alone are worthy. I love thee Lord Jesus. Amen 

morning with Jesus….

            LILIES OF THE VALLEY

Jesus you are my Peace. I claim your promises. I adore thee. Come close to me today. I need your peace and quiet. Come and be inside me as I do my magic in your gardens. I always find you there. Even in these tiny flowers, the Lily of the Valley you are there. I feel your presence. I am in the valley with you Jesus. Please find me there. I need thee, oh I need thee,  Every hour I need thee. Come to me Jesus. I wait. Amen.

Back in the Garden Today (Revised)

Good Morning,

Today we return to our assignment on Mount Eagle Place. Our Australian resident is so pleased with his new look. A note here is very important. When we plant things we tend to focus on “showing” our plants. So we position them up front and often very close to our sidewalk borders. They look so lovely appointed in spots where they will catch the eye of passers-by. The issue here is that we often forget that all plants “grow.”  Meaning before you know it, we have an abundance of growth hanging out over our sidewalks, but the bed itself, all the way up to our house walls is literally empty. Remember this well. This property had been planted by a previous owner, and there are plenty of very nice perennials. All needed relocation, trimming back and many we divided. It has given our property afresh new spacious look. We are liking the new look. It’s tidy, well spaced for new growth and has a very open look. Great for what’s going to grow and fill in – coming throughout this summer season. Love it! Once we finish the front, next week we are assigned the side bed along the length of the house. It’s a work in progress. So pleased for good work.

“Contessa”