Marti's Prayer Garden

 I have finished Marti's garden and would like to share it with you.

I chose to place her garden in front of my swing, where I sit several times

a day for prayer and meditation.

The stone above was painted by her, 

and was a perfect addition .

It's the same verse I start every prayer with, so it was

fitting to be here.

 She loved chocolate chip cookies,

so how perfect when I found this plant

called "Chocolate Chip"!

 It looks sort of sparse, but will fill in nicely 

with summers help.

 Marti loved St. Francis.

So his statue was fitting.

Behind him, on the twig trellis I made,

is Indian Feather Butterfly plant.

Indian Feather for our heritage,

and butterflies as they are a very

significant symbol of the

resurrection in our family.

The garden is filled in with Dusty Miller,

(Miller is our maiden name)

Lupine and lavender which she loved,

foxglove, another favorite,

and her infamous Hens and Chicks.

 She and I have a love of hummingbirds,

so I place the feeder by the garden.

It only took a few minutes, 

and I had a mating pair!

Awesome!!

Brotherly Love With Chip and Toby

Lord, Make Me an Instument of Your Peace. (St. Francis of Asissi)

My sisters, brother, and I are making memorial gardens for our sister. 

The elements for mine are coming together,

I bought a St. Francis statue,

one of Marti's favorite saints.

I also made a first time attempt 

to make a twig trellis,

not bad I guess for 

never doing one before. 

Tonight Ken is helping me clear 

the spot it will go, and then

tomorrow I can get

the dirt worked and start

planting and placing plants.

It will be an ongoing project,

but I love the time alone to 

pray, and meditate

while doing this to honor my sister.

Nature's Beauty

 I love iris's, I only wish they lasted longer.

These were from my sister Marti,

she had come over and planted them.

 So gorgeous.

 These were from a garage sale!

I love how every different color of Iris

has its own amazing scent.

 Walking through our woods,

I found two lady slipper wild orchids.

Rare, and beautiful.

Love my yellow iris's,

also from a garage sale.

It's so peaceful outside,

just soaking in all the beauty.

A Heartfelt Thank-you

I want to say thank-you to all of you 

for your kind words and prayers. 

 I so appreciate and love every one of you.  

I never would have thought when I started this blog

 that I would "meet" so many wonderful women.  

Your prayers were felt, 

I believe that is the only way I got through any of this.

God Bless You All.

The most beautiful, uplifting memorial service for my sister. 

The bagpipe, music, the homily were all so comforting. 

 For her not to think her life was much, was totally in dispute today,

 for as well over 200 were in attendance; the church was packed, 

and the following luncheon. Many tears, both of sorrow and joy,

 I hope she looked on and really grasped how many lives

 she touched in such a beautiful way.

 God Bless You Marti,

and may the angels guide you home.

Just ten days ago, I spent the day with Marti 

at a book signing, as she too, was a 

children's author. 

We visited the art museum afterward,

had lunch, and created so many

special memories. 

I can't believe she is gone.

I just wish the heartache

would lessen, 

and that I could rejoice on her

reunion with my father.

But it won't.