Clematis Cottage Blooms!!!!!!

Stroll up to Clematis Cottage with me......
And see what beauty awaits you...........

Hello Dear Blogging Friends~

Yesterday morning I woke up to the most breathtaking, beautiful site that I have been anticipating since last year....

Hundreds of tiny little flower buds began to unhurl themselves quietly in the night to anxiously greet me in the morning with their sweet, colorful, joyful faces.....

Ahhhhhhhhh, yes friends, Clematis Cottage has finally bloomed! Aren't they just gorgeous?

Today I am thanking God for the simple pleasures in life, you, and asking Him to slow me down a bit so I can take time to smell the clematis!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

xxxooo Ruth

Our Amazing Pixie-Bob's

Truffles and Twinky when they were much younger...........such ROYALTY!
Twinky sticking her tongue out...........
Truffles trying to read my blog, with Twinky looking on................

Hello to all of my dear blogging buddies!

Today I would like you to meet our two Pixie-Bob cats. Their names are Truffles and Twinky. They are a relatively new breed of cat, that are part barn cat, part bob-cat. They have the most adorable personalities, are very talkative, and are what I call, my "puppercats", because they follow me around the house like little puppies. No matter what room I am in, one of them has to be there with me. They are the sweetest, most loving cats I have ever had.

We just celebrated their fourth birthday on Sunday, which consisted of catnip, new toys, and a day out on the patio in their kitty stroller. As you can see in the one solo picture of Twinky, she was sticking her tongue out, looking just thrilled to have her picture taken! Both of them make the funniest faces, and have brought us many good laughs!

I find it amazing that animals can sense the littlest bit of sadness or stress we encounter. I remember one day late in late winter I was feeling a bit down about things, and laid down on the couch. Within ten minutes, Twinky was laying right on top of me, and Truffles was curled up under the blanket at my feet. Talk about instant compassion! God gave us pets for so many reasons, and I believe one of them is for this very reason, to help us de-stress.

Have any of you had similar experiences with your pets? Do you have any fun pet stories to share? I would love to see pictures of your's and hear about the joy they bring to your life. Even if you don't have any pets, stop by and let the stories of others and their pets, be the much needed stress reliever that you may need today!

xxxooo Ruth

FRONT PORCH PARTY!!!

Hi Everyone~

In honor of Rhondi's front porch party she is hosting today, here is a picture of, um, well, my patio...my front porch is about a 3 x 5 entryway that does not allow for much more than a potted plant, so I decided my patio will have to do!

Go join her at her blog and have some fun!

xxxooo Ruth

Take Time To Smell The Roses....

Garden Cottage
Cherub Fountain
French Bust
Tree Man
Gabriel- My Garden Guardian

Good Morning Dear Blogging Buddies~

It's hard to believe it's been almost a whole month since my last post, and I do apologize because I have missed each and every one of you so!

Life just seems to take over and the demands can be somewhat overwhelming at times. That was the inspiration behind this post, "take time to smell the roses".

I decided after working all day in my garden on Sunday, to grab my camera and focus on the little things that make me smile and help me to decompress. It is amazing how the garden has the ability to do that. There is just something about sitting in a garden that can take all of your cares away, for however brief a time it may be.

The colors, the smells, the sounds, the warmth of the sun.....so tranquil and inspiring. A beautiful natural tranquilizer from God!

It is my wish that you find the time this week to "stop and smell the roses" and remember to thank God for your blessings!

xxxooo Ruth

Happy Mother's Day....

To all of you wonderful "chick's " out there in blogland!!!
This past Sunday I took some pictures at our local greenhouse. The first picture reminded me of B.J., at Sweet Nothings, and her love for roosters, but since it's Mothers Day, well, a hen HAS to do! ...And look at her with her sweet little chicks...isn't it adorable!??
This greenhouse never disappoints and has such pretty and unusual garden ornamentation, as you can see, and this is just part of the outside! There are rows and rows of endless possibilities for all types of gardens.
Inside, is just as amazing and equally impressive. There are fountains, gazing globes, trellises, windchimes, arbors, etc...the list is exhausting. And to top it all off, there are resident kitty cats that sleep amongst the decorative planters that are on the shelves. Since they are in a greenhouse, it is like sitting in a sunny window ALL day long for them. Anyone with cats knows how they love to sunbathe!
I think it would be fun and I would LOVE for you to post pictures of the greenhouses where you buy your seasonal flowers. I would love to see how they inspire you and how each greenhouse differs from region to region. Let me know if you are up to it.....and have a happy and blessed Mother's Day!
xxxoo Ruth

Sunday Morning...........

Good Sunday Morning Dear Fellow Bloggers~~~
I am so sorry that I haven't been the best about my blogging abilities lately. Sometimes life just catches up and before you know it another week has gone by, leaving me questioning where it went!
I have been busy, needless to say, but then I have been dealing with the unexpected nuisance of allergies. My husband and I went out for a motorcycle ride on Thursday evening. The weather had been so beautiful, but, little did I realize that the pollen was so incredibly high and EVERYWHERE.
I normally don't have allergies, but I am guessing because of the major assault to my upper respiratory tract, (like a powerwasher blowing in my face and up my nose), that it was plenty enough to cause major irritation to my throat, sinuses, and eyes. By Friday morning, I was very congested and puffy. By Saturday, much the same but more sneezing and a scratchy throat. You know it was bad, especially since I didn't even go to a VINTAGE garage sale advertised on the next street over! I was afraid all of the stuff would be so dusty, that it would irritate my situation further. Besides, I just didn't have the "umph" in me to get moving.
So today is Sunday, and I am feeling better...still sneezing and the throat a little scratchy, but nowhere as congested as I was.....
It is rainy and cool today, and we are suppposed to go to church at 10:30, but I am staying home to read my bible instead. I am currently in 1 Samuel, as I am reading the bible in a year. It is AMAZING, and further reminds me of the unquestionable forgiveness, love, and patience the Lord has for those who truly trust and believe in Him. It also reminds me of His angels who are constantly ministering and protecting me. They must be an awesome sight to see in their full glory, however they can, and have, ministered in the form of humans....
This scripture, and many other instances in the bible, remind me of that-

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for some have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2.

Isn't that amazing?

I am hoping you have a wonderful and blessed week, dear blogging friends!
xxxooo Ruth

I've Been To Gardens All Around The World This Week....

On Flickr!

Good Morning Dear Blogging Buddies~

This week I decided to take a trip to Flickrland , and do a search for "cherub fountains". ( and no jet lag, either!)

Well once again, my Flickr friends did not let me down. I was so inspired that I had to do a mosaic with all of the beautiful fountains I found. Aren't they just dreamy? There is something so ethereal and inspiring about moss covered statuary. Can't you just hear the trickling of the water and smell the of the mist it emits? So peaceful and relaxing....

Keeping that inspiration in mind, I have decided to post a few pictures of my own garden from last year. I am so anxious to get my little garden oasis underway, and persue a few projects that I have accumulated over the winter, but for now I will have to settle for pictures and dream of what will be!

Here's hoping you have a blessed and beautiful day.

xxxooo Ruth