FRIDAY 5s : WHAT'S BLOOMING? 22.5.15

Today's FRIDAY FIVE : BLOOMING BEAUTIES ? ~

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We often encourage each other to "bloom where you're planted." I like the symbolism, but realized that RevGals and Pals hail from all over the world!
What blooms in Maryland may be far different than the flowers in your part of the world.

So, to celebrate our diversity,
show us five plants that bloom around your home or neighborhood. 
I'm looking forward to seeing the wide variety of beauty we have among us!
[from RevGal Deb today's host]

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"Let the heavens rejoice; let the earth be glad;
 ...let the fields exult and all that is in them.
Then all the trees in the forest will sing for joy!"

Psalm 96.11-12

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Blooming Beauties !

A lovely visually oriented meme I'm happy pursuing.

Leaves are greening here and seem all the better for last weekend's

moisture despite its arrival via high winds and snow!

Here's what I was pleased to notice last Saturday before stormy weather arrived

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Gracing the walk at the Tea House we visited.

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and the lilacs just in bud, edged the southern side of the property 

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One native plant we have in abundance ...

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Lilies of the Valley

and

Peonies

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This next floral. Prairie Lilies, has actually garnered its own Lily Festival, 

which reminds me of Matthew 6.28-30
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 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers
—most of which are never even seen—
don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions...
You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."

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and a bonus ~

 a favourite provincial prairie flower that's often a rarity to find in season

but a true joy when discovered covering a country field

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Find more on Canadian flowers representative of their province HERE
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“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; 

for beauty is God’s handwriting —a wayside sacrament. 

Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower,

and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Are You another of the Blooming Beauties?

~*~ I look forward to hearing and seeing your local floral abundance! Weather permitting we can all be out and about discovering new growth this weekend... ~ ~*~ Shared with  * Rev Gals and Blog Pals * Faith Filled Friday * Anything Goes Pink Saturday * *Sous mon arbre Saturday Photo * ~*~ FIND MORE FHC on BOOK DEPOSITORY | PINTEREST | TWITTER | GOOGLE+ | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | NETWORKED BLOGS | LIBRARYTHING
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FRIDAY FIVES: WHAT'S 'NEW'...? 9.1.15

Random Friday Five: New by RevGalPal marybethbutler Happy Friday! I announce it as a random Friday Five. But with a theme: NEW. * 1. If you have one, what is your new resolution? *     Not one to make resolutions, the one commitment I have made to myself is to freely choose which books I read and when.  Intentionally avoiding time constraints of meeting review deadlines and commitments of others.  I am choosing to free up my life, avoid self-induced stress [and any other kind if and where possible!], and aim for the most peaceful existence possible. 2. Many folks choose a new word for a year's beginning, as Marci's congregation does with StarWords. Some let their word choose them, like Christine at Abbey of the Arts. Do you have a word for the year? * After my time in the desert this autumn,  I posted an Invitation to discern our 2015 Word as I subscribed to Christine's enotes as well. The Word for 2015 that chose me is 'peace'.  In depth post to follow... * 3. What is your new favorite exclamation/phrase at times of joy or frustration? Not sure I have one.... 4. Do you have a new favourite food, or an old one you are newly enjoying? * * Shortbread !  I enjoyed the few samples at Christmas so entirely, I actually went out to specifically purchase all the ingredients to bake my own - as and when a craving should hit!  and definitely NOT limited to Christmas :) * 5. Finally, in general: what is your new favourite thing?

                  Freedom.  As many of you know, last year was intense on the social justice front including the many prayers requested and received, with the December 1st outcome being dismissal of the perpetrator.  A collective 'sigh' and new sense of my body's  appreciation.  It has begun relaxing since that momentous phone call that allowed me to return to my home.  Yes.  FREEDOM is definitely my new fav thing!!               *
Thanks, Marybeth!  I enjoyed the F5's play.
New Year Blessings to you and yours... and ALL the RevGals! Find more 'NEW' Friday 5s HERE.
Feel free to share yours here in comments!

* FIND MORE FHC on PINTEREST | TWITTER | GOOGLE+ | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | NETWORKED BLOGS | LIBRARYTHING

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FRIDAY 5s: TEATIME & TREASURES 23.5.14

Deb at Rev Gals is busily sorting for her weekend event ~  a “Rummage Sale and Tea”. 

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The “rummage” part of course is of donated furniture, clothing, books and toys, or as some call it “Trash or Treasure.” 

( some call it “a jumble sale.”) 

The “tea” is an opportunity for those who don’t want (or shouldn’t) buy anything to still drop in and visit... a fun community event.

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To get ready for this, I’ve been doing some sorting of things I don’t/won’t/can’t use to pass along to someone else. 

I also made a batch of Tea Tassies as part of the tea refreshments. All of this preparation birthed this week’s Friday Five!

Pictures are optional but make this more fun. Play along and don’t forget to post your link in the comments so that we can come and visit!

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1. TREASURE: What is the best thing you’ve ever found at a rummage sale? Was it a bargain or just something you’ve longed for but couldn’t afford?

source

A fav find in an unpacked box on the floor at the sale,
a gorgeous 1800s flow blue china pitcher like this one

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2. TRASH: What is an item you couldn’t WAIT to donate to a sale like this, and then were surprised that someone not only bought it, they were so excited to have?

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TV trays!

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3. BUDGET: How disciplined are you at these kinds of events? Can you stick to a budget, or do you empty your wallet?

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My discipline?  be prepared to purchase!  

One of a kind finds in the moment - EnJoy!

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4. TAKE IT AWAY: What’s something you’d gladly donate right this minute if I would just come pick it up?

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Living in an apartment doesn't offer enough space for extras. It's a perpetual donating if you want to add anything new!

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5. TEA: Do you have a favourite tea? Or a special teapot?
     Tell us more!

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Decadent favourite ~ Icewine tea !
along with fav teapot

Royal Crown Derby

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Shall I pour...?

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Find more on FHC TeaTime {pinterest} 

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BONUS: Share a recipe that you think would be divine for a tea. Or, if you aren’t a baker, tell about something scrumptious that you have had recently in the baked good category. For those of you who are now gluten-free, we want your favourite GF recipe!

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source I would highly recommend these  divinely inspired {& yes, scrumptious!}
lavender scones that I first had at
the Treasurer's House ~ a treasure itself! in York [just behind the YorkMinster] * Lavender Vanilla Scones recipe with tips from Marye Audet

3 1/2 c flour

2 tbs baking powder

1/2 c unsalted butter

1/2 c sugar

1 1/3 c half and half

2 tsp vanilla

2 tbs food grade lavender buds

Mix the dry ingredients, except lavender, together. you can seal the mixture in a food container and have it on hand for scone mix if you like.

Cut in butter, or grate it into the dry ingredients.
Add lavender buds and stir to mix in evenly.
Add vanilla and milk and mix until you have a soft dough that holds together.

Roll out gently to about 3/4 inch thickness and cut out with small biscuit cutter. Place on baking sheet and allow to stand for 20 minutes.
During this time preheat oven to 400F.

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Bake for 12 minutes or until done.

Remove from oven.

While scones are still hot spoon on a glaze made from:

1/2 c melted butter

1 tsp vanilla

enough confectioners sugar to make a thick glaze.

Sprinkle with lavender buds to garnish.

Makes about 24.

These freeze well, and are great for once a month cooking or making ahead.

*Grating cold butter into scones and biscuits give a more tender product.
Allowing the scones to set for 20 minutes before
placing them in the oven
helps the gluten to relax and the scones to be tender. * EnJoy!  and be sure to invite us for tea when the scones are baked! * Find more rummage and recipes for today's Friday 5s at

* SHARED WITH~
-SAY G'DAY PARTY-
-SMALL VICTORIES-
-THRIVING THURSDAY-
- PAULA's NO RULES PARTY-

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