What's to Love About Raymond

"Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius." -- Pietro Aretino

Several Sundays ago Dennis and I took a drive from Allenspark to Lyons along the St. Vrain River. This route took us through Raymond, which is called a town but is really just a small roadside country store and several miles of private cabins and ranches. In my humble opinion Raymond is a hamlet -- not a town. Besides I like to use the word "hamlet". It sounds so. . . quaint.


The sky was clear and the temperature mild, making it a great day to take photos.

This ranch gate caught my eye. Look at that shocking blue sky.

Beyond the ranch entrance. (I wonder. . . what's behind the trees?)

Red berries framed by a rustic fence. Charming, no?

I see this cabin and imagine a roaring fire, hot chocolate and a good book.

I'd like to have a wagon like this one on our homestead.

And maybe an old truck, too.

Dried flowers in the snow fascinate me.

I love this scene. So serene.

"Out of the south comes the storm, And out of the north the cold. 

From the breath of God ice is made,

And the expanse of the waters is frozen."

 Job 37:9-10 

Nancy

Thank you for visiting.  Today I'm joining these Memes:

RESToration

I rarely need a reminder of why I choose to live in the Colorado Rockies. But when I do, photos like this one from my album restore my memory.

Rocky Mountain National Park - 10 minutes from our home.

"On every mountain height is rest." --

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

German poet

(1749 - 1832)

Nancy

Thank you for visiting. Today I'm joining:

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Watery Wednesday 

God Still Performs Miracles

When God performs a miracle, it needs to be shared. A friend of mine posted a story on his Facebook page today regarding a newborn in our church. We have been praying for David Jedediah and his family.


"Dear friends, last week I asked you all to pray for my friend's new born child. David had inhaled meconium during his birth. He suffered greatly from a lack of oxygen and the prognosis was pretty grim. David's chances were not good. The doctors decided that it would be better if David were airlifted to Denver's Children's Hospital. On arrival David went straight to the neonatal intensive care unit, he was fitted with a "chill cap" to slow the advancing brain damage. Unable to breath on his own, he was on full life support. Doctors were very concerned that should he live, it seemed likely he would have very serious brain injury.


"Well, let me tell you what your prayers and God has done. After David's parents were told David was too unstable to even do an MRI, the next day an MRI was done. The serious brain damage the doctors were sure David had sustained has been shown to not be deep or terribly significant. In fact the doctors now say that given the area affected it is quite possible the brain can compensate for the damage. Did I thank you all for your prayers? Did I tell you how great God is, because He is truly great. He is even working on the financial issues. David's parents say that David is dropping machines and meds like a champion. He is breathing on his own, his cooling cap is gone. As his dad says he is pooping and farting like a real boy. Thank you God! All glory to God!"



Amen. We prayed for a miracle and God answered our prayers by His mighty power. All praise, honor and glory to the God of Life. The Miracle Worker is still performing miracles today. 

"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving 

And pay your vows to the Most High; 

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; 

I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”

Psalm 50:14-15

Nancy

Blue Monday

I love to see what other bloggers are up to. Smiling Sally says, "My favorite color is blue, so I thought, 'Why not have a Blue Monday?' Every Monday, I'll have a blue post, and I'd like to invite you to participate."


Well, since blue is my favorite color, too, I'm on it. This old blue chest has traveled all the way from Ohio to Colorado, and now sits under the windows in our living room. I use it to store tablecloths, candles and DVD's. I LOVE this piece.

A Longfellow Morning

I stood upon the hills, when heaven's wide arch

Was glorious with the sun's returning march,

And woods were brightened, and soft gales

Went forth to kiss the sun-clad vales.

A Passion for Flowers

"He who is born with a silver spoon in his mouth is generally considered a fortunate person, but his good fortune is small compared to that of the happy mortal who enters this world with a passion for flowers in his soul." -- Celia Thaxter

Snow fell like confetti last night.  Quite a contrast to the fifty-ish temperatures we enjoyed earlier in the week. Those warm, sunny days were a welcome respite from the winter chill and reminded me that, in a few months, spring will show up on our doorstep with flowers in hand. In the meantime, the geraniums that surround Dennis's bronze sculpture next to my writing space will have to suffice. 

Quiet winter months do seem to bring a burst of creativity. Dennis has been working on watercolors. These are two of my favorites.

San Juan Capistrano

Silver Plume Antique Store

In keeping with the bloom theme, I thought it would be fun to share these flower photos from my archive. 

Pinewood Poppies

Taos Flower Wagon

Our Lilac Bush

Black-eyed Susan - Hidden Valley RMNP

I use any excuse I can to spend time in my friend Meka's garden. It's a joy to photograph. 

Hers is truly my dream garden. Even in the winter it's beautiful.

You can see more photos of Meka's magical garden here.

My beloved is mine and I am his; 

   he browses among the lilies. 

Song of Solomon 2:16

Nancy