This is What I Believe... He Lives!

The quiet change taking place within my gardens
are divine testimony
and an inspiration to behold.

Our Snow-capped Mountains in Spring 

As every Leaf, Bud and Bloom arise
to join the celebration
and joyously declare...

HE LIVES! 

The Birth of a Maple Leaf

Red-buds in Glorious Splendor

A Grand Celebration!

It happens every Spring.

And it always fills my soul.

All the EARTH is celebrating LIFE...
 because JESUS CHRIST Lives.

♥   ♥   ♥   

View this short video... your heart will be filled

with His love for you!

All content created by Carolyn Bush | Copyright © 2010 - 2015 All Rights Reserved  

This Grandmother's Garden | Highland, Utah, USA

Giving Thanks Is More Than A Holiday

It's How Happy People Live

All content created by Carolyn Bush | Copyright © 2010 - 2013

 All Rights Reserved | This Grandmother's Garden | Highland, Utah, USA 

Morning Light

Morning Light

First view from my window 

this morning...

Sunshine

 I love how sunshine

slowly slips into my garden

as light begins to filter 
through the trees.

A Glorious New Day

It reminds me of how inspiration seeps into my heart 
and its light fills me with understanding.

This is going to be a glorious day...

 my soul is filled 

with fresh inspiration

from a weekend of listening.

Listen...
Inspiration just may touch your heart 
as well.





All content created by Carolyn Bush | Copyright © 2010 - 2013
All Rights Reserved | This Grandmother's Garden
Highland, Utah, USA

Come Find Inspiration With Me

Sometimes I need a little fresh air 

to clear my mind... 

Autumn's Gold

and a little space 

to forget about present cares.

  

Sweet Reflection

Time to look back 

and reflect on where I've been...

The Road Ahead

and inspiration to look ahead 

so that I may once again move forward.

Autumn's Refuge

A place to find solace
and direction.

Red Leaf Waiting

A connection to the Spirit...

Harmony

that my soul may be filled 
with harmony 

and peace. 

Crystal Clear

And sweet assurance that 
God, indeed, is in His Heaven. 

Mt. Timpanogas September 2013

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber."

                                                                                                                            Psalms 121

 I invite you to 

Come listen with me... 

I promise your heart will be touched 

as you experience a sweet connection with Heaven...

and you will find inspiration 
and harmony 
and peace.

All images taken on the far side of the mountains behind my home...
it's so beautiful up there! 

All content created by Carolyn Bush | Copyright © 2010 - 2013 

All Rights Reserved | This Grandmother's Garden

Highland, Utah, USA

The Wildflowers are Dancin'

High above the Salt Lake Valley  

in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains,

lies the Albion Basin.

And at the top of this glacially-carved canyon   

 is surely one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.

At least I think so.

Sunrise in the Meadow

 

And though it may be Summer down here in the valley,

up there, 

Spring has just begun...

and the WILDFLOWERS are dancin'! 

 It's their annual ritual

 once Winter's deep blanket of snow 

has finally melted. 

And it's our family's annual ritual 

to hike this glorious mountain 

to enjoy the bounteous splendor.

 We are never disappointed.

  This garden is tended by 

the MASTER GARDENER.

And we are mere visitors 

to His magnificent creations. 

Here birds and bees and butterflies reside 

to frolic freely through the blooms.

 While we feel reverence 

that lifts our souls

as we watch the dance.

A sweet reminder there are still places 

of great beauty and peace 

left on this earth.

 Hallelujah!

 Our Albion Basin Hike 2013 

was enjoyed with our eldest daughter's family.  

Life is just more fun when grandkiddos are on the trail.

 To view our Albion Basin Hike 2012 follow the link below.
More beautiful pics and a couple of surprise visitors.

 A Touch of the Divine

All content created by Carolyn Bush | Copyright © 2010 - 2013 

All Rights Reserved | This Grandmother's Garden

Highland, Utah, USA

Sunrise in Sweden

The sun is rising in Sweden.

It is the last sunrise my son will see 

before he begins his long journey home.

Two years of humble service 

for his Savior

as a missionary called of God 

to proclaim His holy gospel.

Two years seems like forever to a mother...

so grateful he could go,

so full of joy that it is finally time 
to come home.

Tomorrow night...
and I am so excited!

*actual picture taken in Sweden by my son

Daily Blessings... November 21st

Just a few more days remaining to post for 

Thanksgiving Challenge 

began by The Whimsical Gardner. 

It has indeed been a challenge to post every day, 

but sweet delight to be reminded of the many blessings I hold dear.

 Today I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.

♥

To serve...

to lift others by word and deed 

is a gift for the giver.

I believe it is the only means by which we can find true happiness...
as we give a portion of ourselves

we are blessed ten fold.

Look around you! 

There's an abundance of opportunities that need your talents...

within our communities, 

within our schools, 

within our families!

Jump in! 

Your own troubles will melt away 

as you immerse yourself in lifting others.

"I know that we came to this life with a purpose 

and the greatest joy we will receive 

will be those acts of love and service that we do for others... 

There is none too great to need the help of others. 

There is none so great that he can do it alone."

                                  ~Robert D. Hales

Daily Blessings... November 20th

Every morning brings a new day....

Morning Breaks above my Gardens

Who knows...

something wonderful may happen this day!

Have faith that it will.

Thankful for the blessings each new day brings.

Daily Blessings... November 16th

Today I feel gratitude for my kitchen table...

Wisdom gleaned from more than a half century of living...
(oh, that sounds so old)
tells me
This is a very important place. 


Place where more than just delicious meals are shared...
here we share our dreams 
and the adventures of the day
and we laugh and enjoy each others company.


A gathering place where our hearts are knit together 

 in unity and love.

This is an important place,

It is the very heart of our home.

The Tender Mercies of the Lord...

I believe there are times when a Tender Mercy enters your life 

that cannot be explained by logic or reason.

  

It is a very personal and individualized blessing 

that does not occur randomly,

nor is it a coincidence.

The simpleness and sweetness of such a blessing will lift your heart

when words cannot express the solace we need or the joy we feel.

The tender mercies of the Lord are available to all of us.

The LORD is good to all 

and his Tender Mercies are over ALL his works.

Psalm 145:9

I have received such a blessing within my gardens
and it has indeed lifted my heart.

In my next post... I'll tell the story.




 

Rocky Mountain Solace to My Soul

I always find solace in quiet walks in the mountains.  

They speak to me of a divine creator. 

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord that made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121 


Surely John Muir must have understood this as well when he said:

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
 The winds will blow their freshness into you,
and the storms their energy,
while cares will drop off you like falling leaves."
                           ~ John Muir

Our recent trip to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado 
brought this very peace to my soul.

Eastward View from Vail

I feel refreshed and comforted.

Wildflower Blooming at 12,000 feet

And now I think it's time to post again.


 I've tried many times in the past several weeks,
but my heart was too heavy to let the words flow.

Sunshine Reflected in a Sweet Buttercup

I've missed my gardening friends, 
your sweet comments are always cherished.
(I've peeked in on a few of you and you've brought smiles.)

Wispy Leaves Catch My Eye

White Berry Blooms

Doesn't God Plant the Most Beautiful Blossoms?!

When a loved one passes from this life to the next, 
it takes a little time to heal the tenderness of the heart.

Walking through God's Gardens always brings solace to my soul. 


 

 

I Believe in Life!

Morning Sky in Highland

Physical death is not the end, 

but rather, a step forward in our Heavenly Father’s plan... 

a time of indescribable joy for the person making the transition.

What sweet comfort this knowledge brings to my heart.

A Time to Remember the Beautiful Things

A sweet song from my childhood...

Rain falls
soft rain at my window
Every butterfly has hurried away
All the honeybees have called it a day
And the columbine are bending their heads in the rain.

Rain falls
soft rain making puddles
for the children's feet
the puddles are sweet
And the skater-bug fleet finds small pools a treat
And the columbine are bending their heads in the rain.


While the rain is falling there's a quietness about the world;
While the thunder is calling there's a quiet hush about the world
A time to remember the beautiful things,
To look for tomorrow and your fondest dreams...

 

Rain falls
soft rain through the tree boughs
Bringing ev'ning birds a quick friendly bath
washing afternoon dust from my wide garden path
And the columbine are bending their heads in the rain.

Rain  falls 

soft rain at my window

I will go outside where sleepy rain blows

Feel the wet on my face, feel the wet on my clothes

And like the columbine

I want to bow my head in the rain.

Today I'm remembering the beautiful things...

At My Mother's Knee

A Rose For My Dear Mother...
April 1928 ~ July 2011

                  Mother loved her flower gardens... 

4 o’clock’s and petunias, 
lilies of the valley and iris, 
bridal veil and lilac bushes, 
snapdragons and delphiniums 
and of course, her beloved roses. 

I don’t think there is a flower on this earth that wasn’t my Mother’s favorite. 
The vegetable garden was Dad’s, but the flowers, oh, the flowers… they were my Mother’s.

♥   ♥   ♥

My earliest memories of Mother are in the garden. I remember as a  small child waking up sleepy eyed and wandering the house looking for her.  I walked from room to room... not finding her... and then, just before my anxiety could erupt into tears, I looked through the window to see her in the flower gardens. Tapping on the window, she looked up to see me and with a beautiful smile, came to open the door and lead me out to the flower gardens. How glorious it was in the gardens, and how I loved being with my Mother. I'm sure it wasn't long before I was purposefully waking up early... just to join her and to be amidst those beautiful flowers. I truly learned to garden at my mother's knee.

Sunrise In My Gardens

At some point in my Mother's lifetime she must have discovered 
the magic of morning in the garden... 

surely the most beautiful time of the day 
when all the world is hushed 

except for the song of the birds and the buzzing of the bees.  

In our family, we call it the magic hour. 

Indescribable as to why – you just have to experience it for yourself.

Sun about to Crest over My Mountain

 My heart is now heavy at her passing and yet I know she lives, 

with all my soul I know she lives.

Our physical death isn’t the end, Our physical death isn't the end,

but rather is a step forward in Heavenly Father’s plan 

and a time of indescribable joy for the person making the transition.

What comfort this knowledge brings to me. 

Our life does not begin at birth and it doesn't end at death.

Our life on earth is only a portion of God's eternal plan for his children.

Of this I know.

As my thoughts now wander from room to room within my memories

I do not find my sweet mother...

but I know that she is not far away.

I am so thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life 

and the sweet peace it brings to me. 

(To understand more, click on the blue links above.) 

For My Dad...

who patiently taught me how to garden...

Outdoor Gardens

Round red radishes pulled from the soil, 

always the first harvest of the season,
but they don't taste very sweet.

Zucchini Squash, large yellow blooms, within days set long and green,

if I sit still long enough can I SEE them grow?

Delicate wispy green foliage 

with the promise of yummy carrots under the soil 

(I can see orange!)... 

how long do we have to wait?

Carefully hoed rows of furrows,

deliver life from living water.
  Can I help make those little rivers?

Picking horn-worms from the tomato plants
  before they can do damage, 

why do they have a horn, anyway?

Warm Summer nights sitting on the front porch,  

marveling how your big thumb on the end of that hose 

makes a perfect spray of water... 

can I try?

♥  ♥  ♥

Memories of Dad (and me) in the garden...  forever priceless!

Thanks Dad, for sharing your love of gardening 

and harvesting 

and life.  

And thank you for answering all of this little girl's questions!

I can feel you watching from Heaven as I garden. 
 

Did you KNOW you were growing more than just vegetables?

I Believe...

Pause...  
           Reflect...       
                        and Rejoice!

for He is Risen.

May you feel the love of our Savior 
on this beautiful Easter Sunday.
He lives! 
And is always there 
to grant us peace and comfort and direction.

This I believe.

Up Next... Part Two of Building a Flagstone Patio.

Be Still and Know That I Am God

These little tulips have been waiting patiently to bloom.

When they finally open, they will be the first blooms 

of the year in our gardens.

I first noticed them emerging from the soil weeks ago. 

Then, last Sunday, after three glorious days of 70° temperatures,

the color popped.

Then came the snow, 

then sun,

then snow, 

and more snow,

then a few tiny rays of sunshine...

and now snow again.

So longing for those petals to open and to bask in the light of the warming sun.

A voice whispers in my heart:

Patience my dear child.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46

All things bloom on his timetable.

He is the keeper of the gardens.

I must remember that.