let us then live in peace

a wonderfully wise man,

our

Thomas Jefferson

~

born in Shadwell, Virginia

on Apr. 13, 1743

and died at his beloved home, Monticello

in Charlottesville, Virginia

July 4, 1826,

the 50th anniversary

of the Declaration of Independence

and then....sun

after a long grey day

the sun slipped

below the clouds as she went to wake up the rest of the world

and gave us a smile before she went on her way.

it seemed a much longer sunset than usual,

it made the fields a honey gold and long shadows across the grass

and so

my Bella & I sat together

and let it soak in

~*~

the thankful heart

...will find, in every hour,

some heavenly blessings

Henry Ward Beecher

remembrance

of those that live in our hearts.

mothers day

I keep this picture in my purse.

it has lived in every purse I have had for 28 years.

the little people here are my children.

my son, 2 years old and my daughter is 5 years old,

and the way you see them here...their bright and shiny spirits...

is how they are today.

oh, yes, they may be a little taller...

still, the same bright shiny little faces.

they have so much love for each other

and for those around them.

when they were very small, it was just the 3 of us

for quite sometime.

they saved my life every day.

without them life would have been a vast open sea

without land in sight.

it has been a glorious garden with them in it.

our sunday

warm sun,

soft and fragrant air,

royal anne cherry

clouds of spectacular bloom,

frogs content in the pond,

hens asleep under the old lilac,

a double white narcissus between them,

a tiny pansy

blooming by the old gate

balm for a winter weary soul

thank you

Thank you everyone who sent such lovely notes & emails telling me how

much you've enjoyed your time

while visiting me here at The Pastoral Doll maker this past year.

~

Thank you from my heart.

~

I have to say that many of your letters

put a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye.

I'm so glad to know that you have enjoyed

my writings, my stories and images about our life here

on Deerfield Farm .

I loved reading every one

of your letters.

thank you all so very much.

~

with love

on this day

and always,

Christine

~~~

the first of may

from my humble garden to you

happy first day of May