Sunflowers and Curls

I love having fresh flowers in my home, on my kitchen table. So beautiful and sweet smelling, they are one of God's loveliest creations. I saw many bouquets at the market yesterday, but couldn't justify the expense. During these tough economic times I, like many other Americans, am on a strict budget.

I was especially drawn to a bouquet of large sunflowers. They seemed to beam "summer".  I thought of how cheery they would look on my table, the yellow, brown, and green. But I said goodbye to those lovely flowers and proceeded to pay for my week's groceries.

Driving home, I thought of flowers again, and that maybe I could pick some more of the white roses which grew by the mailboxes in my apartment complex. They were wilting in the summer heat though, and paled in comparison to the fresh and lively selection at the grocery store. I had resolved to feel grateful that I had access to flowers at all and that any flowers would bring beauty to my home.

My drive home takes me through a county pocket with no sidewalks or curbs. I was passing through this section when something yellow and bright caught my eye. I almost couldn't believe it, it must be from the Lord.  On the side of the road, growing wild, were some beautiful sunflowers.

I'm sure you guessed that I turned off the road, and cut myself a bunch, fighting off aphids, red ants, and one rather large spider. They received a cold shower (to get rid of the remaining ants) and some trimming and arranging when I got home and now they smile up at me from my kitchen table. It really is true that God loves to bless His children with good gifts :-)

As for the curls, I put Caitlin's hair in pin curls after her bath last night, then tied on a head scarf. After lying down, she complained that the pins hurt her head, so I cut some small strips of cloth, removed the bobby pins, and wrapped each would-be curl around a cloth and tied them off. I don't know if this is how "rag curls" are made, but it turned out well! So, if you don't have any pins or curlers, you can still bless your daughter (or yourself!) with a head of beautiful curls. All you need is a spare bit of cloth and some scissors. If anyone tries this, or knows anything about old fashioned "rag curls" please leave a comment with your story or advice.

Be blessed in Him today!