Free Friday Flowers
As August rolls in, I can’t help but feel the anticipation of Fall with Autumn being my favorite season. Although we won’t feel the crisp embrace of cooler weather until October, the mere idea of it conjures up images of the turning leaves swirling in the cool breeze and cozy evenings that will usher in our rainy season. At long last, our sunbaked landscape will welcome rain, a vivid contrast to the all-consuming dry season. The thirsty soil will eagerly drink it in.
The dog days of summer are upon us. Today, the mercury has climbed to a decent 101 degrees, but I find myself counting my blessings. At least we are spared the oppressive 113-degree temperatures that envelop Florida, where the heat seems unrelenting.
This summer of 2025 has been cooler than usual, with more pleasant days in the 90s rather than dreaded triple-digit heat. Mornings around 70 degrees have offered a lovely respite, allowing us to enjoy the outdoors during those tranquil moments before the sun fully rises.
Today I celebrated August by hanging out with my son.
We drove over to the farm stand, where flowers in jars and vases, all free for the taking. 🌻
By the end of the week, the blooms begin to droop, their vibrant colors fading slightly, yet they still radiate a simple beauty that can brighten up any table, if only for a day. You also get to keep the jar/vase.
It's that time of year when figs ripen on the trees.
A nosy cow, enjoying the morning sun as it surveys the comings and goings
Pretty sunset last night -
photo captured by my husband.
As August 1 arrives, I’m amazed at how quickly this year has flown by. The summer feels like it has slipped through my fingers. Time rushes past, making each moment feel precious and urges me to savor every heartbeat.
In 27 days, my new year begins with Leader training and then the official start of Bible study on Sept 10. For the next eight months, I’ll follow a different routine than I did for the summer. I'm trying not to be sad that I didn’t complete all the chores I had wanted to do. Yesterday I cleaned the office, rearranged the desk, and I need to make name tags for my ladies.
That's all I have for this first day of August. I'm about to prepare dinner. Wishing all of you a wonderfully enjoyable weekend, whether you choose to embark on exciting adventures or simply savor the beauty of doing absolutely nothing at all.
Take Care,
Debby
You and I are both in a pensive mood for August 1st, thinking about summer waning and fall coming. Those flowers are really pretty! How nice to get them for free! Wow!! That's a nice gift! And to spend the day with you son is the best gift of all! I'm glad you'll be doing the BSF again. What a wonderful ministry! Thank you for doing that! Well, have a lovely first weekend of August!! Tally Ho and away we go!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed August best when my boys went back to school in Sept after Labor Day and California Admission Day. Kids here go back in 2 weeks. That’s crazy. It’s the hottest month of summer.
DeleteI can understand that you are ready for Fall. I myself am hanging onto Summer because I know what will happen here in Michigan before too long! :)
ReplyDeleteYour photos of the day are beautiful! I love the free flowers and that you got to spend the day with your son!
Yeah I can see where you wouldn’t be so thrilled with cooler temperatures.
DeleteYour days are cooler than normal at 90! Oh, my goodness. I did not realize you were that hot there. Today was near a hundred degrees and it was rough. We are going to get some cooler weather for a week then back up. I LOVE FALL!
ReplyDeleteThe photo capture of the sky, by your husband was pretty. Love the sunflowers. Good luck on leading the bible study - do you do it in your church or on line?
At the church that hosts Bible Study Fellowship
DeleteThe sunflowers are beautiful. And I love the nosy cow! The sunset photo is amazing. Lots of light at the bottom, then getting darker and darker the closer it gets.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ginny
DeleteWe have a local trucking company here where I live that plants a Zinnia field free for the picking every summer. They ask that you pay it forward by sharing the flowers with someone when you come to pick them for yourself.
ReplyDeleteWow how nice.
DeleteAugust is rich and blowsy. September is quieter and more thoughtful. Each month has something special to offer.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Each month has its own Beauty
DeleteAutumn is my most favorite season as well Lovely photos Happy weekend
ReplyDeleteSame to you Kathy
DeletePlease read my post
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Debby, on how quickly this year is flying by. Can we put the brakes on if just for a moment? The photos and flowers are all lovely and got my day off on the right foot. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t know how to do that because we’re in quite a roll.
DeleteYou are most definitely correct in our weather down here in Florida, smiles. It is unrelenting, so it seems, smiles. I simply an not believe it's August already. smiles
ReplyDeleteAt least we can look forward to cooler temperatures come November or do. And rain which is always welcome here.
DeleteOh, I love to hear when you spend the day with your son. Laughs are usually always included when that happens. That's great that the flowers are free, and I have been craving a ripe fig. That's a pretty sunset photo your husband took. And I LOVE the curious cow photo. I am looking forward to the Fall season too, and hopefully some rain! It's always nice to have a clean office and an organized desk.
ReplyDeleteHappy month of August Debby!
~Sheri
I like spending time with him as well. Just a funny guy.
DeleteSo glad you hung out with you son. Sounds like a nice time. The flowers are so pretty and I love the cow. Wow, that is some sunset. I agree, the year has flown by quickly. Hope you Bible study goes well. Hope you enjoyed your dinner and have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to you Debby
DeleteI think summer really does rush past us because public schools start earlier in the year than they did when I was young. It's like summer is Memorial Day to July 31 and then it's time to gather school supplies for classes beginning mid-August!!
ReplyDeleteYou’re absolutely right - a school summer is Memorial Day till the end of July. Crazy
DeleteI guess I will join the Autumn Club and say that I'm looking forward to it too.
ReplyDeleteHubby and I were just saying yesterday that we can't believe we are in our 80's. How did that happen? Dave will be 84 on Jan. First and I will be 82 in November. Its rather a shock to the system. We have resolved to make the best of each day that the Lord gives us. We are definitely wondering what's in store for us and what our purpose will be in this earthly chapter
Wow, I guess I am a bit pensive today too.
So
Absolutely love the sunflowers and we need to grow some for next year !!
Sue
What a blessing to be in your 80’s.
DeleteThe past two days we've had a touch of early fall weather, particularly in the evenings. I have enjoyed opening the windows after dinner and hearing the nighttime sounds. Although it's forecast to get hot again later this week it won't be long until Summer 2025 is in the books.
ReplyDeleteThe heat sticks around in the evenings but the mornings are beautiful. I just got used to saying 2025.
DeleteNice photos of nice flowers the weather here is cold and wet
ReplyDeleteI can't really say I'm looking forward to fall, I'm loving summer but we don't have hot temps here.
ReplyDeleteThat’s nice
DeleteSpending time with our grown sons is extremely precious. I am so glad that you had that time together.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Always! Just my son and I. Grateful for that relationship
DeleteI don't which I love more -- the Free Friday Flowers or that sweet cow! Using old jars for 'vases' appeals to me so much more than fanciest-up hothouse things. Great imagery your hubby captured; I love cloud photographs.
ReplyDeleteI’m with you on the old jars as vases
DeleteJuly was miserably hot and humid. Summer is my least favorite season. The cooler temperatures of August (so far) have me looking forward to autumn, my favorite season.
ReplyDeleteLovely day with your son!
What Bible study do you do?
I’m a Bible Study Fellowship group leader.
DeleteFor the first time in several years, I am so ready for Fall. I usually enjoy Summer, but something is so different about this year. It has been a hot, almost unbearable Summer especially with the humidity. The figs look so good...I'm still waiting on mine to ripen. Hoping to make fig preserves. Love the sunflowers!! They always bring a smile to faces. Happy Sunday Debby..
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable nosey cow. Love the flowers and also the pic your husband took. Just beautiful. Janice
ReplyDeleteAnother month has arrived already. I like the photos that you shared with me and other readers. Nosey cow looks good and waited for food? HAHA! I like sunflowers but didn't get any when I was at Fred Meyer two days ago. They were in a pot but I decided not to get it as we have a lot of pots of plants already. Rarely do we put then in the dirt. When we left church this evening after being in the prayer group, we went to another town to get dinner. A lot of clouds when we left to get back home. I hope that there will be rain soon, maybe tonight? The photo you shared that your husband took looks like the clouds here in Oregon. i hope to get my post done soon, as I am behind!!! Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteI really love those flowers. And the great idea of putting them in jars. I never manage to get the figs to ripen on the tree.
ReplyDeleteGod bless always.
Debby, I love the fact that you know so much about the stove/oven. The one before was as old as dirt. Time to replace it. And how funny that your cat plays with the cardboard boxes. We used to use them when I was growing up when building the dirt forts in the fields behind our house. They came in handy. We would play out there all day. Such a good childhood memory.
ReplyDeleteHi, I love the Free Friday Flower idea.
ReplyDeleteAugust is already here, I want it to hang on. It is my second favorite month.
Thank you for the post... I always enjoy our posts Debby.
Carla
I LOVE AUTUMN! The last few days were very fall here. Today too. I'm outside now and it's a tad chilly. Love it, love it. That garlic looked great to me. I love that sorta thing.
ReplyDelete