Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, God Bless America, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Breakfast, Chickens, Coffee, Morning Coffee, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Songs, Sunday with Family, Sundays
Good afternoon đđť I always try to post a Sunday Reflections blog, and they have almost always been in the morning. The morning just got away from me đ Coffee âď¸ Chickens đ Breakfast đł Picking up, cutting back, composting, trash duty, etc. Preparations for the coming season⌠Plus Preparations for the coming week đ February is only a few days away and I already have Spring Fever đ
Thursday is Groundhog Day, the half-way point of Winter! Then itâs a downhill roll into Spring â¤ď¸
Have a great afternoon!
Mark C.
“Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle … a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. Â And the anticipation nurtures our dream.”
~ Barbara Winkler
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Love, music, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: 21st. Birthday, Birthdays, Birthdays Are Special, Dad, Family, Family Pictures, Family time, Family Traditions, Good Times, Happy Birthday, Passage of Time, Proud American, Proud Father, Son, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Time, Time flies, Time in a bottle
2023 is definitely off to a quick start for me. Back to work is an understatement⌠But certain things slow you down to pay homage and reflect on. Like my son turning 21 this past week â¤ď¸ Milestones like this really make you reflect. Saying âtime fliesâ just doesnât tell the story, but in a way it does sum it up⌠Time is such an illusion. It slips right through our grasp and pours through our fingers, and we can never get it back. We have had a lot of time well spent together! Iâve made a point to spend as much time as possible with my family and with my son over the past 21 years! And the only regrets I can think of are the few things we didnât get to do⌠YET! I feel very blessed to have him in my life and I look forward to what the future may bring.
The future looks bright for my little (6â3â) 21 year old son. What an impressive man he has become. đđťâ¤ď¸
Sunday brunch and coffee are forthcoming âď¸ đł
âTime is the most valuable thing a man can spendâ ~ Theophrastus
Have a great Sunday!
~ Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pond Tips, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: 2023, 2023 Events List, Beach, Beach Life, Beach Therapy, Beautiful Sunset, Carters Nursery, Carters Nursery Pond and Patio, Family Business, Garden Planning, Garden Tour, Happy 2023, Maintenance Workshop, Photography, photos, Planning, plants, Pond Tour, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Songs, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Sunrises, Sunsets
A new year and I have been busy planning for it! Business plan, events, pond tours, workshops, jobs, early buys, plant orders and more⌠I havenât missed a sunrise or sunset in 2023 yet! No itâs not a resolution⌠But I do really enjoy watching both đđ Hereâs a little collage of some of 2023âs best from the Beach!
Now is when the real work beginsâŚ
âSunrise looks spectacular in nature; sunrise looks spectacular in the photos; sunrise looks spectacular in our dreams; sunrise looks spectacular in the paintings, because it really is spectacular!â
~ Mehmet Murat Ildan
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Love, music, Sunday Reflections, Waterfalls | Tags: Elvis, Elvis Presley, Happy Birthday, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays
âDo you remember where you were when you heard that Elvis had died? I sure do. I really remember my mother crying and calling her friends. He was truly loved! RIP To the King of rock nâ roll!â
IF you remember where you were, leave a message or a short story⌠I would love to hear it đđť
âSome people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do ’em all together, I guess.â
~ Elvis Presley
PS: AND – Happy Birthday to another cool cat – Zachery Hall đĽHave a Great Sunday!
~ Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Waterfalls | Tags: Christmas Countdown, Christmas is Coming, Christmas Magic, Christmas Season, Christmas Spirit, Christmas with Family, Coffee, Family, Family Traditions, Holiday Season, Love, Snow, Snow Day, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays
22 degrees this morning when I went down to the Chicken coop⌠𼜠Cold, frosty morning with a beautiful Sunrise đ Today marks 1 week till Christmas đ So I donât really mind the cold right now, it adds to the feeling of the season đ đź But, itâs fixing to get even colder⌠And, maybe snow âď¸ Did someone say White Christmas? It may just be in the cards⌠âď¸
As I write this blog, Iâm sitting behind the wheel of my truck waiting on Jo to re-emerge from Krogers⌠Needed supplies for a Christmas party this afternoon đ
đź
As soon as we get back, Breakfast! More coffee âď¸ then itâs back to it! Merry Christmas đ
The lakes are covered with ice;
Our trees are full with frost.
It seems as a good nice winter,
but one thing, one thing is lost.
~The Snow-The Snow-The Snow!
The fireplace is a cracklin’,
the moon is full and bright.
The stars are just there twinklin’,
It seems as a perfect night.
But what is there missing?
Maybe the perfect sound?
Nothing but the wind gusts,
blowing the snow around.
The fire goes out;
the babies start cryin’,
The wind picks up;
I start smilin’.
Could it be?
Finally some snow!?
I looked out the window to see a dimming glow.
I drank my hot chocolate,
which warmed my body.
Then, like a lion, I jumped into bed,
and slept.
When the light had shown in,
I sprung out of bed.
So quick, she heard me, my mom said.
I looked outside, and saw no brown.
The ground was bright!
The ground was white!
Whiter than the whitest of rice,
Whiter than the cotton like clouds of the sky.
Maybe, just maybe, winter would be pretty nice!
~ Jocelyn Larrabee
Have a great Sunday! đâď¸đ
đź
~ Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Waterfalls | Tags: Christmas is Coming, Christmas Magic, Christmas Season, Christmas Spirit, Family, Family Pictures, Family time, Family Traditions, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays
Merry Christmas đ I have found myself becoming more and more in the Spirit of the season this year! We have been decorating around the place on a daily basis⌠Add to that all the food and partyâs and plans being made, This year has felt more âChristmasyâ than normal đ
đź
We still have LOTS to do before the big family get together, but Iâm good with that! Itâs 2 weeks until Christmas Day! đŽ Wow right⌠Be ready!
Christmas is Coming! đ
đź
“Christmas gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the important things around us.â
~ David Cameron
Have a great day!
~ Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Waterfalls | Tags: Christmas Countdown, Christmas is Coming, Christmas Season, Christmas Spirit, Christmas Tree, Happy Holidays, Holiday Season, Seasonal changes, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays
I have been blessed with overall good health, so when I do get sick đˇ itâs awful⌠Iâm finally getting over a case of the Flu with a Bronchitis kicker⌠Believe me when I tell you, it sucks! Cough, weakness, exhaustion, etc⌠But, thank the lord, Iâm finally feeling better!
We are officially in December! Iâve been getting my strength back by tooling around the house a little trying to help get ready for the next big holiday đ
đź
Our Christmas tree đ is up & quite a bit of decorating has been done as well. Iâm actually starting to get that feeling of Christmas đđť
Weâve got Lots to do before years end! My biggest challenge is to keep a work/life balance through the holidays so I get to enjoy the season with my family too đ
In any case, Christmas is coming! Be ready đ
đź
âMay you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.â
~ Ada V. Hendricks
~ Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Love, music, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Family, Family time, Family Traditions, Friends and Family, God Bless, Grateful, Gratitude, Happy Thanksgiving, Love, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Sunsets, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Decorations, Thanksgiving is Coming, The Presence of God, Time, Time flies, Time in a bottle, Time Off
Time is so funny⌠Sometimes it drags on & other times it goes by so fast that you miss things. I say it all the time, but it seems like this year has gone by quicker than any year before đ¨ Turn around and boom đĽ itâs Thanksgiving! We are hosting our family dinner here in a few days, so we have been busy straitening up, decorating and basically getting ready đŚ
After all these years of living and working and doing, the one thing I have figured out is, you have to be grateful for your blessings đđť (Ps: Iâm still working on it đ)
With my hectic schedule itâs easy to push on and take things for granted just to get through this day and to the next⌠But you miss so many things in that process, the most important things. God, family, friends, rest, health & happiness can be glossed over and left in your wake⌠Maybe itâs like the spirit that comes over you at Christmas đ
đź you want everyday to feel like that. âď¸ Thanksgiving can be the same. Iâm going to try to let my Gratitude exceed my expectations everyday and see what happens â¤ď¸
âGratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.â
~ William Arthur Ward
Happy Thanksgiving đŚ to Everyone!
~ Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections | Tags: Australian Shepherd, Biscuits, Biscuits and Gravy, Chicken, chicken Coop, Chickens, Coffee, Coffee Mug, Dark Winter, Daylight Savings Time, Fall Back, Feeding Birds, Feeding Time, Free Range Chickens, Hen House, Instagram, Morning Coffee, Pets, Sunday, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Time flies
Itâs always easy to âFall backâ! My personal clock didnât change though⌠I was wide awake shortly after 4am this morning. My iPhone had already updated, so I changed all the clocks â°, reset the oven and microwave clocks⌠Straitened up, made coffee, made biscuits and waited for the sunrise.
Shortly after breakfast, I let the chickens đ out to free range a bit, then came back to drink some coffee âď¸
In the short time that I was in the house a couple of things happened. My sons Australian Shepherd got out of the fence and not only scattered my flock of chickens that were outside, she went into the hen house & ran ALL of my chickens out and scattered them to the wind đ¨
You know what comes next⌠Trying to locate and round up chickens isnât easy, in fact Iâm still in the process⌠Yâall have a wonderful Sunday afternoon đ
“I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Waterfalls | Tags: Agricultural Pursuit, Agriculture, Biscuits, Biscuits and Gravy, Breakfast Tomatoes, Brunch, Family, Family time, Garden Chores, grits, I Believe in the future of Farming, Mark Carter, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays
No matter what the weather or the day of the week, when you have living things that depend on you, you take care of it. Life on the farm, life in the garden, in the greenhouse, the backyard and the living room tooâŚ
So knocking out todays check list took a little longer than expected⌠but it got done, and then we had brunch đ
Later this evening weâre gonna have a good bonfire đĽ Nothing much better than thatâŚ
âEvery dayâÂ
Sunup, sundownâÂ
You will findÂ
A chore âround.Â
Forget the listÂ
Of things “to do, ”Â
One never finishes,Â
Nor is through.Â
They multiplyÂ
Throughout the dayâŚÂ
Won’t go away.Â
They’re here to stay.â
~ Walterrean Salley
Have a great Sunday!
Mark C.
Carter's Water Garden 