~ Trenda
Richard has been asked to speak at a Memorial Service commemorating his dear friend, Bill Seaborn. Bill was killed the day he and Richard were flying together on a rescue mission and their helicopter was hit by AK-47 fire and subsequently crashed into the jungles of Vietnam. Before the scheduled date of the ceremony, we wanted to spend some time getting to know Bill’s family and friends and we also needed to make arrangements and check out accommodations for those in the 240th Helicopter Assault Company that will be attending the ceremony. We were in Mississippi for 3 memorable days, spending time with people that all loved Bill. Everyone was welcoming and gracious and we instantly became friends. Though we are still apprehensive about the actual ceremony (I’m sure I’ll be writing about that after it occurs!) and the heart-stirring tribute commemorating Richard’s dear friend, we are looking forward to seeing all these lovely people, again. Afterwards, we drove from Mississippi to Missouri for a much needed vacation and to spend time visiting with Richard’s family.
Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and look at the stunning pictures I took along our 1,384 mile road trip! As I looked at these pictures I couldn’t help but smile as the remembered words and melody that my great-uncle Woody Guthrie wrote and sang, America’s beloved folk tune “This Land is Your Land” (this proud niece can’t help but boast!) accompanied my viewing. (:
“As I went walking that ribbon of highway I saw above me that endless skyway I saw below me those golden valleys This land was made for you and me …” ~ Woody Guthrie
During the 2 1/2 weeks we were away … storm clouds chased us from state to state!
Spring tulips punctuate the deep green grass …
Old bridge over a Mill pond …
Cheerful Spring greeting …
Cascading waterfalls surrounded by cattails and Redbud Trees.
Stacked rail fence, blossoming Redbud Trees and billowy clouds.
This stunning statue is located at “Top of the Rock” in Ridgedale, Missouri. The Native American sitting on his horse symbolizes the “Trail of Tears” and standing in an Infinity Pool … appears as if the waters of the pool spill, like tears, over into Table Rock Lake, far below.
Beautiful chapel in the afternoon shadows.
Inside the chapel, a breathtaking view of the Cross looking out a wall of windows …
To the scenic Ozark Mountains and Table Rock Lake below.
On another day of travelling, we saw a total of 3 rainbows! The first rainbow was a double rainbow and the colors were spectacular! Our 2nd rainbow, the arch was complete and it was the first time I had ever seen where the rainbow touched the ground … no wonder all the folklore and stories of pots of gold! I was so mesmerized, I forgot to even get a picture until it had almost faded away. The shimmery vivid colors and beauty of the bow was enchanting and reminded me once again of God’s promise to Noah.
Lunch at a favorite restaurant with a dear niece on Lake Taneycomo in Branson, Missouri.
After a delicious lunch (which she “sweetly” insisted was her treat! <3) … we took her to “Top of the Rock” (named that because it is located on the highest elevation in Taney County, Missouri) to see the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum and to go to the “Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail” a 2 1/2 mile ride tour driving our own 4-seated golf cart! Along the trail are dramatic rock formations …
Majestic waterfalls … we could feel the spray of the water on our face and arms as Richard maneuvered our golf cart around this curve! (:
Caves …
… and Amish bridges spanning deep ravines.
The gray stone chapel standing regal in the purple and golden twilight reminds me of this quote from Lucy Maud Montgomery “Twilight drops her curtain down, and pins it with a star.”
And finally … back to the Bluebonnets of Texas.
“This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me.” ~ Woody Guthrie
From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda
Thank you for reading my blog! I’d love for you to “FOLLOW ME!” (:
Leatherleaf Mahonia nestled next to Coral Bells ‘Azaleas’ …
Charming “greenhouse” among the azaleas … 
Beautiful blooming White Dogwood Trees shading George L. Taber Azaleas. 
Stone columns mark the entry to a quaint stone bridge … just the sort-of-bridge that a Troll might live under and 3 Billy Goats would like to trot over! (: 
A bronze statue of a little girl in overalls with a picking basket stands among the Azaleas and Aucuba …
A large jardiniere filled with ivy and a cobble-stoned walkway along lichen covered walls.
Al Fresco Dining at it’s best! “Table for 2?” Yes, please!” (:
Side courtyard …
The perfect spot to read (: … tucked behind a diminutive wrought iron fence, this reader is in “good company” with Angel Wing Begonia, azaleas, and a hedge of boxwood.
A charming basket filled with frolicking bunnies … I would love to hang a basket like this from one of our trees!
Red tulips are particularly striking against a backdrop of wine-colored Loropetalum.
A double hedge of azaleas …
Pine trees tower over brilliant azaleas …
A little cherub greets visitors as they come into the garden.
I hope you enjoyed your stroll along the Azalea Trails today! The last picture I’ve added is a picture of our own Coral Bells ‘Azaleas’ blooming in our front yard at Cottage Green on the Lake! Hope your day is filled with blossom and bird song! (:
~Holly Pond Hill
![PicCollage[4624].png](https://cottagegreenonthelake.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/piccollage4624.png?w=601&h=1068)
Simple Bow instructions:
To complete my Bunny Treat Bags I “stuffed” each bag with bunny ears made from gift wrap tissue paper. I cut one sheet of white tissue paper in half and formed a “bunny ear” by grasping the 1/2 sheet of tissue paper in the center. Then, while holding the center portion of the paper in one hand, I ran my other hand up over the tissue, while grasping it lightly to make loose folds. Then, I stuffed my “ear” into the treat bag so that the pointy ends of the tissue were sticking out to resemble a long ear. I repeated the entire process for the 2nd bunny ear, using the other 1/2 of the tissue paper. To form the pink “interior ears” I used my pink or my gingham gift tissue. Again, I cut each piece of gift tissue in half, “fluffed” my tissue and inserted into the bag, in front of the white outer ears. Use your imagination, they do look like Easter bunny ears!(;
Last touch … I “stuck” one more felt heart on the back of my Bunny Treat Bag (I used the same color heart as I used for the bunny’s nose) and placed it near the bottom of the treat bag. Then I glued a little pom pom on the heart to make a fuzzy little bunny tail! (:
All right, we’re off! First stop … The Secret Garden. The first time our daughter saw this forgotten garden she was only 9 years old. In excitement she breathlessly told me, “Mommy, I found the Secret Garden!” (: We’ve called it “The Secret Garden” ever since. ❤ These yellow roses rambling over a beautiful wrought iron fence are the more common variety of the Lady Banks Rose … and still reflect the hands that once planted and cared for them.
Gorgeous grape-like clusters of Wisteria dangle from the tangled vines within “The Secret Garden.”
Azalea Majestic’s bright magenta buds, blossoms and green foliage contrast beautifully with the texture of the rough landscaping bark.
It’s time to head home. Hope you are enjoying some beautiful weather where you are, even if it is only February! If you are still in the “throes of winter” … I hope these pictures will remind you that Spring is “right around the corner” and soon you will be seeing “adorably lovely Robins” showing off in your own backyard! (:
Down the staircase is a favorite picture … “The Lord is my Shepherd” and a metal vase filled with fragrant eucalyptus and peacock feathers.
A little alcove under the hall tree … another perfect nesting spot!
“Bird watching” (; … this vertigo green bird blends beautifully with the green shades of this collection of antique dishes from England.
Antique dishes on the lower deck … “The Old Curiosity Shop” by Currier and Ives.
A nest entwined with spring buds and new leaves is perched on a miniature bird bath filled with millet.
Little birds stand guard on a cake plate watching over two sweet eggs nestled on a bed of moss. A mercury glass bird and a fairy tale toadstool look charming together, sheltered under the glass canopy.
A silver bird perches on the edge of his nest … the perfect cache for a little treat of birdseed! (; The color of the millet matches the hues in the painting above and the in-laid wood of the tea cart.
A beautiful azalea from our own front yard almost “glows” in an antique bird planter. Under a “twiggy” lamp with a little wire nest ensconced in it’s branches, a cloche covers a pair of sweet owls and a moss-lined nest filled with speckled eggs.
The dusty red blossomed “trumpets” of Crossvine cover our fence and are climbing over an antique variety of Boxwood growing nearby. The buzzing bumblebees and bright blossoms seem to proclaim …
Regardless of the team you’re cheering for, or if your favorite team didn’t make it to the Super Bowl … I know you’ll enjoy these easy and delicious snacks! Hope you have a “super” Game Day!
“Love is patient, love is kind …”
Later, as I drifted off to sleep, the last lines of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “Under A Spreading Chestnut Tree” came to mind.
