// my happy spot //

as I type this, nostalgia washes over me, and so many fond memories buried within my childhood are revived anew. I have not been there in over three years time, yet if I close my eyes hard enough, the image imprinted within my mind vividly swims before me...

past deserts and towering snow-capped peaks, there lies a valley filled with both light and shadow, granite domes and silky meadows - opposites amalgamated in perfect harmony to create a secluded retreat of awe-inspiring nature. now within this valley of light and shadow, below a canopy of the velvety tips of wispy pines an alcove lies between granite walls streaked with tears and worn with age, once untouched by human eyes...

the mid-august heat crept up my back as I pedaled down the dusty lane. dried pine needles crunched under my bicycle's wheel - the scent filling my nostrils. my legs grew heavy pedaling up the slope, ah! but then a sound my heart longed for tickled my ears. in the distance it was but a whisper, a murmur of something that reminded me of mist - muffled, airy, ethereal. yet, when I approached closer, it thundered. I veered onto a trail that grew narrower into a clump of trees - the path only a strand of thread weaving in and out of the greenery, twice over wooden bridges, and finally it stopped. my happy spot. relief washes over me, as I see the river coming fully into view, chattering over a bed of rainbow. the pebbles, flecked with granite, sparkling in the afternoon sun, and I eagerly dipped into the crystal waters. the stream's current rushes beneath me - the foam glittering like delicate lace. my heart beats to the rhythm of the water's thundering, and excitement trills within me when I see a little pool under a canopy of silvery beech trees. the warmth of the granite boulder is much welcomed from the crisp dip in the icy waters, and I sun my hair in the afternoon sunshine, spilling through the branches. gingerly, I touch the quiet pool, staring into its violet depths.           

I am surrounded by the bird's melodious chirping, the sparkle of the midnight waters, and the bluest of skies above. granite walls enrapture me, and the moss-covered trees of old bend down to whisper their secrets. I have stepped into a sanctuary of both light and shadow, rock and water - I have stepped into my happy place forever locked into my heart. 

what is your happy place? 

lovingly,

the keeper of the garden.

[photographs via pinterest] 

     

giving all my secrets away // love that overcomes.

this is going to be one of those posts where I will not use fancy words {in which you have to fetch your dictionaries} or descriptive adjectives, but will attempt to write my feelings as bluntly and as accurately as possible. I do not believe it is in my ability to write exactly what I am feeling, but I hope that it will encourage you on your walk heavenward. 

sometimes, my emotions become jumbled and mashed together that at points in the day I sway from feeling hurt and depressed to angry and disappointed. confusion sweeps over me and the line between what my mind thinks and what my heart feels becomes even more distinct. I suppose that comes with being a female, but sometimes no matter what I say or think aloud, or what anybody else tells me, it never puts my aching heart at ease.    

when things don't go the way I should like with people, sometimes I wonder if it's my fault. I invest so much love, time, and effort into a relationship, and people disappoint me, leaving me to wonder: will you be there for me tomorrow? will you give me your shoulder for me to shed a tear? it stings miserably when people slough you - I know, I've been there. I am there. I don't want to be that person. I always want to be there for you, but sometimes it hurts when you throw that love back in my face.

that's not true love, though. true Love is something that does not waver. it's unselfish. it never fears. it never fails. Love is something that does not matter if it is returned. yes, there is pain and tears - and sometimes little comfort - but Love looks beyond the pain, faults, and the injustice. Love steadily moves forward.  

indeed, 'tis easier to love someone who loves in return, but remember what Christ took upon Himself, all in the act of love. a deep powerful Love from the beginning of time that chose to be mocked, whipped, bruised, spit upon, shunned, buffeted all for our sake. a deep and powerful Love we but little deserve and can little comprehend. every offense I feel little compares to what Christ endured, yet He still cares and understands and loves me. for being me.  

if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.   

{John 4:11} 

Love: so simple, yet so hard. :)

xoxo,
the girl in the garden. 

a very sweet post.

oranges + chocolate = chocolate orangettes 

I have commented in the past that I eat way too much sugar. well, here is one of those moments I give into my sweet tooth. the farmer's market has been good to us by providing sweet n' juicy oranges as of late {there's nothing as lovely as sitting out-of-doors eating a sweet orange}, and our family has been consuming them like candy. after reading the clever Miss Hannah's post published a few months past, I decided {as we had a lovely store of oranges and chocolate} to try my hand at making the delightful treats...

I do admit, I was a bit wary when making this recipe as I am not the hugest fan of oranges and chocolate flavors. one of the only candies that I will eat involving this chocolate/orange combination are the jelly-like sweets sold at Trader Joes. these turned out better!!! with its slight crunch from the sugared orange peel and a dreamy dark chocolate coating, this treat definitely satisfies my sweet tooth.

     

this recipe was incredibly easy {although, I was beginning to worry as the orange peels did not smell very good during the cooking process}, but the orange peels - once sugared - must sit for over 8 hrs., thus I made them after dinner and set them overnight, dipping them in chocolate the next morning and freezing them for a few minutes. 

now, off to attack the freezer again. 

hope all you lovelies are having a delightful Saturday afternoon! a real post shall be published shortly. 

xoxo,

the keeper of the garden.