Thursday, May 3, 2012

Fields Of Color

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Thank you for your kind words about the new ministry my sweetheart and I have undertaken.  It is so fulfilling to begin to develop deep relationships with mature adults all around us.  They have so much to add to our lives and we always come away more blessed than we could ever imagine. 

A couple of days ago, despite intermittent rain showers and a bit of wind, I took a few senior ladies from our church to a big, local annual event.  We had planned to go a week ago but the weather forced us to reschedule.  The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival draws hundreds of thousands of people from around the area – and beyond – each year.  Acres and acres of color – tulips in bloom all around – capture your heart the moment you arrive.P4302593Giant oak trees stand like sentinels nearby.P4302609Everywhere you look there are tulips – of all colors.P4302596Colors planted together. . .
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Or alone.P4302615The festival grounds are filled with places to pose for photos – some for adults, some for children.  It didn’t take me long to spot this big yellow wooden shoe that was soon filled with a darling little girl.  P4302602The windmill on the far side of the fields seems to call you to come close.  Benches are scattered all through the fields for quiet moments of rest and reflection here and there.P4302595You can probably guess that yellow tulips are my favorite. . .but another of my favorites is 'Queen of the Night’ - a 'black' tulip.  I loved how they were contrasted against rows and rows of yellow.  P4302607There are all kinds of things to do and foods to eat – especially on the weekends.  One of the fun features every year is the ‘Cow Train’ that takes guests – big and small – all around the fields of color.  We gals opted for a more dignified way of travel – we took the shuttle with ‘respectable’ seats and easy access in and out.
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The main gift shop is filled with all kinds of wonderful things – books, souvenirs, pottery, Dutch Delft tile, cups and saucers and beautiful things that captured my heart.  A little ‘outdoor’ gift shop featured all kinds of things – most related to the garden.  A teapot birdhouse. . .
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A garden tile sign (and a silly little snail) that would brighten any gardener’s day. . .P4302590A tiny pot of (plastic) daffodils. . .P4302591And tee-shirts to bring back happy memories.
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There were tulips everywhere – in the fields, in raised beds, in pots and in arrangements.  On the counter of the gift shop door we were all enchanted by this vase of yellow tulips.  They were different than any we had seen before.P4302616The blooms were huge!  And they seemed unreal - until we touched them.  P4302617Soon we were headed back toward home.  The car was filled with happy chatter as we rode through the countryside.  Once in town we filled a big table at a new restaurant and enjoyed more time together – and good food.  It’s a day that will always be a treasure in my heart.  The friendships deepened in the tulip fields will be even more special because of the adventure we shared for a few hours this week.  As I reminisce and remember the beauty and the laughter and the fun of our day together I’m carefully studying the catalog I brought home.  Trying to decide and pick and choose the tulips that should grace my yard and home – and bring back the memories of one gray day in the valley of Oregon.  A day that was brightened by the ‘bloom’ of friendships made precious.

6 comments:

  1. And a great time was had by all...your picture of the tulip field with the giant tree in the background turned out amazing!!
    Thanks for the wonderful story of our adventures!!

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  2. What a wonderful place to visit! Look at all those colors!!! I think that Queen of the Night is my favorite because it has that royal purple hue to it. Got to love purple, LOL!

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  3. Would love to be in a field of tulips all turning their heads upward to praise our Jesus!

    Can't wait to hear more about your new ministry in person!!!

    bee blessed
    mary

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  4. What a wonderful event and so sweet of you to take the little seniors! What a gorgeous place - looks like holland! The tulips are so beautiful. Now that little cow trail looks pretty cute and I spied ole Betsy! :)
    You're a jewel and I'm so proud for you and your hubby with your new ministry!
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  5. Thanks so much for popping over to my blog. I would love to chat sometime about who you knew in Viet Nam.

    I love the tulips fields in WA and OR. And your pictures bring back fun memories.

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  6. The tulips are absolutely gorgeous!
    I am so glad that you and your DH are pursuing your dreams...and what an awesome dream it is...serving...blessings to you both as you go after it!!
    Rene'

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I am grateful that you stopped by to visit me. Your kind and gracious comments are appreciated and treasured.