Friday, August 16, 2013

Jewels of the Field



I thought I was seeing things when I noticed something glimmering in the morning sun.
It was still pretty early and there was a heavy dew...
...but it hadn't rained.


These lovelies grow alongside the road in Fancy Gap, near our cabin.

I could hardly believe my eyes.
 I had seen these cute little blooms in the past...


... but they were never adorned with jewels like they were on this morning.

So...I got out my trusty All About North Carolina Wildflowers book...
...even though I was actually in Virginia.


As I flipped through my little book, I found them...right there...on page 183!
And guess what they were called? Are you ready for this?


How cool is that??

I learned a few facts about them too.
Not only are the leaves and stems covered with a silvery, powdery substance that repels water...
...thus the water droplets forming, but when a "mash" is made from them, it can be applied to the skin  and used as a remedy for poison ivy itch!

Who knew!?


Doesn't our Heavenly Father give us the best gifts?

I hope your week is filled with little jewels!


Sharing at:

http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com/2013/08/from-farm-blog-hop_16.html
http://sundayview.blogspot.com/2013/08/down-in-river-to-pray-inspired-sunday.html
http://www.deidrariggs.com/2013/08/17/sunday-64/
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/08/amaze-me-monday-20.html
http://www.whatjoyismine.net/2013/08/mondays-musings-74-its-new-school-year.html
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-63.html
http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2013/08/sharing-his-beauty_19.html
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/08/178th-inspire-me-tuesday-winner-of.html
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/08/wow-us-wednesdays-132.html
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2013/08/take-powder.html
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/08/carly-in-europe-and-simple-sweet.html
http://www.deeprootsathome.com/encourage-one-another-wednesday-link-up-100/
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2013/08/home-sweet-home-133.html
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2013/08/zucchini-boat-recipe-show-and-tell.html











at

46 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 16, 2013 at 7:14 PM

    So pretty!! I wish I had some here...I surely would have tried it for my poison ivy....:) Beautiful photos....as usual!!!! Have a great weekend!!

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    1. Debby RayAugust 16, 2013 at 7:40 PM

      Lisa, thanks...I thought of you when I discovered they helped poison ivy! Hope it is all better!

      Delete
  2. Sweet TeaAugust 16, 2013 at 7:18 PM

    Gurl, you are MAGIC with the camera.
    BEAUTIFUL to my sore eyes!

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    Replies
    1. Debby RayAugust 16, 2013 at 7:42 PM

      Thanks for the sweet comment...not so sure about the magic part but sweet of you to say! I call it "photographer wannabe's luck":)

      Have a blessed weekend!

      Delete
  3. UnknownAugust 17, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    What an interesting flower and great shots! I love seeing God's great surprises and trying to capture them through photography! Hope you will stop by the country, have a great day!

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  4. Debby RayAugust 17, 2013 at 7:58 AM

    Thanks for your sweet comments, Dawna! God certainly full of surprises isn't he?
    Have a blessed weekend :)

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  5. living from glory to gloryAugust 17, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    Good Morning! All I can say is Lord turn all my weeds into those pretty Jewel Weeds!
    Hope you're having a lovely week-end dear friend. Today is very pretty, but I think it is gonna be a hot one! I really loved the picture with the dew dripping off!
    Blessings, Roxy

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  6. Debby RayAugust 17, 2013 at 9:50 AM

    Roxy,

    Thanks for your sweet comments. They are beautiful, aren't they? It s COOL and RAINY here in NC today...feels like fall! I love it since fall is my favorite season.

    Have a blessed weekend!
    Debby

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  7. Judy at GoldCountryCottageAugust 17, 2013 at 10:40 AM

    Debby, what a great post. How perfectly named these little 'jewels' are. So pretty and your eye captured them just at the right time..Happy Weekend..Judy

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    1. Debby RayAugust 17, 2013 at 11:43 AM

      Thanks Judy! I was so excited when I found out what they were called in my book! Glad you stopped by! Have a blessed weekend :)

      Delete
  8. MindyAugust 17, 2013 at 12:16 PM

    Such pretty pictures and amazing how these jewels help heal poison ivy. God's creation is wonderous!

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    1. Debby RayAugust 17, 2013 at 4:30 PM

      Thank you Mindy...yes our God certainly is amazing!

      Delete
  9. pugsmomAugust 17, 2013 at 5:00 PM

    Absolutely stunning pictures. I'm so glad I stopped by. Thank you.

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  10. Debby RayAugust 17, 2013 at 5:27 PM

    Thank you so much for the sweet comment and stopping by! Come back soon!

    Blessings,

    Debby

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  11. Terra August 17, 2013 at 8:02 PM

    Those names are wonderful and match the flowers.

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  12. CeilAugust 18, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    Oh Debby! I love this. Not only the flower photos, which are gorgeous, but also a little tutorial on what they are! You give us the 'whole package' here. What a beautiful appreciation of nature you have. So inspiring... I have to go look at my garden now with new eyes :)

    Happy Sunday!
    Ceil

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    Replies
    1. Debby RayAugust 18, 2013 at 9:49 AM

      Thank you, Ceil for your sweet comment! I'm so glad you enjoyed your new learning experience! Have a blessed Sunday :)

      Delete
  13. UnknownAugust 18, 2013 at 9:27 AM

    I love that you learned something new. How gorgeous are these? Wow. Love the pretty droplets on the ends.
    Wishing you a beautiful Sunday filled with beauty.

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    1. Debby RayAugust 18, 2013 at 9:53 AM

      The water droplets is what caught my eye first. Thanks so much for visiting me and have a blessed week ahead :)

      Delete
  14. Mary GAugust 18, 2013 at 11:32 AM

    how beautiful! God never ceases to amaze me! His wonders to behold!

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  15. PetraBAugust 18, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    These are true jewels, your photos are exquisit and capture so perfectly the essence of this little jewel.

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    1. Debby RayAugust 18, 2013 at 5:35 PM

      Thank you, Petra! Glad you came for a visit. Have a blessed week :)

      Delete
  16. CailinMarieAugust 18, 2013 at 6:12 PM

    Hi Debby Ray! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. These are lovely photos! And how interesting that a mash can be made to help with poison ivy. I wonder if it works the same for bug bites?

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  17. Debby RayAugust 18, 2013 at 6:31 PM

    Thank you! Yes, I was surprised to read about that in the book...although it didn't mention bug bites, it wouldn't hurt to try!

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  18. jviola79August 19, 2013 at 3:40 AM

    Beautiful photos! Beautiful flower! But I love that it is named a Jewel Weed. Even in a weed (something that would be pulled out & disposed of), our God gives us beauty. What a thought to dwell on today. Thank you so much for sharing this today. I visited from Monday's Musings.
    Blessings,
    Joanne

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    1. Debby RayAugust 19, 2013 at 10:18 AM

      Joanne,
      Thank you for stopping by....I absolutely agree with you about the weeds. I go seeking out the beauty in them. Sometimes, from a distance they can be somewhat ugly or unappealing but when we get up close, they are full of intricate beauty and detail. Somewhere in there is a lesson we can learn from this too, huh?

      Blessings,
      Debby

      Delete
  19. SharonAugust 19, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    Oh Debby, these were beautiful photos! And yes, our Father does indeed give us very great gifts! I think one of the best is the way He made this weed, me, into a beautiful jewel!

    GOD BLESS!

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    1. Debby RayAugust 19, 2013 at 10:20 AM

      Thank you, Sharon...God's gifts are definitely the best gifts!

      Blessings!

      Delete
  20. Slice of PieAugust 19, 2013 at 12:45 PM

    These are great! Thanks for visiting my site ... nice to make new friends!

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  21. Debby RayAugust 19, 2013 at 12:57 PM

    Thank you Debbie...I like your name :) I appreciate you stopping by my blog.

    Blessings!
    Debby

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  22. AnonymousAugust 19, 2013 at 2:52 PM

    Your photos are lovely, and the Jewel Weed created by God is amazing. Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed the wildflowers we saw on our recent trip to New Mexico. I'm glad you stopped by my blog. Have a great week.

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    1. Debby RayAugust 19, 2013 at 3:19 PM

      Hello Carol,

      Thanks so much for your visit and the sweet comments. I love wildflowers and/or weeds that look like flowers!

      Blessings for a great week!

      Delete
  23. ~Lavender Dreamer~August 19, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    I have that same book! It's great for identifying wildflowers. This one is beautiful! I wish I could remember them all from year to year! Hugs!

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    1. Debby RayAugust 20, 2013 at 3:02 AM

      That's so awesome! It has been a handy little book :)

      Delete
  24. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeAugust 20, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    Beautiful flowers and stunning photos. Thanks so much for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  25. Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowAugust 21, 2013 at 6:06 AM

    Beautiful photos and interesting information! :)

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    1. Debby RayAugust 21, 2013 at 10:04 AM

      Thanks, Deb! Glad you stopped by!

      Blessings,
      Debby

      Delete
  26. Laura TurnerAugust 25, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    So beautiful and uplifting. I love how God was the originator of jewelry! :-)

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    1. Debby RayAugust 25, 2013 at 1:17 PM

      Hello Laura,

      Oh my goodness...I just finished linking up to the new party and realized you have featured me once again. I am humbled by this. Thank you for giving the opportunity to share my inspiration on your blog!

      Blessings,
      Debby

      Delete
  27. Aimee at Refresh-Renew...August 26, 2013 at 8:48 AM

    Okay....LOVE your post, your style and your artistry. I am a new follower from Laura's linky. Blessings--aimee

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    1. Debby RayAugust 26, 2013 at 9:20 AM

      Well, aren't you sweet?! Thank you for coming to check out my blog and becoming my newest follower!

      Blessings,
      Debby

      Delete
  28. Janice Kay SchaubSeptember 1, 2013 at 2:24 PM

    I have been enjoying your blog and am now following. Been back and forth a couple of times.
    the photography is lovely and I always like to take pictures after the rain or after I water. Makes for great shots.
    Janice

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    1. Debby RaySeptember 1, 2013 at 5:44 PM

      Thank you...so glad to have you as my newest follower!

      Blessings,

      Debby

      Delete

Thank you for stopping by today! Your sweet comments are such an encouragement to me.