Bless the Lord ... sing his praise and exalt him forever.

Bless the Lord frost and cold:
bless the Lord you ice and snow.

The pattern of frost on my friend's car was breathtaking this morning.  The entire bonnet was covered with a radiating feather design ... hard to photograph but beautiful to look at. 

The dark blue of the paintwork was a help in highlighting the design. 

It didn't last for long as the day warmed up fairly quickly.  Now, when I say "warmed up" you shouldn't imagine it was weather suitable for short sleeves.  I was still wearing a jumper under my coat ... so those who know me will understand that temperatures were still a bit low!

I did notice something very odd.  Eva's car had a gorgeous design ... my car had frozen droplets and no pattern in the frost at all!  Why was that?  There's no doubt some scientific reason ... it is unlikely to have been some sort of prejudice that the frost had against the Hyundai ...?  For the moment ... that joins life's great mysteries.

If I'd not already posted the 365Project picture for the day then these Newfoundland dogs would certainly have had that place.  I don't often ask a total stranger if I may take a photograph ... but these pair were irresistible.  Magnificent, huge and friendly ... there they were just outside the Co-op at lunch time.  The owner of one was in the shop and this guy was happily looking after both of them

 I think he was rather amused that a cleric had a camera in her handbag and wanted to take his picture ... or more accurately ... wanted to take pictures of the dogs.

And why wouldn't you?

Slabbers everywhere ... maybe that could be the downside of owning this breed.  At least Eliot doesn't slabber ... though he does drool when I'm eating something that he thinks might be tasty!  Just as I was taking the photographs along came a couple of parishioners!  They know well how often my camera appears so weren't in the least surprised to see me on my knees in the street getting a close up of this particular dog!

 They too admired the breed and had a conversation about the other Newfoundlanders that they know of in the city.  It is not a common breed here at all!

So that was today's excitement!
There were posters everywhere in the Co-op today advertising the Christmas Saving Scheme.  Stamps cost £1 and when you've collected 48 you may buy £50 worth of groceries!  The idea is that you plan for your Christmas shopping from now ... so I've signed up.  Dinner at the rectory on Christmas Day is already partly on the way!  The challenge will be not to misplace the card between now and December ... but that's another story.
It was interesting to find that I'd been reading the Benedicite this morning and then a friend sent me a verse from it (the two lines at the top of this blog) this afternoon.  It is such a beautiful reminder to praise God as does all creation.  There is so much beauty around.  There are many good things and generous people.  There is simply such a lot that causes us to praise God.

Benedicite

Bless the Lord all created things: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord you heavens: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord: bless the Lord all you his hosts.

Bless the Lord you waters above the heavens: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord sun and moon: bless the Lord you stars of heaven.

Bless the Lord all rain and dew: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord all winds that blow: bless the Lord you fire and heat.

Bless the Lord scorching wind and bitter cold: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord dews and falling snows: bless the Lord you nights and days.

Bless the Lord light and darkness:sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord frost and cold: bless the Lord you ice and snow.

Bless the Lord lightnings and clouds: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

O let the earth bless the Lord; bless the Lord you mountains and hills.

Bless the Lord all that grows in the ground: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord you springs: bless the Lord you seas and rivers.

Bless the Lord you whales and all that swim in the waters: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord all birds of the air: bless the Lord you beasts and cattle.

Bless the Lord all men on the earth: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

O people of God bless the Lord: bless the Lord you priests of the Lord.

Bless the Lord you servants of the Lord: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord all men of upright spirit: bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart.

Bless the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.