Flower Fairy

Happy Spring!
the flower.. an image of perfection!

* the above image of beauty surrounds me while shopping at Sasks in Florida recently.
I added my dried violas from last spring.
I do think she is the flower fairy!
~~~
"the sun streams through the window pane my heart begins to sing
a certain stirring in the air and suddenly it's Spring!"

Sparked Creativity

It's time to bring out tender container plants
that I have sheltered over the winter

I have shared my joy of gardening by posting
my prize blossoms. I love that I may have lit a small spark
of creativity for others!

In my last post I shared with you sweet delights that
I received from my secret flower fairy. She also enclosed the
above card with her original painting of my stargazer lily.
You are a talented artist! I treasure that my garden gave you inspiration.
Thank you for your generosity secret fairy!
~~~
"When we share we give away a little piece of ourselves. We don't lose anything in this giving;
in fact we gain more-more space inside, more room in our hearts, more ease in our interactions.
Generosity is boundless and often infectious. It's like love."

Sweet Treats

Sweet treats from a friend in Germany!
Anita and I exchanged Valentine gifts and her exciting package arrived
during my long vacation in Florida!
An absolute angel with a green thumb, she grows herbs, lavender and flowers
in her bordered dream gardens!
Take a tour of her private oasis here.

With excitement I opened her delightful package
filled with her original heart shaped designs!
~~~
A hand stitched heart card and envelope with rose print fabric,
a stunning heart shaped sachet filled with lavender, rose patterned tissue,
2 home and garden magazines printed in German however a picture is worth
a thousand words in any language. Aromatherapy tea lights, delicate raspberry tea
called Romeo and Juliet, and I forgot to include in the photo napkins!
Printed with hearts and a long stem rose. I am inspired to create
an irresistible evening of romance with my nature boy!

A closer look at the exquisite details and embellishments
using a variety of vintage fabrics and precious pearls!
Anita your gifted hands create an expression of your caring heart
I cherish these treasures thank you!

There is a wonderful society of secret fairies and while I was away
an exciting secret parcel arrived by butterfly express!
Wrapped in magical butterfly stamped paper this sumptuous gift
sparked excitement as I opened it!
~~~
To tickle my sweet tooth fine hazelnut chocolates and to fill my senses
with delight; incense, heart shaped tea lights, bath oil beads and
bath hearts
3 all natural lip balms which my secret fairy makes!
Packets of magical seeds including the California poppy so my secret garden can
have a touch of California dreaming! This crafty fairy made the sweetest barrette for my hair
embellished with a butterfly, bee, flower, and leaves with a request to wear it when I
plant my seeds, how sweet a thought!*enlarge photo to see barrette
*Note: I believe that my secret fairy is a flower fairy because with paint brush in
hand she painted me something I thought I might leave for
my next post!... giggle

thank you secret fairy!!
~~to my friend and secret fairy my overwhelming feeling is
one of happiness and gratitude!~

Friendship Rose

The only rose without a thorn is friendship

A delightful package was waiting for me upon my arrival
from my month long vacation!
In a Feb. HeART give-away I won the above
lavender sachet made with a 40's bark cloth..a gift tag and
a vintage Easter post card!*enlarge to see details
All were compliments of a extremely gifted lady who had a dream and is
living her dream in Cape Cod.
Thank you Beachy I treasure these offerings!
Visit Cape CodCupboard to see more of her handmade treasures!

"Go confidently in the direction of your ~dreams~ live the life you've imagined."
Henry D. Thoreau

Spring Fling

Photo taken in my garden yesterday 1st day of Spring!
Beneath the melting snow the much anticipated earliest bulbs are waking!
Expected warmer temperatures and showers should encourage some plants to
begin sprouting!

Within the global blogging community these past weeks there has been an
amazing shower of generosity with the
ONE WORLD-ONE HEART give-aways!
LisaOceandreamer thank you for your vision of a worldly heart beat and for hosting this event!

I am in awe with the overwhelming number of comments left in my 1st anniversary post!
You have touched my heart with your kind words and encouragement. I am filled with
gratitude and delight! Thank you for your inspiration!

~~Today I announce the WINNERS!~~

CONGRATULATIONS TO
~nici and helen~
each of you have won a set of the above rose pattern note cards!
*(send me your email address so I can contact you for mailing)

CONGRATULATIONS
Tammy!
a note card set with correspondence cards envelopes and embellishments
of imagine, believe, dream, faith, and butterflies
are yours!
*click to enlarge to take a closer peek
~~~~~~~
I leave you with a quote from my journal..

"Gratitude shines like a mirror reflecting it's beautiful light whenever the sunshine of kindness makes somebody's spirit feel bright!"

Blogiversary!

Today I have been blogging for 1 year!

One year ago I did not know the word blog. I had a passion for photography my garden and nature in general. A close friend suggested that I begin to blog and little did I know that I was about to discover a great exchange between complete strangers.Each revealing their own soulful unique blog site.What I saw was extravagant reciprocal gifts of time, creative energy, and emotions generously bestowed and gratefully received within the blogging community.Through this exchange I have become inspired!My blog became the place to preserve my observations and impressions of the nature world. Soon after I began my blog I was asked to appear on Garden Voices on Garden Web; a site where you'll find highlights of worldwide garden blogs!I never imagined that the frogs in my pond, my garden visitors, or my beloved felines would become Internet celebrities! I feel embraced by a gathering of kindred spirits, caring souls, and have made a wealth of genuine connections and friendships globally!
~*each highlight will link you back down my memory lane~

It is fitting to post my gifts today as I participate in
Lisa's ONE WORLD-ONE HEART GIFT-AWAY
a celebration of the worldly heart beat within this global blogging community!
I am offering 2 sets of watercolor rose pattern note cards
~all you have to do is place a comment to become eligible!~
The draw is open until Wed. Mar. 21 midnight
I will post the winners Thurs.Mar. 22

I am also offering an added gift ~a 3rd draw~
as a token of my gratitude to all of you that visited and left encouraging words
during my 1st year blogging!
Last post I mentioned my camera is in for repair so I cannot show you this gift however
if you believe, dream, imagine and have faith..you will LoVE it!
I'll post this gift when I announce the WINNERS!

*All comments left in my 200th post will also be included in the above 3 draws!
That's right some may have a double chance when I draw names!

I have gained inspiration and confidence from crafty creative artists, fairy folk, fellow nature lovers and gardeners, authors and journalists, and my techy friend and mentor bj.You are always there to cheer me on with your generous comments.Your words of caring, sharing, and encouragement I am grateful for beyond measure!

*Today is post #201 with 24,645 visitors with an average of 142 per day!
I am totally blown away and thank you for supporting me!
Hugs to all naturegirl

200 th POST!

This is my 200 th post!

Upon arriving home from Florida the house was filled with
roses and presents!

Mr. postman was busy trekking through the snow delivering
parcels from afar..
gifts I had won in draws during a
February heART give-a-way

heART card designed by Britt-Arnhild
Hope of life..my feelings as I look at this loving heart
that I share with my mother
Britt hand knit this heart I am deeply touched
thank you so much!

ATC pink valentine from Sioux
a LoVe child..she symbolizes the LoVe
within the blog community
thank you Sioux!

designs by Donna at paper madness
canvas collage with copied vintage sheet music and tag
artistically embellished..
Happy songs filled with LoVe put a
smile upon my face!
I sing praises to you Donna thank you!

ATC designs by Beaumcat

Angels dressed as friends always there
in time of need giving LoVe
and
Lady of the garden..yes that's me
soon to be in awe of Springtime beauty
Cat I admire your beautiful thought provoking creations
thank you sincerely and I am thrilled to have them!

These are meaningful symbols of friendships
I have made both near and afar
~thank you!~
and to each one a great BiG HuG!
*Click to enlarge photos to see the intricate details
created by these gifted artists!
*Link over to their creative blogsites *

~I have more gifts that were sent to me while I was away on vacation
however my camera is acting up and in need of repair
so as soon as I can set them up and photograph I'll
post them. ~
* several exciting posts coming up!

Heart and Home

I have returned home from my vacation in Florida
tanned.. energetic..full of renewed vitality..
restored inner peace and a feeling of JoY!

I had the best time and was excited to post my adventures and
share them with you!
The value of your daily comments was very much appreciated and
inspirational. It was your warm thoughts behind your words that
meant so much to me! Wishing me a happy day is something
I'll always appreciate.
My deepest gratitude to you are expressed in these words:

"The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains rivers
and cities..but to know someone here and there who thinks and
feels with us and though distant..is close to us in spirit..
this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

*I dedicate this post to all that regularly visit my blog site and even the *lurkers
I will post more photos I took while in the sunshine state as I wait for Spring to
arrive here at home where my heart lives!
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

Bugs n Blooms

I accept the invitation to pause and watch in silence

the intimacy

sweet grapefruit blossom

nature teaches us about the interrelationships and interdependence

of all creation

"flowers and plants are love letters from the earth..

enjoy and savor them like great poetry!"

Happy Hour

after our walk along the beach it's time to pick a

brilliant rose red Hibiscus blossom..

a bowl of ruby red strawberries..

and indulge in strawberry Margaritas
it's Happy Hour!

It's so refreshing to come home from the beach and dive into the pool
to rinse off the sand and salt that collects...
a fresh Hibiscus blossom offered to place in my hair..
I feel like a fairy princess ..oh yes life is good in this land of sunshine!
allow yourself to imagine that you are here with me!

"May the hand of a friend always be near you..their hearts full of

warmth and gladness to cheer you!"

an Irish toast

hugs naturegirl

Sand Castles

Come walk along the beach with me and see the

beauty and feel the peace

sand castles

wisps of feathers flutter in the breeze

sea birds walking along the beach
*enlarge all photos and taste the salty air!

Lines from an ~Anonymous~ author which may help you get

things into clearer perspective today:

"when you're lonley I wish you love..when you're down I wish you joy

when you're troubled I wish you peace..when things are complicated

I wish you simple beauty..when things look empty

I wish you hope "

Have a wonderful day! Stay warm if you are experiencing the winter chill!

Birds of a Paradise

blossoms of the Bird of Paradise surround me

yet another bird of paradise the Pelican
a teen I am told perched an arms length away from me as
I sit on an air boat waiting for my once in a lifetime adventure into the Florida Everglades

*enlarge the photo to see blond hairs on its head!

Pelicans have a long straight bill from which hangs a

distensible pouch of skin for catching and holding fish

*enlarge to see the fish hook at the end of its bill

I just wanted to reach out and touch him!

Notice the different color on this guy or girl..hum mm

truly a birds eye view being so close staring at this tropical

bird of a paradise!

~If you truly love nature you will find beauty everywhere~

Vincent van Gogh

Florida Everglades

Face to face with an Alligator!

See ya later Alligator!

Mangrove swamps remains one of the most
uncharted and illusive areas in the world

Florida Everglades

Where nature literally surrounds you..

my air boat ride was an experience that

I will never forget!

*A must to Click and Enlarge photos!