Spring in the Desert

Last week while in Arizona I had a paradise to call home tucked into the
desert landscape.
Around me the sights and sounds of a desert Spring!

Breathtakingly beautiful..their scent intoxicating

While walking I notice magnificent flowers!
I pause in awe as I study the astounding contrast of prickly
needles against soft petals!
The desert is in full bloom!
*more photos in my next post
**enlarge the last collage and see cacti beauty!

Kind Words

Home Sweet Home

I have arrived home today from Arizona. Wow! What a time we had!
I must collect my thoughts and organize photos to show you what I discovered!
When I left Arizona at 8:00 a.m. temperature was 80F and arrived home to 40F!

While I was away enjoying the Arizona desert
I appreciated your kind words and comments! Several of you introduced yourselves to me for the first time!
You put a smile upon my face first thing in the morning!
I can only think of this thought provoking quote to express my feelings of gratitude.

*written by F.W.Faber a hymn writer..
"Kind words are the music of the world.They have a power which seems to be beyond
natural causes, as though they were some angel's song which had lost its way and
come back to earth."

Moss Rocks

"Let us permit nature to take her own way:
she better understands her own affairs than we"
Michel de Montaigne
I came upon a magical peaceful place with moss
creeping and clinging to rocks!

I feel as though a woodland fairy has been painting moss..

throughout this miraculous enchanted place!

Take the time to walk and have a closer look at
the richness of Mother Nature's handiwork!
~~
Discovering nature is a continual education available to those of us who are curious
enough to slow down and observe it.
~~
I leave you with these images as *I travel to Arizona for a week
to spend time with my grandchildren. I will savor every moment
in seeing nature through the eyes of a child!
Children who love nature become adults who will want to protect the natural world.
*See you in a week
hugs to all!

Nature Walk

A walk with Nature feeds the soul

*enlarge photo
Earth day this week..take action to enhance this world.

Bloom Sunday on Garden Blogs

"A certain stirring in the air and suddenly it's Spring!"

*top left to right: iris. pansy.violas.purple &yellow crocus.miniature iris.

pussy willow.daffodils n tulips.crocus & daffodils
~
My own personal garden still looks brown and barren due to a very late Spring.
I decided to take a walkabout in my town and what I found was
a treasure trove of early Spring bloomers!
Staying low to the ground helped these reliable cold weather charmers
survive our recent zone 6 unseasonal freezing temperatures!
~
*Go HERE to comments and see gardens blooming across the country.
~
"EACH DAY THE WORLD IS FRESH AND NEW!"

Blossoming Life

Their blossoming life and sheer delicacy captivates me!

Plucked from their natural habitat and transplanted into decorative
ambiences indoors they occupy a privileged place in my home.

Their fragile nature to survive the cold
amazes me!
I wait and I watch life stirring in the garden
surrounded by
cold 2C / 34F temperatures!

"Blossom and bud with Winter past joyfully have their fling, and daffodils dancing
along the path trumpet the news of Spring!"

Sunshine kisses

The sun streams in the window casting light..

light sunshine kisses on ruffled petals!

golden Daffodils
my indoor delight!

"The spirit opens like a flower to the sun. It seeks no sensations:
it offers itself in abandonment to the creative force."
*anonymous. Arabian poem

Thinking Blogger Award

Last week Mother Nature surprised me with a snow storm.
kahshe cottager annieelf Daisy and Deb surprised me with the
~Thinking blogger award!~
With the numerous creative people- artists, crafters,
writers and gardeners within our blogging community
I am deeply touched! Thank You!

In accepting this award I am to list 5 blogs that make me think and inspire me.
*There are numerous blogs that I could list but I may only list 5

A View Through the Window: zUzU taps into the spirit and innocence of the animals
that she cares for at her enchanting cottage in the woods! She writes and tells
tales of miracles always lifting me up and leaving me speechless!
~
Paris Parfait: a passionate writer and journalist that allows me a glimpse into her
world of Parisian antique shops, her personal collections of treasures and poetry,
and sharpens my perspective when she speaks freely and eloquently
on her political views.
~
Baumcat: I am enamored with this talented crafters distinctive stitching!
She creates "crazy quilt art" combining stitches and embellishments in her
own unique style. Always with a thought provoking message that speaks to me.
~
Beachys Cape Cod Cupboard: Beachy inspires me to follow my dream!
She shows me her passion of creating cottage style designs and offers
one-of-a-kind treasures at her Cape Cod Cupboard online shop!
~
Too Many Hobbies: Pauline's passion is found in her generous buckets full of
photos of her inspirational peaceful home and garden.
Her attention to detail inspires me.
~
~I invite you to visit the above links and experience their passions.~
~
"It is through sharing our lives, our love, our knowledge, and our passions that we leave a legacy."

On Frozen Pond

Adorable bunnies accent my Easter basket

My basket on frozen pond!

Egg hunt in secret garden cancelled due to
freezing -2C temperature!

I don't think an Easter bonnet is appropriate dress
*enlarge photo to feel the bone chilling cold!

May the joyous music of the true meaning of Easter ring in your hearts today!

Happy Easter

Wishing you a blessed Easter weekend

"Let yesterday be a lesson
today an action and tomorrow hope"

Mother nature graced us with a fresh blanket of
snow overnight!
*what a difference a day makes in how the garden looks from one day to the other!
make this day your best day!
*photos of rabbits taken a DAY apart
Peace and love to all

Pond Ducks

A flip of a switch to turn on the pond pump and
the sound of trickling water becomes a magnet
for admiring garden visitors!

A pair of ducks exploring the garden for
perhaps a nesting spot!

Peter Rabbit rushes about gathering nesting material
just in case!
I am captivated by this unusual early morning activity in my garden!

"to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow"

Pressed Flowers

April Fools Day..no tricks just tips

I enjoy pressing flowers leaves and ferns
a single flower can capture the memory of a special season
the above pansies I pressed last spring.
Pressed flowers and leaves often recall memories of pleasant walks through
fields and woods. Wildflowers such as Queen Anne's Lace dry beautifully!

Delphiniums and Pansies

You can allow your personal creativity to guide you in adding your
pressed flowers to journals greeting cards scrapbooks decoupage techniques
and more! I have made greeting cards but unfortunately have none left to show.

~~~
Pick specimens when they are free of moisture from rain or dew
and press them promptly before they wilt. You can use a commercial gardener's press
sold in many garden specialty stores or an old phone book. *I use both
Choose flowers of equal thickness to press together placing between 2 pages
being sure that the petals are spread out flat in the position you desire.
When fully pressed and dried store in a flat box between layers of tissue paper.
It's time to press your pansies!
*enlarge the photos for closer look*

"Every season brings us magic wonder in the light and shade.Nature gives us endless bounty, memories that cannot fade." Iris Hesselden