If you ever find yourself empty from something you cannot know or name,
find a stretch of ocean, a field, or mountainside, or even clouds or trees.
Because there are a thousand simple ways to fill your tired soul,
so you can remember how to be, how to see, and most importantly, how to breathe.
-Victoria Erickson-
Good morning, lovely friends!
Oh, I hope the earth is giving you a feast for the eyes where you live...
some of you are perhaps still in the midst of a winter wonderland,
and others are beginning to enjoy the newness of springtime beauty.
The latter is what is spread out before me in my part of the world.
Mother Earth is slowly waking up after her long winter's slumber,
and oh, the splendid delights that are unfolding before my very eyes.
This will be our first spring here at Shady Cottage, as we moved in last mid-summer.
It is an almost daily surprise as to what is beginning to bud and blossom out in our yard and gardens.
The very tree outside my window is budding with lovely lilac colored flowers and I'm thinking it may be the same kind of tree that we had in the backyard at our other house. It was one of my favorites, though I don't know its name. The people that bought our old home cut down all the grand, tall, old trees that we had in our yard (as well as every other living thing on the property), and as pathetic and sad as that was, I'm hopeful that this tree is similar. Our new yard, however, does make up for the ignorance of the new homeowners at our old place...
the couple that owned Shady Cottage before us did a marvellous job at making the yard and gardens a magical, glorious place. They were an older couple and weren't able to keep up with things towards the end, so there are some overgrown areas, but other than that, it is a real treat.
Truly, it feels like a secret fairy garden...
Ivy growing up trees that stand tall and proud in the sunshine
(there are even rumors that some of the trees where we live may have been on an old wagon trail),
clusters of daffodils sprinkled throughout the yard here and there,
monkey grass along the sides of the driveway that burst with purple flowers come late summer,
trees that boast of autumnal color, holly bushes that are bright red at Christmas,
and a rose bush growing wild and free as it entangles itself in the charming picket fence.
Oh, to be people who cultivate beauty...
I'm so thankful for folks with that vision.
{little bits of life popping up here and there}
The sun has been shining more and more lately...
though it is the rainy season. I shall not complain, though,
because it is that blessed rain that brings the cheerful and colorful blooms of the coming months.
Temperatures are also slowly rising, and that means that it soon will be time to pull out all my favorite light and flowy dresses and sandals. I've had some fun doing a wee bit of shopping as the shops are all displaying such cute styles for the coming season.
We were made to explore this earth like little children do,
unhindered by fear, propelled by curiosity, and a sense of discovery.
Allow yourself to see the world through new eyes and know there are amazing adventures here for you.
-Laurel Bleadon Maffei-
The first blooms have been spotted in our yard...
daffodils are first, of course.
They always are and always shall be.
Then just yesterday, we spotted the little pink flower photographed above.
And plans of what plants, flowers and seeds to buy have been the topic of conversation these days...
we're thinking more azaleas are a must, then perhaps morning glories along the fence line, and then any shade-loving flowers we can find. Maybe a clematis to grow up the mailbox...we shall see.
Last week whilst we were doing our grocery shopping we walked past the garden center,
and the scent that filled the air...ah, was it ever lifegiving.
To smell the scent of fresh plants and potting soil...it's most welcome after a long, dreary winter.
{springtime means color returns}
Glimpses of spring...
It's been said that the earth laughs in flowers. Well, I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the earth to be engaging in a full out giggle fest. To see sweet blossoms dancing in the gentle springtime breezes, the trees swaying to the rhythm of a summer thunderstorm, the sun shining in all its glory...
oh, yes, springtime is coming.
I can taste it.
{deep greens, yellows, violet, pinks of all shades...colors of the rainbow}
"Is the spring coming?" he said.
"What is it like?..."
"It is like the sun shining on the rain,
and the rain falling on the sunshine."
Dear spring, you are most welcome...
may the earth behold your wondrous beauty,
and may we savour every delicious drop of your wonder.
May your day be an absolute delight, dear friends!
Bless you ♥