Blue Snowdrops?

We don't know the name of these flowers, (Do they make blue snowdrops?), but they surprise and delight us early each spring. A few bulbs dug from my grandmother's garden before her last home was sold, planted in a bed of our own, and now slowly multiplying into a little plot of beauty.

Growing in Grace

These roses have grown in grace with age. That's how I'd like to grow.

Winter Flowers

Isn't it nice that God preserves some flowers for us to enjoy all winter long?

Stages of Life

We relish tulips in all stages of life.

The Beauty of Aging Orchids

Late Summer Bouquet

- Ingredients -

Simplicity Rose

Nearly Wild Rose

Lime Light Hydrangea

Allium seed head

Day Lily seed pod

Spearmint leaves and flowers

Friday Favorites, No. 06

- torenia -

We have a pot of torenia on our grill to add grace to that otherwise utilitarian item. This stunning plant blooms profusely all summer long. You may want to add this cheerful annual to your list for next summer!

A Coneflower

For those who like it to the point:

Just a colorful sketchbook painting of an echinacea bloom from last Saturday. Inspired by a photo I took on the selfsame Saturday.

For those who like description:

While resting in a folding lawn chair by our perennial garden last Saturday, knitting in hand and a Christ-saturated podcast in my earbuds, I looked up and saw stunning shades of pink and green glowing through the sun drenched petals of an echinacea blossom. Wonder filled my heart. The Creator continues painting His masterpiece.

Which caption do you prefer? Short and punchy or descriptive and thoughtful?

Friday Favorites, Episode 02

- antimicrobial power of the sun for my down comforter -

- Earthley's "Throat Spray" for last week's bug -
It helped!

- daylilies -
They add so much vibrant color to the garden.

Friday Favorites, Episode 01

Here are things that are giving me joy or making my life easier these days. I doubt this will be a weekly series, but let it begin.

- 'Queen Elizabeth' tea rose -

- 'Fragrant Cloud' tea rose -

That photo and those names are explanation enough.

- rocks and brick fragment collected on our recent family vacation -

Rocks are the best souvenirs, in my opinion. 

- drTung's Smart Floss -

If you want to know what it is to have clean teeth, use this floss. (I buy mine from Thrive Market. Use this link to become a member and get 40% off your first order.)

 

Valentine Tulips

Mom knows how to make Hannah and me feel loved.

Preparing Roses to Dry

Early Birthday Roses

The Last Roses of Summer

One evening last week Mom and Hannah picked in our yearly last garden bouquets of the year. The forecast showed a deep frost, and sure enough, our world changed from aging autumn to the beginning stages of winter overnight.

Today I gathered up for the compost these bouquets. Onto a new season indoors and out.

Field Sketch

Though bugs ate me under the shelter of my dress, and my head spun with the loud rush of river rapids, this was a special moment on our doctoring/camping trip.

Noticing beautiful creation with my watercolors.

Sunday Sketches

Ruffled and Weathered

While snapping quick photos for watercolor painting reference,  I managed to get one worth sharing. A ruffled double impatien in a weathered pot. Can't get much better!

Peony Season

Wild Plum

Before I saw them, I smelled the sweet floral scent of our property's wild plum tree blossoms. Rarely do we get plums from these treelets, but they make up for their fruitlessness by putting on a glorious spring show.

Sudden and Stunning

And suddenly, it is spring!

I used to know the name of this plant. 

Ah, well. It is stunning regardless.