Openness

I took a drive into the country on Saturday. I think I just needed some openness - to get out of the city and see some fields and sky. It was beautiful - the golden hour before sunset. Over the mountains I went and down into a valley. I came upon a field of golden flower-weeds with a train track running through it, surrounded by our mountains. I have no idea what kind of weed-flower they were, but their yellow was good enough for me to become enchanted and click away.

 Hmmm. Wonder what it could be. Lovely in a big field!

The wild sunflowers were in fine form, with bees buzzing around, doing their thing. I came across some critters, too.

 I actually heard this guy hee-hawing before I saw him. Truly a horrible noise. I thought something was dying. You can tell I haven't been around farm animals much.

Aren't my mountains majestic?

Is this guy an alpaca? He was hanging out by the sheep under the trees, eating the leaves. His long neck was coming in handy (or rather necky, I should say).

It was certainly a beautiful drive and so good to get out in the open and breathe. One of these days I'll pick up my knitting again, but right now I can't seem to put my camera down! ~CJ~

Luscious Georgia Outdoor Market

I spent a week in Augusta, Georgia recently and stopped at the most wonderful outdoor market. Fruits, vegetables, and flowers in abundance in early June. What a treat! 

Truly a little bit of heaven! ~CJ~

April's Color

It's been six days since my last post, and we've had crazy weather that felt more like winter than spring. Rain, wind, hail, and temperatures in the 30s were the norm this week. But that didn't stop my tulips from finally blooming.

Last week they were mostly buds, and now...

...a proliferation of color, almost as tall as the Japanese Maple! How I love spring, even when she masquerades as winter. She's not fooling me. ~CJ~

Garden Kitties in the Sun

It's one of my delights...my kitties follow me out into the garden. First they roll around on the patio. I assume it's a good back-scratch for them. And then they find a sunny spot to soak up the sun, sometimes keeping an eye on me, and sometimes just closing their eyes and enjoying the warmth (like Rascal kitty, above).

We've had a crazy cold and wet spring this year. But Sunday morning, for just a few hours, the sun was bright and warm. Mother Nature celebrating Easter, I believe. The kitties and I enjoyed some time in the garden soaking it up.

About a month ago I cut last year's leftover catnip sticks down to little nubs, in anticipation of replanting in a new, unbroken pot. Patch kitty is in love with the catnip nubs. See how she hangs out on the pot...and then practically curls up inside? I love to see her enjoying herself so!

My first tulips are in bloom. Such intense yellow and red. One exotic firey pattern. How can they be so perfect? Year after year they never fail me!

There are many more to bloom. It's just beginning!

The hyacinth is as delicate and uber-fragrant as ever. It seems I can smell it now, just looking at this picture! Can you catch a whiff too?!

There's nothing like a sunny, flowery garden to lift the spirit and fill us with peace and appreciation for the beauty of the earth. ~CJ~

Sunny Surprise!

Some moments are unforgettable, in a really good way. I got to have one of these moments yesterday...one that took my breath away. A moment I want to always remember.

I walked into my home after work and there on the dining room table, standing so tall and smiling at me, were a dozen huge, happy, beautiful, bright, oh-so-fragrant, yellow roses. They took me by such surprise, all I could do was stand there motionless and marvel at their beauty for the longest time.

And then I saw the note on the vase from my cowboy-son Rob wishing me happy Valentines Day and telling me he loved me. My mom-heart melted to feel so very loved.

Isn't that the most beautiful unfolding rose?! I love the spiral of the petals in the center. Amazing!

It’s such a great movie to imagine in my mind...the getting of the roses. The big, oh-so-handsome cowboy driving in his tough truck to where flowers are sold. And the choosing...for me, mom. Of all the flowers...roses, yellow roses! Huge, tall, sunny, yellow-my-favorite-color, roses. And tiny pink flowers interspersed in the greenery. Roses that would practically knock me over with their beauty, and put the biggest smile on my face. Roses that would take a large chunk out of his wallet. Sunny roses that would mean the world to me.

And the getting home of the roses. Carrying them into his truck, setting the vase next to him on the seat, and protecting it with one hand from falling over while he drives home. And the happy roses swaying along in the bumpy truck, tall enough to see out of the truck’s windows and smiling in all their glory at the other drivers on the road.

Or maybe he enlisted the help of a friend (probably one cowboy friend, in particular) and the roses got to sit on the friend’s lap, even higher, and block the friend’s view of the road ahead as they showed their happy blooms to all who would take a glance. I imagine Rob (and friend) had a smile on the way home too. (Truly, it’s the stuff movies are made of! Two tough cowboys in a loud truck, rambling along with a huge vase of yellow roses! Who is the lucky girl?!)

And carefully taking them out of his truck and bringing them into our home...placing them on our table next to the bay window, where they would get plenty of light, and where I would be sure to see them as soon as I walked in. And writing a special note to me.

It makes me so happy to think that my son did this generous and loving thing for ME! Because he loves me...and wanted to show me just how much...on this very special day. Thank you, Robbie. Words can’t describe how much these gorgeous roses mean to me! Long after they are gone, I will remember how happy you made me today. I love you, forever and ever! ~Mom~

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Poppies and Primroses

Some things make me especially happy. This plate of vibrant-colored poppies and coordinating bowls do just that. See how the bowls are shaped like poppy flowers?!

They practically jumped into my shopping cart as I happened upon them. In fact, I can't stop looking at them. I love them that much. Because of this, they earned prime real estate on my wall, above my kitchen sink, where I can look at them often. There will be no eating off these pretty plates and bowls!

What is it about poppies that makes them so loveable? Their bright, bold orange and red colors? The way their delicate little flowers dance around on tall stems? The way they proliferate to profusion and create meadows of color? All these things are why I love poppies!

Oh! The primroses are out and three little pots jumped into my cart, too. Look at their intense colors and their practically-perfect blooms! Spring is teasing me with these early flowers.

I rewarded these little pots with a sunny spot on in my dining room bay window, along with my sweet basil. Yes, the sun was finally out today. Miss Holly must have washed her windows yesterday and coaxed it out. Rascal Cat was hoping to catch some rays napping on her kitty stool.

I had to cut my basil way down to little sticks not too long ago. It loves the sun and has started to grow again. I think it grew an inch today in the sun!

It's so fun to see the first plants of the season. Pansies will be next. I look forward to the not-so-distant day when I can kneel in the grass and sink my spade into the warm dirt to make a place for the baby plants I choose for my garden. Til then, I'll enjoy the colorful primroses in my windowsill! ~CJ~