Celebrate the Colors of Spring

Seven full days of sunshine!

That's all we've had since January 1st!

I'm not saying we haven't seen sunshine

on other days, we have, 

but those days were mostly cloudy or partly cloudy.

Only seven full days of sunshine in over two months . . . .

no wonder my Vitamin D level is low!!

I'm saying that to explain why my sister, sister-in-law and I made the trip to Garvan Woodland Gardens on a misty, overcast day. We wanted to see the daffodils before they were frozen by the way-below-normal-temperatures in the forecast.

There are several paths you can take through the garden. We came for the daffodils, so we headed that way first.

On our way we spotted some pretty red tulips that were just beginning to bloom. We'll need to go back in a few weeks to see all the tulips in full bloom.

On the way to Daffodil Hill we pasted by thousands of hyacinths. I don't remember ever seeing the darker purple ones before.

We ventured down the Camellia Trail to see if there were any blossoms left and there were! Some very pretty ones.

Finally we came to Daffodil Hill! This is only a very small portion of the daffodils scattered across the hill. No matter which way you turn on this small hill, you can see daffodils.

As I mentioned before there are several paths you can take through the garden. We didn't take this one. It looked much to slippery, not to mention very steep. We sure didn't want to chance a fall!

A new addition to the garden this year is the tree house in the Evans Children's Adventure Garden. This pictures doesn't begin to show how large it is. I should have asked my sister and sister-in-law to go up in the tree house and wave at me! The 500 square foot structure is 28 foot tall. Adults can stand on the first two levels with no problem at all! The third level, well we didn't go that far. You have to climb a rope net to the crow's nest. A small area that gives you a bird's-eye view of the woods. Josh Siebert, the architect, describes the idea behind this modern looking tree house by saying "Our concept was a tree house in the woods and amongst the woods. It floats, it's mysterious, but it's also modern." I'll admit when I first saw it, I wasn't impressed. I'm not real keen on modern architecture, but the beauty for me was on the inside.

  

I love the repetition of the yellow pine ribs and the spectacular views. 

As you leave the tree house, there are some really cool mirrors set in the railing. They reminded me of fun house mirrors at carnivals. They each made you look a little different and sometimes silly. I avoided the one that made me look short and rather plump!!

We wandered back to the front of the garden to eat lunch at the Chipmunk Cafe. As we waited for our food, we watched three very friendly, not-scared-of-people peacocks. Or I guess I should say one peacock and two peahens. Last year there was only the peacock. Maybe with the addition of two peahens, little pea chicks may be in the future.

You have to be patient, but they will eventually show off their feathers.

Despite the damp, chilly air we enjoyed our day out. This day was also a celebration for me. I am one year cancer free. It's been a long year, sometimes difficult, but I feel like I've passed a milestone! 

Awake, Thou Wintry Earth

I'm going to say something that is going to shock you! I have not enjoyed this winter!!  Most of you know how much I love winter. I love the snow and the cold. This year we haven't really had a winter. What we had was cloudy skies and rain and cloudy skies and rain and repeat, repeat, repeat!!

Every thing is soggy! The only way I can walk in the woods and down my favorite path is with waterproof boots! 

Even though the days are dark and gloomy, beauty can be found. Tiny drops of water hang like diamonds in twisted vines. 

Mushrooms are beginning to work their way through the soft grown trying to find some sunshine I'm sure!

Winter has been so mild that many leaves never turned completely brown.

Officially spring has not arrived, but I'm seeing signs of it everywhere. Last year I bought a Lenten Rose, (Hellebore) to add to my garden. It quickly became one of my favorite plants. Not knowing a lot about it, I panicked when I saw it beginning to bloom a few weeks ago. I was so afraid a cold snap would ruin it. I was wrong. It was blooming right on time. Lenten Roses are one of the earliest flowers to bloom, usually around Lent which started on February 14.

And my jonquils are starting to bloom. Although I'm not ready for it, I think I need to start convincing myself that winter is over. It will be in the 70's today and Wednesday closer to 80. Spring is no longer hiding, it's shouting "ready or nor here I come!"

"Awake, thou wintry earth -

Fling off they sadness!

Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth

Your ancient gladness!"

~Thomas Blackburn

The Beauty of January

Winter makes me happy. There's something about it's cold crisp air that makes me smile. The first day of January was a beautiful day with a gorgeous sunset. Just look at all that golden color! 

Even grey misty days brought magic. I only have to look for it.

This year we've had our share of freezing days. In central Arkansas our average January daytime temperature is in the low 50's. As you can tell by the ice on this small lake, it's been well below that. It's not easy going out when it's bitterly cold, but I go out everyday looking to see what's new. 

Today I found water dripping off the corner of the house, creating tiny ice sculptures around blades of grass. Yes, I know it's very weird, but the grass is still green in spots!

I went to check the small creek in the woods behind the house. It's swift moving water has kept it from freezing solid, but there is a thin layer of ice on top that makes fascinating patterns.

January has brought pretty days with blue skies, grey days with drizzle, cold days with sleet and ice, but the best day arrived on Tuesday! It snowed! It finally snowed! I didn't get to stand at the window with a mug of hot chocolate and watch the falling snow because it began about 9 p.m. and quit before morning, but there it was when I woke up and rushed to the window. It was a fine, powdery snow and the wind was gusting, so it didn't stick to many of the trees. 

There was no way I was straying inside even if it was only 13 degrees and the wind was really blowing. I put on plenty of layers, snow boots, and a toboggan and was ready to endure the elements! I wasn't the only one wearing a cap, so was this rock in the creek, only my cap was warmer than his.

There's so much to love about winter in Arkansas. I hope wherever you are, you're enjoying your winter whether your inside or out!

An hour of winter day might seem too short.

~ Robert Frost

Something New

I can take picture of nature over and over again. I delight in spending time outside discovering the beauties of things like mushrooms, rocks, water, trees, and such. There's always something new each day to discover. But, taking pictures of nature limits my experiences, so I tried something different. Something I have never done. I took my camera to the grocery store and enjoyed the beauty and smells of fruits and veggies.

If you know me very well, you know this is totally NOT ME! I am one of those people that never wants to call attention to myself. I definitely don't want to stand out. Just let me be a wallflower and I will be happy. Taking my camera out in a grocery store and taking pictures was very hard for me to do. I was uncomfortable and slightly nervous. The thought that circled round and round in my head was "what will people think?" There was one lady that looked at me very strange several times, but I just smiled, ducked my head, and kept taking pictures. I honestly expected a call over the store's speaker any moment "security to the produce department!"

After a few pictures I did become more relaxed strolling down the aisle looking for color, shapes, and textures.

I survived the experience. No one confiscated my camera or sent me running for the door. As I walked outside to my car, there was a smile on my face. I'd done it! I'd been brave and I had pictures to prove it! 

Changing up what we normally do, might be scary, (this certainly was for me!) but new experiences can refresh and inspire. That's not only true in photography, but in everyday life. We need to get away from our ordinary and try new experiences. It could be as simple as driving a different way to work or reading a book in a genre that we normally don't read. 

I not only came home with a better attitude about myself and a few pictures, I came home with some delicious looking fruit!  

* * * * *

I'm working through Kim Manley Ort's book Adventures In Seeing. This week's assignment was opening ourselves up to a different type of photography and experience.

On A Rainy Day

"Rainy days and Mondays always get me down."

I think of those words when it rains on a Monday. I don't know why, because Monday's are my day of rest and recuperation from the previous week and rainy days don't get me down. But, none the less, I sang those words this rainy Monday morning. In case, you've never heard them and many of probably have not, the song was sung by The Carpenters in 1971. Back in those days, the year before I got married, the Carpenters were among my favorite singing groups. Just so you know, Jerry didn't like them at all. He was more into Creedence Clearwater Revival! This really dates us, doesn't it? Anyway, back to this rainy Monday.

It made me smile to wake up and see the rain this morning. I had no plans, this being a resting day, so I wasn't disappointed by the rain. In fact, days where it's misty rain usually lead me outside with my little camera which can be tucked under my shirt to keep it dry. I don't use an umbrella, I just let the light rain fall on my head. If you've never tried that, it's rather soothing and enjoyable. One thing that intrigues me is how the water brings out the beautiful colors in everything. The browns are browner and the greens are greener.

I love water droplets, so my eyes search for them on leaves

or hanging precariously off leaves

The droplets on this lichen reminded me of syrup on a golden pancake.

In my walk in the rain I also spotted other wonders of nature;

new growth on the blackberry bushes and

the unique centers of the torenia flowers. I think the center looks like an engagement ring just ready to be given to someone's true love. Maybe the rain not only brings me joy, but makes me romantic.

It doesn't take much to make me happy.

A rainy day and nature will do it every time!

I hope whether you had rain or not,

that you enjoyed this lovely Monday!

Sunday Sundries - Edition 57

"Tis my faith that every flower

Enjoys the air it breaths!"

~ William Wordsworth

A Little Of This and That

There doesn't seem to be a day that goes by without the storm clouds rolling in. They don't always bring rain, but this one sure did. Lots and lots of rain and very high winds. There was no damage to our place but there are a few broken trees in the area. With all the rains, I haven't been able to go on any photo walks and I miss them!  The only walking I get to do is around the yard. I'm desperately needing to get away with only my camera for some peace. In the meantime I keep telling myself that there's plenty of things around here to take pictures of, but it's just not the same. A day beside some moving water would be perfect!

As I've walked up the lane to check on my dad, I've noticed that the blackberries have begun to form. I can remember my mom making the most delicious blackberry cobbler. I don't know how she ever beat the birds to them, because I sure can't. Once they ripen, they're gone!

I don't have to walk far in the yard to see that the warm sun and the moisture has brought out the mushrooms.

This one reminds me of a tiny fairy house. There's a little door at the bottom, a couple of windows, and a jagged little roof.

  

I saw this small heart shape in the pavement which reminded me to love where I am and to be content. The rain will stop and things will settle down. I know they will. They have to!  

Maybe not this week or the next week, but someday, hopefully in the near future, I'll be going on a photo walk again; just me and my camera!

"Contentment has the ability

to squeeze out of every situation

all the good there is to get."

~ Shantidasa