Garden Quotes 2019

"Earth laughs in Flowers."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

All pictures from my garden this spring.

Hunting for Wildflowers

Balsam Root in particular was what I wanted to see.

The adventure began along the Columbia River Gorge in Mosier, Oregon.

Yesterday was in the mid 70's and for two that don't often

hike more than one or two miles we did just fine.

There were a few aches and pains after the 3 1/2 miles,

but we did it and loved the experience of hunting for wildflowers.

There was the beauty of a gorgeous day

and the scenery was amazing!

My "live-in gardener" on the trail just ahead.

Can you see the tufts of yellow?

We made it to the top of the plateau. Hooray!

There was much to reward the climb.

Balsam Root is in the sunflower family and it was everywhere.

There were some lupines too.

I was thoroughly delighted to spot this swallowtail butterfly too.

I can imagine butterflies would love this place even more than myself.

This view was so worth the climb!!!

Does anyone know what this pink tinged wildflower is?

There were a few scattered here and there.

Oh,  amazing creativity went into designing wildflowers.

Do you see the crow landing on the top of the tree?

 We think this was wild dill.

At the beginning and at the end of the trail was a historic graveyard.

Rather a lovely spot surrounded by the wild things.

Spring time adventures are so rewarding, especially when you see the delights of the wild.

Apple Blossoms

If you have followed me for awhile you will know

I am drawn to this orchard at least once a year.

The place of apple blossoms with their tinge of pink

and the grass growing underneath.

It is planted deep in my heart.

Memories of my childhood.

 Ahhhh! The pink!

 Some white blossoms too!

 But it was the pink ones I was after.

 I was a bit too early, but still I swooned.

The orchard is a historic one on Sauvie Island, not far from Portland.

It is not the one I grew up with, but a perfect substitute.

The one I grew up with is in California, too far for a quick jaunt.
The picture below is the orchard where I grew up.
Picture taken in 2017, the last time I visited.

Do you have outdoor memories?

Garden Quotes 2019

Today is Earth Day!

Go out and enjoy our earth,

protect it,

and

cherish it!

 One of the first conditions of happiness is 

that the link between man and nature shall not be broken.”
—Leo Tolstoy 

Bunnies in the Garden

Scampering up the tree, Christmas bunny found the bird house.

No one residing there right now, but maybe as spring goes along a resident we will see.

 There are bunny sightings throughout the garden.

I just get a glimpse for just a moment and a snap of the camera.

This bunny must be the egg hiding bunny.

The big bunny below decorates the garden;
she looks over the baby bunnies.
She is the matron of the bunny society.

This tiny bunny sits very still indeed,
waiting to join the fairies in a dance of springtime.

And this bunny tucked in the flowers is purveyor of springtime coming to the garden.
She placed her bow just so, a harbinger of spring in green.

Do  you have bunnies bounding about?
Tucking eggs in the garden to delight the little ones?
Or just to encourage springtime growth?
Oh those bunnies are running here and there,
a welcome to springtime and Easter for sure.

Happy Easter, dear friends!
May your weekend be full of delight!

Light guides the Way

There is something about light houses that calls to me.

I dream of living in one when I need time alone.

Can you imagine taking a pile of books, some good nibbles and tea,

a comfy quilt, pillows and just hiding away for a time?

Light draws us in.

We look at the moon and we smile.

When spring time comes along we revel in having more light and color.

I have always wanted to take a light house tour of the east coast,

because I thought that was where the best lighthouses resided.

Recently, just this year, I have visited three on the west coast that delighted me.

They still send out their warning of a shore nearby to ships going by.

But in the meantime they sit in sweet, quiet splendor showing us the way.

Do you dream of time away?

Would it be in a lighthouse?

Each lighthouse is on the coast of Oregon.

The first is just north of Oceanside,

the second at Port Townsend,

and the third on Whidbey Island.

Garden Quotes 2019

WHERE?

Where are the fairies?
Where can we find them?
We've seen the fairy-rings
They leave behind them!

When they have danced all night,
Where do they go?
Lark, in the sky above,
Say, do you know?

Is it a secret
No one is telling?
Why, in your garden
Surely they're dwelling!

No need for journeying,
Seeking afar:
Where there are flowers,
There fairies are!

from The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies

by Cicely Mary Barker
I couldn't resist another post on fairies
when I had a glimpse so close of the fairy in my garden.
She scampered away before I could get more of a picture.

Feels Good to Be HOME

Visiting my favorite antique mall a few days ago

the spring show just had this feel of being home.

I don't think it was on purpose, but everywhere I looked were places to sit awhile

and enjoy a few moments of a quiet chat, a good book, or a sip of tea

with a friend. What do you think?
Maybe this dress would be the attire of the day?

 A bit of color to while away a few hours.

 Oh, the time stands still for moments in the sun.

Soft light and a pillow, feet up, rest your eyes and dream.

I would bring to the table a pot of tea, a cucumber sandwich, and a sweet delight.

 Sweet dreams through gauzy light.
Would it be breakfast in bed?
Welcome to a new day at home.

Join me for a sit down and a chat;
plus a cup of tea.
Happy weekend, dear friends!

TweedPDX

"People going to beautiful places in vintage outfits on fabulous bikes.

Inspiring casual cycling for all types of people through vintage cycling events."

From TweedPDX (the Portland, Oregon group)

From the time I first heard of a Tweed group I was fascinated.

When I heard that they would be gathering for a bike ride last Saturday

I put it on my calendar to go and see them gathering.

No one knew who I was and no one asked, but they were more

than willing to pose for me.

What fun to see them gather.

It was like stepping into another era.

I loved seeing their outfits; of course I would.

I love period costumes and fashion in general.

 I love bicycles too.

When I was much younger I got around town on a bicycle.

Until I was 17 we didn't have a car in the family;

so bicycling was it along with public transportation.

 The smiles permeated the air.

The park where they gathered had vistas of downtown Portland and the Willamette River.

Have you heard of Tweed?

Is there an group in your area?

What fun I had photographing them without them knowing who I was;

I was sort of just part of the group for a few moments and I loved it.

This adventure to the park did inspire memories of biking,

but also of spinning and hanging out at the park.

I spied merry-go-round as I returned to my car.

What fun childhood memories came to the surface

on this a special day at the park.