Natural Magic

 Hi there,

Thank you for the lovely comments on my last post. I was excited to have a painting chosen for the juried art show. From the vernissage, to the day I hosted along with another lady, it was fun and I learned a lot. The best, of course, was chatting with people and admiring the wonderful paintings that covered the walls at the show.
 

My framed entry. Snowdrops--a slight obsession of mine.

 * * *

The crab apple trees and lilac trees are in bloom. And the newly hatched, fresh-faced leaves are waving in the breeze.  When I look out the window, there are so many lovely hues of green--rich, deep, subtle, and, well, the whole landscape looks gorgeous. All those spring greens do animate the spirit.

The birds woke me up at 4:45 this morning. They were singing their hearts out. How industrious and celebratory they are. After opening the window, I crawled back into bed and found myself imagining spending an afternoon under a fragrant crab apple tree, drinking tea, knitting and/or sketching. I even  fancied I could feel a lovely soft breeze blowing in from the river. (Time to make that reverie a reality, I reckon. Even an hour would be lovely.)

Wild honeysuckle.

Yes, Emerson. "The earth [ really does] laugh (s) in flowers."

 Ms. Squirrel dressed to the nines.  Hurrah! She made it through a hard winter and is in fine form.  I think I have mentioned before that it takes about 3000 trips for this little one to fill her pantry with enough seeds to get her through the winter. She's an independent wonder.

  I am contemplating painting a bearded iris. Just look at the colours...as rich as a fine tapestry.

It was raining the day I was out taking these pics. It's still raining and that's okay. Blossoms need moisture. I'd like to get a few closes ups with my big camera; I hope to go tomorrow rain or shine.

A red-winged blackbird searches the area for a mate. (I love to hear his discordant melodies.) Since it's breeding season, the red bands on his wings are brilliant. What a charmer. I hope he soon finds his lady love.

Speaking of charmers/charming, how about that royal wedding? I loved it. Wouldn't it have been grand to be a butterfly on the wall at the receptions at Windsor castle and Frogmore house?

'Til next time...

Cultivate your dreams.

A Path to Meander Down

Hi there,

Sharing a few lovely spring pictures today along with some good news, which I will leave to the end. Hang on your hats...here we go. :) 

Waking up the senses with fresh greenery and bird song.

There's something marvelous about a meandering path in the woods. On a lovely spring day, I could keep walking forever. 

White Trillium

Because of the warm days, most of the early wildflowers have come and gone. I've caught them in my mind's eye because I often leave the camera at home.  

I adore the red trillium, but they are in another area. I hope to go there soon.

Darling violets in the leaf litter. We are blessed a bumper crop this year.

I only noticed a few little yellow violets.

Caught in the act...sunbathing. I think she said, " Ahhh. This feels so good." :)

The very rare bell flower.

Solomon's Seal

And who can forget the ferns?

Finally, the good news. My little botanical snowdrop illustration was chosen for the art exhibition to be held in the mall. The vernissage is Friday night. 

I don't have a picture of it framed yet.  And that's another story...I had to have a mat cut twice. The first mat was cut crooked, but, luckily, a lovely lady at a framing shop in town fixed it for me, and I was able to pass it in an hour before the deadline.

Cultivate your dreams...

They do come true!