Tamed

taken:
day ten
06.30.2013

It was another bummer of a day. Not as bad as yesterday since ibuprofen saved me for a few hours. Ibuprofen is the best! But enough about being sick. It's a real downer and I'm in the mood for something joyful instead.

When I walked out to my garden this afternoon to turn on the sprinkler, I took a look around first. I'm sure I've said it a thousand times before that I loooove the daily changes in the garden. I would wager to bet that every gardener feels the same. It's incredibly fulfilling. I adore looking low and high, beneath and behind for new revelations. 

So I noticed today that my 'baby's breath', that's somewhat shielded by a vine and some tall 'tiger lilies', is on the verge of blooming. I planted this 'baby's breath' many years ago from seed. Possibly about 14 years ago when I started my garden. 

For a few years it got HUGE and took over the area it was growing. I decided to move it to a corner, back by a shaded part of the fence. That tamed it, now it's not invading my entire garden. I really enjoy it's airy, breathy beauty.

Under The Weather

taken:
day nine
06.29.2013

A fever, chills and aches hit me today. I cringed. Being sick isn't fun but being sick in the summer, it's just not fair. 

I spent a few hours this afternoon in bed trying to rest. It felt good to rest but I kept thinking about the sunshine outside. There were clouds here and there but through the gap in the curtains all I chose to see was sunshine, a summer day going on without me.

So I lifted my heavy head off the pillow and went outside. I plunked myself down on the front porch on a wicker love seat, curled up and wished the fever away and told myself to enjoy the fresh air and peaceful breeze.

I gazed at my little garden pots surrounding me, so full of color and cheer. I noticed how lush they've become since they were planted a month ago with pink and purple petunias, coral variegated geraniums, mint, white moss roses and these precious blue salvia.

Pretty flowers, nature's cheerful remedy for being under the weather. 

Untouched

taken:
day eight
06.28.2013

I've talked about my prairie before, here. It's a place I find several subjects that catch my eye and I love strolling though this area of the yard. As I walked through I found this 'yellow goats beard' seed puff. It was perfect. Still completely full, splendid and airy. A perfect pompom filled with wishes. Often I'll come across these seed heads after the wind has gotten a hold of them and they're only partially filled with seed plumes. This one was still untouched by the wind and elements.

Touch Of Happiness

taken:
day seven
06.27.2013

In the shade, out in the backyard, grow these pale johnny jump ups, tender and small. Another little wild flower that springs up, adding a surprise where mother nature thinks we need a touch of happiness and color.

Sprinkling Of Sweetness

taken:
day six
06.26.2013

I spotted these little lavender spiderwort blossoms this morning growing wild along the outskirts of our yard. Although they're a common prairie flower in this area, I've never seen them growing there before. It's always fun to come across a new sprinkling of sweet wildflowers. 

Petal-less

taken:
day five
06.25.2013

Today I was captivated by this petal-less poppy. It's one that I had on my kitchen windowsill that I shared recently here. It dropped all of it's petals a day or two ago but I still kept it on my windowsill. I wasn't ready to let it go.

Today I brought the vase outside in the yard so I could take some photos of it and have a pretty green background. I snapped and snapped and snapped away, as if I were photographing a lovely petal-filled rose. 

The wind shifted and twisted it which gave me different angles to admire it from. Then I reminded myself that this was a flower that's missing all of it's petals, on it's last breath, soon turning brittle and dry. But for some reason, I still found it so exquisite and attractive, worthy of observing it's beauty. 

Have you ever felt petal-less? I have. All too often, in fact. It just occurred to me that in those moments, I wish I could treat myself the way I treated this poppy, with admiration and dignity, not comparing it to what it once was, but rather relishing in what it is now. An interesting analogy to think about in those times when feelings of defeat and weakness set in. If nothing else, it's something to remember and strive for. I would love to say farewell to those in-adequate feelings forever!

Glorious

taken:
day four
06.24.13

My yellow honeysuckle vine is dripping with glorious brightly colored flowers right now. I'm in love with their rich golden color and overflowing blooms this year. They seem so much more lush and bountiful than usual. 

I've noticed that because of all the rain we've received this spring and early summer, that everything is thriving as a result. Especially after a few years of severe drought. I guess that's one nice thing about enduring many cloudy and wet days, we get an abundance of beautiful robust plants and flowers as a reward.

One Lonely Bud

taken:
day three
6.23.13

This single solitary peony bud is swelling with pale pink petals. Before long it'll be a billowing puff of ruffles and heavenly fragrance. Unfortunately this lonely bud is the one and only bud of all 4 peony plants in my garden. It makes me a little sad but at the same time I'm thankful for this solo bloom that'll be breathtaking all on it's own.

Soft And Delicate

taken:
day two
06.22.13

The beautiful 'blue false indigo' I have growing in the center of my garden is exploding with bluish-purple blossoms right now. Darling blossoms, that remind me of 'sweet peas', line each stem. I love how soft and delicate they are.

Grand Entrance

taken:
day one
06.21.13

It rained hard last night. Hard, with whipping winds and gushing rain.

A lot of people lost power and a lot of people had storm damage and trees down. Summer has definitely insisted on making a grand entrance!

When I walked through the yard this morning to see if we had any damage, none thankfully, I took a close look at some new stargazer lilies that I planted the other day.

I noticed that the golden pollen that usually coats the stamen was washed clean off. The tips were smooth and bare, but by afternoon they were pollen coated again. 

The busy little lilies worked overtime today to replenish their precious pollen supply. Now the tips are fuzzy and golden. Just in time for another round of storms tonight.

Summer Solstice {Pretty Poppies}

It's the Summer Solstice.

The first day of summer.

The longest day of sunlight.

These cheerful poppies are new to my garden this year.

They're now blooming, bright and bold.

Some of them I've brought inside to spiff up my kitchen windowsill.

Even when they drop their petals they are pretty and lovely and happy.

I'm overjoyed that summer is officially here!!!

And I'm excited to kick off another 'Days of Summer' photo project.

Cheers to a happy summer!

Welcome June

Welcome June!

School is winding down and summer vacation is within our grasp.

It's about time!

I could have a year full of Junes.

I love this month.

Something about June is so exhilarating and promising.

My mind is always full of hope for a fun, warm and abundant summer.

Right now it's all about nurturing seeds in the garden.

I thrive on the satisfaction of their growth and prosperity.

It's almost addicting.

I could never grow tired of the wonderment of June.

It's my favorite.


HAPPY JUNE TO YOU!!!