Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Oliver Love


" Sometimes he curls up on my pillow during the night and I don't know he's there until I yawn and my mouth closes on a whisker. "


~Astrid Alauda

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Lovely Lavender

If I could choose but one plant in my garden it would be lavender.

One whiff of it's subtle fragrance, and I'm whisked back to my childhood and memories of my grandma's favorite Yardley's English Lavender toiletries.
Legend tells us that lavender was brought to England by the Romans. It was a highly valued plant due to it's healing, soothing and insect repelling properties.
Lavender oil was also used for massage.


I treated myself to the most wonderful pot of French Lavender yesterday, full of new buds and the promise of fragrant delight, for many seasons to come.

A member of the mint family, and cousin to rosemary, lavender can be used like rosemary in many dishes.

The flowers, can be dried and tied in bunches, laying them in linen closets, or tucking them in dried flower arrangements and scattering sprigs wherever you choose.

A gentle shake or a fond pet of the plant releases the fragrance from early spring to frost.





" here's your sweet lavender
sixteen sprigs a penny
that you'll find my ladies
will smell as sweet as any "

~ The Lavender Seller's Cry, London, England 1900

Friday, February 24, 2012

Awakening Days

We've had the balmiest of weather this winter.
For example today reached a high of seventy seven degrees......in February !

The warmer weather, has forced the Iris shoots to poke through the soil.
I trust they know that Winter is not yet over.


The bird feeders have been a flurry of activity, and I've witnessed Spring cleaning of the birdhouses.
A busy little Carolina Wren, with her beak full of feathers, moss and sticks, flinging it all so recklessly with little regard for it's former tenant.



The deer have been visiting nightly



There are definite signs of spring.
Even the Lamb's Ear is looking perky.


Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Morning Mists


Morning Mist

In the morning, skies so gray,
Before the sun lights up the day,
I chanced upon a morning mist
That left the leaves and grasstips kissed
With the aqua of the dew,
It left a feeling with me, too
Something old and something new;
Something that comes with the mist again,
Never what, but always when.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Snow Day



Just as predicted, the snow came...
Huge wet snowflakes, that magically transformed the earth, now blanketed and white.
Yesterday I noticed how many birds had reappeared from their Winter nests, chirping and busying themselves about the landscape, the milder weather had stirred their souls.

Today, they are silenced once again.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Down The Rabbit Hole


Our Internet and telephone service decided it was time to take leave of absence this past week, and poof.... just like that we were void of connecting to the world of cyberspace and all of it's wonders.
It's almost scary how dependent and intertwined our daily lives have become with modern technology at our fingertips.

For the first few days, I felt lost, no checking e-mails, or reading favorite blogs, it's a strange feeling of the world moving on without you.

Thankfully, a knight in shining armour, disguised as a telephone repairman arrived today, and with a few pokes and pings; I've gotten my wings back.
Forgive me if I've not visited in the last week, I've been down the rabbit hole ..........

Monday, February 13, 2012

With Love From Me To You


My wish for you.

Comfort on difficult days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart,
Hugs when spirits sag,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Friendships to brighten your being,
Faith so that you can believe,
Confidence for when you doubt,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
Love to complete your life.

May your Valentine's Day be special !

{{hugs}}


Jo x

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Pull Up A Chair



Goodness the weather has turned bitterly cold.
The sun has shone all day long, but the wind has been horrendous, and temperatures have barely made it over the freezing mark.
We had a similar weather pattern last year, all the spring bulbs had popped up their shoots, and then along came snow.....

It's been a good day to stay close by the hearth side, indulge in a bowl of homemade soup, and enjoy the company of a portly cat by your side.

Hope you are all having a warm and snugly weekend.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Winter Flowers


How strange to greet, this frosty morn,
In graceful counterfeit of flower,
These children of the meadows, born
Of sunshine and of showers!

How well the conscious wood retains
The pictures of its flower-sown home,
The lights and shades, the purple stains,
And golden hues of bloom!

It was a happy thought to bring
To the dark season's frost and rime
This painted memory of spring,
This dream of summertime.

Flowers In Winter ~ John Greenleaf Whittier (1807 - 1892)

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A Host Of Golden Daffodils

Oh, the very delight of daffodils in bloom, the seasons rewaken.


I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud ~William Wordsworth ( 1804 )

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Winter's Nap



Gentle eyes that see so much,
paws that have the quiet touch,
Purrs to signal "all is well"
and show more love than words could tell.
Graceful movements touched with pride,
a calming presence by our side --
A friendship that takes time to grow -
Small wonder why we love them so.

~ Author Unknown ~

Monday, February 6, 2012

Tea Time


A Cup of Tea

When the world is all at odds
And the mind is all at sea
Then cease the useless tedium
And brew a cup of tea.

There is magic in its' fragrance,
There is solace in its' taste;
And then laden moments vanish
Somehow into space.

And the world becomes a lovely thing!
There's beauty as you'll see;
All because you briefly stopped
To brew a cup of tea.

(J. Jonker, Amsterdam, c.1670)

Friday, February 3, 2012

Farewell Friend


It is with a heavy heart, and a saddened mind that I write this post.

The First Sergeant and I said our goodbyes to our dear neighbor and friend today.
A young man who had endured many health problems from an early age, and yet despite those hardships, chose not to focus on the negative, choosing instead, to live his life to the fullest.

Tony, loved the outdoors, and all the beauty nature had to offer.
He was a dedicated husband, and brother.
A friend to all who met him, his smile would light up a room, his humor would leave you giggling.
His talents in woodworking were impressive.
His love of life, brimming-over.

Godspeed you on your journey 'home' Tony.
There's a triumphant welcome awaiting you.

We miss you already dear friend.


Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die.


~ Mary Elizabeth Frye