Simple Days

"Don't let yourself get so busy that you miss those little but important extras in life ~
the beauty of a day...
the smile of a friend...
the serenity of a quiet moment alone.
For it is often life's smallest pleasures and gentlest joys that make the biggest and most lasting difference."

Hump Day

Pesky Squirrels

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I peeked inside Mrs. Robin's nest over the weekend, she had laid three of the most beautiful blue eggs.
Today, this is all that remains.
Sad.

Spring Cleaning

The First Sergeant has spent the last few days, mowing, trimming, pruning, and  fixing.
Putting the place 'to rights' after a long Winter's nap takes quite an effort, and will be ongoing for several weekends to come.

My effort consisted of hanging the porch ferns. and planting Geraniums.

I've still got lots of empty pots to fill, and birdhouses to tend......

The Perennials are flowering.

We had a hard frost last night, I'm keeping my fingers crossed they were not harmed.

"Everything is blooming most recklessly;

if it were voices instead of colors,

there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night."

~ Rainer Maria Rilke: Letters of Rainer Maria Rilke

Meet The Girls

My daughter and son-in-law have recently bought a place in the country.

It came complete with four miniature donkeys, who are the sweetest and most curious little jennies.

They are called companion animals, and it is obvious why, since they are the most social of creatures.

Meet the latest family members......Rose, Daisy, Lily, and Buttercup, two precious mothers and their adored daughters.

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Planting Times

Beatrix Potter taking a little break in-between gardening chores.

 

 

Season Change

Time to change the teapot from the Blue Willow back to the Summer Pansies design.
I confess to being a tea addict, it's the first thing that passes my lips in a morning and the last thing at night, even going so far as taking a cuppa to bed with me.

I came about the addiction honestly, and put it down to all those times we English children were offered milky tea in our bottles as we were growing up.

Yes, they start us at an early age.

A Simple Life

To find the universal elements enough;

to find the air and the water exhilarating;

to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter;

to be thrilled by the stars at night;

to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring —

these are some of the rewards of the simple life.

~ John Burroughs

Awakening

Now is the time of the illuminated woods.......

when every leaf glows like a tiny lamp.

~ John Burroughs

Upstairs Downstairs

Each Spring the Bluebirds move into their nesting box and start a new family.

It is nestled beneath the arbor, and sheltered from harm by a lush canopy of  creamy white roses and purple clematis vine.
If we are lucky, and can keep the squirrels at bay, a new generation of Bluebirds become part of our landscape.

The location has caught the eye of Mrs. Robin, and she has become smitten.
So much so, that she has boldly gathered sticks and mud, and built herself a sturdy little nest right on top of the nesting box roof.
This should be interesting.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers:
Of April, May, of June, and July flowers.
I sing of Maypoles, Hock-carts, wassails, wakes,
Of bridegrooms, brides and of their bridal cakes.

Robert Herrick 1591-1674

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