Bloomin' Lovely

The Lavender is in bloom, I've tied bunches with garden string and hung from the herb rack to dry.
The smell is intoxicating.
We've had more than our share of rainfall this Spring, and the flowers are showing their gratitude for it.

The lightning bugs have returned,  a definite sign that Summer is just around the corner.
Almost June.....where do the weeks go...

  

 

 

A Man's Home Is His Castle

 

 

Each weekend throughout the merry month of May, thousands of people flock to Castle Gwynn in Arrington, Tennessee.
It's Renaissance Festival time, complete with jousting events, kissing-wenches, mead-drinking, arts and crafts, music, merriment and mischief galore.
What sets itself apart from all other Renaissance Festivals is it's distinction of being the only Renaissance Fayre held on the grounds of a real castle in North America.

Castle Gwynn is a startling replica of a 12th-century Welsh border castle and the private home of Nashville-native Mike Freeman, a portrait photographer, and his wife, Jackie, a retired schoolteacher.

The complete story of how the castle came to be, can be read here : http://tnhomeandfarm.com/castle-gwynn and is still an ongoing labor of love.

To view the 2023  Festival schedule and directions click here: https://www.tnrenfest.com/events/buy_tickets.php

admission price includes a tour of the castle !

Royalty, nobles, knights and peasants, come one, come all....
'Tis most splendid!

Dragons welcome 

🏰

To All Of Our Wonderful Mothers

Dedicated to all of our wonderful mothers, without whose unselfish, love and devotion, our lives would be forever changed.

A "Happy Mother's Day", I hope your day is filled with much loveliness.

 

 

You Were There

You were there when we took our first steps,

And went unsteadily across the floor.

You pushed and prodded: encouraged and guided,

Until our steps took us out the door...

You worry now "Are they ok?"

Is there more you could have done?

As we walk the paths of our unknown

You wonder" Where have my children gone?"

Where we are is where you have led us,

With your special love you showed us a way,

To believe in ourselves and the decisions we make,

Taking on the challenge of life day-to-day.

And where we go you can be sure,

In spirit you shall never be alone,

For where you are is what matters most to us,

Because to us that will always be home...

- Author Unknown

Golden Meadows

Drive along any country road in Middle Tennessee during the month of May, and you can't help but notice the fields are covered in yellow flowers.

The Meadow Buttercup ( Ranunculus acris ) is gathered for it's annual parade, it's bright, waxy petals, waving in the spring breezes for all who care to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let The Merriment Begin

King Charles III will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort this coming Saturday May 6th, at Westminster Abbey in London.

Throughout Great Britain and many other countries, there are thousands of street parties, parades, and much merriment afoot, in the celebrating .

I will be joining in the celebrations albeit from afar, my Union Jack flying, the teapot readied.

Three cheers:  Hip, Hip, Hooray, Hip, Hip, Hooray, Hip Hip Hooray !

God Save The King 

Rabbit Tales

We've noticed an abundance of wild rabbits hopping around the garden this Spring.
Some years they are a scarcity, but this year we seem to be sharing our plot with mama and baby rabbits galore.
Of course there's a daddy rabbit somewhere close by, but he seems to be a travelling man.

 

'Once upon a time there were four little rabbits and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter.
They lived with their mother in a sandbank, underneath the root of a very big fir tree.'

~ Beatrix Potter :The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Purple Delight

With all the turmoil we are facing in this big uncertain world of ours, some things remain constant.
For those I am truly grateful.

Despite three freeze-laden nights this past week, the Clematis has once again graced us with stunning blooms.

 

And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast

Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

~Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant


 

Returning

 

 

An altered look about the hills;
A Tyrian light the village fills;
A wider sunrise in the dawn;
A deeper twilight on the lawn;
A print of a vermilion foot;
A purple finger on the slope;
A flippant fly upon the pane;
A spider at his trade again;
An added strut in chanticleer;
A flower expected everywhere ..."

~Emily Dickinson