Fun with Flower of the Day

Maybe in two weeks I can really start playing with flowers as hopefully by then the yard project will be complete. fencing in the front so dogs can be off the chains.

But I did get a few hanging baskets and a few things in my planter. Hopefully this cold weekend will not be enough to do damage to what is already planted.

IMG_20200426_133617 — Daisy checking out the angel’s flowers. She loves plants.

IMG_20200426_132333 — Close up to see the beauty of these blooms

These are Calibrachoa, and a favorite flower as they are hardy and come in several colors. This color is called Tropical Sunrise, and I can see why.

Cee’s prompt for FOTD keeps us looking for that every colorful flower. Flowers make me smile, which reminds me to be kind. So I remind you to try to find ways of showing kindness in these no so easy times. Every ripple counts.

kind ripples

Accents of Light

In photography, your light source is of great importance, whether it be behind, in front, bright or shadowed. It helps tell your story through the eyes of the camera…and you. I like taking picture of how the sun shines around nature to highlight its beauty. Enclosed are my entries for 2020 Photo Challenge #18 featuring Light.

IMG_20200415_085706 — Bright and Shadows

The March snow we had was heavy and wet but its beauty was highlighted by the bright sun behind the trees that made neat shadows.

Webs are magical as they reflect their silver lines in the rays of the sun.

IMG_20190710_161530 — A personal favorite, flower, bee and sun

The brightness of the sun and the rays sifting through the petals.

Even as light begins to fade, it still has beauty to share, And as always, I close with a reminder of showing kindness in all that you do. It could create its own sunshine.

kind sun

Fun Foto Challenger of Hearing

Hearing is such a blessed gift. Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is to share pictures of favorite things you like to hear. There are so many sound that bring us joy, peace, comfort and even laughter. Nothing is probably more precious than a baby’s laughter but since I have no pictures of that I will go with my probably my second favorite. The singing of birds.

IMG_20190430_153652 — Goldfinch, Downy Woodpecker & Cardinal

These are last year’s pictures as this year the yard is in a total mess of adding a new fence and of course it is raining creating a muddy mess.

As you listen to the things you enjoy, remember the happiness it brings to mind and share it where you can. In all things remember to be kind.

Being Kind Stock Illustrations – 258 Being Kind Stock ...

Beauty of Spring, FOTD, SMM

I love the flowering trees that show us the beauty of spring, the pears, the crab-apples and the plum, at least this is what I have always called these. And they are currently in full bloom. Cee has a fun prompt for Flower of the Day and Irene has the prompt for Sunshine Macro Monday. So actually this is three flowers of the day instead of one. Enjoy the close ups of simple beauty.

IMG_20200504_122356 — Ornamental Crab-apple

And as always remember the value and beauty in being kind in a time where kindness is hard to find.

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Lilacs, FOTD

My lilacs are finally blooming. It has been a nurturing process as I almost lost them completely a couple years ago with -50 degree wind chill. But they are doing great this year.

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These really brought a smile to my face this morning when I saw them. And they smell amazing.

As always, I remind you to be kind. Right now we have a tendency to be a little cross as the stress of isolation is taking it’s toll. But if we can reach down and find that smile, it may be enough to spark another one…then another one…and so on.

KINDNESS10

be kind

On the Hunt for Joy

Nothing much brings me more joy than getting to play in the dirt, probably left over from childhood. But Cee’s challenge for week 17 is to Start a Garden. We had some wonderful weather last week – one whole day of it – and I actually started then. But alas, I did not finish before the rains started…and have remained for several days.

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But we have started, so hopefully by the end of the week we can continue onward. Enclosed are a couple of easy starts – hanging baskets – they at least get the yard starting to look like spring. Took these pictures after hanging them with the bright sun shining. They are Lobelia, a purple and white variety. Flowers make me smile.

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As we enjoy our gardens, remember the smiles they bring us and share those smiles. Try to be the catalyst that makes someone else smile, which brightens everyone’s day.

Wholesale Window Plaque - Be Kind Love Others Work Hard Be ...

Weeds Are Beautiful Too, FOTD, SMM

All the many wonderful photographers in this “blog-us-sphere” have such fun prompts to remind us that even the forgotten or tiny parts of nature are still beautiful. I am linking in with Irene’s Sunshine Macro Monday and Cee’s Flower of the Day to show the beautiful “weeds” in my yard. A weed is really just a flower you can’t buy at the store.

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The delicateness of a wild violet bloom is amazing with it’s rich purple stripes and yellow center. Looking at it real close it almost looks like a tiny orchid.

I fully realize it is flower of the day and not flowers, but who can resist the happy yellow dandelion. Yard tenders hate them but they are so important for the bees in early spring so I allow them for a short period.

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And as spring brings a smile to our face, even though we are staying closer to home, we still need to remember to be kind. With the many stresses involved in staying home, kindness is more important that ever. So be safe and be kind.

be kind

His Presence, His Perspective

Good Sunday morning friends. After a couple of dreary days here in the midwest, today promises to be bright and beautiful. And like the dreariness of these past two day, we ourselves can become dreary with self pity if we focus on this current obstacle surround the entire world. With each passing day it gets harder as our thoughts dwell on ‘will this ever end?’ and I promise you it will. Sometimes we need to change our perspective of how things seem to be and lift our heads to His light and let the light of His presence engulf us and bring us peace.

2 Corinthians 4 reminds us not to lose heart,

and to focus on what is not seen. And what is not seen is more beautiful than we can imagine. We have been taught that God always has us in His hand and while He does not cause difficult situations, He will use those situations to show us His infinite power and love. So I challenge you today to

relax in the brightness of His Presence

enjoy the fruits of His Love

Breathe in deeply and smile

and if you are able, take in a calming sip of laughter

Its all about perspective. So climb to the top of the ladder and see your life in God’s Presence.

And always remember, now more than ever, to be kind.

Finally, Flower of the Day

It seems like its been forever since I could post flowers from my yard but this week I finally got started planting. Flowers always make me smile.

I chose this flower today because it reminds me of a clown parade. And we all need a little cheer now-a-days. It is a type of Verbena but I threw away its tag so I can not give you its color name.

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Thank you Cee for creating the wonderful prompt of FOTD where we can share our love of flowers. And as always, remember to be kind. We especially need that right now.

Flower kind4 — Not just today but every day…

The Comforter

Good morning friends. Hope you safe and comfortable. Today it is raining here in the midwest of the US but this is the type of rain I love, slow and gentle. You can have some of the best naps in this type of weather, soothing and comfortable. I wanted to share a bit of my devotion from last night’s read. It was a reminder of the deep comfort we have in Jesus. And in this day of confusion and unsure realities, we need all the comfort we can get. God reminds us from Genesis all the way through the bible that he is always with us.

We know this in our minds but when we get too busy or in a uncomfortable situation, our hearts grow weak and we forget where this comfort lies.

When we get lost in the troubles of the day, a gentle comforting nudge from the Holy Spirit reminds us of the awesomeness of His love that surrounds us.

To me, music is a great way to calm my soul. I love this song I am posted by a Gospel group here called The Gaithers, and the song is Gentle Shepherd. If we allow our fears to calm down we can feel the surrounding of His love as was first intended.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej5cXox_50k

Have a blessed and comforting day. And remember to always extend kindness in all that you do. It is like magic star dust floating everywhere.