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.

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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.

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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…

Winter or Spring? SMM Fun

Heavens Sunshine has a fun prompt for Monday’s of each week, giving you a week to get the post made, cuz some of us need more time…but the prompt is macro photography, Sunshine’s Macro Monday. Currently I use my phone but am hoping by fall I can buy a real camera, some things this phone camera will not do.

Well, it is currently 29 degrees in Iowa. Don’t know about you but that is not spring weather in my book and it’s April 14. When we had that beautiful spring weather last week, I did sneak out to the store and bought my first plant – it is currently living in my bedroom.

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This is a miniature Rhododendron and the bloom cluster is actually a little smaller than my thumb making the single bloom quite small.

As spring fully gets in gear, let the beauty of it bring you a smile. We are all living hidden in our homes soon this will pass. I am reminded in today’s devotion that while this may not be our final home, there are signs everywhere here of the beauty of that home. May you enjoy the beauty of spring and remember to always be kind, especially now where we are all just a little on edge.

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CFFC, Fun With the Past

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge allows us to bring fun from our archives or new pictures that reflect ideas from the picture above : Mural, covered bridge, car, green, grass, vintage car, people, trees, road, flowers, landscape, sidewalk, or come up with your own topic.

So below are some of my pictures of the past. Since we are venturing out less right now, I felt this was a fun way to deal with the self quarantine.

Mural, one of several from my town, Rock Island Illinois:

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Centennial Bridge between Iowa and Illinois and blue sky:

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Flowers, can’t wait until spring:

Landscape & trees around town:

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Old cars:

We are now in a time of more fear and resentment and the need for kindness and patience is drastically needed more than ever. Remember to always be kind especially when others are not. Be the light they need.

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A Photo a Week Challenge: Opposites

Nancy has challenged us with showing opposites. I agree that this is not my favorite tine of year and want to remember the fun warmer times of year.

A relaxing afternoon at Vander Veer Botanical Park. Guess the plants need sleep so they can show us beauty in a few months. As you remember the warmth and the beauty of spring and summer, remember that kindness brings its own warm. So spread the warmth of kindness and watch the flowers grow.

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Escapist Coloring Club, January 2020

I think all of us need something that helps us escape the stress and noise of the day and since I can not do the long walks that I love very often, I needed another avenue. Then Linda Hill created a way for us to share our release by creating Escapist Coloring Club. When I was young, art was very important and now I have enjoyed various adult coloring books and calendars of which some can be quite challenging. My current book is of animals but made out of flowers and leaves. Today we have mother bear and cub.

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I think this book shows us that even with fierce animals, somewhere inside they are as beautiful as any flower.

As I watch the wildlife shows and the wonderful pictures from photographers who follow wildlife, it is evident to me that all creation understands right, wrong, and the emotions the creator gave all of his creation. Their trust is what is missing. But I have seen photos of unlikely wild beast showing kindness to a less fierce specie. A humans, we should take our cues from these animals and understand the full value of kindness and make sure we are always ready to share it. So I challenge you for the coming year to be conscious of situations where maybe just a gentle smile is all that is needed, but try to be aware and show kindness when you can.

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Fun Foto Challenge: Opposite Colors

This was fun. I had to go to archives to find some color combinations with my garden this past summer but of course, red and green is still all over my house. Come join in on Cee’s Fun with opposite colors – red/green, yellow/purple & blue orange.

for Red and Green we are using my indoor wreath that I made last year…

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Then we jump into last summer flowers remembering the glorious warmth of the season. First is Yellow and Purple….

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Then there is Blue and Orange

Hanging baskets

As you are still remember the joys of Christmas, or the beauty of nature or the fun adventure you had, try to remember the smiles you also created while having fun. Share those smiles because a smile can turn into kindness and kindness shares that love language with others.

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Not Enough Credit, FOTD, SMM

On any given plant that flowers, it is the bloom that gets all the credit of beauty, delicacies, fragrance and I could go on. But the leaves are what feed the the blooms, protect them, give them a stage where they are the center of the attraction. So today’s post is a tribute to the beauty of the leaves of one of my violets blooming like its spring. This tie in with Irene’s Sunshine Monday Macro and Cee’s Flower of the Day.

IMG_20191201_081918 — Thick fuzzy leaves with deep veins and a rough bumpy texture.

This is proof for people as well, we all are different and special and add character to the whole when we work together in beauty of our strengths.

May we in the season of giving, give of ourselves and come together with our strengths to show the beauty God created when he created us. Give kindness when its least expected and watch the lights ignite in their eyes.

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