Category: Flowers

FOTD, May 26, Iris

Yes, I am also sending pics of Iris blooms. I have been waiting for the one in my yard to open. It was given to me and I was told it was a lovey yellow…it is not. Its purple, a light purple but not yellow. Today it looks sad so I will wait until another bloom opens to photograph it. However, I have some beautiful blooms from around my church.

I was told that this was an old fashion color. Not sure what that means but it is really lovely.

This next one looks like an iris but the bloom is small, maybe a miniature variety if there is such a thing.

These are such interesting blooms with their shape and color variations. Flowers are another way we can see ourselves. Some of us are smaller, some are more colorful but all of us just want to be loved and show how beautiful, in our own way, we each can be. So remember to be kind so that others can be kind in return. It will make us all happier.

FOTD, May 25, Fence line

A couple of years ago, I decided that concrete blocks made the perfect planter for the short grassy area between my fence and the sidewalk. It’s about a three-foot-deep section running the length of the yard. The blocks are spaced about three feet apart allowing for splashes of colors along the fence. Each of the holes in the concrete block are just the right size for a single plant of profusely blooming Superbells, more specifically known as Calibrachoa, and I planted them there again this year. By mid-summer you will not even see the blocks for the flowers will completely cover them and drape toward the ground.

But I wanted to do something different this year between the concrete block to make a full line of color along the fence. So I chose bushy perennials that I would not have to replant each year. I alternated pink and purple Veronica and golden Yarrow between the blocks to add size, texture, and color. I know from research that these plants can be invasive if not kept in check so we will see how it goes. But I think their colors will be interesting against the white lattice fence.

So, summer fun in my yard has officially started, but there’s still lots to plant. As the yard fills with fun and color, I will share the smiles with you. Even though we think plants can’t talk, I beg to differ with you. They speak in a language we can not hear but a language that we see and their language is beautiful. Share their beauty with others and remember to always be kind.

FOTD, May 24, Dianthus

Cee’s FOTD, Flower of the Day Challenge, is always fun this time of year as Mother Nature raises her beautiful floral head. The majority of the community garden is done so I got to play in my yard. Last year I planted several colors of dianthus and their colors this year are just as beautiful. I am planting more perennials this year to help make less work for me next year. I will share those flowers on another day – today is dianthus day.

While the darker pink are a fun variation, each plant has its own expression of the color or extra markings…like being dusted with white.

Some have more white dusting and some have less but show a white center.

Then we get into my favorites, the rich velvety reds.

Then you have the flowers variation that can’t makeup its mine – red with pink edges or white edges…so lets do both.

Regardless of their color, they are amazing perennials. I love that they can tolerate the crazy winters we have – 80 degrees one day and snow the next. Welcome to the Midwest.

Flowers always make us smile, even those of us who can sometimes be a grouch. So look at flowers more often, smile more often and always be kind. A smile is the easiest form of kindness that there is.

FOTD, May 17, Iris

My yellow iris has not opened yet, but my neighbor’s purple iris is filling the corner of their yard. It is quite beautiful.

A close up shot shows its beard and yellow center.

I love the beauty and the hope flowers bring us. Its beauty is self-evident, but the hope it brings, that something this delicate can make us smile. They give us peace knowing God is in control and while there may be chaos, He is holding our hand.

Remember the “warm fuzzies” that the beauty of nature can give you and forward that warmth to others who need that hope of reassurance. And be Kind.

ALWAYS BE KIND

FOTD, May 6, Daffodils

Thank you Cee for a much loved flower today.

Daffodils have been a favorite most of my life and last fall, I learned that they may help to deter moles. Yay!! An excuse to plant more because I am tired of the moles digging up my yard.

There are so many varieties of sizes, shapes, and colors. Below are the few that I have in the front. Some say they all look the same, but like people, they have their own uniqueness.

While these two are of the same color, yellow with an orange center, the first one has a flip in its petal, making it unique. Middle pic is a closeup. The other yellow below I think is the same variety but it yellow is softer and it’s center more peachy.

Then there is the one who refused to color at all…it is all white.

But even without color, it is quite striking. Flowers are a good example of God’s creative genius that flows through all of His creation. All are beautiful in His eyes and that carries more weight than any of man’s judgments could ever carry. Enjoy the beauty around you and know it was made for a purpose, maybe just to make you smile. And remember, Be Kind. Kindness is a super power.

FOTD, April 27, Hopeful

As spring really begins to open in the Midwest, there is an old adage that says “plant nothing until Mother’s Day”. Even though the days are warmer, the nights are still quite chilly and I think some of the bush flowers are still in “hopeful” mode that it will be warm soon.

Miniature white azalea bush

Last fall I had to trim my lilac bushes as they was getting into the cable wires going to the house. It was well over 12′ high. I was concerned it would not bloom this year since we cut it back so much…but it did…carefully and hopefully.

Other plants are showing their hopes as they creep out from under bushes or pop out from between blocks, determined to grow.

The purple flower goes with the green vine and I have no idea what it is called. It was in a flower pot of various plants that broke at the end of summer…still, it was determined to live. The lily is from an easter lily that I was given last spring and I forgot that I had laid it on the ground. The dog got into it in the fall and looky here, its trying to show its beauty. Nature has a resilience that people should learn from her. Stay strong, stay true to yourself, and beauty will come.

With this beauty and strength, we must also be kind. Kindness has a strength that shows everyone of its ability to breakdown most any wall that is willing to receive love in kindness.

All of God’s creation understand kindness. We should use it more often with each form of His creation.

FOTD, April 23

Yesterday was Earth Day and true to Midwest spring, all earth type weather was present. It snowed, it rained, the sun shone, the wind blew…and its flooding. Welcome spring.

While I love all the seasons, I think spring is my favorite, even with minor allergy issues. Everything is waking up from winter’s nap and stretching their arms toward the warmth of the sun. A favorite spring flowering tree is the Red Bud. this particular tree is across the street from my house and seems to dare the evergreen from stopping it to show its beauty.

As you look closely at the branch, you see clusters of small flowers, each beautiful in its own way.

Flowers popping out in spring are great reminders to us all that there is life, beauty and hope to be shared wherever we are, regardless of how you feel.

Let us always remember that there are ways to bloom to share our beauty within. Let us bloom and always be kind as we share our inner beauty.

First Spring Walk, FOTD

Many of you who read my blog, know that we were hit with a devasting storm the first week of April. We are still cleaning up downed tree from the 90 MPH straight line wind. I was reminded today, on my first official walk and photo fun of spring 2023, that God is always in charge. While some homes were damaged(including mine), there were no deaths from this straight line beast. The small tornado that touched down at the same time about 1/2 mile from us, did however take a life. Spring storms can not be taken lightly here in the US. Last week, I noticed my neighbor had lost an lovely ornamental fruit tree. It was super sad to me as it was in full bud. But today as I walked by the pile of debris ready for the tree service people to pick up I saw the buds had opened, still showing their beauty, even though torn from the tree and laying on the ground. Spring still came.

Mother Nature has powerful storms and a beauty she shares in all of the nature that surrounds us. Below are some of the pictures I took today on for first walk of spring. I hope you enjoy them and are enjoying the spring in your area.

My neighbors pear tree is beautiful but while I was at the stoplight by the park, I got rained on by magnolia flower petals and had to go takes some pictures.

The flowers in my yard are just opening up and I wanted to share their happy faces as Cee reminds us with her FOTD challenge.

As we begin the warmer weather, where the beauty of flowers begins to make us smile, let us not forget the kindness they are reflecting with their beauty and always be kind.

FOTD, Memories

Cee reminds of the the beauty of flowers as we share Flower of the Day pictures. With the trickery of spring, 60 degrees on Monday, snowing on Thursday, I am reaching back in my memories to help me smile. These teasing’s of spring make you that much more ready to dig in the dirt to enjoy its bounty of color. So, I give you a smattering of remembered color from last summer.

In all things, remember how flowers make us smile and usually with the smiles come kindness. I think flowers have an excellent ability in making us glow.

Always Be Kind!