Monday, May 27, 2013

Fleeting Spring

I can hardly believe that two months have passed since spring's arrival back in March!  It seems like just yesterday, I was counting down the days till spring and now summer is just around the corner!

Spring is such a fleeting season.  Every day something exciting is happening in the gardens!  One week, the fruit trees are in full bloom, the next week, all the blossoms have disappeared with the wind.  The perfume of the lilacs is strong and enchanting , but that doesn't last long either.  So much is happening all at once, but much of it does not remain for long.  I have to remind myself to take note of every little detail; each new bud; every single flower; all the delicious new scents.  I make sure to thank for these tiny miracles of spring.  They are fleeting and I know that I will have to wait for next spring to be in their presence again.  

Spring has brought the return of many marvelous things!  The birds are back...robins, house finches, goldfinches, song sparrows, doves, starlings, grackles, and black-capped chickadees; just to name a few! 

One of my favorites, of course, are the robins!  This little guy was splashing around in our bird bath last week!  Isn't he precious?




This is a photo of our crabapple tree in full bloom, over a week ago.  I love how the scent of the blossoms is carried over to me in the breeze.  I drank up their scent while they lasted because...



after several days in bloom, the heavy rain and strong winds caused the delicate petals to fall.  It's funny how even the scattered petals are a pretty sight!



All sorts of things are blooming now...


the bleeding hearts



the irises



these beautiful tulips, planted by the former owner of our home.  Does anyone know the name of these?



And can you guess what this is?



It's rhubarb! I harvested it from my backyard!  Last Friday, I made a strawberry rhubarb pie using several stalks from our plant.

Some of you may remember my post from two years ago. I was given some free rhubarb by the kind ladies from our local Cookstown Antique Market.  I made a strawberry rhubarb pie with the stalks and my husband planted some of the rhubarb in our yard.  Now we have fresh rhubarb to look forward to every spring!



Here is the pie before...



And after!  I just love the black pie bird in the center!   There's just something about a blackbird baked into a pie!  Don't you think so?



Baking this pie makes me feel like I am taking nothing for granted this season.  I love spring and its whirlwind of daily surprises!   I plan on enjoying every single day and making the most of this glorious season because before long it will be summer!


Happy Monday!  Happy Memorial day to my American friends!  Have a wonderful week, dear friends!
















Friday, May 10, 2013

The Week in Pictures

Sunday morning coffee on our front porch; watching the beautiful sunrise



My magnolia tree in full bloom!




Cherry blossoms blooming on a perfect spring day



Daddy teaching Annabel how to ride her two-wheel bike



The Spirit Catcher in downtown Barrie

I love it! 



Watching the sunset with my Mom




Re-filling the bird feeder with new food



A pretty new addition to our side garden - astilbe - thank you, Mom!



Hanging laundry out to dry in the warm sunshine



I found this brand-new-in-box bird clock while thrift-shop hunting with my mom.  It is now hanging on my kitchen wall!



My mom and I in the garden.  How I enjoyed spending this precious week with her!   

Wishing everyone a happy spring and a wonderful Mother's day weekend! xoxo