It's cold again this week...but at least the Daffodils are still blooming!
The Pileated Woodpecker, Gray Squirrel, Deer, and Eastern Bluebird don't seem to mind the change in temperature from the mid 60s to the low 40s.
On the warmer days last week...
Alivia and I returned to the creek just over the hill
on the south side of the house.
Alivia picked one of the first wildflowers produced by Spring.
There were many of them...but...
...the photo above is a little misleading...
as you can see below.....that flower was very tiny.
~all photos enlarge~
Alivia prefers to walk in the creek bed...
to look for fossils and odd shaped or pretty rocks...
but is still willing to explore the trees and logs along the edge.
Some of the heart-shaped rocks we found were small...
while others were Huge.
This is Alivia's A-shaped grapevine on the hillside...
just over the hill from the fenced garden in the field...
...not much going on there...
YET...
BUT...
given several weeks.....Spring will produce this...
...or even this...in just a few weeks...
as seen from the top of the hill early last Spring.
The seond day of Spring this year brought a big production...
of heavy rain and hail during a thunderstorm.
The drive looked like a creek of running water.
Maybe all that moisture will put some leaves on the bare trees...leaves that will camouflage that cell tower on the far hill...although leafless trees can produce interesting though stark photos.
On a solitary walk on one of the warmer days....
an extremely sweet scent filled the air.
Sap was seeping from this tall tree...around which...
butterflies were fluttering and scarlet mites were scurrying.
I think the tree looks like a lady with out-reaching arms and flowing hair.
I couldn't capture a photo of more than three butterflies...
...photo below has one in the air and two on the trunk.
~enlarges~
Just a few days ago...
the White Trout Lilies sprung up everywhere...
making for a lovely walk.
My orchid has several more blooms as well...
although it's inside it seems to know...
Spring is the time to produce.
I've produced a few meals for Herhusband and myself...
Salmon Shortcakes, Pasta and Rice dishes...
Pizza, Soups and Salads.
Smoothies, Zucchini Bread, Peach Desserts...
Sourdough Bread and Marbelized Cake
were enjoyed by us and the grandkids..
The "Springiest" production though is the Daffodils
that brighten the front yard...
last year's garlic and parsley coming up again...
and a little bowl of Hens and Chicks from my daughter.
Spring is Producing!
I wasn't going to mention this...
but might as well...
I'm a product of Spring too.
Tomorrow is my Birthday...
...don't ask which one though!
~ ♥ Wanda ♥ ~
but might as well...
I'm a product of Spring too.
Tomorrow is my Birthday...
...don't ask which one though!
~ ♥ Wanda ♥ ~
54 comments:
Ahhhh - I was thinking of you, Wanda, and put a note to myself on my phone to E-mail you a Birthday greeting tomorrow. (I remember which one...) I like seeing Alivia exploring the woods (and sitting on the big heart). That one little heart looks made of gold! I also like the sepia photo of the watching deer and the curving lane turned to creek. I must admit i enlarged the food collages. Yum to those desserts! Have a Happy Birthday, Wanda!
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY WANDA" oh yes, Happy-happy birthday.
I so loved spending time with you about your nature-land - with Spring's promise on the horizon and always a heart-shaped find to awe. And the food? ALways scrumptious. "Thank you" for sharing your world of promise.
Love to you and again, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"
Gail
peace.......
Happy birthday to you, enjoy your day!
And thank you for all of your wonderful photos, I love each and every one of them. I will say again, you live in a very beautiful part of the world.
I found your lovely, lovely blog via "My Thoughtful Spot."
So I'll just say what a delight your photos are...and I'll wish you a very happy birthday too!
Happy, Happy Birthday! :) And, thank you for taking us on the walk with you and the images of all of those tasty meals. Your posts always bring a smile.
Hugs,
Lois
I enjoyed the walk along. It made me smile. Wishing you a very happy birthday!!
What a lovely post! I can't believe the meals you make! The daffodils in the first frame just called out to me "Sunshine", something we are very short on so far this week.
Happy Birthday. I wish you a lovely day.
Hello Wanda!
What special times you & Alivia share! I love the photo of her perched on the big heart shaped rock.
I have decided that you should photograph for a gourmet cooking magazine! Everything ALWAYS looks so enticing! I have a huge sweet tooth, and have my eye on your checker board cake in the corner. :)
I wish you the HAPPIEST of Happy Birthdays!
Happy Birthday, Wanda! ♥ It seems that everyday at your place is a celebration! complete with adventures, wondrous animal sightings, and delicious food! I enlarged a tree trunk to find a bird, but it was a cleverly-stored acorn! Happy Spring on your Birthday!
Wanda...you have to be the most loving person...your love of hearts is just wonderful and everything is always so beautiful! Happy Birthday...your birthday is a special, special day!!!
Happy Birthday Wanda, and thank you again for such a lovely wander around your domain, so different to mine.
I so enjoyed your spring walk. It's good to get out with Alivia again. I must admit to a little envy of your daffodils--our winters are too long and cold to grow them here. If I want any I have to buy a bunch from the grocery store. Friday I am heading down to Seattle with my two daughters and granddaughter to visit with my sons and their families and I am hoping to see a few daffys and some tulips in the fields.
A very happy birthday to you! I know you'll be surrounded by your family and will treasure every minute.
Hi Wanda!
Happy Birthday!
I hope you have a wonderful day with your beautiful family... what a gift you are to them ~
Your photos are beautiful, Wanda. I had to enlarge them... and spent time looking at your bluebird.
I'm hoping that we have one this year. I may have to lure them with some bluebird treats!
Have a G R E A T day tomorrow!
God bless you, always,
Maria
Happy Birthday, Wanda. Almost midnight where I live so it is official.
Would you please send some of that rain down to my neck of the woods. We're drought suffering. Daffodils - I miss their beauty. So strong to survive the winters and then be one of the first to arrive. Even though we have our own signs of spring here - the redbuds, Bradford pears, and azaleas - not quite like the subtle beauty of northern spring flowers.
Oh Happy Birthday to you! and a wonderful post...I love seeing the many signs of spring; beautiful photography and displayed so uniquely!
Since I am late to the table, it is your birthday today. Hope you have the happiest of days and are spoiled all day by your delightful family.
Every one of your posts is such a gift. Thank you for showing us how to see and appreciate.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WANDA!!!
This is the most beautiful post...but, no...I really can't actually say that, as every single one of your creations is simply stunning, and no single one can really take first place.
You have an amazing eye for detail and you always capture the most exquisitely beautiful aspects of everything around you. Every single photograph is a work of art. Every word you write carries so much thought and love.
Your cooking and baking masterpieces are absolutely mouthwatering...how do you manage to do all of these things so well?
You are one of this world's gifts, clearly to your family and additionally, to all of us out here in Blog Land. You share so much in every post...we are indeed privileged to be allowed this peek into your life.
I hope you're having a wonderful birthday!!!
With love & hugs,
Des xoxo
Happy Birthday, Wanda.
A sure sign of spring is those beautiful Daffadils. I am so glad that the warm weather is coming your way.
Hope you have a great birthday! Enjoy your day!
Smiles.
Your Daffodils are so pretty, and it's wonderful not to see snow!
A very Happy Birthday to you :)
☼ Sunny
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOO YOOOOU!!! Hoping you have a wonderful day with visits from your family and lots of cake and ice cream!! And a new heart rock from one of the grandkids!! Your post, as usual was wonderful and so enjoyable...I do hate for them to end. I get all caught up in the music and sweet words and photos...Have a wonderful day Wanda!! ...debbie
(Singing) Happy birthday to you, Wanda - how lovely to be a spring baby! (Not singing) Can I say I envy the daffodils? Nary a bloom in sight. What a winter it has been! I could consume all your baked goods.
Hello Wanda, Happy Birthday to you! In Japan, there is a song: if you are born in spring, you surely have a pure heart, pure as violets, smelling so sweetly..., just like you, Wanda. I, too, am a product of early spring, middle of March. Since school year starts in April, I was glad to be the youngest among the classmates.
I love yellow flowers which come first: yellow daffodils, jonquil, sanshuyu (cornus officinalis), Amur adonis, dandelions... Their distinct bright color brightens up the surroundings as a sign of early spring.
I like the photos of squirrel, overlooked curving brook, tiny wild flowers, trout lilies, lovely pale pink orchid, curving drive turning into stream, rocks both moss-covered and odd-shaped, collection of heart-shaped rocks, and delicious foods and desserts as well.
Your world is full of promise .... spring comes surely after we go through winter.
Hello Wanda
Happy birthday to you,
Haapy Birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Wandaaaa
Happy Birthday to you!
I love the heart-shaped rocks.
Best
Tracy
It is delightful to see Spring coming North..hopefully it will arrive here soon.
I love those first days when the trees soften and a hint of green can be seen in branches and twigs that have been bare for so long.
Sending many good wishes for a wonderful birthday. I hope you are spoiled with treats and cards.
And as for your age...?
I'd guess you are "Younger than Springtime!"
big birthday hugs
xoxo
Sweet Wanda! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! You are such an amazing woman! I have always loved your blog...sweet Alivia has grown so much over the past year and I want you to know, you have inspired me on so many occasions. You will never know how many times I have had a really bad day and then opened up your blog...and felt so much peace and remembered my purpose...thank you...
Happy Birthday! I'm here from Linda Higgins blog, and I can see why she loves yours!
It's just beautiful, and I love your collages!
Hello, Wanda!
Happy Birthday to you from Japan!
You always provide warm photos and stories. It is so pleased to see your early spring around you. Your orchid and lily look sheer with the lights. The photo of orchid with your white lace curtain has a tender atmosphere.
I see that your husband is always happy with you and your delicious meals! You are a great cook! I am always interested in your various recipes!
Wanda. Have a nice weekend!
Tomoko
...thank goodness for the daffodils! I snipped some from the front yard today and brought them in. They seemed sort of sad outside in the grey, but inside they glowed! I loved seeing the heart-rock collection!
Wish I'd read this earlier, then I could have wished you a happy birthday. Hope you had lots of love and fun. I stood looking at bats encircling and feeding round a Mimosa tree this morning and thought how much you would have enjoyed it.
Good Morning Wanda,
Happy Birthday! Another lovely walk in your woods and taste of your kitchen.
Recipe for Salmon Shortcakes please!!
You have such a gift for finding 'hearts' in your life.
have a lovely weekend
Janet xox
http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/
Happy belated birthday Wanda. My internet connection was acting up yesterday. I love all the heart-shaped stones that you find. Hope it warms up soon. Those daffodils are lovely. Ours have flowered and dried up already :(
Wanda what an absolutely fabulous blog you have. I have so enjoyed your photographs.
Belated but sincere birthday wishes.
Carol
Oh Wanda I'm so sorry that I missed your Birthday! I've been gone for a bit but am back for a while now.
I hope that you had a wonderful day with some sweet surprises, you deserve that!
Looking at all of your photos is making me want to go play outside again. It's been a bit too chilly here but is slowly warming up again. This wintry weather just seems to be dragging on a bit too much for me. But I have been having fun doing laundry!!
Wishing you a very Happy and Blessed, Belated Birthday!!
Love and Hugs, Di ♥
Well its the birthday for 2011 of course! We are Hot today in So Cal...90 degrees. I know that sounds good in theory..my rabbits are NOT ready for this and frankly neither am I, no build up, just a blast oven....
Beautiful! Looks like heaven to us in Arizona. I really miss the daffodils,ferns and just the color green.
Just lovely.
I hope you had the happiest of birthdays! What a glorious time of year to celebrate your presence on the planet.
Spring is finally taking hold here as well. The robins start each new day now with a rousing racket and the salmonberry bushes have begun to bloom.
Happy Birthday Wanda! I'm a little late so you have already celebrated your birthday now. I hope it was good!
And thank you for a lovely walk together with you and for the first signs of spring. And your food is so delicious. I would like to have you cooking every day for me, but then I would eat too much, so I'll just have to enjoy the photos and try to cook some good food for myself!
Have a nice week-end - and I hope to see lots of great photos of yours in the next year!
cheers
Grethe
I think I might be too late, but I hope you had a wonderful birthday Wanda!Many happy returns of the day! I love how nature is coming back to life, and you photographed it so well! Your food looks mouthwatering, it's so pretty and so well plated up, you really are making me hungry!
Oh, Wanda, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! I'm so sorry I missed it!
I hope you enjoyed your special day.
Winter is hanging on here too, such dismal, cold, cloudy, rainy, snowy weather this week! Today is sunny though, so I'm thankful for that.
You've got some beautiful Spring pictures in spite of your bouts of bad weather. And I love all your mosaics! I especially loved the heart rock mosaic and the Alivia mosaic (and especially Alivia ON the heart rock!)
And of course your food mosaic is sending me right to the kitchen now!
I've been really busy this week, but I so wish I had remembered and made it here for your Birthday. You are such a special person, Wanda, and your blog and friendship has enriched my life!
Love to you and all best wishes,
Eileen
Wanda, I missed your Birthday; I'll bet it was special...Happy Belated Birthday! And, who's counting?!
You have a lot of pretty flowers and colours appearing and I'm lamenting the loss of leaves. However, I do find beauty in the skeletal shapes that Winter brings.
So you are a March birthday lady too – happy belated birthday to you. I feel that birthdays are coming more often as I get older. Your walk was lovely – your daffodils are stunning. Today we had full sun and 85 degrees but when it is too warm early then we get tornadoes. I hear tomorrow we’ll have bad weather. Some of the blooming trees have already lost their blossoms, but the dogwood trees are coming en force. Your cooking looks like serious yumm.
Did you really find ALL those heart-shaped stones during ONE walk?
While on vacation a week ago in North Carolina, we enjoyed several wildflower strolls in the Great Smoky National Park. We were too early to see any trout lilies bloom, but my SIL pointed them out. There were mostly anemonies and wild violets. Of course, the daffodils were blooming everywhere along with the forsythia bushes...
We're experiencing a REAL April shower this morning, complete with thunder and lightening! I'm expecting trees to bud out soon...
Your spring photography is so beautiful. Your photos and layouts capture the heart and soul of spring. Thank you for sharing all this. I hope you had a very Happy Birthday!
Beautiful photos! I don't know if you emailed me your address, but I haven't forgotten about the photocards! swag08@usiwireless.com
Wanda, this blog is so creative and fun to read!! I love how you take the kids out for nature walks and look for heart shaped rocks and bark. I think every child should be exposed to the outdoors at a young age. The age of video games is definitely upon us and it's a shame. Thank you for sharing. Love it!
Oh my sweet friend, I mailed you a card, sent you a text and all on th wrong date, I am so sorry. I know you know my heart and know I wish you the happiest of birthdays. I am so sorry for mixing it up. I have spent 2 weeks with Fallon, Olivia and Dylan. I am very tired but oh I loved my time with them so much. Kim will be 40 April 5th. Can't believe my baby is 40.
I loved your pictures of Spring, so glad you are enjoying the nice weather, we are getting closer as the sun was shining all day today. We still have so much "dirty" snow but it is slowly melting.
Your meals look delicious, so glad I am not close by or I couldn't looose any weight at all. Take care my friend and know I love you always. Big hugs to Alivia....:-)Hugs
What a beautiful series of spring development! I love this blog! Good for you plant life is springing up there. And I love the daffodils most.
Here, we still have much snow but they are quickly melting now. I'm eager to see what flower will come out first.
Have a wonderful day!
Hi Wanda, you're so far ahead of us! The trout lilies are still sleeping here, I can't wait for them to wake up. I loved the acorn stored in the tree trunk and the butterfly caught in flight. When you decide to open a restaurant, reserve a table for me on opening day, please.
Wishing you warm sunshine and lots of pleasant springtime walks, Jain.
Spring phtos are just superb! Belated wishes too...!
Beautiful!!! I always love coming here. The music, the photos are just so perfect :)
Happy Birthday, week, month Wanda!
Lisa :)
Your mosaics are beautiful, Wanda. I believe the daffodils are blooming in many places acro~ss the globe. Hope Mrs. Sun will show up in your littl pocket of the world soon. I am sending some extra warmth and sunbeams your way >> ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Just an Awesome post... The daffodils are so fresh, the landscapes are amazing... The place seems to hold so much mystery!!! The collages that you have shown are eye catching, have a nice day:)
A very Happy Belated Birthday Wanda (30th March). I am so very sorry I missed it. I am sure it was wonderful and beautiful. Just like yourself. I wish you a blessed, serene and joyous life ahead. Loads of love :)
Hi Wanda,
Just stopping in to wish you and herhusband a happy Easter.
xox
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