Dragonflies, butterflies and birds

I left some chamomile for the butterflies.
The Checkered White is new to my backyard.

The Dainty Sulphurs are also new this year.
Usually I harvest all the chamomile but
I have plenty drying this year for my winter tea.

Harris Sparrow is keeping the bugs out of the lettuces.

Mocking Bird has figured out the grapes.
 He just stabs them with his beak.

It was too hot for me to be outside this afternoon.
It is too hot for April.

I read my book. I dreamed of embroidery.
 I am smitten with the dragons and the damsels.

My daughter helped me design a piece of fabric
using one of my damselfly photographs.

It is pretty but the yellow is too bright for curtains.
I will try again.

My friend sent me a book of postcards.
These are butterfly prints representing the
 work of Edward Donovan (1768-1837).
His exquisite watercolor paintings take me to far away places.

I am smitten with the dragonflies.
I am smitten with the birds,
yet I dance with the butterflies.
My friend knows me so very well.

Bards

It is the anniversary of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.

"Listen my children and you will hear
of the midnight ride of Paul Revere."
http://poetry.eserver.org/paul-revere.html
It is my poem today.
The American Revolution began on April 18, 1775, and ended 8 years later on April 18, 1783.

The Dutchman's Pipevine is blooming.

It is the host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail.

I love seeing holes in the leaves!

The Wild Ginger is in bloom.
The blooms lay on the ground making pollination
by ground crawlers easy to do.

Wild Columbine is in bloom.
I enjoy the native flowers.

The Painted Daisies are in bud.
They are for my pleasure.
I cut them for my table.

The Kale continues to feed the bees and
 provides leaves for our salads and stir fries.

History told by the bards and gardens for the bees, butterflies
and the gardeners.
Life is sweet.

Tending the gardens

The temperatures are lovely. High today was 59 degrees.
I was outside tending the flowers beds. I wore a sweater
while working in the sun. This is how April should be.

We made carrot cake cupcakes.
Wonderful for breakfast.

My inner artist is having fun!

Playing in the Lilacs

The French Lilacs call me out into the front yard.

Like Red Admiral I nectar in the sweetness of her blooms.

I am smitten with the Lilacs.

The Red Bud is at peak bloom.

The Dogwoods have their lace caps on.

This afternoon the Azaleas bloomed.
Spring is happening all at once.

The Mason Bees are awake.

The Kale is blooming.

The Lily of the Valley are ringing their bells.

I am working in the flower beds.
I am passionate for Spring.

Yarn

I went shopping at the yarn shop.
I was looking for a lovely yellow yarn
to make a spring scarf.


I found a gorgeous
lavender yarn.

and a pair of lovely glass
circular knitting needles.

Last week I had found a pair of bone
circular needles that are amazing to work with.
I love lovely tools.

 

I did find some pretty yellow wool yarn.
I am looking forward to knitting a couple of Spring things.
I am in love with yellow and green.
Today I fell head over heels
for lavender.
I am smitten with Spring!

Surprises

I was so pleased to receive an Artist Trading Card (ATC) from my friend Carole.

She delights me!

My husband made a cedar table top for our deck table.

A bird feeder fell on the old glass top and it broke into a thousand pieces.

I was so surprised how quickly he made it.

I am working on planning our 2012 kitchen garden.

I want to be sure and have protection from the birds.

I am reading about growing fruit trees.

We have two pears and I want to add a dwarf cherry.

I just do not know where.

I grow lots of herbs in my flower beds.

More and more my landscape is becoming edible.

February is often so very cold all I can do outside is to bundle up, feed the birds,

sit in the sun and dream.

I have my notebook out.

Happy February

The Year of the Dragon is flying right along.

I turned the calendar page this morning.

Already we are celebrating February.

I do believe in magic.

February is all about the magic of believing.

February is all bout love.

In the predawn sky Shaula and Lesath are rising.

These stinger stars herald the coming of Spring.

The Pawnee of the prairie called these stars,
 "Swimming duck stars."

They knew once these stars were visible in the early morning the prairie would soon be awaken by thunder and rain.
I read Earth and Sky every morning.

It is St. Brigid Day.

I am shopping for a St. Brigid's cross for my kitchen.

I think it will be nice for February decorating.

I read the first Wednesday of the month
 was once called Unicorn Day.

I love having an Unicorn Day.

I think I need a Dragon Day too.

I always have a few Unicorns about.

My February table cloth has unicorns.

A childlike wonder is dancing in February.

It was another 60 degree day.

Way too warn for February first.
A thunderstorm is forecasted for Friday.
100% chance of rain.

I am drinking my new favorite tea as I write this afternoon.

I am reading the Mammoth Trumpet.

I love reading about the Clovis.

The prayer flags hung limp on the deck.

The wind has been calm all day.

We are packing up the office.

We are choosing a paint color.

I am thinking bright and cheerful.

I am thinking yellow walls would be pretty.

My husband will work around my desk.

"No need to unplug," he said.

I do beleive in magic!

I shall write on my hat,
"Soon to see yellow."

Happy February!