Life Lessons


"Figuring out our gifts in life is part of our journey to becoming enlightened human beings.” – Allison DuBois

Monday, March 28, 2016

Spring is in the Air

Song -  The Green Green Grass of Home by Joan Baez




Five days ago mama Mourning Dove was sitting on the nest with out any evidence of  babies.



Then this morning, guess who showed up? She was in the nest alone because I think mama was out getting something to eat. I'm going to name her 'lil Debbie Dove.




The Spring garden is full of life.  

The Dogwoods are in full bloom in the shade garden.





The lettuce that Tyler planted last fall is yielding some beautiful plants just ready for eating.




Freesia is bloom in both the front yard and back yard.




The Wisteria is full of blooms and happy bees!





Roses are just starting to burst into bloom.




Hosta's are emerging from their winter sleep.




Dogwoods up close.




 Soloman's Seal fills in the base of the shade garden



Camelia's are just finishing up their blooms.  This plant was left from the original owners of our house and it produces non-stop!  I call them Nancy's blooms.  Maybe 'lil Debby Dove will fly over to Nancy's blooms one day soon?




 Our lovely apple tree is filled with these soft pink blooms.  One of my favorites!




 And of course our lawn is filled, filled, filled with Dandelions.  They remind me of childhood and blowing a wish. 


 Bearded Iris - fist blooms!



 I forget what this ground cover is called but don't these flowers look like they are having a conversation?  And maybe one is sticking his tongue out at the other?




 Even the Japanese Maples are happy that it is Spring!





And here is my little buddy Mika who was walking around the garden with me but then got tangled up in the lemon trees.


"If life gives you lemons, don't settle for simply making lemonade - make a glorious scene at a lemonade stand." -- Elizabeth Gilbert

Monday, March 21, 2016

Ancient Highway

Song - These Are the Days by Van Morrison


Another road trip with Mr. B.






 Back to the Gold Country for......





 Wildflowers......




 Time together........



 Beautiful weather.....




Snow in the distance......





And a few short cuts!
 
Remember how I have told you that Mr. B loves back roads?




Well this time it worked out!  We took a small back road that turned into a gravel road, 
to my art show at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys. The above photo is not Ironstone but a small winery along the road.  The above photo is not a driveway but is the actual road.



From early in the morning Saturday until early evening, 
the roads in and out of Murphys were grid-locked. 

But my quick thinking honey remembered a sneaky way into town and the winery!











Voila!  

We made it in plenty of time for the Daffodil-Tulip show, the Art show.........




And into town for Irish Day!!!





Along with a few thousand other people.



People were out in their finest greens....




After the crowds died down, we had a relaxing dinner outside on this veranda with some great food!

 




However, Mr. B forgot to wear green and was thrown into the Pokey!


"I don't like jails, they got the wrong kind of bars in there." --Charles Bukowski

I don't like jail, they got the wrong kind of bars in there. Charles Bukowski
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/jail.html

Friday, March 18, 2016

Home Sweet Home

Song - Our House by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

As some of you may know, a wedding will be taking place in our backyard in September!  Our oldest son and his wonderful girlfriend have asked to be wed in our yard.


 


So I have been strolling around the yard for the last several weeks, pouring over plant catalogs, making garden plans and taking a few visits to local nurseries to see what my options are for beautiful blooms that time of year. I have a few idea's up my sleeve!





As I was walking around, I noticed the bird house that Andy placed up in an Oak tree in our shade garden.  I saw a pair of Black-Capped Chickadee's on the tree beside it last week.



Then several days ago I noticed something inside the hole but I couldn't quite make it out. When I got out my zoom lens, it just looked like a blur inside.



But today I noticed something move!




When I zoomed in on the hole, it looked like a lot of fuzz and maybe a few feathers!!! Not sure what to make of it but I am hopeful!  Even though I have fed the birds for years, this is the first bird house we have ever put up.



Other than our ladder on the side of the house which is inhabited again this year!  No sign of babies yet but mom & dad are taking their turns sitting on the nest. If you need to borrow a ladder, you'll have to wait a few more weeks!



 This is where the sweethearts are planning on having their ceremony - the side lawn. It is in need of some tender loving care as last year we had to let it die because of the California drought.  Right now it's green because of the recent rains but it's mostly weeds.....




Mika is hoping to be the flower girl or at least be invited!!!



"Weddings are important because they celebrate 
life and possibility."  -- Anne Hathaway
Weddings are important because they celebrate life and possibility.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_wedding.html
Weddings are important because they celebrate life and possibility.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_wedding.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Making it to Murphys

Song - Casadh an Tsugain/Frankie's Song from the movie Brooklyn by Iarla O Lionaird

Saturday Mr. B and I drove to Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, CA to drop off some paintings that were accepted into an upcoming show. It was a beautiful day for a road trip!


The California central valley was as green as Ireland.



We drove by hundreds of old barns, many collapsing and returning to the earth.


Wildflowers were abundantly sprinkled on the hillsides in purple, blue, orange, yellow and red.



And snow could be seen on the distant Sierra's.




We arrived after a few of Mr. B's "short cuts" (ie - dirt roads, roadrunners, wrong turns, need gas now warnings, cliffs, etc.)


Ironstone is hosting the 2016 Spring Daffodil Show for Northern California and they had barrels of beautiful bulbs blooming everywhere!















We will be heading back up there next weekend for the reception and opening of the Spring Obsession Art Show! Beautiful country this time of year.........

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." --Mark Twain





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