you flutter and flit
blossom landings, flower sip,
whispers of beauty
flutter by Angie Quantrell
Even in the mountains of Central Washington, with no evidence of water, dry dusty soil, and an abundance of rocks and weeds, beauty is on display. Towering pines, blooming wildflowers, and clouds of butterflies floating and feasting on the myriad of blossoms wrap viewers in a blanket of peace. The sightings make the steep bumpy road worth enduring.
cotton candy clouds
effervescence, bees’ delight
pink blossom carpet
cotton candy by Angie Quantrell
I love spring blossoms and the buzz of happy bees. Welcome, pink!
Ten years ago this spring, my honey and I spent 3 weeks in France. Most of our time we stayed in Paris, where flower shops and coiffured gardens displayed dazzling blooms. I loved gazing at the gorgeous blooms. And, according to my external hard drive, spent much time clicking photos to remind myself of their beauty.
The first two photos are favorites because of the price tags. Without those French words and Euro price tags, one would assume the flowers could be found on any continent during the proper season. Well, maybe not Antarctica or the Arctic.
One of my most favorite memories was taking a day trip to Giverny, the home of Claude Monet. I have been a long time admirer of his impressionistic work. With settings such as these, how could he NOT paint? Breathtaking! If you squint, you can see his featured bridge back beyond the willow trees.
This is a part of Monet’s home. We took a walking tour inside. I don’t have any photos of the inside, I think because we were not allowed to take pictures. It was inspiring to see the places he worked, slept, ate, and enjoyed family life. I would move in in a second!
The flower gardens are all that-and more! One could spend days exploring and not see it all. Actually, I want to return one day and spend the entire day soaking in the beauty.
Oh, the flowers that grow! Below you can see the green bridge covered in tourists. Alas, I attempted photos without the crowds, but you can see I created a false impression. 😉 Plenty of others had the same ideas we did about a day in the country.
Have you been inspired to travel some place special? What captured your imagination and led you to visit and explore?
Spinning
lacy edges spin
wrapped tight, unfurling swirls hint
at blossom beauty
by Angie Quantrell
It’s Happy Hump Day Haiku Challenge day! Post your haiku in the comments or the link to your page so we can read your haiku!
Thanks to seeds from a friend (Hi, friend!), magic unfolded in my night garden last night!
Moonflower seeds. I will admit I was accepting defeat at the beginning of the growth cycle. Never have I seen a plant grow SO SLLOOWWWW. Chances of actual blooms appeared nonexistent. Then came the heat. The smoke. The long summer days.
And poof! Cigar-shaped flower pods grew amidst the large leaves. BTW, the stems are out-of-this-world interesting to look at and touch. Once the flowers began to poke from the covering, they transformed into green taquitos.
Then came lavender-edged swirls.
which burst open into extravagant balloons!
Old-fashioned rose fragrance, glow-in-the-dark coloring, large, inviting. I wanted to stay awake all night to see which nocturnal pollinators took the bait and visited the deep blossoms.
Marvelous Monday indeed. What wonderful flowers inspire you? Do you know of any other night flowers? I hear moonflowers are perennials plus they offer abundant seeds. Moonflowers, anyone?
How does Hump Day come around so quickly? The older I get, the faster time flies! Here is my Happy Hump Day Haiku Challenge. I’d love to read yours!
weed?
opportunistic,
sink roots deep ever you land;
weed, no! flower.
Bloom where you are planted.
photos and poem by angie quantrell
orange plus pink
sweet hues of sunset
and dessert
taste yummy to my eyes
and gift me
a smile
It has ever been such a long, cold, snow-bound winter for us. The first season of surprises in our RV.
Not sticker or culture, but rather seasonal challenges and lack-of-space shock.
Today dawned with swirling and dancing fog. Thick mists block sun rays, and though the weather “suggestions” report zero chance of rain, my eyes tell me the overhead clouds and heaviness may disagree.
Yet spring is here. We have moved from this:
to this:
Cheerful pansies rest and smile in rain dampened glory.
Content.
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Lily from my garden fireworks of flora speckled bursts of joy fireworks cool to my touch enchanting lily by Angie Quantrell |
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You have no idea how happy I am to see this many blooms on the blueberry bush! The weight of winter snow broke off at least half of the plant. |
By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell
Next week is National Garden Week –
the 2nd week of April.
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Fading beauty. I’m so sad to see my tulip season conclude. |
I am so onboard for this celebration. It’s time to plant my garden!
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The strawberries are looking future-tasty. |
Actually, I cheated. I’ve already started to plant seeds, since we are expecting highs in the mid to upper 80’s today, it may be past time for new sprouts. But I think that is a freak of too-hot-too-early weather and it should drop back to the 60-70’s.
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Half planted beds. Waiting for seeds. |
Here are some National Garden Week photos from my yard.
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Garlic, parsley, and sage – all repeat visitors from last year. Plus a cat tail of one who wanted to be featured. |
Oh, each new bud, flower, and sprout is so exciting.
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We even planted a tree trunk for the cats to scratch and climb. It won’t grow…but it is part of our garden. |
I’m already dreaming about tasty blueberries, sweet-tart strawberries, exquisite raspberries, and savory herbs and vegetables.
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Dabbling to pretty-up a very hot corner of the yard. |
Join me. Let’s celebrate our gardens.
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The dogwood is just beginning to burst into bloom. |
I would love to see photos of your garden.
Love, Laughter, and Life 