Focus on Flowers

    

 

Skink Saga ...

Today, after finishing planting the pepper plants bought from our local nursery yesterday, I noticed my skink buddy was out and about again ... but in a different location along the retaining wall.  It seemed he had very important business to attend to, but, being the very bold and accommodating skink that he is, he posed for some more photos, this time even looking square into my camera lens.  Soon, it became clear why he was out and about ... skink had found a lady love! 

 

The two skinks nuzzle in the photograph above.  There are those who say they don't find reptiles cute, but I'm guessing they've never seen cuddling skinks :)

 

And, as if to celebrate their love, the bleeding heart I planted earlier this spring had it's first blooms open today!

 

Zen Frog

"Bullfrog Bog"

 

Above is one of the miniature paintings I sold very recently.  Sometimes, it's hard to part with my creations, it's like sending a little part of my soul out into the world ... but, I know this little painting found a great home where it will be appreciated and received in the spirit it was painted in.

 

I always love to hear from my buyers, and their comments can be so touching.  The buyer of "Bullfrog Bog" wrote, ... "He has such a sweet and tranquil look about him ... the whole scene is just soothing somehow." ...  I was totally at peace and in full concentration when I created this painting. It thrills me to no end to know the person who chose it picked up on the essence the painting was created in and that it emanates the feeling in which it was created :) 



Pretty on the Patio

"Fairy Flowers"

 

Primarily, I plant perennials in the gardens I've created around our cabin, because I love to see the flowering plants return year after year, but each spring I add a few annuals to the mix for color and interest.  This year, I planted the lovely lilac colored Speedwell flowers seen in the photograph above.  They were advertised as "fairy flowers" at our local nursery. They are so tiny and dainty.  The oregano in the planter behind them made a great comeback for its third season in a row.

The hummingbirds love our potted coral bells which have been especially bright and full of their tiny pink flowers this spring.  They prefer to feed from these flowers than the easier to get to nectar in the feeder that's right next to the plants!  It's mesmerizing to see their jewel toned figures with their long pointed beaks darting in and out of the coral bell plants.

 

 

Once again, I was treated to the company of our resident skink who put up with me taking a few more photographs.  You can see his pretty coloration as he looks at me.  The sunshine was so bright yesterday afternoon when I took these photos. The skink was not going to miss out on the comfort of the warming rays!

 

 

Before retreating into the safety of his lair in the retaining wall, I got one last shot.  This skink is actually about 12 inches long, mostly because of it's long tail.

 

There's still much to be done to get our gardens and planters ready for the season, but I've got a good start and enjoy the progress along the way!







Spring Finery

Spring arrived a little late this year in the Catoctin Mountains, but now color and greenery abound.  It's always such a welcome sight to see the trees leafed out and the flowers opening up, especially after a long, stark winter season.

We've seen an abundance of birds already, too.  Pileated woodpeckers, flocks of bluejays, tiny titmice and chickadees, robins, phoebes, and cardinals are regulars.  Yesterday, I saw an indigo bunting for the first time since I've lived here in the cabin.  It was sitting atop the pole where I'd just hung a hanging basket of flowers I planted the day before.  These birds have deep purple blue plumage and are so pretty.  Their rarity around here make them an extra special sighting!

It's been a cool damp spring so far ... and the plants are loving it.  Below is a small sample of the plants that have come alive with color in the past couple of weeks.

Columbine Flowers

 

Ferns Around our Pond

 

Dainty Common Fleabane

 

 

Shenandoah In Spring

 

                                                                                                              

Sunset over the valley

A springtime day in Shenandoah National Park is a virtual feast for the senses.

The last two photographs were taken in a tranquil pondside garden at the Blueridge Pottery Outlet



 

 

Precious Partnership ... Memories of Pacey

PACEY  October 1998 - May 2013



Our beloved cat Pacey passed away early in the morning on May 3rd.  She took her last breath while held in my arms with Kevin right beside us.  We were awakened in the morning by plaintive wailing from her sister Jasper and found Pacey right outside our bedroom door with Jasper watching over her. She was still alive at that point, but just barely.  Jasper's call allowed us a final goodbye. We miss her deeply, but strive to remember her life, and the precious partner that she always was to all of us.



     

                                                                                    

 

 

Inseparable Sisters

 



  

In our memory and our hearts always!!!!

 

 

 

Happy Mother's Day

 

 

My daughter, Desirae, called me this morning.  As we were chatting, a woman arrived at our door with a gorgeous arrangement of sunny yellow roses.  What a beautiful surprise ... and they were from Desirae ... what perfect timing!!! :)  Knowing that we are often out and about on Sunday, Desirae planned the arrival of this special Mother's Day gift for Saturday.  It's a gray, rainy day here, so her call and these lovely roses did so much to brighten the day.  I'm so fortunate to be the Mom of such a thoughtful, beautiful young woman who has brightened my world since the day she entered it.