One of my greatest passions is to be able to pick flowers and herbs from my own patch of earth…
Buzzing around the garden, on a mission, with tiny perfect wings and yellow and black striped bodies…
Bees do their work, and I join them. Side by side, it feels like we have tackled more this week than in years. As a gift, the garden gives us a hint of Spring.
It's just enough to fuel the seedling obsessed fire, and to tempt the happy gardener into finding moist underground beds of soil for more and more seeds to dwell in…
I look out my office window, into a portion of our backyard. I see green inching its way towards me, little by little…
To my right hangs my birdcage, that serendipitously became a haven of spring during the cold winter months…
Growing and growing into one of my favorite things to look at…
In August I placed a few roses through the cage, so that they could dry – never knowing it would grow into petal bliss.
I eagerly await our roses in frosting pink and coral to bloom, so that I might collect more. I check them, noticing tiny buds appearing. Then I set out on a walk, and in the crisp morning light I find quite the sight…
Hundreds and hundreds of tiny purple flowers carpet the ground –
Impossible to really see, unless you were walking beside me –
But if I sneak up ever so close - they are there for you to take a peek…
And occasionally, a pale yellow wild flower hovers-
I feel so heart bursting blessed, that I get to live here, on this beautiful property. It may be humble (and filled with junk), but nature is ever so good to us. In April it will be 10 years ago, that I found my way here, to Mister Lovee and the country house…
My garden partner, Mister Matty follows me all day – cute as can be.
Entertaining and sharing so much love, I can't even describe it…
Baby snores under a tree, which she deserves, as she used to follow me around as Matty now does. She even joins us from time to time, hoping I might stop everything I am doing to rub her belly (which I do). And dare I stop, she nudges me with her nose and pulls me back to my real job, as belly rubbing girl ;)
I lose Matty from time to time in the crazy garden growth…
The great big apricot tree (which sports beautiful yellow leaves a couple posts below, in a shot from fall) is budding and flowering –
I can't believe spring is here. I always feel changing seasons to be so surreal. There is this space, where the seasons cross, meeting each other, if only for a fleeting moment.
Bare winter branches become adorned with budding life…
Such as the photos above and below. Where winter passes the torch on to spring, and for a mere moment in time, they co-exist, as one fades into the other…
The magic of nature…
As I roam, I hear peaceful tunes wafting out through the windows, being carried in the breeze…
We stroll on and notice Lavender, just starting to bloom –
We wash away winter, and notice oregano finding it's way to the light…
A sprig of mint I took out of a great big mint pot and popped into the ground in late summer starts to grow beautifully under a 30+ year old rose bush…
As two types of basil, in baby stages, cozy in the warm earth…
For me, seeing all this growth, especially in the desert, just knocks my socks off. It makes me so overjoyed. Although, I am certain I would feel the same no matter where I lived. Growing life is beautiful any way you look at it, don't you think?
A peach tree rubs its eyes open, as budding jewels appear…
I could stare at the peach tree buds all day…
Such a generous gift from Mother Nature…
In the midst of all of this delightful spring weather, I have accomplished three huge tasks this week.
Mister Lovee finished my little walkway (I had started in fall) outside of my office on Sunday and Monday (which I dug a ton for). Then Tuesday and Wednesday I rebuilt the inside of my barn closet in my private girl's only boudoir here in the country.
The barn type closet was originally 3 lengths long, and used for canning supplies once upon a time (with only shelves). We took out 2 lengths of it years ago (when we built my room) and added one space for hanging my clothes in the part we kept (but it was too tiny of a hanging space).
So, I took out some of the shelves this week (which took three hours of hand sawing because they were put in, in a never to be removed fashion), and put in a whole second level of hanging space, building the whole thing on my own. Then I painted it all white. I am so pleased.
I think that organization lifts the spirit. It creates a sort of freedom of the mind. I also tackled a huge project on Thursday and completed it. I sorted through tons of junk, and cleaned out an entire covered porch area, where things sat for years. I can't tell you how good that feels…
I think even Matty feels accomplished 😉
It gives us a more peaceful mind, allowing us to enjoy the garden even more…
While it quietly blooms.
Blooming.
What a perfect word.
Now, we'll take a few moments to relax. But only a few, because there are so many things we can't wait to do…
Lest we get carried away hoping and praying that a handful, out of hundreds of planted seeds, will begin to grow.
Watching the ground like mad seedling growers…
Then realizing, we are not even half way down our nice weather to-do list…
But that's okay -
Because spring is truly here…
And with it, brings spring fever inspiration in abundance…
🖤 ,V
.
Oh LoVe! The last photo of Matty in his pool made me giggle out loud! All the photos are magical. I especially love the little purple flowers…I expect that weelings live in there, another entire little universe existing there on your plot of land. Oooo like in Horton Hears a Who. You best listen as you walk through! I adore the magical land you have built. I love your macro photos. Springalicious. Fabulous. Enchanting. **kisskiss** Deb
Blooming is one of my favorite words, as well. I like blossom, too. Yep. May Mother Nature wink and smile at your little seeds. Blessings dear.
Beautiful, and inspiration for me to get to planting!
Beutiful and inspiring… two words that describe spring, your post and your blog!
Best Wishes,
Nicole 🖤
Spring time in Arizona means that Spring is inching it’s way to Michigan. Can’t wait to see buds on trees, flowers and other greenery. Your photos are a hope for what is yet to come.
Your posts always transport me! Just lovely!
I’m in England and spring is so late this year – the daffodils are barely in bud even. I can’t believe you have stuff like peach blossom! I visited Arizona for the first (and, so far, only) time in 1997 and I loved it. Something about a desert landscape but with mountains and fir trees really does it for me – you’re so lucky. And as for your doggies – what can I say? So huggable….
Wow you have me craving green things! I raked today in between playing tag and frisbee with the girls, after our long bike ride….I raked and saw green shoots of grass! I yelled at them lovingly GROW- GROOOOOWWWWW!!!!!!!!
🙂
All your photos are amazing and now I want to see this girls only boudoir, have I seen that yet? Hmmmmm?
Those dogs of yours are angels. Furry angels. xoxo
Happy Spring, Vanessa! How beautifully you’ve shared its arrival with us. All those lush green herbs and blossoming flowers. My dogs were giddy with excitement to be out and about today. Spring is finally here – and thanks for sprinkling a bit of magic dust to mark its arrival…Have a most lovely weekend! Theresa
spring is here..hooray! we have had 75 degree days all week…makes me want to go and take lots of photos of the wildflowers growing in the canyon..i already have about 75…but hey, never ca have too many flower pistures 🙂
puppy is so cute in his pool…guessing he’s trying to hurry-up summer?!
you make us travel, through your posts…magical!
you conjur woman, you! what a journey!
AND I’m pea green with envy that your Spring is so far along … we barely even have snowdrops poking through so far. sigh.
I’m afraid now Dusty is going to have to have his very own wading pool this summer LOL.
Ah, that first feeling of Spring is delicious!
I’m looking forward to feeling the soil between my fingers and showing my little herb garden some love. Your patch has inspired me, oh to grow my very own basil in Scotland!
Beautiful as usual! Happy Spring, V!
blessings
~*~
Ohh Im so excited for you, spring time hunting is so fun.
and my, has Matty grown fast over winter.
I love that you have planted your mint in the ground, its getting rare, people say “oh you’ll have to contain that, it will get out of control” I say let it free!!
there is nothing more wildly fascinating than out of control mint to run thru.
I hope it grows like crazy for you.
xxx
sheree
Awww. you are so sweet and wonDERful! THanks for your encouragement and support of my crazy gypsy soul. . I love reading all your delishus scoops of life..you have no idea what joy it brings , You are doing what you love and it shows…you are following your heart…! I truly hope that someday we can meet..maybe whilst I am rolling through Arizona one fine day! Ha ha LOVE you so much! You make my heart sing…!
My oh my, that Matty has gotten to be such a big boy 😉 And your pictures of Springs arrival are making me drool! We are finally having some lovely weather here too on the east coast…the 3 foot of snow finally melted, yippeee! Big Springy hugs to you and those cute pups of yours V.
Jamie 🙂
What beautiful pictures you’ve taken. It looks like your pup pup is growing up adorably! We had a bit of spring today, about 68 degrees but it was all taken away this evening with hail and 5 inches of snow projected to come down. I guess I need to put my sandals away for a little longer.
Have you ever grown purple ruffles basil? It’s my favorite.
First time to visit your blog. I must say I love it! I know I will be back many times.
Oh, I just love all the pictures and the glimpse of spring flowers, trees and herbs sprouting! Mother Nature is truly amazing isn’t she? The dogs are just so special ~ my buddy follows me every step too and just finally gives up and naps when he’s tired. I love that they choose to be with us!
It’s not a spring day here in Texas today ~ we have very cold temps, rain, north winds & the chance of snow flurries this evening. What happened????
I understand about the sorting and organizing too. I’m doing a lot of that right now while packing to move. I’ve given away a ton of stuff and will do more when I go through clothes & shoes…but the latter will be after the move. My body is calling for a slow down! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your beautiful life ~
xoxo
Pat
Spring is slowly unfurling her tulip and daffodil petticoats, reaching for the skies, and gently rubbing her eyes up here…and not a moment too soon. Her arrival is just perfect (as always) I am feeling the push to really clean and organize Foolsewoode as well…which I shall be starting tomorrow (my only day off…but don’t worry, I shall shower myself with special gifts all day so I don’t feel so bad…although, finishing the project I have in mind may be a reward in itself!) Rub that Babies belly for me!!
Beautiful pictures, the green is so lovely, isn’t it? We are several months from Spring here in Alaska, but I can’t wait. The days are getting warmer and the snow is melting, not fast enough, but, oh well….
I grow many herbs also, such sweet smelling fragrance in our little backyard, and lots of pansies and nasturtiums, a wonderful peppery addition to my summer salads.
Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star’s Fault
I was just perusing all the new buds and flowers when I walked my dog this morning. THEN, I was sitting in the back yard looking at my flowers boxes mounted on the fence thinking it was about time to plant this year’s herbs. What a lovely serendipitous post!
heaven!! Early spring, when buds and blooms are tiny infants…waiting patiently to BURST.
Thank you for this hint of what is to come…for me too
x..x
gorgeous blossoms! YAY for Spring! Its just turning to Autumn here! Magical watching all those beautiful leaves turn too!
All the trees full of blossoms and crawling green covering all,
Tis the eve and the morning of the Fairy Queens Ball.
The springs wreaths are offered and tree plants flowers with glee.
The silk worms weaving glowing threads of blankets
amongst lavender pillow leaves.
The crown and the sceptor pass on to the Midnight Fairy Queens Ball-
As the tooting horns announce Spring
has arrived rising breezes call.
With a Fanciful Twist the flowers do sing – We love you Vanessa and Mad Hatter Tall see you tonight at midnight in the mist of it all.
Happy Glorious Spring!
Happy Spring Vanessa,
Even signs of warmer days to come have hit us here in the great northwest. My magnolia is in full bloom as well as the cherry blossoms – I even wore a dress today. Thanks for sharing images of how spring has sprung in your neck of the woods.
Hugs,
Amada
~such a beautiful walk with you…welcoming spring and the l🖤ve that comes with it…light and warmth and such wondrous delights for our eyes to see…brightest blessings~
Happy Spring to you dear Vanessa. Lovely photos especially the one of Matti in the pool.
We are loving the good weather here on the east coast at the moment…March can be a cruel month…one day hot the next cold…however, we know that soon we will have lovely weather and spring will be blooming in every corner.
I am going down memory lane on my current post…very old photos 🙂
I feel the same way about staring at the Peach tree blossoms…so serene and lovely.
The last photo of Matty standing in the wading pool made me laugh…incredibly cute. He has the best face and expressions. <3
OOOOH I LOVE Mati in the pool! How precious!
We had several days with very spring-like weather last week and the fever was upon me…and of course the first day of spring entered with a seven inch dumping of snow! Ah the pleasures of mid-west weather! Ha! The forecast looks to be spring-like again this next week, so hopefully the snow will melt quickly and we’ll start seeing all that green again.
Lovely pictures! I am so ready for outdoor weather.
🖤 Merry, merry, happy, gloriously green and flowering Spring time To You!!
Wonderful pictures of your spring garden! Those tiny pink flowers on the ground looks like the ones thriving here in gravel paths. It’s soothing for the eyes. /linnea-maria
To Vanessa…from Vanessa!!
First off: Great minds think alike!!
I love looking at your photos!!!! I take sooooo many myself also…. of things that inspire me, and to use to look back on things that make me happy!
You made me think of last summer in my garden, that I will post today! glitter running along the garden paths lined with vintage plates …”humming bird show’s” at dusk!!
please stop by!!
Also on the agenda:
I would love to be included in the 2010 Alice Hoopla!! ~~~ FUN!!
I will watch for more news!!!
I am so excited for spring, its just basically ridiculous!!
Giggles… Glitter, moss and sunshine!!!!!!
~vanessa
http://RhinestoneContessa.com
Blooming is such an life giving word. Spring finds me blooming and waiting for signs of life in my garden. I look and look and I know it will be soon. My peach tree is about two weeks behind yours I believe. It will be a joyous time indeed!!
Scratch Matty and Baby for me too!!
Hugging you all
SueAnn
look at his little pool!!
I loved what you said about changing seasons being surreal. It really is like that! I wonder if the flowers feel that way? I know my dog does. she is up and at-em in spring, knowing that things are afoot!
Yardsailor Antiques in Fresno CA says HI!! 😉
http://yardsailor.net/
I hope you can be inspired to grow some roses. Because nothing says spring than having the right roses with you.
I love your blog just found it.So cute and your artwork is just beautiful.
It is love to read this post just as the flowers start coming out in my garden. You live in a peaceful place and must feel lucky. I would suggest you get some mixed flower seeds and spread them around or get some bulbs and plant them. Then your garden would be full of color